JP2019045653A - Image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

To suppress scraping and damage of a layer transferred on a sheet upon sheet emission.SOLUTION: An image formation device (color printer 1) comprises: a first sheet loading tray 22 that loads a sheet (paper S) in which a toner image-formed side is placed face down; a first sheet conveyance part 9A that has a first conveyance route F1 conveying the sheet from a sheet supply part 3 to the first sheet loading tray; a film transfer unit 140 that transfers at least one layer of a multi layer film F to the toner image; a second sheet loading tray 160 that loads the sheet in which a side of the at least toner image-transferred one layer of the multi layer film is placed face up; a second sheet conveyance part 9B that has a second conveyance route F2 branching from the first conveyance route to convey the sheet to the second sheet loading tray; and a switch part (switch-back roller 23) that switches a first state where the sheet is conveyed from a toner image formation unit 4 to the first sheet loading tray to a second state where the sheet is conveyed from the first sheet loading tray to the second sheet conveyance part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus provided with a film transfer unit for transferring a foil onto a toner image.

  Conventionally, a film transfer portion is known in which a foil is transferred onto a toner image by laminating the foil on a toner image and heating the toner image (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-252190

  By the way, when the conventional film transfer unit is provided in the image forming apparatus, when the sheet subjected to the foil transfer is discharged to the discharge tray, the sheet is discharged with the foil transferred side of the sheet directed to the discharge tray. If done, the foil on the sheet and the discharge tray may be rubbed, and the foil on the sheet may be scratched.

  Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to suppress abrasion and damage of a layer such as a foil formed on a sheet at the time of discharging the sheet.

  In order to solve the problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a sheet supply unit for supplying a sheet, a toner image forming unit for forming a toner image on the sheet supplied by the sheet supply unit, and the toner image A first sheet stacking tray for stacking the sheet on which the toner image is formed by the forming unit with the surface on which the toner image is formed facing downward; and the sheet from the sheet supply unit to the toner image forming unit A multi-layer film consisting of a plurality of layers is superimposed on the first sheet conveying section having a first conveying path for conveying to the first sheet stacking tray via the first sheet, and the sheet on which the toner image is formed; A film transfer portion for transferring at least one layer of the multilayer film on an image, and the at least one layer of the multilayer film transferred by the film transfer portion Between the toner image forming portion of the first transport path and the first sheet stacking tray, in which the second sheet stacking tray is stacked such that the surface on which at least one layer of the multilayer film is transferred is directed upward; A second sheet transport unit having a second transport path for transporting the sheet to the second sheet stacking tray by branching from a branch portion of the second sheet transport tray, and a direction from the toner image forming unit toward the first sheet stacking tray And a switching unit capable of switching between a first state of conveying the sheet to the second state and a second state of conveying the sheet in a direction from the first sheet stacking tray to the second sheet conveying portion.

  According to this configuration, the sheet is discharged to the second sheet stacking tray with the surface on which at least one layer of the multilayer film is transferred facing upward, so the layer formed on the sheet is the second sheet stacking tray. It can suppress that it is rubbed and damaged.

  According to the present invention, when the sheet is discharged, the layer formed on the sheet can be prevented from being scratched and damaged.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a color printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the state which pulled out the support frame from the main body housing | casing. It is a figure (a), (b) which shows operation | movement of a contact / separation mechanism. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a control part. It is a figure which shows the color printer 1 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. In 2nd Embodiment, it is a figure which shows the state which pulled out the support frame from the main body housing | casing. It is a figure (a)-(e) which shows the structure by the side of the 2nd housing | casing of the color printer which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure (a)-(c) which shows the structure by the side of the 2nd housing | casing of the color printer which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a figure (a)-(c) which shows the relationship between a positioning plate and an unwinding axis | shaft. It is a figure (a)-(c) which shows the structure by the side of the 2nd housing | casing of the color printer which concerns on 5th Embodiment. It is a figure (a)-(c) which shows the structure by the side of the 2nd housing | casing of the color printer which concerns on 6th Embodiment. It is a figure (a), (b) which shows the structure by the side of the 2nd housing | casing of the color printer which concerns on 7th Embodiment. It is a figure (a)-(c) which shows the structure by the side of the 2nd housing | casing of the color printer which concerns on 8th Embodiment. It is a figure (a)-(c) which shows the structure by the side of the 2nd housing | casing of the color printer which concerns on 9th Embodiment. It is a figure showing a color printer concerning a 10th embodiment. In 10th Embodiment, it is a figure which shows the state which pulled out the support frame from the main body housing | casing. It is a figure which shows the color printer concerning 11th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the control part which concerns on 11th Embodiment. It is a figure showing the color printer concerning a 12th embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the control part which concerns on 12th Embodiment.

First Embodiment
Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate.
As shown in FIG. 1, a color printer 1 as an example of the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a main housing 2 composed of a first housing 21 and a second housing 110. In the following description, a direction based on a user who uses the color printer 1 will be described. That is, the right side in FIG. 1 is “front”, the left side is “rear”, the near side is “left”, and the back side is “right”. Further, the vertical direction in FIG. 1 is referred to as “upper and lower”.

  The first housing 21 is a hollow substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing, and accommodates therein the sheet supply unit 3, the toner image forming unit 4, a part of the conveyance unit 9, and the control unit 200. There is. The second housing 110 is a hollow substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing, and accommodates the film transfer unit 140 and the other portion of the transport unit 9 therein.

  The first housing 21 has a first sheet stacking tray 22 at the top. The first sheet stacking tray 22 stacks the sheet S as an example of the sheet on which the toner image is formed by the toner image forming unit 4 with the surface on which the toner image is formed facing downward.

  The sheet supply unit 3 is provided at a lower portion in the first housing 21. The sheet supply unit 3 mainly includes a supply tray 31, a sheet feeding mechanism 33 including a sheet feeding roller and the like, and a registration roller 34. The supply tray 31 accommodates the sheet S. The supply tray 31 can be pulled forward with respect to the first housing 21. The sheet supply unit 3 feeds the sheet S stored in the supply tray 31 to the registration roller 34 by the sheet feeding mechanism 33, and then supplies the sheet S to the toner image forming unit 4 by the registration roller 34.

  The toner image forming unit 4 is configured to form a toner image on the sheet S supplied by the sheet supply unit 3. The toner image forming unit 4 mainly includes an exposure device 5, four process units 6, a transfer unit 7, and a fixing device 8.

  The exposure device 5 is disposed at the upper portion in the first housing 21 and includes a laser light emitting unit, a polygon mirror, a lens, a reflecting mirror, and the like (not shown). The exposure device 5 emits a laser beam (refer to a two-dot chain line) based on image data from the laser emission unit, and exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 61 of the process unit 6.

  The four process units 6 are arranged in the front-rear direction above the sheet supply unit 3. Each process unit 6 includes a photosensitive drum 61, a charger (not shown), a developing roller 62, a toner storage unit for storing toner, and the like.

  The transfer unit 7 is provided between the sheet supply unit 3 and the four process units 6. The transfer unit 7 includes a drive roller 71, a driven roller 72, a conveyance belt 73, and four transfer rollers 74.

  The driving roller 71 and the driven roller 72 are spaced apart and parallel to each other in the front-rear direction, and a conveying belt 73 made of an endless belt is stretched between them. The outer surface of the conveyance belt 73 is opposed to the photosensitive drums 61. Further, inside the conveyance belt 73, four transfer rollers 74 for holding the conveyance belt 73 between the photosensitive drums 61 are disposed so as to face the respective photosensitive drums 61.

  The fixing device 8 is provided on the rear side of the process unit 6 and the transfer unit 7. The fixing device 8 includes a heating roller 81 and a pressure roller 82 disposed opposite to the heating roller 81 and pressing the heating roller 81.

  In the toner image forming unit 4, first, the surface of each photosensitive drum 61 is uniformly charged by the charger, and then exposed by the exposure device 5. As a result, the charge of the exposed portion is removed, and an electrostatic latent image based on the image data is formed on each photosensitive drum 61. Thereafter, the toner in the toner storage portion is supplied to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 61 by the developing roller 62, whereby a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 61.

  Next, when the sheet S supplied on the conveyance belt 73 passes between the photosensitive drums 61 and the transfer rollers 74, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drums 61 is transferred onto the sheet S. Ru. Then, as the sheet S passes between the heating roller 81 and the pressure roller 82, the toner image transferred onto the sheet S is thermally fixed.

  The conveyance unit 9 includes a first sheet conveyance unit 9A having a first conveyance path F1, a second sheet conveyance unit 9B having a second conveyance path F2, and a switchback roller 23 as an example of a switching unit. .

  The first sheet conveyance unit 9A includes a plurality of rollers for conveying the sheet S along the first conveyance path F1. As the plurality of rollers, in addition to the rollers constituting the sheet feeding mechanism 33, the registration roller 34, the photosensitive drum 61, the pressure roller 82, etc., other rollers may be appropriately arranged. .

  The first conveyance path F 1 is a path for conveying the sheet S from the sheet supply unit 3 to the first sheet stacking tray 22 via the toner image forming unit 4. The first transport path F1 includes a first path 91 and a second path 92.

  The sheet S is delivered from the sheet supply unit 3 and conveyed by the plurality of rollers, and thereby reaches the toner image forming unit 4 through the first path 91. The first path 91 extends diagonally upward from the front of the supply tray 31 and then obliquely upward.

  The sheet S is delivered from the toner image forming unit 4 and conveyed by the plurality of rollers, and thereby reaches the first sheet stacking tray 22 through the second path 92. The second path 92 extends upward from the rear of the fixing device 8 and then extends forward toward the first sheet stacking tray 22 at the top of the first housing 21.

  The second sheet conveyance unit 9B includes a plurality of rollers R for conveying the sheet S along the second conveyance path F2. A part of the second sheet conveyance unit 9 </ b> B is provided in the first housing 21, and the other part is provided in the second housing 110.

  The second transport path F2 branches from a branch portion BF1 between the toner image forming portion 4 of the first transport path F1 and the first sheet stacking tray 22 and transports the sheet S to the second sheet stacking tray 160 described later. It is a route for The second transport path F2 includes a third path 93 and a fourth path 94.

  The third path 93 is a path for guiding the sheet S discharged from the toner image forming unit 4 toward the film transfer unit 140. The third path 93 extends obliquely downward from the bifurcated portion BF1 of the second path 92, then extends downward, and extends forward near the lower surface of the second housing 110, and then the film transfer portion 140. It extends upwards towards it. The fourth path 94 extends diagonally upward and forward from the film transfer portion 140 toward the second sheet stacking tray 160.

  The switchback roller 23 is provided closer to the first sheet stacking tray 22 than the bifurcated portion BF1 of the second path 92 with the second transport path F2. The switchback roller 23 has a first state in which the sheet S is transported from the toner image forming unit 4 toward the first sheet stacking tray 22 and a second state in which the sheet S is transported from the first sheet stacking tray 22. It has a function capable of being switched to the second state of conveying in the direction toward the sheet stacking tray 160. In other words, the switchback roller 23 can switch from the state in which the sheet S is conveyed with the one end of the sheet S on which the toner image is formed as the head to the state in which the sheet S is conveyed with the other end of the sheet S as the head. It has become. Specifically, the switchback roller 23 has a forward rotation that rotates in the direction of transporting the sheet S toward the first sheet stacking tray 22 and a reverse rotation that rotates in the direction opposite to the forward rotation, and the second transport path It is possible to reversely rotate in the direction of conveying the sheet S toward F2.

  The second housing 110 is fixed to the lower portion of the first housing 21. Specifically, the second housing 110 is attachable to and detachable from the first housing 21 from the lower side of the first housing 21. The bottom area of the second housing 110 is equal to or less than the bottom area of the first housing 21. In the present embodiment, the bottom area of the second housing 110 and the bottom area of the first housing 21 are the same area, but the bottom area of the second housing 110 is smaller than the bottom area of the first housing 21. It may also be smaller.

  In the second housing 110, a film transfer unit 140, a support frame 150, and a second sheet stacking tray 160 are provided. The support frame 150 is a frame that supports a part of the film transfer unit 140, and more specifically, a film cartridge 170 and a film pressure roller 142 described later, and can be pulled forward with respect to the second housing 110. That is, the withdrawal direction of the support frame 150 is the same as the withdrawal direction of the supply tray 31.

  The support frames 150 are provided one by one on both sides in the left-right direction of a part of the film transfer part 140 in order to sandwich and support a part of the film transfer part 140 in the left-right direction. The left and right support frames 150 are connected by a connecting member (not shown) extending in the left-right direction. The left and right support frames 150 are movably supported by the second housing 110 via slide rails SL (see FIG. 2).

  The support frame 150 is provided with an engagement pin 151 with which the hook 111 provided in the second housing 110 is engaged. The engagement pin 151 is provided on the upper front side of the support frame 150. The hook 111 is formed in an L-shape, and one end thereof is rotatably provided on the second housing 110.

  The support frame 150 has a boss 152 engaged with a positioning recess 112 provided in the second housing 110. The boss 152 engages with the positioning recess 112 to position the support frame 150 with respect to the second housing 110.

  The second housing 110 is provided with a biasing member 113 that biases the support frame 150 forward. The biasing member 113 biases the support frame 150 forward in a state in which the hook 111 is engaged with the engagement pin 151. As a result, when the hook 111 is removed from the engagement pin 151, the support frame 150 can be moved slightly forward by the biasing force of the biasing member 113, so that the support frame 150 can be easily pulled out. It has become.

  The second sheet stacking tray 160 is a tray on which the sheet S on which the foil is transferred by the film transfer unit 140 is stacked so that the surface on which the foil is transferred faces upward. The second sheet stacking tray 160 is rotatably provided on the upper front side of the support frame 150. Specifically, the second sheet stacking tray 160 has a support position (position indicated by solid line) for supporting the sheet S on which the foil transfer has been performed and a storage position (position indicated by two-dot chain line) folded along the front surface of the second housing 110. It is possible to rotate between) and.

  The film transfer unit 140 has a function of overlapping the foil on the surface of the sheet S on which the toner image is formed, and transferring the foil on the toner image. In the present embodiment, the film transfer unit 140 transfers a metal-colored foil to a toner image. The film transfer unit 140 is located below the switchback roller 23, more specifically, below the sheet supply unit 3. The film transfer unit 140 is located on the second transport path F2. The film transfer unit 140 includes a film cartridge 170, a film heating roller 141, and a film pressure roller 142.

  The film cartridge 170 includes a multilayer film F, an unwinding shaft 120, a winding shaft 130, a plurality of guide shafts 171, and a case 172. The unwinding shaft 120 is wound with a multilayer film F having a layer of foil before being transferred. The multilayer film F has at least a release layer and a foil layer formed on a tape-like support made of a polymer material, and has a length of 210 mm or more and 400 mm or less in the direction in which the unwinding shaft 120 and the winding shaft 130 extend. In the state of a new product, it is wound around the unwinding shaft 120 with a length of 10 m or more and 300 m or less. The winding shaft 130 is disposed on the upper front of the unwinding shaft 120. The winding shaft 130 winds the multilayer film F wound around the unwinding shaft 120.

  The foil is a metal such as gold, silver, copper, or aluminum which is thinly stretched. Further, the multilayer film F may be mainly made of a polymer material, have a thickness of 5 to 250 μm, and may be longer than 400 mm in the extending direction of the unwinding shaft 120 and the winding shaft 130. That is, the multilayer film F contains a tape. In addition, the multilayer film F is a film having a plurality of layers made of a material different from the polymer material constituting the film.

  Two guide shafts 171 among the plurality of guide shafts 171 are shafts for guiding the multilayer film F from the unwinding shaft 120 to between the film heating roller 141 and the film pressure roller 142. The remaining two guide shafts 171 are shafts for guiding the multilayer film F toward the winding shaft 130 from between the film heating roller 141 and the film pressure roller 142. The plurality of guide shafts 171 support the multilayer film F such that a part of the multilayer film F is stretched along a common tangential direction of the film heating roller 141 and the film pressure roller 142. In the present embodiment, the common tangential direction of the film heating roller 141 and the film pressure roller 142 is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction.

  The case 172 accommodates therein the multilayer film F, the unwinding shaft 120, the winding shaft 130, and the guide shaft 171. The case 172 is attachable to and detachable from the support frame 150.

  The film heating roller 141 and the film pressure roller 142 are provided at a position between the unwinding shaft 120 and the winding shaft 130 in the direction from the unwinding shaft 120 toward the winding shaft 130. The film heating roller 141 is a roller that heats the multilayer film F, and is heated by a heat source (not shown). The film heating roller 141 is disposed at a position opposite to the surface of the sheet S conveyed on the second conveyance path F2 with the toner image of the sheet S formed, with the multilayer film F interposed therebetween.

  The film pressure roller 142 is provided diagonally below the film heating roller 141. The film pressure roller 142 is disposed at a position where it can be in contact with the surface of the sheet S conveyed on the second conveyance path F2 where the toner image is not formed. The film pressure roller 142 sandwiches the multilayer film F wound between the unwinding shaft 120 and the winding shaft 130 with the film heating roller 141. The film heating roller 141 and the film pressure roller 142 transfer the foil to the toner image by heating the toner image of the sheet S guided from the third path 93 together with the foil.

  The film heating roller 141 is provided in the second housing 110. The film cartridge 170 and the film pressure roller 142 are supported by the support frame 150. Thus, as shown in FIG. 2, when the support frame 150 is pulled out of the second housing 110, the film heating roller 141 remains on the second housing 110, and the film cartridge 170 and the film pressure roller 142 are supported. It is pulled out with 150.

  The film heating roller 141 is provided in the second housing 110 via the contact / separation mechanism 180 shown in FIG. The contact / separation mechanism 180 separates the film heating roller 141 from the film pressing roller 142 at a first position (a position shown in FIG. 3B) sandwiching the multilayer film F with the film pressing roller 142. It is a mechanism to move to the position (the position of FIG. 3A). The contact / separation mechanism 180 moves the support member 181 that rotatably supports the shaft portion 141A of the film heating roller 141 and the support member 181 in the direction in which the film heating roller 141 and the film pressure roller 142 face each other. And a moving mechanism.

  The support member 181 has a positioning portion 181 A for positioning the film pressure roller 142 with respect to the film heating roller 141. The positioning portion 181A is a recessed portion, and can be engaged with the shaft portion 142A of the film pressure roller 142. As shown in FIG. 3A, when the support frame 150 is attached to the second housing 110 or when the support frame 150 is pulled out of the second housing 110, the support member 181 is positioned at the second position. Do. As shown in FIG. 3B, in the case of performing foil transfer on the toner image on the sheet S by at least the film transfer unit 140, the support member 181 is moved from the second position to the first position to position the positioning unit 181A. Engages with the shaft portion 142A of the film pressure roller 142.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the support member 181 is disposed on the outer side in the left-right direction of the support frame 150. In the support frame 150 and the case 172 of the film cartridge 170, relief grooves G1 and G2 for suppressing interference with the shaft portion 141A of the film heating roller 141 are formed. The shaft portion 141A of the film heating roller 141 is disposed in the clearance grooves G1 and G2 when the film heating roller 141 is positioned at the first position as shown in FIG. 1, and the film heating roller 141 is shown in FIG. When located at the second position, it is disposed outside the relief grooves G1, G2.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, when the film heating roller 141 is positioned at the second position, the film heating roller 141 is disposed at a position not overlapping the support frame 150 and the film cartridge 170 when viewed from the left and right direction. There is. Furthermore, when the film heating roller 141 is positioned at the second position, the portions 150U and 170U on the upstream side of the film heating roller 141 in the support frame 150 and the film cartridge 170 with respect to the film heating roller 141 are in the vertical direction It is located at the shifted position, specifically below. Thus, when the support frame 150 is moved back and forth, interference of the support frame 150 and the film cartridge 170 with the film heating roller 141 can be suppressed.

  The control unit 200 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and an input / output circuit, and performs various arithmetic processing based on print data output from an external computer and a program or data stored in the ROM or the like. , To perform control. The control unit 200 can execute switchback processing of switching the conveyance direction of the sheet S by the switchback roller 23 and foil transfer processing of transferring a foil on the toner image by the film transfer unit 140. Then, when discharging the sheet S to the second sheet stacking tray 160, the control unit 200 performs the switchback process and the foil transfer process to make the surface on which the foil of the sheet S is transferred be the second sheet stacking tray. The sheet S is discharged to the second sheet stacking tray 160 in a state of being directed to the opposite side to the side 160, that is, in a state of being directed upward.

Next, the operation of the control unit 200 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 200 first determines whether print data has been received (S1). If it is determined in step S1 that the print data has not been received (No), the control unit 200 ends the present control.

  If it is determined in step S1 that the print data has been received (Yes), the control unit 200 determines whether or not the metal color is present, and more specifically, whether the print data is data for converting the toner image into a metal color. To do (S2). If it is determined in step S2 that there is a metallic color (Yes), the control unit 200 forms a toner image on the first surface of the sheet S by the toner image forming unit 4, thereby the first surface of the sheet S. Print to (S3). In step S3, the control unit 200 rotates the switchback roller 23 in the forward direction.

  After step S3, in detail, when the sheet S is conveyed toward the first sheet stacking tray 22 by the switchback roller 23 rotating forward, the control unit 200 rotates the switchback roller 23 from the forward rotation. By switching to reverse rotation, the sheet S is switched back (S4). After step S4, the control unit 200 performs foil transfer on the toner image formed on the first surface of the sheet S by the film transfer unit 140 (S5).

  After step S5, the control unit 200 discharges the sheet S to the second sheet stacking tray 160 (S6). After step S6, the control unit 200 determines whether the printing for all the sheets designated by the print data is completed (S7).

  If it is determined in step S7 that printing has not ended (No), the control unit 200 returns to the process of step S2. If it is determined in step S2 that there is no metallic color (No), the control unit 200 performs the same processing as step S3, that is, printing on the first surface of the sheet S (S8).

  After step S8, the control unit 200 discharges the sheet S to the first sheet stacking tray 22 (S9). After step S9, the control unit 200 proceeds to the process of step S7. If it is determined in step S7 that the printing has ended (Yes), the control unit 200 ends the present control.

Next, the operation and effect of the color printer 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, when the toner image on the sheet S is not subjected to metal color, that is, when normal printing is performed, the first surface of the sheet S on which the toner image is formed During the pass, look upwards. Thereafter, the sheet S is turned upside down by the second path 92 so that the sheet S is discharged onto the first sheet stacking tray 22 with the first surface facing downward.

  In the case where the toner image of the sheet S is to be metalized, the switchback roller 23 is reversely rotated while the sheet S is conveyed toward the first sheet stacking tray 22 with the first surface facing downward. By doing this, the sheet S is transported to the second transport path F2. When the sheet S passes through a portion of the second transport path F2 extending in the vertical direction from the first housing 21 to the second housing 110, the sheet S is directed downward with the first surface facing forward. Transported to

  Thereafter, when the sheet S is transported toward the front of the film transfer unit 140 at the lower portion of the second transport path F2, the first surface is directed upward. In the film transfer unit 140, the foil of the multilayer film F is transferred to the toner image formed on the first surface facing upward. Thereafter, the sheet S is discharged onto the second sheet stacking tray 160 with the first side facing up. As a result, the foil formed on the first side of the sheet S can be prevented from being scratched and scratched by the second sheet stacking tray 160.

As mentioned above, according to this embodiment, in addition to the effect mentioned above, the following effects can be acquired.
By providing the film cartridge 170 on the support frame 150 that can be pulled out with respect to the second housing 110, the film cartridge 170 can be pulled out by pulling out the support frame 150, so replacement of the film cartridge 170 can be facilitated. It can be carried out. Here, for example, a structure in which the film cartridge can be directly attached to and detached from the second housing can be considered, but in this case, at the time of attaching and detaching the film cartridge, the film cartridge is another member in the second housing (for example, a roller Interfere with R), etc., and the work may be complicated. In this embodiment, the film cartridge 170 can be moved together with the film cartridge 170 by pulling out the support frame 150, so that the film cartridge 170 can be easily replaced.

  Because the feed tray 31 and the support frame 150 are pulled out in the same direction, the operation of setting the sheets S in the feed tray 31 and the replacement operation of the film cartridge 170 may be performed from the same side of the color printer 1, that is, the front side. Since it is possible, the operability of the color printer 1 can be improved.

  Since the second housing 110 is attachable to and detachable from the first housing 21 from the lower side of the first housing 21, for example, compared to a configuration in which the second housing can be attached and detached from the rear of the first housing, The installation area of the printer 1 can be reduced. Here, in the embodiment in which the second housing is detachable from the rear of the first housing, the entire color printer is enlarged in the front-rear direction, and the installation area of the color printer is increased in the front-rear direction. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the second housing is disposed below the first housing, the color printer 1 is increased in size in the vertical direction but not in the front and rear directions. It is possible to suppress an increase in the installation area of the

  Since the bottom area of the second housing 110 is equal to or less than the bottom area of the first housing 21, it is possible to suppress an increase in the installation area of the color printer 1.

  Since the contact / separation mechanism 180 for moving the film heating roller 141 close to or away from the film pressure roller 142 is provided, when the support frame 150 is pulled out, the film heating roller 141 is moved to a position not interfering with the support frame 150 or the like. Thus, the interference between the support frame 150 and the film heating roller 141 can be favorably suppressed.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Note that since this embodiment is a partial modification of the structure of the first embodiment described above, components substantially similar to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, or are not shown. The explanation will be omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in the second embodiment, after the support frame 150 is moved downward with respect to the main housing 2, it can be pulled out in the horizontal direction, specifically, in the forward direction. . Specifically, the support frame 150 can move as described above by moving along a guide rail (not shown) provided in the second housing 110.

  The main housing 2 also has a lower surface 2A and a plurality of legs 2B projecting downward from the lower surface 2A. Specifically, the lower surface of the second housing 110 constitutes the lower surface 2A of the main housing 2. The leg portion 2B is attached so as to project downward from the lower surface 2A of the main housing 2, that is, the lower surface of the second housing 110.

  When the support frame 150 is moved downward with respect to the main housing 2, the lower surface 150 A of the support frame 150 is located lower than the upper end B 1 of the leg 2 B. Thereby, it is possible to easily pull out the support frame 150 using the space formed by the legs 2B.

  Further, the second housing 110 is provided with a front cover 190 which is pivotable about the upper end. The front cover 190 can open and close an opening 110A (see FIG. 6) for drawing the support frame 150 forward. Further, a second sheet stacking tray 160 is rotatably provided on the front cover 190.

  In the film cartridge 170, the multilayer film F between the film heating roller 141 and the film pressing roller 142 is disposed along the front-rear direction. In other words, the film cartridge 170 is disposed such that the unwinding shaft 120 and the winding shaft 130 are at substantially the same position in the vertical direction.

  The support frame 150 supports the film pressure roller 142 and the film cartridge 170, and also supports the roller R near the film pressure roller 142.

  In this embodiment, when the film cartridge 170 is taken out of the second housing 110, the front cover 190 is first opened as shown in FIG. Thereafter, the support frame 150 is moved downward and pulled forward. Thereafter, the film cartridge 170 is removed from the support frame 150. When the film cartridge 170 is mounted in the second housing 110, an operation reverse to the operation described above may be performed.

Third Embodiment
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In addition, since this embodiment is a partial modification of the structure of the second embodiment described above, components substantially similar to those of the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, or are not shown. The explanation will be omitted. In the following description of each embodiment, for example, grooves, holes, and the like for suppressing the interference of two members, such as the above-described clearance grooves G1 and G2, are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, in the third embodiment, the film pressure roller 142 is provided in the second housing 110. Specifically, the film pressure roller 142 is provided to the second housing 110 via the contact / separation mechanism 180. The film pressing roller 142 has a first position (see solid line) sandwiching the multilayer film F with the film heating roller 141 by the contact and separation mechanism 180 and a second position (see two-dot chain line) separated from the film heating roller 141. It is movable between) and.

  The film cartridge 170 and the film heating roller 141 are supported by the support frame 150. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7D, the film cartridge 170 is supported by a support plate 300 rotatably supported by the support frame 150. That is, the film cartridge 170 is indirectly supported by the support frame 150 via the support plate 300. On the other hand, the film heating roller 141 is directly supported by the support frame 150. The film heating roller 141 is disposed above the film pressing roller 142 with the multilayer film F interposed therebetween.

  The support plate 300 is rotatable around a central axis 310. The support frame 150 has an upstream end E1 in the withdrawal direction and a downstream end E2 opposite to the upstream end E1 in the withdrawal direction. The distance between the central axis 310 of the support plate 300 and the upstream end E1 of the support frame 150 is smaller than the distance between the central axis 310 of the support plate 300 and the downstream end E2 of the support frame 150.

  The support plate 300 has a groove-like guide portion 320 for guiding the unwinding shaft 120 and the winding shaft 130 together. As shown in FIG. 7 (b), the guide 320 is provided with a lock member 321. The lock member 321 protrudes from the inner surface of the groove-shaped guide portion 320 and is engageable with the unwinding shaft 120. The lock member 321 is disposed downstream of the unwinding shaft 120 in the pull-out direction, and restricts movement of the unwinding shaft 120 in a direction in which the unwinding shaft 120 is disengaged from the guide portion 320. In FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (c) to 7 (e), the lock member 321 is not shown.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the second housing 110 is provided with a support wall 114 for supporting the support plate 300 from below. In addition, the support frame 150 is provided with a positioning member 330 for positioning the winding shaft 130. The positioning member 330 has a V-shaped recess that engages with the winding shaft 130.

  In this embodiment, when the film cartridge 170 is taken out of the second housing 110, the film pressure roller 142 is first separated from the film heating roller 141 as shown in FIG. 7A. Next, the user pulls the support frame 150 forward from the second housing 110.

  As shown in FIG. 7D, when a half or more of the lower surface of the support plate 300 is removed from the support wall 114 by pulling out the support frame 150, the film cartridge 170 rotates with the support plate 300 by gravity. Therefore, when the support frame 150 is pulled out, the film cartridge 170 is pivoted away from the film heating roller 141. At this time, the winding shaft 130 is disengaged from the recess of the positioning member 330.

  After that, the film cartridge 170 can be taken out by pulling out the film cartridge 170 along the guide portion 320. That is, when the film cartridge 170 is pulled out along the guide portion 320, the unwinding shaft 120 and the winding shaft 130 are guided by the guide portion 320 and disengaged from the support plate 300. When the film cartridge 170 is mounted in the second housing 110, an operation reverse to the operation described above may be performed.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, when the support frame 150 is pulled out, the film cartridge 170 rotates in the direction away from the film heating roller 141, so when the film cartridge 170 is removed from the support frame 150, the film heating roller 141 interferes And the film cartridge 170 can be easily replaced.

Fourth Embodiment
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In addition, since this embodiment is a partial modification of the structure of the second embodiment described above, components substantially similar to those of the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, or are not shown. The explanation will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the fourth embodiment, the film pressure roller 142 is provided in the second housing 110. The film cartridge 170 and the film heating roller 141 are provided on the support frame 150.

  The film cartridge 170 is rotatable with respect to the support frame 150 about a winding shaft 130 as an example of a central shaft. The film cartridge 170 has an upstream end E1 in the withdrawal direction and a downstream end E2 opposite to the upstream end E1 in the withdrawal direction. The distance between the winding shaft 130 and the downstream end E2 of the film cartridge 170 is smaller than the distance between the winding shaft 130 and the upstream end E1 of the film cartridge 170.

  The support frame 150 has a cutout 153 for rotatably supporting the winding shaft 130. The notch 153 opens upward. Specifically, the notch 153 opens obliquely upward and forward.

  The film cartridge 170 has an unwinding shaft 120 as an upstream portion located between the winding shaft 130 and the upstream end E1 of the film cartridge 170 in the front-rear direction. The support frame 150 is provided with a slide guide 400 that supports the unwinding shaft 120. The slide guide 400 is movably supported by the support frame 150 in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the slide guide 400 is movable relative to the support frame 150 between the initial position shown in FIG. 8A and the retracted position shown in FIG. 8B.

  The second housing 110 has a restricting portion 116 that restricts the movement of the slide guide 400. The slide guide 400 is provided with an engagement protrusion 430 that engages with the restricting portion 116 from the rear. The slide guide 400 is movable in the pull-out direction together with the support frame 150 in a state where the engagement protrusion 430 is not engaged with the restricting portion 116. The movement of the slide guide 400 in the pull-out direction is restricted by the restricting portion 116 in a state in which the engaging protrusion 430 is engaged with the restricting portion 116, and the slide guide 400 remains at that position.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, the slide guide 400 has an inclined surface 410 that is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, and a support recess 420 that is recessed from the inclined surface 410. The support recess 420 supports the unwinding shaft 120 of the film cartridge 170 in a state where the support frame 150 is mounted to the second housing 110. The second housing 110 also has a positioning plate 115 as a positioning portion for positioning the unwinding shaft 120 of the film cartridge 170. The positioning plate 115 is formed with a groove 115A extending in the front-rear direction and opening forward.

  One slide guide 400 is provided on one side and the other side of the film pressure roller 142 in the axial direction of the film pressure roller 142. In other words, the film pressure roller 142 is located between the pair of slide guides 400 in the axial direction. Further, in the axial direction, the length of the film pressure roller 142 is shorter than the length from one slide guide 400 to the other slide guide 400.

  In this embodiment, when the user pulls the support frame 150 forward so as to take out the film cartridge 170 from the second housing 110, the slide guide 400 and the support frame 150, as shown in FIGS. 8 (a) and 8 (b). Move forward. At this time, the film cartridge 170 and the film heating roller 141 supported by the support frame 150 move forward together with the support frame 150, but the film pressure roller 142 supported by the second housing 110 is at the position Stay in Specifically, since the length of the film pressure roller 142 is shorter than the length from one slide guide 400 to the other slide guide 400 in the axial direction, the film pressure roller 142 interferes with the pair of slide guides 400. do not do.

  As shown in FIG. 8 (b), when the engagement projection 430 of the slide guide 400 engages with the restricting portion 116, the forward movement of the slide guide 400 is stopped. Thereafter, when the support frame 150 is further pulled out, the support frame 150 moves forward with respect to the stopped slide guide 400.

  As a result, as shown in FIGS. 9B and 9C, the unwinding shaft 120 of the film cartridge 170 is guided so as to slide off the support recess 420 of the slide guide 400 and on the inclined surface 410 of the slide guide 400. Ru. Thus, the film cartridge 170 is rotated while the unwinding shaft 120 of the film cartridge 170 is guided by the slide guide 400 by pulling out the support frame 150 in a state where the movement of the slide guide 400 is restricted by the restricting portion 116. Move (see FIG. 8 (c)).

  Thus, the film cartridge 170 is separated from the film heating roller 141, so the film cartridge 170 can be easily removed. In addition, since the film cartridge 170 may be pulled out along the notch 153 which is inclined toward the upper front, the removal operation can be easily performed. When the film cartridge 170 is mounted in the second housing 110, an operation reverse to the operation described above may be performed.

Fifth Embodiment
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, since this embodiment is a partial modification of the structure of the second embodiment described above, components substantially similar to those of the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, or are not shown. The explanation will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 10A, in the fifth embodiment, the film cartridge 170 is supported by the support frame 150. The second housing 110 is provided with a front cover 190 which is pivotable about the lower end.

  The second housing 110 is provided with a film heating roller 141 and a film pressure roller 142. Specifically, the film heating roller 141 is provided in the second housing 110 via the contact / separation mechanism 500.

  The contact / separation mechanism 500 has a first position (see a two-dot chain line) sandwiching the multilayer film F between the film heating roller 141 and the film pressure roller 142, and a second position (solid line) separating the film heating roller 141 from the film pressure roller 142. (See)). The contact / separation mechanism 500 moves the film heating roller 141 from the first position to the second position in conjunction with the operation of opening the front cover 190 and interlocks the operation of closing the front cover 190 with the film heating roller 141 in the second position. To move to the first position. The film heating roller 141 is separated from the film pressing roller 142 so that the film cartridge 170 can pass between the film heating roller 141 and the film pressing roller 142 at the second position.

  The structure for interlocking the contacting and separating mechanism 500 with the front cover 190 may be any structure. For example, the contact / separation mechanism 500 shown in FIG. 10B is provided on the support member 501 for supporting the film heating roller 141, the rack gear portion 502 provided on the support member 501, and the front cover 190, and rotates together with the front cover 190. A cover side gear portion 191 and a predetermined number of gears 503 connecting the rack gear portion 502 and the cover side gear portion 191 are provided. The support member 501 is supported by the second housing 110 so as to be movable in the vertical direction.

  Further, for example, the contact / separation mechanism 500 shown in FIG. 10C includes a support member 501 for supporting the film heating roller 141, a first link 510 connected to the support member 501, and a second for pressing the first link 510. A link 520 and a third link 530 connecting the second link 520 and the front cover 190 are provided. One end of the first link 510 is rotatably connected to the support member 501, and the other end is a portion pressed by the second link 520, and a portion between the one end and the other end is The two housings 110 are rotatably connected. In the second link 520, one end is a portion pressing the other end of the first link 510, the other end is rotatably connected to the third link 530, and a portion between the one end and the other end Is rotatably coupled to the second housing 110. One end of the third link 530 is rotatably connected to the second link 520, and the other end is rotatably connected to a portion of the front cover 190 away from the rotation axis of the front cover 190. One end and the other end And a portion between them is pivotally connected to the second housing 110. The support member 501 is supported by the second housing 110 so as to be movable in the vertical direction.

  In this embodiment, when the film cartridge 170 is taken out from the second housing 110, as shown in FIG. 10A, when the front cover 190 is opened, the film heating roller 141 is a film pressure roller by the contact / separation mechanism 500. Space from 142 Thereafter, the support frame 150 is pulled out and the film cartridge 170 is removed from the support frame 150. When the film cartridge 170 is mounted in the second housing 110, an operation reverse to the operation described above may be performed.

Sixth Embodiment
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, since this embodiment is a partial modification of the structure of the second embodiment described above, components substantially similar to those of the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, or are not shown. The explanation will be omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 11A to 11C, in the sixth embodiment, all of the film transfer unit 140, that is, the film cartridge 170, the film heating roller 141, and the film pressure roller 142 are supported by the support frame 150. It is done. Further, in the sixth embodiment, the contact / separation mechanism 600 for separating the film heating roller 141 from the film pressure roller 142 is provided in conjunction with the movement of the support frame 150 in the drawing direction.

  The contact / separation mechanism 600 includes a frame-side guide groove 610 formed in the support frame 150 and a case-side guide groove 620 formed in the second case 110. The frame side guide groove 610 guides the shaft portion 141A of the film heating roller 141 so as to be movable in the vertical direction.

  The housing-side guide groove 620 is a groove inclined so as to extend obliquely rearward and downward from the front end. The housing-side guide groove 620 movably guides the shaft portion 141A of the film heating roller 141 in a direction inclined with respect to the front-rear direction.

  The support frame 150 has a cartridge guide groove 154 which guides the unwinding shaft 120 and the winding shaft 130 of the film cartridge 170 together. The cartridge guide groove 154 extends in the front-rear direction and opens forward.

  In the axial direction of the film heating roller 141, the length of the unwinding shaft 120 and the length of the winding shaft 130 are shorter than the length of the film heating roller 141. The frame-side guide groove 610 penetrates the support frame 150 in the axial direction. The cartridge guide groove 154 is a bottomed groove formed on the axially inner surface of the support frame 150. Therefore, when the shaft portion 141A of the film heating roller 141 moves up and down and reaches the position of the cartridge guide groove 154, the movement of the shaft portion 141A in the front-rear direction is restricted by the bottom portion of the cartridge guide groove 154. Therefore, the shaft portion 141A does not move from the frame side guide groove 610 to the cartridge guide groove 154.

  The diameter of the unwinding shaft 120 and the diameter of the winding shaft 130 are larger than the diameter of the shaft portion 141A of the film heating roller 141. The width of the frame side guide groove 610 is smaller than the width of the cartridge guide groove 154. In other words, the width of the frame side guide groove 610 is smaller than the diameter of the unwinding shaft 120 and the diameter of the winding shaft 130. Here, the width refers to the length of the groove in the short direction. As a result, even when the unwinding shaft 120 moves back and forth to reach the position of the frame-side guide groove 610, the unwinding shaft 120 with a large diameter does not enter the frame-side guide groove 610 with a small width. The output shaft 120 does not move from the cartridge guide groove 154 to the frame side guide groove 610.

  The support frame 150 is provided with a front cover 155 which is pivotable about the lower end. The front cover 155 is a cover for opening and closing the opening of the cartridge guide groove 154 and the opening for attaching and detaching the film cartridge 170.

  In this embodiment, when the film cartridge 170 is taken out of the second housing 110, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, when the support frame 150 is pulled forward, the shaft portion 141A of the film heating roller 141 is Is moved upward along the frame-side guide groove 610 by being pushed upward by the inclined case-side guide groove 620. Thus, the film heating roller 141 is separated from the film pressure roller 142 in conjunction with the pulling out operation of the support frame 150.

  Thereafter, the front cover 155 is opened and the film cartridge 170 is removed from the support frame 150. When the film cartridge 170 is mounted in the second housing 110, an operation reverse to the operation described above may be performed.

Seventh Embodiment
Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, since this embodiment is a partial modification of the structure of the second embodiment described above, components substantially similar to those of the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, or are not shown. The explanation will be omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, in the seventh embodiment, the film cartridge 170 is supported by the support frame 150, and the film heating roller 141 and the film pressure roller 142 are supported by the second housing 110. It is done. The film heating roller 141 is provided in the second housing 110 via the contact / separation mechanism 700.

  The contact / separation mechanism 700 includes a support member 710 that rotatably supports the film heating roller 141 and a pivoting frame 720 that supports the film heating roller 141 via the support member 710. The pivoting frame 720 extends in the front-rear direction, and is pivotally supported by the second housing 110. Specifically, the rear end portion of the pivoting frame 720 is pivotably supported by the second housing 110.

  A lock lever 730 is rotatably provided at the front end of the turning frame 720. The lock lever 730 engages with an engagement pin 156 provided on the front upper side of the film cartridge 170. Further, the second housing 110 is provided with a front cover 190 that opens and closes an opening for drawing the support frame 150 forward.

  In this embodiment, when the film cartridge 170 is taken out of the second housing 110, as shown in FIG. 12B, after the front cover 190 is opened, the lock lever 730 is removed from the engagement pin 156, The front end of the moving frame 720 is lifted upward. Thus, the film heating roller 141 is separated from the film pressing roller 142 so that the film cartridge 170 can pass between the film heating roller 141 and the film pressing roller 142 at the second position. The film cartridge 170 can be pulled out without interfering with the film heating roller 141. Specifically, the film heating roller 141 is separated from the film pressing roller 142 in the range of 70 mm to 110 mm. After the support frame 150 is pulled out, the film cartridge 170 is removed from the support frame 150. When the film cartridge 170 is mounted in the second housing 110, an operation reverse to the operation described above may be performed.

Eighth Embodiment
Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, since this embodiment is a partial modification of the structure of the seventh embodiment described above, components substantially similar to those of the seventh embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and are not shown. The explanation will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 13A, in the eighth embodiment, the film heating roller 141, the film pressure roller 142, and the film cartridge 170 are provided on the support frame 150. Further, in the eighth embodiment, a contact / separation mechanism 700 substantially similar to that of the seventh embodiment is also provided on the support frame 150.

  Specifically, the rear end portion of the pivoting frame 720 of the contacting / separating mechanism 700 is pivotably supported on the rear upper portion of the support frame 150. The pivoting frame 720 supports the film heating roller 141 via the support member 710. Thus, the film heating roller 141 is separated from the film pressure roller 142 when the pivoting frame 720 is pivoted in a state where the support frame 150 is pulled out of the second housing 110.

  In this embodiment, when the film cartridge 170 is taken out of the second case 110, the support frame 150 is first pulled forward from the second case 110 as shown in FIG. 13 (b). Thereafter, the front end portion of the pivoting frame 720 is lifted upward to separate the film heating roller 141 from the film pressure roller 142. Thereafter, the film cartridge 170 is removed from the support frame 150. When the film cartridge 170 is mounted in the second housing 110, an operation reverse to the operation described above may be performed.

The ninth embodiment
Next, a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, since the present embodiment is a partial modification of the structure of the above-described eighth embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to constituent elements substantially similar to those of the eighth embodiment, and the illustration thereof is omitted. The explanation will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 14A, in the ninth embodiment, the film heating roller 141, the film pressure roller 142, and the film cartridge 170 are provided on the support frame 150. Specifically, the film heating roller 141 and the film cartridge 170 are indirectly provided to the support frame 150 via the pivoting frame 720. The film pressure roller 142 is provided directly on the support frame 150.

  The pivoting frame 720 is disposed on the support frame 150, and the rear lower portion is pivotally supported by the back upper portion of the support frame 150. The pivoting frame 720 rotatably supports the film heating roller 141 and supports the film cartridge 170. The film cartridge 170 is attachable to and detachable from the pivoting frame 720. In the present embodiment, the contact and separation mechanism 700 is configured only by the pivoting frame 720.

  In this embodiment, when taking out the film cartridge 170 from the second housing 110, first, the support frame 150 is pulled forward together with the pivoting frame 720 as shown in FIG. 14 (b). Thereafter, the front end portion of the pivoting frame 720 is lifted upward to separate the film heating roller 141 from the film pressure roller 142. Thereafter, the film cartridge 170 is removed from the pivoting frame 720. Specifically, the film cartridge 170 is removed from the support frame 150 by moving the multilayer film F in contact with the film heating roller 141 in a direction away from the film heating roller 141. When the film cartridge 170 is mounted in the second housing 110, an operation reverse to the operation described above may be performed.

Tenth Embodiment
Next, a tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that since this embodiment is a partial modification of the structure of the first embodiment described above, components substantially similar to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, or are not shown. The explanation will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 15, in the tenth embodiment, after the second transport path F2 extends downward from the branch portion BF1, the second transport path F2 extends forward in the second housing 110, and then U-shaped. And extends upward and is connected to the vicinity of the branch portion BF1 of the second conveyance path F2. Specifically, the second transport path F2 includes a fifth path 95, a U-shaped sixth path 96, and a seventh path 97.

  The fifth path 95 extends rearward and obliquely downward from the branch portion BF1, and then extends downward. The sixth path 96 extends obliquely forward and downward from the end portion of the fifth path 95 on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the sheet S, and then extends rearward and upward.

  The seventh path 97 extends upward from the downstream end of the sixth path 96 in the transport direction, and then extends obliquely upward and joins the fifth path 95. The seventh path 97 is disposed on the rear side of the fifth path 95. The downstream end of the seventh path 97 in the transport direction extends toward the branch portion BF1 or the switchback roller 23.

  The film pressure roller 142 is provided in the second housing 110. The film pressure roller 142 is disposed inside the U-shaped sixth path 96.

  The film heating roller 141 is rotatably supported by the support frame 150. The film heating roller 141 is disposed outside the U-shaped sixth path 96. The film heating roller 141 is disposed on the front upper side of the film pressure roller 142.

  The film cartridge 170 is detachably provided to the second housing 110. The film cartridge 170 is disposed such that the multilayer film F in contact with the film heating roller 141 is inclined diagonally downward and forward. The second housing 110 has a first guide groove G11 for guiding the unwinding shaft 120 of the film cartridge 170, and a second guide groove G12 for guiding the winding shaft 130 of the film cartridge 170.

  The first guide groove G11 extends forward and obliquely upward from the unwinding shaft 120 in a state where the support frame 150 is attached to the second housing 110. The first guide groove G11 opens forward.

  The second guide groove G12 extends forward and obliquely upward from the winding shaft 130 in a state where the support frame 150 is attached to the second housing 110. The second guide groove G12 opens toward the front.

  In this embodiment, when the toner image of the sheet S is not colored, that is, when normal printing is performed, the sheet S is conveyed by the same operation as the first embodiment to form a toner image. The sheet S is discharged onto the first sheet stacking tray 22 with the first surface facing downward. When the toner image of the sheet S is to be colored in metal, the switchback roller 23 is moved while the sheet S is conveyed toward the first sheet stacking tray 22 with the first surface facing downward. By reversely rotating, the sheet S is transported to the second transport path F2.

  While the sheet S passes through the fifth path 95 of the second conveyance path F2, the first surface faces the front. While the sheet S passes through the front half of the sixth path 96, the first surface faces obliquely upward at the front. Thus, the foil is transferred to the toner image formed on the first surface in the film transfer unit 140.

  Thereafter, while the sheet S passes through the second half of the sixth path 96, the foil-transferred first surface faces downward. Then, when the sheet S passes through the seventh path 97, the foil-transferred first surface faces upward and then faces upward. Therefore, when the sheet S on which the foil transfer is performed is discharged to the first sheet stacking tray 22, the first surface faces upward, so that the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

  In this embodiment, since the sheet S on which the foil transfer has been performed is discharged to the same first sheet stacking tray 22 as the tray on which the sheet S on which only the toner image is formed is discharged, comparison with the first embodiment and the like Thus, the number of paper discharge trays can be reduced. That is, in the present embodiment, the first sheet stacking tray 22 is used not only as the first sheet stacking tray but also as the second sheet stacking tray. That is, in the present embodiment, the first sheet stacking tray and the second sheet stacking tray are common.

  Further, in this embodiment, when the film cartridge 170 is taken out of the second housing 110, the support frame 150 is first pulled forward as shown in FIG. Thus, the film heating roller 141 supported by the support frame 150 moves forward and separates from the film pressing roller 142 supported by the second housing 110. Thereafter, the film cartridge 170 is removed from the second housing 110 along the guide grooves G11 and G12. When the film cartridge 170 is mounted in the second housing 110, an operation reverse to the operation described above may be performed.

Eleventh Embodiment
Next, an eleventh embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that since this embodiment is a partial modification of the structure of the first embodiment described above, components substantially similar to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, or are not shown. The explanation will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 17, in the eleventh embodiment, the second housing 110 is disposed on the rear side of the first housing 21, and is removable from the rear with respect to the first housing 21. In the eleventh embodiment, the film heating roller 141, the film pressure roller 142, and the film cartridge 170 are provided in the second housing 110. The film heating roller 141 and the film pressure roller 142 are aligned in the front-rear direction. The film heating roller 141 is disposed on the front side of the film pressure roller 142.

  In the eleventh embodiment, the first sheet stacking tray 22 is used not only as the first sheet stacking tray but also as the second sheet stacking tray. The color printer 1 according to the eleventh embodiment includes a re-conveying path F3 and a flapper 96A for performing double-sided printing.

  The re-conveying path F3 is a path for guiding the sheet S discharged from the toner image forming unit 4 toward the toner image forming unit 4 again. The reconveying path F <b> 3 branches from the second path 92 and joins the first path 91 without passing through the film transfer unit 140.

  Specifically, the re-conveying path F3 includes a first re-conveying path F31 for guiding the sheet S to a lower position than the toner image forming unit 4, and the sheet S guided by the first re-conveying path F31 And a second re-conveying path F32 for guiding to the first path 91 through the lower side of the fourth. The first reconveying path F31 extends rearward and obliquely downward from the bifurcated portion BF1 of the second path 92, and then downwards to the height position between the conveying belt 73 and the supply tray 31 on the rear side of the second path 92. It extends to The second reconveying path F32 extends forward from the lower end of the first reconveying path F31 between the conveying belt 73 and the supply tray 31 and is closer to the paper feeding mechanism 33 than the registration roller 34 of the first path 91. It joins in the position of.

  The second conveyance path F2 branches from a branch portion BF1 between the toner image forming portion 4 of the first conveyance path F1 and the first sheet stacking tray 22 to the first sheet stacking tray 22 as a second sheet stacking tray. It is a path for transporting the sheet S. The second transport path F2 is a first portion P1 constituting an upstream side portion of the first retransport path F31 in the transport direction, an eighth path F21, a ninth path F22, a tenth path F23, and a second retransport. It has a path F32 and a second portion P2 that constitutes a part of the first transport path F1.

  The eighth path F21 branches from the first re-transport path F31 and extends rearward and obliquely downward. The first portion P1 described above is a portion from the branch portion BF2 to the branch portion BF1 of the eighth path F21 and the first re-transport path F31.

  The ninth path F22 extends downward from the rear end of the eighth path F21. The tenth path F23 extends forward from the lower end of the ninth path F22 and joins the second re-transport path F32. The second portion P2 is a portion from the joining portion J1 of the second re-transporting path F32 with the first path 91 to the end of the second path 92 on the downstream side in the transport direction.

  The flapper 96A is provided at a branch portion BF2 of the first reconveying path F31 and the eighth path F21. Then, the flapper 96A swings to move the leading end of the sheet S passing through the first portion P1 of the first re-transporting path F31 to the downstream side of the first portion P1 of the first re-transporting path F31 in the transport direction. It is possible to switch between the re-conveying position (the position shown by the solid line) for guiding to the part of and the foil transfer position (the position shown by the broken line) for guiding to the eighth path F21.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 200 executes control according to the flowchart shown in FIG. Here, since the flowchart shown in FIG. 18 is a partial modification of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, in the following, the description of processing substantially similar to that of the first embodiment will be appropriately omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 18, when the control unit 200 determines that the metal color is present in step S2 (Yes), the control unit 200 switches the flapper 96A to the foil transfer position (S21). After step S21, the control unit 200 executes the processes of steps S3 to S5 substantially similar to those of the first embodiment. After step S5, the control unit 200 discharges the sheet S on which the foil transfer has been performed onto the first sheet stacking tray 22 (S9).

  If the controller 200 determines that there is no metallic color in step S2 (No), printing on the first side of the sheet S is executed (S8), and whether or not back side printing is necessary is based on the print data. It judges (S22). If it is determined in step S22 that back surface printing is necessary (Yes), the control unit 200 switches the flapper 96A to the re-conveying position (S23).

  After step S23, the control unit 200 performs switchback processing to transport the sheet S along the re-transporting path F3 (S24). After step S24, the control unit 200 executes printing on the second side of the sheet S (S25), and discharges the sheet S onto the first sheet stacking tray 22 (S9). If it is determined in step S22 that the back side printing is not required (No), the control unit 200 discharges the sheet S onto the first sheet stacking tray 22 (S9).

  In this embodiment, when the toner image of the sheet S is not colored, that is, when normal printing is performed, the sheet S is conveyed by the same operation as the first embodiment to form a toner image. The sheet S is discharged onto the first sheet stacking tray 22 with the first surface facing downward. When the toner image of the sheet S is to be colored in metal, the switchback roller 23 is moved while the sheet S is conveyed toward the first sheet stacking tray 22 with the first surface facing downward. By reversely rotating, the sheet S is transported to the second transport path F2.

  While the sheet S passes through the eighth path F21 of the second transport path F2, the first surface faces downward. While the sheet S passes the ninth path F22, the first surface faces the front. Thus, the foil is transferred to the toner image formed on the first surface in the film transfer unit 140.

  While the sheet S passes through the tenth path F23 and the second reconveying path F32, the foil-transferred first surface faces upward. While the sheet S passes through the first path 91, the foil-transferred first surface faces downward. Then, when the sheet S passes through the second path 92, the foil-transferred first surface faces upward and then faces upward. Therefore, when the sheet S on which the foil transfer is performed is discharged to the first sheet stacking tray 22, the first surface faces upward, so that the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

Twelfth Embodiment
Next, an eleventh embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, since the present embodiment includes substantially the same components as the components of the first embodiment described above, the components substantially similar to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, or illustrated. It will be omitted, and the explanation will be omitted. In the following description, directions will be described in the direction shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the color printer 1A according to the twelfth embodiment is an intermediate transfer type color printer. The color printer 1A includes four process units 6, a fixing unit 8, a film transfer unit 140, and the like, which have substantially the same structure as in the first embodiment. The color printer 1A includes four LED units 805 not provided in the first embodiment, and a transfer unit 870 different from the first embodiment.

  The process unit 6 is disposed such that the photosensitive drum 61 is directed upward.

  Four LED units 805 are provided corresponding to the four photosensitive drums 61, respectively. Each LED unit 805 is disposed to face the lower side of the corresponding photosensitive drum 61. The LED unit 805 blinks the light emitting portion based on the image data to expose the surface of the photosensitive drum 61, thereby exposing the photosensitive drum 61 to light. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the drum 61.

  The transfer unit 870 is provided between the four photosensitive drums 61 and the first sheet stacking tray 22 in the vertical direction. The transfer unit 870 includes a drive roller 871, a driven roller 872, an intermediate transfer belt 873, four primary transfer rollers 874, and a secondary transfer roller 875.

  The drive roller 871 is disposed rearward of the four photosensitive drums 61. The driven roller 872 is disposed in front of the four photosensitive drums 61 and faces the drive roller 871 in the front-rear direction. The intermediate transfer belt 873 is an endless belt. The intermediate transfer belt 873 is wound around the drive roller 871 and the driven roller 872, and is in a stretched state between the drive roller 871 and the driven roller 872.

  The intermediate transfer belt 873 is disposed above the supply tray 31. The four photosensitive drums 61 are arranged below the intermediate transfer belt 873. The first sheet stacking tray 22 is disposed above the intermediate transfer belt 873.

  The primary transfer roller 874 is disposed to face the photosensitive drum 61 via the intermediate transfer belt 873. The secondary transfer roller 875 is disposed to face the driving roller 871 via the intermediate transfer belt 873. Specifically, the secondary transfer roller 875 is disposed behind the drive roller 871. The secondary transfer roller 875 conveys the sheet S fed from the sheet feeding unit 3 from the bottom to the top with the driving roller 871.

  In such a transfer unit 870, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 61 is attracted by the primary transfer roller 874 and transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 873. The toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 873 is attracted by the secondary transfer roller 875 and transferred to the sheet S.

  The film transfer unit 140 is provided in the first housing 21 and located on the first transport path F1. The film heating roller 141 and the film pressure roller 142 are aligned in the front-rear direction. The film heating roller 141 is disposed on the front side of the film pressure roller 142. The film heating roller 141 and the film pressure roller 142 are disposed downstream of the fixing unit 8 in the transport direction and upstream of the switchback roller 23 in the first transport path F1.

  The second sheet stacking tray 160 is provided below the front wall of the first housing 21. Specifically, the second sheet stacking tray 160 is disposed below the supply tray 31.

  The first transport path F <b> 1 extends rearward from the supply tray 31, and then extends upward, and then extends forward toward the switchback roller 23. The second conveyance path F2 branches from the upper part of the first conveyance path F1 and extends rearward, and then extends downward through the rear side of the first conveyance path F1, and then the lower side of the supply tray 31 It extends forward so as to pass through to the second sheet stacking tray 160.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 200 executes control according to the flowchart shown in FIG. Here, since the flowchart shown in FIG. 20 is a partial modification of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, in the following, the description of processing substantially similar to that of the first embodiment will be appropriately omitted.

In the flowchart shown in FIG. 20, the order of the switchback process (S4) and the foil transfer process (S5) is reversed unlike the first embodiment. That is, in the present embodiment, the foil transfer process (S5) is performed prior to the switchback process (S4). That is, unlike the first embodiment, the process is performed in the order of step S3, step S5, and step S4.

  In this embodiment, when the toner image of the sheet S is not colored, that is, when normal printing is performed, the sheet S passes through a portion along the vertical direction of the first conveyance path F1. The first surface of S faces forward. Thus, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 873 is transferred to the first surface of the sheet S facing forward. Thereafter, when the direction of the sheet S is changed at the upper part of the first transport path F1, the first surface is directed downward. As a result, when normal printing is performed, the sheet S is discharged onto the first sheet stacking tray 22 with the first surface on which the toner image is formed facing downward.

  In the case where the toner image on the sheet S is to be colored in metal, when the sheet S transported by the first transport path F1 reaches the transfer unit 870, the transfer unit 870 forms a toner image on the first surface of the sheet S Ru. Thereafter, when the sheet S reaches the film transfer unit 140, the film transfer unit 140 transfers the foil to the toner image on the first surface.

  Thereafter, when the direction of the sheet S is changed at the upper portion of the first conveyance path F1, the switchback roller 23 directs the sheet S to the first sheet stacking tray 22 with the first surface on which the foil is transferred facing downward. It is transported. When the switchback roller 23 reversely rotates while the sheet S is conveyed toward the first sheet stacking tray 22, the sheet S is conveyed to the second conveyance path F2.

  While the sheet S passes through the portion along the vertical direction of the second transport path F2, the first surface on which the foil transfer is performed is directed forward. Thereafter, when the direction of the sheet S is changed at the lower portion of the second conveyance path F2, the first surface on which the foil transfer is performed is directed upward. Therefore, when the sheet S on which the foil transfer has been performed is discharged to the second sheet stacking tray 160, the first surface faces upward, so that the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

  As mentioned above, although each embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to said each embodiment. The specific configuration can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the lock member 321 integrally formed on the groove-shaped guide portion 320 is exemplified as the lock member, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the lock member is a guide The member provided with the part may be a separate member. The lock member may be configured to engage with the winding shaft to restrict movement of the winding shaft.

  In the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the contact / separation mechanism 600 for separating the film heating roller 141 from the film pressure roller 142 in conjunction with the movement of the support frame 150 in the pull-out direction is exemplified. Is not limited to this. The contact / separation mechanism may be configured, for example, to move the film pressure roller away from the film heating roller in conjunction with the movement of the support frame 150 in the pulling direction.

  In the seventh embodiment and the like shown in FIG. 12, the pivoting frame 720 is configured to support the film heating roller 141, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the pivoting frame is, for example, a film It may be configured to support the pressure roller.

  In the embodiment, the color printer 1 including the plurality of process units 6 is illustrated as an image forming apparatus, but the image forming apparatus is not limited to this. For example, the image forming apparatus may be a monochrome laser printer including only one process unit 6.

  In the embodiment, the sheet S such as plain paper or thick paper is exemplified as an example of the sheet, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the sheet may be, for example, an OHP sheet.

  In the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the unwinding shaft 120 is illustrated as the upstream portion located between the winding shaft 130 and the upstream end E1 of the film cartridge, but the present invention is not limited to this. The part other than the unwinding shaft may be the upstream part.

  The multilayer film may be a film without a layer of foil. For example, it may be a film having a wood grain colorant layer instead of the foil layer. Alternatively, the film may be a film having only an adhesive layer adhering to the toner and a release layer between the adhesive layer and the support.

  In addition, each element described in the above-described embodiment and modification may be implemented in any combination.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 color printer 3 paper feed unit 4 toner image forming unit 9A first sheet conveyance unit 9B second sheet conveyance unit 22 first discharge tray 23 switchback roller 140 film transfer unit 160 second sheet stacking tray BF1 branch unit F1 first Conveying path F2 Second conveying path S Paper

Claims (30)

A sheet supply unit for supplying sheets;
A toner image forming unit that forms a toner image on the sheet supplied by the sheet supply unit;
A first sheet stacking tray on which the sheet on which the toner image is formed by the toner image forming unit is stacked with the surface on which the toner image is formed facing downward;
A first sheet conveying unit having a first conveyance path for conveying the sheet from the sheet supply unit to the first sheet stacking tray via the toner image forming unit;
A film transfer unit for stacking a multilayer film composed of a plurality of layers on the surface of the sheet on which the toner image is formed, and transferring at least one layer of the multilayer film on the toner image;
A second sheet stacking tray configured to stack the sheet to which at least one layer of the multilayer film has been transferred by the film transfer section, with the surface to which at least one layer of the multilayer film is transferred facing upward;
A second sheet conveying unit having a second conveying path which branches from a branching portion between the toner image forming portion of the first conveying path and the first sheet stacking tray and conveys the sheet to the second sheet stacking tray When,
A first state in which the sheet is conveyed in a direction from the toner image forming unit toward the first sheet stacking tray; and a second state in which the sheet is conveyed from the first sheet stacking tray toward the second sheet conveying unit And a switching unit capable of switching to the state.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the film transfer unit is located on the second conveyance path.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the film transfer unit is positioned below the switching unit.   The switching unit is a forward rotation that rotates in the direction of conveying the sheet toward the first sheet stacking tray, and a reverse rotation that rotates in the direction opposite to the forward rotation, and is directed to the second conveyance path. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the image forming apparatus is a switchback roller capable of reverse rotation rotating in a direction in which the sheet is conveyed.   The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first sheet stacking tray and the second sheet stacking tray are common. Body case,
A support frame that supports at least a part of the film transfer section and can be pulled out with respect to the main body housing;
The sheet supply unit is a supply tray that stores sheets, and includes a supply tray that can be pulled out with respect to the main body case.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the feed tray and the support frame are pulled out in the same direction. The main body case includes a first case that accommodates the toner image forming unit, and a second case that accommodates the film transfer unit.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the second case is attachable to and detachable from the first case from below the first case.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a bottom area of the second housing is equal to or less than a bottom area of the first housing.   The film transfer unit includes the multilayer film, a film heating roller that heats the multilayer film, and a film pressure roller that sandwiches the multilayer film between the film heating roller. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8. The film heating roller is provided on the main body case.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the multilayer film and the film pressure roller are supported by the support frame. A support member rotatably supporting the film heating roller;
11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the support member has a positioning portion that positions the film pressure roller with respect to the film heating roller.   The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 11, wherein the film transfer unit is located below the supply tray.   The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 12, wherein the support frame can be pulled out horizontally after being moved downward with respect to the main body case. apparatus. The main body case has a lower surface and a plurality of legs projecting downward from the lower surface,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the lower surface of the support frame is positioned lower than the upper end of the leg when the support frame is moved downward with respect to the main body case. . The film pressure roller is provided on the main body case.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the multilayer film and the film heating roller are supported by the support frame. The film transfer unit comprises a film cartridge provided with the multilayer film,
16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the film cartridge rotates in a direction away from the film heating roller when the support frame is pulled out. A support plate that supports the film cartridge and is rotatably supported by the support frame;
A support wall provided on the main body casing and supporting the support plate;
17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein when the support frame is pulled out, the film cartridge is rotated together with the support plate by the support plate being detached from the support wall. The support plate is rotatable about a central axis,
The support frame has an upstream end in the withdrawal direction and a downstream end opposite to the upstream end in the withdrawal direction,
18. An image according to claim 17, wherein the distance between the central axis of the support plate and the upstream end of the support frame is smaller than the distance between the central axis of the support plate and the downstream end of the support frame. apparatus. The film cartridge includes an unwinding shaft on which the multilayer film is wound, and a winding shaft on which the multilayer film wound on the unwinding shaft is wound.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the support plate has a guide portion that guides the unwinding shaft and the winding shaft together.   20. The image forming apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the support plate is provided with a lock member for restricting movement of the unwinding shaft or the winding shaft in a direction out of the guide portion. . The film cartridge is rotatable about a central axis,
The film cartridge has an upstream end in the pull-out direction and a downstream end opposite to the upstream end in the pull-out direction,
The image formation according to claim 16, wherein the distance between the central axis of the film cartridge and the downstream end of the film cartridge is smaller than the distance between the central axis of the film cartridge and the upstream end of the film cartridge. apparatus. The film cartridge has an upstream portion located between a central axis of the film cartridge and an upstream end of the film cartridge.
And a slide guide for supporting the upstream portion of the film cartridge,
The main body housing has a restricting portion that restricts the movement of the slide guide by engaging with the slide guide that moves with the support frame in the pulling-out direction,
The film cartridge is rotated while the upstream portion of the film cartridge is guided by the slide guide by pulling out the support frame in a state in which the movement of the slide guide is restricted by the restriction portion. 22. The image forming apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that: The support frame has a notch for supporting the central axis of the film cartridge,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the notch opens upward.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the main body case has a positioning portion for positioning the upstream portion of the film cartridge. The slide guide has an inclined surface which is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, and a support recess which is recessed from the inclined surface,
The said upstream part of the said film cartridge is supported by the said support recessed part in the state with which the said support frame was mounted | worn with the said main body housing | casing, The claim is characterized by the above-mentioned. Image forming device. The film transfer unit comprises a film cartridge provided with the multilayer film,
The main body casing has a first position for sandwiching the multilayer film between the film heating roller and the film pressure roller, and the other roller, and the one roller and the other roller. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising: an attachment / detachment mechanism for moving the film cartridge to a second position spaced apart from the other roller so as to allow passage of the film cartridge.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the main body case includes the film heating roller and the film pressure roller.   28. The image forming apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the contact / separation mechanism includes a pivoting frame that supports the one roller and is pivotably supported by the main body casing. .   28. The image according to claim 26, wherein the contact / separation mechanism moves the one roller away from the other roller in conjunction with the movement of the support frame in the pull-out direction. Forming device. It comprises a pivoting frame provided rotatably on the support frame and supporting one of the film heating roller and the film pressing roller.
One of the film heating roller and the film pressing roller is separated from the other roller when the pivoting frame is pivoted while the support frame is pulled out from the main body case The image forming apparatus according to claim 26, characterized in that:

Images