JP2022069870A - Foil transfer apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provided a foil transfer apparatus capable of quickly detecting that a foil film is used up and suppressing the erroneous detection.SOLUTION: A foil transfer apparatus 1 comprises a supply reel 31, a heating roller 61, a pressure roller 51, an encoder for outputting a pulse signal when the supply reel 31 rotates, and a control unit 100. The rotation of the supply reel 31 stops when an end edge of a foil film F is separated from a supply shaft part 31A to cause a state where the foil film F is used up. The control unit 100 determines that the foil film F is used up when the signal output from the encoder is not changed for a reference time or longer. The control unit 100 sets the reference time to a first reference time. The control unit 100, when a tip end of a sheet S enters a nip part between the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51, and when a rear end of the sheet S exits from the nip part, sets the reference time to a second reference time longer than the first reference time in place of the first reference time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a foil transfer device in which a sheet is superposed on a foil film containing foil and the foil is transferred to the sheet.

As a foil transfer device, when a supply reel having a supply shaft portion around which a foil film is wound, a heating roller, a pressure roller for transporting a foil film and a sheet between the heating rollers, and a supply reel rotate. Those provided with an encoder that outputs a pulse signal are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2020-121845

By the way, when the foil film is used up, the end of the foil film is separated from the supply shaft portion so that the rotation of the supply reel is stopped, so that the signal output from the encoder changes for a predetermined time or more. Therefore, it can be determined that the foil film has been used up when the output signal of the encoder does not change for a predetermined time or longer.

However, when the tip of the sheet enters the nip between the heating roller and the pressure roller, or when the rear end of the sheet exits the nip, the foil film cannot be temporarily conveyed and the supply reel is temporarily stopped. It may stop at. Then, since the signal output from the encoder does not change for a predetermined time or longer, it may be erroneously detected that the foil film has been used up. On the other hand, if the predetermined time is lengthened, it cannot be quickly detected that the foil film has been used up.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a foil transfer device capable of quickly detecting that the foil film has been used up and suppressing erroneous detection.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the foil transfer device is a foil transfer device in which a sheet is superposed on a foil film containing the foil and the foil is transferred to the sheet, and the supply has a supply shaft portion around which the foil film is wound. It includes a reel, a heating roller, a pressure roller that conveys a foil film and a sheet between the heating rollers, an encoder that outputs a pulse signal when the supply reel rotates, and a control unit.
The supply reel stops rotating when the end of the foil film is separated from the supply shaft portion and the foil film is used up.
The control unit determines that the foil film has been used up when the signal output from the encoder does not change for the reference time or more.
The control unit sets the reference time as the first reference time.
The control unit replaces the reference time with the first reference time when the tip of the sheet enters the nip between the heating roller and the pressurizing roller and when the rear edge of the sheet exits the nip. , The second reference time is longer than the first reference time.

According to such a configuration, it is usually determined that the foil film F has been used up when the signal output from the encoder does not change for the first reference time, which is shorter than the second reference time. Can be detected quickly. On the other hand, when the front end of the sheet rushes into the nip part and when the rear end of the sheet passes through the nip part, the foil film temporarily stops, and the signal output from the encoder changes for the first reference time or more. Even if this is not done, it is not determined that the foil film has been used up if it changes within the second reference time. As a result, it is possible to suppress false detection that the foil film has been used up.

The foil transfer device described above is a sheet sensor that detects a sheet, and includes a sheet sensor arranged upstream of the nip portion in the sheet transport direction, and the control unit detects the tip of the sheet when the sheet sensor detects the tip of the sheet. The reference time can be set as the second reference time when the first predetermined time elapses from the above and when the second predetermined time elapses from the time when the seat sensor detects the rear end of the seat.

In the foil transfer device described above, when the control unit determines that the foil film has been used up, the transfer of the next sheet may be prohibited and the sheet being transferred may be discharged.

According to this, when it is determined that the foil film is used up, the sheet can be prevented from remaining in the foil transfer device.

The foil transfer device described above is a transport roller that transports the sheet to the nip portion, and includes a transport roller arranged immediately before the nip portion in the sheet transport direction, and the control unit determines that the foil film has been used up. , The transport of the sheet that has not reached the transport roller can be prohibited, and the sheet that has reached the transport roller can be discharged.

In the foil transfer device described above, the distance L10 from the transport roller to the nip portion can be smaller than the length L20 of the foil film from the supply shaft portion to the nip portion.

According to this, when it is determined that the foil film has been used up when the tip of the sheet reaches the transport roller and the sheet being transported is discharged, the tip of the sheet and the foil film are overlapped at the nip portion. The sheet can be transported.

In the foil transfer device described above, the first reference time can be set to a time satisfying the following relationship, where the distance at which the foil film is conveyed during the first reference time is L1.
L1 <L20-L10

According to this, when it is determined that the end of the foil film is separated from the supply shaft portion immediately before the tip of the sheet reaches the transport roller and the foil film is used up based on the first reference time, the sheet is at the tip at the time of determination. Is subject to discharge because it reaches the transport roller, but when the sheet is discharged, the sheet can be transported with the tip of the sheet and the foil film overlapped at the nip portion.

In the above-mentioned foil transfer device, when the control unit continuously transfers the film to a plurality of sheets, the control unit transfers the sheets at a predetermined interval L30 smaller than the distance L10 from the transfer roller to the nip portion, and the second reference. The time may be set to a time satisfying the following relationship, where L2 is the distance at which the foil film is conveyed during the second reference time.
L2 <L20-L30

According to this, when it is determined that the foil film has been used up based on the second reference time when the rear end of the preceding sheet passes through the nip portion and the sheet being conveyed is discharged, the tip of the succeeding sheet being conveyed is discharged. When the sheet rushes into the nip portion, the sheet can be conveyed in a state where the tip of the subsequent sheet and the foil film are overlapped at the nip portion.

In the foil transfer device described above, in the heating roller and the pressure roller, the heating roller is driven to rotate and the heating roller is driven to rotate, and when the foil film and the sheet are conveyed, the heating roller comes into contact with the foil film and is applied. The pressure roller may be configured to come into contact with the sheet.

According to the present invention, it is possible to quickly detect that the foil film has been used up, and it is possible to suppress erroneous detection.

It is a figure (a) which shows the foil transfer apparatus which concerns on embodiment, and is a sectional view (b) which shows the structure of a foil film. It is a figure which shows the foil transfer apparatus with the cover open. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the load application mechanism. It is a figure which shows the structure of the foil transfer apparatus simply. It is a figure (a)-(c) which shows the output signal of an encoder. It is a figure (a)-(d) which shows the transport state of the foil film between a pressure roller and a heating roller. It is a figure which shows the relationship of the position of a transfer roller, a supply shaft part, a 1st guide shaft, a pressure roller and a heating roller. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of a control part. It is a figure (a), (b) explaining the effect of an embodiment. It is a figure (a)-(c) explaining the effect of an embodiment. It is a figure (a), (b) explaining the effect of an embodiment.

Next, an embodiment of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In the following description, the direction will be described in the direction shown in FIG. 1 (a). That is, the right side of FIG. 1A is "front", the left side is "rear", the front side of the paper is "left", and the back side of the paper is "right". Further, the upper and lower parts of FIG. 1 (a) are referred to as "up and down".

As shown in FIG. 1A, the foil transfer device 1 is a device for superimposing the sheet S on the foil film F containing the foil and transferring the foil to the sheet S. The foil transfer device 1 forms an image of the foil on the sheet S by transferring a foil such as aluminum onto a toner image formed on the sheet S by an image forming device such as a laser printer, for example. The foil transfer device 1 includes a housing 2, a sheet tray 3, a sheet transfer unit 10, a film supply unit 30, and a transfer unit 50.

The housing 2 is made of resin or the like, and includes a housing body 21 and a cover 22.
The housing body 21 has an opening 21A (see FIG. 2) at the top. The opening 21A is an opening for attaching / detaching the film unit FU, which will be described later, to / from the housing body 21.
The cover 22 is a member for opening and closing the opening 21A. The rear end portion of the cover 22 is rotatably supported by the housing body 21. The cover 22 is rotatable between a closed position that closes the opening 21A and an open position that opens the opening 21A (see FIG. 2).

The sheet tray 3 is a tray on which a sheet S such as paper and an OHP film is placed. The seat tray 3 is provided at the rear of the housing 2. The sheet S is placed on the sheet tray 3 with the surface on which the toner image is formed facing down.

The sheet transport unit 10 includes a sheet supply mechanism 11 and a sheet discharge mechanism 12.
The sheet supply mechanism 11 is a mechanism for transporting the sheets S on the sheet tray 3 one by one toward the transfer unit 50. The sheet supply mechanism 11 includes a separation roller 11A, a retard roller 11B, and a transfer roller 11C.

The separation roller 11A is a roller for supplying the sheet S on the sheet tray 3 toward the transfer unit 50.

The retard roller 11B is a roller for separating the sheet S conveyed by the separation roller 11A into one sheet. The retard roller 11B is arranged on the separation roller 11A. The retard roller 11B is rotatable in a direction in which the sheet S overlapping on the sheet S sent out by the separation roller 11A is returned toward the seat tray 3.

The transport roller 11C is a roller for transporting the sheet S sent out by the separation roller 11A to the transfer unit 50 (specifically, the nip portion between the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61, which will be described later). The transfer roller 11C is composed of a pair of rollers, and the sheet S can be conveyed by rotating each roller with the sheet S sandwiched between the pair of rollers. The transfer roller 11C is arranged immediately before the nip portion of the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51 in the transfer direction of the sheet S. Specifically, the transfer roller 11C is arranged between the separation roller 11A and the transfer unit 50. In the following description, the transport direction of the sheet S is also simply referred to as a “transport direction”.

The sheet ejection mechanism 12 is a mechanism for ejecting the sheet S that has passed through the transfer unit 50 to the outside of the housing 2. The sheet discharge mechanism 12 includes an intermediate discharge roller 12A and a discharge roller 12B. The intermediate discharge roller 12A and the discharge roller 12B are each composed of a pair of rollers, and the sheet S can be conveyed by rotating each roller with the sheet S sandwiched between the pair of rollers.

The intermediate discharge roller 12A is a roller for transporting the sheet S sent out from the transfer unit 50 toward the discharge roller 12B. The intermediate discharge roller 12A is arranged downstream of the transfer unit 50 in the transport direction.

The discharge roller 12B is a roller for discharging the sheet S sent out by the intermediate discharge roller 12A toward the outside of the housing 2. The discharge roller 12B is arranged downstream of the intermediate discharge roller 12A in the transport direction.

The film supply unit 30 is a portion that supplies the foil film F so as to be overlapped with the sheet S conveyed from the sheet supply mechanism 11. The film supply unit 30 includes a film unit FU and a main motor 80.

As shown in FIG. 2, the film unit FU can be attached to and detached from the housing body 21 from above. The film unit FU includes a supply reel 31, a take-up reel 35, a first guide shaft 41, a second guide shaft 42, and a third guide shaft 43. A foil film F is wound around the supply reel 31 of the film unit FU.

As shown in FIG. 1 (b), the foil film F has a support layer F1 and a supported layer F2.
The support layer F1 is a tape-shaped transparent base material made of a polymer material, and supports the supported layer F2.

The supported layer F2 has a peeling layer F21, a transfer layer F22, and an adhesive layer F23.
The release layer F21 is a layer for facilitating the release of the transfer layer F22 from the support layer F1, and is arranged between the support layer F1 and the transfer layer F22. The peeling layer F21 contains a transparent material that can be easily peeled from the support layer F1, for example, a wax-based resin.

The transfer layer F22 is a layer transferred to the toner image and contains a foil. Foil is a thin metal such as gold, silver, copper or aluminum. Further, the transfer layer F22 contains a coloring material such as gold, silver, or red, and a thermoplastic resin. The transfer layer F22 is arranged between the release layer F21 and the adhesive layer F23.

The adhesive layer F23 is a layer for facilitating the adhesion of the transfer layer F22 to the toner image. The adhesive layer F23 contains a material that easily adheres to the toner image heated by the transfer unit 50, for example, a vinyl chloride resin or an acrylic resin.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the supply reel 31 is made of resin or the like, and has a supply shaft portion 31A around which the foil film F is wound. One end of the foil film F is detachably fixed to the supply shaft portion 31A.
The take-up reel 35 is made of resin or the like, and has a take-up shaft portion 35A for winding the foil film F. The other end of the foil film F is fixed to the take-up shaft portion 35A.

In FIG. 1A and the like, for convenience, the state in which the foil film F is maximally wound on both the supply reel 31 and the take-up reel 35 is shown. Actually, when the film unit FU is new, the diameter of the roll-shaped foil film F wound around the supply reel 31 is the maximum, and the foil film F is wound around the take-up reel 35. The diameter of the roll-shaped foil film F that is not formed or is wound around the take-up reel 35 is the minimum. Further, at the end of the life of the film unit FU (when the foil film F is used up), the diameter of the roll-shaped foil film F wound around the take-up reel 35 becomes the maximum, and the foil film F is provided on the supply reel 31. Not wound.

The first guide shaft 41, the second guide shaft 42, and the third guide shaft 43 are roller-shaped shafts for changing the traveling direction of the foil film F. The first guide shaft 41, the second guide shaft 42, and the third guide shaft 43 are made of SUS (stainless steel) or the like.

The first guide shaft 41 is located upstream of the transfer unit 50 in the transport direction of the sheet S. The first guide shaft 41 changes the traveling direction of the foil film F drawn out from the supply reel 31 so as to be substantially parallel to the transport direction of the sheet S. The foil film F guided by the first guide shaft 41 is conveyed toward the transfer unit 50 with the supported layer F2 (see FIG. 1B) facing upward. Further, the sheet S is superposed on the foil film F with the supported layer F2 facing upward, and is conveyed together with the foil film F toward the transfer portion 50.

The second guide shaft 42 is located downstream of the transfer unit 50 in the transport direction of the sheet S. The second guide shaft 42 peels the foil film F from the sheet S by changing the traveling direction of the foil film F that has passed through the transfer portion 50 to a direction different from the transport direction of the sheet S.

The third guide shaft 43 is a member that defines the traveling direction of the foil film F that is changed by the second guide shaft 42. Specifically, the third guide shaft 43 defines a peeling angle, which is an angle of the foil film F when the foil film F is peeled from the sheet S. Here, the peeling angle is set between the portion of the foil film F stretched between the first guide shaft 41 and the second guide shaft 42 and the tension between the second guide shaft 42 and the third guide shaft 43. It is the angle formed by the part to be made. The third guide shaft 43 changes the traveling direction of the foil film F guided by the second guide shaft 42 and guides the foil film F to the take-up reel 35.

With the film unit FU mounted on the foil transfer device 1, the take-up reel 35 is rotationally driven counterclockwise as shown by the main motor 80 provided in the housing 2. When the take-up reel 35 rotates, the foil film F wound around the supply reel 31 is pulled out, and the drawn foil film F is guided by the guide shafts 41 to 43 and taken up by the take-up reel 35. .. Specifically, during the foil transfer, the foil film F is fed out by the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61, so that the foil film F is pulled out from the supply reel 31. Then, the foil film F sent out from the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61 is wound on the take-up reel 35.

The transfer unit 50 is a portion for transferring the transfer layer F22 onto the toner image formed on the sheet S by heating and pressurizing the sheet S and the foil film F in a state of being overlapped with each other. The transfer unit 50 includes a pressure roller 51, a heating roller 61, and a pressure contact separation mechanism 70. The transfer unit 50 heats and pressurizes the sheet S and the foil film F in an overlapping manner at the nip portion of the pressurizing roller 51 and the heating roller 61.

The pressure roller 51 is a roller in which the circumference of a cylindrical core metal is coated with a rubber layer made of silicon rubber, and the foil film F and the sheet S are conveyed between the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61. Both ends of the pressure roller 51 are rotatably supported by the cover 22.

The heating roller 61 is a roller in which a heater is arranged inside a metal tube formed in a cylindrical shape, and heats the foil film F and the sheet S. Both ends of the heating roller 61 are rotatably supported by the housing body 21.

The heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51 are configured such that the heating roller 61 is driven to rotate by the pressure roller 51 being rotationally driven by the main motor 80. The heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51 sandwich the foil film F and the sheet S between them, and rotate the foil film F and the sheet S in a state of sandwiching the foil film F and the sheet S to convey the foil film F and the sheet S.

When the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51 convey the foil film F and the sheet S, the heating roller 61 comes into contact with the foil film F, and the pressure roller 51 comes into contact with the sheet S. Specifically, the heating roller 61 is arranged under the foil film F, and when the foil film F and the sheet S are conveyed between the pressure roller 51 and the pressure roller 51, the heating roller 61 comes into contact with the back surface (support layer F1) of the foil film F. .. Further, the pressure roller 51 is arranged on the upper side of the foil film F, and when the foil film F and the sheet S are conveyed between the pressurizing roller 51 and the heating roller 61, the back surface of the sheet S (the side opposite to the surface on which the toner image is formed). Contact with the surface).

The pressure contact separation mechanism 70 changes the state of the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61 into a nip state in which the foil film F is sandwiched between the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61, and a nip release in which at least one roller is separated from the foil film F. It is a mechanism for switching to the state. In the present embodiment, the pressure contact separation mechanism 70 moves the heating roller 61 between the pressure contact position shown by the solid line in FIG. 4 and the separation position shown by the virtual line in FIG. 4, thereby moving the heating roller 61 into a foil film. It is in contact with and separated from F. Here, the pressure contact position is a position where the heating roller 61 is in pressure contact with the pressure roller 51. Further, the separation position is a position where the heating roller 61 is separated from the pressure roller 51.

In the foil transfer device 1 configured in this way, the sheets S placed on the sheet tray 3 with the surface of the sheet S facing downward are conveyed one by one toward the transfer unit 50 by the sheet supply mechanism 11. The sheet S is overlapped with the foil film F supplied from the supply reel 31 on the upstream side in the transport direction of the transfer unit 50, and is transferred in a state where the toner image of the sheet S and the supported layer F2 of the foil film F are in contact with each other. It is conveyed to the unit 50.

In the transfer portion 50, when the sheet S and the foil film F pass through the nip portion between the pressurizing roller 51 and the heating roller 61, they are heated and pressurized by the heating roller 61 and the pressurizing roller 51, and the toner image is displayed. The foil (supported layer F2) is transferred onto the foil.

After the foil is transferred, the sheet S and the foil film F are conveyed to the second guide shaft 42 in a state of being attached to each other. When the sheet S and the foil film F pass through the second guide shaft 42, the transport direction of the foil film F changes to a direction different from the transport direction of the sheet S, so that the foil film F is peeled off from the sheet S, that is, adhered to the toner image. The supported layer F2 is peeled off from the support layer F1 of the foil film F.

The foil film F containing the support layer F1 peeled off from the sheet S and adhered to the toner image on the sheet S and peeled off from the supported layer F2 is wound on the take-up reel 35. On the other hand, the sheet S from which the foil film F has been peeled off is discharged to the outside of the housing 2 by the sheet discharging mechanism 12 with the surface on which the foil is transferred facing downward.

As shown in FIG. 2, the film unit FU includes a holder FH made of resin or the like and a film cartridge FC. The film cartridge FC includes a supply reel 31 and a take-up reel 35 around which the foil film F is wound, and a supply case 32. The supply case 32 is a hollow case that houses the supply reel 31, and rotatably supports the supply reel 31. The film cartridge FC can be attached to and detached from the holder FH, and can be attached to and detached from the housing body 21 while being attached to the holder FH.

The supply reel 31 has a supply shaft portion 31A and a supply gear 31G (see FIG. 4) fixed to one end of the supply shaft portion 31A in the axial direction. Further, the take-up reel 35 has a take-up shaft portion 35A and a take-up gear 35G (see FIG. 4) fixed to one end of the take-up shaft portion 35A in the axial direction.

As shown in FIG. 3, the film unit FU further includes a load applying mechanism 310 that applies a first load torque LT1 to the supply reel 31 by generating a frictional force between the supply reel 31 and the supply case 32. There is. The load applying mechanism 310 includes a fixing member 311 fixed to the other end of the supply shaft portion 31A in the axial direction, a movable member 312 movable in the axial direction with respect to the fixing member 311, and a fixing member 311 and a movable member 312. It is provided with a coil spring 313 arranged between the two, and a friction pad 314 fixed to the supply case 32.

The fixing member 311 is fixed to the supply shaft portion 31A by being fitted to the supply shaft portion 31A formed in a cylindrical shape. The movable member 312 can rotate integrally with the supply shaft portion 31A together with the fixing member 311. The movable member 312 is movably supported in the axial direction by the fixing member 311 and is urged to the friction pad 314 by the coil spring 313. When the supply reel 31 rotates, a frictional force is generated between the movable member 312 and the friction pad 314, so that the load applying mechanism 310 applies the first load torque LT1 to the supply reel 31.

As shown in FIG. 4, the main motor 80 applies a driving force to the take-up reel 35 and the pressurizing roller 51, and also applies a driving force to the seat transport unit 10. Here, in FIG. 4, for convenience, the configuration of the foil transfer device 1 is shown in a simplified manner.

The foil transfer device 1 includes a take-up side torque limiter TL1 and a gear G1 as a configuration for transmitting the driving force of the main motor 80 to the take-up reel 35.
The take-up side torque limiter TL1 has a function of limiting the drive torque DT applied from the main motor 80 to the take-up reel 35 to a predetermined value or less. The take-up side torque limiter TL1 is connected to the main motor 80 via a gear (not shown). Further, the take-up side torque limiter TL1 is connected to the take-up gear 35G of the take-up reel 35 via the gear G1.

The foil transfer device 1 includes a separation roller clutch C1, a gear G2, and a transfer roller clutch C3 as a configuration for transmitting the driving force of the main motor 80 to the sheet transfer unit 10.
The separation roller clutch C1 is an electromagnetic clutch for switching the transmission of the driving force from the main motor 80 to the separation roller 11A. The separation roller clutch C1 is connected to the main motor 80 via a gear (not shown). Further, the separation roller clutch C1 is connected to the separation roller 11A via the gear G2. The separation roller clutch C1 can be switched between a transmission state in which the driving force is transmitted to the separation roller 11A and a cutoff state in which the transmission of the driving force to the separation roller 11A is cut off.

The transfer roller clutch C3 is an electromagnetic clutch for switching the transmission of the driving force from the main motor 80 to the retard roller 11B, the transfer roller 11C, the intermediate discharge roller 12A, and the discharge roller 12B. The transport roller clutch C3 is connected to the main motor 80 via a gear (not shown). Further, the transport roller clutch C3 is connected to each roller 11B, 11C, 12A, 12B via a gear (not shown). The transport roller clutch C3 can be switched between a transmission state in which the driving force is transmitted to the rollers 11B, 11C, 12A and 12B and a cutoff state in which the transmission of the driving force to the rollers 11B, 11C, 12A and 12B is cut off. be.

The foil transfer device 1 includes a pressure roller clutch C5 and a gear G3 as a configuration for transmitting the driving force of the main motor 80 to the pressure roller 51.
The pressure roller clutch C5 is an electromagnetic clutch for switching the transmission of the driving force from the main motor 80 to the pressure roller 51. The pressure roller clutch C5 is connected to the main motor 80 via a gear (not shown). Further, the pressure roller clutch C5 is connected to the separation roller 11A via the gear G3. The pressure roller clutch C5 can be switched between a transmission state in which the driving force is transmitted to the pressure roller 51 and a cutoff state in which the transmission of the driving force to the pressure roller 51 is cut off. The pressure roller clutch C5 switches between driving and stopping the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61 driven to rotate by the pressure roller 51.

The foil transfer device 1 includes a supply-side torque limiter TL2 and a reel clutch C2.
The supply side torque limiter TL2 is a member for applying the second load torque LT2 to the supply reel 31. Here, the second load torque LT2 is set to a value larger than the value obtained by subtracting the first load torque LT1 applied to the supply reel 31 by the load applying mechanism 310 (see FIG. 3) from the drive torque DT applied to the take-up reel 35. It is set. The first load torque LT1 is set to a value smaller than the drive torque DT applied to the take-up reel 35. The foil transfer device 1 is configured to be able to change the relationship between the load torque LT applied to the supply reel 31 and the drive torque DT applied to the take-up reel 35 by the supply side torque limiter TL2 and the reel clutch C2. The supply side torque limiter TL2 is connected to the reel clutch C2.

The reel clutch C2 is an electromagnetic clutch that can change the connection state between the supply side torque limiter TL2 and the supply reel 31. When the reel clutch C2 changes the connection state between the supply side torque limiter TL2 and the supply reel 31, the magnitude of the load torque LT applied to the supply reel 31 is changed. Specifically, when the connection between the supply side torque limiter TL2 and the supply reel 31 is disconnected, the load torque LT applied to the supply reel 31 becomes the first load torque LT1 and is smaller than the drive torque DT. .. Further, in the state where the supply side torque limiter TL2 and the supply reel 31 are connected, the load torque LT applied to the supply reel 31 is a value obtained by adding the second load torque LT2 to the first load torque LT1 and driving. The value is larger than the torque DT.

The reel clutch C2 is connected to the supply gear 31G of the supply reel 31 via a housing gear 21G provided on the housing body 21 and a gear train (not shown) provided on the holder FH. The housing gear 21G meshes with the detection gear G4. The detection gear G4 is a gear having a rotating plate in which a plurality of slits are formed radially.

The contact / detachment motor 90 is a motor for driving the pressure contact / separation mechanism 70 to switch the states of the pressurizing roller 51 and the heating roller 61 between the nip state and the nip release state. A position sensor SA for detecting the position of the heating roller 61 is provided in the vicinity of the pressure contact separation mechanism 70. Here, as the position sensor SA, for example, an optical sensor or the like can be used.

The foil transfer device 1 has a regulated state in which the supply side torque limiter TL2, the reel clutch C2, and the pressure roller clutch C5 regulate the withdrawal of the foil film F from the supply reel 31 by the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51. It is possible to switch to the release state where the regulation is released.

Specifically, in the foil transfer device 1, when the pressure contact separation mechanism 70 is in the nip release state indicated by the virtual line, the reel clutch C2 is connected and LT> DT regardless of the state of the pressure roller clutch C5. When the regulation state is reached and the reel clutch C2 is disengaged and LT <DT, the release state is reached.

Further, in the foil transfer device 1, when the pressure contact separation mechanism 70 is in the nip state indicated by the solid line and the reel clutch C2 is disconnected and LT <DT, the pressure roller clutch C5 is in the cutoff state. When the pressure roller clutch C5 is in the transmission state, the regulation state is set and the release state is set. When the pressurizing roller 61 and the pressurizing roller 51 are in pressure contact with each other and the torque relationship is LT <DT, when the pressurizing roller 51 and the pressurizing roller 61 stop, the foil film F is pulled from the supply reel 31. When the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61 rotate, the foil film F is pulled out from the supply reel 31 and the foil film F is released.

In the supply reel 31, one end (hereinafter, referred to as “termination”) of the foil film F separably fixed to the supply shaft portion 31A is separated from the supply shaft portion 31A and the foil film F is used up. If the rotation stops. Specifically, the supply reel 31 is provided by the load applying mechanism 310 when the end of the foil film F drawn out by the rotation of the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61 is separated from the supply shaft portion 31A. The rotation is stopped by the load torque LT1.

The foil transfer device 1 further includes a rear end detection sensor SS1 as an example of a sheet sensor, a discharge sensor SS2, an encoder RE, and a control unit 100.
The rear end detection sensor SS1 and the discharge sensor SS2 are sensors for detecting the seat S. Here, as the rear end detection sensor SS1 and the discharge sensor SS2, for example, a sensor including a lever that rotates when the seat S comes into contact with the seat S and an optical sensor that detects the position of the lever can be used.

The rear end detection sensor SS1 is arranged upstream of the nip portion of the pressurizing roller 51 and the heating roller 61 in the transport direction of the sheet S. Specifically, the rear end detection sensor SS1 is arranged between the separation roller 11A and the transfer roller 11C in the transfer direction. The rear end detection sensor SS1 detects the sheet S conveyed toward the nip portion (transfer portion 50) of the pressurizing roller 51 and the heating roller 61.

The discharge sensor SS2 is arranged downstream of the nip portion of the pressurizing roller 51 and the heating roller 61 in the transport direction. Specifically, the discharge sensor SS2 is arranged between the intermediate discharge roller 12A and the discharge roller 12B in the transport direction. The discharge sensor SS2 detects the sheet S sent out from the transfer unit 50.

In the present embodiment, the rear end detection sensor SS1 and the discharge sensor SS2 output an ON signal to the control unit 100 when the seat S is detected, and output an OFF signal to the control unit 100 when the seat S is not detected. Output to. Therefore, when the signal output to the control unit 100 is switched from the OFF signal to the ON signal, when the rear end detection sensor SS1 or the discharge sensor SS2 detects the sheet S, more specifically, the tip of the sheet S is detected. It will be time. Further, when the signal output to the control unit 100 is switched from the ON signal to the OFF signal, when the rear end detection sensor SS1 or the discharge sensor SS2 detects that the sheet S has passed, more specifically, after the sheet S. It is when the edge is detected.

The encoder RE is a sensor that outputs a pulse signal to the control unit 100 when the supply reel 31 rotates. Specifically, the encoder RE outputs a pulse signal by detecting a slit formed in the rotating plate of the detection gear G4 when the supply reel 31 rotates and the detection gear G4 rotates in conjunction with the rotation. .. Since the rotation speed of the supply reel 31 increases as the amount of the foil film F wound around the supply shaft portion 31A decreases, the pulse width and pulse interval of the pulse signal output from the encoder RE are set to the supply shaft portion 31A. The smaller the winding amount of the foil film F, the smaller the winding amount. That is, the encoder RE outputs a pulse signal according to the rotation speed of the supply reel 31. When the supply reel 31 is stopped, the signal output from the encoder RE (hereinafter, also referred to as “output signal”) does not change.

The control unit 100 includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, an input / output circuit, and the like, and executes control by performing various arithmetic processes based on programs and data stored in the ROM and the like.

In the present embodiment, the control unit 100 determines that the foil film F has been used up when the output signal of the encoder RE does not change by the reference time dt or more. In principle, the control unit 100 sets the reference time td as the first reference time td1.

As shown in FIG. 5A, when the foil film F is pulled out and the supply reel 31 is rotating, the output signal of the encoder RE changes within the reference time td (first reference time td1). The control unit 100 does not determine that the foil film F has been used up. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5C, when the end of the foil film F is separated from the supply shaft portion 31A and the rotation of the supply reel 31 is stopped, the output signal of the encoder RE is the reference time td (first reference time). Since the change does not change for dt1) or more, the control unit 100 determines that the foil film F has been used up.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the foil film F is conveyed by the pressure roller 51 being rotationally driven and the heating roller 61 being driven to rotate while being sandwiched between the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61. Will be done. At this time, the supply reel 31 is rotated by pulling out the foil film F.

As shown in FIG. 6B, when the tip of the sheet S conveyed toward the transfer unit 50 rushes into the nip portion between the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61, the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 51 are heated. The nip pressure of the roller 61 temporarily weakens. At this time, the sheet S is conveyed by being in contact with the pressure roller 51 that is driven to rotate, but the foil film F is temporarily stopped. When the foil film F is temporarily stopped, the supply reel 31 is also temporarily stopped.

When the sheet S is sandwiched between the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61 together with the foil film F and the nip pressure of the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the foil film F is as shown in FIG. 6 (c). Is conveyed together with the sheet S. At this time, the supply reel 31 is rotated again by pulling out the foil film F.

As shown in FIG. 6D, even when the rear end of the sheet S passes through the nip portion between the pressurizing roller 51 and the heating roller 61, the nip pressure of the pressurizing roller 51 and the heating roller 61 is temporarily applied. It weakens. Also at this time, the foil film F is temporarily stopped. Then, when the foil film F is temporarily stopped, the supply reel 31 is also temporarily stopped.

When the rear end of the sheet S passes through the nip portion between the pressurizing roller 51 and the heating roller 61 and the nip pressure between the pressurizing roller 51 and the heating roller 61 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value, as shown in FIG. 6A. The foil film F is conveyed. At this time, the supply reel 31 is rotated by pulling out the foil film F.

As shown in FIG. 5B, when the tip of the sheet S enters the nip portion between the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51, and when the rear end of the sheet S exits the nip portion, the supply reel When 31 is temporarily stopped, for example, the pulse width of the pulse signal is temporarily increased. In this case, if the reference time td is the first reference time td1, the output signal of the encoder RE does not change by the reference time td (first reference time td1) or more, so that it is erroneously detected that the foil film F has been used up. It will be.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the tip of the sheet S enters the nip portion between the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51, and when the rear end of the sheet S passes through the nip portion, the control unit 100 , The reference time td is replaced with the first reference time td1 and is set to the second reference time td2 which is longer than the first reference time td1.

By setting the reference time td to the second reference time td2 in this way, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the foil film F is not used up, the output signal of the encoder RE is the reference time td (the second reference time td). Since the change occurs within the 2 reference time td2), the control unit 100 does not erroneously detect that the foil film F has been used up. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5C, when the foil film F is actually used up, the output signal of the encoder RE does not change for the reference time td (second reference time td2) or more, so that the control unit 100 Can determine that the foil film F has been used up.

As a specific process, the control unit 100 determines when the first predetermined time tp1 has elapsed from the time when the rear end detection sensor SS1 detects the tip of the sheet S, and when the rear end detection sensor SS1 detects the rear end of the sheet S. When the second predetermined time tp2 has elapsed from the time of detection, the reference time td is set to the second reference time td2.

Here, the first predetermined time tp1 reaches the position when the tip of the sheet S enters the nip portion between the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51 from the time when the tip of the sheet S is detected by the rear end detection sensor SS1. It is set as the time until it is done. Further, the second predetermined time tp2 reaches the position when the rear end of the sheet S comes out of the nip portion between the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51 from the time when the rear end is detected by the rear end detection sensor SS1. It is set as the time until. The first predetermined time tp1 and the second predetermined time tp2 can be set according to the detection characteristics of the rear end detection sensor SS1, and may be different times or equal times.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, in the foil transfer device 1, the distance L10 from the nip portion of the pair of rollers of the transport roller 11C to the nip portion of the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61 is the supply reel 31. The transport roller 11C, the supply shaft portion 31A, the first guide shaft 41, and the addition so as to be smaller than the length L20 of the foil film F from the supply shaft portion 31A to the nip portion of the pressurizing roller 51 and the heating roller 61. The positions of the compression roller 51 and the heating roller 61 are set.

Further, the control unit 100 is configured to convey the sheets S at predetermined intervals L30 when the foils are continuously transferred to the plurality of sheets S. Specifically, when the rear end detection sensor SS1 detects the rear end of the front sheet S (S1), the control unit 100 rotates the separation roller 11A to transfer the next sheet S (S2) to the transfer unit 50. It is configured to supply towards. The predetermined distance L30 is smaller than the distance L10 from the transport roller 11C to the nip portion of the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61.

In the present embodiment, the first reference time td1 is set to substantially the same time as the pulse width (or pulse interval) of the pulse signal output from the encoder RE at the time immediately before the foil film F is used up by experiments or simulations. Has been done. Further, the first reference time td1 is set to a time satisfying the following relationship, where L1 is the distance at which the foil film F is conveyed during the first reference time td1.
L1 <L20-L10
In the present embodiment, the distance at which the sheet S is conveyed during the first reference time td1 is substantially equal to L1.

Further, in the second reference time td2, when the tip of the sheet S rushes into the nip portion between the heating roller 61 and the pressurizing roller 51 and the supply reel 31 temporarily stops due to an experiment or a simulation, or The time is set to substantially the same as the pulse width (or pulse interval) of the pulse signal output from the encoder RE when the rear end of the sheet S passes through the nip portion and the supply reel 31 is temporarily stopped. Further, the second reference time td2 is set to a time satisfying the following relationship, where L2 is the distance at which the foil film F is conveyed during the second reference time td2.
L2 <L20-L30

In the present embodiment, the distance at which the sheet S is conveyed during the second reference time td2 is substantially equal to L2. Further, the second reference time td2 when the tip of the sheet S enters the nip portion and the second reference time td2 when the rear end of the sheet S passes through the nip portion may be the same time or different. It may be time.

When the control unit 100 determines that the foil film F has been used up, the control unit 100 prohibits the transfer of the next sheet S and discharges the sheet S being conveyed to the outside of the housing 2. Specifically, when the control unit 100 determines that the foil film F has been used up, the control unit 100 prohibits the transfer of the sheet S that has not reached the transfer roller 11C, and the sheet S that has reached the transfer roller 11C is moved out of the housing 2. Discharge.

Specifically, when the output signal of the encoder RE does not change by the reference time td or more, the control unit 100 puts the separation roller clutch C1 into the cutoff state and puts the transport roller clutch C3 and the pressurizing roller clutch C5 into the transmission state. .. As a result, the separation roller 11A stops and the retard roller 11B rotates in the direction of returning the sheet S toward the seat tray 3, so that it is possible to prohibit the transfer of the sheet S that has not reached the transfer roller 11C. Further, since the transport roller 11C, the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61, the intermediate discharge roller 12A, and the discharge roller 12B rotate, the sheet S in a state of being sandwiched between the transport roller 11C and the subsequent rollers is housed 2. Can be discharged out of.

When the output signal of the encoder RE does not change for the reference time td or more, the control unit 100 shuts off the separation roller clutch C1, puts the transport roller clutch C3 and the pressurizing roller clutch C5 in the transmission state, and then sets the discharge sensor SS2. When the third predetermined time tp3 elapses after the output is switched from the ON signal to the OFF signal, it is determined that all the sheets S being conveyed have been discharged to the outside of the housing 2, and the transfer roller clutch C3 and the pressurizing roller The clutch C5 is engaged. As a result, the transport roller 11C, the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61, the intermediate discharge roller 12A, and the discharge roller 12B are stopped. Here, the third predetermined time tp3 is set to a time during which it can be determined that all the sheets S being conveyed when it is determined that the foil film F has been used up have passed through the discharge roller 12B.

Next, the operation of the control unit 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The control unit 100 repeatedly executes the process shown in FIG. 8 after the power of the foil transfer device 1 is turned on.

As shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the output of the rear end detection sensor SS1 is switched from OFF to ON (S11). When the output of the rear end detection sensor SS1 is not switched from OFF to ON (S11, No), the control unit 100 determines whether or not the output of the rear end detection sensor SS1 is switched from ON to OFF (S12). Then, when the output of the rear end detection sensor SS1 does not switch from ON to OFF (S12, No), the control unit 100 sets the reference time td to the first reference time td1 (S13).

In step S11, when the output of the rear end detection sensor SS1 is switched from OFF to ON (Yes), the control unit 100 determines whether or not the first predetermined time tp1 has elapsed (S14). Then, when the first predetermined time tp1 has elapsed (S14, Yes), the control unit 100 sets the reference time td to the second reference time td2 (S16).

Further, in step S12, when the output of the rear end detection sensor SS1 is switched from ON to OFF (Yes), the control unit 100 determines whether or not the second predetermined time tp2 has elapsed (S15). Then, when the second predetermined time tp2 has elapsed (S15, Yes), the control unit 100 sets the reference time td to the second reference time td2 (S16).

After setting the reference time td, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the output signal of the encoder RE has changed by the reference time td or more (S17). When the output signal of the encoder RE changes within the reference time td (S17, No), the control unit 100 ends the current process.

In step S17, when the output signal of the encoder RE has not changed by the reference time td or more (Yes), the control unit 100 determines that the foil film F has been used up, turns off the separation roller clutch C1 (disengagement state), and turns it off. , The transport roller clutch C3 and the pressurizing roller clutch C5 are turned ON (transmission state) (S21). If it is determined that the foil film F has been used up and the transfer roller clutch C3 and the pressure roller clutch C5 are ON, the control unit 100 turns on the transfer roller clutch C3 and the pressure roller clutch C5. Leave it as it is.

After that, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the third predetermined time tp3 has elapsed since the discharge sensor SS2 was turned off (S22). When the third predetermined time tp3 has elapsed (S22, Yes), the control unit 100 turns off the transport roller clutch C3 and the pressure roller clutch C5 (S23), and ends the process. When the foil transfer device 1 determines that the foil film F has been used up and ends the process, the foil transfer device 1 sends a message prompting the user to replace the film cartridge FC, such as a display unit or a speaker provided in the housing 2. You may output from.

Based on the above, the following effects can be obtained in the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 5 (c), it is usually determined that the foil film F has been used up when the signal output from the encoder RE does not change by the first reference time td1 or more, which is shorter than the second reference time td2. It is possible to quickly detect that the film F has been used up.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the tip of the sheet S enters the nip portion between the pressurizing roller 51 and the heating roller 61, and when the rear end of the sheet S passes through the nip portion. Even if the foil film F is temporarily stopped and the signal output from the encoder RE does not change by the first reference time td1 or more, it is determined that the foil film F has been used up if the signal changes within the second reference time td2. There is nothing to do. As a result, it is possible to suppress false detection that the foil film F has been used up.

Further, when it is determined that the foil film F has been used up, the next sheet S is prohibited from being conveyed, and the sheet S being conveyed is discharged to the outside of the housing 2. Therefore, when it is determined that the foil film F has been used up, it is determined. The sheet S can be prevented from remaining in the foil transfer device 1. According to this, after the foil film F is used up, it is not necessary for the user to perform the work of removing the sheet S remaining in the foil transfer device 1, which is convenient.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9A, the distance L10 from the transport roller 11C to the nip portion of the pressurizing roller 51 and the heating roller 61 is the length L20 of the foil film F from the supply shaft portion 31A to the nip portion. As shown in FIG. 9B, when it is determined that the foil film F has been used up when the tip of the sheet S has just reached the transport roller 11C and the sheet S being transported is discharged. The sheet S can be conveyed in a state where the tip of the sheet S and the foil film F are overlapped by the nip portion of the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10A, just before the tip of the sheet S reaches the transport roller 11C (just before the distance L1), the end of the foil film F is separated from the supply shaft portion 31A, and FIG. 10B ), When it is determined that the foil film F has been used up based on the first reference time td1, the tip of the sheet S reaches the transport roller 11C at the time of determination, so that the sheet S is subject to discharge. In the present embodiment, the distance at which the foil film F is conveyed during the first reference time td1 is set to L1, and the first reference time td1 is set to a time satisfying L1 <L20-L10. At the time of discharging, as shown in FIG. 10 (c), the sheet S can be conveyed in a state where the tip of the sheet S and the foil film F are overlapped by the nip portion of the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11A, the time during which the second reference time td2 satisfies L2 <L20-L30 (sheet spacing), where L2 is the distance at which the foil film F is conveyed during the second reference time td2. Since the setting is set to, when the rear end of the preceding sheet S1 passes through the nip portion of the pressurizing roller 51 and the heating roller 61, it is determined that the foil film F has been used up based on the second reference time td2, and the sheet being conveyed is being conveyed. As shown in FIG. 11B when discharging S1 and S2, when the tip of the succeeding sheet S2 being conveyed rushes into the nip portion, the tip of the succeeding sheet S2 and the foil film F at the nip portion. The sheet S2 can be conveyed in a state where the sheets S2 are overlapped with each other.

Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be appropriately modified and implemented as illustrated below.

For example, in the above embodiment, the encoder RE indirectly detects the rotation of the supply reel 31 by detecting the rotation of the detection gear G4, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the rotation of the supply reel 31 is not limited to this. May be directly detected.

Further, in the above embodiment, as the sensors SS1 and SS2 for detecting the seat, a sensor including a lever and an optical sensor for detecting the position of the lever is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, it may consist only of an optical sensor.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the heating roller 61 is driven to rotate driven by the pressure roller 51, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the pressure roller is driven to rotate by the rotation drive of the heating roller. It may be configured to be used. Further, in the above embodiment, when the foil film F and the sheet S are conveyed, the heating roller 61 is in contact with the foil film F and the pressure roller 51 is in contact with the sheet S, but the present invention is not limited to this. , The pressure roller may be in contact with the foil film, and the heating roller may be in contact with the sheet.

Further, in the above embodiment, the pressure contact separation mechanism 70 is configured to move the heating roller 61 with respect to the pressure roller 51, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the pressure roller is moved with respect to the heating roller. It may be a configuration. Further, the foil transfer device may be configured not to have a pressure contact separation mechanism.

Further, in the above embodiment, when the control unit 100 determines that the foil film F has been used up, the next sheet S is prohibited from being conveyed, and the sheet S being conveyed is discharged toward the outside of the housing 2. However, it is not limited to this. For example, when the control unit determines that the foil film has been used up, the transfer of all the sheets may be stopped.

Further, in the above embodiment, when the first predetermined time tp1 has elapsed from the time when the rear end detection sensor SS1 detects the tip of the sheet S, the tip of the sheet S is between the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51. When the rear end of the seat S has passed through the nip portion when the second predetermined time tp2 has elapsed from the time when the rear end detection sensor SS1 detects the rear end of the seat S, which is regarded as when the vehicle has entered the nip portion. However, it is not limited to this. For example, in the nip portion between the heating roller and the pressure roller, whether or not the front end of the sheet has reached or whether or not the rear end of the sheet has come off may be directly detected by a sensor or the like.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, in principle, the reference time td is set to the first reference time td1, and when the tip of the sheet S plunges into the nip portion between the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51, and after the sheet S. When the end passes through the nip portion, the reference time td is set to the second reference time td2, but the reference time is not limited to this. For example, if the supply reel may temporarily stop other than when the tip of the seat enters the nip and when the rear end of the seat exits the nip, in that case, the reference time May be the second reference time, or may be the third reference time, which is longer than the first reference time and different from the second reference time.

Further, in the above embodiment, the film cartridge FC is provided with the supply reel 31 and the take-up reel 35, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the film cartridge may be provided with a supply reel, and the housing may be provided with a take-up reel. Further, in the above embodiment, the film cartridge FC having the supply reel 31 can be attached to and detached from the housing main body 21 in a state of being attached to the holder FH, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the film cartridge having the supply reel may be directly attached to and detached from the housing body, or the supply reel may be directly attached to and detached from the housing body.

Further, in the above embodiment, the foil transfer device 1 that transfers the foil to the toner image on the sheet is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this. The foil transfer device may be any device as long as it transfers the foil to the sheet.

Further, in the above embodiment, the foil film F having four layers is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of layers of the foil film may be any number.

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

1 Foil transfer device 11C Conveyor roller 31 Supply reel 31A Supply shaft part 51 Pressurized roller 61 Heating roller 100 Control part F Foil film RE encoder S sheet SS1 Rear end detection sensor

Claims (8)

A foil transfer device that transfers a sheet to a sheet by stacking the sheet on a foil film containing foil.
A supply reel having a supply shaft on which the foil film is wound, and
With a heating roller,
A pressure roller that conveys the foil film and the sheet between the heating rollers,
An encoder that outputs a pulse signal when the supply reel rotates,
With a control unit,
The supply reel stops rotating when the end of the foil film is separated from the supply shaft portion and the foil film is used up.
The control unit
When the signal output from the encoder does not change for more than the reference time, it is determined that the foil film has been used up.
The reference time
Set as the first reference time
When the tip of the sheet enters the nip portion between the heating roller and the pressurizing roller, and when the rear end of the sheet exits the nip portion, the first reference time is replaced with the first reference time. A foil transfer device characterized by having a second reference time longer than the reference time. It is a sheet sensor that detects a sheet, and is provided with a sheet sensor arranged upstream of the nip portion in the sheet transport direction.
When the first predetermined time has elapsed from the time when the seat sensor detects the front end of the seat, and when the second predetermined time has elapsed from the time when the seat sensor detects the rear end of the seat. The foil transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the reference time is set to the second reference time. The foil transfer device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the control unit determines that the foil film has been used up, the transfer of the next sheet is prohibited and the sheet being transferred is discharged. A transport roller that transports a sheet to the nip portion, and includes a transport roller arranged immediately before the nip portion in the sheet transport direction.
The third aspect of claim 3, wherein when the control unit determines that the foil film has been used up, the sheet that has not reached the transfer roller is prohibited from being transferred and the sheet that has reached the transfer roller is discharged. Foil transfer device. The foil transfer device according to claim 4, wherein the distance L10 from the transport roller to the nip portion is smaller than the length L20 of the foil film from the supply shaft portion to the nip portion. The foil transfer according to claim 5, wherein the first reference time is set to a time satisfying the following relationship, where the distance at which the foil film is conveyed during the first reference time is L1. Device.
L1 <L20-L10 When the foil is continuously transferred to a plurality of sheets, the control unit transfers the sheets at a predetermined interval L30, which is smaller than the distance L10 from the transfer roller to the nip portion.
The second reference time is set to a time satisfying the following relationship, where the distance at which the foil film is conveyed during the second reference time is L2, according to claim 5 or 6. The foil transfer device described.
L2 <L20-L30 In the heating roller and the pressurizing roller, the heating roller is driven to rotate and the heating roller is driven to rotate, and when the foil film and the sheet are conveyed, the heating roller comes into contact with the foil film and the pressurization is performed. The foil transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the roller comes into contact with the sheet.

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