JP2022074248A - Foil transfer device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a foil transfer device that can improve usability.SOLUTION: A foil transfer device can execute a tip transfer mode in which a foil is transferred from a tip of a sheet S as a foil transfer area TA, or a central transfer mode in which the foil is transferred from the center of the sheet S as the foil transcription area TA, at a command from a user. A heating roller 61 is pressurized before the foil transfer area TA reaches a foil transfer position where the foil transfer area TA is sandwiched between the heating roller 61 and a pressure roller 51, and the heating roller 61 is separated after the foil transfer area TA is detached from a foil film F when the foil is transferred onto the sheet S during the execution of the tip transfer mode or the central transfer mode. Discharge processing is performed in which the heating roller 61 is pressurized and the heating roller 61, the pressure roller 51, and an intermediate discharge roller 12A are rotated to convey and discharge the sheet S when the sheet S is presumed to have stopped after the heating roller 61 leaves the pressure roller 51 while the tip transfer mode or the central transfer mode is being executed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

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 a toner image on the sheet.

As a foil transfer device, a heating roller, a pressure roller for transporting a foil film and a sheet between the heating rollers, and a peeling roller for peeling the foil film and the sheet that have passed between the heating rollers and the pressure rollers. , A downstream transfer roller that conveys a sheet, and a pressure contact separation mechanism that moves the heating roller between the pressure contact position where the heating roller is pressed against the pressure roller and the separation position away from the pressure roller are known (Patented). Document 1). In this technique, there are two modes: a full-page transfer mode in which the foil can be transferred to the entire sheet, a front-end transfer mode in which the foil is transferred only to the front end of the sheet, and a rear-end transfer mode in which the foil is transferred only to the rear end of the sheet. It is feasible and each mode can be selected by the user's operation.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2020-12146

By the way, when the foil is transferred to the sheet, the heating roller is moved to the pressure contact position at the timing before the region where the foil is transferred reaches the position sandwiched between the heating roller and the pressure roller, and the sheet foil is moved by the peeling roller. By moving the heating roller to a separated position at the timing after the region to be transferred and the foil film are peeled off, unnecessary transfer of the foil film can be suppressed.

On the other hand, for example, when the tip transfer mode is executed, when the toner image is located downstream in the sheet transport direction in the region where the foil is transferred, the portion of the sheet where the toner image is located and the foil film are stuck to each other. There is a possibility that the heating roller will move to the separated position in the state. At this time, if the transfer force of the downstream transfer roller is insufficient, the sheet stops in the apparatus, so that it is necessary to perform a process of removing the stopped sheet, which causes a problem in terms of usability of the foil transfer apparatus.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a foil transfer device capable of improving usability.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the foil transfer device is a foil transfer device that superimposes a sheet on a foil film containing foil and transfers the foil to a toner image on the sheet, and is between a heating roller and a heating roller. A pressure roller for transporting the foil film and the sheet, a peeling member for peeling the foil film and the sheet that passed between the heating roller and the pressurizing roller, and a roller for transporting the sheet. A downstream transfer roller arranged downstream of the peeling member in the sheet transfer direction, a pressure contact position where one of the heating roller and the pressure roller is in pressure contact with the other roller, and a separation position separated from the other roller. It is provided with a pressure contact separation mechanism for moving between the two, and a control unit.
The control unit can set a foil transfer region, which is a region on which the foil on the sheet is to be transferred and is a part of the region in the sheet transport direction, by a command from the user.
The control unit transfers the foil to the sheet using the region from the tip of the sheet to the first length as the foil transfer region in the transport direction, and the second from the position of the second length from the tip of the sheet in the transport direction. It is possible to execute at least one of the central transfer modes in which the foil is transferred to the sheet with the region up to the length of 3 as the foil transfer region.
When transferring the foil to the sheet during execution of the advanced transfer mode or the central transfer mode, the control unit controls the pressure contact separation mechanism so that the foil transfer region is located at the foil transfer position where the heating roller and the pressure roller are sandwiched. One roller is moved from the separation position to the pressure contact position at the timing before reaching, and one roller is moved from the pressure contact position to the separation position at the timing after the foil transfer region is peeled from the foil film.
If it is estimated that the seat has stopped after one roller has left the other roller during execution of the advanced transfer mode or the central transfer mode, the control unit controls the pressure contact separation mechanism to press one roller. Positioned at the position, at least one of the heating roller and the pressurizing roller, as well as the downstream transport roller, is controlled to perform a discharge process for discharging the sheet.

According to such a configuration, there is a toner image downstream of the foil transfer region, the portion of the sheet where the toner image is located and the foil film are attached to each other, and after the heating roller and the pressure roller are separated, the downstream transfer roller is used. Even if the sheet is stopped due to insufficient transport force, the sheet can be ejected by pressing the heating roller and the pressurizing roller again to feed the sheet, without assuming that the sheet is clogged. This makes it possible to improve the usability of the foil transfer device.

The foil transfer device described above is a sensor for detecting a sheet, an upstream sheet sensor arranged upstream of the foil transfer position in the transport direction, and a sensor for detecting the sheet, downstream of the foil transfer position in the transport direction. If the downstream seat sensor detects the seat when the first time has passed since the upstream seat sensor stopped detecting the seat, the control unit performs the discharge processing. It can be configured to be executed.

The foil transfer device described above is a sensor for detecting a sheet, an upstream sheet sensor arranged upstream of the foil transfer position in the transport direction, and a sensor for detecting the sheet, downstream of the foil transfer position in the transport direction. The control unit is provided with a downstream seat sensor arranged in the above, and when a second time has elapsed from the state in which both the upstream seat sensor and the downstream seat sensor have detected the seat, the control unit executes the discharge process. It can be configured.

The foil transfer device described above is a sensor for detecting a sheet, and includes a downstream sheet sensor arranged downstream of the foil transfer position in the transport direction, and the control unit receives a third time from the start of the discharge process. When the downstream seat sensor detects the seat, the seat can be stopped to be conveyed.

According to this, it is possible that the sheet is stopped at the position of the downstream sheet sensor even though the heating roller and the pressure roller are pressed again to feed the sheet, and the sheet is actually clogged. Since there is a property, the user can be made aware of the abnormality by stopping the transport of the sheet.

The foil transfer device described above is a sensor for detecting a sheet, an upstream sheet sensor arranged upstream of the foil transfer position in the transport direction, and a sensor for detecting the sheet, downstream of the foil transfer position in the transport direction. The control unit is provided with a downstream seat sensor arranged in the above, and if the downstream seat sensor does not detect the seat by the time when the fourth time elapses after the upstream seat sensor detects the seat, the control unit transfers the seat. It can be configured to stop.

According to this, it means that the sheet is supplied but does not reach the downstream seat sensor, and there is a possibility that the sheet is actually clogged. Can be made.

In the foil transfer device described above, when the foil transfer area is changed and the foil is transferred to the sheet, the control unit performs a foil feed process of transporting the foil film by a predetermined length at a timing before the sheet reaches the foil transfer position. Can be configured to execute.

If there is a toner image downstream of the foil transfer region and one roller separates from the other roller near the toner image, the toner may adhere to the foil film. In this case, when the foil transfer is executed on the next sheet and the middle part of the sheet and the portion of the foil film to which the toner is attached are pressed against each other at the foil transfer position, the toner attached to the foil film is transferred to the sheet. It ends up. Therefore, when the foil transfer area is changed and the foil is transferred to the sheet, by executing the foil feed process, the middle part of the sheet and the part where the toner of the foil film may adhere at the foil transfer position are located. Since the pressure contact is eliminated, it is possible to prevent the toner adhering to the foil film from being transferred to the sheet.

In the foil transfer device described above, when the foil transfer area is changed and the foil is continuously transferred to a plurality of sheets, the control unit may be configured to execute the foil feed process only for the first sheet. can.

According to this, it is possible to reduce the waste of the foil film while suppressing the transfer of the toner adhering to the foil film to the sheet.

In the foil transfer device described above, the pressure contact separation mechanism may be configured to include a cam for moving one roller between the pressure contact position and the separation position.

According to the present invention, the usability of the foil transfer device can be improved.

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 a figure (a), (b) which shows the structure of the foil transfer apparatus simply. It is a figure (a)-(d) explaining the process of each transfer mode. It is a figure (a)-(c) explaining the discharge process. It is a figure (a)-(d) explaining the foil feed process. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of a control part. It is a flowchart which shows the whole surface transfer process. It is a flowchart which shows the first half of the advanced transfer process. It is a flowchart which shows the latter half of the advanced transfer process and the central transfer process. It is a flowchart which shows the first half of a central transfer process. It is a flowchart which shows the first half of the rear end transfer processing. It is a flowchart which shows the latter half of the rear end transfer processing. It is a flowchart which shows the foil feed process. It is a flowchart which shows the error check process.

An embodiment of the present 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 toner image on 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 seat supply mechanism 11 includes a pickup roller 11A, a retard roller 11B, and a feed roller 11C.

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

The retard roller 11B is a roller for separating the sheet S conveyed by the pickup roller 11A into one sheet. The retard roller 11B is arranged on the pickup 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 pickup roller 11A is returned toward the seat tray 3.

The feed roller 11C is a roller for transporting the sheet S sent out by the pickup roller 11A toward the transfer unit 50. The feed 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 feed roller 11C is arranged upstream of the transfer unit 50 in the transport direction of the sheet S. Specifically, the feed roller 11C is arranged between the pickup roller 11A and the transfer unit 50.

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 as an example of the downstream transfer roller. The intermediate discharge roller 12A and the discharge roller 12B are rollers for transporting the sheet S. 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 conveys 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. Further, the intermediate discharge roller 12A is arranged downstream of the second guide shaft 42, which will be described later, in the transport direction of the sheet S. In the following description, the transport direction of the sheet S is also simply referred to as a “transport direction”.

The discharge roller 12B discharges 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 as an example of a peeling member, 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. 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 supply reel 31 is provided with a load applying mechanism (not shown). This load applying mechanism is a mechanism that applies a load torque to the supply reel 31 by generating a frictional force with the supply case 32 that rotatably supports the supply reel 31. When the load torque is applied to the supply reel 31 and the foil film F is wound by the take-up reel 35, tension is applied to the foil film F.

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. The diameter of the roll-shaped foil film F that is not wound or is wound around the supply reel 31 is minimized.

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 a member for peeling the foil film F and the sheet S that have passed through the transfer portion 50 (between the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61 described later). 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 for transporting the foil film F and the sheet S between the heating roller 61 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. The pressure roller 51 is arranged on the upper side of the foil film F and is in contact with the back surface of the sheet S (the surface opposite to the surface on which the toner image is formed). Both ends of the pressure roller 51 are rotatably supported by the cover 22. The pressure roller 51 sandwiches the sheet S and the foil film F with the heating roller 61, and is rotationally driven by the main motor 80 to drive the heating roller 61 to rotate.

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. The heating roller 61 is arranged below the foil film F and is in contact with the foil film F. The heating roller 61 heats the foil film F and the sheet S.

The pressure contact separation mechanism 70 is a mechanism for moving one of the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51 between the pressure contact position in contact with the other roller and the separation position separated from the other roller. .. In the present embodiment, the pressure contact separation mechanism 70 moves the heating roller 61 between the pressure contact position in pressure contact with the pressure roller 51 and the separation position separated from the pressure roller 51 (see FIG. 3B). It is composed.

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. 3A, the foil transfer device 1 includes a rear end detection sensor SS1 as an example of an upstream sheet sensor, a discharge sensor SS2 as an example of a downstream sheet sensor, a contact / detachment motor 90, and an operation unit. The touch panel TP and the control unit 100 are further provided. Note that FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the foil transfer device 1 in a simplified manner.

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 foil transfer position of the transfer unit 50 in the transport direction of the sheet S. Here, the foil transfer position is a position where the sheet S is sandwiched between the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51. The foil transfer device 1 transfers the foil to the sheet S at the foil transfer position. The rear end detection sensor SS1 is arranged between the pickup roller 11A and the foil transfer position in the transport direction. Specifically, the rear end detection sensor SS1 is arranged between the pickup roller 11A and the feed roller 11C in the transport direction.

The discharge sensor SS2 is arranged downstream of the foil transfer position in the transport direction. Specifically, the discharge sensor SS2 is arranged between the foil transfer position and the discharge roller 12B in the transport direction. More specifically, the discharge sensor SS2 is arranged between the intermediate discharge roller 12A and the discharge roller 12B in the transport direction.

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, the time when the signal output to the control unit 100 is switched from the OFF signal to the ON signal is the time when the sheet S is detected, and the time when the signal output to the control unit 100 is switched from the ON signal to the OFF signal is the sheet. This is when S is no longer detected.

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. The control unit 100 controls the drive and stop of the pressure roller 51. The control unit 100 drives and stops the pickup roller 11A of the seat transfer unit 10, and causes a retard roller 11B other than the pickup roller 11A, a feed roller 11C, an intermediate discharge roller 12A, and a discharge roller 12B (hereinafter, "conveyor rollers 11B to 12B"). It is also possible to control the drive and stop of) individually.

The contact / separation motor 90 drives the pressure contact / separation mechanism 70 to press the heating roller 61 against the pressure roller 51 shown in FIG. 3 (a) from the pressure contact position and the pressure roller 51 shown in FIG. 3 (b). It is a motor for moving to and from a separated position. As shown in FIG. 3B, the pressure contact separation mechanism 70 includes a movable frame 71, a cam 73, and a roller 75 pressed by the cam 73. Both ends of the heating roller 61 are rotatably supported by the movable frame 71. Further, the roller 75 is supported by the movable frame 71.

The movable frame 71 is supported by the housing body 21 (see FIG. 1A) so as to be slidably movable up and down. The cam 73 is a member that moves the heating roller 61 between the pressure contact position and the separated position by sliding the movable frame 71. The cam 73 has a shaft 73S, and the shaft 73S is rotatably supported by the housing body 21. The cam 73 can be displaced to the release position shown in FIG. 3B and the pressing position shown in FIG. 3A as the shaft 73S rotates.

A driving force is applied to the shaft 73S from the contact / detachment motor 90, and the cam 73 is displaced from the release position to the pressing position to move the heating roller 61 from the separation position to the pressure contact position and is displaced from the pressing position to the release position. Moves the heating roller 61 from the pressure contact position to the separated position. 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 touch panel TP is a panel that displays buttons and the like operated by the user. The touch panel TP is provided, for example, on the upper surface of the cover 22 (see FIG. 1A). The touch panel TP displays the first button B1, the second button B2, the third button B3, the fourth button B4, the input unit B5, and the start button B6.

The first button B1 is a button for selecting the full transfer mode. The second button B2 is a button for selecting the tip transfer mode. The third button B3 is a button for selecting the central transfer mode. The fourth button B4 is a button for selecting the rear end transfer mode. The input unit B5 has a plurality of buttons for changing the numerical value displayed on the touch panel TP. The start button B6 is a button for executing foil transfer.

Here, the entire surface transfer mode is a mode in which the foil can be transferred to the entire surface of the sheet S. The front end transfer mode, the central transfer mode, and the rear end transfer mode are modes for transferring the foil to a part of the sheet S, specifically, the foil transfer region TA. The foil transfer region TA is a region on which the foil on the sheet S should be transferred, and is a partial region in the transport direction of the sheet S.

Specifically, the tip transfer mode is a mode in which the foil is transferred with the tip portion of the sheet S in the transport direction as the foil transfer region TA. Specifically, in the tip transfer mode, the foil is transferred to the sheet S with the region from the tip of the sheet S to the first length as the foil transfer region TA in the transport direction. Further, the central transfer mode is a mode in which the foil is transferred with the central portion of the sheet S in the transport direction as the foil transfer region TA. Specifically, in the central transfer mode, the foil is transferred to the sheet S with the region from the position of the second length from the tip of the sheet S to the third length as the foil transfer region TA in the transport direction. Further, the rear end transfer mode is a mode in which the foil is transferred by using the rear end portion of the sheet S in the transport direction as the foil transfer region TA. Specifically, in the rear end transfer mode, the foil is transferred to the sheet S with the region from the tip of the sheet S to the fourth length or later as the foil transfer region TA in the transport direction.

The user can select the transfer mode by selecting the buttons B1 to B4. Further, in the present embodiment, the user operates the input unit B5 to control the range of the foil transfer region TA in the tip transfer mode, the center transfer mode, and the rear end transfer mode, specifically, the first length described above. , The second length, the third length, and the fourth length can be arbitrarily set. The foil transfer device 1 can set the range (length in the transport direction) of the foil transfer region TA, for example, in millimeters.

In the touch panel TP, when the buttons B1 to B4 are pressed to select the transfer mode, the input unit B5 is operated to set the range of the foil transfer area TA, or the start button B6 is pressed, the transfer mode or the foil is pressed. Information on the range of the transfer region TA, a command to start foil transfer, and the like are output to the control unit 100.

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

The control unit 100 can set the foil transfer region TA by a command from the user. Specifically, the control unit 100 allows the user to press buttons B2 to B4 of the touch panel TP to select one of the advanced transfer mode, the central transfer mode, and the rear end transfer mode, or the advanced transfer mode, the central transfer mode, or the rear end transfer. After selecting the mode, the foil transfer area TA can be set by operating the input unit B5 to arbitrarily set the range of the foil transfer area TA.

The control unit 100 can execute the full-page transfer mode, the advanced transfer mode, the central transfer mode, and the rear-end transfer mode described above. After the transfer mode is selected or the transfer mode is selected and the range of the foil transfer area TA is set, the control unit 100 issues a command to start foil transfer by pressing the start button B6 of the touch panel TP. When it is output, foil transfer is executed according to the user's selection. When the foil transfer device 1 is in a standby state waiting for a command to start foil transfer, the heating roller 61 is located at a separated position.

As shown in FIG. 4A, when the entire surface transfer mode is executed to transfer the foil to the sheet S, the control unit 100 has the foil transfer position where the tip of the sheet S is between the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61. At the timing before reaching, the rollers 11A to 12B are stopped, and the transfer of the sheet S is temporarily stopped. After that, the control unit 100 controls the pressure contact separation mechanism 70 to move the heating roller 61 from the separation position to the pressure contact position. After that, the control unit 100 drives the rollers 11A to 12B and the pressure roller 51 to convey the sheet S and the foil film F, and transfers the foil to the sheet S at the foil transfer position.

The timing for suspending the sheet S before the tip of the sheet S or the foil transfer region TA as described later reaches the foil transfer position is, for example, the sheet S supplied by the rear end detection sensor SS1 from the sheet tray 3. Can be determined by the elapsed time since the detection of.

After that, as shown in FIG. 4B, the control unit 100 stops the transport rollers 11B to 12B and the pressure roller 51 at the timing after the rear end of the sheet S has passed the foil transfer position, and the sheet S is stopped. And the transportation of the foil film F is temporarily stopped. After that, the control unit 100 controls the pressure contact separation mechanism 70 to move the heating roller 61 from the pressure contact position to the separation position. After that, the control unit 100 drives the transport rollers 11B to 12B to discharge the seat S to the outside of the housing 2.

The timing of suspending the sheet S or the like after the rear end of the sheet S has passed the foil transfer position, or the timing of suspending the sheet S or the like after the foil transfer region TA is peeled off from the foil film F as described later. For example, it can be determined by the elapsed time from the start of driving of the rollers 11A to 12B, 51 after moving the heating roller 61 from the separated position to the pressure contact position. The pickup roller 11A stops at the timing when the rear end of the seat S passes between the pickup roller 11A and the retard roller 11B.

As shown in FIG. 4A, when the tip transfer mode is executed to transfer the foil to the sheet S, the control unit 100 reaches the foil transfer position at the tip of the sheet S (specifically, the foil transfer region TA). At the timing before this, the rollers 11A to 12B are stopped, and the transfer of the sheet S is temporarily stopped. After that, the control unit 100 controls the pressure contact separation mechanism 70 to move the heating roller 61 from the separation position to the pressure contact position. After that, the control unit 100 drives the rollers 11A to 12B and the pressure roller 51 to convey the sheet S and the foil film F, and transfers the foil to the sheet S.

After that, as shown in FIG. 4C, the control unit 100 determines the timing after the foil transfer region TA is peeled from the foil film F, in other words, after the foil transfer region TA has passed through the second guide shaft 42. At the timing, the transfer rollers 11B to 12B and the pressure roller 51 are stopped, and the transfer of the sheet S and the foil film F is temporarily stopped. After that, the control unit 100 controls the pressure contact separation mechanism 70 to move the heating roller 61 from the pressure contact position to the separation position. After that, the control unit 100 drives the transport rollers 11B to 12B to discharge the seat S to the outside of the housing 2.

As shown in FIG. 4D, when the central transfer mode is executed to transfer the foil to the sheet S, the control unit 100 controls each roller 11A at a timing before the foil transfer region TA reaches the foil transfer position. ~ 12B is stopped, and the transfer of the sheet S is temporarily stopped. After that, the control unit 100 controls the pressure contact separation mechanism 70 to move the heating roller 61 from the separation position to the pressure contact position. After that, the control unit 100 drives the rollers 11A to 12B and the pressure roller 51 to convey the foil film F together with the sheet S, and transfers the foil to the sheet S. After that, the control unit 100 moves the heating roller 61 to a separated position and executes control to discharge the sheet S, as in the case of the tip transfer mode (see FIG. 4C).

When the rear end transfer mode is executed to transfer the foil to the sheet S, the control unit 100 moves the heating roller 61 to the pressure contact position and the sheet as in the case of the central transfer mode (see FIG. 4D). The control of transferring the foil to S is executed. After that, the control unit 100 moves the heating roller 61 to a separated position and executes control to discharge the sheet S, as in the case of the full transfer mode (see FIG. 4B).

As shown in FIG. 5A, when the user selects the advanced transfer mode or the central transfer mode, it is actually downstream in the transport direction of the foil transfer region TA, specifically, from the rear end of the foil transfer region TA. If the toner image TB is also present in the region up to the fifth length, the sheet S may stop in the housing 2. Here, the fifth length is a length substantially equal to the distance D5 from the foil transfer position to the second guide shaft 42.

Specifically, in this case, the heating roller 61 moves from the pressure contact position to the separated position while the portion of the sheet S where the toner image TB is located and the foil film F are still attached to each other before being peeled off by the second guide shaft 42. Therefore, after that, the sheet S cannot be sent out between the pressurizing roller 51 and the heating roller 61. In this case, if the transport force of the intermediate discharge roller 12A or the like is insufficient, the sheet S cannot be fed, and the sheet S may stop in the housing 2.

Therefore, in the foil transfer device 1, when it is estimated that the sheet S is stopped after the heating roller 61 is separated from the pressure roller 51 during the execution of the advanced transfer mode or the central transfer mode, the control unit 100 discharges the sheet S. To execute. Specifically, in the discharge process, the control unit 100 first controls the pressure roller 51 and the transfer rollers 11B to 12B to stop the pressure roller 51, the heating roller 61, and the transfer rollers 11B to 12B.

Next, the control unit 100 controls the pressure contact separation mechanism 70 to position the heating roller 61 at the pressure contact position as shown in FIG. 5 (b). After that, as shown in FIG. 5C, the control unit 100 controls the pressure roller 51 and the transfer rollers 11B to 12B to rotate the pressure roller 51, the heating roller 61, and the transfer rollers 11B to 12B. The sheet S is conveyed, and the sheet S is discharged to the outside of the housing 2. By executing the discharge process, the sheet S is conveyed by the pressure roller 51, the heating roller 61, the intermediate discharge roller 12A, and the like while being sent out by the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61, and is conveyed by the second guide shaft 42. The portion of the toner image TB is peeled off from the foil film F and discharged to the outside of the housing 2.

In the present embodiment, when the discharge sensor SS2 detects the sheet S when the first time t1 elapses after the rear end detection sensor SS1 stops detecting the sheet S, the control unit 100 causes the sheet S to detect the sheet S. Since it is presumed to be stopped, discharge processing is executed. The first time t1 is set by an experiment or a simulation, and the sheet S whose length in the transport direction is equal to or less than the distance from the rear end detection sensor SS1 to the discharge sensor SS2 is not detected by the rear end detection sensor SS1. It is set to a sufficient time to be discharged to the outside of the body 2.

Further, the control unit 100 also states that the seat S is stopped even when the second time t2 has elapsed since both the rear end detection sensor SS1 and the discharge sensor SS2 are in the state of detecting the seat S. Since it is estimated, the emission process is executed. The second time t2 is set by an experiment, a simulation, or the like, and the sheet S having the maximum length in the transport direction that can be transferred by the foil transfer device 1 (hereinafter referred to as “maximum length sheet”) S is used. It is set to a sufficient time for discharging to the outside of the housing 2 after both the sensors SS1 and SS2 are in the state of being detected.

As shown in FIG. 6A, when the user selects the advanced transfer mode or the central transfer mode to perform foil transfer, the toner image TB is actually located downstream in the transport direction of the foil transfer region TA. When the heating roller 61 separates from the pressure roller 51 in the vicinity of the toner image TB, a part of the toner (toner TF) forming the toner image TB may adhere to the foil film F. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6B, foil transfer is executed on the next sheet S in the central transfer mode or the rear end transfer mode, and the foil transfer position is between the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51. When the middle part of the sheet S and the part of the foil film F to which the toner TF is attached are pressed against each other, the toner TF attached to the foil film F may be transferred to the sheet S and appear as a so-called ghost. be.

Therefore, in the foil transfer device 1, when the foil transfer region TA is changed and the foil is transferred to the sheet S, the control unit 100 transfers the foil film F to a predetermined length at a timing before the sheet S reaches the foil transfer position. Executes the foil feeding process for transporting. Here, the case where the foil transfer region TA is changed means that the transfer mode is changed from one of the three modes of the advanced transfer mode, the central transfer mode, and the rear end transfer mode to the other mode. Alternatively, the range of the foil transfer region TA in the front end transfer mode, the central transfer mode, and the rear end transfer mode is changed.

As shown in FIG. 6C, the control unit 100 performs the foil feeding process at the timing before the sheet S reaches the foil transfer position, and in the present embodiment, at the timing before the sheet S is supplied by the pickup roller 11A. In addition, the heating roller 61 is moved from the separated position to the pressure contact position. After that, as shown in FIG. 6D, the control unit 100 controls the pressure roller 51 to rotate the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61 to convey the foil film F. The control unit 100 rotates the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61 for a preset fifth time t5 in order to convey the foil film F by a predetermined length. After that, the control unit 100 stops the pressurizing roller 51 and the heating roller 61, and moves the heating roller 61 from the pressure contact position to the separated position.

When the foil feed process is executed, the control unit 100 controls the heater of the heating roller 61 so that the toner TF on the foil film F does not adhere to the pressure roller 51, and sets the temperature of the heating roller 61 to the foil. Make it lower than at the time of transfer. Specifically, when the foil feed process is executed, the control unit 100 turns off the heater or turns on the heater with the target temperature of the heater set to a temperature lower than that at the time of foil transfer.

When the foil transfer region TA is changed and the foil is continuously transferred to a plurality of sheets S, the control unit 100 executes the foil feed process only for the first sheet S. That is, the foil feeding process is not executed for the second and subsequent sheets S.

When the discharge sensor SS2 detects the sheet S when the third time t3 has elapsed from the start of the discharge process, the control unit 100 executes the discharge process to discharge the sheet S. Since it is presumed that the sheet S has stopped, the transfer of the sheet S is stopped. In the present embodiment, when the third hour t3 has elapsed from driving the transport rollers 11B to 12B and the pressure roller 51 after the heating roller 61 is positioned at the pressure contact position in the discharge process. When the discharge sensor SS2 detects the sheet S, the transfer rollers 11B to 12B and the pressure roller 51 (and the heating roller 61) are stopped. The third time t3 is set by an experiment, a simulation, or the like, and is set to a time sufficient for discharging the maximum length sheet S to the outside of the housing 2 after starting the discharging process.

Further, when the discharge sensor SS2 does not detect the sheet S by the lapse of the fourth hour t4 after the rear end detection sensor SS1 detects the sheet S sent out by the pickup roller 11A, the control unit 100 determines the sheet. Since the supply of S has started but the discharge sensor SS2 has not been reached, and it is presumed that the sheet S has stopped, the transfer of the sheet S is stopped. Specifically, in this case, the control unit 100 stops the pickup rollers 11A, the transport rollers 11B to 12B, and the pressure rollers 51 (and the heating rollers 61). The fourth time t4 is set by an experiment, a simulation, or the like, and is set to a time sufficient for the sheet S to be detected by the rear end detection sensor SS1 and then detected by the discharge sensor SS2.

After stopping the transport of the seat S, the control unit 100 sends an error message to the user indicating that the seat is clogged, such as a display unit such as a touch panel TP provided in the housing 2, a speaker (not shown), or the like. You may output from. Further, the control unit 100 moves the heating roller 61 from the pressure contact position to the separated position after stopping the transport of the sheet S so that the user can easily remove the sheet S.

Next, the operation of the control unit 100 will be described in detail. The control unit 100 repeatedly executes the process shown in FIG. 7 after the power of the foil transfer device 1 is turned on.
As shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 100 determines whether or not there is a command to start foil transfer (full transfer command) in a state where the full transfer mode is selected (S101). When there is a full transfer command (S101, Yes), the control unit 100 executes the full transfer process (S102).

When there is no full transfer command in step S101 (No), the control unit 100 determines whether or not there is a foil transfer start command (tip transfer command) with the tip transfer mode selected (S103). When there is a tip transfer command (S103, Yes), the control unit 100 executes the tip transfer process (S104).

When there is no tip transfer command in step S103 (No), the control unit 100 determines whether or not there is a foil transfer start command (central transfer command) with the central transfer mode selected (S105). When there is a central transfer command (S105, Yes), the control unit 100 executes the central transfer process (S106).

When there is no central transfer command in step S105 (No), the control unit 100 determines whether or not there is a command to start foil transfer (rear end transfer command) with the rear end transfer mode selected (S107). .. When there is a rear end transfer command (S107, Yes), the control unit 100 executes the rear end transfer process (S108). If there is no rear end transfer command in step S107 (No), the control unit 100 ends the current process.

Next, the entire surface transfer process will be described.
As shown in FIG. 8, when the control unit 100 receives the command to start the foil transfer, the control unit 100 executes the foil transfer preparation process (S11). In the foil transfer preparation process, the control unit 100 starts controlling the heater of the heating roller 61 or drives the main motor 80, for example. After the foil transfer preparation process is completed, the control unit 100 drives the transfer rollers 11B to 12B (S12). After that, the control unit 100 drives the pickup roller 11A to supply the seat S (S13).

After that, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the tip of the sheet S has reached immediately before the foil transfer position (S21). When the tip of the sheet S reaches immediately before the foil transfer position (S21, Yes), the control unit 100 stops the pickup rollers 11A and the transfer rollers 11B to 12B (S23), and stops the transfer of the sheet S. After that, the control unit 100 moves the heating roller 61 from the separated position to the pressure contact position (S24). After that, the control unit 100 drives the pickup rollers 11A, the transport rollers 11B to 12B, and the pressure rollers 51 (S25). As a result, the sheet S and the foil film F are conveyed, and the foil is transferred to the sheet S.

After that, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the rear end of the sheet S has passed the foil transfer position (S31). When the rear end of the sheet S has passed the foil transfer position (S31, Yes), the control unit 100 stops the transfer rollers 11B to 12B and the pressure roller 51 (S33), and stops the transfer of the sheet S. After that, the control unit 100 moves the heating roller 61 from the pressure contact position to the separated position (S34). After that, the control unit 100 drives the transport rollers 11B to 12B (S35). As a result, the seat S is conveyed toward the outside of the housing 2.

Next, the control unit 100 determines whether or not there is the next sheet S to be transferred to the foil (S41). Whether or not there is the next sheet S can be determined, for example, by whether or not a sensor (not shown) that detects the sheet S placed on the sheet tray 3 detects the sheet S. When there is the next sheet S (S41, Yes), the control unit 100 executes the process of step S13.

In step S41, when there is no next seat S (No), the control unit 100 determines whether or not the seat S has been discharged to the outside of the housing 2 (S42). It should be noted that whether or not the sheet S has been discharged can be determined, for example, by whether or not a sufficient time has elapsed from the time when the discharge sensor SS2 stops detecting the sheet S to exit the discharge roller 12B. When the sheet S is ejected (S42, Yes), the control unit 100 stops the transport rollers 11B to 12B (S43).

After that, the control unit 100 executes the foil transfer end processing (S44). In the foil transfer end processing, the control unit 100, for example, stops the main motor 80 or controls the heater of the heating roller 61 to lower the temperature of the heating roller 61. After the foil transfer end process is completed, the control unit 100 ends this process.

Next, the advanced transfer process will be described. In the following, the same processing as the transfer processing described above will be designated by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the control unit 100 receives the command to start the foil transfer, the control unit 100 executes the foil transfer preparation process (S11). After that, the control unit 100 changed the foil transfer region TA, specifically, the mode was changed from the central transfer mode or the rear end transfer mode to the advanced transfer mode, or the range of the foil transfer region TA was changed. It is determined whether or not it has been done (S51). When the foil transfer region TA has not been changed (S51, No), the control unit 100 executes the process of step S12.

When the foil transfer region TA is changed in step S51 (Yes), the control unit 100 executes the foil feed process (S52). As shown in FIG. 14, in the foil feeding process, the control unit 100 moves the heating roller 61 from the separated position to the pressure contact position (S53) and drives the pressure roller 51 (S54). As a result, the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61 rotate, and the foil film F is conveyed.

The control unit 100 determines whether or not the fifth time t5 has elapsed since the pressure roller 51 was driven (S55). When the fifth time t5 has elapsed (S55, Yes), the foil film F has been conveyed by a predetermined length, so that the control unit 100 stops the pressure roller 51 (S56) and separates the heating roller 61 from the pressure contact position. Move to the position (S57). Returning to FIG. 9, the control unit 100 then executes the process of step S12.

In the advanced transfer process, after the process of step S25, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the foil transfer region TA has passed through the second guide shaft 42 (S32). Then, when the foil transfer region TA passes through the second guide shaft 42 (S32, Yes), the control unit 100 executes the process of step S33.

The control unit 100 stops the transfer rollers 11B to 12B and the pressure roller 51 (S33), moves the heating roller 61 to a separated position (S34), and drives the transfer rollers 11B to 12B (S35). As shown in FIG. 10, the rear end detection sensor SS1 detects the sheet S and determines whether or not it is ON (S61). When the rear end detection sensor SS1 is ON (S61, Yes), the control unit 100 detects the sheet S and determines whether or not it is ON (S62).

When the discharge sensor SS2 is also ON (S62, Yes), the control unit 100 is second after the discharge sensor SS2 is turned ON, and more specifically, after both the sensors SS1 and SS2 are turned ON. It is determined whether or not the time t2 has elapsed (S63). When the second time t2 has not elapsed (S63, No), and when the discharge sensor SS2 has not detected the sheet S and is OFF (No) in step S62, the control unit 100 has a control unit 100. The process of step S61 is executed.

In step S63, when the second time t2 has elapsed since both the sensors SS1 and SS2 are turned on (Yes), it is estimated that the sheet S is stopped, so that the control unit 100 is in step S71. Executes the processing of.

Further, in step S61, when the rear end detection sensor SS1 does not detect the sheet S and is turned off (No), the control unit 100 takes the first time after the rear end detection sensor SS1 is turned off. It is determined whether or not t1 has elapsed (S64). When the first time t1 has elapsed (S64, Yes), the control unit 100 determines whether or not the discharge sensor SS2 is ON (S65).

When the discharge sensor SS2 is OFF (S65, No), since the sheet S is normally conveyed, the control unit 100 determines whether or not there is the next sheet S (S41). On the other hand, in step S65, when the discharge sensor SS2 is ON (Yes), it is presumed that the seat S is stopped, so the control unit 100 executes the process of step S71.

In step S71, the control unit 100 first stops the transport rollers 11B to 12B in order to position the heating roller 61 at the pressure contact position again. After that, the control unit 100 positions the heating roller 61 at the pressure contact position (S72). After that, the control unit 100 drives the transport rollers 11B to 12B and the pressure roller 51 to start the discharge process (S73). As a result, when the sheet S is attached to the foil film F and stopped, the sheet S is conveyed toward the outside of the housing 2.

After that, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the discharge sensor SS2 is turned off (S74). When the discharge sensor SS2 is turned off (S74, Yes), the control unit 100 determines whether or not the seat S has been discharged to the outside of the housing 2 (S75). When the sheet S is ejected (S75, Yes), the control unit 100 stops the transport rollers 11B to 12B and the pressure roller 51 (S76). After that, the control unit 100 moves the heating roller 61 from the pressure contact position to the separated position (S77).

Next, the control unit 100 determines whether or not there is the next sheet S (S78). When there is the next sheet S (S78, Yes), the control unit 100 drives the transfer rollers 11B to 12B (S79) and executes the process of step S13 of FIG. Further, in step S78, when there is no next sheet S (No), the control unit 100 executes the foil transfer end process (S44), and ends this process.

Next, the central transfer process will be described.
As shown in FIG. 11, the central transfer process is substantially the same as the advanced transfer process. In the central transfer process, after the process of step S13, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the foil transfer region TA has reached immediately before the foil transfer position (S22). Then, when the foil transfer region TA reaches immediately before the foil transfer position (S22, Yes), the control unit 100 executes the process of step S23.

Next, the rear end transfer process will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, in the rear end transfer process, the process up to step S25 is the same as the central transfer process, and the process after step S31 is the same as the full surface transfer process.

If there is a next sheet S (second and subsequent sheets S) in step S41 or step S78 of the tip transfer process, the center transfer process, and the rear end transfer process (Yes), the control unit 100 performs the foil feed process. The next sheet S is supplied without executing (S52) (S13).

Next, the error check process will be described. After receiving the command to start the foil transfer and starting the execution of the foil transfer, the control unit 100 repeatedly executes the process shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 15, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the fourth time t4 has elapsed since the rear end detection sensor SS1 was turned on (S111). If the fourth time t4 has not elapsed (S111, No), the control unit 100 ends the current process. When the fourth time t4 has elapsed (S111, Yes), the control unit 100 determines whether or not the discharge sensor SS2 is OFF (S112).

When the discharge sensor SS2 is OFF (S112, Yes), the control unit 100 stops the transfer of the sheet S (S131). Specifically, the pickup roller 11A, the transport rollers 11B to 12B, and the pressure roller 51 are stopped. After that, the control unit 100 outputs an error message (S132) and ends this process.

Further, in step S112, when the discharge sensor SS2 is ON (No), the control unit 100 determines whether or not the discharge process is being executed (S121). If the discharge process is not being executed (S121, No), the control unit 100 ends the current process.

In step S121, when the discharge process is being executed (Yes), the control unit 100 determines whether or not the third time t3 has elapsed from the start of the discharge process (see step S73 in FIG. 10) (S122). If the third time t3 has not elapsed (S122, No), the control unit 100 ends the current process. When the third time t3 has elapsed (S122, Yes), the control unit 100 determines whether or not the discharge sensor SS2 is ON (S123).

When the discharge sensor SS2 is OFF (S123, No), the control unit 100 ends the current process. In step S123, when the discharge sensor SS2 is ON (Yes), the control unit 100 stops the transfer of the sheet S (S131). Specifically, the transport rollers 11B to 12B and the pressure roller 51 are stopped. After that, the control unit 100 outputs an error message (S132) and ends this process.

According to the present embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 5A, there is a toner image TB downstream of the foil transfer region TA, and the portion of the sheet S where the toner image TB is located and the foil film F stick to each other. Even if the sheet S stops due to insufficient transport force by the intermediate discharge roller 12A or the like after the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51 are separated from each other, heating is performed as shown in FIGS. 5 (b) and 5 (c). By pressing the roller 61 and the pressure roller 51 again to feed the sheet S, it is possible to discharge the sheet S to the outside of the housing 2 without assuming that the sheet is clogged. As a result, the user does not need to perform a process of removing the sheet S, so that the usability of the foil transfer device 1 can be improved.

Further, when the user looks at the ejected sheet S and notices that the foil is transferred to the outside of the foil transfer area TA (the portion of the toner image TB) set by the user himself, the foil is transferred to the user. It is possible to notice that the setting of the area TA was incorrect. This can prompt the user to change the setting of the foil transfer area TA.

If the discharge sensor SS2 is turned on when the third time t3 has elapsed from the start of the discharge process, the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51 are pressed again to feed the sheet S. However, the sheet S is stopped at the position of the discharge sensor SS2, and there is a possibility that the sheet is actually clogged. Therefore, in this case, by stopping the transportation of the sheet S, the user can be made aware of the abnormality.

When a sheet whose length in the transport direction is longer than the maximum length sheet S (hereinafter referred to as "long sheet") is used, even if the sheet is normally transported in the discharge process, the discharge process is performed. The discharge sensor SS2 is turned on when the third time t3 has elapsed from the start of. Therefore, even when a long sheet is used, the foil transfer device 1 may stop the transfer after the start of the discharge process. When a long sheet is used, if the sheet is clogged and stops in the housing 2, the long sheet is pushed into the housing 2 by being conveyed by the sheet supply mechanism 11, and the housing 2 is used. There is a risk of complex deformation within the body 2. According to the foil transfer device 1, the transfer can be stopped when the long sheet is used, so that it is possible to prevent the long sheet from being pushed into the housing 2 when the sheet is clogged. can.

Further, if the discharge sensor SS2 remains OFF by the time t4 of the fourth time elapses after the rear end detection sensor SS1 detects the sheet S, the discharge sensor SS2 is reached even though the sheet S is supplied. It means that the sheet is not clogged, and there is a possibility that the sheet is actually clogged. Therefore, in this case, by stopping the transportation of the sheet S, the user can be made aware of the abnormality.

Further, since the foil feed process is executed when the foil transfer region TA is changed and the foil is transferred to the sheet S, there is a possibility that the toner TF of the foil film F adheres as shown in FIG. 6 (d). Some parts can be sent in advance. As a result, the intermediate portion of the sheet S and the portion of the foil film F to which the toner TF may adhere do not come into pressure contact with each other at the foil transfer position, so that the toner TF adhered to the foil film F is transferred to the sheet S. Can be suppressed.

Further, when the foil transfer region TA is changed and the foil is continuously transferred to a plurality of sheets S, the foil feed process is executed only for the first sheet S, so that the sheet S adheres to the foil film F. It is possible to reduce the waste of the foil film F while suppressing the transfer of the toner TF.

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, when the foil transfer region TA is changed and the foil is continuously transferred to a plurality of sheets S, the foil transfer device 1 executes the foil feed process only for the first sheet S. It was a configuration, but it is not limited to this. For example, the foil transfer device may be configured to perform a foil feed process on all of the plurality of sheets. Further, the foil transfer device may not execute the foil feeding process.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the pressure contact separation mechanism 70 is configured to move the heating roller 61 between the pressure contact position and the separation position, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the pressure contact separation mechanism may be configured to move the pressure roller between the pressure contact position in contact with the heating roller and the separation position separated from the heating roller. In this case, the pressure contact separation mechanism may be configured to include a cam for moving the pressure roller between the pressure contact position and the separation position.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the foil transfer device 1 is configured such that the heating roller 61 is driven to rotate by the rotary drive of the pressure roller 51, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the foil transfer device may be configured such that the pressure roller is driven to rotate by rotationally driving the heating roller. In this case, the control unit may be configured to discharge the sheet by controlling the heating roller and the transport roller after positioning one of the heating roller and the pressure roller at the pressure contact position in the discharge process. ..

Further, the foil transfer device may be configured such that both the heating roller and the pressure roller are rotationally driven. In this case, in the discharge process, the control unit controls one of the heating roller and the pressure roller at the pressure contact position, and then controls the heating roller, the pressure roller, and the transport roller to discharge the sheet. It can be configured.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the foil transfer device 1 can execute the tip transfer mode, the center transfer mode, and the rear end transfer mode as modes for transferring the foil to a part of the sheet S, but the mode is not limited thereto. .. For example, the foil transfer device includes at least one of the three modes, the advanced transfer mode, the central transfer mode, and the rear edge transfer mode, as the advanced transfer mode and the central transfer mode, as modes for transferring the foil to a part of the sheet. The configuration may be such that two modes can be executed, or only one of the advanced transfer mode and the central transfer mode can be executed. Further, the foil transfer device may be configured to be capable of executing four or more modes including at least one of an advanced transfer mode and a central transfer mode as a mode for transferring the foil to a part of the sheet.

Further, in the above embodiment, the second guide shaft 42, which is a roller-shaped shaft, is exemplified as the peeling member, but the peeling member is not limited to this, and the peeling member may be, for example, a plate-shaped blade or the like.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, as the sensors SS1 and SS2 for detecting the seat S, 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 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 12A Intermediate discharge roller 42 2nd guide shaft 51 Pressure roller 61 Heating roller 70 Pressure contact separation mechanism 73 Cam 100 Control unit F Foil film S sheet SS1 Rear end detection sensor SS2 Discharge sensor TA Foil transfer area

Claims (8)

A foil transfer device that superimposes a sheet on a foil film containing foil and transfers the foil to a toner image on the sheet.
With a heating roller,
A pressure roller for transporting the foil film and the sheet between the heating rollers and
A peeling member for peeling the foil film and the sheet that passed between the heating roller and the pressure roller,
A roller for transporting the sheet, and a downstream transport roller arranged downstream of the peeling member in the sheet transport direction.
A pressure contact separation mechanism for moving one of the heating roller and the pressure roller between a pressure contact position in which one roller is in pressure contact with the other roller and a pressure contact position in which the other roller is separated from the other roller.
With a control unit,
The control unit
The foil transfer region, which is a region to which the foil on the sheet should be transferred and is a part of the region in the transport direction of the sheet, can be set by a command from the user.
From the tip transfer mode in which the region from the tip of the sheet to the first length in the transport direction is used as the foil transfer region to transfer the foil to the sheet, and the position of the second length from the tip of the sheet in the transport direction, the third It is possible to perform at least one of the central transfer modes, in which the area up to the length is used as the foil transfer area to transfer the foil to the sheet.
During the advanced transfer mode or the central transfer mode,
When the foil is transferred to the sheet, the pressure contact separation mechanism is controlled so that the one roller is transferred to the one roller at a timing before the foil transfer region reaches the foil transfer position sandwiched between the heating roller and the pressure roller. The roller is moved from the separation position to the pressure contact position, and one of the rollers is moved from the pressure contact position to the separation position at the timing after the foil transfer region is peeled from the foil film.
When it is presumed that the seat is stopped after the one roller is separated from the other roller, the pressure contact separation mechanism is controlled to position the one roller at the pressure contact position, and the heating roller and the addition roller. A foil transfer device comprising controlling at least one of the compression rollers and the downstream transfer roller to execute a discharge process for discharging the sheet. A sensor for detecting a sheet, the upstream sheet sensor arranged upstream of the foil transfer position in the transport direction, and an upstream sheet sensor.
A sensor for detecting a sheet, including a downstream sheet sensor arranged downstream of the foil transfer position in the transport direction.
The claim is characterized in that the control unit executes the discharge process when the downstream seat sensor detects the seat when the first time elapses after the upstream seat sensor stops detecting the seat. Item 1. The foil transfer device according to item 1. A sensor for detecting a sheet, the upstream sheet sensor arranged upstream of the foil transfer position in the transport direction, and an upstream sheet sensor.
A sensor for detecting a sheet, including a downstream sheet sensor arranged downstream of the foil transfer position in the transport direction.
Claim 1 is characterized in that the control unit executes the discharge process when a second time has elapsed from the state in which both the upstream seat sensor and the downstream seat sensor have detected the seat. Alternatively, the foil transfer device according to claim 2. A sensor that detects a sheet and includes a downstream sheet sensor arranged downstream of the foil transfer position in the transport direction.
Claims 1 to 3 are characterized in that the control unit stops the transfer of the sheet when the downstream sheet sensor detects the sheet when the third time has elapsed from the start of the discharge process. The foil transfer apparatus according to any one of the above. A sensor for detecting a sheet, the upstream sheet sensor arranged upstream of the foil transfer position in the transport direction, and an upstream sheet sensor.
A sensor for detecting a sheet, including a downstream sheet sensor arranged downstream of the foil transfer position in the transport direction.
The control unit is characterized in that, if the downstream seat sensor does not detect the sheet within the fourth time after the upstream sheet sensor detects the sheet, the transfer of the sheet is stopped. The foil transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. When the foil transfer region is changed and the foil is transferred to the sheet, the control unit executes a foil feed process for transporting the foil film by a predetermined length at a timing before the sheet reaches the foil transfer position. The foil transfer apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the foil transfer device is characterized. The sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, when the foil transfer region is changed and the foil is continuously transferred to a plurality of sheets, the control unit executes the foil feed process only on the first sheet. The foil transfer device described. The foil transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the pressure contact separation mechanism includes a cam for moving one of the rollers between the pressure contact position and the separation position. ..

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