JP2022099585A - Foil transfer apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a foil transfer apparatus capable of shortening the interval between sheets.SOLUTION: A foil transfer apparatus comprises: a transfer part for transferring a foil to a first sheet S1; a supply roller (pickup roller 11A) for supplying the sheet S to the transfer part; a sheet sensor (rear end detection sensor SS1) for detecting the sheet S; and a control part. The control part supplies the first sheet S1 at a prescribed timing when continuously supplying plural sheets S. The control part measures a time interval from the detection of the first sheet S1 by the sheet sensor after supply of the sheet S1 to non-detection of the first sheet S1 to set the time interval as a first time, and supplies a second sheet S2, next of the sheet S1 at the timing when the sheet sensor does not detect the first sheet S1. Further, the control part supplies a third sheet S3, next of the second sheet S2 at the timing when the second time shorter than the first one elapses after detection of the second sheet S2 by the sheet sensor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

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.

Conventionally, as a foil transfer device, a transfer unit that transfers foil to a sheet, a supply roller that supplies the sheet to the transfer unit, and a sheet sensor that detects the sheet supplied to the transfer unit are known. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2020-122908

By the way, when a plurality of sheets are continuously supplied, a method of controlling the supply roller so that the next sheet is supplied at the timing when the sheet sensor does not detect the preceding sheet can be considered. It is desirable that the distance from the next sheet is as short as possible. When the space between the sheets becomes long, for example, in a foil transfer device, the printing time when transferring the foil continuously to a plurality of sheets becomes long, or the foil film is wasted when the foil film is transferred between the sheets. Because it becomes.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a foil transfer device capable of shortening the space between sheets.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the foil transfer device is a foil transfer device that transfers a sheet to a sheet by superimposing a sheet on a foil film containing the foil, and is a transfer unit for transferring the foil to the sheet and a transfer unit. It includes a supply roller that supplies a sheet toward the transfer unit, a sheet sensor that detects the sheet supplied toward the transfer unit, and a control unit.
When a plurality of sheets are continuously supplied, the control unit controls the supply rollers to supply the first sheet at a predetermined timing.
The control unit measures the time from when the sheet sensor detects the first sheet after supplying the first sheet until it stops detecting the first sheet, and sets it as the first time.
The control unit controls the supply roller to supply the second sheet next to the first sheet at the timing when the sheet sensor stops detecting the first sheet.
The control unit controls the supply roller to perform the third sheet next to the second sheet at the timing when the second time, which is shorter than the first time, has elapsed after the sheet sensor detects the second sheet. Supply.

According to such a configuration, the third sheet can be supplied at a timing earlier than the timing when the sheet sensor stops detecting the second sheet, so that the distance between the second sheet and the third sheet can be set. Can be shortened.

In the foil transfer device described above, when the control unit continuously supplies four or more sheets, the control unit controls the supply rollers to detect the fourth and subsequent sheets after the sheet sensor detects the preceding sheet. It can be configured to supply at the timing when the second time has elapsed.

According to this, since the fourth and subsequent sheets can be supplied at a timing earlier than the timing at which the sheet sensor stops detecting the preceding sheet, the distance between the preceding sheet and the next sheet can be shortened. can.

In the foil transfer device described above, the control unit supplies the sheet when the sheet sensor does not detect the preceding sheet even before the second time has elapsed after the sheet sensor detects the preceding sheet. The rollers can be controlled to supply the next sheet of the preceding sheet.

According to this, the interval between the preceding sheet and the next sheet can be shortened as compared with the case where the next sheet is supplied after waiting for the second time to elapse.

In the foil transfer device described above, if the sheet sensor does not detect the preceding sheet before the second time elapses after the sheet sensor detects the preceding sheet, the control unit then waits for the first time. , The time from when the seat sensor detects the preceding seat until the preceding seat is no longer detected is changed, and the second time is set to be shorter than the first time after the change. Can be done.

According to this, for the sheets after the next sheet, when the length in the transport direction is the same as the preceding sheet, the interval between the sheets is shorter than that when the sheet sensor stops detecting the sheet. can do.

In the foil transfer device described above, the control unit starts supplying the next sheet at the timing when the second time has elapsed, and then the elapsed time from the sheet sensor detecting the preceding sheet is longer than the first hour. 1 If it is longer than a predetermined time, the supply roller is controlled to stop the supply of the next sheet, and when the sheet sensor no longer detects the preceding sheet, the supply of the next sheet is restarted. can do.

According to this, it is possible to prevent the rear end portion of the preceding sheet and the front end portion of the next sheet from being conveyed in an overlapping state.

In the foil transfer device described above, after the control unit starts supplying the next sheet at the timing when the second time has elapsed, the elapsed time from the sheet sensor detecting the preceding sheet is longer than the first time. 1 If it is longer than a predetermined time, the first time is set as the time from when the seat sensor detects the preceding sheet to when the preceding sheet is no longer detected after the sheet sensor stops detecting the preceding sheet. It can be changed and the second time can be set to a shorter time than the first time after the change.

According to this, when the lengths of the sheets after the next sheet are the same as the preceding sheets in the conveying direction, the intervals between the sheets are shortened while suppressing the conveying of the sheets in an overlapping state. can do.

In the foil transfer device described above, the second time can be the time obtained by subtracting the second predetermined time from the first time.

In the foil transfer device described above, the second predetermined time is the time for the sheet to move by a predetermined interval from the time from the start of supplying the sheet by the supply roller until the tip of the sheet reaches the sheet sensor. Can be the time minus.

According to the present invention, the distance between the second sheet and the third sheet can be shortened.

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 which shows the arrangement of the sensor which detects a sheet. It is a figure (a)-(d) explaining the supply control and the interval of a sheet. It is FIGS. It is a figure (a)-(c) explaining the supply control of a sheet and the interval, and shows the case where the length of the sheet after the 2nd sheet in the transport direction is longer than that of a 1st sheet. It is a figure (a)-(c) which shows the continuation of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation of a control part. It is a continuation of the flowchart of FIG. It is a continuation of the flowchart of FIG. It is a continuation of the flowchart of FIG. It is a continuation of the flowchart of FIG.

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. 1A 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 transfer section 10, a film supply section 30, and a transfer section 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 transport unit 10 includes a sheet supply device 11 and a sheet discharge device 12.
The sheet supply device 11 is a device that supplies the sheets S on the sheet tray 3, which will be described later, to the transfer unit 50 one by one. The seat supply device 11 includes a seat tray 3, a pickup roller 11A as an example of a supply roller, a retard roller 11B, and a transfer roller 11C.

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 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 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 between the pickup roller 11A and the transfer unit 50, and transfers the sheet S sent out by the pickup roller 11A to the transfer unit 50.

The sheet discharging device 12 is a device that discharges the sheet S that has passed through the transfer unit 50 to the outside of the housing 2. The sheet discharging device 12 includes an intermediate discharging roller 12A and a discharging 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. In the following description, the transport direction of the sheet S is also simply referred to as a “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 device 11. The film supply unit 30 includes a film unit FU and a 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 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. 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 toward the transfer portion 50 together with the foil film F.

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 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 forming an image on the sheet S. Specifically, the transfer unit 50 transfers the foil (transfer layer F22) onto the toner image formed on the sheet S by heating and applying pressure in a state where the sheet S and the foil film F are overlapped with each other, and the sheet S is transferred. Form an image of the foil. 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 portions of the pressure 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. 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 motor 80 to drive the heating roller 61 to rotate.

The heating roller 61 is a roller in which the heater H 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 is configured to move the heating roller 61 between the pressure contact position shown by the solid line in FIG. 1 and the separation position shown by the virtual line in FIG. In the present embodiment, the pressure contact position is the position where the heating roller 61 is in pressure contact with the pressure roller 51, and the separation position is the 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 down are conveyed one by one toward the transfer unit 50 by the sheet supply device 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 section 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 device 12 with the surface on which the foil is transferred facing downward.

As shown in FIG. 3, the seat supply device 11 includes a rear end detection sensor SS1, a width detection sensor SS2, a set detection sensor SS3, an discharge sensor SS4, and a control unit 100 (see FIG. 1) as an example of a seat sensor. ) And further. In the following description, the width direction of the sheet S, which is a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the sheet S, is also simply referred to as a "width direction". In the present embodiment, the width direction corresponds to the left-right direction.

The rear end detection sensor SS1 and the width detection sensor SS2 are sensors for detecting the sheet S supplied toward the transfer unit 50. The set detection sensor SS3 is a sensor for detecting the seat S placed on the seat tray 3. In the foil transfer device 1, it is possible to detect whether or not the sheet S is placed on the sheet tray 3 by the set detection sensor SS3. The discharge sensor SS4 is a sensor for detecting the sheet S sent out from the transfer unit 50.

Here, as the sensors SS1 to SS4, 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, the width detection sensor SS2, and the set detection sensor SS3 are arranged upstream of the transfer unit 50 in the transport direction. Further, the rear end detection sensor SS1, the width detection sensor SS2, and the discharge sensor SS4 are arranged downstream of the pickup roller 11A in the transport direction. Further, the discharge sensor SS4 is arranged downstream of the transfer unit 50 in the transport direction.

Specifically, the rear end detection sensor SS1 and the width detection sensor SS2 are arranged between the pickup roller 11A and the transfer unit 50 in the transport direction. More specifically, the rear end detection sensor SS1 and the width detection sensor SS2 are arranged between the pickup roller 11A and the transfer roller 11C in the transfer direction.

Further, the rear end detection sensor SS1 is arranged at a position closer to the center than the end of the transfer unit 50 in the width direction. Specifically, the rear end detection sensor SS1 is arranged near the center C of the heating roller 61 in the width direction.

The width detection sensor SS2 is arranged upstream of the rear end detection sensor SS1 in the transport direction. Further, the width detection sensor SS2 is arranged at a position different from that of the rear end detection sensor SS1 in the width direction. Specifically, the width detection sensor SS2 is arranged at a position farther from the center of the transfer unit 50 than the rear end detection sensor SS1 in the width direction. More specifically, the width detection sensor SS2 is arranged between the center C of the heating roller 61 and the left end portion in the width direction.

In the present embodiment, the foil transfer device 1 transfers a standard size sheet S such as letter size, A4 size, A5 size, etc. with the center C of the transfer unit 50 (heating roller 61) in the width direction as the transfer center. It is configured. As an example, the width detection sensor SS2 is arranged at a position where it can detect a sheet S having a width of A5 size or more in the width direction, but cannot detect a sheet S having a width of A6 size or less. There is.

The set detection sensor SS3 is arranged upstream of the rear end detection sensor SS1 and the width detection sensor SS2 in the transport direction. Specifically, the set detection sensor SS3 is arranged upstream of the pickup roller 11A in the transport direction. Specifically, the set detection sensor SS3 is provided on the seat tray 3. Further, the set detection sensor SS3 is arranged at a position shifted to the right with respect to the center C of the heating roller 61 in the width direction.

The discharge sensor SS4 is arranged between the transfer unit 50 and the discharge roller 12B in the transport direction. More specifically, the discharge sensor SS4 is arranged between the intermediate discharge roller 12A and the discharge roller 12B in the transport direction. Further, the discharge sensor SS4 is arranged at a position closer to the center than the end of the transfer unit 50 in the width direction. Specifically, the discharge sensor SS4 is arranged near the center C of the heating roller 61 in the width direction.

In the present embodiment, the sensors SS1 to SS4 output a detection signal to the control unit 100 when the seat S is detected, and output a non-detection signal to the control unit 100 when the seat S is not detected. Therefore, when the signal output to the control unit 100 is switched from the non-detection signal to the detection signal, the sheet S is detected, and when the signal output to the control unit 100 is switched from the detection signal to the non-detection signal. Is when the sheet S is no longer detected. It does not matter which voltage is higher for the detection signal and the non-detection signal.

The control unit 100 (see FIG. 1A) includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, an input / output circuit, and the like, and controls by performing various arithmetic processes based on programs and data stored in the ROM and the like. Run.

In the present embodiment, when the control unit 100 continuously supplies a plurality of sheets S placed on the sheet tray 3, the control unit 100 is next to the first sheet S and the first sheet S at the timing described below. The second sheet S and the third sheet S next to the second sheet S are sequentially supplied to the transfer unit 50. In FIGS. 4 to 7 which will be referred to later, the first sheet S is "S1", the second sheet S is "S2", the third sheet S is "S3", and the third sheet S. The next fourth sheet S is described as "S4".

The control unit 100 controls the pickup roller 11A to supply the first seat S at a predetermined timing. Specifically, when the control unit 100 receives the command to start the foil transfer, the control unit 100 first executes the foil transfer preparation process. In the foil transfer preparation process, the control unit 100 may, for example, rotate the rollers 11B, 11C, 51, 12A, 12B, control the pressure contact separation mechanism 70 to move the heating roller 61 to the pressure contact position, or the heating roller. The heater H of 61 is controlled to heat the transfer unit 50 to a predetermined temperature for foil transfer. Then, as shown in FIG. 4A, the control unit 100 rotates the pickup roller 11A at the timing when the foil transfer preparation process is completed, and supplies the first sheet S (S1) toward the transfer unit 50. ..

The control unit 100 measures the time from when the rear end detection sensor SS1 detects the first sheet S to when the first sheet S is no longer detected after supplying the first sheet S, and measures the time from the first time t1. Set to. Specifically, the control unit 100 detects when the first sheet S (S1) is detected by the rear end detection sensor SS1 and the signal output from the rear end detection sensor SS1 is switched from the non-detection signal to the detection signal. Start measuring the time. After that, the control unit 100 determines the time when the rear end of the first sheet S (S1) passes through the rear end detection sensor SS1 and the signal output from the rear end detection sensor SS1 is switched from the detection signal to the non-detection signal. End the measurement of. When the time measurement is completed, the control unit 100 sets the measured time to the first time t1.

The control unit 100 controls the pickup roller 11A to supply the second seat S at the timing when the rear end detection sensor SS1 no longer detects the first seat S. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4B, in the control unit 100, the rear end of the first sheet S (S1) passes through the rear end detection sensor SS1 and is output from the rear end detection sensor SS1. Rotates the pickup roller 11A at the timing when the detection signal is switched to the non-detection signal, and supplies the second sheet S (S2) toward the transfer unit 50. In this case, the distance between the first sheet S (S1) and the second sheet S (S2) is B1. B1 is substantially equal to the distance from the nip portion between the pickup roller 11A and the retard roller 11B arranged on the pickup roller 11A in the transport direction to the rear end detection sensor SS1.

The control unit 100 controls the pickup roller 11A to supply the third seat S at the timing when the second time t2 has elapsed from the detection of the second seat S by the rear end detection sensor SS1. The second time t2 is shorter than the first time t1. In the present embodiment, the second time t2 is the time obtained by subtracting the second predetermined time ta from the first time t1. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4 (c), in the control unit 100, the second sheet S (S2) is detected by the rear end detection sensor SS1 and the signal output from the rear end detection sensor SS1 is non-existent. The pickup roller 11A is rotated at the timing when the second time t2 has elapsed after switching from the detection signal to the detection signal, and the third sheet S (S3) is supplied to the transfer unit 50.

Specifically, the control unit 100 receives a signal output from the rear end detection sensor SS1 before the first time t1 elapses, that is, the rear end of the second sheet S (S2) passes through the rear end detection sensor SS1. The pickup roller 11A is rotated at a timing before switching from the detection signal to the non-detection signal, and the third sheet S (S3) is supplied. In this case, the distance between the second sheet S (S2) and the third sheet S (S3) is B2. B2 is shorter than B1. Specifically, B2 is shorter than the distance from the nip portion between the pickup roller 11A and the retard roller 11B in the transport direction to the rear end detection sensor SS1.

In the second predetermined time ta, the seat S moves by a predetermined interval from the time from when the pickup roller 11A starts supplying the seat S until the tip of the seat S reaches the rear end detection sensor SS1. It is the time minus the time. The second predetermined time ta is substantially equal to the time obtained by subtracting the time for the seat S to move for B2 from the time for the seat S to move for B1. That is, in the present embodiment, the target sheet spacing B2 that can be set by experiments, simulations, etc. is determined in consideration of the transfer speed of the sheet S in the foil transfer device 1, and based on the B2 determined at this time. The second predetermined time ta is set and stored in a ROM or the like.

When the control unit 100 continuously supplies four or more sheets S, the control unit 100 supplies the fourth and subsequent sheets S toward the transfer unit 50 at the same timing as the third sheet S. That is, the control unit 100 controls the pickup roller 11A to supply the fourth and subsequent seats S at the timing when the second time t2 has elapsed from the detection of the preceding seat S by the rear end detection sensor SS1. .. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4D, in the control unit 100, the third sheet S (S3) is detected by the rear end detection sensor SS1, and the signal output from the rear end detection sensor SS1 is not. The pickup roller 11A is rotated at the timing when the second time t2 (t1-ta) has elapsed since the detection signal is switched to the detection signal, and the fourth sheet S (S4) is supplied. In this case, the distance between the third sheet S (S3) and the fourth sheet S (S4) is B2, which is shorter than B1.

In the present embodiment, the control unit 100 detects the preceding sheet S even before the second time t2 elapses after the rear end detection sensor SS1 detects the preceding sheet S. When it does not work, the pickup roller 11A is controlled to supply the seat S next to the preceding seat S.

Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the control unit 100 rotates the pickup roller 11A at the timing when the foil transfer preparation process is completed, and starts supplying the first sheet S (S1). Then, as shown in FIG. 5B, the pickup roller 11A is rotated at the timing when the rear end detection sensor SS1 no longer detects the first sheet S (S1), and the second sheet S (S2) is supplied. To start.

After that, as shown in FIG. 5C, when the length of the second sheet S (S2) in the transport direction is shorter than that of the first sheet S (S1), the rear end detection sensor SS1 is the second sheet. Even before the second time t2 elapses after detecting S (S2), the rear end detection sensor SS1 does not detect the second sheet S (S2).

In this case, the control unit 100 arrives at the timing when the rear end of the second sheet S (S2) passes through the rear end detection sensor SS1 and the signal output from the rear end detection sensor SS1 is switched from the detection signal to the non-detection signal. The pickup roller 11A is rotated to start supplying the next third seat S (S3). In this case, the distance between the second sheet S (S2) and the third sheet S (S3) is B1, which is longer than B2, but as shown by the virtual line, the rear end detection sensor SS1 is the second sheet. It is shorter than the interval B3 when it is assumed that the supply of the third sheet S (S3) is started at the timing when the second time t2 has elapsed since the detection of S (S2).

For each sheet S, the control unit 100 measures the time from when the rear end detection sensor SS1 detects the sheet S to when the sheet S is no longer detected after the sheet S is supplied. Specifically, the control unit 100 starts measuring the time when the seat S is detected by the rear end detection sensor SS1 and the signal output from the rear end detection sensor SS1 is switched from the non-detection signal to the detection signal. .. After that, the control unit 100 ends the time measurement when the rear end of the sheet S passes through the rear end detection sensor SS1 and the signal output from the rear end detection sensor SS1 is switched from the detection signal to the non-detection signal. ..

If the rear end detection sensor SS1 does not detect the preceding sheet S before the second time t2 elapses after the rear end detection sensor SS1 detects the preceding sheet S, the control unit 100 does not detect the preceding sheet S. The 1 hour t1 is changed to the time from when the rear end detection sensor SS1 detects the preceding sheet S until the preceding sheet S is no longer detected.

For example, in the example shown in FIG. 5, in the control unit 100, the rear end detection sensor SS1 is the second before the second time t2 elapses after the rear end detection sensor SS1 detects the second sheet S (S2). When the sheet S (S2) of the second sheet S (S2) is no longer detected (see FIG. 5C), then the first time t1 is detected, and the rear end detection sensor SS1 detects the second sheet S (S2). Change to the time until the sheet S (S2) of 2 is no longer detected.

Further, if the rear end detection sensor SS1 does not detect the preceding sheet S before the second time t2 elapses after the rear end detection sensor SS1 detects the preceding sheet S, the control unit 100 does not detect the preceding sheet S thereafter. , The second time t2 is set to a time shorter than the changed first time t1. In the present embodiment, the second time t2 is the time obtained by subtracting the second predetermined time ta from the first time t1, so that the second time t2 is shorter than the first time t1.

The time from when the rear end detection sensor SS1 detects the second sheet S (S2) until the second sheet S (S2) is no longer detected (first time t1 after the change) is the rear end detection. It is shorter than the time from when the sensor SS1 detects the first sheet S (S1) until it stops detecting the first sheet S (S1) (first time t1 before the change). Therefore, the second time t2 after the change is shorter than the second time t2 before the change.

After changing the first time t1 and the second time t2, for example, as shown in FIG. 5D, there is a fourth sheet S (S4) to be supplied next to the third sheet S (S3). In this case, the control unit 100 rotates the pickup roller 11A at the timing when the second time t2 after the change has elapsed since the rear end detection sensor SS1 detects the third sheet S (S3), and the fourth sheet S The supply of (S4) is started. In this case, the distance between the third sheet S (S3) and the fourth sheet S (S4) is B2, which is shorter than B1.

Further, in the present embodiment, after the control unit 100 starts supplying the next sheet S at the timing when the second time t2 has elapsed, the elapsed time from the detection of the preceding sheet S by the rear end detection sensor SS1. Is longer than the first time t1 by the first predetermined time tm or more, the pickup roller 11A is controlled to stop the supply of the next sheet S. Then, the control unit 100 controls the pickup roller 11A to restart the supply of the next seat S at the timing when the rear end detection sensor SS1 no longer detects the preceding seat S.

Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 6A, the control unit 100 rotates the pickup roller 11A at the timing when the foil transfer preparation process is completed, and starts supplying the first sheet S (S1). Then, as shown in FIG. 6B, the pickup roller 11A is rotated at the timing when the rear end detection sensor SS1 no longer detects the first sheet S (S1), and the second sheet S (S2) is supplied. To start.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6C, the control unit 100 rotates the pickup roller 11A at the timing when the second time t2 has elapsed from the detection of the second sheet S (S2) by the rear end detection sensor SS1. Then, the supply of the third sheet S (S3) is started. At this time, if the length of the second sheet S (S2) in the transport direction is longer than that of the first sheet S (S1), the rear end detection sensor SS1 detects the second sheet S (S2). The elapsed time of is longer than the first time t1, that is, the time from when the rear end detection sensor SS1 detects the first sheet S (S1) to when the first sheet S (S1) is no longer detected. ..

When the elapsed time is longer than the first predetermined time tm by the first predetermined time tm or more, the control unit 100 stops the pickup roller 11A and supplies the third sheet S (S3) as shown in FIG. 7A. Temporarily stop. At this time, with respect to the preceding sheets S (S1 and S2), the transfer is continued by the transfer roller 11C (see FIG. 3) located downstream of the pickup roller 11A in the transfer direction continuously rotating. Even if the second sheet S (S2) is sandwiched between the retard roller 11B and the stopped pickup roller 11A, the retard roller 11B and the pickup roller are provided by the transfer force of the transfer roller 11C or the like. It is pulled out from between 11A and transported.

After that, as shown in FIG. 7B, the control unit 100 rotates the pickup roller 11A again at the timing when the rear end detection sensor SS1 stops detecting the second seat S (S2), and the third seat. The supply of S (S3) is restarted.

The first predetermined time tm is a time longer than the detection error of the rear end detection sensor SS1, which is allowed in consideration of, for example, the length of the sheet S in the transport direction and the transport speed of the sheet S in the foil transfer device 1. Is set to. Further, the first predetermined time tm is longer than the time from when the tip of the sheet S set in the seat tray 3 reaches the position detected by the rear end detection sensor SS1 after the supply of the sheet S is started. It is set to a short time.

The control unit 100 starts supplying the next sheet S at the timing when the second time t2 has elapsed, and then the elapsed time since the rear end detection sensor SS1 detects the preceding sheet S is longer than the first time t1. If it is longer than the first predetermined time tm, the rear end detection sensor SS1 does not detect the preceding sheet S, and then the rear end detection sensor SS1 detects the preceding sheet S for the first time t1. The time is changed until the preceding sheet S is no longer detected.

For example, in the example shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the control unit 100 has a first predetermined time elapsed from the detection of the second sheet S (S2) by the rear end detection sensor SS1 than the first time t1. When the time is longer than tm (see FIG. 7 (a)), after the rear end detection sensor SS1 no longer detects the second sheet S (S2) (see FIG. 7 (b)), the first time t1 is rearranged. The time is changed from the time when the edge detection sensor SS1 detects the second sheet S (S2) to the time when the second sheet S (S2) is no longer detected.

Further, when the elapsed time after the rear end detection sensor SS1 detects the preceding sheet S is longer than the first time t1 by the first predetermined time tm or more, the control unit 100 precedes the rear end detection sensor SS1. After the sheet S is no longer detected, the second time t2 is set to a time shorter than the changed first time t1. In the present embodiment, the second time t2 is the time obtained by subtracting the second predetermined time ta from the first time t1, so that the second time t2 is shorter than the first time t1.

The time from when the rear end detection sensor SS1 detects the second sheet S (S2) until the second sheet S (S2) is no longer detected (first time t1 after the change) is the rear end detection. It is longer than the time from when the sensor SS1 detects the first sheet S (S1) until it stops detecting the first sheet S (S1) (first time t1 before the change). Therefore, the second time t2 after the change is longer than the second time t2 before the change.

After changing the first time t1 and the second time t2, for example, as shown in FIG. 7 (c), there is a fourth sheet S (S4) to be supplied next to the third sheet S (S3). In this case, the control unit 100 rotates the pickup roller 11A at the timing when the second time t2 after the change has elapsed since the rear end detection sensor SS1 detects the third sheet S (S3), and the fourth sheet S The supply of (S4) is started. In this case, the distance between the third sheet S (S3) and the fourth sheet S (S4) is B2, which is shorter than B1.

Next, an example of the operation of the control unit 100 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 8 to 12.
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). After the foil transfer preparation process is completed, the control unit 100 rotates the pickup roller 11A and starts supplying the sheet S1 (S12) (see (a) of FIGS. 4 to 6).

After that, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the rear end detection sensor SS1 has detected the supplied sheet S1 (S13). Then, when the rear end detection sensor SS1 detects the sheet S1 (S13, Yes), the control unit 100 starts measuring the time t (S14). After that, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the rear end detection sensor SS1 no longer detects the sheet S1 (S15). Then, when the rear end detection sensor SS1 no longer detects the sheet S1 (S15, Yes), the control unit 100 ends the measurement of the time t (S16). When the measurement of the time t is completed, the control unit 100 sets the measured time t to the first time t1 (S17).

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the set detection sensor SS3 has detected the next sheet S2 (S21). Then, when the set detection sensor SS3 detects the next sheet S2 (S21, Yes), the next sheet S2 is placed on the sheet tray 3, so that the control unit 100 rotates the pickup roller 11A. , The supply of the next sheet S2 is started (S22) (see (b) of FIGS. 4 to 6).

After that, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the rear end detection sensor SS1 has detected the supplied sheet S2 (S23). Then, when the rear end detection sensor SS1 detects the sheet S2 (S23, Yes), the control unit 100 starts measuring the time t (S24). After that, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the time t is equal to or longer than the second time t2 (t1-ta) (S25).

When the time t is less than the second time t2 (t1-ta) (S25, No), the control unit 100 determines whether or not the rear end detection sensor SS1 has stopped detecting the sheet S2 (S26). When the rear end detection sensor SS1 detects the sheet S2 (S26, No), the control unit 100 returns to the process of step S25.

In step S25, when the time t becomes longer than the second time t2 (t1-ta) (Yes), the control unit 100 determines whether or not the set detection sensor SS3 has detected the next sheet S3 (Yes). S31). Then, when the set detection sensor SS3 detects the next sheet S3 (S31, Yes), the next sheet S3 is placed on the sheet tray 3, so that the control unit 100 rotates the pickup roller 11A. , The supply of the next sheet S3 is started (S32) (see (c) in FIGS. 4 and 6).

After that, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the time t is longer than t1 + tm (S33). When the time t is less than t1 + tm (S33, No), the control unit 100 determines whether or not the rear end detection sensor SS1 has stopped detecting the sheet S2 (S34). When the rear end detection sensor SS1 detects the sheet S2 (S34, No), the control unit 100 returns to the process of step S33.

In step S34, when the rear end detection sensor SS1 no longer detects the sheet S2 (Yes), the control unit 100 ends the measurement of the time t (S35), and returns to the process of step S23. After executing the processes of steps S23 and S24, the control unit 100 puts the next sheet S4 on the sheet tray 3 when the time t becomes longer than the second time t2 (t1-ta) (S25, Yes). When it is placed (S31, Yes), the pickup roller 11A is rotated to start the supply of the next sheet S4 (S32) (see FIG. 4D).

In step S26, when the rear end detection sensor SS1 stops detecting the sheet S2 before the time t becomes the second time (t1-ta) or more (Yes) (see FIG. 5C), the sheet S2 The length is shorter than the sheet S1. In this case, the control unit 100 ends the measurement of the time t (S27), and then determines whether or not the set detection sensor SS3 has detected the next sheet S3 (S41), as shown in FIG. .. Then, when the set detection sensor SS3 detects the next sheet S3 (S41, Yes), the control unit 100 sets the time t measured immediately before to the new first time t1 (S42).

Further, when the set detection sensor SS3 detects the next sheet S3, since the next sheet S3 is placed on the sheet tray 3, the control unit 100 rotates the pickup roller 11A to rotate the next sheet S3. (S43). After that, the control unit 100 returns to the process of step S23 in FIG.

After executing the processes of steps S23 and S24, when the time t becomes longer than the second time t2 (t1-ta) calculated based on the newly set first time t1. (S25, Yes), when the next sheet S4 is placed on the seat tray 3 (S31, Yes), the pickup roller 11A is rotated to start supplying the next sheet S4 (S32) (FIG. 5 (FIG. 5). d) See).

In step S33 of FIG. 9, when the time t becomes longer by t1 + tm or more (Yes) after the supply of the sheet S3 is started (see FIG. 6C), the length of the sheet S2 is longer than that of the sheet S1. In this case, as shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 100 stops the pickup roller 11A and temporarily stops the supply of the seat S3 (S51) (see FIG. 7A). At this time, the preceding sheets S1 and S2 are continuously transported by the transport rollers 11C and the like.

After that, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the rear end detection sensor SS1 no longer detects the sheet S2 (S52). Then, when the rear end detection sensor SS1 no longer detects the sheet S2 (S52, Yes), the measurement of the time t is finished (S53), and this time t is set to a new first time t1 (S54). Further, the control unit 100 rotates the pickup roller 11A again to restart the supply of the seat S3 (S55) (see FIG. 7B). After that, the control unit 100 returns to the process of step S23 in FIG.

After executing the processes of steps S23 and S24, when the time t becomes longer than the second time t2 (t1-ta) calculated based on the newly set first time t1. (S25, Yes), when the next sheet S4 is placed on the seat tray 3 (S31, Yes), the pickup roller 11A is rotated to start supplying the next sheet S4 (S32) (FIG. 7 (FIG. 7). c) See).

In step S21, step S31, and step S41 of FIG. 10, when the set detection sensor SS3 does not detect the next sheet S (No), the sheet S is not placed on the sheet tray 3, and is shown in FIG. As described above, the control unit 100 proceeds to the process of step S61. In step S61, the control unit 100 determines whether or not a predetermined time tp has elapsed since the discharge sensor SS4 stopped detecting the sheet S. Here, the predetermined time tp is set to a time sufficient for the sheet S conveyed by the discharge roller 12B to be discharged to the outside of the housing 2.

In step S61, when the predetermined time tp has elapsed (Yes), since the last sheet S has been discharged to the outside of the housing 2, the control unit 100 executes the foil transfer end process (S62). In the foil transfer termination process, the control unit 100 controls, for example, the heater H of the heating roller 61 to lower the temperature of the transfer unit 50, or controls the pressure contact separation mechanism 70 to separate the heating roller 61 from the pressure roller 51. The rollers 11B, 11C, 51, 12A, and 12B are moved to the separated positions, and the rotation of the rollers 11B, 11C, 51, 12A, and 12B is stopped. After the foil transfer end processing is completed, the control unit 100 ends the processing.

According to the present embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 4 (c), the timing at which the rear end detection sensor SS1 stops detecting the second sheet S (S2) on the third sheet S (S3). Since it can be supplied at an early timing, the interval between the second sheet S (S2) and the third sheet S (S3) can be shortened. As a result, the printing speed when the foil is continuously transferred to the plurality of sheets S can be shortened, and the waste of the foil film F can be reduced.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4D, the fourth and subsequent sheets S (S4) are also supplied at a timing earlier than the timing at which the rear end detection sensor SS1 stops detecting the preceding sheet S (S3). Therefore, it is possible to shorten the distance between the third and subsequent sheets S and the preceding sheet S. As a result, the printing speed when the foil is continuously transferred to the plurality of sheets S can be shortened, and the waste of the foil film F can be further reduced.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5 (c), when the length of the preceding sheet S (S2) is shorter than that of the preceding sheet S (S1), the rear end detection sensor SS1 uses the preceding sheet S (S2). Since the next sheet S (S3) is supplied at the timing when the detection is stopped, the preceding sheet S (s) is supplied as compared with the case where the next sheet S (S3) is supplied after waiting until the second time t2 elapses. The interval between S2) and the next sheet S (S3) can be shortened to B2.

Further, when the length of the preceding sheet S (S2) is shorter than that of the preceding sheet S (S1), the rear end detection sensor SS1 detects the preceding sheet S (S2) for the first time t1. Since the time is changed from 1 to no longer detected and the second time t2 is set to a shorter time than the changed first time t1, as shown in FIG. 5D, the next sheet S (S3) When the subsequent sheet S (S4) has the same length as the preceding sheet S (S2), it is larger than the interval B1 when the rear end detection sensor SS1 supplies the sheet S at the timing when the sheet S is no longer detected. The interval between the sheets S can be shortened to B2.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6 (c), when the length of the preceding sheet S (S2) is longer than that of the preceding sheet S (S1), the supply of the next sheet S (S3) is continued. , The rear end of the preceding sheet S (S2) and the front end of the next sheet S (S3) may be transported in an overlapping state. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7A. , The supply of the next sheet S (S3) is temporarily stopped, and as shown in FIG. 7 (b), at the timing when the rear end detection sensor SS1 no longer detects the preceding sheet S (S2), the next sheet S (S2) is next. By restarting the supply of the sheet S (S3), it is possible to prevent the rear end portion of the preceding sheet S (S2) and the front end portion of the next sheet S (S3) from being conveyed in an overlapping state. ..

Further, when the length of the preceding sheet S (S2) is longer than that of the preceding sheet S (S1), the rear end detection sensor SS1 detects the preceding sheet S (S2) for the first time t1. Since the time is changed from 1 to no longer detected and the second time t2 is set to a shorter time than the changed first time t1, as shown in FIG. 7 (c), the next sheet S (S3). When the subsequent sheets S (S4) have the same length as the preceding sheet S (S2), the distance between the sheets S is set to B2 while suppressing the transfer of the sheets S in an overlapping state. Can be shortened.

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-described embodiment, if the rear end detection sensor SS1 does not detect the preceding sheet S before the second time t2 elapses after the rear end detection sensor SS1 detects the preceding sheet S, the rear end detection sensor SS1 does not detect the preceding sheet S. The configuration is such that the sheet S next to the sheet S is supplied, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, even in such a case, the next sheet S may be supplied at the timing when the second time t2 has elapsed from the detection of the preceding sheet S by the rear end detection sensor SS1.

Further, in the above embodiment, after the supply of the next sheet S is started at the timing when the second time t2 has elapsed, the elapsed time from the detection of the preceding sheet S by the rear end detection sensor SS1 is the first hour t1. If it is longer than the first predetermined time tm or more, the supply of the next sheet S is temporarily stopped, and the supply of the next sheet S is restarted at the timing when the rear end detection sensor SS1 no longer detects the preceding sheet S. Although it is configured, it is not limited to this. For example, in such a case, the supply of the next sheet S may be completely stopped to notify the error message. Even with such a configuration, it is desirable that the preceding sheet S be continuously transported to complete foil transfer and discharge to the outside of the housing.

Further, in the above embodiment, the rear end detection sensor SS1 is exemplified as the seat sensor, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the width detection sensor SS2 of the above embodiment may be used as the seat sensor.

Further, in the above embodiment, the rear end detection sensor SS1 is arranged at a position closer to the center than the end of the transfer unit 50 in the width direction, and the width detection sensor SS2 is located from the center of the transfer unit 50 rather than the rear end detection sensor SS1. It was located far away, but it is not limited to this. For example, in a configuration in which the foil transfer device moves the sheet toward one side in the width direction of the transfer unit and conveys the sheet, the rear end detection sensor is arranged at a position farther from the center of the transfer unit than the width detection sensor, and the width detection sensor is the transfer unit. It may be arranged closer to the center than the edge of.

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 transfer unit may be configured not to have a pressure contact separation mechanism.

Further, in the above embodiment, the pickup roller 11A is exemplified as the supply roller, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the supply roller may be composed of a pair of rollers.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, as the sensors SS1 to SS4 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 transfer device 1 that transfers the foil to the toner image on the sheet S is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited thereto. 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 11A Pickup roller 50 Transfer unit 100 Control unit F Foil film 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 transfer part that transfers the foil to the sheet, and
A supply roller that supplies the sheet toward the transfer unit,
A sheet sensor that detects the sheet supplied toward the transfer unit, and
With a control unit,
When the control unit continuously supplies a plurality of sheets,
By controlling the supply roller, the first sheet is supplied at a predetermined timing.
After supplying the first sheet, the time from when the sheet sensor detects the first sheet until the first sheet is no longer detected is measured and set as the first time.
By controlling the supply roller, the second sheet next to the first sheet is supplied at the timing when the sheet sensor no longer detects the first sheet.
The supply roller is controlled to supply the third sheet next to the second sheet at the timing when the second time, which is shorter than the first time, has elapsed after the sheet sensor detects the second sheet. Foil transfer device characterized by When the control unit continuously supplies four or more sheets,
The first aspect of claim 1, wherein the supply roller is controlled to supply the fourth and subsequent sheets at the timing when the second time has elapsed after the sheet sensor detects the preceding sheet. Foil transfer device. When the sheet sensor does not detect the preceding sheet even before the second time elapses after the sheet sensor detects the preceding sheet, the control unit sets the supply roller. The foil transfer apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the next sheet of the preceding sheet is controlled and supplied. If the sheet sensor stops detecting the preceding sheet before the second time elapses after the sheet sensor detects the preceding sheet, the control unit then sets the first time. The feature is that the time from when the seat sensor detects the preceding seat to when the preceding seat is no longer detected is changed, and the second time is set to a shorter time than the first time after the change. The foil transfer device according to claim 3. After the control unit starts supplying the next sheet at the timing when the second time has elapsed, the elapsed time from the detection of the preceding sheet by the sheet sensor is a first predetermined time rather than the first time. If it is longer than that, the supply roller is controlled to stop the supply of the next sheet, and the supply of the next sheet is restarted at the timing when the sheet sensor no longer detects the preceding sheet. The foil transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. After the control unit starts supplying the next sheet at the timing when the second time has elapsed, the elapsed time from the detection of the preceding sheet by the sheet sensor is longer than the first predetermined time. If it is longer than the time, the time from when the sheet sensor stops detecting the preceding sheet to the first time when the sheet sensor detects the preceding sheet until the preceding sheet is not detected. The foil transfer apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second time is set to a time shorter than the first time after the change. The foil transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second time is a time obtained by subtracting a second predetermined time from the first time. The second predetermined time is the time obtained by subtracting the time for the sheet to move by a predetermined interval from the time from the start of supplying the sheet by the supply roller to the time when the tip of the sheet reaches the sheet sensor. The foil transfer device according to claim 7, wherein the foil transfer device is characterized by the above.

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