JP2022117675A - Decorative image formation apparatus and decorative image formation method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a decorative image formation apparatus and a decorative image formation method which can easily form a decorative image that is higher in the glossiness and closer to the desired texture in the decorative image formed by applying powder to an image.SOLUTION: A decorative image formation apparatus comprises: a powder holding member which holds a powder layer; a powder removal part which removes a portion of powder included in the powder layer; a powder movement part which moves the powder located on the surface of the powder layer along the surface of the powder holding member by relatively moving with respect to the surface of the powder layer while contacting the powder layer from which a portion of the powder is removed; and a transfer part which transfers the powder layer on which the powder is moved to an image from the powder holding member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a decorative image forming apparatus and a decorative image forming method.

In recent years, in the on-demand printing market, demand for special color printing, metallic printing, and high value-added printing is increasing. For example, the formation of decorative images with special effects, such as metallic printing that can obtain images with metallic luster, is particularly demanding, and various studies have been made.

For example, in Patent Document 1, a foil body having at least a colorant layer and an adhesive material layer is superimposed on a toner image, conveyed while being sandwiched between heating and pressure rollers, and the toner is fused by heating. Also disclosed is a method of foil transfer to a stereoscopic image in which a portion of the foil is transferred to the toner image. In Patent Document 1, it is said that the above-described transfer method enables foil attachment transfer without causing wrinkles in the foil body.

Further, in Patent Document 2, when a solid image is formed, the reflectance A and the reflectance B at the light receiving angle of −30° (A/B) is 2 or more and 100 or less. In Patent Document 2, the toner has a flat shape with an average equivalent circle diameter longer than the average maximum thickness of the toner, and the long axis direction of the pigment particles and the long axis direction in the cross section of the toner are coaxial as much as possible. , (A/B) can be set within the above range, and an image with high brightness can be formed.

Thus, methods are known for producing metallic prints.

However, in the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the foil body is transferred to only a part of the image, all the foil body that is not transferred is discarded, which is a problem in terms of efficiency. Further, even when an image is formed using the glitter toner disclosed in Patent Document 2, the glitter required by the present inventors could not be obtained.

Therefore, the present applicant has disclosed in Patent Document 3 that image forming means for forming an image made of a heat-fusible material that melts at a predetermined temperature on a recording medium using an image forming process, and and a melting means for heating and melting the heat-fusible material forming the and a powder feed means for depositing paint powder. In Patent Document 3, a magnetic powder having a metallic luster is used as the paint powder, and the powder is adhered to the image by a magnetic member that attracts and holds the powder by magnetic force and conveys the powder. For example, the decorative image formed by the apparatus described in Patent Document 3 using metal powder as the powder has higher brightness than the metallic image formed using the glitter toner described in Patent Document 2. .

JP-A-01-200985 JP 2012-032765 A JP 2013-178452 A

FIG. 1 shows a system or apparatus that supplies powder to a member that holds and conveys powder and applies the conveyed powder to an image, such as Patent Document 3, in which the powder is held and conveyed. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state of powder P supplied to a powder application unit A (a magnet roller in Patent Document 3) and powder transferred to an image R; In the decorative image forming apparatus as disclosed in Patent Document 3, it is necessary to apply a sufficient amount of powder to the image R in order to give the image R a desired level of glitter. However, when the powder P is supplied to the powder application unit A that holds and conveys the powder in order to apply the powder to the image, the powder P is supplied in a piled state to form the powder layer L. (Fig. 1A). At this time, a portion (gap V) is formed where the surface of the powder applying portion A and the powder P are not in direct contact (FIG. 1A), and in this state, the powder held by the powder applying portion A is formed. When P is inverted and applied to the image R (FIG. 1B), irregularities resulting from the voids V occur on the outermost surface of the powder layer (decorative layer G) transferred to the image R (FIG. 1B ). In the image R, the concave portions X and the convex portions Y have different reflectances of light, and therefore the desired glossiness and texture may not be obtained. Therefore, by reducing the unevenness of the powder layer L in the image R and arranging the powder P in a flat state (FIG. 1C), it is possible to form a decorative image with a higher glossiness and a texture closer to the desired texture. The inventors thought that it could be done.

Further, even when the powder P is directly applied to the image R, the powder P is applied in a piled state, and the powder layer L is formed. At this time, portions (irregularities) having different thicknesses of the powder layer are formed, and as described above, desired luster and texture may not be obtained.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in a decorative image formed by applying powder to an image, it is easy to form a decorative image that has a higher gloss and is closer to the desired texture. An object of the present invention is to provide a decorative image forming apparatus and a decorative image forming method.

A decorative image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention for solving the above-described problems includes a powder holding member that holds a powder layer, and a part of powder contained in the powder layer. a powder removing unit, which moves relatively to the surface of the powder layer while being in contact with the powder layer from which a portion of the powder has been removed, and the powder positioned on the surface of the powder layer; along the surface of the powder holding member, and a transfer unit for transferring the powder layer to which the powder has been transferred from the powder holding member to an image.

In addition, a decorative image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention for solving the above problems includes a powder supply section for supplying powder to a surface of an image to form a powder layer; a powder removing part for removing part of the powder contained in the layer; along the surface of the image.

Further, a method for forming a decorative image according to an embodiment of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems includes a step of supplying a powder layer to a powder holding member for holding the powder layer; removing part of the powder contained in the powder layer, moving the powder located on the surface of the powder layer along the surface of the powder holding member, and and transferring the powder layer from the powder holding member to an image.

Further, a method for forming a decorative image according to an embodiment of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems includes the steps of supplying powder to the surface of the image to form a powder layer; A step of removing part of the contained powder and a step of moving the powder located on the surface of the powder layer along the surface of the image.

A decorative image forming apparatus and a method for forming a decorative image are provided, in which a decorative image formed by applying powder to an image has a higher glossiness and is easy to form a decorative image closer to a desired texture. be.

Hereinafter, in the present specification, "powder is arranged in a flat state" means the powder P positioned on the surface of the powder layer L (decoration layer G) present on the image R, It means that the distances to the surface of the image R are the same.

1A to 1C are schematic diagrams showing the state of powder transferred to an image in a conventional example. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of the decorative image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. 3A to 3D are schematic diagrams schematically showing how the powder located on the surface of the powder layer moves. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of a decorative image forming apparatus according to a modification. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a decorative image forming method according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a relational diagram showing the effect of the moving distance of the powder moving part on the coverage of the powder on the powder holding surface. FIG. 7 is a relational diagram showing the effect of the driving direction of the powder removing unit with respect to the powder holding surface (powder) on the powder removal rate. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of a decorative image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 2. As shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of a decorative image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 3. As shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of a decorative image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 4. As shown in FIG. 11A to 11D are schematic diagrams schematically showing how the powder located on the surface of the powder layer moves. FIG. 12 is a flow chart of a decorative image forming method according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of a decorative image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 5. As shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of a decorative image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 6. As shown in FIG.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited to the following forms.

[Embodiment 1]
(Decoration image forming device)
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of the decorative image forming apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG.

The decorative image forming apparatus 100 supplies the powder P to the powder holding member 140, transfers the powder P to the image R formed on the surface of the recording medium M, and adheres the powder P to the surface of the image R. An image forming apparatus for forming a decorative image with P adhered.

As shown in FIG. 2, the decorative image forming apparatus 100 includes a softening section 110 that softens the image R formed on the surface of the recording medium M, a conveying section 120 that conveys the recording medium M, and a powder holding member. 140, a powder holding member 140 for holding the powder P, a powder removing unit 150 for removing a part of the powder P, and a part of the powder P. and a transfer unit 170 for transferring the partly moved powder P from the powder holding member 140 to an image. .

The softening unit 110 softens the image R. By softening the image R, the powder P applied by the transfer unit 170, which will be described later, is held in the image R, so that an image decorated with the powder P is formed.

The image R is not particularly limited as long as it can be softened. For example, it may be an image containing a thermoplastic resin formed with toner or ink, or an image made of metal. good. In this embodiment, the image R is a resin image containing a thermoplastic resin.

A method of softening the image R by the softening unit 110 is not particularly limited. Examples of the method of softening the image R include a method of heating the image R to soften it, a method of applying a chemical to the image R to soften it, and the like. In the present embodiment, the softening unit 110 preheats the recording medium M on which the image R is formed in an oven to soften (melt) the resin forming the image R. FIG. The softening unit 110 may preheat the resin image by a non-contact method such as an IR heater or a hot air blower, or preheat the resin image by a contact method such as a heat roller. good too. Further, when the temperature of the resin image R is higher, the softening unit 110 may cool the resin image R to a temperature suitable for decoration.

The transport section 120 transports the recording medium M on which the image R is formed to the transfer section 170 . The transport unit 120 is, for example, a belt conveyor.

The recording medium M is not particularly limited as long as the image R can be formed on its surface (principal surface). Examples of the recording medium M include plain paper from thin paper to thick paper, fine paper, coated printing paper such as art paper and coated paper, commercially available Japanese paper and postcard paper, plastic film, resin film, and cloth. and so on. The shape and color of the recording medium are not particularly limited, and can be appropriately selected according to the decorative image to be formed.

The powder supply unit 130 has a powder storage container 131 that stores the powder P, and a transport member 132 that transports the powder P stored in the powder storage container 131 to the powder holding member 140. , powder is supplied to the surface (powder holding surface 141) of the powder holding member 140, which will be described later.

The powder supply unit 130 supplies the powder P to the powder holding member 140 in such an amount that a powder layer of the powder P is formed on the powder holding surface 141 . As a result, the powder P is stacked on the powder holding surface 141 of the powder holding member 140 . By supplying in this manner, it is possible to supply the powder P to the powder holding member 140 in an amount sufficient to give the image R a desired degree of glitter.

The powder storage container 131 may be any container as long as it can contain the powder P. In this embodiment, the powder storage container 131 has an opening that opens toward the side surface of the powder holding surface 141 of the cylindrical powder holding member 140 (the powder holding surface 141). Moreover, the conveying member 132 may be any member as long as it can convey the powder P from the powder storage container 131 . In this embodiment, the conveying member 132 is a rotating cylindrical brush or sponge. By rotating in the same direction as the powder holding member 140 inside the powder storage container 131, the powder P stored in the powder storage container 131 is conveyed to the opening of the powder storage container 131, It is supplied to the surface of the powder holding member 140 (the powder holding surface 141). The rotating direction of the conveying member 132 may be the same as the rotating direction of the powder holding member 140 as long as the powder P can be supplied to the powder holding surface 141 .

In this embodiment, the powder P is an aggregate of powder particles. Examples of powder particles include metal particles, metal oxide particles, resin particles, particles containing a thermoresponsive material, magnetic particles, non-magnetic particles, and the like. These powder particles can be selected according to the decorative image to be obtained. preferable. The powder particles may contain two or more different materials. The shape of the powder particles may be spherical or non-spherical. The powder may be a synthetic product or a commercially available product. The powder may be a mixture of two or more different powder particles. In this embodiment, as the powder P, an aggregate of metal particles is used. Note that powder is not toner.

The powder particles may be coated. For example, the metal particles may be coated with a different metal, metal oxide, or resin, or may be coated with a metal or metal oxide on the surface of resin, glass, or the like. Also, the metal particles may be metal oxide particles, or may be coated with a metal oxide different from the metal oxide, a metal, or a resin. Also, the metal particles may be those obtained by spreading a metal or metal oxide into a plate and pulverizing it, coating it with various materials, or vapor-depositing or wet-coating a film or glass with a metal or metal oxide. . When producing metallic images, the powder particles preferably contain 0.2 to 100% by weight of metal or metal oxide.

From the viewpoint of being oriented by the powder moving unit 160 described later and transferred to the surface of the resin image, the shape of the powder particles is powder having a shape that is not a true sphere (non-spherical powder), for example, a flat shape. are preferably particles of "Particles in a flat shape" means that the maximum length of a powder particle is the major diameter, the maximum length in the direction perpendicular to the major diameter is the minor diameter, and the minimum length in the direction perpendicular to the major diameter is the thickness. 2) means particles having a shape in which the ratio of the minor axis to the thickness is 3 or more.

The thickness of the powder particles is preferably from 0.2 to 10 μm, more preferably from 0.2 to 3.0 μm, from the viewpoint of sufficiently expressing the decorative effect by the adherence of the oriented powder P. . When the thickness of the powder is within the above range, the powder particles adhering to the surface of the resin image can be sufficiently oriented, and peeling of the powder P when the decorative image is rubbed can be suppressed. can.

Both the major axis and the minor axis of the powder particles are preferably 1 to 100 μm, more preferably 15 to 50 μm. When the major axis and minor axis of the powder particles are within the above ranges, the handling of the powder is good, and the resolution of the image is sufficiently lowered to obtain a decorative image with high gradation. can.

Examples of commercial products of the powder P include Metashine (manufactured by Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd., "Metashine" is a registered trademark of the same company), Sunshine Baby Chrome Powder, O Roller Powder, Pearl Powder (all of which are manufactured by GG Corporation ), ICEGEL Mirror Metal Powder (manufactured by TAT Co., Ltd.), Pika Ace MC Shine Dust, Effect C (manufactured by Kurachi Co., Ltd., "Pika Ace" is a registered trademark of the company), PREGEL Magic Powder, Mirror Series (manufactured by Preampa Co., Ltd., " PREGEL" is the company's registered trademark), Bonnail shine powder (manufactured by K's Planning Co., Ltd., "BON NAIL" is the company's registered trademark), Elgy neo (manufactured by Oike Kogyo Co., Ltd., "Elgy neo" is the company's registered trademark) ), Astro flakes (manufactured by Nihon Moisture-proof Industry Co., Ltd.), and aluminum pigments (manufactured by Toyo Aluminum Co., Ltd.).

A thermally responsive material is a material that undergoes shape changes such as expansion, contraction, and deformation, and color changes such as development, decolorization, and discoloration when stimulated by heat. Examples of particles containing thermally responsive materials include thermally expandable microcapsules, thermosensitive capsules, and the like. Examples of thermally expandable microcapsules include Matsumoto Microspheres (manufactured by Matsumoto Yushi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) and Kureha Microspheres (manufactured by Kureha Co., Ltd.). manufactured by the company Nippon Capsule Products).

The powder holding member 140 has an adhesive powder holding surface 141 , which holds the powder P and conveys the powder P to the transfer section 170 . The shape of the powder holding member 140 is not particularly limited as long as the powder layer L can be held. In this embodiment, the powder holding member 140 is a cylindrical member that rotates about a cylindrical shaft in a direction along the conveying direction (arrow) of the recording medium M by a drive motor. The side peripheral surface is used as a powder holding surface 141 having stickiness.

The powder holding member 140 is arranged on the downstream side of the softening section 110 on the conveying path of the recording medium M and on the main surface side of the recording medium M on which the image R is formed.

The powder holding member 140 has a powder holding surface 141 and holds the powder P on the powder holding surface 141 . The shape and size of the powder holding member 140 are not particularly limited. In the present embodiment, the powder holding member 140 is rotated in a direction along the conveying direction (arrow) of the recording medium M around a cylindrical shaft by a drive motor. The powder holding member 140 holds the powder P on the sticky powder holding surface 141 by adhesion, and conveys the powder P from the powder supply unit 130 to the transfer unit 170 by the rotation. As a specific example of the powder holding member 140, a cylindrical roller having a thickness of 2 mm and a Shore A hardness of 53 silicone rubber "RBAM2-100" (manufactured by Misumi Co., Ltd.) is placed on the surface of a roller having an outer diameter of 100 mm. member etc. are mentioned.

From the viewpoint of holding and conveying the powder P, the adhesive force of the powder holding surface 141 is preferably 28 kPa or more. The greater the adhesive force of the powder holding surface, the greater the force applied to the powder P when the powder removing unit 150 (described later) removes the powder P, thereby improving the powder removal efficiency. be able to. Further, from the viewpoint of facilitating the transfer of the powder P from the powder holding surface 141 to the image R when the adhering powder P comes into contact with the softened image R, the adhesive force is preferably 470 kPa or less. It is preferably 350 kPa or less, more preferably 350 kPa or less. Examples of materials forming such a powder holding surface 141 include fluororubber, silicone rubber, urethane rubber, and the like. The material forming the powder holding surface 141 is not limited to a rubber material, and other resin materials or metal materials may be used as long as they have adhesive strength capable of holding the powder. good too.

The adhesive strength of the powder holding surface 141 can be measured using a tacking tester "FSR-1000" (manufactured by Lesca Co., Ltd.). The adhesive force can be measured as the force required when the tip of the probe is pressed against the sample surface and peeled off. For example, the adhesive strength can be measured under the following conditions. The adhesive force can be converted into pressure based on the area of the tip of the probe.

(Measurement condition)
(1) Probe diameter: 10 mm in diameter
(2) Pressing speed: 5 mm/sec (3) Pressing pressure: 50 kPa
(4) Pressing holding time: 1 second (5) Probe lifting speed: 5 mm/second (6) Measurement temperature: 20°C

When the softening unit 110 softens the image R by heating, the heat from the image R is also transmitted to the powder holding member 140, so the material forming the powder holding surface 141 preferably has heat resistance. From such a point of view, silicone rubber (adhesive strength: 82 kPa) is preferable among the above rubber materials.

Alternatively, the powder holding member 140 may be installed in the decorative image forming apparatus 100 without holding the powder P, and may be supplied with the powder P from the powder supply section 130 . Alternatively, the powder P may be supplied from an external powder supply device, and may be installed in the decorative image forming apparatus 100 in a state in which the powder P is held. When the powder P is supplied by an external powder supply device, the decorating image forming apparatus 100 may not have the powder supply section 130 .

The powder removing unit 150 is arranged downstream of the powder supplying unit 130 in the rotation direction of the powder holding member 140, and removes the powder P contained in the powder layer L held by the powder holding surface 141. remove part of

As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, the powder supply unit 130 supplies the powder P to the powder holding member 140 so that the powder P is stacked to form a thick powder layer L. be done. In FIG. 2, to facilitate the explanation, a state in which layers having the same thickness as the thickness of one powder P are laminated is shown. A powder layer L may be formed in which the bodies P are piled up irregularly. Moreover, the thickness of the powder layer L is not particularly limited.

When the powder layer L is formed on the powder holding surface 141, a gap V may be formed between the powder P and the powder holding surface 141 (FIG. 3A). In this state, when the powder P held by the powder holding member 140 is reversed and transferred to the image R, the powder layer (decorative layer G in FIG. 1) made of the transferred powder P is formed. Concavities and convexities resulting from the voids V are formed on the outermost surface. Since the concave portions X and the convex portions Y have different light reflectances, there is a possibility that desired luster and texture cannot be obtained. On the other hand, by moving the powder P to the gap V before the powder P is transferred to the image R, the gap in the powder layer L is reduced and the powder P is laid out on the image R in a flat state. to flatten the outermost surface of the powder layer L on the decorative image. However, normally, even if an attempt is made to move the powder P positioned on the surface of the powder layer L to the position of the gap V, another powder P placed on the powder P that is in direct contact with the powder holding surface 141 will not move. The powder P' hinders movement to the gap V and cannot be moved onto the powder holding surface 141 (FIG. 3B). On the other hand, the present inventors found that when the powder P is moved in a state in which a part of the powder P contained in the powder layer L is removed (Fig. 3C), powder that hinders movement to the gap V It has been found that the removal of the body can facilitate the movement of the powder P into the void V (Fig. 3D). Thereby, the gap V formed between the powder P and the powder holding surface 141 can be reduced, and the powder P transferred to the image R can be easily flattened. By transferring the powder P in this state, the outermost surface of the decorative layer G on the decorative image can be made flatter, making it easier to form a decorative image with desired gloss and texture.

The powder removing unit 150 is not particularly limited as long as it can remove part of the powder P contained in the powder layer L. In the present embodiment, the powder removing unit 150 is a removing member that contacts the powder layer L, thereby removing part of the powder P on the outermost layer side. It should be noted that the part of the powder on the outermost layer side refers to the part of the powder P that is arranged at the farthest position from the powder holding surface 141 among the many powders P that are stacked to form the powder layer L. means powder P. Since the powder removing unit 150 is the removing member, it is possible to easily adjust the amount of the powder P to be removed by adjusting the position of contact with the powder layer L.

Examples of the removing member include rotating bodies such as brushes, scrapers, and rollers. In this embodiment, the powder removing unit 150 is a removing member that contacts the powder layer L held on the powder holding surface 141, and is a rotating body. Since the powder removing unit 150 is a rotating body, the powder removing unit 150 can be driven while removing the powder P adhering to the powder removing unit 150 with a cleaning member. Become. In the present embodiment, the powder removing section 150 has a removed powder collecting section 152 (described later), and the powder P adhering to the powder removing section 150 is collected by the removed powder collecting section 152 .

Further, the powder removing section 150 has an adhesive contact surface (adhesive surface 151) that contacts the powder layer L. As shown in FIG. That is, the adhesive surface 151 of the powder removing unit 150 moves relative to the surface of the powder layer L, and removes the powder by adhering the powder P to the surface of the rotating body. As a result, it is possible to prevent the powder P from scattering on the device and the recording medium M, and to reduce the trouble of collecting the scattered powder P.

The powder removing section 150 applies a removing force having a component in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the powder holding member (the powder holding surface 141) to the powder layer L to remove part of the powder P. preferably. In this embodiment, the removal force is the adhesive force of the adhesive surface 151 . The adhesive force has a horizontal component (F _h ) and a vertical component (F _v ) with respect to the powder holding surface 141 due to the rotation of the powder removing section 150 . Thereby, the powder removing section 150 can separate and remove the powder P from the powder holding member 140 .

Further, the powder removing section 150 applies the removing force to the powder such that the vertical component is greater than the vertical component of the force applied to the powder layer L by the powder moving section 160 (described later). Application to layer L is preferred. In the present embodiment, since the powder moving unit 160 is a rotating body, the powder P has a horizontal component (F _h ') and a vertical component (F _v ') with respect to the powder holding surface 141. to move the powder. Therefore, it is preferable that the above F _v and F _v ′ satisfy the relationship of F _v >F _v ′. As a result, the powder moving section 160 prevents the powder P from separating from the powder holding surface 141 and being removed.

In the present embodiment, the shape of the powder removing section 150 is not particularly limited as long as it is a rotating body, and is, for example, cylindrical or spherical. In this embodiment, the shape of the powder removing section 150 is cylindrical, and is rotated about the cylindrical axis by the driving motor.

The material constituting the adhesive surface 151 is not particularly limited as long as the adhesive surface 151 has adhesive strength capable of capturing and holding powder, and examples thereof include fluororubber, silicone rubber, and urethane rubber. is. The material included in the powder holding surface 141 is not limited to the rubber material as described above, and may be other resin material or metal material.

In the powder removing unit 150, the mass of the powder layer L is 1 to 2 times the mass of the powder P when the powder holding surface 141 is covered with a single layer. It is preferable to remove a portion of the powder P so that it has a mass of less than . Here, "the powder P covers the powder holding surface 141 with a single layer" means that the powder P directly contacting the powder holding surface 141 covers the powder holding surface 141. means Further, when the powder is non-spherical (flat, etc.), it means the adhesion amount when covered with the powder P when the side surface with the largest area is arranged on the powder holding surface 141 . The "attachment amount when the powder P covers the powder holding surface 141 with a single layer" varies depending on the type of the powder P. For example, when metal powder (ELGY neo #325, manufactured by Horikin Foil Powder Co., Ltd.) is used as the powder P, when the powder P covers the powder holding surface 141 with a single layer, the powder holding surface 141 is The coverage of the single layer powder P is 40%. At this time, "the adhesion amount when the powder holding surface 141 is coated with a single layer of the powder P" is the adhesion amount when 40% of the area of the powder holding surface 141 is covered with a single layer, It is preferable to remove part of the powder P so that the mass of the powder layer L is at least 1 time and less than 2 times the amount of adhesion.

By removing part of the powder P as described above, the powder removing unit 150 removes powder that hinders movement to the powder holding surface 141 even if the powder P is piled up on the powder holding surface 141 . Since the amount of particles P decreases, it becomes easier for the powder moving part 160 to move the powder P onto the powder holding surface 141 (eg, FIG. 3C). Therefore, the powder P can be easily arranged in the gap V (eg, FIG. 3D), and as a result, the powder P can be easily arranged in the image R in a flat state. Further, if the mass of the powder layer L is 1 or more times the amount of the powder P that adheres when the powder holding surface 141 is coated with a single layer, sufficient amount for decorating the image R is obtained. The amount of powder can be secured.

When the powder removing part 150 is brought into contact with the powder layer L, the distance between the powder removing part 150 and the powder holding surface 141 is preferably 0 μm or more and 4 μm or less, and more preferably 2 μm or more and 4 μm or less. more preferred. By setting the amount within the above range, the removal efficiency of the powder P can be improved. Furthermore, by setting the above range, the mass of the powder layer L is set to be 1 to 2 times the mass of the powder P when the powder holding surface 141 is coated with a single layer. be able to.

The adhesive force of the adhesive surface 151 is preferably smaller than the adhesive force of the powder holding surface 141 . Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the powder removing unit 150 from removing the powder adhesively held on the powder holding surface 141 , that is, the powder P directly contacting the powder holding surface 141 . . From the viewpoint of improving the removal efficiency of the powder P, the adhesive strength of the adhesive surface 151 is more preferably 0.17 times or more and 1 time or less than the adhesive strength of the powder holding surface 141 . If it is 0.17 times or more, the adhesive force of the adhesive surface 151 exceeds the frictional force between the powders P, so the powders P can be easily removed.

In the present embodiment, a removed powder recovery unit 152 for recovering the powder P adhering to the adhesive surface 151 is arranged on the opposite side of the powder holding member 140 along the direction in which the powder removal unit 150 rotates. It is The method by which the removed powder recovery unit 152 recovers the powder P is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the powder P adhering to the adhesive surface 151 is collected by air suction. As a result, it is possible to prevent the powder removal unit 150 from coming into contact with the powder layer L on the powder holding surface 141 in a state where the powder P is attached to the adhesive surface 151, thereby removing the powder P. Efficiency is less likely to decrease.

In the present embodiment, the direction in which the powder removing section 150 is driven may be the same direction as the powder P conveying direction (the rotating direction of the powder holding member 140), or may be the opposite direction. It can be. From the viewpoint of improving the removal efficiency of the powder P, it is preferable that the driving direction of the powder removing unit 150 is opposite to the direction in which the powder P is conveyed. In addition, by removing a part of the powder P, the powder removal unit 150 reduces the mass of the powder layer L to , the relative speed of the removal member with respect to the surface of the powder layer L is preferably 0 mm/s or more and 300 mm/s or less, and 150 mm/s or more. It is more preferably 300 mm/s or less.

The powder moving section 160 is arranged downstream of the powder removing section 150 in the rotation direction of the powder holding member 140 . The powder moving part 160 moves relative to the surface of the powder layer L while being in contact with the powder layer L from which part of the powder P has been removed. P is moved along the surface of the powder holding member 140 (the powder holding surface 141).

As described above, the powder removal unit 150 removes part of the powder P contained in the powder layer L, thereby making it easier to move the powder P onto the powder holding surface 141 . Therefore, it is easy to move the powder P located on the surface of the powder layer L from which a part of the powder P has been removed.

The powder moving part 160 moves relatively to the surface of the powder layer L while being in contact with the powder layer L, and moves the powder P positioned on the surface of the powder layer L along the powder holding surface 141 . It is not particularly limited as long as it can be made. Examples of the powder moving part 160 include contact members such as sponges, rollers and scrapers. As described above, in the present embodiment, the powder moving unit 160 is in contact with the powder layer L and relatively moves with respect to the surface of the powder layer L, thereby moving the powder positioned on the surface of the powder layer L. P is moved along the powder holding surface 141 .

The shape of the powder moving part 160 is not particularly limited as long as the above functions are exhibited. In this embodiment, the powder moving part 160 is a rotating body that rotates around a cylindrical axis.

The powder moving part 160 preferably has a non-adhesive contact surface. As a result, the reduction in the amount of powder transferred to the image R due to further removal of the powder P by the powder moving section 160 can be suppressed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the contact surface (adhesive surface 151) of the powder removing section 150 moves relative to the surface of the powder layer L. As shown in FIG. The speed at which the powder removing unit 150 moves relative to the surface of the powder layer L is preferably faster than the speed at which the powder moving unit 160 moves relative to the surface of the powder layer L. As a result, it is possible to prevent the powder moving section 160 from further removing the powder P and reducing the amount of powder transferred to the image R.

Further, from the viewpoint of facilitating movement of the powder P, the relative speed of the powder moving part 460 with respect to the surface of the powder layer L is preferably 0 mm/s or more and 300 mm/s or less, and more preferably 150 mm/s or more and 300 mm/s. /s or less is more preferable.

In this embodiment, the powder moving section 160 is driven by a driving member different from that of the powder removing section 150 . Thereby, the relative speed between the powder removing section 150 and the powder holding member 140 and the relative speed between the powder moving section 160 and the powder holding member 140 can be adjusted independently.

In the present embodiment, the powder moving section 160 presses against the powder holding surface 141 of the powder holding member 140 and rotates around the cylindrical shaft to rub the powder holding surface 141 . You may

At this time, the powder moving section 160 rubs the powder holding surface 141 by rotating in the same direction as the powder holding member 140 while pressing the powder holding surface 141 of the powder holding member 140 . In addition, it is preferable that the side peripheral surface of the powder moving part 160 that rubs against the powder holding surface 141 is made of a material having a gap for containing the powder P. Examples of such materials include porous materials such as brushes, sponges and nonwovens. The powder moving part 160 having the above-mentioned gap moves extra powder P not adhering to the powder holding surface 141 to the above-mentioned gap when the powder holding surface 141 of the rotating powder holding member 140 is rubbed. The directionality of the powder P can be aligned (orientated) by capturing. That is, the powder moving section 160 can orient and move the powder P.

At this time, if the powder P has a non-spherical shape, the powder P can be oriented with respect to the powder holding surface 141 by rubbing with the powder moving part 160 . That is, the powder moving section 160 can sufficiently orient the powder P even after it is moved. As a result, the sufficiently oriented powder P can adhere to the surface of the image R from the powder holding surface 141 . In particular, when the powder P is metal particles or metal oxide particles, by orienting the powder P transferred to the image R, the glossiness of the decorative image can be enhanced. Further, when the powder P is oriented, the contact area between the image R and the powder P is increased, and the separation of the powder P from the image R is less likely to occur.

In the present embodiment, since the direction of rotation of the powder moving section 160 is the same as the direction of rotation of the powder holding member 140, the powder moving section 160 is arranged so that the powder moving section 160 and the powder holding member 140 It relatively moves in the direction opposite to the conveying direction of the powder P (powder layer L) in the nip portion. As a result, the relative speed (rubbing speed) of the powder moving portion 160 with respect to the powder holding member 140 can be further increased, and the rubbing effect can be further enhanced. However, the powder moving section 160 only needs to rub against the powder holding surface 141 at a relative speed to the rotating powder holding member 140, and the powder moving section 160 does not have to rotate. It may rotate at a different speed in the direction opposite to the powder holding member 140 .

The pressing force of the powder moving part 160 against the powder holding surface 141 of the powder holding member 140 is preferably 1 kPa or more and 10 kPa or less, more preferably 1 kPa or more and 5 kPa or less. Within the above range, the powder holding surface 141 of the powder holding member 140 can be stably rubbed, and the torque for rotating the powder moving part 160 becomes excessive, resulting in powder movement. It is possible to prevent uneven driving of the portion 160 and material deterioration of the powder moving portion 160 and the powder holding member 140 from occurring.

The transfer portion 170 is a nip portion between the powder holding member 140 and the image R, and has a facing member 171 . The facing member 171 is provided at a position facing the powder holding surface 141 with the recording medium M interposed therebetween, and presses the recording medium M so as to sandwich the powder holding member 140 at the nip portion. The shape of the opposing member 171 is not particularly limited as long as it can exhibit the above function. It is a cylindrical member that The powder P held on the powder holding surface 141 is transferred to the image R formed on the surface of the recording medium M by pressing the recording medium M with the opposing member 171 and the powder holding member 140 . In this embodiment, the image R is softened by the softening section 110 so that the adhesive force generated by the softening is higher than the adhesive force of the powder holding surface 141 . Therefore, the powder P is adhered and held on the image R by the pressing.

In the present embodiment, the surplus powder collecting section 180 may be arranged in the downstream direction of the powder holding member 140 in the conveying direction of the recording medium M. The surplus powder recovery unit 180 recovers the powder P that has not been adhered and held on the image R from among the powder P that has been applied to the recording medium M in the transfer unit 170 . The surplus powder recovery unit 180 is arranged on the surface side of the recording medium M on which the image R is formed.

The surplus powder recovery unit 180 is not particularly limited as long as it exhibits the above functions, and for example, has a configuration for sucking the powder P by air suction or contact with silicone rubber.

[Modification]
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of the decorative image forming apparatus 100 according to the modified example of the present embodiment.

In the present embodiment, powder moving section 160 is not limited to a rotating body. As shown in FIG. 4, when the powder moving unit 160 is not a rotating body, the powder moving unit 160 is composed of a moving member 161 that moves the powder P and a rubbing member 162 that orients the powder P. preferably configured. Thereby, the movement of the powder P and the orientation of the powder P can be performed independently of each other, and the contact distance and the pressing force can be set according to each application. As a result, the movement of the powder P and the orientation of the powder P can be performed with high accuracy.

The moving member 161 moves relative to the surface of the powder layer L while being in contact with the powder layer L, and moves the powder P positioned on the surface of the powder layer L along the powder holding surface 141 . Examples of the moving member 161 include a blade-shaped contact member.

The rubbing member 162 is arranged downstream of the moving member 161 . In the present embodiment, the rubbing member 162 may rub the powder holding surface 141 while pressing against the powder holding surface 141 of the powder holding member 140 . The shape of the rubbing member 162 may be a cylindrical shape, an elliptical cylindrical shape, a polygonal prism shape, or the like, but a cylindrical shape is preferable.

(Method for forming decorative image)
FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the decorative image forming method according to the present embodiment.

The decorative image forming method according to the present embodiment includes (1) a step of supplying the powder layer L to the powder holding member 140 (step S11); (3) a step of moving the powder P located on the surface of the powder layer L along the surface of the powder holding member 140 (step S13); a step of transferring the powder layer L to which the powder P has been moved from the powder holding member 140 to the image R (step S14).

The decorative image forming method according to the present embodiment can be performed using the decorative image forming apparatus 100, but is not limited to this.

(1) Step of supplying powder layer (step S11)
In this step, the powder layer L is supplied to the powder holding member 140 .

Specifically, as described above, the powder P is supplied to the powder holding member 140 in such an amount that the powder layer P is formed on the powder holding surface 141 . The amount of powder per image R supplied to the powder holding member 140 is preferably 1 to 8 times, more preferably 1 to 2 times the amount to be transferred to one image R. The following are more preferable. By being in the above range, it is possible to suppress the amount of powder transferred to the image R from being less than the desired amount of powder, and in the step of removing powder (step S12) described later, Excessive remaining of the powder P that has not been removed on the holding surface 141 can be suppressed.

The method of supplying the powder layer L to the powder holding member 140 is, in the present embodiment, supplied by the powder supply unit 130 having the conveying member 132, but is not limited to this. The powder P stored in 131 may be supplied in direct contact with the powder holding surface 141 of the powder holding member 140 .

(2) Step of removing part of the powder (Step S12)
In this step, part of the powder P contained in the powder layer L is removed.

Specifically, a portion of the powder P is removed using a removing member that contacts the powder layer L. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the removing member is the powder removing section 150 . The contact position of the removing member that contacts the powder layer L may be appropriately adjusted according to the amount of the powder P to be removed.

In this step, by removing a part of the powder P, the mass of the powder layer L is reduced to 1 or more times the amount of the powder P when the powder holding surface 141 is coated with a single layer. Less than twice the mass is preferred. By removing the powder P in this way, it becomes easier to move the powder P to the gap V by the powder moving unit 160 .

(3) Step of moving powder (step S13)
In this step, the powder P positioned on the surface of the powder layer L is moved along the surface of the powder holding member 140 (the powder holding surface 141).

Specifically, a member for moving the powder is brought into contact with the powder layer L and relatively moved with respect to the surface of the powder layer L, so that the powder P positioned on the surface of the powder layer L is moved to the powder holding surface. Move along 141 . In the present embodiment, the powder P is moved by moving the powder moving part 160 relative to the surface of the powder layer L while being in contact with the powder layer L.

(4) Step of transferring (Step S14)
In this step, the powder layer L to which the powder P has been moved is transferred to the image R from the powder holding member 140 .

In the present embodiment, in the transfer unit 170, the opposing member 171 presses the recording medium M and the powder holding member 140, thereby transferring the powder P held on the powder holding surface 141 to the surface of the recording medium M. Although it is applied to the formed image R, the method of transferring the powder layer L to the image R is not limited to this.

In the transfer section 170, the pressing force when the facing member 171 presses the recording medium M and the powder holding member 140 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 500 kPa or more and 1500 kPa or less. Within the above range, the powder P, once adhered and held, is less likely to drop off from the image R, and material deterioration of the recording medium M and the powder holding member 140 due to excessive pressing can be suppressed. can.

(Influence of amount of powder remaining on powder holding surface after removal of powder)
In the step of removing the powder (step S12), the amount of the powder P remaining on the powder holding surface 141 after part of the powder P is removed influences the coverage of the powder holding surface 141. was investigated by the method shown below.

As the powder holding member 140, silicone rubber (RBAM2-50, manufactured by Misumi Co., Ltd.) having a thickness of 2 mm was cut into 5 cm × 5 cm and fixed on a flat plate. Powder Co., Ltd.) was applied to the silicone rubber at 1.2 g/m ² and 8.0 g/m ² , respectively. Incidentally, 1.2 g/m ² is an amount corresponding to 1.1 times the mass of the metal powder covering 40% of the silicone rubber with a single layer.

After that, an SBR (styrene-butadiene rubber) sponge was used as the powder moving part 160, and the sponge was brought into contact with the powder holding surface 141 to which the metal powder was applied. Then, by adjusting the nip width between the powder holding member 140 and the powder moving section 160, the moving distance of the powder P is set to 3, 6, and 10 mm, the powder moving section 160 is stopped, and the powder moving section 160 is stopped. The speed of the holding member 140 was set to 200 mm/s, and the powder P was moved to obtain a thin powder layer. Surplus powder was recovered by repeatedly laminating and peeling off separately prepared silicone rubber to the thin powder layer. Then, using a laser microscope (VK-X100, manufactured by Keyence Corporation), the thin powder layer was observed at a magnification of 100 times to obtain a photographed image. After that, the coverage was measured with an analysis application (manufactured by KEYENCE CORPORATION) for the photographed image. The results are shown in FIG.

From FIG. 6, the coverage was improved when the amount of powder present on the powder holding surface during movement of the powder was 1.2 g/m ² rather than when it was 8.0 g/m ² . It is considered that this is because the smaller the amount of powder present on the powder holding surface, the easier it is for the powder to move onto the powder holding surface 141 . As a result, it is considered that the coverage can be improved even with a short moving distance, and the step of moving the powder can be performed efficiently.

From these results, it can be seen that when the mass of the powder layer L is 1 to 2 times the mass of the powder P when the powder holding surface 141 is coated with a single layer, the mass of the powder Among the powder P that is not in contact with the holding surface 141, the amount of the powder P that hinders movement to the powder holding surface 141 decreases. It may be easier to move. Therefore, it is considered that the powder P can be arranged on the powder holding surface 141 in a flat state. By transferring the powder P to the image R in this state, it is considered that the powder P can be arranged on the image R in a flat state.

(Influence of driving direction of powder removing unit with respect to powder conveying direction on powder removing efficiency)
The influence of the driving direction of the powder removing section on the powder removing efficiency was investigated by the method shown below.

A silicone rubber (RBAM2-50, manufactured by Misumi Co., Ltd.) having a thickness of 2 mm was wound around the outer periphery of a core roller having a diameter of 19.6 mm and fixed to form a powder holding member 140 . 8 g/m ² of metal powder (ELGY neo #325, manufactured by Horikin Foil & Powder Co., Ltd.) was supplied as the powder P to the powder holding member 140 .

Next, as the powder removing unit 150, a urethane rubber roller having a 3 mm thick urethane sponge rubber (U4A1, manufactured by Toyo Polymer Co., Ltd.) formed on the outer circumference of a core roller with a diameter of 20 mm was used to contact the powder holding member 140. touched. Then, the pressing force is set to 5 kPa and the rotation speed of the powder holding member 140 is set to 200 mm/s. Removed some of the metal powder. Further, the rotation speed of the powder holding member 140 is set to 100 mm/s, and powder is removed under the conditions of rotation speeds of 50, 100, 200, and 300 mm/s in the same direction as or opposite to the rotation direction of the powder holding member 140. Part of the metal powder held by the powder holding member 140 was removed by rotating the part 150 . Table 1 shows the removal efficiency of the powder P by the powder removal unit 150 under each condition. Further, when the relative speed between the powder holding member 140 and the powder removing unit 150 is 200 mm/s, the powder removal given by the driving direction of the powder removing unit 150 with respect to the powder holding surface 141 (powder P). The effect on the rate is shown in Figure 7 respectively.

As shown in FIG. 7, even if the relative speeds of the powder holding member 140 and the powder removing unit 150 are the same, when both rotate in the same direction, the powder on the powder holding member 140 is removed. I was able to remove more. This is because, at the nip portion between the powder holding member 140 and the powder removing section 150, a shearing force is applied to the powder in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the powder. could have been done. From the viewpoint of improving the coverage of the powder P on the powder holding surface 141, the driving direction of the powder removing unit 150 and the relative speed between the powder holding member 140 and the powder removing unit 150 should be adjusted appropriately. It turns out that it is preferable to adjust.

[Embodiment 2]
(Decoration image forming device)
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of a decorative image forming apparatus 200 according to Embodiment 2. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 8, in decorating image forming apparatus 200, powder removing section 250 and powder moving section 260 are driven by the same drive member, and thus decorating image forming apparatus 200 is similar to decorating image forming apparatus 100 in the first embodiment. differ from Hereinafter, description of common configurations will be omitted.

In this embodiment, the powder removing section 250 and the powder moving section 260 are driven by the same driving member. In the present embodiment, the removing member has a cylindrical rotating member 251 that rotates about its cylindrical axis by a drive motor to drive a cylindrical rotating member 261 and a belt 252 . As a result, the belt 252 comes into contact with the powder P, and a removing force is applied to the powder P in the rotation direction of the rotating member 251, so that the powder P contained in the powder layer L can be removed. In addition, the powder P can be moved by the belt 252 coming into contact with the powder P. As shown in FIG.

By driving the powder removing section 250 and the powder moving section 260 with the same drive member, the overall configuration of the apparatus can be reduced in space. In addition, when cleaning the powder removal unit 250 and the powder transfer unit 260 that are contaminated with powder after the decorative image is formed, only one cleaning member can be used for cleaning. , cleaning costs can be reduced. The removed powder P may be recovered by a removed powder recovery unit (not shown). In this embodiment, rotating member 261 may be rotated by a drive motor to drive rotating member 251 and belt 252 .

(Method for forming decorative image)
In the method of forming a decorative image according to the present embodiment, a method of removing powder in the step of removing part of the powder and a method of moving powder in the step of moving powder are implemented. It is different from the decorative image forming method according to the first embodiment. Descriptions of common configurations are omitted below.

The decorative image forming method according to the present embodiment can be performed using the decorative image forming apparatus 200, but is not limited to this.

In the present embodiment, the step of removing part of the powder (step S12) and the step of moving the powder (step S13) are performed by the powder removing unit 150 and the powder moving unit, which are driven by the same driving member. The powder P is removed and moved by the part 160 .

[Embodiment 3]
(Decoration image forming device)
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the overall process of the decorative image forming apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 9, the decorating image forming apparatus 300 is different from the decorating image forming apparatus 200 in Embodiment 1 in that it has a powder removing section 350 that removes part of the powder P by air suction. do. Hereinafter, description of common configurations will be omitted.

In the present embodiment, the powder removing section 350 removes part of the powder P by air suction. At this time, the force for removing the powder P is the suction force of the air. The suction force of the air has a vertical component with respect to the powder holding surface 141 . As a result, the force for removing the powder P can easily reach from the gap in the powder layer L to the powder P in the lower layer, so the powder P can be removed efficiently. In addition, the powder removing unit 350 removes part of the powder P by air suction, so that the load on the powder holding member 140 ( Damage to the powder holding member 140 due to applied stress can be suppressed. Furthermore, when removing the powder P, scattering of the powder P onto the device and the recording medium M can be suppressed.

The suction pressure of the air is not particularly limited as long as the above function can be exhibited, but it is preferably smaller than the adhesive force of the powder holding surface 141 . Since the suction pressure of the air is smaller than the adhesive force of the powder holding surface 141 , the powder removing unit 350 is directly attached to the powder held on the powder holding surface 141 , that is, the powder holding surface 141 . Removal of the contacting powder P can be suppressed. From the viewpoint of improving the removal efficiency of the powder P, the suction pressure of the air is more preferably 0.17 times or more and 1 time or less the adhesive force of the powder holding surface 141 .

The powder removing section 350 may remove the powder P by injecting air instead of removing the powder P by sucking air. At this time, the force for removing the powder P is the force for jetting air. The jetting force has a component in the direction perpendicular to the powder holding surface 141 .

When injecting air, by injecting air onto the powder layer L held on the powder holding surface 141, part of the powder P contained in the powder layer L is removed. By injecting the air, the power to remove the powder P can be easily applied to the lower layer of the powder layer L, so the powder P can be removed efficiently.

The air injection pressure is not particularly limited as long as it can remove part of the powder P from the powder holding surface 141 , but it is preferably lower than the adhesive force of the powder holding surface 141 . Since the jet pressure of the air is lower than the adhesive force of the powder holding surface 141, the powder removing unit 350 is directly attached to the powder held on the powder holding surface 141, that is, the powder holding surface 141. Removal of the contacting powder P can be suppressed. From the viewpoint of improving the removal efficiency of the powder P, the air injection pressure is more preferably 0.17 times or more and 1 time or less the adhesive force of the powder holding surface 141 .

Further, the powder removing section 350 applies the removing force to the powder layer L such that the vertical component is greater than the vertical component of the force applied to the powder layer L by the powder moving section 160. It is preferable to apply As a result, the powder moving section 160 prevents the powder P from separating from the powder holding surface 141 and being removed.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the powder moving section 260 may be driven by a driving member, or may be fixed.

(Method for forming decorative image)
The method of forming a decorative image according to the present embodiment differs from the method of forming a decorative image according to the second embodiment in the method of removing powder in the step of partially removing powder. Hereinafter, description of common steps will be omitted.

The decorative image forming method according to the present embodiment can be performed using the decorative image forming apparatus 300, but is not limited to this.

The step of removing part of the powder (step S12) removes part of the powder P by air suction using the powder removing unit 350 in the present embodiment.

In this embodiment, instead of removing the powder P by air suction, the powder P may be removed by injecting air.

[effect]
In the decorative image forming apparatuses 100, 200, and 300 and the decorative image forming method according to Embodiments 1 to 3, part of the powder P contained in the powder layer L held by the powder holding member 140 is removed by the powder removing units 150, 250, and 350, so that the powder P positioned on the surface of the powder layer L is moved to the powder holding surface 141 (gap V) without being hindered in movement. It is moved to the powder holding surface 141 by the powder moving parts 160 and 260 which contact the powder layer L and relatively move. As a result, the powder P can be arranged in a flatter state than the image R, and it becomes easier to form a decorative image having desired gloss and texture.

[Embodiment 4]
(Decoration image forming device)
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the overall process of the decorative image forming apparatus 400 according to the fourth embodiment.

The decoration image forming apparatus 400 includes a powder supply unit 430 that supplies powder P to the surface of the image R to form a powder layer L, and removes part of the powder P contained in the powder layer L. The powder remover 450 contacts the powder layer L from which part of the powder P has been removed, and moves the powder P positioned on the surface of the powder layer L along the surface of the image R. It is different from the decorative image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment in that it has a body moving section 460 . Hereinafter, description of common configurations will be omitted.

The powder supply unit 430 has a powder storage container 431 that stores the powder P, and a transport member 432 that transports the powder P stored in the powder storage container. A powder layer L is formed by directly supplying P.

The powder supply unit 430 supplies the image R with an amount of the powder P that allows the image R to form a powder layer in which the powder P is stacked. As a result, the powder P is arranged on the surface of the image R in a state of being piled up. By supplying in this way, it is possible to supply the image R with a sufficient amount of the powder P to give the image R a desired degree of glitter.

The powder storage container 431 is not particularly limited as long as it can contain the powder P. In the present embodiment, the powder storage container 431 has an opening that opens in the direction in which the image R is conveyed. Moreover, the conveying member 432 may be any member as long as it can convey the powder P from the powder storage container 431 . In this embodiment, the conveying member 432 is a rotating cylindrical brush or sponge. By rotating inside the powder storage container 431 in a direction opposite to the conveying direction of the image R, the powder P stored in the powder storage container 431 is conveyed to the opening of the powder storage container 431, and the image is displayed. Feed the R surface.

The powder removing unit 450 is arranged downstream of the powder supplying unit 430 in the conveying direction of the recording medium M, and removes part of the powder P contained in the powder layer L formed on the image R. It is different from the powder removing section 150 in the first embodiment in that As a result, the adhesive force with which the image R softened by the softening unit 110 retains the powder is greater than that of the powder retaining member 140, so that the force for removing the powder P is greater than in the first embodiment. and the powder removal efficiency can be improved.

As shown in FIG. 11, when the powder P is excessively supplied to the image R, the powder P is piled up to form a powder layer L having a thickness. The powder layer L may be formed by stacking the powder P regularly, or may be formed by stacking the powder P irregularly. Moreover, the thickness of the powder layer L is not particularly limited.

When the powder layer L is formed on the image R, unevenness occurs in the powder layer L, and a gap V' also occurs between the surface of the image R and the powder P (FIG. 11A). In this state, since the reflectance of light differs between the concave portion X and the convex portion Y, it may not be possible to obtain desired luster and texture. In order to reduce the unevenness of the outermost surface of the powder layer L, the powder P is moved to the concave portion X to arrange the powder P in a flat state as a whole. The powder P obstructs the movement of the powder P to be moved, and cannot be moved (Fig. 11B). Therefore, the inventors of the present invention moved the powder P to the concave portion X or the gap V′ in a state in which part of the powder P contained in the powder layer L was removed (FIG. 11C). It was found that the amount of powder that hinders the movement of the powder P can be reduced and the powder P can be easily moved. As a result, the powder P can be placed flat on the image R, making it easier to form a decorative image with desired gloss and texture (FIG. 11D).

After moving the powder P, the powder P on the image R should be arranged in a flat state. The powder P that is not adhesively held on the surface of the image R falls off from the image R more easily than the powder P that is adhesively held on the surface of the image R. It is preferable to move it to a flat position.

The powder removing section 450 is not particularly limited as long as it can remove part of the powder P contained in the powder layer L. In the present embodiment, the powder removing section 450 is a removing member that abuts against the powder layer L, thereby removing part of the powder P. As shown in FIG. Since the powder removing part 450 is the removing member, it is possible to easily adjust the amount of the powder P to be removed by adjusting the position of contact with the powder layer L.

Examples of the removing member include rotating bodies such as brushes, scrapers, and rollers. In this embodiment, the powder removing unit 450 is a removing member that contacts the powder layer L held on the image R, and is a rotating body. Further, the powder removing section 450 has an adhesive contact surface (adhesive surface 451) that contacts the powder layer L. As shown in FIG. That is, the adhesive surface 451 of the powder removing unit 450 moves relative to the surface of the powder layer L, and removes the powder by adhering the powder P to the surface of the rotating body. As a result, it is possible to prevent the powder P from scattering on the device and the recording medium M, and to reduce the trouble of collecting the scattered powder P.

The shape of the powder removing part 450 is not particularly limited as long as it is a rotating body, and is, for example, cylindrical or spherical. In this embodiment, the shape of the powder removing section 450 is cylindrical, and is rotated about the cylindrical axis by the driving motor.

The material constituting the adhesive surface 451 is not particularly limited as long as the adhesive surface 451 has adhesive strength capable of capturing and holding powder, and examples thereof include fluororubber, silicone rubber, and urethane rubber. is. The material forming the adhesive surface 451 is not limited to the rubber material as described above, and may be other resin material or metal material.

The powder removing section 450 preferably removes part of the powder P by applying a removing force having a component in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the image R to the powder layer L. In this embodiment, the removal force is the adhesive force of the adhesive surface 451 . The adhesive force has a horizontal component (F _h2 ) and a vertical component (F _v2 ) with respect to the surface of the image R due to the rotation of the powder removing unit 450 . As a result, the powder removing section 450 can separate the powder P from the image R and remove it.

Further, the powder removing section 450 applies the removing force to the powder such that the vertical component is larger than the vertical component of the force applied to the powder layer L by the powder moving section 460 (described later). Application to layer L is preferred. In the present embodiment, since the powder moving unit 460 is a rotating body, the powder P has a horizontal component (F _h2 ') and a vertical component (F _v2 ') with respect to the image R. A force is applied to move the powder. Therefore, it is preferable that the above F _v2 and F _v2 ′ satisfy the relationship of F _v2 >F _v2 ′. As a result, the powder moving section 460 prevents the powder P from further separating from the image R and being removed.

The powder removing unit 450 is arranged so that the mass of the powder layer L is 1 to 2 times the mass of the powder P when the surface of the image R is coated with a single layer. Part of the powder P is preferably removed. Here, "the surface of the image R is coated with a single layer of the powder P" means that the surface of the image R is coated with the powder P in direct contact with the surface of the image R. Further, when the powder is non-spherical (flat, etc.), when the side surface with the largest area is placed on the surface of the image R, when covered with the powder P adhered and held on the surface of the image R, It means the adhesion amount. The “attachment amount when the powder P covers the surface of the image R in a single layer” varies depending on the type of the powder P. For example, when a metal powder (ELGY neo #325, manufactured by Horikin Foil Powder Co., Ltd.) is used as the powder P, when the powder P covers the surface of the image R with a single layer, the surface of the image R becomes a single layer. The powder P coverage of the layer is 40%. At this time, the "adhesion amount when the surface of the image R is coated with a single layer of powder P" is the adhesion amount when 40% of the surface area of the image R is covered with a single layer. It is preferable to remove part of the powder P so that the mass of the layer L is 1 to 2 times as large as the amount of adhesion.

By removing the powder P in this way, among the powder P that is not in contact with the image R, the powder P positioned close to the surface of the image R can be moved, and the powder P can be moved to the gap V′. Since the amount of powder P that hinders movement is reduced, the powder moving unit 460 can easily move the powder P onto the surface of the image R. Therefore, the powder P can be arranged on the image R in a flat state. In addition, the mass of the powder layer L is 1 or more times the amount of the powder P when the surface of the image R is coated with a single layer, so that the image R can be decorated. amount can be secured.

When the powder removing portion 450 is brought into contact with the powder layer L, the distance between the powder removing portion 450 and the surface of the image R is preferably 0 μm or more and 4 μm or less, more preferably 2 μm or more and 4 μm or less. preferable. By setting the amount within the above range, the removal efficiency of the powder P can be improved. Furthermore, by setting the above range, the mass of the powder layer L is set to be 1 to 2 times the mass of the powder P when the surface of the image R is coated with a single layer. can be done.

In the present embodiment, a removed powder recovery unit 452 for recovering the powder P adhering to the adhesive surface 451 is arranged on the opposite side of the image R along the direction in which the powder removal unit 450 rotates. . The method by which the removed powder recovery unit 452 recovers the powder P is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the powder P adhering to the adhesive surface 451 is collected by air suction. As a result, it is possible to prevent the powder removing unit 450 from coming into contact with the powder layer L on the image R while the powder P is adhered to the adhesive surface 451, so that the efficiency of removing the powder P decreases. become difficult.

In the present embodiment, the direction in which the powder removing section 450 is driven may be the same as or opposite to the moving direction of the powder P (conveying direction of the image R). good. From the viewpoint of improving the removal efficiency of the powder P, it is preferable that the driving direction of the powder removing unit 450 is opposite to the moving direction of the powder P. Further, the powder removing unit 450 removes a part of the powder P, so that the mass of the powder layer L is reduced to , the relative speed of the removal member with respect to the surface of the powder layer L is preferably 0 mm/s or more and 300 mm/s or less, more preferably 150 mm/s or more and 300 mm/s. /s or less is more preferable.

The powder moving section 460 is arranged downstream of the powder removing section 450 in the direction in which the recording medium M is conveyed. The powder moving part 460 moves relative to the surface of the powder layer L while being in contact with the powder layer L from which part of the powder P has been removed. Move P along the surface of image R.

As described above, the powder remover 450 removes part of the powder P contained in the powder layer L, thereby making it easier to move the powder P onto the image R. FIG. Therefore, by moving the powder P located on the surface of the powder layer L from which a part of the powder P has been removed to the concave portion X, the powder P can be arranged on the image R in a flat state.

The powder moving section 460 moves relatively to the surface of the powder layer L while being in contact with the powder layer L, and moves the powder P positioned on the surface of the powder layer L along the surface of the image R. Anything that can be done is fine. Examples of the powder moving part 460 include contact members such as sponges, rollers and scrapers. As described above, in the present embodiment, the powder moving part 460 is in contact with the powder layer L and relatively moves with respect to the surface of the powder layer L to move the powder positioned on the surface of the powder layer L. The body P is moved along the surface of the image R.

The shape of the powder moving part 460 is not particularly limited as long as the above functions are exhibited. In this embodiment, the powder moving part 460 is a rotating body that rotates around a cylindrical axis.

The powder moving part 460 preferably has a non-adhesive contact surface. As a result, the reduction in the amount of powder transferred to the image R due to further removal of the powder P by the powder moving section 460 can be suppressed.

In the present embodiment, the powder moving unit 460 may rub the image R by pressing the surface of the image R and rotating around the cylindrical axis.

At this time, the powder moving unit 460 rubs the surface of the image R by rotating in the same direction as the conveying direction of the recording medium M while pressing the surface of the image R. It is preferable that the peripheral surface of the powder moving portion 460 that rubs against the surface of the image R is made of a material having a gap for accommodating the powder P. Examples of such materials include porous materials such as brushes, sponges and nonwovens. When the surface of the rotating image R is rubbed, the powder moving unit 460 having the gap captures excess powder P that is not adhered to the surface of the image R in the gap and moves the powder P in the direction of the powder P. It is possible to align (orientate) the properties. That is, the powder moving section 460 can orient and move the powder P.

At this time, if the powder P has a non-spherical shape, the powder P can be oriented with respect to the surface of the image R by rubbing with the powder moving unit 460 . That is, the powder moving section 460 can sufficiently orient the powder P even after it is moved. In particular, when the powder P is metal particles or metal oxide particles, orienting the powder P on the image R can enhance the glossiness of the decorative image. Further, when the powder P is oriented, the contact area between the image R and the powder P is increased, and the separation of the powder P from the image R is less likely to occur.

In the present embodiment, the powder moving section 460 relatively moves in the opposite direction to the conveying direction of the powder P (powder layer L) at the nip portion between the powder moving section 460 and the image R. As a result, the relative speed (rubbing speed) of the powder moving portion 460 with respect to the powder P can be further increased, and the rubbing effect can be further enhanced. However, the powder moving unit 460 only needs to rub the surface of the image R with a relative speed to the conveyed powder P, and the powder moving unit 460 does not have to rotate, and the powder moving unit 460 does not have to rotate. It may rotate at different speeds in the direction opposite to the P transport direction.

The pressing force of the powder moving part 460 against the surface of the image R is preferably 1 kPa or more and 10 kPa or less, and more preferably 1 kPa or more and 5 kPa or less. Within the above range, the surface of the image R can be stably rubbed, and the torque for rotating the powder moving unit 460 becomes excessive, resulting in uneven driving of the powder moving unit 460. Also, damage to the powder moving section 460 and the image R can be made less likely to occur.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the contact surface (adhesive surface 451) of the powder removing section 450 moves relative to the surface of the powder layer L. The speed at which the powder removing section 450 relatively moves with respect to the surface of the powder layer L is preferably faster than the speed at which the powder moving section 460 relatively moves with respect to the surface of the powder layer L. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the powder moving section 460 from further removing the powder P and reducing the amount of powder applied to the surface of the image R.

Further, from the viewpoint of facilitating movement of the powder P, the relative speed of the powder moving part 460 with respect to the surface of the powder layer L is preferably 0 mm/s or more and 300 mm/s or less, and more preferably 150 mm/s or more and 300 mm/s. /s or less is more preferable.

(Method for forming decorative image)
FIG. 12 is a flow chart of a decorative image forming method according to the present embodiment.

The method for forming a decorative image according to the present embodiment includes (1) a step of supplying powder P of image R to form a powder layer (step S41); A step of removing a part of the contained powder P (step S42) and a step of moving the powder P located on the surface of the powder layer L along the image R (step S43), It is different from the decorative image forming method according to the first embodiment.

The decorative image forming method according to the present embodiment can be performed using the decorative image forming apparatus 400, but is not limited to this.

(1) Step of forming a powder layer (step S41)
In this step, the powder layer L is formed by supplying the powder P to the image R.

Specifically, as described above, the powder P is supplied to the image R in such an amount that a powder layer formed by stacking the powder P is formed on the image R. As a result, the powder P is arranged on the surface of the image R in a state of being piled up. By supplying in this way, it is possible to supply the image R with a sufficient amount of the powder P to give the image R a desired degree of glitter. The amount of powder supplied to one image R is preferably 1 to 8 times, and 1 to 2 times, the desired amount of powder to be transferred to one image R. is more preferred. By being in the above range, it is possible to suppress the amount of powder transferred to the image R from becoming smaller than the desired amount of powder, and in the step of removing (step S42) described later, the amount of powder transferred to the image R can be suppressed. It is possible to prevent the powder P that has not been completely removed from remaining excessively.

The method of supplying the powder layer L to the image R is supplied by the powder supply unit 430 in the present embodiment, but is not limited to this. P may be supplied in direct contact with the image R formed on the recording medium M.

(2) Step of removing part of the powder (step S42)
In this step, part of the powder P contained in the powder layer L retained in the image R is removed.

Specifically, a portion of the powder P is removed using a removing member that contacts the powder layer L. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the removing member is the powder removing section 450 . The contact position of the removing member that contacts the powder layer L may be appropriately adjusted according to the amount of the powder P to be removed.

In this step, by removing a part of the powder P, the mass of the powder layer L is reduced to 1 times or more 2 with respect to the adhesion amount when the powder P covers the surface of the image R in a single layer. Preferably, the mass is less than double. By removing the powder P in this manner, the powder P can be easily moved to the gap V′ by the powder moving unit 460, so that the powder P can be arranged on the image R in a flat state.

(3) Step of moving powder (step S43)
In this step, the powder P positioned on the surface of the powder layer L held on the image R is moved along the surface of the image R.

Specifically, a member for moving the powder is moved relative to the surface of the powder layer L while being in contact with the powder layer L, and the powder P located on the surface of the powder layer L is moved to the surface of the image R. move along. In the present embodiment, the powder moving member moves the powder P by moving the powder moving part 460 relative to the surface of the powder layer L while contacting the powder layer L. FIG.

[Embodiment 5]
(Decoration image forming device)
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the overall process of the decorative image forming apparatus 500 according to the fifth embodiment.

The decorative image forming apparatus 500 includes a powder removing section 550 for removing part of the powder P contained in the powder layer L held in the image R, and a powder layer from which part of the powder P is removed. The decorative image forming method according to the fourth embodiment has the powder moving part 560 that contacts the powder layer L and moves the powder P located on the surface of the powder layer L along the surface of the image R. It differs from device 400 . Hereinafter, description of common configurations will be omitted.

In this embodiment, the powder removing section 550 and the powder moving section 560 are driven by the same driving member. In this embodiment, a cylindrical rotating member 551 is rotated about its cylindrical axis by a drive motor to drive a cylindrical rotating member 561 and a belt 552 . As a result, the belt comes into contact with the powder P, and a removing force is applied to the powder P in the rotation direction of the rotating member 551, so that the powder P contained in the powder layer L can be removed. Further, the belt contacts the powder P and moves relative to the powder P positioned on the surface of the powder layer L, so that the powder P moves along the image R. In this embodiment, the rotating member 561 may be rotated around the cylindrical axis by a drive motor to drive the cylindrical rotating member 551 and the belt 552 .

By driving the powder removing section 550 and the powder moving section 560 with the same drive member, it is possible to save space in the overall configuration of the apparatus. In addition, when cleaning the powder removing unit 550 and the powder moving unit 560 that are contaminated with powder after the decorative image is formed, only one cleaning member can be used for cleaning. , cleaning costs can be reduced. The removed powder P may be recovered by a removed powder recovery unit (not shown). In this embodiment, rotating member 561 may be rotated by a drive motor to drive rotating member 551 and belt 552 .

(Method for forming decorative image)
In the method of forming a decorative image according to the present embodiment, a method of removing powder in the step of removing part of the powder and a method of moving powder in the step of moving powder are implemented. It is different from the decorative image forming method according to the form 4 of . Hereinafter, description of common steps will be omitted.

The decorative image forming method according to the present embodiment can be performed using the decorative image forming apparatus 500, but is not limited to this.

In the present embodiment, the step of removing part of the powder (step S42) and the step of moving the powder (step S43) are performed by the powder removing unit 550 and the powder moving unit, which are driven by the same driving member. The powder P is removed and moved by the part 560 .

[Embodiment 6]
(Decoration image forming device)
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the overall process of the decorative image forming apparatus 600 according to the sixth embodiment.

Decorating image forming apparatus 600 differs from decorating image forming apparatus 500 in the fourth embodiment in that it includes powder removing section 650 that removes part of powder P by air suction. Hereinafter, description of common configurations will be omitted.

In the present embodiment, the powder removing section 650 removes part of the powder P by sucking air, thereby removing the powder P from the gaps in the powder layer L to the powder P in the lower layer. Since the force can be applied more easily, the powder P can be removed efficiently. In addition, the powder removal unit 650 removes part of the powder P by air suction, thereby suppressing the load applied to the image R rather than removing the powder P by coming into contact with the powder layer L. and the image R is less likely to be damaged. Furthermore, when removing the powder P, scattering of the powder P onto the device and the recording medium M can be suppressed.

The air suction pressure is preferably 50 kPa or more and 150 kPa or less, more preferably 100 kPa or more and 150 kPa or less. Within the above range, the powder removing unit 650 removes the powder adhered and held on the image R, that is, the powder P in direct contact with the image R, while improving the removal efficiency of the powder P. Removal can be suppressed.

The powder removing section 650 may remove the powder P by injecting air instead of removing the powder P by sucking air.

When the air is jetted, the air is jetted to the powder layer L held on the surface of the image R, so that part of the powder P contained in the powder layer L is removed. By injecting the air, the powder P can be efficiently removed because it can easily reach the lower layer of the powder layer L.

The air injection pressure is not particularly limited as long as it can remove part of the powder P from the image R, but is preferably 50 kPa or more and 100 kPa or less, more preferably 100 kPa or more and 150 kPa or less. By being within the above range, the removal efficiency of the powder P can be improved while the removal of the powder P in direct contact with the image R by the powder removal unit 650 can be suppressed.

In addition, the powder removing section 650 applies the removal force to the powder layer L such that the vertical component is greater than the vertical component of the force applied to the powder layer L by the powder moving section 460 . It is preferable to apply This prevents the powder P from separating from the image R and being removed by the powder moving section 460 .

(Method for forming decorative image)
The method of forming the decorative image differs from the method of forming the decorative image according to the fifth embodiment in the method of removing the powder in the step of removing part of the powder. Hereinafter, description of common steps will be omitted.

The decorative image forming method according to the present embodiment can be performed using the decorative image forming apparatus 600, but is not limited to this.

The step of removing part of the powder (step S42) removes part of the powder P by air suction using the powder removing unit 650 in the present embodiment.

In this embodiment, instead of removing the powder P by air suction, the powder P may be removed by injecting air.

[effect]
In the decorative image forming apparatuses 400, 500, and 600 and the decorative image forming method according to Embodiments 4 to 6, part of the powder P contained in the powder layer L formed on the image R is powder. By being removed by the removing units 450, 550, and 650, the powder P located on the surface of the powder layer L is less likely to be hindered from moving to the concave portion X or the gap V′, and is brought into contact with the powder layer L. are moved by the powder moving parts 460 and 560 that move relative to each other. As a result, the powder P can be arranged on the image R in a flat state.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the powder removing section removes powder only by a removing member having an adhesive surface and either one of jetting or sucking air, but the powder removing section uses a different method. (for example, a combination of a removing member having an adhesive surface and air suction) to remove the powder. At this time, the total force for removing the powder (removal force. In the above example, the sum of the adhesive force of the adhesive surface and the adsorption force of air suction) is calculated as follows: It is preferable to make it smaller than the adhesive force.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The decorative image forming apparatus and the decorative image forming method according to the present invention are useful for, for example, metallic printing.

100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 decoration image forming apparatus 110 softening unit 120 conveying unit 130, 430 powder supply unit 131, 431 powder storage container 132, 432 conveying member 140 powder holding member 141 powder holding Surface 150 , 250 , 350 , 450 , 550 , 650 Powder removing section 251 , 261 Rotating member 252 , 552 Belt 160 , 260 , 460 , 560 Powder moving section 161 Moving member 162 Rubbing member 170 Transfer section 171 Opposing member 180 Excess powder recovery unit 151, 451 Adhesive surface 152, 452 Removed powder recovery unit A Powder application unit G Decorative layer L Powder layer M Recording medium P, P' Powder R Image V, V' Gap X Recess Y Convex part

Claims (25)

a powder holding member that holds the powder layer;
a powder removing unit that removes part of the powder contained in the powder layer;
While in contact with the powder layer from which a part of the powder has been removed, it moves relative to the surface of the powder layer to hold the powder positioned on the surface of the powder layer. a powder moving part that moves along the surface of the member;
a transfer unit that transfers the powder layer to which the powder has been transferred from the powder holding member to an image;
A decorative image forming apparatus. 2. The powder removing unit according to claim 1, wherein the powder removing unit applies a removing force having a vertical component to the surface of the powder holding member to the powder layer to remove part of the powder. decorating image forming device. The powder removing section applies the removing force to the powder layer such that the vertical component is greater than the vertical component of the force applied to the powder layer by the powder moving section. 3. The decorative image forming apparatus according to claim 2. The powder removing unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a removing force for removing the powder is smaller than an adhesive force with which the surface of the powder holding member holds the powder. The decorative image forming apparatus described. The decorating image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the powder removing section removes part of the powder with a removing member that contacts the powder layer. 6. The decorative image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said removing member has a sticky contact surface that contacts said powder. 7. The decorative image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the adhesive force of said contact surface is smaller than the adhesive force with which the surface of said powder holding member holds said powder. The adhesive force with which the surface of the powder holding member holds the powder is 28 kPa or more.
The decorative image forming apparatus according to claim 7. The removing member moves relative to the surface of the powder layer while being in contact with the powder layer,
9. The speed at which the removal member moves relative to the surface of the powder layer is faster than the speed at which the powder moving section moves relative to the surface of the powder layer. 1. The decorative image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The powder holding member conveys the powder layer to the transfer unit,
The removing member is in contact with the powder layer and relatively moves in a direction opposite to the conveying direction of the powder layer by the powder holding member to remove part of the powder.
The decorative image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 9. The decorating image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the removing member is a rotating body. The decorating image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 11, wherein the removing member is driven by the same driving member as the powder moving section. The decorating image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 11, wherein said removing member is driven by a driving member different from said powder moving section. The decorating image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the powder removing section removes part of the powder by air suction or air injection. 15. The decorating image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the powder removing unit has an air suction pressure or an air jet pressure smaller than an adhesive force with which the surface of the powder holding member holds the powder. The decorating image forming apparatus according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the powder removing section removes part of the powder by air suction. The decorative image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the powder moving section is a rotating body. In the powder removing unit, the mass of the powder layer is at least 1 time and less than 2 times the amount of the powder that is deposited when the powder holding surface for holding the powder layer is coated with a single layer. 18. The decorating image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein part of the powder is removed so that the mass of the powder is . In the powder removing part, the mass of the powder layer is at least 1 time and less than 2 times the amount of the powder attached when the powder covers 40% of the area of the powder holding surface with a single layer. 19. The decorating image forming apparatus according to claim 18, wherein part of the powder is removed so that the mass of the powder is . The decorative image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the powder moving section has a non-adhesive contact surface that contacts the powder layer. a powder supply unit that supplies powder to the surface of the image to form a powder layer;
a powder removing unit that removes part of the powder contained in the powder layer;
a powder moving unit that contacts the powder layer from which part of the powder has been removed and moves the powder located on the surface of the powder layer along the surface of the image;
A decorative image forming apparatus. In the powder removing unit, the mass of the powder layer is 1 to less than 2 times the mass of the powder when the surface of the image is coated with a single layer. 22. The decorating image forming apparatus according to claim 21, wherein part of said powder is removed. In the powder removing unit, the mass of the powder layer is 1 or more but less than 2 times the adhesion amount when the powder covers 40% of the surface area of the image with a single layer. 23. The decorating image forming apparatus according to claim 22, wherein a part of said powder is removed so as to become mass. a step of supplying the powder layer to a powder holding member that holds the powder layer;
removing part of the powder contained in the powder layer;
a step of moving the powder located on the surface of the powder layer along the surface of the powder holding member;
a step of transferring the transferred powder layer from the powder holding member to an image;
A method for forming a decorative image. supplying powder to the surface of the image to form a powder layer;
removing a portion of the powder contained in the powder layer;
moving the powder located on the surface of the powder layer along the surface of the image;
A method for forming a decorative image.

Images