JP2023164019A - Transfer device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a transfer device capable of efficiently inspecting whether or not transfer is performed normally.SOLUTION: Based on varnish data 100, a UV varnish layer V with adhesiveness is formed in a predetermined shaped area on a sheet. A long web 52 holding foil is brought into contact with the sheet to transfer the foil to the varnish layer-formed area of the sheet. The web 52 and the sheet are separated while leaving the transferred foil on the sheet, thereby obtaining residual shape data 200 representing the residual shape of the foil remaining on the separated web 52. An inspection unit 90 compares the obtained residual shape data 200 with the varnish data 100, and based on the result, determines whether or not normal transfer is performed successfully.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

The present invention relates to a transfer device.

A printing system is known that includes a varnishing device that applies varnish to a sheet, and a foil stamping device that transfers foil from a web conveyed roll-to-roll to the varnish on the sheet. As a foil stamping device, a foil stamping device as described in Patent Document 1, for example, has been proposed.

Patent document 1: WO2021/157715 publication

Conventional devices, including the device of Patent Document 1, have room for improvement in order to efficiently inspect whether or not the foil is being transferred normally to the sheet. The present invention has been made under these circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a transfer device that can efficiently inspect whether or not foil is being transferred normally to a sheet.

In order to solve the above problems, a transfer device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a transfer layer forming section that forms a transfer layer in a predetermined shape area on a sheet based on predetermined digital version data, and a transfer material forming part. A transfer section that brings a long web to be held into contact with the sheet and transfers the transfer material to the transfer layer forming area of the sheet, and a separation section that separates the web and the sheet while leaving the transfer material after transfer on the sheet. and a residual shape acquisition means capable of acquiring the residual shape of the transfer material remaining on the web after separation, and compare the acquisition results of the residual shape acquisition means with the digital version data, and determine whether normal transfer is possible based on the results. and an inspection department that determines success or failure.

According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a transfer device that can efficiently inspect whether or not the foil is properly transferred to the sheet.

1 is a diagram schematically showing a printing system according to an embodiment. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a printing system according to an embodiment. It is a figure which shows a semi-hardened varnish layer. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the foil stamping device of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a side view of the foil stamping device of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a side view of the foil stamping device of FIG. 1; It is a control block diagram of a portion related to the foil stamping device of the embodiment. It is a figure showing varnish data 100 of an embodiment. It is a figure showing residual shape data 200 of an embodiment. It is a figure showing comparison image data 100A of an embodiment. It is a figure showing residual shape data 300 of an embodiment. It is a diagram in which residual shape data 200 of the embodiment is divided into four equal parts. FIGS. 13(a) to 13(c) are diagrams showing the foil stamping operation in chronological order. FIGS. 14(a) to 14(c) are diagrams showing the foil stamping operation in chronological order. 7 is a diagram showing varnish data 400 of Modification 1. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing residual shape data 500 of Modification Example 1. FIG.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. The embodiments are illustrative rather than limiting the invention, and all features and combinations thereof described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the invention. Identical or equivalent components, members, and processes shown in each drawing are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted as appropriate.

1 and 2 are diagrams schematically showing a printing system 10 in which a transfer device according to an embodiment is used. FIG. 1 is a side view, and FIG. 2 is a plan view. The printing system 10 is a device that performs predetermined printing on a sheet while conveying the sheet. Hereinafter, the direction in which the sheet is conveyed (the direction from right to left in FIGS. 1 and 2) will be referred to as the "conveyance direction", and the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 1, the vertical direction in FIG. 2) will be referred to as the "conveyance direction". This is called the "width direction." Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to both the conveyance direction and the width direction is referred to as the "vertical direction." Further, the direction in which the web moves along the web movement path is referred to as the "moving direction." The downstream edge of a sheet or a predetermined range on the sheet in the "conveying direction," or the downstream edge of a predetermined range on the web in the "travel direction," is called the "leading edge," and the upstream edge is called the "trailing edge." ” is called.

The printing system 10 includes a paper feeding device 12 that feeds sheets one by one, a varnishing device 14 that applies varnish to the sheets fed one by one, and a varnish coating device 14 that applies varnish to the sheets that are fed one by one. The printer includes a foil stamping device 16 that transfers foil to a sheet, a stacker 18 that accumulates sheets, and a control device 20 that integrally controls the printing system 10. The paper feeding device 12, the varnishing device 14, the foil stamping device 16, and the stacker 18 are arranged in a line in this order from the upstream side (the right side in FIGS. 1 and 2) in the conveyance direction. The control device 20 is connected to the paper feeding device 12 , the varnishing device 14 , the foil stamping device 16 , and the stacker 18 via the network 2 . The web detection device is configured by the control device 20 and the first sensor 68 and second sensor 70 of the foil stamping device 16 among the components of the printing system 10.

The paper feeding device 12 includes a feeder 22, a resist section 24, and a corona processing section 26. The feeder 22 includes a table 28 and a suction head 30. Sheets are stacked on the table 28. The table 28 is configured to be movable up and down. The suction head 30 feeds out the sheets stacked on the table 28 one by one from the top.

The registration section 24 aligns the widthwise positions of the sheets fed by the feeder 22 by abutting against the registration reference guide 32.

The corona treatment section 26 includes an electrode 36 disposed above the conveyance path 34 and a dielectric roller 38 disposed below the conveyance path 34 so as to face the electrode 36 vertically. The corona treatment section 26 modifies the surface of the sheet by corona discharge between the electrode 36 and the dielectric roller 38. Note that when the sheet is transported while being attracted to the transport path 34 by the air suction unit 40, the distance between the electrode 36 and the sheet becomes constant, and corona discharge becomes stable. The air suction unit 40 is configured to generate negative pressure by arranging one of the suction ports of an exhaust blower (not shown), but may also be configured to include a suction fan to generate negative pressure. The dielectric roller 38 may be rotatable relative to the housing of the corona treatment section 26 or may be fixed. Further, the shape is not limited to a roller shape as long as it causes corona discharge between the electrode 36 and the electrode 36.

The varnish coating device 14 includes a sheet sensor 42, a pair of CCD sensors 44, a varnish discharge section 46, a semi-curing ultraviolet lamp 48, and a main curing ultraviolet lamp 50. The pair of CCD sensors 44, the varnish discharge section 46, the semi-curing ultraviolet lamp 48, and the main curing ultraviolet lamp 50 are arranged in this order from the upstream side. CCD sensor 44 may be a CMOS sensor. In the illustrated example, the varnish applicator 14 includes three varnish discharge units 46, but is not limited to this, and the varnish applicator 14 includes one varnish discharge unit 46 extending over the entire width direction. Alternatively, two or four or more varnish discharge units 46 may be included. Although LEDs that emit ultraviolet rays are used as the semi-curing ultraviolet lamp 48 and the main curing ultraviolet lamp 50, other light sources such as electric bulbs and fluorescent lamps may be used as long as they emit ultraviolet rays. The output of the light source can be adjusted.

The sheet sensor 42 detects a sheet fed from the paper feeding device 12.

The varnish discharge unit 46 is a line-type inkjet head, although it is not particularly limited. The varnish discharge unit 46 is triggered by the detection of the leading edge of the sheet by the sheet sensor 42, and discharges the ultraviolet curable varnish according to the varnish data, thereby applying the ultraviolet curable varnish to the sheet. The varnish data is digital version data that indicates the application area on the sheet, which is the area to which varnish should be applied.

A base image and a plurality of registration marks serving as a reference for specifying the position of the base image may be printed in advance on the sheet fed by the paper feed device 12. The varnish applicator 14 applies varnish so as to have a predetermined relationship with the base image in accordance with varnish data that defines the varnish coated portion of the sheet. For example, the varnish is applied so as to overlap the base image. Good too.

Here, the base image of the sheet may be shifted or distorted. Therefore, when applying varnish so as to have a predetermined relationship with the base image, it is necessary to correct the varnish data in consideration of misalignment and distortion. For example, the CCD sensor 44 captures an image of the sheet using the detection of the sheet by the sheet sensor 42 as a trigger, and the control device 20 analyzes the image data captured by the CCD sensor 44, and detects the difference between the theoretical positions of the plurality of registration marks. The varnish data in the area surrounded by the registration marks may be corrected. Note that the method described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-083898, which was previously filed by the present applicant, can be applied to this amendment.

The semi-curing ultraviolet lamp 48 irradiates the varnish on the sheet with ultraviolet rays whose output is relatively suppressed to semi-cure the varnish. Semi-curing refers to lightly curing the varnish (for example, to a state where it can be further cured) while reducing the fluidity of the varnish but not completely curing it. The semi-cured varnish is fully cured in the foil stamping device 16. The main curing ultraviolet lamp 50 irradiates the varnish applied to the sheet with ultraviolet rays to main cure the varnish.

When stamping a sheet with foil, the varnish is semi-cured by the semi-curing ultraviolet lamp 48, and the semi-cured varnish is fully cured by the foil stamping ultraviolet lamp 66 of the foil stamping device 16. In this case, the main curing ultraviolet lamp 50 is turned off. When the sheet is not foil-stamped, that is, when the sheet is only coated with varnish, the varnish is permanently cured using the UV lamp 50 for main curing. In this case, the semi-curing UV lamp 48 and the foil stamping UV lamp 66 of the foil stamping device 16 are turned off.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the varnish layer V applied onto the sheet S by the varnish discharge section 46 and semi-cured by the semi-curing ultraviolet lamp 48. Va is a cured portion, and Vb is an uncured portion that has not been sufficiently cured. The hardened portion Va occupies the inside of the varnish layer V, and the uncured portion Vb occupies the surface layer portion of the varnish layer V. This is because the surface layer exposed to the outside air is less likely to harden due to oxygen inhibition.

FIG. 3 shows a semi-cured state in which the varnish layer V is formed by suppressing the output of ultraviolet rays to such an extent that it is not entirely cured. Although the surface layer of the varnish layer V does not flow, it is not completely hardened and has tackiness. When a foil is applied to this varnish layer V, the tackiness causes the foil to adhere and be transferred. Therefore, this varnish layer V functions as a transfer layer to which the foil is transferred. Note that if the surface of the foil on the side to be adhered to the layer to be transferred is given an adhesive function in advance, the layer to be transferred does not need to have tackiness. In this case, for example, a completely cured varnish layer or a layer formed by another method functions as the transfer layer. By forming the upper surface of the transfer layer, which is the transfer surface to which the foil is transferred, at a higher position than the upper surface of the sheet, the foil adheres only to the transfer layer.

The semi-cured varnish is irradiated again with ultraviolet rays in the foil stamping ultraviolet lamp 66 of the foil stamping device 16 to be fully cured. Main hardening means that all parts of the varnish layer V are completely hardened. The part of the semi-cured varnish layer V that is bonded to the sheet S is mostly the cured part Va, so that the bonded part is stable. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the varnish layer V from bleeding onto the sheet S and spreading in the sheet surface direction (arrow A direction) until the main curing, so that the shape of the varnish layer V in the sheet S surface direction is stabilized.

The foil stamping device 16 transports the web 52 roll-to-roll. The web 52 is a foil holding film in which foil (for example, metal foil) is held as a transfer material. The foil stamping device 16 uses the tackiness of the semi-cured varnish on the sheet to adhere the foil held by the web 52 to the varnish. Then, with the foil held by the web 52 and adhered to the varnish on the sheet, the foil stamping ultraviolet lamp 66 irradiates the semi-cured varnish to which the foil is adhered with ultraviolet rays to fully cure the varnish. As a result, the strength of the fully cured varnish to adhere the foil is stronger than the strength of the web 52 to hold the foil. By separating the sheet and the web 52 in this state, the foil held on the web 52 can be transferred to the varnished portion of the sheet.

The stacker 18 accumulates sheets discharged from the foil stamping device 16.

The control device 20 is, for example, an information processing terminal such as a PC. The control device 20 receives input regarding the definition of a print job. The control device 20 may display a predetermined job management screen and accept input regarding the job definition via the job management screen. The job definition includes, for example, the number of sheets to be printed (number of copies), the sheet size of the sheets to be printed, varnish data, and the presence or absence of foil stamping. The control device 20 controls the paper feeding device 12, the varnishing device 14, and the foil stamping device 16 based on the job definition.

When performing foil stamping, the control device 20 irradiates the sheet onto which the varnish has been discharged by the varnish discharge unit 46 with ultraviolet rays using the semi-curing ultraviolet lamp 48 and the foil stamping ultraviolet lamp 66. When foil stamping is not performed, the sheet onto which varnish has been discharged by the varnish discharge section 46 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays only by the ultraviolet lamp 50 for main curing.

The above is the basic configuration of the printing system 10.

As a modification, the printing system 10 may include a printer that prints a base image and a registration mark on sheets instead of the paper feeding device 12, and may feed the sheets one by one from the printer.

The printing system 10 also includes, between the foil stamping device 16 and the stacker 18, a post-processing device for cutting and binding the sheets, a second varnishing section for protecting the foil surface, and a coating for the purpose of surface protection. A paper insertion machine, a punching machine for punching sheets into a predetermined shape to create carton materials, etc., a post-processing machine for protecting the surface of interleaving paper, etc. may be provided.

Next, the configuration of the foil stamping device 16 will be explained in detail. 4 to 6 are diagrams showing the foil stamping device 16. FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are side views. FIG. 5 shows the nip roller etc. in the raised position, and FIG. 6 shows the nip roller etc. in the lowered position.

The foil stamping device 16 includes a plurality of conveyance rollers 54, an unwinding shaft 56, a winding shaft 58, a plurality of guide rollers 60 (not shown in FIG. 4), and a web drive roller pair 61 (not shown in FIG. 4). , a first nip roller 62 , a second nip roller 64 , a foil stamping ultraviolet lamp 66 , a sheet detection sensor 77 , and a line sensor 80 .

All of the plurality of conveyance rollers 54 are rotationally driven by a conveyance drive motor M3 (not shown). The plurality of conveyance rollers 54 convey the sheet toward the downstream side in the conveyance direction (left side in FIGS. 5 and 6) while sandwiching the sheet between them and the paper pressing rollers 72 or the post-curing conveyance rollers 73. As shown in FIG. 4, each of the plurality of conveying rollers 54 has a roller portion extending in the width direction to be larger than the width of the sheet. An encoder E1 (see FIG. 7) is attached to at least one of the shafts of the conveyance roller 54 to detect the amount of rotation thereof. The current position of the sheet can be calculated by the pulses sent by the encoder E1.

The paper presser rollers 72 are spherical as shown in FIG. 4, and a pair of paper presser rollers 72 are arranged to be spaced apart in the width direction with respect to one conveyance roller 54. At least one of the pair of paper pressing rollers 72 is configured to be movable in the width direction according to the width of the sheet to be conveyed. With this configuration, only both ends of the sheet to be conveyed in the width direction are sandwiched between the paper pressing rollers 72 and the conveyance rollers 54 and conveyed. Since the paper pressing rollers 72 press only both ends of the sheet in the width direction, it is possible to prevent problems such as the conveying member coming into contact with the semi-cured varnish and disrupting the varnish application state or staining the conveying member. .

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the post-curing conveyance roller 73 is a member in which a plurality of roller portions 73a are arranged around one rotating shaft extending in the width direction. The plurality of roller parts 73a are configured not to move in the width direction (axial direction). Since the varnish on the top surface of the sheet on the downstream side of the foil stamping UV lamp 66 has been fully cured by the foil stamping UV lamp 66, the above-mentioned problem will not occur even if the roller portion 73a of the conveyance roller 73 comes into contact with it after curing. The sheets can be transported without any problems.

The unwind shaft 56 supports a roll of unused web (hereinafter referred to as an unwind roll 74). The unwinding shaft 56 is composed of a friction shaft. The plurality of guide rollers 60, the web drive roller pair 61, the first nip roller 62, and the second nip roller 64 function as guide members that contact the web 52 and define its path.

The second nip roller 64 is located downstream of the first nip roller 62 in the conveyance direction. Foil transfer in which the web 52 and the sheet come into contact between the first nip roller 62 and the second nip roller 64, and the foil is transferred from the web 52 to the semi-cured varnish formation area (transfer layer) on the sheet. A section F (transfer section) is formed. In the foil transfer section F, the varnish on the sheet and the web 52 are temporarily bonded, so the sheet is fed at the same speed as the web 52.

The web drive roller pair 61 is provided on the downstream side of the foil transfer section F in the moving direction of the web 52 and rotates with the web 52 interposed therebetween. At least one roller of the web drive roller pair 61 is rotationally driven by a web drive motor M2, and is provided with an encoder E2 (see FIG. 7) that can output the amount of rotation of the rotationally driven roller.

On the downstream side of the second nip roller 64 in the conveyance direction, the sheet is sandwiched between the conveyance roller 54 and the post-curing conveyance roller 73 and conveyed downstream (to the left in FIGS. 5 and 6), while the web 52 is conveyed to the second nip roller 64 and a pair of web drive rollers 61. The web 52 is separated from the sheet leaving the transferred foil on the sheet (separation section).

The conveyance roller 54 of the foil transfer section F sandwiches the sheet between the first nip roller 62 and the second nip roller 64 and the web 52, and conveys the sheet downstream in the conveyance direction (left side in FIGS. 5 and 6). Transport towards. The conveyance roller 54 facing the second nip roller 64 may have a shape in which roller portions shorter than the width of the sheet are arranged intermittently in the width direction.

All the conveyance rollers 54 are rotationally driven by the conveyance drive motor M3. The peripheral speed of the conveyance roller 54 driven by the conveyance drive motor M3 is slightly slower than the moving speed of the web 52 driven by the web drive motor M2. A one-way clutch is interposed between the transport roller 54 and the drive shaft. Therefore, by causing the conveyance roller 54 to rotate with the sheet passing through the foil transfer section F, it is possible for the sheet to pass through the foil transfer section F at the same speed as the web 52.

The winding shaft 58 winds up the used web 52, that is, the film and the foil remaining on the film, into a roll. Hereinafter, the rolled web 52 wound by the winding shaft 58 will be referred to as a winding roll 76. The winding shaft 58 is constituted by a friction shaft. The friction shaft has a structure in which the rotational speed can be varied depending on the position in the axial direction (that is, the width direction). The winding shaft 58 is driven by a drive source (not shown) and rotates.

In the foil transfer section F, the foil on the outer peripheral surface of the web 52 contacts the sheet or the surface of the conveyance roller 54 . The sheet moves downstream in the conveyance direction by rotation with these surfaces. The control device 20 calculates the moving speed of the web 52 based on the detection result by the encoder E2, and unwinds the web 52 so that the feeding speed of the web 52 from the unwinding roll 74 is slower than the calculated moving speed of the web 52. The rotation speed of the shaft 56 is controlled. At this time, the moving speed of the web 52 becomes faster than the feeding due to the rotation of the unwinding shaft 56, but the peripheral surface of the unwinding shaft 56 consisting of a friction shaft rotates with respect to the drive input shaft, and the peripheral surface is driven. By rotating faster than the input shaft, the web 52 can be sent out at the same speed as the sheet movement speed in the foil transfer section F while keeping the web 52 stretched.

Further, the control device 20 controls the rotation speed of the winding shaft 58 so that the winding speed of the web 52 by the winding roll 76 is faster than the moving speed of the web 52. At this time, the moving speed of the web 52 is slower than the winding due to the rotation of the unwinding shaft 56, but the circumferential surface of the winding shaft 58 consisting of a friction shaft rotates with respect to the drive input shaft, and the circumferential surface On the other hand, by allowing the drive input shaft to rotate idly, the web 52 can be wound up at the same speed as the sheet movement speed in the foil transfer section F while maintaining the web 52 in a tensioned state. .

A foil stamping ultraviolet lamp 66 is provided above the web path between the first nip roller 62 and the second nip roller 64.

The line sensor 80 is provided facing the web 52 immediately after being separated from the sheet. The line sensor 80 is a line sensor in which reflective optical sensors are arranged in parallel in the width direction. The parallel range of the sensors is a range that includes the entire possible range in the width direction, which is the range where the foil may exist.

The line sensor 80 projects light onto the web 52 that is being sent away from the sheet, and detects the reflected light. The web 52 reflects light where the foil remains and does not reflect light where the foil is transferred to the sheet and no longer remains. Therefore, by sequentially detecting the reflected light from the web 52 being sent, the remaining shape of the foil on the web 52 can be obtained. Therefore, the line sensor 80 functions as a residual shape acquisition means.

The line sensor 80 is provided between a separation part where the web 52 is separated from the sheet and a guide roller 60 located between the separation part and the take-up roll 76. Guide roller 60 contacts and guides web 52. Therefore, the web 52 passes through the same path regardless of the diameter of the take-up roll 76 in the portion where the line sensor 80 faces. Even if a plurality of webs 52 are provided in the width direction and the diameters of the winding rolls 76 are different from each other, the webs 52 pass through the same path in the portion where the line sensor 80 faces. Since the line sensor 80 may be fixedly arranged at a position facing the path, the remaining shape can be stably acquired.

Preferably, the line sensor 80 is provided between a separation portion where the web 52 separates from the sheet and a guide roller 60 that is initially provided on the downstream side of the movement path of the web 52. With this configuration, the line sensor 80 is provided closer to the separation part.

The first nip roller 62, the second nip roller 64, the ultraviolet lamp for foil stamping 66, the web drive roller pair 61, the line sensor 80, and some of the guide rollers 60 are located between the raised position in FIG. 5 and the lowered position in FIG. 6, respectively. It is configured to be able to move up and down. The raised position is a position where the web 52 cannot come into contact with the sheet being conveyed. The lowered position is a position where the web 52 can come into contact with a sheet that is being conveyed and is adjacent to and parallel to the web 52. The control device 20 positions the nip roller and the like in the raised position when the sheet is not to be stamped with foil, and is positioned in the lowered position when the sheet is to be stamped with foil. The vertical movement of the nip roller and the like is performed via a drive transmission mechanism (not shown) by driving a vertical movement drive source M1 (see FIG. 7). As the vertical motion drive source M1, a known drive source such as an electric motor, an air cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, etc. is used.

When the first nip roller 62, the second nip roller 64, etc. move from the raised position to the lowered position, the moving path of the web 52 from the unwinding roll 74 to the take-up roll 76 becomes longer. At this time, the peripheral surface of the unwinding shaft 56 rotates faster with respect to the drive input shaft, and the web 52 is unwound by the length of the moving path. On the other hand, when the above-mentioned member moves from the lowered position to the raised position, the moving path of the web 52 from the unwinding roll 74 to the take-up roll 76 becomes shorter. At this time, the drive input shaft of the winding shaft 58 rotates faster without idle rotation, and the web 52 whose movement path is shortened can be wound up, thereby preventing the web 52 from bending.

The sheet detection sensor 77 is a sensor that detects the transfer timing at the foil transfer section F and the remaining shape acquisition timing of the line sensor 80. The sheet detection sensor 77 detects the presence or absence of a sheet at a detection position, and can detect the passing timing of the leading edge and the passing timing of the trailing edge of the sheet based on the detection result. When the nip roller or the like is in the raised position, at a predetermined first timing after detecting that the leading edge of the sheet to be foil-stamped has passed the detection position of the sheet detection sensor 77, the feeding drive of the web 52 is started, Move the nip roller etc. towards the lowered position. At a predetermined second timing thereafter, the line sensor 80 starts acquiring the remaining shape. After that, at a predetermined third timing, the nip roller and the like are moved from the lowered position to the raised position. After that, at a predetermined fourth timing, the remaining shape acquisition by the line sensor 80 is finished, and the feeding drive of the web 52 is stopped. Note that the third and fourth timings may be predetermined timings after it is detected that the rear end of the sheet to be foil-stamped has passed the detection position of the sheet detection sensor 77.

FIG. 7 is a control block diagram of a portion related to the foil stamping device 16 in the printing system 10 of the embodiment. In terms of hardware, each block shown here can be realized by elements and mechanical devices such as a CP (central processing unit) of a computer, and in terms of software, it can be realized by a computer program. It depicts the functional blocks realized by their cooperation. Therefore, those skilled in the art who have been exposed to this specification will understand that these functional blocks can be realized in various ways by combining hardware and software.

An inspection section 90 is provided within the control device 20 . The inspection unit 90 compares the residual shape acquired by the line sensor 80 and the varnish data 100, and determines whether or not normal transfer has been achieved based on the result. The determination result is displayed on a display, an operation panel, etc. included in the control device 20 to notify the user. Further, based on the determination result, the vertical motion drive source M1 is driven to raise the nip rollers and the like, as necessary.

The control device 20 is capable of driving and controlling a vertical motion drive source M1, a web drive motor M2 that drives the web drive roller pair 61, and a conveyance drive motor M3 that drives the conveyance roller 54.

A detection signal from the sheet detection sensor 77 is input to the control device 20 . Pulse signals generated by an encoder E1 provided on the conveyance roller 54 and an encoder E2 provided on the web drive roller pair 61 are further input to the control device 20. The control device 20 combines the pulse signals of the encoders E1 and E2 with the detection signal of the sheet detection sensor 77, grasps the current position of the conveyed sheet and the web 52, and controls the vertical movement drive source based on the current position. M1 is driven to start or end acquisition of the remaining shape of the line sensor 80.

The varnish data 100 is input in advance to the control device 20 by the user via a PC, an operation panel, etc. before starting work. The control device 20 controls the discharge of the varnish discharge section 46 based on the varnish data 100.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing varnish data 100. The varnish data 100 is digital version data indicating the area of the varnish layer V (transferred layer) to be formed on the sheet. The example in FIG. 8 is image data in which areas where the varnish layer V is to be formed are shown in black, and areas where the varnish layer V is not to be formed are shown in white. Objects 102, 104, 106 are shown in black as processing areas in which the varnish layer V is to be formed. R1 indicates a processing region in which the varnish layer V is to be formed in the transport direction (in this embodiment, the range in the transport direction in which the varnish layer V is to be formed is referred to as the processing region R1 on both the varnish data 100 and the sheet. ). R2 indicates a comparison area to be compared with the remaining shape acquired by the line sensor 80 in the transport direction. The outer frame 108 indicates the range of the varnish data 100, and does not indicate the area where the varnish layer V is to be formed. The range of the varnish data 100 usually corresponds to the size of the sheet on which the varnish layer V is to be formed. R3 indicates the distance from the end corresponding to the tip of the sheet on which the varnish layer V is to be formed to the comparison region R2.

The varnish discharge unit 46 is an inkjet head in which a large number of nozzles for discharging varnish are arranged in multiple rows in the width direction. The control device 20 controls each of the varnish data 100 so that the varnish is applied to the coordinate portions indicated in black as the objects 102, 104, and 106, so that the varnish is ejected according to the arrival timing of the corresponding location on the sheet. Control the nozzle. The necessity of applying varnish to the varnish data 100 is determined according to whether each pixel of the raster image is black or not, and according to each coordinate on the sheet. If the varnish data 100 is not a raster image, RIP processing is performed prior to ejection control to convert it into a raster image. Note that the thickness of the formed varnish layer V may be changed by changing the amount of varnish to be discharged depending on the application area. In this case, in the varnish data 100, depending on the thickness of the varnish layer V, the shading of the gray scale and the hue may be changed and expressed.

The sheet on which the varnish layer V is formed based on the varnish data 100 is transported in the transport direction (from the right to the left in FIGS. 5 and 6). At a predetermined first timing after the leading edge of the sheet reaches the sheet detection sensor 77, the nip rollers 62 and 64 descend, and the web 52 and the sheet overlap and come into contact. In the foil transfer section F, while the web 52 is conveyed together with the sheet, the foil is transferred to the portion of the sheet where the varnish layer V is formed.

The line sensor 80 acquires the remaining shape in the acquisition region R4, which is the portion of the web 52 that overlaps the corresponding region on the sheet of the comparison region R2 of the varnish data 100, in the foil transfer section F. Acquisition of data from the line sensor 80 is started at a predetermined second timing after the nip rollers 62 and 64 are lowered. The second timing is the timing when the leading end of the acquisition region R4 of the web 52 arrives at the line sensor 80.

At a predetermined third timing after the start of data acquisition of the line sensor 80, the acquisition of the data of the line sensor 80 is finished. The third timing is the timing when the rear end of the acquisition region R4 of the web 52 arrives at the line sensor 80. The line sensor 80 accumulates data acquired from the start to the end of data acquisition, and converts the data into an image as residual shape data of the foil in the acquisition region R4.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing imaged residual shape data 200. The black part is where no foil remains, and the white part is where foil remains. The remaining shape data 200 indicates the remaining shape of the foil in the acquisition region R4. The acquisition area R4 extends from slightly downstream of the leading edge of the transfer area R5 to the trailing edge so as to completely encompass the area that overlapped with the processing area R1 on the sheet, that is, the transfer area R5 where the foil is to be transferred. The range is set slightly upstream.

The inspection unit 90 compares the remaining shape data 200 with the comparison image data 100A representing the comparison region R2 of the varnish data 100, and determines whether the two match. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing comparison image data 100A representing comparison region R2. The comparison region R2 is set in a range from slightly downstream of the leading end of the processing region R1 to slightly upstream of the trailing end so as to correspond to the acquisition region R4. Based on the position of the processing area R1 and the distance R3 (see FIG. 8) in the varnish data 100, the control device 20 identifies the position of the comparison area R2 and cuts it out as comparison image data 100A.

If the residual shape data 200 and the comparative image data 100A match, it is determined that the transfer was performed normally, and if there is a mismatched portion, it is determined that a transfer failure has occurred. The determination is made based on whether white and black match each other for each pixel of the image data. All pixels may be compared, but if the pixels are thinned out at predetermined intervals and compared, storage capacity and determination time can be saved.

FIG. 9(a) shows residual shape data in the case of normal transfer. The shapes of the objects 202, 204, and 206, which are traces of the foil transfer, match the objects 102, 104, and 106 of the comparison image data 100A. FIG. 9(b) shows residual shape data when there is a transfer defect. The object 202 includes a cutout 202a, and the object 204 includes a cutout 204a, and this portion is different from the objects 102 and 104 of the comparison image data 100A. The objects 102 and 104 are parts where a varnish layer V as a transfer layer is to be formed, and the transfer layer is formed with the intention of transferring foil, so the chips 202a and 204a are formed on the foil. This is the part that should have disappeared after being transferred. However, since the notches 202a and 204a indicate that foil actually remains in those parts, these parts are considered to be defective transfer parts where no transfer was performed.

Note that since the remaining shape data 200 is obtained by directly scanning the web 52 after transfer, there will inevitably be small differences from the varnish data 100 due to elongation, distortion, etc. of the web 52. Therefore, in order to detect only mismatches due to transfer defects, the coordinate data of each pixel is analyzed, and if an area where a predetermined number or more of mismatched pixels is concentrated is determined to be a transfer defect, that area is treated as a transfer defect area. Good too.

If it is determined that the transfer is defective, the control device 20 displays a warning message on the display. The device may be stopped as necessary. At this time, the remaining shape data 200 is displayed on an operation panel or the like, and the identified transfer defective area is circled or changed in color to be displayed in an easy-to-understand manner for the user.

Foil is often used for decoration, so it forms a highly reflective surface, such as gold or silver. On the other hand, the sheet does not necessarily have a low reflective surface such as black, and there are cases where the contrast between the sheet surface and the foil surface is poor, for example, in cases where the sheet is white and the foil is silver. In such a case, it is difficult for a reflective sensor to distinguish between the foil and the sheet, and it is difficult to detect transfer defects, requiring a high-performance imaging means, acquisition of a large amount of sample data, and complicated image analysis. Therefore, inspection equipment is expensive, and there have been cases where visual inspection can be performed without introducing such equipment. Even if they were introduced, visual inspections could not be eliminated in order to prevent oversights due to the difficulty of detection.

In this embodiment, the remaining shape of the foil remaining on the web after being separated from the sheet is acquired. The web 52 after foil transfer is transparent in most cases, and there is a clear contrast between the portion where the foil remains and the portion where the foil has been transferred, so that the remaining shape can be easily obtained using an inexpensive sensor.

In addition, conventional foil stamping devices were mainly those that fixed the foil to the sheet by forming the transferred shape in advance and pressing a heated mold onto the foil and sheet, but this embodiment uses digital version data. By inkjet printing using certain varnish data, a transfer layer corresponding to the transfer shape is formed and the foil is transferred.Printing As a comparison target, it is necessary to separately create a reference image and input it in advance, and its creation is necessary. There was a problem that it took a lot of time to enter the information. Furthermore, the remaining shape was compared with the digital version data, and based on the results, it was decided whether the transfer was successful or not. Since digital version data, which is originally data for forming a varnish layer, is used as a reference image, there is no need to separately prepare a reference image in advance, and a device that is easy to use and does not require much effort can be obtained. In this embodiment, the varnish layer V, which is a transfer layer, is formed by inkjet based on digital version data, but other methods may be used as long as printing is performed using digital version data. For example, a transfer layer may be formed using toner using an electrophotographic method.

In order to reduce differences caused by elongation, distortion, etc. of the web 52, the inspection unit 90 may appropriately correct the residual shape data 200 before comparison. For example, it is conceivable that the web 52 after transfer is stretched in the longitudinal direction due to the tension, and its width becomes narrower accordingly. Taking this into consideration, the remaining shape data 200 may be corrected for scaling. Specifically, the size of the sheet in the conveyance direction (longitudinal direction of the web 52) may be corrected by reducing the size. Furthermore, the widthwise dimension of the remaining shape data 200 may be enlarged and corrected. It is also possible to create a plurality of corrected data in which this enlargement/reduction correction is performed in stages, compare all of them with the varnish data 100, and adopt the one with the highest degree of coincidence. The correction amount and direction for the next time and thereafter may be determined according to this degree of coincidence, and the correction may be performed from the next time onward using the determined amount and direction.

Furthermore, due to component errors or the like, the acquisition area R4 of the web 52 specified from the detection timing of the sheet detection sensor 77 may be shifted in the web movement direction with respect to the comparison image data 100A. In consideration of this deviation, residual shape offset correction may be performed to offset the positions of the objects 202, 204, and 206 of the residual shape data 200 in the web movement direction. All of a plurality of corrected data having different offset amounts and directions may be compared with the comparison image data 100A, and the one with the highest degree of coincidence may be adopted. The correction amount and direction for the next time and thereafter may be determined according to this degree of coincidence, and the correction may be performed from the next time onward using the determined amount and direction.

Further, comparison image offset correction may be performed to offset the cutting position of the comparison image data 100A from the varnish data 100 in the web movement direction. All of a plurality of pieces of corrected data having different offset amounts and directions may be compared with the residual shape data 200, and the one with the highest degree of matching may be adopted. The correction amount and direction for the next time and thereafter may be determined according to this degree of coincidence, and the correction may be performed from the next time onward using the determined amount and direction.

Since it takes time to create the above-mentioned plurality of corrected data each time, it may be performed only when foil stamping is performed on the first sheet or only when foil stamping is performed on a predetermined number of sheets.

In addition, when the registration mark attached to the base image is imaged by the CCD sensor 44, the image is analyzed, and the varnish data of the area surrounded by the registration mark is corrected based on the difference from the theoretical position of the registration mark. It is desirable to use the corrected varnish data for comparison with the remaining shape. This is because it is considered that the corrected varnish data reflects distortions and shifts that occurred during printing of the base image. If the range of correction is a part of the entire varnish data, the varnish data may be connected and used for comparison as the entire varnish data, or may be compared with the remaining shape of a region corresponding to the partial region.

The foil stamping device 16 can hang a plurality of rolls of different webs 52 in the width direction on an unwinding shaft 56 and a winding shaft 58, and can transfer foil from each web 52 onto one sheet. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing residual shape data 300 obtained when two different foil rolls are applied in the width direction. Between both ends of the remaining shape data 300 in the width direction and between the objects 302 and 303, there is a band-shaped region 310 that is black from the leading edge to the trailing edge. The inspection unit 90 refers to the remaining shape data 300 for each pixel, and determines that the strip area 310 that is entirely black along the conveyance direction from the leading edge to the trailing edge is a portion where the web 52 is absent. The inspection unit 90 may convert the band-shaped area 310 to white and perform the comparison with the varnish data 100, or may invalidate all comparison results in the band-shaped area 310. Furthermore, the inspection unit 90 is an area sandwiched between the strip areas 310, and a first area 312 including the object 302 and a second area 314 including the objects 304 and 306 are areas where separate webs 52 exist. In addition to specifying that the web exists, scaling correction or offset correction may be performed individually for each specified web existing range.

The inspection unit 90 may sequentially compare inspection areas divided into lengths shorter than the length of the sheet along the longitudinal direction of the moving web 52. FIG. 12 is a diagram in which the residual shape data 200 is divided into four equal parts of inspection areas 200A, 200B, 200C, and 200D along the sheet conveyance direction, that is, the longitudinal direction of the moving web 52, in order from the downstream side in the conveyance direction. be. The object 202 is divided into objects 202A, 202B, and 202C included in inspection areas 200A, 200B, and 200C, respectively. The object 204 is divided into objects 204A, 204B, and 204C included in inspection areas 200A, 200B, and 200C, respectively. Object 206 is included only in inspection area 200D.

The inspection unit 90 compares the residual shape data in each inspection area with the corresponding portion of the comparison image data 100A. The line sensor 80 acquires residual shape data in the order of inspection areas 200A, 200B, 200C, and 200D as the web 52 is fed. As soon as the residual shape data of each inspection area is acquired, the inspection unit 90 cuts out the corresponding portions from the comparison image data 100A and compares them.

As shown in FIG. 12, the inspection area 200A includes a chip 202Aa, which can be identified by comparing it with the corresponding portion of the comparison image data 100A. Transfer defects can be discovered even before printing. If the control device 20 drives the vertical drive source M1 immediately after identifying a transfer defect and raises the first nip roller 62 and second nip roller 64 before the transfer is completed, the transfer can be interrupted and the waste of foil can be avoided. It can be prevented.

Following the inspection area 200A, as soon as residual shape data is acquired for the inspection areas 200B and 200C, it is compared with the corresponding portions of the comparison image data 100A. At the time of each comparison, scaling correction may be performed on the remaining shape data, or all of a plurality of remaining shape data having different scaling ratios may be compared. Further, adjustments may be made to offset the boundaries of each inspection area in the web movement direction. Further, the cutting position of the corresponding portion from the comparison image data 100A may be corrected by offsetting it in the web moving direction, or the cutting position may be compared with data of a plurality of corresponding portions shifted in the web moving direction. These corrections can deal with deformation of the remaining shape due to elongation, distortion, etc. of the web 52.

(Foil stamping action)
The foil stamping operation will be explained by taking as an example a case in which comparisons are made sequentially for each divided inspection area. FIGS. 13(a) to 13(c) and FIGS. 14(a) to 14(c) are diagrams showing the foil stamping operation in chronological order. FIG. 13A shows a stage when the leading edge of the sheet S1 has reached the sheet detection sensor 77. At this stage, the sheets S1 are already fed one by one from the paper feeding device 12, coated with varnish in the varnishing device 14, and semi-cured by the semi-curing ultraviolet lamp 48. The first nip roller 62 and the second nip roller 64 are in the raised position. The foil transfer portion F is a portion where the web 52 holding the foil comes into contact with the sheet S and the foil is transferred onto the sheet. The sheet S1 is moved in the direction of the arrow by the conveyance roller 54 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) and the paper presser roller 72.

In FIG. 13(b), the sheet S1 moves and immediately before the leading edge of the processing area R1 enters the foil transfer section F, the vertical motion drive source M1 is driven, and the first nip roller 62 and the second nip roller 64 are moved to the lowered position. This shows the first timing. This first timing is a stage when the pulse acquired by the encoder E1 counts P1 after the sheet detection sensor 77 detects the leading edge of the sheet S1. The pulse P1 is determined based on the device dimensions and the distance from the leading edge of the sheet S1 to the leading edge of the processing area R1.

Simultaneously with or immediately before this lowering, the web drive motor M2 starts driving, the web drive roller pair 61 starts rotating, and the web 52 starts to be fed. When the sheet S1 moves further, it adheres to the web 52 due to the tackiness of the semi-cured varnish. Since the speed of the web 52 is slightly higher than the circumferential speed of the conveyance roller 54, the sheet S1 is dragged by the web 52 and conveyed at the same speed as the web 52. Since the conveying roller 54 is equipped with a one-way clutch, it rotates along with the sheet S1. The treatment region R1 passes under the ultraviolet lamp 66 for foil stamping, and the varnish layer V is cured.

FIG. 13(c) shows the state where the leading end of the acquisition area R4 of the web 52 has reached the line sensor 80, that is, the second timing is shown. From this point, the line sensor 80 starts acquiring the remaining shape of the acquisition region R4. This second timing is a stage at which the pulses acquired by the encoder E2 have counted P2 from the first timing. For the pulse P2, a predetermined value is stored based on the device dimensions.

FIG. 14A shows a stage where the inspection area 200A has completed passing through the detection line of the line sensor 80. When sequentially comparing each of the inspection areas divided into four as shown in FIG. Determine whether there is a defect. If there is a transfer defect, the nip rollers 62 and 64 can be immediately raised. At this point, the processing area R1 has not yet completed passing through the foil transfer section F, so it is possible to prevent the foil from being wasted.

The timing at which the inspection area 200A completes passing through the line sensor 80 is the stage at which the pulses acquired by the encoder E2 have counted P31 from the second timing. The pulse P31 is determined based on the length of the inspection region 200A in the transport direction (the length obtained by dividing the length of the acquisition region R4 in the transport direction into four equal parts). After that, as the sheet S1 is conveyed, the remaining shape data of each inspection area is counted at the time when the number of pulses P32 and P33 of the encoder E2 corresponding to the time when the inspection areas 200B and 200C respectively pass the line sensor 80 is counted. The inspection unit 90 compares the residual shape data of each inspection area with the corresponding portion of the varnish data 100 to determine whether there is a transfer defect. When comparing the remaining shape data 200 and the comparison image data 100A as a whole without dividing them, the comparison at the time point in FIG. 14(a) is not performed.

FIG. 14(b) shows a state where the first nip roller 62 and the second nip roller 64 have risen to the raised position immediately after the rear end of the processing area R1 has come out of the foil transfer section F, that is, at the third timing. . The rising timing is a stage at which the pulses acquired by the encoder E2 count P3 from the second timing when the first nip roller 62 and the second nip roller 64 descend. The pulse P3 is determined based on the device dimensions and the length of the processing area R1 in the transport direction. At this point, the web drive roller pair 61 is rotationally driven, and the web 52 continues to be fed. Even if the first nip roller 62 and the second nip roller 64 rise, the web 52 is wound around the take-up roll 76 by the drive rotation of the take-up shaft 58, so the web 52 does not slacken.

In FIG. 14(c), the rear end of the acquisition area R4 of the web 52 has reached the line sensor 80, that is, at the fourth timing. This fourth timing is a stage at which the pulses acquired by the encoder E2 have counted P4 from the third timing. For the pulse P4, a predetermined value is stored based on the device dimensions. At this fourth timing, acquisition of the remaining shape by the line sensor 80 is completed. When comparing the remaining shape data 200 and the comparison image data 100A as a whole, the comparison is performed at this point. When sequentially comparing each of the four divided inspection areas, the last inspection area 200D is compared at this point. Further, at this fourth timing, the drive of the web drive motor M2 is also stopped, and the feeding of the web 52 is also stopped. As a result of the comparison, if it is determined that the transfer is defective, the control device 20 may display a warning message on the display and may stop the device as necessary.

In this way, the sheet S1 with the foil adhered to the varnished area is discharged to the stacker 18 (see Figures 1 and 2), and the foil stamping process of the sheet S1 is completed. It is possible to notify the user by displaying the area by encircling it or changing its color.

The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that this embodiment is merely an example, and that various modifications can be made to the combinations of these components and processing processes, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. be. Hereinafter, such modified examples will be explained.

(Modification 1)
In the embodiment, the expansion/contraction correction and offset correction of the residual shape data have been described, but in the first modification, the correction is performed using a registration mark as a reference for correction. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing varnish data 400 of this modification 1. Varnish data 400 includes ten registration marks RG1 to RG10 (also collectively referred to as registration marks RG). The registration mark RG has the shape of a circle with crosses superimposed on it. In other words, it is a shape that allows the center coordinates of the cross to be specified. Other shapes may be used as long as the coordinates can be specified. For example, it may be circular.

Registration mark pairs RG1 and RG2 are provided near both ends of the varnish data 400 in the width direction near the leading edge. A pair of registration marks RG9 and RG10 is provided near both ends in the width direction near the rear end of the varnish data 400. Three registration mark pairs RG3, RG4, RG5, RG6, and RG7, RG8 are provided near both ends in the width direction of the portion between the registration mark pairs RG1, RG2 and RG9, RG10. Area AR1 is surrounded by registration marks RG1, RG2, RG3, and RG4, area AR2 is surrounded by registration marks RG3, RG4, RG5, and RG6, and area AR2 is surrounded by registration marks RG5, RG6, RG7, and RG8. An area AR3 is formed in the area surrounded by the registration marks RG7, RG8, RG9, and RG10, and an area AR4 is formed in the area surrounded by the registration marks RG7, RG8, RG9, and RG10.

Objects 402 and 404 are formed across areas AR1, AR2, and AR3. Object 406 is formed only in area AR3. A range including registration marks surrounding areas AR1, AR2, and AR3 including objects is defined as a comparison area R2. Based on this varnish data 400, the varnish discharging unit 46 forms a varnish layer V on the sheet, not only on these objects but also on the registration mark RG, in the shape of the registration mark RG. Note that it is not necessary to form the varnish layer V on the registration marks (RG9, RG10) other than the registration marks surrounding the areas AR1, AR2, AR3, which are the object existing ranges.

FIG. 16 shows that the residual shape data 500 acquired from the web 52 after transferring the foil to the varnish layer V formed by the varnish data 400 of Modification 1 is the residual shape data 500 in the acquisition region R4 corresponding to the comparison region R2. represents shape. In the residual shape data 500, objects 502, 504, and 506, which are traces of foil transfer, are formed corresponding to the objects 402, 404, and 406. In addition, registration marks RG101, RG102, RG103, RG104, RG105, and RG106, which are traces of foil transfer, are formed corresponding to registration marks RG1, RG2, RG3, RG4, RG4, and RG6. ing. Area AR101 is surrounded by registration marks RG101, RG102, RG103, and RG104, area AR102 is surrounded by registration marks RG103, RG104, RG105, and RG106, and area AR102 is surrounded by registration marks RG105, RG106, RG107, and RG108. A region AR103 is formed within the range.

The inspection unit 90 compares the remaining shape of each of the regions AR101, AR102, and AR103 with the regions AR1, AR2, and AR3 of the varnish data 400, respectively. Before each comparison, the region to be compared in the residual shape data 500 is corrected using the registration mark RG. Specifically, for the area AR101, the coordinate positions of the registration marks RG101, RG102, RG103, and RG104 surrounding the area AR101 are specified by performing image processing on the residual shape data 500. Identification is performed by a blob analysis method, a feature point extraction method, a contrast comparison method, a pattern matching, a shape and dimension calculation comparison method, and the like. The coordinate position of the registration mark may be derived as a numerical value by finding the center of gravity of an image that appears to be a registration mark. Since the coordinate position of the registration mark RG included in the varnish data 400 is stored in advance in the control device 20, image processing may be performed only in the surrounding area.

The inspection unit 90 uses the stored coordinate positions of the registration marks RG1, RG2, RG3, and RG4 surrounding the area AR1, and the registration marks RG101, RG102, RG103, and RG104 identified by image processing from the residual shape data 500. The residual shape data of the area AR101 is corrected based on the difference in the coordinate positions of the area AR101, and the corrected data is compared with the area AR1 of the varnish data 400. Through this comparison, the defect 502a is identified as a transfer defect. The areas AR102 and AR103 are similarly corrected and compared. Through this comparison, the defect 504a is identified as a transfer defect.

The correction of the region AR101 may be performed immediately upon acquiring the residual shape of the registration mark pair RG3, RG4, without waiting for all of the residual shape data 500 to be acquired. Similarly, the correction of the area AR102 may be performed immediately upon acquiring the remaining shape of the registration mark pair RG5, RG6. This makes it possible to identify transfer defects before acquiring all the remaining shape data 500, raise the nip rollers 62 and 64 before the transfer is completed, and prevent wastage of foil.

According to the first modification, since correction is performed using registration marks surrounding the four corners of the area, it is possible to deal with distortions in both the web movement direction and the width direction, thereby enabling more accurate inspection. Further, these registration marks RG may have the same shape and position within the sheet as the registration marks attached to the base image during varnish application and acquired by the CCD sensor 44. This makes it easier to create varnish data based on the base image data. In addition, when correcting varnish data in an area surrounded by registration marks in a varnished base image, it is possible to compare the corrected varnish data with the remaining shape corresponding to the same area, making it more accurate. inspection becomes possible.

(Modification 2)
In the embodiment, the inspection unit 90 appropriately corrects the residual shape data 200 before comparison to reduce differences caused by elongation or distortion of the web 52, but correcting the varnish data 100 may also correct the residual shape data 200. good. That is, the varnish data 100 is appropriately corrected and deformed to approximate the shape of the web 52 after transfer. For example, if the web 52 after transfer stretches in the longitudinal direction due to its tension and its width becomes narrower, the varnish data 100 may be expanded in the sheet conveyance direction and reduced in the width direction. It is also possible to create a plurality of corrected data in which this scaling correction is performed in stages, compare all of them with the remaining shape data 200, and adopt the one with the highest degree of coincidence. The correction amount and direction for the next time and thereafter may be determined according to this degree of coincidence, and the correction may be performed from the next time onward using the determined amount and direction. The varnish data 100 and the residual shape data 200 may be corrected so that their shapes become closer to each other.

What has been described above is just an example, and each of the following aspects has its own unique effects.
[Aspect 1]
Aspect 1 is based on predetermined digital version data, and transfers by bringing a transfer layer forming part that forms a transfer layer in a predetermined shape area on a sheet and a long web holding a transfer material into contact with the sheet. A transfer section that transfers the material to the transfer layer forming area of the sheet, a separation section that separates the web and the sheet while leaving the transfer material after transfer on the sheet, and a residual shape of the transfer material that remains on the web after separation. a residual shape acquisition means capable of acquiring residual shape data representing the residual shape; and an inspection section that compares the residual shape data acquired by the residual shape acquisition means with the digital version data and determines the success or failure of normal transfer based on the results. This is a transfer device having:

According to aspect 1, it is possible to determine whether or not normal transfer has been successfully performed without using a high-performance imaging means or complicated image analysis, and without requiring time and effort such as visual inspection. The transferred layer is formed based on predetermined digital version data, and the residual shape obtained from the web after transfer is compared with the digital version data, so the digital version data, which is the data for forming the varnish layer, is used as a reference. Can be used as an image. Since there is no need to prepare a reference image and input it in advance, an easy-to-use and easy-to-use device can be obtained.

Although the transferred layer is a varnish layer made of semi-cured ultraviolet curable varnish in the embodiment, it is not limited thereto. When the foil, such as hot foil, has an adhesive function, any foil that can form the adhesive surface at a higher position than the upper surface of the sheet surface may be used. Specifically, a thick layer may be formed using a hot melt material, a primer, a toner, etc., or a completely hardened varnish layer may be formed. If the surface to be transferred has an adhesive function, such as cold foil, hot melt adhesive, adhesive toner, etc. may be used.

According to the first embodiment, digital plate data, which is print data for printing to form the transfer layer, is used as the reference image. Since the digital version data is used in the transfer layer forming section, there is no need to separately prepare a reference image in advance, and a device that is easy to use and is easy to use can be obtained. It is also possible to connect the inspection section and the transferred layer forming section by wired or wireless communication means, and to refer to the digital version data through this line.

Although an inkjet head is used as an example for forming the transfer layer in the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and any device that forms the transfer layer based on predetermined digital version data may be used, for example, by discharging a small amount of adhesive. It may also be a needle dispenser that forms the adhesive toner layer using an electrophotographic method. In the embodiment, a line sensor is used as the residual shape acquisition means, but an area sensor, a camera, or the like may be used for imaging.

[Aspect 2]
A second aspect is a transfer device in which the inspection section corrects at least one of the residual shape data and the digital version data and performs the comparison. According to this aspect, it is possible to reduce differences caused by elongation and distortion of the web, component errors, etc., and more accurately determine whether or not normal transfer has been performed.

In the embodiment, the correction is exemplified by reducing the dimension in the conveyance direction of the residual shape data or increasing the dimension in the width direction in consideration of the elongation of the web 52, but is not limited to this, The size of the remaining shape data may be enlarged or the width direction dimension may be reduced, a combination of these may be performed, or only a partial area of the remaining shape data may be enlarged or reduced. Various deformations may occur in the remaining shape due to expansion and contraction of the web 52 due to temperature changes, differences in ease of deformation depending on whether or not foil remains, wrinkles and slack of the web 52, etc. Appropriate corrections may be made as appropriate for these deformations.

Furthermore, in the embodiment, an example has been described in which a plurality of corrected data in which correction is performed in stages is created, all of them are compared with varnish data, and the one with the highest degree of matching is adopted, but for example, when repeating transfer multiple times A correction with a high degree of coincidence in past corrections may be adopted for subsequent corrections, or the number of post-correction data to be compared may be reduced by referring to past corrections. By learning past corrected data each time transfer is repeated, subsequent inspections may be performed more appropriately.

[Aspect 3]
A third aspect is the transfer device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the inspection section cuts out a part of the digital version data and compares it with the remaining shape data. According to this aspect, the comparison can be performed as soon as the remaining shape data corresponding to the cut out part is acquired, so if the transfer is not performed normally, it can be interrupted even in the middle of the transfer. can do.

[Aspect 4]
Aspect 4 is the transfer device according to aspect 3, in which the cutting position of the digital version data can be corrected. According to this aspect, it is possible to cope with deformation of the remaining shape due to elongation, distortion, etc. of the web 52.

[Aspect 5]
Aspect 5 is the transfer device according to any one of Aspects 1 to 4, in which a plurality of webs can be mounted side by side in the width direction, and the inspection section specifies the existing range of the mounted webs. According to this aspect, even when a plurality of rolls of different webs are hung on the unwinding shaft and the winding shaft in the width direction, residual shape data can be appropriately acquired and compared with the reference image. can. In addition, if the varnish data, residual shape data, and digital version data cutout position are corrected for each specified web range, it is possible to correct the can be corrected, allowing more accurate inspection.

[Aspect 6]
Aspect 6 is any one of Aspects 1 to 5, wherein the inspection section sequentially performs the comparison for each inspection area divided into lengths shorter than the length of the sheet along the longitudinal direction of the moving web. This is the transfer device described in . According to this aspect, as soon as the remaining shape data of each divided inspection area is acquired, corresponding parts can be cut out from the digital version data and compared.

[Aspect 7]
Aspect 7 is that the transfer unit is configured to be able to switch between a state in which the web and the sheet are in contact and a state in which they are separated, and when the inspection unit detects an inspection area where normal transfer has not been performed, The transfer device according to aspect 6, wherein the web and the sheet are separated before the transfer to the sheet is completed. According to this aspect, a transfer defect can be discovered before all residual shape data is acquired, so the transfer can be interrupted and the wastage of foil can be prevented.

[Aspect 8]
In aspect 8, the digital plate data includes a plurality of registration marks provided in pairs spaced apart in the width direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction, and the inspection unit includes a plurality of registration marks provided in pairs along the sheet conveying direction, Depending on the difference between the position of the included registration mark and the position of the transfer mark corresponding to the registration mark included in the remaining shape data, the remaining shape data of the area surrounded by the transfer mark corresponding to the registration mark is calculated. The transfer device according to any one of aspects 1 to 7, in which the comparison is performed after correction. According to this aspect, since the correction is performed using the registration marks surrounding the four corners of the area, it is possible to deal with distortions in both the web movement direction and the width direction, thereby enabling more accurate inspection.

[Aspect 9]
Aspect 9 is described in Aspect 8, in which the transfer layer forming section does not form the transfer layer on registration marks other than the registration marks surrounding the existing range of the transfer layer forming section excluding the registration marks in the digital version data. This is a transfer device. According to this aspect, even though there is no transfer layer forming portion other than the registration mark, it is possible to prevent wasteful use of transfer layer forming material or foil just for the registration mark.

[Aspect 10]
Aspect 10 includes a take-up roll that is provided on the downstream side of the web movement path of the separation section and winds up the web, and a guide member that is provided between the take-up roll and the separation section and comes into contact with the web. The shape acquisition means is the transfer device according to any one of aspects 1 to 9, which is provided between the separating portion and the guide member. As the foil stamping operation is performed, the outer diameter of the web wound around the take-up roll increases, so the moving path of the web immediately before being wound up on the take-up roll changes. According to this aspect, the remaining shape is obtained in a portion where the moving path of the web does not change even if the diameter of the take-up roll changes, so the remaining shape can be stably obtained with a simple structure.

10 printing system, 52 web, 77 sheet detection sensor, 80 line sensor, 100 varnish data, 200 residual shape data, R1 processing area, R2 comparison area, R4 acquisition area

Claims (10)

a transfer layer forming section that forms a transfer layer in a predetermined shape area on the sheet based on predetermined digital version data;
a transfer unit that brings a long web holding a transfer material into contact with the sheet to transfer the transfer material to a transfer layer forming area of the sheet;
a separating section that separates the web and the sheet while leaving the transfer material after transfer on the sheet;
a residual shape acquisition means capable of acquiring residual shape data representing a residual shape of the transfer material remaining on the web after separation;
an inspection unit that compares the residual shape data acquired by the residual shape acquisition means with the digital version data and determines whether or not normal transfer is successful based on the result;
A transfer device characterized by having: The transfer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inspection section corrects at least one of the residual shape data and the digital version data to perform the comparison. The transfer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inspection section cuts out a part of the digital version data and compares it with the remaining shape data. 4. The transfer apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the cutout position of the digital version data can be corrected. 2. The transfer device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of said webs can be attached in a widthwise direction, and said inspection section specifies an existing range of said attached webs. 2. The transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the inspection section sequentially performs the comparison for each inspection area divided into lengths shorter than the length of the sheet along the longitudinal direction of the moving web. The transfer unit is configured to be able to switch between a state in which the web and the sheet are in contact with each other and a state in which they are separated from each other,
7. The transfer apparatus according to claim 6, wherein when the inspection section detects an inspection area where normal transfer has not been performed, the web and the sheet are separated from each other before completion of transfer to the sheet. The digital version data includes a plurality of registration marks provided in pairs spaced apart in a width direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction, along the sheet conveying direction,
The inspection unit is configured to adjust the registration mark according to a difference between the position of the registration mark included in the digital version data and the position of a transfer mark corresponding to the registration mark included in the residual shape data. 7. The transfer apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the comparison is performed by correcting the residual shape data of an area surrounded by corresponding transfer traces. 8. The transferred layer forming section does not form the transferred layer on any registration mark other than the registration mark surrounding the existing range of the transferred layer forming section excluding the registration mark in the digital version data. The transcription device described. a winding roll that is provided downstream of the web movement path of the separating section and winds up the web;
a guide member provided between the take-up roll and the separation part and in contact with the web;
2. The transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the remaining shape acquisition means is provided between the separating portion and the guide member.

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