JP7375416B2 - layer transfer device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a layer transfer device that transfers a transfer layer onto a sheet.

Conventionally, a layer transfer device is known that includes a housing and a layer transfer film cartridge that is removably attached to the housing (see Patent Document 1). In this technique, a layer transfer film cartridge includes a supply reel wound with a multilayer film having a transfer layer, and a take-up reel for winding the multilayer film.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-290685

By the way, as a structure of the layer transfer device, a structure can be considered in which the layer transfer film cartridge can be attached to the housing along the first direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. However, when a multilayer film that includes a metal layer is used, for example, the weight of the layer transfer film cartridge increases, making it complicated to install the layer transfer film cartridge along the first direction. There is a risk of it becoming.

Therefore, the present invention provides a layer transfer device that can easily perform the mounting operation of the layer transfer film cartridge when the layer transfer film cartridge is mounted on the housing along the first direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. The purpose is to provide.

In order to solve the above problems, a layer transfer device according to the present invention is a layer transfer device that transfers a transfer layer onto a sheet, and includes a housing main body having an opening facing in a first direction perpendicular to the up-down direction; A layer transfer film cartridge removably attachable to the housing body through a supply reel on which a multilayer film having the transfer layer and a support layer supporting the transfer layer is wound; a take-up reel for winding; a mounting table extending from the casing main body in the first direction to the outside of the casing main body; The device further includes a first guide that guides the layer transfer film cartridge placed on the mounting table along one direction through the opening and into the housing main body along the first direction.

According to this configuration, when the layer transfer film cartridge is mounted on the housing main body along the first direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, the layer transfer film cartridge can be supported by the mounting base, so that the layer transfer film cartridge can be supported by the mounting table. Even if the film cartridge for layer transfer is heavy, the film cartridge for layer transfer can be easily attached and detached in the first direction.

Moreover, the said mounting stand may have the said 1st guide.

Further, the mounting table may be rotatable between an open position in which the opening is opened and a closed position in which the opening is closed.

Further, when the layer transfer film cartridge is placed on the mounting table, one end of the supply reel on a side far from the opening and one end of the take-up reel on a side far from the opening The supply reel may further include a connecting portion that connects, and the other end of the supply reel opposite to the one end and the other end of the take-up reel opposite to the one end may not be connected. .

According to this, the layer transfer film cartridge can be mounted in the first direction without interference between the layer transfer film cartridge and the member disposed between the supply section and the winding section within the housing body. .

Further, the first guide includes two first convex portions that sandwich the layer transfer film cartridge in a second direction that intersects the vertical direction and is orthogonal to the first direction, and the main body of the casing includes: an inner guide for guiding the layer transfer film cartridge in the first direction inside the housing body, the inner side comprising two second convex portions that sandwich the layer transfer film cartridge in the second direction; The device may further include a guide, and the distance between the two first convex portions may be larger than the distance between the two second convex portions.

According to this, when placing the layer transfer film cartridge on the mounting table, it is only necessary to place the layer transfer film cartridge between the two first protrusions with a large distance between them. The work of placing the device on the mounting table can be easily performed. Furthermore, when the layer transfer film cartridge placed on the mounting table is mounted on the housing main body along the first direction, the layer transfer film cartridge is guided between the second convex portions having a small interval. This allows the layer transfer film cartridge to be guided to the mounting position in a stable posture.

The mounting base has a first support surface that supports the layer transfer film cartridge, and the housing body has a second support surface that supports the layer transfer film cartridge inside the housing body. The first support surface may be located above the second support surface.

According to this, when the layer transfer film cartridge placed on the mounting table is mounted on the housing main body along the first direction, the layer transfer film cartridge is prevented from being caught on the edge of the second support surface. Therefore, the work of installing the layer transfer film cartridge can be easily performed.

Further, the casing body has the first guide, and the mounting base is guided by the first guide so that it can be moved between an inner position within the casing body and an outer position outside the casing main body. and the first guide may guide the layer transfer film cartridge in the first direction via the mounting table.

The device may further include a cover extending upward from an end of the mounting base located at the outer position that is far from the opening, and the cover may close the opening when the mounting base is located at the inner position.

Further, the layer transfer device may further include a heating roller that heats the multilayer film and extends along the first direction, and the heating roller may be provided on the mounting table.

Further, the layer transfer device may further include a second guide that guides the layer transfer film cartridge toward the heating roller when the mounting table is located at the outer position.

Further, the layer transfer device includes legs that support the mounting base from below in a state where the mounting base extends outside the housing main body in the first direction, and are separate from the housing main body. It may further include legs that are members.

According to this, the legs can prevent the mounting table from being bent due to the weight of the layer transfer film cartridge.

According to the present invention, when the layer transfer film cartridge is attached to the housing along the first direction orthogonal to the up-down direction, the layer transfer film cartridge can be easily attached.

They are a diagram (a) showing a layer transfer device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and a cross-sectional diagram (b) showing the configuration of a multilayer film. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the layer transfer device, with (a) showing a state in which the mounting table is in a closed position, and (b) showing a state in which the mounting table is in an open position. It is a figure which shows the state which mounted the film cartridge for layer transfer on the mounting table. It is a figure which shows the state which removed the film cartridge for layer transfer from a housing|casing. 5(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the first guide and the inner guide, and FIG. 5(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in FIG. 5(a). It is a perspective view showing a layer transfer device concerning a modification. 7 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 6. FIG.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In the following description, first, the overall structure of the layer transfer device will be briefly explained, and then the structure of the characteristic parts of the present invention will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 1(a), a layer transfer device 1 is configured to form a toner image on a sheet S using an image forming device such as a laser printer, and then transfer the toner image onto the toner image on the sheet S using a foil such as aluminum. A device for transferring layers. That is, the layer transfer device 1 forms a foil image on the sheet S by transferring the foil onto the toner image on the sheet S. The layer transfer device 1 includes a housing 2, a sheet conveyance section 10, a film supply section 30, and a transfer section 50.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the casing 2 is made of resin or the like, and includes a casing body 21 and a mounting table 22. The housing body 21 has an opening 21A on the side. The opening 21A is an opening for attaching and detaching a layer transfer film cartridge FC, which will be described later, to the housing body 21. The opening 21A faces in a first direction orthogonal to the up-down direction. Here, the "first direction perpendicular to the vertical direction" may be a direction at a somewhat inclined angle (for example, an angle within a range of ±20 degrees) with respect to the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. The side portion of the housing body 21 having the opening 21A has a surface that extends in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the opening 21A is formed so as to pass through the surface.

As shown in FIG. 3, the mounting table 22 is a table that supports the layer transfer film cartridge FC from below. As shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), the mounting table 22 is rotatably supported by the housing body 21. As shown in FIGS. The mounting table 22 is rotatable between a closed position (position shown in FIG. 2(a)) in which the opening 21A is closed and an open position (position shown in FIG. 2(b)) in which the opening 21A is opened. The mounting table 22 is rotatable relative to the housing body 21 around a rotation axis along a second direction, which will be described later.

When the mounting table 22 is in the open position, it extends in the first direction from the inside of the housing body 21 toward the outside from a position adjacent to the opening 21A of the housing body 21. The mounting table 22 has a first support surface 22A and a first guide G1.

The first support surface 22A is a surface that supports the layer transfer film cartridge FC from below. The first support surface 22A extends along a first direction and a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction and diagonally intersects with the upward direction. The first support surface 22A is capable of supporting the layer transfer film cartridge FC so that it does not slip off even when the user takes his hand off the layer transfer film cartridge FC.

The first guide G1 is a guide that guides the layer transfer film cartridge FC (see FIG. 3) placed on the mounting table 22 in a first direction toward a mounting position within the housing body 21. The first guide G1 includes two first convex portions G11 that sandwich the layer transfer film cartridge FC placed on the mounting table 22 in the second direction.

Each first convex portion G11 protrudes from each end of the first support surface 22A in the second direction. Each first convex portion G11 is formed in a rib shape that is long in the first direction.

Returning to FIG. 1, the sheet conveyance section 10 includes a sheet supply mechanism 11 and a sheet discharge mechanism 12. The sheet conveying section 10 is rotationally driven by a main motor M, which will be described later. The sheet supply mechanism 11 is a mechanism that conveys sheets S on a sheet tray (not shown) one by one toward the transfer unit 50.

The sheet ejection mechanism 12 is a mechanism that ejects the sheet S that has passed through the transfer section 50 to the outside of the housing 2 .

The film supply section 30 is a section that supplies the multilayer film F so as to overlap the sheet S conveyed from the sheet supply mechanism 11. The film supply section 30 includes a layer transfer film cartridge FC, a first guide shaft 41, a second guide shaft 42, and a main motor M as a drive source. The first guide shaft 41 and the second guide shaft 42 are provided in the housing body 21 (see FIG. 4).

As shown in FIG. 4, the layer transfer film cartridge FC is removable from the housing body 21 through the opening 21A. The layer transfer film cartridge FC is a cartridge that supports the multilayer film F, and mainly includes a supply section 310, a winding section 350, and a shaft 43. The supply unit 310 mainly includes a supply reel 31 . The winding section 350 mainly includes a winding reel 35. A multilayer film F is wound around the supply reel 31 .

As shown in FIG. 1(b), the multilayer film F is a film consisting of a plurality of layers. Specifically, the multilayer film F has a support layer F1 and a supported layer F2. The support layer F1 is a tape-shaped transparent base material made of a polymeric material, and supports the supported layer F2. The supported layer F2 includes, for example, a release layer F21, a transfer layer F22, and an adhesive layer F23. The peeling layer F21 is a layer for facilitating peeling of the transfer layer F22 from the support layer F1, and is disposed between the support layer F1 and the transfer layer F22. The peeling layer F21 contains a transparent material that is easily peeled off from the support layer F1, such as a wax-based resin.

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

The adhesive layer F23 is a layer for making it easier to adhere the transfer layer F22 to the toner image. The adhesive layer F23 includes a material that easily adheres to the toner image heated by the transfer unit 50, which will be described later, such as a vinyl chloride resin or an acrylic resin.

The supply reel 31 is made of resin or the like and has a supply shaft portion 31A around which the multilayer film F is wound. One end of the multilayer film F is fixed to the supply shaft portion 31A.

The take-up reel 35 is made of resin or the like, and has a take-up shaft portion 35A for winding up the multilayer film F. The other end of the multilayer film F is fixed to the winding shaft portion 35A. The winding shaft portion 35A is rotationally driven by the main motor M.

Note that when the layer transfer film cartridge FC is new, the diameter of the roll-shaped multilayer film F wound around the supply reel 31 is maximum, and the diameter of the multilayer film F wound around the take-up reel 35 is the maximum. The diameter of the roll-shaped multilayer film F that is not rolled or wound around the take-up reel 35 is the minimum. Furthermore, at the end of the life of the layer transfer film cartridge FC (when the multilayer film F is used up), the diameter of the roll-shaped multilayer film F wound around the take-up reel 35 reaches its maximum, and the supply reel 31 has a multilayer film F. The diameter of the roll-shaped multilayer film F in which the film F is not wound or is wound around the supply reel 31 is the minimum.

The first guide shaft 41 is a shaft for contacting the multilayer film F drawn out from the supply reel 31 and changing the traveling direction of the multilayer film F. The first guide shaft 41 is made of SUS (stainless steel). The second guide shaft 42 is a shaft for changing the traveling direction of the multilayer film F by contacting the multilayer film F guided by the first guide shaft 41. The second guide shaft 42 is made of SUS.

When the layer transfer film cartridge FC is attached to the housing body 21, the first guide shaft 41 and the second guide shaft 42 are connected to the first surface FA (formed by the support layer F1) of the multilayer film F ( (see FIG. 1(b)). In addition, when the layer transfer film cartridge FC is attached to the housing body 21, the first surface FA of the surfaces of the multilayer film F stretched between the first guide shaft 41 and the second guide shaft 42 is The second surface FB (see FIG. 1(b)), which is the opposite surface and is formed by the supported layer F2 including the transfer layer F22, is connected to the sheet S conveyed by the sheet conveyance section 10 and the pressure roller. Contact with 51.

The shaft 43 is a member made of SUS or the like for adjusting the angle of the multilayer film F when peeling the multilayer film F from the sheet S, and is in contact with the second surface FB of the multilayer film F. By pressing the shaft 43 against the second surface FB of the multilayer film F stretched between the second guide shaft 42 and the take-up reel 35, the traveling direction of the multilayer film F guided by the second guide shaft 42 has been changed, and the angle of the multilayer film F bent from the second guide shaft 42 (hereinafter also referred to as "peel angle") is adjusted to be a more acute angle. Specifically, the peeling angle is defined as the part of the multilayer film F that is stretched between the first guide shaft 41 and the second guide shaft 42 and the part that is stretched between the second guide shaft 42 and the shaft 43. It is the angle formed by The more acute the peeling angle, that is, the smaller the peeling angle, the easier it is for the sheet S that has passed through the second guide shaft 42 to be peeled off from the multilayer film F. Note that the first guide shaft 41 and the second guide shaft 42 may be rotatably supported by the housing body 21 or may be non-rotatably supported. Further, the shaft 43 may be rotatably supported by a support member 90, which will be described later, or may be non-rotatably supported.

The first guide shaft 41 guides the multilayer film F pulled out from the supply reel 31 so as to overlap the sheet S from below, which is being conveyed with the surface on which the toner image is formed facing down. The first guide shaft 41 changes the conveyance direction of the multilayer film F pulled out from the supply reel 31 and guides the multilayer film F substantially parallel to the conveyance direction of the sheet S.

The second guide shaft 42 contacts the multilayer film F that has passed through the transfer unit 50 and changes the conveyance direction of the multilayer film F that has passed through the transfer unit 50 to a direction different from the conveyance direction of the sheet S. This is a peeling roller that guides F in a direction away from sheet S. The multilayer film F, which has passed through the transfer section 50 and is conveyed in a state overlapping with the sheet S, is guided in a direction different from that of the sheet S when passing through the second guide shaft 42, and is peeled off from the sheet S.

The transfer section 50 is a section for transferring the transfer layer F22 onto the toner image formed on the sheet S by heating and pressurizing the sheet S and the multilayer film F in a stacked state. The transfer section 50 includes a pressure roller 51 and a heating roller 61. The transfer unit 50 overlaps the sheet S and the multilayer film F at the nip portion between the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61 and heats and presses them. Pressure roller 51 and heating roller 61 extend along the first direction. The pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61 are each rotatably supported by the housing body 21 about a rotation axis extending along the first direction.

Furthermore, at least one of the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61 is movable between a contact position where it contacts the other roller and a separation position where it separates from the other roller. Note that movement of one of the rollers can be performed by a contact/separation mechanism (not shown). Further, the contact/separation mechanism is configured such that when the mounting table 22 is in the open position, one roller is in the separated position, and when the mounting table 22 is in the closed position, the one roller is in the contact position. It can be configured as follows. Specifically, when starting the transfer of the transfer layer F22 of the multilayer film F to the toner image on the sheet S, the contact/separation mechanism changes the position of one roller from the separation position to the contact position. Note that in the following description, the transfer of the transfer layer F22 to the toner image is also simply referred to as "layer transfer." Further, when the layer transfer is completed, the contact/separation mechanism changes the position of one of the rollers from the contact position to the separation position. Layer transfer is performed on the condition that the mounting table 22 is located in the closed position.

The pressure roller 51 is a roller having a cylindrical core covered with a rubber layer made of silicone rubber. The pressure roller 51 is disposed above the multilayer film F, and is capable of contacting the back surface of the sheet S (the surface opposite to the surface on which the toner image is formed).

The pressure roller 51 sandwiches the sheet S and the multilayer film F with the heating roller 61, and is rotationally driven by the main motor M, thereby causing the heating roller 61 to rotate in a driven manner. With the sheet S and the multilayer film F sandwiched between the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61 in this way, the sheet S and the multilayer film F are conveyed by rotating the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61. Ru.

The heating roller 61 is a roller having a heater arranged inside a cylindrical metal tube, and heats the multilayer film F and the sheet S. The heating roller 61 is disposed below the multilayer film F and is in contact with the first surface FA of the multilayer film F.

In the layer transfer device 1 configured in this way, the sheets S are placed on a sheet tray (not shown) with the front surface of the sheet S facing downward, and the sheets S are conveyed one by one toward the transfer unit 50 by the sheet supply mechanism 11. Ru. The sheet S is overlapped with the multilayer film F supplied from the supply reel 31 on the upstream side of the transfer section 50 in the sheet conveyance direction, and is conveyed to the transfer section 50 with the toner image on the sheet S and the multilayer film F in contact with each other. Ru.

In the transfer section 50, when the sheet S and the multilayer film F pass through the nip between the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61, they are heated and pressed by the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51, and the toner image is A transfer layer F22 is transferred thereon.

After the layer transfer is performed, the sheet S and the multilayer film F are conveyed to the second guide shaft 42 while being in close contact with each other. When the sheet S and the multilayer film F pass the second guide shaft 42, the conveyance direction of the multilayer film F changes to a direction different from the conveyance direction of the sheet S, so that the multilayer film F is peeled from the sheet S.

The multilayer film F peeled off from the sheet S is wound onto a take-up reel 35. On the other hand, the sheet S from which the multilayer film F has been peeled off is discharged to the outside of the housing 2 by the sheet discharge mechanism 12 with the surface on which the foil has been transferred facing downward.

As shown in FIG. 4, the layer transfer film cartridge FC includes the above-mentioned supply section 310, winding section 350, and shaft 43, as well as a connecting section 70, a handle 80, and a support member 90. The supply unit 310 includes a supply case 32 in addition to the supply reel 31 described above. Further, the winding section 350 includes a winding case 36 in addition to the winding reel 35 described above. In the following description, the axial direction along the rotation axis X1 of the supply reel 31 or the axial direction along the rotation axis X2 of the take-up reel 35 will also be simply referred to as the "axial direction." Furthermore, in the following description, the inter-axis direction along the straight line connecting the rotation axes X1 and X2 is also simply referred to as the "inter-axis direction."

The supply case 32 is a case that accommodates the supply reel 31, and is formed into a hollow, substantially cylindrical shape. Specifically, the supply case 32 accommodates therein the multilayer film F wound around the supply shaft portion 31A of the supply reel 31. The supply shaft portion 31A of the supply reel 31 protrudes outward from each end surface of the supply case 32 in the axial direction.

The supply case 32 is engaged with or fixed to the connecting portion 70 so as not to rotate about the rotation axis X1 relative to the connecting portion 70. The supply case 32 has a flat surface 32B on a part of its outer peripheral surface. The plane 32B extends in the axial direction and the interaxial direction. The layer transfer film cartridge FC is supported by the housing body 21 by the flat surface 32B coming into contact with the flat portion of the housing body 21 (see FIG. 1). The supply reel 31 is rotatably supported by the supply case 32 and the connecting portion 70.

The take-up case 36 is a case that accommodates the take-up reel 35, and is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape. Specifically, the take-up case 36 accommodates therein the multilayer film F wound around the take-up shaft portion 35A of the take-up reel 35. The take-up shaft portion 35A of the take-up reel 35 protrudes outward from each end surface of the take-up case 36 in the axial direction.

The winding case 36 is engaged with or fixed to the connecting portion 70 so as not to rotate about the rotation axis X2 relative to the connecting portion 70. The take-up reel 35 is rotatably supported by the take-up case 36 and the connecting portion 70. The take-up reel 35 includes the aforementioned take-up shaft portion 35A and a take-up gear 35C. The take-up gear 35C is a gear that receives driving force from the main motor M. The take-up gear 35C is provided at one end in the axial direction of the take-up shaft portion 35A. Specifically, a part of the winding shaft 35A is formed into a D shape, and by fitting with a D-shaped hole drilled in the winding gear 35C, the winding gear 35C is attached to the winding shaft 35A. It is fixed in a non-rotatable manner. The outer diameter of the take-up case 36 is smaller than the outer diameter of the supply case 32.

The connecting portion 70 is a member that connects one end portion A21 of the supply portion 310 and one end portion A11 of the winding portion 350. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, when the layer transfer film cartridge FC is placed on the mounting table 22, the connecting portion 70 connects one end A21 of the supply portion 310 far from the opening 21A and the winding portion A21. One end A11 of the portion 350 on the far side from the opening 21A is connected. From another perspective, when the film cartridge FC is placed on the mounting table 22, the connecting portion 70 connects one end A21 of the supplying portion 310 on the side far from the housing body 21 and the housing of the winding portion 350. It is connected to one end A11 on the side far from the main body 21. As shown in FIG. 4, the other end A22 of the supply section 310 opposite to the one end A21 and the other end A12 of the winding section 350 opposite to the one end A11 are not connected.

In this embodiment, the ends A21 and A22 of the supply section 310 are the ends of the supply shaft section 31A of the supply reel 31, and the ends A11 and A12 of the take-up section 350 are the ends of the winding reel 35. Although each end of the shaft portion 35A is used, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, each end of supply section 310 may be each end of supply case 32, and each end of winding section 350 may be each end of winding case 36.

The connecting portion 70 is formed in a long plate shape that is long in the interaxial direction along the straight line connecting the rotation axis X1 of the supply reel 31 and the rotation axis X2 of the take-up reel 35. In addition, in the following description, the direction between the shafts along the straight line connecting the rotation axes X1 and X2 is also simply referred to as the "direction between the shafts." The connecting portion 70 is arranged between the take-up gear 35C and the take-up case 36 in the axial direction.

The handle 80 is a portion that allows the user's fingers to be hooked. The handle 80 includes a first handle 81 and a second handle 82 disposed apart from the first handle 81 in the interaxial direction.

The first handle 81 is made of resin or the like and is arranged in the supply section 310 so as to extend in the axial direction. Specifically, the first handle 81 is supported by the supply case 32. The first handle 81 protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the supply case 32 in a direction intersecting the rotation axis X1, more specifically, in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis X1. The first handle 81 is connected to the supply case 32.

The second handle 82 is made of resin or the like and is disposed on the winding portion 350 so as to extend in the axial direction. Specifically, the second handle 82 is supported by the take-up case 36. The second handle 82 protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the winding case 36 in a direction intersecting the rotation axis X1, more specifically, in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis X1. The second handle 82 is connected to the take-up case 36.

The shaft 43 is arranged in the winding section 350. The shaft 43 has a circular shaft shape extending in the axial direction. The shaft 43 is located apart from the take-up reel 35, more specifically, from the take-up case 36.

The support member 90 is a member that supports the shaft 43. The support member 90 has a first side plate 91 and a second side plate 92. The first side plate 91 and the second side plate 92 are plate-shaped members that extend from the rotation axis X2 of the take-up reel 35 toward the outside in the radial direction of the take-up reel 35, and have a substantially fan-like shape that tapers toward the outside in the radial direction. is formed. The first side plate 91 and the second side plate 92 are rotatably connected to the take-up shaft portion 35A of the take-up reel 35. Specifically, the first side plate 91 and the second side plate 92 are connected to the winding shaft portion 35A so as to sandwich the winding case 36 in the axial direction.

The first side plate 91 supports one end of the shaft 43 in the axial direction. The first side plate 91 is arranged between the winding case 36 and the connecting portion 70 in the axial direction.

The second side plate 92 supports the other end of the shaft 43 in the axial direction.

The shaft 43 supported by the support member 90 is movable with respect to the connecting portion 70. Specifically, the shaft 43 is movable between a first position and a second position closer to the supply reel 31 than the first position. Note that the winding case 36 or the connecting portion 70 is provided with a regulating portion (not shown) that regulates the movement range of the shaft 43 from the first position to the second position. Specifically, the restriction portion restricts the rotation range of the support member 90 so that the shaft 43 can move only between the first position and the second position.

The regulating portion can be arranged, for example, at the connecting portion 70. The regulating section may include, for example, a first regulating section and a second regulating section. In this case, when the shaft 43 moves from the first position to the second position, the support member 90 comes into contact with the first restriction part, and when the shaft 43 moves from the second position to the first position, the support member 90 comes into contact with the second restriction part. contact with the part.

Moreover, the number of regulating parts may be one. In this case, the support member 90 is biased by a torsion spring or the like in a direction in which it comes into contact with the restriction portion. According to this, when the shaft 43 moves from the second position to the first position, the support member 90 comes into contact with the restriction part. Further, when the cover 22 is closed and a pressing member 22A, which will be described later, presses the support member 90, the support member 90 moves against the biasing force of the torsion spring, and the shaft 43 moves from the first position to the second position. .

The layer transfer film cartridge FC is placed on the mounting table 22 with the rotation axis X1 of the supply reel 31 along the first direction and with the other end A22 of the supply section 310 facing the opening 21A. Therefore, it can be attached to the housing body 21 along the first guide G1.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the housing body 21 includes an inner guide G2 that guides the layer transfer film cartridge FC in the first direction inside the housing body 21. The inner guide G2 includes two second convex portions G21 that sandwich the layer transfer film cartridge FC in the second direction when guiding the layer transfer film cartridge FC. The distance D1 between the two first convex portions G11 provided on the mounting table 22 is larger than the distance D2 between the two second convex portions G21.

As shown in FIG. 5(b), the main body 21 has a second support surface 21B that supports the layer transfer film cartridge FC from below inside the main body 21. The first support surface 22A provided on the mounting table 22 is located above the second support surface 21B.

Next, the effects of the layer transfer device 1 according to this embodiment will be explained.
When mounting the layer transfer film cartridge FC on the housing body 21, first, as shown in FIG. 3, the layer transfer film cartridge FC is placed on the mounting table 22. Specifically, the layer transfer film cartridge FC is placed on the mounting table 22 with the end of the layer transfer film cartridge FC on the side where the connecting portion 70 is not provided facing the opening 21A. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5(a), since the interval D1 between the two first convex parts G11 is larger than the interval D2 between the two second convex parts G21, the user can The layer transfer film cartridge FC can be easily placed in a large space.

Next, the user slides the layer transfer film cartridge FC onto the first support surface 22A of the mounting table 22 to insert the layer transfer film cartridge FC into the housing body 21 along the first direction. move it. At this time, since the distance D2 between the two second convex portions G21 is smaller than the distance D1 between the two first convex portions G11, the positional shift of the layer transfer film cartridge FC in the second direction can be suppressed to a small level. The layer transfer film cartridge FC can be guided to the mounting position in a stable posture.

In addition, at this time, as shown in FIG. 5(b), since the second support surface 21B of the housing body 21 is located below the first support surface 22A, the layer transfer film cartridge FC is placed on the second support surface. The layer transfer film cartridge FC can be smoothly moved to the mounting position within the housing body 21 without getting caught on the edge of the housing 21B. Note that when removing the layer transfer film cartridge FC from the housing body 21, the user holds the connecting portion 70 and lifts the end of the layer transfer film cartridge FC on the connecting portion 70 side a little. This allows the layer transfer film cartridge FC to be easily moved from the second support surface 21B to the first support surface 22A.

According to the above, the following effects can be obtained in this embodiment.
When the layer transfer film cartridge FC is mounted on the casing body 21 along the first direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, the layer transfer film cartridge FC can be supported by the mounting table 22, so that the layer transfer film FC can be supported by the mounting base 22. Even if the cartridge FC is heavy, the layer transfer film cartridge FC can be easily attached and detached in the first direction.

Since the other end A22 of the supply section 310 and the other end A12 of the winding section 350 are not connected, members disposed between the supply section 310 and the winding section 350 within the housing body 21 (for example, heating rollers) 61) and the layer transfer film cartridge FC can be mounted in the first direction without interference between the layer transfer film cartridge FC and the layer transfer film cartridge FC.

When placing the layer transfer film cartridge FC on the mounting table 22, it is sufficient to place the layer transfer film cartridge FC between the two first convex portions G11 with a large distance between them. The work of placing it on the mounting table 22 can be easily performed. Furthermore, when mounting the layer transfer film cartridge FC placed on the mounting table 22 on the housing main body 21 along the first direction, the layer transfer film cartridge FC is placed between the second convex portions G21 having a small interval. By guiding the FC, the layer transfer film cartridge FC can be guided to the mounting position in a stable posture.

Since the second support surface 21B is located below the first support surface 22A, when the layer transfer film cartridge FC placed on the mounting table 22 is mounted on the housing body 21 along the first direction. Since the layer transfer film cartridge FC is prevented from being caught on the edge of the second support surface 21B, the layer transfer film cartridge FC can be easily mounted.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be utilized in various forms as exemplified below. In the following description, members having substantially the same structure as those in the embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the embodiment, the mounting table 22 is rotatable, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the mounting table 23 may be movable along the first direction. may be configured.

Specifically, in this embodiment, the housing 2 includes a drawer DR. The drawer DR is slidable in the first direction through the opening 21A of the housing body 21. The bottom wall of the drawer DR serves as a mounting table 23 (see also FIG. 7).

The housing body 21 has a first guide G3 that guides the drawer DR in a first direction. The first guide G3 is formed into a rib shape extending in the first direction. The first guide G3 is arranged at one end and the other end of the housing body 21 in the second direction, respectively.

The drawer DR is movable through the opening 21A between an inner position inside the housing body 21 and an outer position outside the housing body 21 (the position shown in the figure) by being guided by the first guide G3. It becomes. That is, by being guided by the first guide G3, the mounting table 23 passes through the opening 21A between the inner position inside the housing body 21 and the outer position outside the housing body 21 (the position shown in the figure). It is possible to move around.

The mounting table 23 is provided with a heating roller 61, a first guide shaft 41, and a second guide shaft 42. Specifically, the heating roller 61, the first guide shaft 41, and the second guide shaft 42 are supported by the pedestal 29. The pedestal 29 is provided on the mounting table 23.

In addition to the mounting table 23 described above, the drawer DR further includes a first wall 24, a second wall 25, a third wall 26, a cover 27, and legs 28.

The first wall 24 extends upward from the end of the mounting table 23 on the one end side in the second direction. The second wall 25 extends upward from the other end of the mounting table 23 in the second direction. The first wall 24 and the second wall 25 extend along the first direction and a direction perpendicular to the second direction. A heating roller 61 , a first guide shaft 41 , a second guide shaft 42 , and a pedestal 29 are arranged between the first wall 24 and the second wall 25 . A guide groove GG is formed on the surface of the first wall 24 opposite to the second wall 25 . Guide groove GG extends along the first direction. The first guide G3 of the housing body 21 fits into the guide groove GG. Note that a similar guide groove GG (see FIG. 7) is also formed on the surface of the second wall 25 opposite to the first wall 24.

The third wall 26 extends upward from the end on the opening 21A side of the mounting table 23 located at the outer position. The third wall 26 is connected to the first wall 24 and the second wall 25. The third wall 26 is separated from the heating roller 61, the first guide shaft 41, the second guide shaft 42, and the pedestal 29 in the first direction. The third wall 26 extends along the second direction and a direction perpendicular to the second direction and the first direction.

The third wall 26 has a second guide G4. The second guide G4 is a guide that guides the layer transfer film cartridge FC toward the heating roller 61 when the mounting table 23 is located at the outer position. The second guide G4 is a groove formed in the third wall 26 and extending in a direction perpendicular to the second direction and the first direction.

One second guide G4 is provided at one end and the other end of the third wall 26 in the second direction. Specifically, in the second direction, the heating roller 61, the first guide shaft 41, and the second guide shaft 42 are arranged between the two second guides G4. The second guide G4 arranged on one end side in the second direction guides the other end A12 of the winding section 350. The second guide G4 arranged on the other end side in the second direction guides the other end A22 of the supply section 310.

The cover 27 extends upward from the end of the mounting table 23 located at the outer position on the opposite side to the opening 21A. The cover 27 is configured to close the opening 21A when the mounting table 23 is located at the inner position. The cover 27 is separated from the heating roller 61, the first guide shaft 41, the second guide shaft 42, and the pedestal 29 in the first direction. The cover 27 extends along the second direction and a direction perpendicular to the second direction and the first direction. The cover 27 has two second guides G4 (not shown) similar to the two second guides G4 provided on the third wall 26. The second guide G4 arranged on one end side of the cover 27 in the second direction guides the one end portion A11 of the winding section 350. A second guide G4 arranged on the other end side of the cover 27 in the second direction guides one end portion A21 of the supply section 310. The cover 27 is connected to the first wall 24 and the second wall 25. A heating roller 61, a first guide shaft 41, a second guide shaft 42, and a pedestal 29 are arranged between the third wall 26 and the cover 27.

The legs 28 are parts that support the mounting table 23 from below in a state where the mounting table 23 extends outside the housing body 21 in the first direction. The legs 28 are configured as separate members from the housing body 21.

Specifically, the legs 28 extend downward from the lower end of the cover 27, which is indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. In other words, the legs 28 extend downward from the end of the mounting table 23 on the opposite side to the opening 21A. The lower end of the leg 28 is arranged at the same position as the lower end of the housing body 21 in the vertical direction. As a result, the lower end of the leg 28 can be brought into contact with the surface on which the housing body 21 is placed, so that the leg 28 can prevent the mounting table 23 from bending due to the weight of the layer transfer film cartridge FC. .

The layer transfer film cartridge FC differs from the embodiment described above in that the supply section 310 and the winding section 350 are connected by a first connection section 71 and a second connection section 72. The first connecting portion 71 connects one end portion A21 of the supply portion 310 and one end portion A11 of the winding portion 350. The second connecting portion 72 connects the other end portion A22 of the supply portion 310 and the other end portion A12 of the winding portion 350.

The first connecting portion 71 is arranged between the base 29 and the cover 27 when the layer transfer film cartridge FC is placed on the mounting base 23 . The second connecting portion 72 is arranged between the pedestal 29 and the third wall 26 when the layer transfer film cartridge FC is placed on the mount 23.

In this form, when placing the layer transfer film cartridge FC on the mounting table 23, each end A21, A22 of the supply section 310 and each end A11, A12 of the winding section 350 are connected to each end of the drawer DR. Since it is guided by the second guide G4, the layer transfer film cartridge FC can be accurately positioned with respect to the heating roller 61. After placing the layer transfer film cartridge FC on the mounting table 23, the layer transfer film cartridge FC is attached to the case body 21 by pushing the drawer DR into the case body 21 along the first guide G3. Ru. That is, since the first guide G3 guides the layer transfer film cartridge FC in the first direction via the mounting table 23, even if the layer transfer film cartridge FC is heavy, the layer transfer film cartridge FC can be easily attached and detached in the first direction.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the other end A22 of the supply section 310 and the other end A12 of the winding section 350 are not connected to each other, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the form of FIG. 4, the connecting portion is bent so as not to interfere with the heating roller 61, the first guide shaft 41, and the second guide shaft 42, and the other end A22 of the supply section 310 and the other end A12 of the winding section 350 may be concatenated.

In each of the embodiments described above, the connecting portions 70 to 72 are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the connecting portions may not be provided. Further, the connecting portion only needs to connect the supplying portion and the winding portion, and may connect the supply case and the winding case, for example.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 described above, the mounting table 23 is configured to be movable with respect to the housing body 21, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the mounting table may be fixed to the housing body. .

In the embodiment described above, a device for transferring a transfer layer onto a toner image on a sheet S was exemplified as a layer transfer device, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the layer transfer device may be a device that transfers a transfer layer onto an ink image formed on a sheet, a device that transfers a transfer layer onto a sheet using a thermal head, or the like.

In the embodiment, the transfer layer F22 includes foil, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the transfer layer may be formed of thermoplastic resin without containing foil or coloring material, for example.

In the above embodiment, the multilayer film F was composed of four layers, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the multilayer film may have any number of layers as long as it has a transfer layer and a support layer. good.

In the above embodiment, the shaft 43 is movable relative to the connecting portion 70, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the shaft 43 is movable relative to the connecting portion 70. It may be fixed to, etc.

The elements described in the embodiments and modifications described above may be implemented in any combination.

1 Layer transfer device 2 Housing 21 Housing body 21A Opening 22 Mounting table 31 Supply reel 35 Take-up reel 310 Supply section 350 Winding section F Multilayer film F1 Support layer F22 Transfer layer FC Layer transfer film cartridge G1 First guide S Seat X1 Rotating axis

Claims (7)

A layer transfer device that transfers a transfer layer to a sheet,
a housing body having an opening facing in a first direction perpendicular to the up-down direction;
A layer transfer film cartridge that is removable from the housing body through the opening,
a supply reel around which a multilayer film having the transfer layer and a support layer supporting the transfer layer is wound;
A layer transfer film cartridge comprising: a take-up reel for winding up the multilayer film;
a mounting table extending from the casing main body in the first direction to the outside of the casing main body;
The layer transfer film cartridge placed on the mounting table is guided into the housing main body along the first direction through the opening so that the rotation axis of the supply reel is along the first direction. comprising a first guide ;
The mounting table has the first guide and a first support surface that supports the layer transfer film cartridge,
The housing body has a second support surface that supports the layer transfer film cartridge inside the housing body,
The layer transfer device , wherein the first support surface is located above the second support surface . The layer transfer apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the mounting table is rotatable between an open position where the opening is opened and a closed position where the opening is closed. The layer transfer film cartridge, when placed on the mounting table, connects one end of the supply reel on a side far from the opening and one end of the take-up reel on a side far from the opening. Further comprising a connecting part,
The other end of the supply reel opposite to the one end and the other end of the take-up reel opposite to the one end are not connected to each other. 2. The layer transfer device according to 2 . The first guide includes two first convex portions that sandwich the layer transfer film cartridge in a second direction that intersects the vertical direction and is perpendicular to the first direction,
The housing body is an inner guide that guides the layer transfer film cartridge in the first direction inside the housing body, and includes two inner guides that sandwich the layer transfer film cartridge in the second direction. It further includes an inner guide consisting of two convex parts,
The layer transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the distance between the two first convex portions is larger than the distance between the two second convex portions. The device further includes legs that support the mounting base from below in a state where the mounting base extends outside the housing body in the first direction, and are separate members from the housing body. The layer transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , characterized in that: A layer transfer device that transfers a transfer layer to a sheet,
a housing body having an opening facing in a first direction perpendicular to the up-down direction;
A layer transfer film cartridge that is removable from the housing body through the opening,
a supply reel around which a multilayer film having the transfer layer and a support layer supporting the transfer layer is wound;
A layer transfer film cartridge comprising: a take-up reel for winding up the multilayer film;
a mounting table extending from the casing main body in the first direction to the outside of the casing main body;
The layer transfer film cartridge placed on the mounting table is guided into the housing main body along the first direction through the opening so that the rotation axis of the supply reel is along the first direction. comprising a first guide ;
The mounting table has the first guide,
The layer transfer film cartridge, when placed on the mounting table, connects one end of the supply reel on a side far from the opening and one end of the take-up reel on a side far from the opening. Further comprising a connecting part,
A layer transfer device characterized in that the other end of the supply reel opposite to the one end and the other end of the take-up reel opposite to the one end are not connected. A layer transfer device that transfers a transfer layer to a sheet,
a housing body having an opening facing in a first direction perpendicular to the up-down direction;
A layer transfer film cartridge that is removable from the housing body through the opening,
a supply reel around which a multilayer film having the transfer layer and a support layer supporting the transfer layer is wound;
A layer transfer film cartridge comprising: a take-up reel for winding up the multilayer film;
a mounting table extending from the casing main body in the first direction to the outside of the casing main body;
The layer transfer film cartridge placed on the mounting table is guided into the housing main body along the first direction through the opening so that the rotation axis of the supply reel is along the first direction. comprising a first guide ;
The mounting table has the first guide,
The first guide includes two first convex portions that sandwich the layer transfer film cartridge in a second direction that intersects the vertical direction and is orthogonal to the first direction,
The housing body is an inner guide that guides the layer transfer film cartridge in the first direction inside the housing body, and includes two inner guides that sandwich the layer transfer film cartridge in the second direction. It further includes an inner guide consisting of two convex parts,
A layer transfer device characterized in that a distance between the two first convex portions is larger than a distance between the two second convex portions .

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