JPH0234374A - Sheet positioning device for image transfer device and sheet positioning - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make positioning easy by providing an air supply device which supplies air into a clearance between the first and the second sheet to separate them in an image transfer device which transfers a recorded image from the first sheet to the second sheet. CONSTITUTION:An image sheet with an image printed and an image receiving sheet are put together by a guide section 18 and this combined sheet is transmitted to a temporarily stopping section 20, a transfer section 22 and a cooling section 24. Then an image is transferred from the image sheet to the image receiving sheet. This guide section 18 consists of a positioning mechanism 38 arranged below a working table 29. When the image sheet and the image receiving sheet are positioned by a positioning pin 40, air is supplied to a clearance between both sheets from an air supply pipe 270 to position them in a mutually separated state. Then these sheet are put together and the air supply is suspended to carry them to the temporarily stopping section using a guide plate 30. Thus the positioning of the sheets can be made easy and color shift (registering displacement) due to misalignment can be prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention is used in an image transfer device that transfers an image recorded on a first sheet to a second sheet. The present invention relates to a sheet alignment device and a sheet alignment method for overlapping sheets at predetermined positions.

[Prior art] When overlapping thin sheets at a predetermined position, for example, image sheets are created from a color original using a plate-making material such as a PS plate for each color of the color original, and these image sheets are made into the same image sheet. In some cases, the image sheet and the image-receiving sheet are overlapped when sequentially transferring the image to the image-receiving sheet.

In this case, if there is a positional deviation between the two sheets after the image sheet is superimposed on the image-receiving sheet, the image sheet is moved to a predetermined position on the image-receiving sheet for alignment.

[Problem to be solved by the invention] However, since these two sheets are thin sheets,
There is a problem in that the image sheet tends to stick closely together, making it difficult to move and align the image sheet on the image-receiving sheet. Furthermore, if these thin sheets are sticky (image sheets and image-receiving sheets tend to become sticky when they contain moisture), it is more difficult to move and align the image sheets on the image-receiving sheet. .

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above facts, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sheet alignment device for an image transfer device and a sheet alignment method that facilitate alignment when thin sheets are superimposed on each other.

[Means for solving the problem] In the first invention, the image recorded on the first sheet is
A sheet alignment device for use in an image transfer device for transferring images onto a sheet, and for overlapping a first sheet at a predetermined position on a second sheet, the sheet alignment device being used for an image transfer device for transferring an image to a sheet of The present invention is characterized in that an air supply means is provided for supplying air to separate the first sheet and the second sheet from each other.

Further, in a second invention, the first invention is used in an image transfer device that transfers an image recorded on a first sheet to a second sheet;
In the sheet positioning method, the first sheet and the second sheet are overlapped at a predetermined position on a second sheet.
supplying air between the first sheet and the second sheet, separating the first sheet and the second sheet, moving the first sheet and overlapping the second sheet at a predetermined position. There is.

[Operation] According to the first invention having the above configuration, when the first sheet and the second sheet are overlapped, the first sheet is heated by the air supply means.
Air is supplied between the sheet and the second sheet.

As a result, the first sheet and the second sheet do not come into close contact with each other, and in this state, the first sheet and the second sheet can be easily moved relative to each other. This makes positioning easier. Furthermore, even if the first sheet and the second sheet are adhesive, alignment can be similarly facilitated by supplying air. That is, the supplied air reduces the sliding resistance between the first sheet and the second sheet, making it easier to move them relative to each other.

According to the second invention, the positioning is performed after air is supplied between the first sheet and the second sheet. This facilitates positioning as in the first invention.

[Effects] According to the first invention and the second invention, the first sheet and the second sheet
Since air is supplied between the two sheets, alignment is facilitated, color misregistration (misregistration) caused by misalignment can be eliminated, and a high-quality image can be obtained.

[Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an image transfer device 10 according to the present invention, FIG. 1 is a left side view showing a schematic configuration of the image transfer device 10, and FIG. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the transfer device.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image transfer device 10 includes a guide portion 18, a temporary fixing portion 20, a transfer portion 22, and a guide portion 18, a temporary fixing portion 20, a transfer portion 22, , cooling unit 24 are arranged in this order.

An image sheet 26 on which an image is printed and an image receiving sheet 28
are superimposed, and the guide section 18, the temporary fixing section 20, and the transfer section 22 are formed.
, and the image on the image sheet 26 is transferred to the image receiving sheet 28.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the guide portion 18 is connected to the side plate 14.
．． A workbench 29 is arranged between 16 and 16.

This workbench 29 is supported by side plates 14.16 on both sides, and a guide plate 30 is placed on the top surface. This guide plate 30 is made of an aluminum plate with a flat surface, and the image receiving sheet 28 and the image sheet 26 are superimposed on it. This guide plate 30 is connected at both sides to a chain belt, which will be described later, so that it is conveyed in the longitudinal direction of the image transfer device 10 (in the direction of arrow A). As a result, the conveyed sheet 34 in which the image sheet 26 and the image receiving sheet 28 are superimposed is guided to the temporary fixing section 20.

A rectangular opening 36 is provided in the workbench 29 on the front side in the conveyance direction along the width direction (direction of arrow B) of the image transfer device 10 . A flat bar 42 that is moved up and down by a positioning mechanism 38 is inserted into this opening 36 .

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the positioning mechanism 38 is disposed below the workbench 29. A plurality of positioning pins 40 are erected on the upper surface of the flat plate bar 42. The intervals between these positioning pins 40 are arranged to correspond to the through holes 30A provided in the guide plate 30, and the distances between the positioning pins 40 correspond to the through holes 30A provided in the guide plate 30.
4 is positioned on the workbench 29.

These positioning pins 40 correspond to positioning holes 26A and 28A provided in the image sheet 26 and the image receiving sheet 28, and are used for positioning the image sheet 26 and the image receiving sheet 28.

The flat plate bar 42 has one end of a shaft 44 fixed to the lower portion of both ends in the longitudinal direction. The other end of the shaft 44 is inserted into a slide bearing 48.

A slide bearing 48 is fixed on a base 46 attached to the side plate 14.16 and supports the shaft 44 so as to be movable in the axial direction.

Further, a bracket 50 is attached to the lower part of the longitudinally intermediate portion of the flat plate bar 42, and one end of the connecting bar 52 is connected via the bracket 50.

The other end of the connecting bar 52 is eccentrically connected to a rotary plate 58 fixed to the drive shaft of a motor 54. The motor 54 is fixed to the base 46 via a mounting bracket 56. Thereby, the connecting bar 52 is moved in the vertical direction by the drive of the motor 54, and the flat bar 42 is moved in the vertical direction.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 10, on the side of the workbench 29 where the sheet to be conveyed 34 is inserted, there is an air pump arranged along the width direction of the sheet to be conveyed (direction of arrow B). A supply pipe 270 is provided. One end of the air supply pipe 270 is closed, and a plurality of air discharge ports (not shown) are opened along the axial direction in the intermediate portion toward the conveyance direction of the conveyed sheet 34. The other end is connected to an air supply device 274 through a conduit 272, so that air is supplied to the air supply pipe 270.

Note that the supplied air preferably has low humidity.

Further, above the guide part 18, there is a
A brush 60 is disposed along the direction. This brush 60 is moved by a brush drive mechanism 62 to the conveyed sheet 30.
It is designed to be moved along the conveyance direction (direction of arrow A).

The brush drive mechanism 62 has a pair of guide rails 64 mounted to the side plates 14.16 and located outwardly between the side plates 14.16. A pair of guide rollers 66 and a pair of guide rollers 68 are arranged on these guide rails 64, sandwiching the guide rail 64 therebetween. A pair of idle rollers 66 and a pair of guide rollers 68 are fixed to the movable plate 70, thereby guiding the movable plate 70 along the longitudinal direction (six directions of arrows) of the guide rail 64.

An intermediate portion of a thrust shaft 72 arranged along the vertical direction is connected to the moving plate 70 via a slide bearing 74 . Therefore, the thrust shaft 72 is movable along the conveyance direction of the conveyed sheet 34 and also movable along the vertical direction.

The thrust shaft 72 is connected to a chain belt 76 disposed along the conveyance direction of the conveyed sheet 34 and a connecting bracket 7.
They are connected via 8. In this connection, the thrust shaft 72 is connected to the connection bracket 78 so as to be movable in the vertical direction.

The chain belt 76 is stretched between the side plates 14 and 16, and between a pair of sprockets 84 and a pair of sprockets 86 fixed to both ends of a pair of shafts 80 and 82. These sprockets 84, 86 are attached to the side plate 14.
It is located outside between 16 and 16.

A sprocket 88 is installed between the side plates 14 and 16 of the shaft 80.
is installed. A chain belt 91 is wound around this sprocket 88 and a sprocket 94 fixed to a drive shaft of a motor 92. The motor 92 is fixed to the side plate 14 via a mounting bracket. This increases the driving force of the motor 92 to the sprocket 94.8.
8 to the shaft 80 and the sprocket 84
The energy is transmitted to the chain belt 76 via the endless chain belt 76, so that the endless chain belt 76 rotates.

A pair of guide rollers 96 are attached to the lower end portions of each of the pair of thrust shafts 72, and are placed on the upper surfaces of a pair of guide plates 98. Guide plate 9
8 is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the side plate 14.16 and is fixed to the outside of the side plate 14.16. Guide plate 9
8 is bent on the insertion side of the conveyed sheet 34 to form a step, and the tip portion is located below the intermediate portion of the guide plate 98 .

Further, the rear end portion, that is, the temporary fixing portion 20 side is also bent to form a step, and the rear end portion is located above the intermediate portion of the guide plate 98. For this reason, the brush 60 is located below the middle part of the insertion part to make it easier for the operator to work.
On the temporary fixing part 20 side, the tip of the brush 60 is positioned above the intermediate part so as to be away from the conveyed sheet.

One end of the cover sheet 100 is attached to the guide plate 30 on the temporary fixing portion 20 side.

This cover sheet 100 is designed to cover the image sheet and image receiving sheet superimposed on the guide plate 30.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the temporary fixing portion 20 has a temporary fixing roller 102 stretched between the side plates 14 and 16. This temporary fixing roller 102 is a skewer-shaped roller, and both ends of its rotating shaft protrude outward between the side plates 14 and 16, and are supported by bearings 106. The bearing 106 is fixed to the tip of the drive shaft of the air cylinder 104. The air cylinder 104 is fixed to the side plate 14.16 via a mounting bracket (108). This temporary fixing roller 102 is configured to move up and down by the operation of an air cylinder 104.

A heat roller 110 is suspended between the side plates 14.16 above the temporary fixing roller 102, and a bearing 112 is attached to the side plate 14.16.
Supported through. The heat roller 110, which is in pressure contact with the heat roller 110 when the temporary fixing roller 102 is raised, is hollow and has a bar heater 111 inserted therein to heat the heat roller 110.

Both ends of the bar heater 111 protrude from both ends of the heat roller 1100 and are supported by the support plate 109. The support plate 109 is attached to the side plate 1 by the stay 113.
Fixed to 4.16.

A terminal portion of the rod heater 111 is connected to a power source (not shown), and one end of a lead wire 111A is connected thereto. As a result, the bar heater 111 is energized and heated.

The heat roller 11 is inserted between the side plate 14 and the support plate 109.
A gear 114 is attached to the tip of the 0 on the side plate 14 side. This gear 114 meshes with a gear 118 attached to the drive shaft of a motor 116. motor 116
is the mounting plate 1 fixed to the side plate 14 with a stay 120
It is fixed to 22. Therefore, the heat roller 110 is rotationally driven by the drive of the motor 116.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a pair of frames 124 and 126 are attached to the side plates 14 and 16 of the transfer section 22, respectively. Each of the frames 124, 126 has a pair of rectangular openings 128, 130 for transporting the sheet 34.
are sequentially provided along the conveyance direction.

A heated transfer roller 136 is located between the frames 124 and 126.
138, 140, and 142 are laid out over each other.

Heated transfer rollers 136, 138 are attached to frames 124, 12
The heated transfer roller 136 is placed above the opening 128, and the heated transfer roller 138 is placed below the opening 128. The conveyed sheet 34 is inserted between the heated transfer rollers 136 and 138.

Frame 124.12 of heated transfer roller 136.138
Since the support structure for the heated transfer roller 136 is the same, the support structure for the heated transfer roller 136 will be explained.

Both ends of the rotating shaft of the heated transfer roller 136 are supported by a pair of support blocks 144 via bearings 146. Air cylinder 148 supported on the upper inner wall of opening 128
The rond and the support block 144 are connected. Further, grooves 144A are provided on both sides of the support block 1440, and a convex portion 128A provided on the wall facing the opening 1280 is inserted into the grooves 144A. Therefore, the support block 144 is guided by the convex portion 128A, and is movable in the vertical direction by driving the air cylinder 148.

Heated transfer roller 136 supported on support block 144
is hollow as shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6,
A bar heater 132 is inserted inside it. The image leading end of the rod heater 132 protrudes outward from the heating transfer roller 136 and is supported by a support plate 150 located outwardly between the frames 124 and 126.

The support plate 150 is supported by the support block 144 via a pair of stays 152. Support plate 150
A sprocket 154 is attached to the shaft portion of one end of the heated transfer roller 136 between the support block 1440 and the support block 1440 via a one-way clutch 143.

Further, a heated transfer roller 138 disposed below the heated transfer roller 136 is also supported in the same manner as the heated transfer roller 136. The support block 144 is connected to the rond of an air cylinder 156 supported on the lower inner wall of the opening 128 provided in the frame 124, and is movable in the vertical direction like the heated transfer roller 136.

Further, a subblock 154A is attached to the shaft portion of one end of the heated transfer roller 138 between the support plate 150 and the support block 1440 via a one-way clutch 143A.

Therefore, when the air cylinders 148, 156 are activated, the heating transfer rollers 136, 138 move in the direction of contacting each other, press and nip the conveyed sheet 34, and heat it.

The frame 124.
The heated transfer roller 1 is inserted into the opening 130 provided in the
40.142 is installed.

The heating transfer roller 140 is placed above and the heating transfer roller 142 is placed below.

The heated transfer roller 140 penetrates the support block 144 and protrudes outside the frame 124, and is connected between the support block 140 and the support plate 150 at the tip of its shaft via a one-way clutch 145 (158.16).
0 is attached.

A chain belt 166 is wound around the sprocket 158 and a sprocket 164 fixed to the drive shaft of the motor 162. The motor 162 is fixed to the side plate 14 via a bracket 168. Therefore motor 16
The rotational driving force of 2 is transmitted to the sprocket 158 by the chain belt 166, and the heated transfer roller 140 is rotated.

Further, a chain belt 170 is wound between the sprocket 160 and a sprocket 1540 on the side of the heated transfer roller 136, and the rotational driving force of the motor 162 is transmitted to the heated transfer roller 140 via the sprocket 158 to the heated transfer roller 136. It is meant to be transmitted.

Further, similarly to the heat transfer roller 140, the heat transfer roller 142 disposed below the heat transfer roller 140 is connected to the tip of the shaft portion of the heat transfer roller 142 between the support block 144 and the support plate 150 via a one-way clutch 145A. Sprockets 174 and 176 are installed. The sprocket 174 is a sprocket 1 fixed to the drive shaft of a motor 178 disposed below the motor 162.
A chain belt 182 is wound between the chain belt 80 and the belt 80 .

The motor 178 is fixed to the side plate 14 via a bracket 184. Therefore, the rotational driving force of the motor 178 is transmitted to the heated transfer roller 142 by the chain belt 182, and the heated transfer roller 142 is rotated.

Furthermore, a chain belt 188 is wound around the sprockets 176 and 154A, so that the rotational driving force transmitted to the heated transfer roller 142 is transmitted to the heated transfer roller 138.

In this case, the outer diameter of the heated transfer roller 142 is set to be equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the heated transfer roller 138, and when the heated transfer rollers 142 and 138 are rotated by the driving force of the motor 178, the outer peripheral speed of the heated transfer roller 142 is is the same or larger than the outer peripheral speed of the heated transfer roller 138.

Further, the outer peripheral speed of the heated transfer rollers 136 and 140 located above the conveyance path of the conveyed sheet 34 is set to be equal to or slower than the outer peripheral speed of the heated transfer roller 138 located below the conveyance path by the motor 162 or its drive transmission. The device is configured. For this purpose, heated transfer rollers 136, 138, 140.
The conveyed sheet 34 conveyed to the upstream side heated transfer rollers 136 and 138 and the downstream heated transfer roller 1
Between 40 and 142, it is transported in a horizontal state with no slack or in a slightly tensioned state. However, if this tensile force is strong, one-way clutch 143.143A, 1
45 acts, and the rotational force of the heated transfer roller 142 is directly transferred to the heated transfer roller 136.13 via the conveyed sheet 34.
8.140, the heated transfer roller 136.
138 and 140, the outer peripheral speed is the heated transfer roller 14
It is the same as 2. Therefore, since the conveyed sheets 34 are conveyed at the same speed, no misalignment occurs between the image receiving sheet and the image sheet.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, auxiliary heaters 190 and 192 are arranged between the side plates 14 and 16 on the upstream side of the heated transfer rollers 136 and 138 in the direction of conveyance of the conveyed sheet 34. The auxiliary heaters 190 and 192 are the heating transfer roller 13.
6.138 is covered with a cover 194 which is partially opened to heat the heated transfer rollers 136.138.

A cover (not shown) is attached to each of the heated transfer rollers 136, 138, 140, 142 via a bracket (not shown) to the frame 124, 126, and a cover 196 is attached to cover all of these rollers to shield them from the outside. Closed. As a result, the heated transfer roller 13
6.138.140.142 heat is not released to the outside.

A pedestal 198 is suspended between the side plates 14 and 16 of the cooling section 24. The conveyed sheet 34 sent out from the transfer section 22 is taken out onto this pedestal 198.

A fan 200 is arranged above this pedestal 198. As a result, the conveyed sheet 34 taken out onto the pedestal 198 is cooled.

Next, FIG. 2 and FIG. This will be explained using figures.

As shown in FIG.
Shafts 204 and 206 are stretched between the cooling unit 8 and the cooling unit 24 and supported via bearings 208. shaft 204
, each shaft 206 has a pair of sprockets) 21
0.212 is fixed. Also sprocket 210
．． 212 are located inside the side plates 14.16, respectively.

A chain belt 214 is wound between the sprockets 210.212 closer to the side plate 14 and the sprockets 210.212 closer to the side plate 16. This chamber) 21
4 and both sides of the guide plate 30 are connected via brackets. With this, the guide plate 30 is connected to the chain belt 2.
14, the sheet is conveyed from the guide section 18 through the temporary fixing section 20 and the transfer section 22 to the cooling section 24. Part of the chain belt 214 is heated transfer roller 136,138
and 140.142, and the other part of the chain belt 214 is guided by an idle sprocket 216 supported by the side plate 14.16, so that its conveyance path is bent.

A transmission sprocket 218 is fixed to an intermediate portion of the shaft 204. This transmission sprocket 218 has a shaft 222 which is fixed to the machine base 12 and is connected to a shaft 222 through a bearing 220.
A chain belt 226 is wound around the idle sprocket 224 supported by the chain belt 226.

Further, an idle sprocket 228 is fixed to the shaft 222. A chain belt 232 is wound around the idle sprocket 228 and a sprocket 230. The sprocket 230 is disposed in the center of the machine base 12 and is attached to a drive shaft 236 supported by bearings 234 at both ends. A clutch 238 is disposed between sprocket 230 and drive shaft 236.

Similarly to the sprocket 230, a sprocket 242 is attached to the drive shaft 236 via a clutch 240. One end of the drive shaft 236 is connected to the bearing 2
34, and a sprocket 244 is fixed to the tip. The sprocket 244 is connected to the motor 246
A chain belt 250 is wound around a sprocket 248 fixed to a drive shaft 246A. motor 2
46 is fixed to the machine base 12. This allows motor 2
46 is adapted to be transmitted to the drive shaft 236 via the sprockets 248, 244.

In this case, the clutches 238, 240 transmit or interrupt rotational driving force to the sprockets 230, 242.

On the other hand, a one-way clutch 2 is located in the middle of the shaft 206.
A sprocket 254 is connected via 52. A chain belt 260 is wound around the sprocket 254 and a sprocket 258 fixed to the shaft 256. The shaft 256 is connected to the machine base 1 via a bearing 262.
2 is supported.

Further, a sprocket 264 is fixed to the shaft 256, and a chain belt 264 is connected between the sprocket 242 and the sprocket 264.
6 is wrapped around it. This allows the drive shaft 236
The rotational driving force of the motor 246 transmitted to the sprocket)
242.264 to the shaft 256.

The image transfer device 10 is also provided with a control section 189 that controls the operation of the image transfer device 10.

The connection between this control section 189 and each component will be explained using the block diagram shown in FIG. 8. The control unit 189 is R,
It consists of AM191, ROM193, CPU 195, and human output port 197, which are connected to data bus 19.
9 are connected to each other.

As shown in FIG. 8, a start switch 201 for starting the image transfer device 10 is connected to the input end of the input/output port 197. Also, on the output side there is a motor 54.
92 and 246 are connected, and further, the air cylinder 104 and the air cylinder 148 are connected via a solenoid valve 187.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the image transfer bag device 10 is powered on by the activation switch, initialization of the image transfer device 10 is executed in step 300. As a result of this execution, the conveyed sheet 34 moves to the normal position of the guide section 18, and the positioning pin 40 also moves downward to the normal position. The brush 60 is located on the insertion side of the conveyed sheet 34.

The temporary fixing roller 102 is moved upward by the air cylinder 104 and comes into pressure contact with the heat roller 110 .

The heated transfer rollers 136 and 138 are each connected to an air cylinder 1.
48 and 156, and the heated transfer rollers 140 and 142 are also moved away from each other by air cylinders 148 and 156, respectively. In other words, the conveyance path for the conveyed sheet 34 is in an open state.

In this state, the motors 162, 178 are started, and the heated transfer rollers 136, 138, 140, 142 are rotated.

Further, the fan 200 starts operating and blows air into the cooling section 24.

Further, each heater has started heating the heat roller 110 and the heating transfer roller 136, 138, 140, and 142.

When the temperature of the heated transfer roller rises, the temperature is adjusted, and transfer becomes possible, a start switch is turned on to raise the pin 40 (step 301).

From this state, in step 302, the motor 54 is activated to raise the positioning pin 40 together with the flat bar 42. As a result, the flat plate lever 42 is inserted into the opening 36 of the operating base 29, and the positioning pin 40 is inserted into the through hole 36 of the guide plate 30.
A and protrudes above the guide plate 30. The image sheet 26 and image receiving sheet 28 are placed on top of each other on this guide plate 30, and the positioning pin 40 is inserted into the positioning hole 28A.
1 Insert and set into the positioning hole 26A. In this case, the image sheet 26 and the image receiving sheet 28 can be easily aligned using the positioning pins 40.

This alignment is performed by first placing the image receiving sheet 28 on the guide plate 30, as shown in FIG.
0 into the through hole 28A and set the image receiving sheet 28 in a predetermined position. At this time, by moving the brush 60 along the conveying direction of the conveyed sheet, air between the image receiving sheet 28 and the guide plate 300 is removed and the image receiving sheet 28 is moved.
8 on the guide plate 30. Next, the image sheet 26 is placed on the image receiving sheet 28 and then moved.
Insert the positioning pin 40 into the through hole 26A. As a result, the image sheet 26 is superimposed on the image receiving sheet 28 in an aligned state. After placing the image sheet 26 on the image receiving sheet 28, it is necessary to perform more accurate positioning, and when moving the image receiving sheet 28, the air supply vibrator 270 is used to align the image receiving sheet 28 and the image sheet 26. The image sheet 26 can be easily moved on the image receiving sheet 28 by supplying air between the image receiving sheet 28 and the image sheet 26 to release the close contact between the image receiving sheet 28 and the image sheet 26. This allows easy alignment.

After the conveyed sheet 34 is set on the workbench 29 in step 304, a start switch (not shown) is inputted by the operator in step 305.

In step 306, the motor 92 is activated, and the brush 60 starts moving toward the back from the side where the conveyed sheet 34 is inserted. As a result, air remaining between the image sheet 26 and the image receiving sheet 28 is removed.

When the brush 60 moves to the front of the temporary fixing part 20, step 3
At 08, the operation of the motor 92 is stopped and the movement of the brush 60 is stopped.

Next, in step 310, the motor 54 is activated and the positioning pin 40 is lowered. As a result, the positioning pin 40 is removed from the guide plate 30. At step 312 motor 246
is operated, and the guide plate 30 moves on the workbench 29 toward the temporary fixing part 20.

When the guide plate 30 approaches the temporary fixing part 20, the sensor detects the guide plate 30, and in step 314, the air cylinder 10
4 is activated, and the temporary fixing roller 102 is lowered. The conveyed sheet 34 is temporarily fixed from the leading end by the temporary fixing roller 102 . In this case, in step 313, the cover 100 covers the conveyed sheet 34 while the conveyed sheet 34 is conveyed.

The conveyed sheet 34 is temporarily fixed by being pressed by a temporary fixing roller 102 from its tip through a cover 100. Note that when the temporary roller 102 is positioned upward by the air cylinder 104, it is in contact with the heat roller 110 and is heated.

Further, since the temporary fixing roller 102 is formed as a skewer-shaped roller, a plurality of temporary fixing positions are provided along the conveying direction of the conveyed sheet 34. For this reason, the air between the temporary fixing positions tends to escape backward in the conveying direction, and is pushed out when being conveyed between the heated transfer rollers 136 and 138 in the next step 316, causing the image sheet and image receiving sheet to be separated during transfer. No air bubbles are generated between the two.

At step 316, air cylinders 148, 156 are actuated to lower heated transfer roller 136 and raise heated transfer roller 138. As a result, the conveyance path for the conveyed sheet 34 is closed. The conveyed sheet 34 is inserted between the heated transfer roller 136 and the heated transfer roller 138.

Furthermore, in step 318, the air cylinder 148 on the downstream side
．． 156 is activated, the heated transfer rollers 140 and 142 move, and the conveyance path of the conveyed sheet 34 is closed. The heated transfer roller 136 is inserted between the heated transfer rollers 140 and 142.
．． The conveyed sheet 34 sent out from 138 is inserted. In this way, the conveyed sheet 34 is transferred to the heated transfer roller 13
6.138 and heated transfer rollers 140 and 142, and are transferred while being conveyed and heated.

Since the diameter of the heated transfer roller 142 is equal to or larger than the diameter of the heated transfer roller 138, the outer peripheral speed of the heated transfer roller 142 is faster. Further, the outer peripheral speed of the heated transfer rollers 136 and 140 located above the conveyance path of the conveyed sheet 34 is set to be the same or slower than the outer peripheral speed of the heated transfer roller 142 located below the conveyance path by the motor 162 or drive transmission. mechanism is set. Therefore, when the conveyed sheet 34 is sandwiched between the heated transfer rollers 136 and 138 and is sandwiched between the heated transfer rollers 140 and 142, the conveyed sheet 34 is held horizontally without sagging or is slightly stretched. transported in the same condition. However, when this tensile force becomes strong, the one-way clutches 143, 143A and 145 act on the heated transfer rollers 136, 138, 140, and the driving force is no longer transmitted to the heated transfer rollers 136, 138, 140 via the conveyed sheet 34. It rotates at the same outer peripheral speed as the heating transfer roller 142, that is, it is synchronized. Further, in the conveyance drive system 202 that conveys the conveyed sheet 34, the one-way clutch 252 acts to synchronize this conveyance system with the energizing transfer roller 142. This prevents misalignment between the image sheet 26 and the image receiving sheet 28.

After the conveyed sheet 34 passes the temporary fixing section 20 in step 320, the temporary fixing roller 102 is raised.

Heated transfer roller 136.13 in steps 322.324
8. The heated transfer rollers 140 and 142 move to open the conveyance path for the conveyed sheet 34.

In this case, the conveyed sheet 34 is transferred to the transfer section 2 by the motor 246.
2 and then transported by motors 162 and 178. That is, the speed of transport by motors 162 and 178 is set faster than the speed of transport by the driving force of motor 246, and the one-way clutch 2
54, and therefore, during thermal transfer, it is transported by motors 162, 178 that drive thermal transfer rollers 136, 138, 140, and 142.

At step 326, when the conveyed sheet 34 is sent out from the transfer section 22, the operation of the motor 246 is stopped, and the movement of the guide plate 30 is stopped. At this time, the conveyed sheet 34
is moved to the cooling section 24 , and the conveyed sheet 34 , which has been heated to a high temperature in the transfer section 22 , is cooled in the cooling section 24 .

At step 328, motor 92 is activated and brush 60 begins to move toward its original position.

At step 330, the motor 92 is driven in the reverse direction so that the brush 6
0 moves to the insertion side of the conveyed sheet 34.

Next, in step 332, the motor 246 is driven in reverse to move the guide plate 30 to the guide portion 18 at high speed. The guide plate 30 that has been moved at high speed to the end of the guide portion 18 is moved at low speed in step 334 and stopped in step 336.

This completes the transfer, and after the operator turns up the cover sheet 100 of the guide plate 30 and peels off the base layer of the image sheet 260 from the image-receiving sheet 28,
from the guide 30.

Next, in step 338, a new image-receiving sheet and image sheet are set, and it is determined whether or not the start switch has been turned on. If not, the above operation is completed.

If the start switch is turned on, step 300
The process returns to the previous step and executes the following steps.

In this embodiment, the brush 60 returns to its initial position while the conveyed sheet 34 is being cooled, but it may be returned at any time after the conveyed sheet 34 passes through the temporary fixing section.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the case where the developed image sheet 26 is superimposed and transferred onto the image receiving sheet 28 has been described.
The apparatus of the present invention is also used when the image-receiving sheet 28 on which transfer has been completed is superimposed on a transfer-receiving sheet such as paper and transfer is performed again. In this case, it is also possible to perform the transfer operation without using the positioning bin 40 or the like of the positioning mechanism 38.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 shows an actual image transfer device 10 to which the present invention is applied. 26・ 28・ 30・ image transfer device, image sheet, image receiving sheet, guide plate, ・Air supply pipe, ・Air supply device.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) Used in an image transfer device that transfers an image recorded on a first sheet to a second sheet;
A sheet alignment device for stacking sheets of sheets at a predetermined position, the first sheet and the second sheet being stacked together by supplying air between the first sheet and the second sheet. A sheet positioning device characterized by being provided with an air supply means for separating the sheets. (2) Used in an image transfer device that transfers an image recorded on a first sheet to a second sheet;
A sheet positioning method for overlapping sheets at predetermined positions, the method comprising supplying air between the first sheet and the second sheet to separate the first sheet and the second sheet. A sheet alignment method comprising: moving the first sheet to overlap the second sheet at a predetermined position.