TW201304964A - Thermal transfer device and thermal transfer method - Google Patents

Abstract

[Topic] The present invention provides a thermal transfer device and thermal transfer method capable of efficiently manufacturing the intermediate product in a state that a transfer sheet material is tightly attached to a transferred metal body [Solution] The thermal transfer device comprises: the sheet output part to supply the transfer sheet (12) to the decorated object, i.e. the metal body (11) while the drum-like transfer sheet (12) is held; and the sheet-pulling part (6) holding the end part (12A) of the transfer sheet (12) for pulling out the transfer sheet (12). In addition, the thermal transfer device also comprises: a carrying part (3) to carry the metal body (11) and transfer sheet (12) in an overlapping state; the transfer pressurizing part (4) to push the transfer sheet (12) toward the metal body (11) carried in the carrying part (3), so that the pattern is transferred to the metal body (11); and the sheet-cutting part (5) to cut the transfer sheet (12) which are pulled out from the carrying part (3) in a state of being maintained to be tightly attached to the metal body (11) by the sheet-pulling part (6) after the transfer.

Description

Thermal transfer device and thermal transfer method

The present invention relates to a thermal transfer device and a thermal transfer method for coloring a surface of a metal body using a transfer sheet.

A thermal transfer device for producing a decorative article by forming a surface transfer pattern or a character or the like of a metal body is a drum type thermal transfer device or a thermal embossing type thermal transfer device. The drum type thermal transfer device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured such that a transfer sheet having a transfer layer on a sheet surface passes under a transfer roller that is rotating and heated, and a metal body is disposed on the transfer roller and the transfer roller. Immediately below the printing sheet, the transfer sheet is pushed toward the metal body by the transfer roller, and the transfer layer of the transfer sheet is transferred to the metal body by the pressure and heat at this time. In the hot stamping type thermal transfer device, a flat plate is used instead of the transfer roller to perform thermal transfer in substantially the same operation as the drum type thermal transfer device.

In the thermal transfer method using these thermal transfer apparatuses, when a roll-shaped transfer sheet is used, the metal body after transfer is a transfer layer in which only the transfer sheet is adhered, and the base sheet is peeled off. On the other hand, when a sheet-shaped transfer sheet is used, it is necessary to sequentially load the metal body and the transfer sheet before the transfer, and directly remove the metal body in which the transfer sheet has been brought into close contact after the transfer.

[prior technical literature] [Patent Document]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-104350

The metal body after the transfer is a metal body in which only the transfer layer among the transfer sheets is adhered and the base sheet is peeled off, and at the same time, a metal body of the transfer layer and the base sheet among the transfer sheets is adhered. Here, it is assumed that, in order to apply a molding process to the metal body after the transfer, it is of course preferable to form the metal body while adhering to the transfer layer and the base sheet among the transfer sheets. The reason for this is that the metal body can be molded while the transfer layer of the surface is protected by the base sheet, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of adverse conditions such as adhesion of the garbage to the transfer layer or prevention of peeling of the transfer layer during molding. However, in the above-described thermal transfer method, the transfer of the transfer sheet before transfer, the alignment of the metal body and the transfer sheet, and the removal of the metal body with the transfer sheet after transfer may cause The work is cumbersome, so that it is impossible to efficiently manufacture a metal body with a transfer sheet.

The present invention has an object of providing a thermal transfer device and a thermal transfer method capable of efficiently producing an intermediate product in which a transfer sheet on a metal body after transfer is brought into close contact with each other.

The first feature of the thermal transfer device of the present invention includes: a sheet output unit that supplies the transfer sheet to a metal object to be decorated while holding the roll-shaped transfer sheet; and an end that holds the transfer sheet Thereby pulling out the sheet drawing portion of the transfer sheet, Further, the present invention includes: a mounting portion that can be placed in a state in which the metal body and the transfer sheet are stacked together; and the transfer sheet is pushed toward the metal body placed on the mounting portion, and the pattern is transferred to the above-mentioned a transfer pressurizing portion of the metal body; and a sheet which is cut by the transfer sheet which is pulled from the mounting portion and which is held in contact with the metal body after the transfer is completed Cutting section.

Conventionally, when the transfer metal sheet after the transfer is in a state of being in contact with the metal body, the metal body is held and transported. In the present configuration, the transfer sheet after transfer is brought into close contact with the metal body, and the sheet drawing portion is pulled out from the placing portion, and then the sheet is cut by the sheet cutting portion. When the transfer sheet is pulled out by the sheet drawing portion, the tension is easily applied to the transfer sheet in the direction of the transfer surface of the metal body, so that the transfer sheet is less likely to be peeled off from the metal body. Further, the sheet drawing portion is capable of pulling out the transfer sheet that the metal body is in contact with from the placing portion, and can supply the new transfer sheet to the placing portion.

As described above, the supply of the transfer sheet to the metal body and the removal of the metal body with the transfer sheet after the transfer can be smoothly performed, so that the metal body with the transfer sheet can be efficiently produced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the thermal transfer device of the present invention, the height of the sheet when the transfer sheet is pulled out is higher than the height of the sheet mounting surface, and the sheet height is the sheet reference height. a mounting state transition mechanism that changes the mounting state of the metal body so that the metal body abuts on the load The placed contact state is in a state in which the metal body is separated from the mounting surface, and the height of the transfer surface of the metal body is set to a distance from the reference height of the sheet. When the metal body after the transfer and the transfer sheet are pulled out, the mounting state of the metal body is changed to the above-described distance-mounted state, and a standby portion disposed adjacent to the mounting portion is provided, and the standby portion is disposed. When the metal body and the transfer sheet are pulled out from the mounting portion, the metal body can be received while maintaining the height of the metal body.

According to the above configuration, the placement state changing mechanism raises the metal body with the transfer sheet up to the position where the metal body is at the reference height of the sheet when the metal body to which the transfer sheet is attached is pulled out. The placed state of the metal body is placed at a distance from the placed state. In this way, the transfer sheet can be supported in a straight state in the drawing direction, and the transfer sheet can be pulled out smoothly, so that the transfer sheet that is in close contact with the metal body is less likely to be peeled off.

Further, when the metal body and the transfer sheet are to be pulled out from the placing portion, the standby portion adjacent to the placing portion is capable of maintaining the height of the metal body while receiving the metal body, and thus the metal body to which the transfer sheet is attached It is possible to receive and convey the transfer sheet while maintaining the sheet reference height. According to this, when the metal body and the transfer sheet are to be pulled out from the placing portion, peeling of the transfer sheet by the weight of the metal body can be prevented, and the metal body in which the transfer sheet is in contact with can be stably produced.

The third feature of the thermal transfer device of the present invention is configured to be provided The discharge portion is disposed adjacent to the downstream side of the standby unit, and the discharge portion is disposed such that the cutting position of the transfer sheet is positioned at the sheet cutting portion in the drawing direction of the transfer sheet.

This configuration is capable of performing the cutting of the transfer sheet most efficiently. In this configuration, the transfer sheet can be immediately cut off from the placing portion until it is adjacent to the standby portion of the placing portion. However, in this form, the sheet cutting portion and the sheet drawing portion are brought close to the transfer pressurizing portion, and in order to avoid the situation, the pull-out length of the transfer sheet is required to be excessively pulled out, resulting in deterioration of the yield.

Then, as shown in the present configuration, a standby portion that is adjacent to the mounting portion is provided, and a discharge portion that is disposed adjacent to the downstream side of the standby portion is provided, and the discharge portion is disposed such that the metal body and the transfer sheet are transferred to the transfer sheet. The sheet cutting portion positioned on the downstream side of the placing portion is pulled in the drawing direction. In this way, the distance between the transfer pressurizing portion and the sheet cutting portion can be pulled apart, and the metal body with the transfer sheet attached can stand by in the standby portion, whereby the boundary of the transfer sheet of the metal body can be shortened. As a result, the transfer sheet can be effectively utilized.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the thermal transfer device of the present invention, the sheet drawing portion is reciprocally movable above the discharge portion. The discharge unit has a plurality of transport rollers that can be lifted and lowered individually, and the plurality of transport rollers are maintained at the lowered position without interfering with the sheet pull-out portion when the sheet pull-out portion passes over the discharge portion.

As shown in the present configuration, the sheet drawing portion can be reciprocally moved above the discharge portion, and when the discharge portion is provided with a plurality of transport rollers that can be lifted and lowered individually, the sheet can be overlapped and disposed in a region above and below the discharge portion. The pull-out portion and the carrying roller can reduce the setting of the thermal transfer device between.

The sheet drawing portion is required to pull the transfer sheet while maintaining the height of the transfer sheet at the sheet reference height, and the carrier roller needs to support the metal body with the transfer sheet to make the height of the transfer sheet into a sheet. Base height. Therefore, in the present configuration, the plurality of transport rollers are maintained at the lowered position when the sheet drawing portion passes over the discharge portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent interference between the sheet drawing portion and the plurality of conveying rollers. Further, after the sheet drawing portion passes over the discharge portion, the conveying roller is raised, whereby the sheet drawing portion can pull the sheet pulling portion while maintaining the height of the sheet at the sheet reference height. The transfer sheet. Further, at this time, the metal body to which the transfer sheet is attached can be supported in order by individually raising the transport roller.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the heat transfer device of the present invention, the sheet supporting portion that protrudes or retracts the transfer sheet is provided on the downstream side in the transport direction of the transfer sheet of the placing portion, and the standby The portion is movable up and down. When the transfer sheet is pulled out by the sheet drawing portion, the sheet supporting portion is retracted from the transfer sheet and the standby portion is held at the raised position, and the sheet is pulled out. When the printing sheet is pulled out, the sheet supporting portion protrudes toward the transfer sheet, and when the transfer pressing portion approaches the transfer sheet, the sheet supporting portion is retracted from the transfer sheet and the standby portion is held. In the down position.

According to the above configuration, when the transfer sheet is pulled out by the sheet take-up portion, the sheet support portion is retracted from the transfer sheet, so that the conveyance of the metal body to which the transfer sheet is attached becomes smooth. Further, by holding the standby portion at the raised position, the metal body to which the transfer sheet is attached can be maintained, and the height of the transfer sheet becomes the sheet reference height. Therefore, the metal body to which the transfer sheet is attached can be smoothly conveyed.

When the drawing of the transfer sheet is completed, the metal body is not placed on the placing portion, and thus the transfer sheet may be accidentally brought into contact with the placing portion. At this time, for example, when the placing portion is in a heated state, the transfer sheet may be in contact with the placing portion, which may cause an unfavorable situation such as melting of the transfer layer. In this configuration, when the transfer sheet is pulled out, the sheet support portion is protruded from the transfer sheet to support the transfer sheet, so that the transfer sheet can be surely prevented from being placed in contact with the transfer sheet. unit.

When the transfer pressurizing portion approaches the transfer sheet, the sheet supporting portion is retracted from the transfer sheet and the standby portion is changed in posture to be in the lowered position, so that the transfer sheet on the downstream side of the metal body can be allowed to flex downward. . Based on this, it is possible to appropriately perform the transfer of the pattern of the metal body to a position below the sheet reference surface (for example, the height of the mounting surface). Further, when the transfer sheet is deflected downward by the weight of the transfer sheet, it is possible to suppress the influence of the heat of the transfer pressurizing portion on the transfer sheet located in the standby portion. In other words, it is possible to suppress the change in the length in the transport direction of the transfer sheet caused by the heating of the transfer pressurizing portion in which the transfer sheet located in the standby portion is heated, and it is possible to suppress the positional accuracy in the transport direction of the transfer sheet from being lowered.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the thermal transfer device of the present invention includes a discharge portion that is disposed adjacent to a downstream side of the standby unit, and the discharge portion is configured The cutting position of the transfer sheet is positioned at a position of the sheet cutting portion in the direction in which the transfer sheet is pulled out, and the sheet drawing portion is formed by a moving jig having an upper and lower holding portion, and has a upper and lower clip. The fixing jig fixed to the discharge portion is provided on the upstream side in the transport direction of the transfer sheet with respect to the moving jig, and the lower grip portion of the fixing jig has the width direction of the transfer sheet a plurality of concave receiving portions formed on the opposing surface of the moving jig, and the lower clamping portion of the moving jig has a plurality of convex claw portions formed on the opposing faces of the fixing jig in the width direction of the transfer sheet, The concave receiving portion and the convex claw portion are configured to be engageable.

After the transfer sheet is cut by the sheet cutting portion, the end portion thereof is exposed on the downstream side of the fixing jig. The end portion of the transfer sheet may sag due to its own weight, and may, for example, sag to be curled. As a result, the end portion of the transfer sheet cannot be properly inserted between the upper and lower holding portions of the moving jig, and the holding state of the end portion of the transfer sheet by the moving jig may be hindered.

Therefore, in the present configuration, the concave jig is formed on the opposing surface of the moving jig of the lower clamping portion of the fixing jig, and the convex jig is formed on the opposing surface of the fixing jig of the lower clamping portion of the moving jig. Cooperate with the concave receiving portion. By the formation of the concave receiving portion and the convex claw portion, when the moving jig is moved toward the fixing jig to fit the convex claw portion to the concave receiving portion, the end portion of the transfer sheet is guided by the convex claw portion. Properly inserted between the upper and lower clamping portions of the moving jig. Therefore, it is assumed that the transfer sheet is exposed on the downstream side of the fixing jig Even if the end portion is in a sag state, the end portion of the transfer sheet can be surely held across the width direction of the transfer sheet by moving the upper and lower nip portions of the jig.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the heat transfer device of the present invention, the standby unit includes a plurality of conveyance row portions in a width direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction of the transfer sheet, and at least one of the plurality of conveyance row portions is adjacent to each other. The transport column portion is relatively movable along the above-described transport direction.

According to this configuration, as long as the adjacent one of the transport row portions is relatively moved in the transport direction, the length of the overlap region between the two can be changed, and the length of the standby portion in the transport direction can be adjusted.

In other words, the length of the metal body to be decorated can be easily changed in accordance with the size of the metal body to be decorated, and as a result, the distance between the standby unit and the sheet cutting unit can be adjusted. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the boundary of the transfer sheet which protrudes from the metal body. Based on this, the yield of the transfer sheet can be improved.

The thermal transfer method of the present invention is characterized in that it is provided with a supply step of feeding the transfer sheet from the end portion of the transfer sheet by the sheet output portion for holding the roll-shaped transfer sheet; a step of disposing a metal body to be placed on the placing portion in a state in which the transfer sheet is pulled out from the sheet output portion, and pushing the transfer sheet toward the metal body disposed on the placing portion, a transfer step of the metal body transfer pattern; after the transfer operation, the transfer sheet is pulled out from the mounting portion while maintaining the state in which the transfer sheet is in close contact with the metal body; and The cutting step of cutting the transfer sheet which is pulled out in contact with the metal body is maintained.

According to this configuration, the transfer sheet is pulled out from the placing portion in a state where the transfer sheet after the transfer of the transfer operation is brought into close contact with the metal body, and the transfer sheet is cut after the cutting operation after the drawing operation. . When the transfer sheet is to be pulled out, the tension of the transfer sheet is likely to act in the direction along the transfer surface of the metal body, so that the transfer sheet is less likely to be peeled off from the metal body. Further, while the pulling operation for pulling the transfer sheet in which the metal body is in contact with the loading portion is performed, the supply operation of supplying the new transfer sheet to the placing portion can be performed.

As described above, the supply of the transfer sheet of the metal body and the removal of the metal body with the transfer sheet after the transfer can be smoothly performed, so that the metal body with the transfer sheet can be efficiently produced.

[Best Embodiment of the Invention]

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[thermal transfer device]

In the thermal transfer device 1 of the present invention, the metal body 11 decorated via the transfer sheet 12 is taken out in a state in which the transfer sheet 12 is in close contact with each other. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the thermal transfer device 1 includes a sheet output unit 2 for holding a roll-shaped transfer sheet 12, a mounting portion 3 for mounting the metal body 11, and a transfer pressurizing unit. (transfer roller) 4; a sheet cutting portion 5 for cutting the transfer sheet 12; and a sheet drawing portion for holding the end portion of the transfer sheet 12 (moving jig) ) 6.

The placing portion 3 of the metal body 11 is a transfer platform 8 that is disposed to slide in the conveying direction F of the transfer sheet 12. In the transfer platform 8, a sheet output unit 2 is disposed on the upstream side of the placement unit 3, and a fixing jig 14 and a sheet cutting unit 5 are disposed on the downstream side of the placement unit 3, in addition to the placement unit 3. Move the jig 6. Further, on the downstream side of the placing unit 3, the standby unit 9 and the discharge unit 10 are arranged adjacent to each other in this order. The above-described members are arranged in the order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the order of the sheet output unit 2, the placing unit 3, the standby unit 9, the fixing jig 14, the sheet cutting unit 5, and the moving jig 6. The discharge portion 10 is disposed on the downstream side of the sheet cutting portion 5. The transfer of the pattern of the metal body 11 is performed on the placing portion 3. The metal body 11 to which the transfer sheet 12 is attached after transfer is transferred from the placing unit 3 to the standby unit 9. Then, the metal body 11 is transferred from the standby unit 9 to the discharge unit 10, and after the sheet cutting unit 5 cuts the sheet 12, it is discharged to the outside.

The sheet output unit 2 is loaded with a transfer sheet 12 which is attached to the sheet output unit 2 in a state of being wound around the support shaft 21. The sheet output unit 2 supplies the transfer sheet 12 to the metal body 11 which is a decorative object while holding the roll-shaped transfer sheet 12 . The mounting portion 3 is configured to be capable of downloading the metal body 11 and the transfer sheet 12 in a state in which the metal body 11 and the transfer sheet 12 are stacked together. In other words, the placing portion 3 is configured to mount the metal body 11 and the transfer sheet 12 in a repeated state as viewed in plan. As shown in FIG. 2, the placing unit 3 is configured to be freely slidable by one side of the rail body 31 provided in the lower portion so as to be orthogonal to the conveying direction F of the transfer sheet 12. As shown in Fig. 1, the transfer sheet loaded in the sheet output portion 2 The end portion 12A on the downstream side of the output direction F of 12 is held by the moving jig 6. When the transfer sheet 12 is to be pulled out by the moving jig 6, the transfer sheet 12 to be pulled out is placed above the mounting surface 32a of the mounting table 32. That is, the height of the sheet of the transfer sheet 12 to be pulled out is higher than the height of the upper surface (mounting surface 32a) of the mounting table 32 on which the metal body 11 is placed, and the transfer sheet 12 at this time The position is defined as the sheet reference height H.

The mounting table 32 is provided with a plurality of latch members 33 whose front end portions can protrude or retract between the height of the mounting surface 32a and the sheet reference height H. As shown in Fig. 2, the plurality of latch members 33 are arranged in a predetermined pattern and arranged over the entire circumference of the mounting table 32 in a plan view. In this example, the plurality of latch members 33 are arranged in a regular (for example, orthogonal lattice) manner at regular intervals. The diameter of the front end portion of the latch member 33 is preferably 5 mm or less. When the diameter of the front end portion of the latch member 33 is the above-described size, the metal body 11 can be effectively suppressed from being deformed by the distal end portion of the latch member 33 or the hole portion for receiving the latch member 33 during the transfer operation described below.

The mounting table 32 is a heating plate heated by a heater (not shown) embedded in the mounting table 32. The mounting table 32 (mounting surface 32a) and the latch member 33 have a function of a mounting state switching mechanism that can switch the mounting state of the metal body 11. The mounting state switching mechanism is a state in which the latching member 33 can be retracted from the mounting surface 32a to bring the metal body 11 into contact with the mounting surface 32a, and the latch member 33 is protruded from the mounting surface 32a to form the metal body. 11 is placed at a distance from the mounting surface 32a until the height of the transfer surface (upper surface) of the metal body 11 becomes the position of the sheet reference height H.

In the mounting state switching mechanism, when the pressing operation of the transfer sheet 12 of the metal body 11 is completed, when the metal body 11 and the transfer sheet 12 are to be pulled out from the mounting portion 3, the mounting state of the metal body 11 is set. In the off-load state. In this way, the transfer sheet 12 can be supported in a straight state (in the same plane shape) in the drawing direction, so that the drawing operation of the transfer sheet 12 becomes smooth, and the transfer sheet which is in close contact with the metal body 11 12 is not easy to peel off.

Further, smooth processing is applied to the front end portion of the latch member 33 contacting the metal body 11. Further, the mounting table 32 is provided with a plurality of suction holes 34 which are different from the pin members 33 (see FIG. 2). When the transfer roller 4 is subjected to thermal transfer, the suction holes 34 are sucked and held by the suction holes 34. The metal body 11 on the stage 32 (mounting surface 32a) is placed.

The thermal transfer device 1 includes a transport direction sensor (not shown) having a transfer sheet 12, and a width direction sensor (not shown) of the transfer sheet 12. For example, the conveyance direction sensor is provided in the sheet output portion 2 or the placement portion 3, and the width direction sensor is provided on the placement portion 3.

The conveyance direction sensor is a sensor that detects a dot-shaped conveyance direction mark formed on the transfer sheet 12 at a predetermined interval in accordance with a pattern (pattern) to be transferred. When the conveyance direction sensor detects the conveyance direction mark, the pulling operation of the transfer sheet 12 of the moving jig 6 is stopped. The width direction sensor is a sensor that detects a linear width direction mark formed in the longitudinal direction on the side portion of the transfer sheet 12. For example, the width direction sensor provided on the upstream side of the placing unit 3 and the width direction sensor provided on the downstream side of the placing unit 3, that is, two sensing positions provided at different positions in the conveying direction F are used. Check the width direction mark separately The inclination of the transfer sheet 12 in the conveyance direction F can be detected. According to the detection result, the inclination of the transfer sheet 12 in the conveyance direction F can be corrected (adjusted).

The transfer roller 4, which is a transfer pressurizing portion, pushes the transfer sheet 12 toward the metal body 11 placed on the placing portion 3, and transfers the pattern to the metal body 11. The transfer roller 4 is not fixed to the transfer platform 8, and is disposed at a specific position in the conveying direction F of the transfer sheet 12 so as not to be associated with the sliding movement of the transfer platform 8. Further, the transfer roller 4 is heated by a heating device (not shown), and is lifted and lowered by the air cylinder 41. In a state where the transfer roller 4 is lowered, the transfer stage 8 advances in the conveying direction F of the transfer sheet 12. As a result, the metal body 11 and the transfer sheet 12 can be advanced in the transport direction F of the transfer sheet 12 toward the transfer sheet 12. As a result, the transfer roller 4 in the heated state pushes the transfer sheet 12 toward the metal body placed on the mounting table 3 (mounting table 32) while rotating in contact with the transfer sheet 12 that is advanced in the transport direction F. 11. Thereby, the pattern (pattern) can be transferred from the transfer sheet 12 to the transfer surface of the metal body 11, and the entire metal body 11 and the transfer sheet 12 can be integrated at this point of time.

On the downstream side of the placing unit 3, the standby unit 9 is disposed adjacent to each other. The standby unit 9 receives the metal body 11 and the transfer sheet 12 that are pulled out from the placing unit 3. When the metal body 11 and the transfer sheet 12 are to be pulled out, the standby portion 9 supports the metal body 11 while maintaining the height of the metal body 11, so that the metal body 11 can be held at a position where it can be received. The standby unit 9 is provided with a plurality of conveyance rollers 15 for supporting the conveyance of the metal body 11. Multiple carrying rollers 15 are constructed In order to be able to lift and lower. When the metal body 11 and the transfer sheet 12 which are already integrated are pulled out from the mounting portion 3, the conveyance roller 15 is held at the raised position. Here, the rising position of the conveyance roller 15 of the standby unit 9 means that the height of the transfer surface (or the transfer sheet 12 integral with the metal body 11) of the metal body 11 to be supported by the conveyance roller 15 is thin. The position of the reference height H.

On the downstream side of the standby unit 9, the discharge unit 10 is disposed adjacent to each other. The discharge unit 10 is a position at which the cutting position of the transfer sheet 12 can be positioned in the sheet discharge unit 5 in the drawing direction (transport direction F) of the transfer sheet 12 . The discharge unit 10 is provided with a plurality of conveyance rollers 16 for supporting the conveyance of the metal body 11. The plurality of transport rollers 16 are configured to be individually movable up and down. When the metal body 11 and the transfer sheet 12 which are already integrated are pulled out from the standby unit 9, the respective conveyance rollers 16 are sequentially raised, and the respective conveyance rollers 16 are held at the raised positions. Here, the rising position of the conveyance roller 16 of the discharge unit 10 is the same as the rising position of the conveyance roller 15 of the standby unit 9. In the present embodiment, the standby portion 9 is provided between the placing portion 3 and the discharge portion 10, whereby the distance between the transfer roller 4 and the sheet cutting portion 5 can be pulled apart. Next, the metal body 11 with the transfer sheet 12 is placed in the standby portion 9, whereby the boundary of the transfer sheet 12 of the metal body 11 can be shortened.

As shown in FIG. 3 and the like, between the placing unit 3 and the standby unit 9, a sheet supporting portion 13 that can protrude or retract the transfer sheet 12 is provided. A fixing jig 14 is disposed between the standby unit 9 and the discharge unit 10, and a sheet cutting unit 5 is disposed adjacent to the downstream side of the fixing jig 14. The fixing jig 14 has upper and lower clamping portions (upper clamping portion 14A, lower clamping portion 14B) The transfer sheet 12 is held by the upper and lower nip portions 14A and 14B. The moving jig 6 is configured to be reciprocally movable on the downstream side of the fixing jig 14 and above the discharge portion 10. The moving jig 6 has upper and lower clamping portions (the upper clamping portion 6A and the lower clamping portion 6B), and the upper and lower clamping portions 6A, 6B hold the end portion 12A of the transfer sheet 12. The sheet cutting portion 5 cuts the transfer sheet 12 between the fixing jig 14 and the moving jig 6 in the width direction. Further, the sheet cutting unit 5 is provided with a blade for cutting a sheet (for example, a rotary cutter or the like).

[transfer sheet]

As shown in Fig. 3, the transfer sheet 12 is provided with a base sheet 12b and a transfer layer 12a formed on the base sheet 12b. The base sheet 12b is a sheet for supporting the transfer layer 12a. The base sheet 12b is a base sheet generally used in a conventional transfer sheet. A preferred constituent material of the base sheet 12b is a polyester resin such as polyethylene terephthalate, a polypropylene resin, an acrylic resin, a polycarbonate resin, a polyamide resin, or a polyfluorene. A synthetic resin of at least one selected from the group consisting of an imide resin, a polyolefin resin, a urethane resin, and an ABS resin is exemplified. In particular, it is preferable that the transfer sheet 12 of the present embodiment is a base sheet 12b such as a polyethylene terephthalate resin which is excellent in dimensional stability and which is difficult to cause print drying deformation. The form of the base sheet 12b can be exemplified by a single-layer sheet, a laminated sheet in which two or more single-layer sheets are laminated, a copolymer sheet, and the like.

The transfer layer 12a is provided with, for example, a pattern layer that expresses characters or drawings. An adhesive layer or the like which can improve the adhesion of the decorative body (metal body 11) and the pattern layer. Further, the transfer layer 12a may be provided with a hard coat layer which can improve the surface strength of the decorated body (metal body 11) to improve the scratch resistance, or an anchor layer which can improve the adhesion between the layers. A plurality of pattern layers or the like are provided, and each of the layers may be provided in a plurality of transfer layers 12a. Further, a release layer which can improve the peeling property of the transfer layer 12a from the base sheet 12b can be provided between the base sheet 12b and the transfer layer 12a. Each of the layers may be formed on the base sheet 12b by various printing methods such as a gravure printing method, a screen printing method, an offset printing method, or various coating methods such as a gravure coating method, a roll coating method, and a drip coating method. .

[metal body]

The decorative object, that is, the metal body 11, is, for example, a metal panel or the like. It is preferable that the metal body 11 is supplied to the thermal transfer device 1 in a state in which the predetermined processing has been performed. The pretreatment described above is, for example, an aluminum anodizing treatment on the surface of the metal body 11 (when the material of the metal body 11 is aluminum) or a surface treatment such as a frame treatment or a plasma treatment. Further, in order to facilitate the transfer of the transfer layer 12a, an adhesive may be applied to the surface of the metal body 11 in advance or an adhesive sheet may be attached in advance. The surface treatment of the metal body 11 requires selection of a suitable treatment content in accordance with the combination of the metal body 11 and the transfer layer 12a to be transferred on the surface thereof. Further, the covering material (adhesive or bonding sheet, etc.) relating to the surface of the metal body 11 is also required to be selected from a combination of the metal body 11 and the transfer layer 12a to be transferred on the surface thereof. Further, the metal body 11 can also be supplied without performing any pre-treatment.

Hereinafter, an operation (thermal transfer method) in which one of the thermal transfer apparatuses 1 is continuously operated will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 11 .

[Metal body loading operation (configuration work)]

The third sheet (a) is a state in which the transfer sheet 12 is supplied from the sheet output portion 2 to the placing portion 3, and the sheet pulling operation described below enables supply (supply operation) while pulling out the transfer sheet. . In this state, the mounting portion 3 (mounting table 32) is pulled out to the side position by the rail 31 from the lower position of the transfer sheet 12, and the metal body 11 is placed on the mounting table 32 (mounting surface 32a). . Then, when the mounting table 32 on which the metal body 11 is placed is returned to the lower position of the transfer sheet 12, as shown in Fig. 3(b), the metal body 11 and the transfer sheet 12 are in an overlapping state. At this time, the end portion 12A of the transfer sheet 12 is held by the upper and lower holding portions 14A, 14B of the fixing jig 14. On the other hand, the moving jig 6 is in an open state. Further, the sheet supporting portion 13 is protruded toward the transfer sheet 12, and the transfer sheet 12 is supported from below. Further, the transfer roller 4 is held at the raised position, and the conveyance roller 15 of the standby unit 9 is held at the lowered position. Here, the rising position of the transfer roller 4 means that the lower end portion of the transfer roller 4 is located above the sheet reference height H. Moreover, in this example, the lowering position of the conveyance roller 15 of the standby part 9 is set to the position below the height of the mounting surface 32a.

[Transfer operation]

Secondly, as shown in Fig. 4(a), it is a transfer roller that raises the position. 4 drops to be in the down position. Here, the lowered position of the transfer roller 4 means that the height of the lower end portion of the transfer roller 4 is substantially equal to the height of the transferred surface of the metal body 11 in the abutting mounting state, and is at a position below this. Then, the transfer platform 8 is moved toward the conveying direction F of the transfer sheet 12. In this manner, the transfer roller 4 can be rolled on the metal body 11 supported by the mounting table 32 from below via the transfer sheet 12, and the transfer sheet 12 can be made by the heat and pressure of the transfer roller 4 at this time. The upper transfer layer 12a is transferred onto the surface (transferred surface) of the metal body 11. As a result, the surface of the metal body 11 is transferred with a picture (pattern). When the transfer roller 4 is to be lowered, the sheet supporting portion 13 is retracted from the transfer sheet 12, and then the conveying roller 15 of the standby portion 9 is held at the lowered position. In this way, the deflection of the transfer sheet 12 on the downstream side of the metal body 11 can be allowed to proceed downward. Thereby, the transfer of the transfer layer 12a of the metal body 11 can be appropriately performed at a position higher than the height of the mounting surface 32a below the sheet reference surface H. Further, it is also possible to suppress the influence of the heat of the transfer roller 4 on the transfer sheet 12 located in the standby portion 9. As shown in Fig. 4(b), when the transfer drum 4 is relatively moved to the position of the upstream end portion of the metal body 11 by the movement of the transfer platform 8, the transfer operation is ended.

[Sheet pull-out operation (pull-out operation)]

Then, as shown in the fifth (a), the transfer roller 4 is raised, and the latch member 33 of the mounting portion 3 is protruded from the mounting table 32 so that the mounted state of the metal body 11 is placed at a distance from the mounting state, and the standby portion 9 is placed. The carrying roller 15 will remain in the raised position. At this time, the sheet supporting portion 13 is retracted, and the discharge portion 10 is moved. The roller 16 will remain in the lowered position. Here, the lowering position of the conveyance roller 16 of the discharge part 10 is the same as the lowering position of the conveyance roller 15 of the standby part 9. The upper and lower holding portions 14A, 14B of the fixing jig 14 open and release the transfer sheet 12, and the upper and lower holding portions 6A, 6B of the moving jig 6 close the end portion 12A holding the transfer sheet 12. Then, the moving jig 6 is moved above the conveyance roller 16 of the discharge unit 10 in the conveyance direction F of the transfer sheet 12 [see FIG. 5(b)]. The metal body 11 supported by the latch member 33 and held at a position away from the mounting surface 32a of the mounting portion 3 is slid on the latch member 33 and supported by the transport roller 15 of the standby unit 9 while being carried by the transport roller 15 Carry it out.

The movement of the moving jig 6 causes the metal body 11 on the placing portion 3 with the transfer sheet 12 to be transferred to the standby portion 9, and the metal body 11 on the standby portion 9 with the transfer sheet 12 attached thereto is transferred to The discharge portion 10. Further, a new transfer sheet 12 is pulled out from the sheet output portion 2 and supplied to the placing portion 3. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the sheet pulling operation of the "pull-out operation" is a "supply operation". At this time, the latch members 33 disposed on the mounting table 32 of the placing unit 3 are protruded toward the metal body 11.

In this manner, the mounting state of the metal body 11 can be set to be at a distance from the mounting state by the mounting state switching mechanism, and the standby roller 15 can be placed in the raised position while standing. The portion 9 is followed by the metal body 11. With this configuration, the metal body 11 with the transfer sheet 12 can be supported at the same height from the mounting portion 3 to the standby portion 9, and the metal body 11 can be supported by the standby portion 9. As a result, the metal body 11 with the transfer sheet 12 is maintained as a sheet reference on the transfer sheet 12. Since the metal body 11 with the transfer sheet 12 is conveyed smoothly and supported by the height H, the peeling of the transfer sheet 12 by the own weight of the metal body 11 can be prevented. At this time, since the sheet supporting portion 13 is retracted from the transfer sheet 12, the sheet supporting portion 13 does not hinder the movement of the metal body 11, and the conveyance of the metal body 11 can be smoothed.

As shown in FIGS. 6(a) to 6(e), the conveyance roller 16 of the discharge portion 10 is held at the lowered position before the moving jig 6 passes over it. Therefore, interference between the moving jig 6 and the conveyance roller 16 can be prevented, and the drawing of the transfer sheet 12 of the moving jig 6 can be appropriately performed. The plurality of transport rollers 16 configured to be individually movable up and down are sequentially raised as they move above the moving jig 6, and are held at the raised position.

Therefore, the movement jig 6 and the conveyance roller 16 can be overlapped and arranged in the upper and lower areas of the discharge unit 10, whereby the installation space of the thermal transfer device 1 can be reduced.

Further, by moving the individual transport rollers 16 to the raised position after the mobile jig 6 is moved upward, the metal body 11 can be smoothly supported and transported from the standby unit 9 to the discharge unit 10. In addition, the transfer sheet 12 can be pulled out by the moving jig 6 while the entire height of the transfer sheet 12 from the mounting portion 3 to the discharge portion 10 is maintained at the sheet reference height H.

Further, at the time of the drawing operation of the transfer sheet 12 of the moving jig 6, the transfer stage 8 is moved in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction F of the transfer sheet 12 (the left direction of Fig. 5). The reset movement of the transfer platform 8 is such that the transfer drum 4 is relatively returned to the downstream side of the placing portion 3. [Refer to Figure 5(b)].

Further, at the time when the drawing of the transfer sheet 12 is completed, the metal body 11 is not placed on the placing portion 3, and thus the transfer sheet 12 may accidentally contact the placing portion 3. In this case, when the placing unit 3 (the mounting table 32) is formed of a hot plate, the transfer sheet 12 is in contact with the mounting table 32 in a heated state, and the transfer layer 12a may be melted or the like. situation. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the transfer sheet 12 is pulled out, the sheet supporting portion 13 is protruded toward the transfer sheet 12, and the sheet supporting portion 13 supports the transfer sheet 12 from below. 3(a) Figure]. In this way, it is possible to surely prevent the transfer sheet 12 from coming into contact with the mounting table 32.

[Sheet cutting operation (cutting operation)]

As shown in Fig. 7(a), when the sheet drawing operation is completed, the upper and lower holding portions 14A and 14B of the fixing jig 14 are closed, and the transfer sheet 12 is held by both the fixing jig 14 and the moving jig 6. Then, as shown in Fig. 7(b), the portion of the transfer sheet 12 that has been integrated with the metal body 11 located in the discharge portion 10 from the upstream side end portion of the metal body 11 is exposed by the sheet cutting portion 5. The parts are cut in the width direction. In this way, a portion of the downstream side of the transfer sheet 12 can be cut away from the continuous side of the transfer sheet 12, and the metal body 11 in which the transfer sheet 12 is in close contact state (the metal to which the transfer sheet 12 is attached) can be obtained at the discharge portion 10. Body 11).

[Remove job]

Next, as shown in Fig. 8, the upper and lower clamping portions of the moving jig 6 are opened. 6A, 6B thereby release the transfer sheet 12, and the metal body 11 to which the transfer sheet 12 is attached is taken out from the discharge portion 10. Then, after all the conveyance rollers 16 are returned to the lowered position, the moving jig 6 is moved in a direction opposite to the conveying direction F of the transfer sheet 12, and the moving jig 6 is returned to the position near the fixing jig 14 (transfer sheet 12) The position of the end portion 12A). Further, the latch member 33 of the mounting table 32 is retracted, and the new metal body 11 is placed on the mounting table 32 [see FIG. 3(b)]. Thereafter, the above-described respective operations are repeatedly performed, whereby the metal body 11 with the transfer sheet 12 attached thereto is continuously manufactured.

As described above, after the transfer operation, the transfer sheet 12 in the state in which the metal body 11 is brought into close contact is pulled out from the placing portion 3 by the moving jig 6 while maintaining the sheet reference height H, and then the sheet cutting portion is 5 Cut at the specified position. When the transfer sheet 12 is pulled out in a state in which the sheet reference height H is held, tension is easily applied to the transfer sheet 12 in the direction along the transfer surface of the metal body 11, and thus the transfer sheet 12 (here, only the substrate) The sheet 12b) is not easily peeled off from the metal body 11. Further, the transfer sheet 12 is pulled out by the moving jig 6, and the metal body 11 with the transfer sheet 12 is conveyed from the placing portion 3 to the standby portion 9, and the metal body 11 to which the transfer sheet 12 is attached is attached. The new transfer sheet 12 can be supplied to the placing unit 3 while being conveyed from the standby unit 9 to the discharge unit 10.

As described above, since the supply of the transfer sheet 12 to the mounting portion 3 and the removal of the metal body 11 to which the transfer sheet 12 is attached can be smoothly performed, the transfer sheet can be efficiently manufactured. 12 metal body 11.

The transfer sheet 12 is cut by the sheet cutting portion 5, and the new one after cutting The end portion 12A is exposed on the downstream side of the fixing jig 14 (refer to Fig. 8). The end portion 12A of the transfer sheet 12 hangs down due to its own weight. For example, as shown in Fig. 10(a), it may sag to be curled. As a result, the end portion 12A of the transfer sheet 12 cannot be properly inserted between the upper and lower holding portions 6A, 6B of the moving jig 6, and the holding of the end portion 12A of the transfer sheet 12 by the moving jig 6 may be hindered. status.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. 9, the moving jig 6 on the lower side sandwiching portion 14B of the fixing jig 14 is formed with a concave receiving portion 17 on the opposing surface, and the lower clamping portion of the moving jig 6 The fixing jig 14 of the 6B is formed such that the convex claw portion 18 is fitted to the concave receiving portion 17 at the opposing surface. The concave receiving portion 17 and the convex claw portion 18 are formed in plural in the width direction of the transfer sheet 12. Both the concave receiving portion 17 and the convex claw portion 18 are formed in the same number (five in this example). In addition, the plurality of concave receiving portions 17 are formed so as to be disposed at equal intervals throughout the width direction of the lower clamping portion 14B of the fixing jig 14 . The plurality of convex claw portions 18 have the same configuration, and these are arranged at equal intervals throughout the width direction of the lower sandwiching portion 6B of the moving jig 6 . Further, each of the convex claw portions 18 has an inclined surface 18A that is inclined toward the direction (downward) of the transfer sheet 12 on the side (upper side) on which the transfer sheet 12 is guided. As shown in Fig. 10(b), the inclined surface 18A is gradually inclined from the proximal end side of the convex claw portion 18 toward the distal end portion side (in the opposite direction to the transport direction F) so as to be separated from the transfer sheet 12 Face. In other words, the inclined surface 18A is formed to be close to the transfer sheet 12 from the front end side of the convex claw portion 18 toward the base end side (toward the transport direction F).

After the removal operation, as shown in Fig. 10(a), the movable jig 14 and the transfer jig 6 are separated from each other until they are adjacent to the downstream side of the fixing jig 14 as shown in Fig. 10(b). 6 will move in the opposite direction of the conveying direction F. At this time, the convex claw portion 18 is fitted to the concave receiving portion 17, and the end portion 12A of the transfer sheet 12 is guided by the inclined surface 18A of the convex claw portion 18 to be appropriately inserted into the transfer jig 6 at this time. Between the upper and lower clamping portions 6A, 6B. Therefore, even if the end portion 12A of the transfer sheet 12 exposed on the downstream side of the fixing jig 14 is in a state of being drooped, the transfer sheet 12 can be appropriately held by the upper and lower nip portions 6A and 6B of the moving jig 6 End 12A. Further, since the concave receiving portion 17 and the convex claw portion 18 are provided in the width direction of the lower sandwiching portions 14B and 6B, the transfer sheet 12 can be surely held over the entire width direction of the transfer sheet 12. End 12A.

The standby unit 9 is configured to be capable of changing the length of the transfer direction F of the transfer sheet 12. As shown in Fig. 11 (a), the conveyance roller 15 of the standby unit 9 is divided into three, and the conveyance row portions 15L, 15C, and 15R are provided in three rows in the width direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction F. The conveyance row portions 15L, 15C, and 15R are configured such that at least one of the adjacent conveyance row portions is configured to be relatively movable in the conveyance direction F. In the present embodiment, the center conveyance row portion 15C is fixed to the mounting portion 3 side, and the conveyance row portions 15L and 15R adjacent to the fixed conveyance row portion, that is, the conveyance row portions 15C are respectively movable along the transfer The conveying direction F of the sheet 12 is moved. Further, in this example, the transport row portions 15L and 15R on both sides of the movable transport row portion are integrally connected to each other through the fixing jig 14 and are configured to be located in the same transport direction F. Move at the same time.

By the movement of the conveyance row portions 15L and 15R on both sides, it is possible to enlarge [refer to Fig. 11 (a)] or reduce the length of the reference portion 9 in the conveyance direction F of the reference [see Fig. 11 (b)]. In other words, by changing the length of the overlapping region of the central transport column portion 15C and the transport column portions 15L and 15R on both sides, the length of the transport direction F of the standby portion 9 can be adjusted.

As shown in Fig. 1, the sheet output unit 2 is provided with two garbage removal rollers 22 and 23 which are disposed on both sides of the transfer sheet 12 which is pulled out. The garbage removing roller 22 is an adhesive roller for removing the garbage on the side of the base sheet 12b of the transfer sheet 12, and the garbage removing roller 23 is an adhesive roller for removing the garbage on the side of the transfer layer 12a. The garbage removing drums 22, 23 are all surface-treated with an adhesive material. Further, since the garbage removing roller 23 is to be in contact with the transfer layer 12a, the adhesiveness is set to be lower than that of the garbage removing roller 22 on the side of the base sheet 12b.

When the transfer sheet 12 is output from the sheet output unit 2 and the transfer sheet 12 is transported from the placing unit 3 to the standby unit 9 or from the standby unit 9 to the discharge unit 10, static electricity may be generated by friction. As described above, when the transfer sheet 12 generates static electricity, the garbage or the like is attracted to gather so that the garbage sometimes adheres to the transfer sheet 12. Therefore, a static eliminator (not shown) is provided at a predetermined position of the thermal transfer device 1. For example, a static eliminator can be provided at the position of the sheet output portion 2 or the sheet cutting portion 5. In this form, the sheet output unit 2 irradiates ions from the static eliminator on one side of the transfer sheet 12 (for example, on the transfer layer 12a side), and the sheet cutting unit 5 is the other side of the transfer sheet 12 Side (such as the side of the base sheet 12b) from static electricity The eliminator irradiates ions and electrostatically cancels both sides of the transfer sheet 12.

[Other Embodiments]

(1) In the above embodiment, the transfer roller 4 is only movable up and down, and during the transfer operation, the metal body 11 is formed to move in the transport direction F of the transfer sheet 12 in accordance with the movement of the transfer platform 8. It was explained. However, the transfer platform 8 may not be moved, and the metal body 11 may be moved in the transport direction F while the transfer roller 4 is moving up and down. Further, the present invention is applicable to a thermal imprint type thermal transfer device in which the transfer roller 4 is replaced with a flat plate as a pressure transfer portion.

(2) In the above embodiment, the conveying roller 16 of the discharge unit 10 is configured to be raised and lowered. However, the conveyance roller 16 of the discharge unit 10 may be held at a predetermined height (the raised position of the above-described embodiment) without raising and lowering. In this form, in order to avoid interference between the moving jig 6 and the discharge unit 10 when the moving jig 6 is moved, it is necessary to secure a moving area of the moving jig 6 on the downstream side of the discharge unit 10. In such a configuration, although the installation space of the entire apparatus is enlarged, the configuration of the discharge unit 10 can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration is such that the standby unit 9 and the discharge unit 10 are disposed adjacent to each other in the placing unit portion 3. However, the discharge unit 10 may be disposed adjacent to the downstream side of the placement unit 3 without providing the standby unit 9 .

(4) In the above embodiment, the flat plate is used for the metal body 11 An example of a metal body is described. However, the metal body 11 is not limited to a flat plate shape, and a metal body having a three-dimensional shape of a raised portion may be used. Further, when the metal body 11 has a three-dimensional shape, the shape of the transfer pressurizing portion (transfer roller) 4 is a three-dimensional shape that requires the transfer region (the decorative region) of the corresponding metal body 11.

(5) In the above-described embodiment, in order to change the length of the transfer sheet F of the transfer sheet 12 in the standby unit 9, the disclosed configuration is such that the standby unit 9 includes three transport row portions 15L, 15C, and 15R. When the conveyance row portion 15C is fixed, the conveyance row portions 15L and 15R on both sides are movable. However, the conveyance row portions 15L and 15R on both sides may be configured to be fixed while the center conveyance row portion 15C may be configured to be movable. Further, the number of the transporting columns is not limited to three, and may be two, four, five, or the like. In addition, instead of having a configuration in which a plurality of transport columns are movable relative to each other, the entire standby unit 9 may be configured to be expandable and contractible in the transport direction F of the transfer sheet 12.

(6) In the above embodiment, in order to align the position of the transfer sheet 12 in the transport direction F with the position in the width direction, the disclosed example includes a transport direction sensor and a width direction sensor. However, the positional alignment of the transfer sheet 12 is not limited to the detection method of the sensors. For example, the positional alignment of the transfer sheet 12 may be performed according to the photographing image of the CCD camera, or may be attached to the placing unit 3. There is a position alignment mechanism.

(7) In the above embodiment, the disclosed example uses a roller to convey the metal body 11 with the transfer sheet 12 attached thereto. However, it is also possible to carry it by using a conveyor belt, or to simply slide the metal body 11 on its support. The support member used is thereby carried.

(8) In the above-described embodiment, the placed state transition mechanism in which the switchable metal body 11 is placed is configured using the latch member 33 that can protrude or retract from the mounting table 32. However, the latch member 33 may be replaced with, for example, a roller, a steel cable, a belt, or the like to constitute a placement state switching mechanism.

(9) In the above embodiment, the disclosed example is that the sheet cutting unit 5 is provided with a rotary cutter. However, as long as the transfer sheet 12 can be cut, the tool for forming the sheet cutting portion 5 is not limited to a rotary cutter, and may be any type of cutter such as a heating wire saw.

[Industrial Applicability]

The present invention is directed to a metal product to be used in various fields such as automobiles, home electric appliances, mobile phones, and personal computers, and can be widely used for forming a decorative layer on the surface of a metal body.

1‧‧‧ Thermal transfer device

2‧‧‧Sheet output department

3‧‧‧Loading Department

4‧‧‧Transfer roller (transfer pressurization unit)

5‧‧‧Sheet cut section

6‧‧‧Mobile fixture (sheet pull-out section)

8‧‧‧Transfer platform

9‧‧‧Standing Department

10‧‧‧Exporting Department

11‧‧‧Metal body

12‧‧‧Transfer sheet

13‧‧‧Sheet support

14‧‧‧Fixed fixture

15‧‧‧Handling roller

16‧‧‧Handling roller

17‧‧‧ concave receiving department

18‧‧‧ convex claws

32‧‧‧ mounting table (placement state conversion mechanism)

32a‧‧‧Loading surface (placement state conversion mechanism)

33‧‧‧Latch member (placement state conversion mechanism)

F‧‧·Transfer sheet conveying direction

H‧‧‧Sheet reference height

Fig. 1 is a side view of the thermal transfer device.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the thermal transfer device.

Fig. 3 is a view showing a metal body mounting operation [(a) is a state before the metal body is placed, and (b) is a state after the metal body is placed].

Fig. 4 is a view showing a transfer operation diagram [(a) is a state before transfer, and (b) is a state after transfer].

Figure 5 is a view showing the pull-out operation [[a] before the transfer sheet is pulled out The state of (b) is the state in which the transfer sheet is pulled out].

Fig. 6 is a view showing the operation of the standby unit.

Fig. 7 is a view showing a cutting operation diagram [(a) is a state in which the cutting preparation stage is performed, and (b) is a state in which the sheet is cut.].

Fig. 8 is a view showing the take-out operation.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the fixed fixture and the moving fixture.

Fig. 10 is a view showing the operation of the fixing jig and the moving jig [(a) is in a leaving state, and (b) is in a close state].

Fig. 11 is a view showing a mechanism for adjusting the length of the standby area.

3‧‧‧Loading Department

4‧‧‧Transfer roller (transfer pressurization unit)

5‧‧‧Sheet cut section

6‧‧‧Mobile fixture (sheet pull-out section)

6A‧‧‧Upper clamping part

6B‧‧‧Bottom clamping section

9‧‧‧Standing Department

10‧‧‧Exporting Department

11‧‧‧Metal body

12‧‧‧Transfer sheet

12A‧‧‧End

12a‧‧‧Transfer layer

12b‧‧‧ base sheet

13‧‧‧Sheet support

14‧‧‧Fixed fixture

14A‧‧‧Upper clamping part

14B‧‧‧Bottom clamping part

15‧‧‧Handling roller

16‧‧‧Handling roller

32‧‧‧ mounting table (placement state conversion mechanism)

32a‧‧‧Loading surface (placement state conversion mechanism)

33‧‧‧Latch member (placement state conversion mechanism)

F‧‧·Transfer sheet conveying direction

H‧‧‧Sheet reference height

Claims (8)

A thermal transfer device comprising: a sheet output portion that supplies the transfer sheet to a metal object to be decorated while holding a roll-shaped transfer sheet; and an end portion of the transfer sheet The sheet drawing portion of the transfer sheet is further provided with a mounting portion that can be placed in a state in which the metal body and the transfer sheet are stacked together; and the transfer sheet is placed on the mounting surface. The metal body of the portion transfers the pattern to the transfer pressurizing portion of the metal body; and after the transfer is completed, the sheet pulling portion is pulled out from the mounting portion and is held tightly with the metal body The sheet-cut portion in which the transfer sheet in the attached state is cut. The thermal transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the height of the sheet when the transfer sheet is pulled out is higher than the upper surface of the mounting portion, and the height of the sheet is the height of the sheet. And a mounting state switching mechanism that changes the mounting state of the metal body to a state in which the metal body abuts on the mounting surface, and the metal body leaves the load The surface of the transfer surface of the metal body is placed at a distance from the reference height of the sheet, and the mounting state changing mechanism is configured to pull the metal body after the transfer and the transfer sheet. The mounting state of the metal body is changed to the above-described distance-mounted state, and further includes a standby unit disposed adjacent to the mounting portion, the standby unit When the metal body and the transfer sheet are pulled out from the placing portion, the metal body can be received while maintaining the height of the metal body. The thermal transfer device according to the second aspect of the invention, further comprising: a discharge portion disposed adjacent to a downstream side of the standby portion, wherein the discharge portion is disposed such that a cutting position of the transfer sheet is at the turn The drawing direction of the printing sheet is positioned at the position of the sheet cutting portion. The thermal transfer device according to claim 3, wherein the sheet drawing portion is reciprocally movable above the discharge portion, and the discharge portion has a plurality of transport rollers that can be lifted and lowered individually, and when the sheet is When the drawing portion passes over the discharge portion, the plurality of conveyance rollers are maintained at the lowered position without interfering with the sheet drawing portion. The thermal transfer device according to any one of the second aspect of the present invention, wherein the transfer sheet is provided on the downstream side in the transport direction of the transfer sheet, and the transfer sheet is protruded or In the retracted sheet supporting portion, the standby portion is movable up and down, and when the transfer sheet is pulled by the sheet drawing portion, the sheet supporting portion is retracted from the transfer sheet, and the standby portion is held at the rising position. When the transfer sheet of the sheet drawing portion is pulled out, the sheet supporting portion protrudes toward the transfer sheet, and when the transfer pressing portion approaches the transfer sheet, the sheet supporting portion is configured to be The transfer sheet is retracted and the standby portion described above is held in the lowered position. The thermal transfer device according to any one of the items of the second aspect, wherein the discharge unit is disposed adjacent to a downstream side of the standby unit, and the discharge unit is disposed such that the transfer sheet is disposed The cutting position is positioned at the position of the sheet cutting portion in the drawing sheet drawing direction, and the sheet drawing portion is constituted by a moving jig having an upper and lower holding portion, and has an upper and lower holding portion and is fixed to the discharge portion. The fixing jig is provided on the upstream side in the transport direction of the transfer sheet with respect to the moving jig, and the lower sandwiching portion of the fixing jig is formed in a plurality in the width direction of the transfer sheet to face the moving jig a concave receiving portion of the surface, and a lower clamping portion of the moving jig having a plurality of convex claw portions formed on a surface facing the fixing jig in a width direction of the transfer sheet, the concave receiving portion and the The convex claw portion is configured to be engageable. The thermal transfer device according to any one of the second aspect of the present invention, wherein the standby unit is provided with a plurality of transport row portions in a width direction orthogonal to a transport direction of the transfer sheet, and is configured to At least one of the adjacent transport column portions of the plurality of transport row portions is relatively movable in the transport direction. A thermal transfer method, comprising: supplying a step of feeding the transfer sheet from an end portion of the sheet output portion for holding the sheet-shaped transfer sheet, and holding the transfer sheet; a step of disposing the body on the placing portion in a state of being superimposed on the transfer sheet pulled out from the sheet output portion; a step of transferring the transfer sheet to the metal body disposed on the mounting portion, and transferring the pattern to the metal body; and after the transferring operation, maintaining the transfer sheet and the metal body a step of pulling out the transfer sheet from the mounting portion; and a cutting step of cutting the transfer sheet that is pulled out in contact with the metal body.