JP4233178B2

JP4233178B2 - Image transfer device

Info

Publication number: JP4233178B2
Application number: JP24686499A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 和好森井; 英輔杉沢
Original assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Current assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Priority date: 1999-09-01
Filing date: 1999-09-01
Publication date: 2009-03-04
Anticipated expiration: 2019-09-01
Also published as: JP2001071456A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
この発明は、各種製品の表面に装飾を施す画像を有する転写シートを製品表面の平面や曲面に転写する画像転写装置に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
例えばプラモデル等の装飾用や絵皿等の焼き付け前面像定着等においては、画像を形成した転写層と接着層と剥離層及びベース紙を有する湿式転写シートや浸水性を有しない転写シートが使用されている。これらの転写シートに形成された各種製品等の被転写体に転写するためには、転写シートの画像が形成された転写層を保持するベース紙を剥離する必要がある。湿式転写シートのベース紙を剥離する方法としては、湿式転写シートを水中に浸けてベース紙に水が浸透して転写層から離脱したのを見計らって水中に浮遊する転写層を被転写体自身を用い人手ですくい取ったり、例えば特開平９−３０９６６４号公報に示されているように、ベース紙等の保護シートの端部に突当部材を押し付けた状態で、突当部材を保護シートの内側に移動して保護シートの端部を転写層等の被保護体から部分的に剥離し、剥離した端部をめくり起こしてチャックで挟み、チャックを移動して被保護体から保護シートを剥離するようにしている。このようにして剥離した転写層と接着層を被転写体の表面形状に倣わせて圧接して転写層を被転写体に転写するようにしている。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら転写層を被転写体に圧接して転写するときに、転写層と被転写体とのわずかな面の隙間に空気が残り、接着部のすきまからこの空気を追い出そうとしても接着により流動性がそこなわれるために空気が移動できずに残ってしまい、転写層の表面に凸凹が生じ、美観を損ねて商品価値を低下させてしまう。
【０００４】
一般にはこの空気を追い出すために空気の溜った部分に微少な針で穴を空けて空気を追い出すようにしているが、画像の損傷やしわ発生の原因となっている。また、湿式画像転写紙の場合には被転写体上に水を霧状にして吹き付け、この上に湿式転写紙を軟着させ、水の介在によるシートの延展妨害を阻止しながら、空気と水を同時にへら等で追い出しながら順次接着して残留空気の除去としわ発生を防止している。しかしながら、この作業は熟練を要し作業時間も長くかかってしまい作業性が悪い。
【０００５】
この発明はかかる短所を改善し、転写シートを被転写体に転写するときの空気の巻き込み等による貼り付け後のしわ発生を防止するとともの作業時間を短縮することができる画像転写装置を提供することを目的とするものである。
【０００６】
また、大型の転写シートを被転写体に転写するときも貼り付け後のしわ発生を確実に防止することができるとともに安定して転写を行うことができる画像転写装置を提供することを目的とする。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
この発明に係る画像転写装置は、画像を形成した転写層と接着層と剥離層及びベース紙を有する転写シートを被転写体に転写する画像転写装置であって、転写シートを保持する吸着ヘッドは真空室と昇降機構部と押圧部と吸着体を有し、真空室は切換弁を介して真空吸引装置と空気供給装置に連結され、先端部に吸着体が設けられ、昇降機構部は真空室の上部中央に設けられ押圧部を昇降させ、押圧部は押圧する先端部に表面が球面状母線を有する可撓性部材が取り付けられ、吸着体は柔軟なシート状の焼結体樹脂材料からなることを特徴とする。
【０００８】
この発明に係る第２の画像転写装置は、画像を形成した転写層と接着層と剥離層及びベース紙を有する転写シートを被転写体に転写する画像転写装置であって、転写シートを保持する吸着ヘッドは真空室と旋回押圧部と吸着体を有し、真空室は切換弁を介して真空吸引装置と空気供給装置に連結され、先端部に吸着体が設けられ、旋回押圧部は真空室の上部中央に設けられた回転軸受に軸支され、回転駆動機構に連結された回転軸と、回転軸の先端部に取り付けられた回転アームと、回転アームに取り付けられた複数の昇降機構にそれぞれ取り付けられ、表面に球面を有する押付部材を有し、吸着体は柔軟なシート状の焼結体樹脂材料からなることを特徴とする。
【０００９】
この発明に係る第３の画像転写装置は、上記第２の画像転写装置において、押付部材の先端部に回転自在な球面状ローラを設けたことを特徴とする。
【００１０】
この発明に係る第４の画像転写装置は、画像を形成した転写層と接着層と剥離層及びベース紙を有する転写シートを被転写体に転写する画像転写装置であって、転写シートを保持する吸着ヘッドは真空室と旋回押圧部と吸着体を有し、先端部に吸着体が設けられ、真空室は切換弁を介して真空吸引装置と空気供給装置に連結され、先端部に吸着体が設けられ、旋回押圧部は真空室の上部中央に設けられた回転軸受に軸支され、回転駆動機構に連結された回転軸と、回転軸の先端部に取り付けられた回転アームと、回転アームに取り付けられた昇降機構に取り付けられ、表面に球面を有する押付部材と、回転アームに取り付けられた偏心機構と偏心機構に取り付けられた昇降機構に取り付けられ先端部に回転自在な球面状ローラを有する押付部材とからなる偏心押付機構を有し、吸着体は柔軟なシート状の焼結体樹脂材料からなることを特徴とする。
【００１１】
この発明に係る第５の画像転写装置は、上記第１から第４の画像転写装置において、吸着体が一方の面に微少な壁状溝を有する伸縮性樹脂材料と壁状溝を有する面に微少な通気貫通孔を有する発泡性伸縮樹脂材料を貼り合わせて形成され、真空室は、先端部に吸着体を保持し、切換弁を介して真空吸引装置と空気供給装置に連結された通気孔を有する吸着体把持具からなり、吸着体把持具の通気孔を吸着体の壁状溝に連通したことを特徴とする。
【００１２】
この発明に係る第６の画像転写装置は、画像を形成した転写層と接着層と剥離層及びベース紙を有する転写シートを被転写体に転写する画像転写装置であって、転写シートを保持する吸着ヘッドは吸着体把持具と吸着体と横行押圧機構を有し、吸着体把持具は切換弁を介して真空吸引装置と空気供給装置に連結された通気孔を有し、先端部に吸着体を保持し、吸着体は一方の面に微少な壁状溝を有する伸縮性樹脂材料と壁状溝を有する面に微少な通気貫通孔を有する発泡性伸縮樹脂材料を貼り合わせて形成され、壁状溝を吸着体把持具の通気孔に連通して吸着体把持具に取り付けられ、横行押圧機構は吸着体把持具に設けられた横行機構部と、横行機構部の先端部に設けられた昇降機構部と、昇降機構部に弾性支持体を介して保持された転がりロールを有し、転がりロールを吸着体に押圧しながら横行機構部で転がりロールを水平移動することを特徴とする。
【００１３】
この発明に係る第７の画像転写装置は、画像を形成した転写層と接着層と剥離層及びベース紙を有する転写シートを被転写体に転写する画像転写装置であって、転写シートを保持する吸着ヘッドは２軸移動機構と吸着体把持具と吸着体と押圧機構を有し、２軸移動機構を押圧機構を保持して水平の直交する２軸方向に移動し、吸着体把持具は切換弁を介して真空吸引装置と空気供給装置に連結された通気孔を有し、先端部に吸着体を保持し、吸着体は一方の面に微少な壁状溝を有する伸縮性樹脂材料と壁状溝を有する面に微少な通気貫通孔を有する発泡性伸縮樹脂材料を貼り合わせて形成され、壁状溝を吸着体把持具の通気孔に連通して吸着体把持具に取り付けられ、押圧機構は２軸移動機構に取り付けられた昇降機構と、昇降機構の先端部に設けられ、吸着体を押圧する回転自在な球面状ローラを有する押付部材とを有することを特徴とする。
【００１４】
上記吸着体把持具に吸着体の張力可変手段を設けることが望ましい。
【００１５】
【発明の実施の形態】
この発明の転写シートを保持する吸着ヘッドは真空室と昇降機構部と押圧部と吸着体を有する。真空室は切換弁を介して真空吸引装置と空気供給装置に連結され、先端部に柔軟なシート状の焼結体樹脂材料からなる吸着体が取り付けられている。昇降機構部は真空室の上部中央に設けられ押圧部を昇降させる。押圧部は先端部に表面が球面状母線を有する可撓性部材を有する。
【００１６】
吸着ヘッドの吸着体で真空吸引して保持した転写シートの転写層と接着層を定着ベース上の被転写体に接着するときは、吸着ヘッドの押圧部を下降させ、押圧部の先端に設けた球面状母線を有する可撓性部材を吸着体に押し付けて吸着体を球面状に変形させる。吸着材を変形させると、吸着材に真空吸引されている転写シートの転写層と接着層も吸着材の変形に倣って球面状に変形する。この状態で昇降機構部により吸着ヘッドを下降させ、吸着ヘッドで保持している転写シートの転写層と接着層を定着ベースの上に置かれた被転写体の上に移送して、接着層を被転写体表面の所定の位置に接触させる。この転写シートの接着層を被転写体の表面に接触させたときに、転写シートの転写層と接着層が球面状に変形しているから、接着層が被転写体の表面に点接触する。この状態で昇降機構部により吸着ヘッドを微動させて下降すると球面状母線を有する可撓性部材の表面先端が変形し、被転写体に接触している接着層の接触面積が点接触状態から徐々に広がり、被転写体と接着層との間にある空気を追い出しながら接着層の全面を被転写体の表面形状に倣わせて接触させ、被転写体と接着層の間に空気の巻き込みが生じることを防ぐことができる。
【００１７】
【実施例】
図１はこの発明の一実施例の構成図である。図に示すように、画像転写装置１は架台２に設けられた給紙部３と搬送部４と剥離部５及び転写部６を有する。給紙部３は転写シートを積層して保持する給紙ストッカ７と、給紙ストッカ７で保持した転写シート８を昇降させるシート昇降機構部９を有する。搬送部４は給紙部３と剥離部５及び転写部６の上方に設けられた２本のガイドレール１０と、ガイドレール１０に沿って移動する移動台１１と、移動台１１に設けられた昇降機構部１２と、昇降機構部１２の先端に取り付けられた吸着ヘッド１３と、移動台１１をガイドレール１０に沿って移動する搬送機構部１４を有する。吸着ヘッド１３は、図２に示すように、真空室１５と昇降機構部１６と押圧部１７と吸着体１８を有する。真空室１５は切換弁を介して真空吸引装置と空気供給装置に連結されている。昇降機構部１６は真空室１５の上部中央に設けられ、押圧部１７を昇降させる。押圧部１７は先端部に表面が球面状母線を有する可撓性部材１９が取り付けられている。吸着体１８は柔軟なシート状の焼結体樹脂材料、例えば（株）化研製のフィルタレンンＦ−１００等からなり、気孔口率５３％、表面空孔径１００μｍ程度の通気孔を有し、真空室１５の先端に取り付けられている。
【００１８】
剥離部５は給紙部３より搬送部４の移動方向の下流側に設けられ、吸引機構部や剥離層除去ローラ等を有し、転写シート８のベース紙と剥離層を剥離する。転写部６は剥離部５より搬送部４の移動方向の下流側に設けられ、被転写体を搬送する搬送部に連結された定着ベース２０を有する。
【００１９】
上記のように構成した画像転写装置で転写シート８の転写層に形成された画像を被転写体に転写するときの動作を説明する。
【００２０】
まず、給紙部３の給紙ストッカ７に転写シート８の転写層２が上になるようにして積み重ねた状態で、搬送部４の移動台１１を給紙ストッカ７の上部に移動して位置決めする。次ぎに、昇降機構部１２により吸着ヘッド１３の押圧部１７を上昇させた状態で吸着ヘッド１３を下降しながら真空室１５を真空吸引する。同時に給紙部３のシート昇降機構部９により積み重ねた転写シート８を所定の位置まで上昇させ、１枚の転写シート８を吸着ヘッド１３で真空吸引して保持する。この転写シート８を保持するときに、転写シート８を保持する吸着ヘッド１３の吸着体１８が、例えば気孔口率５３％、表面空孔径１００μｍ程度の通気孔を有するシート状の焼結体樹脂材料で形成されているから、転写シート８を搬送するために必要な吸引力を確保することができるとともに、吸着体１８の柔軟性により転写シート８の転写層に余分な応力が加えられることを防ぎ、転写層に形成されている画像が損傷することを防ぐことができる。
【００２１】
吸着ヘッド１３で転写シート８を保持したことを確認すると、昇降機構部１２により吸着ヘッド１３を上昇させ、シート昇降機構部９により積み重ねた転写シート８を下降させる。吸着ヘッド１３が上昇端まで上昇したら移動台１１を剥離部５まで移動して転写シート８のベース紙と剥離層を剥離する。剥離部５で転写シート８のベース紙と剥離層を剥離した後、移動台１１を転写部６に移動する。
【００２２】
移動台１１が移動して吸着ヘッド１３が定着ベース２０の上部に達したら、吸着ヘッド１３に設けた昇降機構部１６により押圧部１７を下降させ、押圧部１７の先端に設けた球面状母線を有する可撓性部材１９を吸着体１８に押し付けて吸着体１８を球面状に変形させる。吸着材１８を変形させると、吸着材１８に真空吸引されている転写シート８の転写層と接着層も吸着材１８の変形に倣って球面状に変形する。この状態で昇降機構部１２により吸着ヘッド１３を下降させ、吸着ヘッド１３で保持している転写シート８の転写層と接着層を定着ベース２０の上に置かれた被転写体の上に移送して、接着層を被転写体表面の所定の位置に接触させる。この転写シート８の接着層を被転写体の表面に接触させたときに、転写シート８の転写層と接着層が球面状に変形しているから、接着層が被転写体の表面に点接触する。この状態で昇降機構部１２により吸着ヘッド１３を微動させて下降すると球面状母線を有する可撓性部材１９の表面先端が変形し、被転写体に接触している接着層の接触面積が点接触状態から徐々に広がり、被転写体と接着層との間にある空気を追い出しながら接着層の全面を被転写体の表面形状に倣わせて接触させる。したがって被転写体と接着層の間に空気の巻き込みが生じることを防ぐことができる。
【００２３】
接着層の全面が被転写体に接触したら、吸着ヘッド１３の真空吸引を解除し、吸引ヘッド１３に空気供給装置から一定圧力の空気を供給して被転写体表面に接触している転写シート８の転写層と接着層を被転写体の表面形状に倣わせながら圧接して転写層を被転写体に転写して定着する。被転写体に対する転写層の転写が完了すると、吸引ヘッド１３に一定圧力の空気を供給して吸着体１８から吹き出させながら昇降機構部１２により吸引ヘッド１３を上昇させる。このように転写終了後に吸引ヘッド１３を上昇させるときに、吸着体１８から一定圧力の空気を吹き出させるから、被転写体に転写された転写層から吸着体１８を確実に分離して被転写体に転写された転写層が剥がれることを防ぐことができ、被転写体に転写された画像がずれたり変形することを防止して良質な画像を被転写体に形成することができる。
【００２４】
吸着ヘッド１３が上昇端まで上昇したことを確認したら移動台１１を初期位置である給紙部３まで移動して次ぎの転写シート８の処理に入る。
【００２５】
上記実施例は吸着ヘッド１３の押圧部１７に表面が球面状母線を有する可撓性部材１９を設け、押圧部１７を昇降させて可撓性部材１９で吸着体１８を球面状に変形させる場合について説明したが、図３に示すように、吸着ヘッド１３に、回転軸受２１により軸支され、駆動伝達プーリ２２，２３と駆動ベルト２４により回転駆動機構２５に連結された回転軸２６と、回転軸２６の先端部に取り付けられた回転アーム２７と、回転アーム２７に取り付けられた複数のエアーシリンダ２８と、各エアーシリンダ２８のピストンロッド先端部にそれぞれ取り付けられ、表面に球面を有する押付部材２９と戻り用のバネ３０を有する旋回押圧部１７ａを設けても良い。
【００２６】
この第２の実施例の場合は、移動台１１が移動して吸着ヘッド１３が定着ベース２０の上部に達したら、回転アーム２７の回転中心にあるエアーシリンダ２８を駆動して押付部材２９を下降させ、転写シート８の転写層と接着層を保持している吸着体１８の中心部を押し付けて変形させる。この状態で吸着ヘッド１３を下降させて、吸着体１８で保持している転写シート８の中心部の接着層を定着ベース２０の上に置かれた被転写体に点接触させる。その後、回転駆動機構２５を駆動して回転アーム２７を回転しながら、回転アーム２７の回転中心から順番にエアーシリンダ２８を駆動して押付部材２９を順次下降し、吸着体１８で保持している転写シート８の接着層を被転写体に回転アーム２７の回転中心から螺旋状で接触させ被転写体と接着層との間にある空気を追い出しながら接着層の全面を被転写体の表面形状に倣わせて接触させる。このように転写シート８の接着層を被転写体に回転アーム２７の回転中心から螺旋状で接触させて被転写体と接着層の間の空気を追い出しながら被転写体に接触させるから、被転写体と接着層の間の空気の巻き込みをより確実に防ぐことができるとともに、被転写体に接着した転写シート８の転写層にしわが発生することを防止することができ、転写シート８がＡ４サイズ以上の大形の場合でも安定して転写層を被転写体に貼付ることができる。
【００２７】
上記実施例は回転アーム２７に取り付けた各エアーシリンダ２８に、表面に球面を有する押付部材２９を取り付けた場合について説明したが、図４に示すように、回転アーム２７の回転中心に設けたエアーシリンア１８にだけ表面に球面を有する押付部材２９を設け、他のエアーシリンア１８に先端部に回転自在な球面状ローラ３１を有する押付部材３２を設けても良い。
【００２８】
このように転写シート８の接着層を被転写体に接触させたときに、滑りが小さい回転アーム２７の回転中心部だけを表面に球面を有する押付部材２９で押し付け、その他の部分を球面状ローラ３１を有する押付部材３２で押し付けるようにしたから吸着体１８を擦ることによる損耗を防ぐとともに吸着体１８の撓みによる転写層の画像の歪みを解消することができる。
【００２９】
上記実施例は回転アーム２７に球面状ローラ３１を有する押付部材３２を複数設けた場合について説明したが、図５に示すように、回転アーム２７の回転中心に設けた表面に球面を有する押付部材２９とともに、回転アーム２７に取り付けた偏心用エアーシリンダ等の偏心機構３３のエアーシリンダ３４の先端部に取り付けられた球面状ローラ３１を有する押付部材３２からなる偏心押付機構３５を設けても良い。このように１組の偏心押付機構３５を設けることにより吸着ヘッド１３の構成を簡略化することができるとともに、転写シート８の接着層を被転写体に接触するときの制御を簡略化することができる。
【００３０】
また、上記各実施例は真空室１５の先端に例えば気孔口率５３％、表面空孔径１００μｍ程度の通気孔を有するシート状の焼結体樹脂材料で形成した吸着体１８を設けた場合について説明したが、図６の断面図に示すように、吸着体１８の代わりに伸縮性樹脂材料３５の一方の面に微少な壁状溝３６を設け、この壁状溝３６を有する面に微少な通気貫通孔３７を有する発泡性伸縮樹脂材料３８を貼り合わせた吸着体１８ａを使用し、この吸着体１８ａの壁状溝３６の両端部を、図７に示すように、一方に通気孔３９を有する吸着体把持具４０で保持し、壁状溝３６の一方を通気孔３９に連通するようにしても良い。このように壁状溝３６を有する吸着体１８ａを使用し、通気孔３９を通して真空引きをしたり空気を送ることにより真空室１５が不要になり、密閉するための気密機構等が必要でなく吸着ヘッド１３の構成を簡略化することができる。
【００３１】
また、吸着体把持具４０の吸着体１８ａの保持部のいずれか一方または両方に、図７に示すように引張り機構４４を設けることにより、吸着体１８ａに張力をを与えることができ、収縮した状態で吸着体１８ａに吸引された転写シート８に適正な張りを与えて被転写体に接着することができ、収縮しわの無い良質な画像を被転写体に転写することができる。さらに、引張り機構４４に吸着体１８ａの最大引張量を規制する停止機構を設け、吸着体１８ａの変形量を一定許容範囲に抑制することにより、吸着体１８ａを長期間安定して使用することができる。
【００３２】
さらに、上記各実施例は吸着体１８，１８ａを表面に球面状母線を有する可撓性部材１９を有する押圧部１７や表面に球面を有する押付部材２９等で球面状に変形させて転写シート８の転写層を被転写体に転写する場合について説明したが、図８に示すように、吸着体把持具４０に横行機構部４２を設け、横行機構部４２の先端部に設けた昇降機構部４３にバネ等の弾性支持体４４により支持された回転軸受４５に保持された転がりロール４６を設けて、転がりロール４６で吸着体１８ａを押圧して変形させるようにしても良い。
【００３３】
この場合は、吸着体１８ａの一方の端部に転がりロール４６を押し付けた変形させた状態で吸着体１８ａで保持した転写シート８の接着層を被転写体に線接触させ、この状態で横行機構部４２により転がりロール４６を水平方向に移動して、接着層と被転写体との間に有る空気を排除しながら転写シート８の転写層を被転写体に転写する。このようにして被転写体に接着層を線接触しながら空気を追い出して転写層を転写するから、転写速度を速くすることができる。
【００３４】
上記実施例は転がりロール４６を水平方向に移動して転写シート８の転写層を被転写体に転写する場合について説明したが、図９に示すように、Ｘ−Ｙテーブル等の２軸移動機構４７にエアーシリンダ２８と表面に球面を有する押付部材２９を設け、押付部材２９をジグザグで移動しながら吸着体１８ａを変形させて転写シート８の転写層を被転写体に転写するようにしても良い。
【００３５】
【発明の効果】
この発明は以上説明したように、転写シートの転写層を被転写体に転写するときに、表面が球面状母線を有する可撓性部材で転写シートの接着層を被転写体に点接触させてから周辺部に徐々に接着するようにしたから、接着層を被転写体の間に空気を巻き込むことを防ぎ、しわの無い良質な画像を被転写体に転写することができる。
【００３６】
また、複数の昇降機構にそれぞれ取り付けられ、表面に球面を有する押付部材を旋回中心で下降して転写シートの接着層を被転写体に点接触させてから押付部材旋回中心から順次下降させながら回転することにより、接着層を被転写体に螺旋状で接触させ被転写体と接着層との間にある空気を追い出すことにより、被転写体と接着層の間の空気の巻き込みをより確実に防ぐことができるとともに、被転写体に接着した転写シートの転写層にしわが発生することを防止することができ、転写シートがＡ４サイズ以上の大形の場合でも安定して転写層を被転写体に貼付ることができる。
【００３７】
さらに、押付部材の先端部に回転自在な球面状ローラを設けることにより、吸着体を擦ることによる損耗を防ぐとともに吸着体の撓みによる転写層の画像の歪みを解消することができる。
【００３８】
また、球面状ローラを回転中心側から順次移動して偏心させながら吸着体を変形させることにより、吸着ヘッドの構成を簡略化することができるとともに転写シートの接着層を被転写体に接触するときの制御を簡略化することができる。
【００３９】
さらに、吸着体として伸縮性樹脂材料の一方の面に微少な壁状溝を設け、この壁状溝を有する面に微少な通気貫通孔を有する発泡性伸縮樹脂材料を貼り合わせた吸着体を使用し、この吸着体の壁状溝の一方を吸着体把持具の通気孔に連通することにより、吸着体を真空吸引するための気密機構等が必要でなく吸着ヘッドの構成を簡略化することができる。
【００４０】
また、吸着体把持具に横行機構部を設け、横行機構部の先端部に設けた昇降機構部に弾性支持体により支持された回転軸受に保持された転がりロールを設け、吸着体の一方の端部に転がりロールを押し付けて変形させた状態で吸着体で保持した転写シートの接着層を被転写体に線接触させ、この状態で横行機構部により転がりロールを水平方向に移動することにより、被転写体に接着層を線接触しながら空気を追い出すことができ、転写速度を速くすることができる。
【００４１】
さらに、２軸移動機構に昇降機構と表面に球面ロールを有する押付部材を設け押付部材をジグザグで移動しながら吸着体を変形させて転写シートの転写層を被転写体に転写することにより、被転写体と接着層の間の空気の巻き込みを確実に防ぐことができるとともに被転写体に接着した転写シートの転写層にしわが発生することを防止することができる。
【００４２】
また、吸着体把持具に吸着体の張力可変手段を設けて吸着体の変形量を一定許容範囲に抑制することにより吸着体を長期間安定して使用することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】この発明の実施例の構成図である。
【図２】上記実施例の吸着ヘッドの構成図である。
【図３】第２の実施例の吸着ヘッドの構成図である。
【図４】第３の実施例の吸着ヘッドの構成図である。
【図５】第５の実施例の吸着ヘッドの構成図である。
【図６】他の吸着体の構成を示す断面図である。
【図７】第６の実施例の吸着ヘッドの構成図である。
【図８】第７の実施例の吸着ヘッドの構成図である。
【図９】第８の実施例の吸着ヘッドの構成図である。
【符号の説明】
１；画像転写装置、２；架台、３；給紙部、４；搬送部、５；剥離部、
６；転写部、８；転写シート、１０；ガイドレール、１１；移動台、
１２；昇降機構部、１３；吸着ヘッド、１５；真空室、１６；昇降機構部、
１７；押圧部、１８；吸着体、１９；可撓性部材。[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image transfer apparatus for transferring a transfer sheet having an image for decorating the surface of various products to a flat or curved surface of the product surface.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, for decorative use such as plastic models and image fixing such as printing on a front plate, a wet transfer sheet having an image-formed transfer layer, an adhesive layer, a release layer and a base paper, or a transfer sheet having no water immersion is used. ing. In order to transfer to various transfer materials such as various products formed on these transfer sheets, it is necessary to peel off the base paper holding the transfer layer on which the image of the transfer sheet is formed. As a method of peeling the base paper of the wet transfer sheet, immerse the wet transfer sheet in water, so that the water penetrates into the base paper and separates from the transfer layer, and the transfer layer floating in water is removed from the transfer target itself. In the state where the abutting member is pressed against the end of the protective sheet such as a base paper, as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-309664, the abutting member is placed inside the protective sheet. The protective sheet is partially peeled off from the protected object such as the transfer layer, the peeled edge is turned up and sandwiched by the chuck, and the chuck is moved to peel the protective sheet from the protected object. I am doing so. The transfer layer and the adhesive layer peeled in this way are brought into pressure contact with the surface shape of the transfer object to transfer the transfer layer to the transfer object.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the transfer layer is transferred to the transfer target while being pressed, air remains in a slight gap between the transfer layer and the transfer target, and even if it tries to expel this air from the gap of the bonding part, it is fluid by adhesion. As a result, air cannot move and remains, causing irregularities on the surface of the transfer layer, detracting from aesthetics and reducing the commercial value.
[0004]
In general, in order to expel this air, a hole is made in a portion where the air has accumulated with a fine needle so as to expel the air, but this causes damage to images and wrinkles. Further, in the case of wet image transfer paper, water is sprayed on the transfer medium in the form of a mist, and the wet transfer paper is softly adhered onto the transfer material to prevent air and water from interfering with the sheet. At the same time, they are sequentially adhered with a spatula to remove residual air and prevent wrinkling. However, this work requires skill and takes a long time, and the workability is poor.
[0005]
The present invention provides an image transfer apparatus that improves such disadvantages and prevents wrinkling after sticking due to air entrainment or the like when transferring a transfer sheet to a transfer target, and shortening the work time. It is for the purpose.
[0006]
It is another object of the present invention to provide an image transfer apparatus capable of reliably preventing wrinkling after affixing and transferring stably even when transferring a large transfer sheet to a transfer target. .
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An image transfer apparatus according to the present invention is an image transfer apparatus that transfers a transfer sheet having an image-formed transfer layer, an adhesive layer, a release layer, and a base paper to a transfer target, and the suction head that holds the transfer sheet includes: It has a vacuum chamber, an elevating mechanism part, a pressing part, and an adsorbing body, the vacuum chamber is connected to a vacuum suction device and an air supply device via a switching valve, an adsorbing body is provided at the tip, and the elevating mechanism part is a vacuum chamber The pressing part is moved up and down, and the pressing part is attached with a flexible member having a spherical generatrix at the tip part to be pressed, and the adsorbent is made of a flexible sheet-like sintered resin material. It is characterized by that.
[0008]
A second image transfer apparatus according to the present invention is an image transfer apparatus that transfers a transfer sheet having an image-formed transfer layer, an adhesive layer, a release layer, and a base paper to a transfer target, and holds the transfer sheet The suction head has a vacuum chamber, a swivel pressing part and an adsorbing body, the vacuum chamber is connected to a vacuum suction device and an air supply device via a switching valve, an adsorbing body is provided at the tip, and the swiveling pressing part is a vacuum chamber A rotary shaft that is pivotally supported by a rotary bearing provided in the upper center of the rotary shaft and connected to a rotary drive mechanism, a rotary arm that is attached to the tip of the rotary shaft, and a plurality of lifting mechanisms that are attached to the rotary arm. A pressing member having a spherical surface is attached and the adsorbent is made of a flexible sheet-like sintered resin material.
[0009]
A third image transfer apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that in the second image transfer apparatus, a rotatable spherical roller is provided at a tip portion of the pressing member.
[0010]
A fourth image transfer apparatus according to the present invention is an image transfer apparatus that transfers a transfer sheet having an image-formed transfer layer, an adhesive layer, a release layer, and a base paper to a transfer target, and holds the transfer sheet The suction head has a vacuum chamber, a swivel pressing part, and an adsorbent, and an adsorbent is provided at the tip. The vacuum chamber is connected to a vacuum suction device and an air supply device via a switching valve. The swivel pressing unit is pivotally supported by a rotary bearing provided in the upper center of the vacuum chamber, and is connected to a rotary drive mechanism, a rotary arm attached to the tip of the rotary shaft, and a rotary arm. A pressing member attached to the attached lifting mechanism and having a spherical surface on the surface, an eccentric mechanism attached to the rotating arm, and a spherical roller which is attached to the lifting mechanism attached to the eccentric mechanism and which is rotatable at the tip. Part Has an eccentric pressing mechanism comprising a suction member is characterized by comprising a flexible sheet-like sintered body resin material.
[0011]
According to a fifth image transfer apparatus of the present invention, in the first to fourth image transfer apparatuses, the adsorbent has a stretchable resin material having a minute wall-shaped groove on one surface and a surface having the wall-shaped groove. Ventilation hole formed by sticking a foamable stretchable resin material having minute ventilation through holes, the vacuum chamber holding an adsorbent at the tip, and connected to a vacuum suction device and an air supply device via a switching valve The adsorbent gripping tool has a vent hole in the adsorbent gripping tool communicated with the wall-shaped groove of the adsorbent.
[0012]
A sixth image transfer apparatus according to the present invention is an image transfer apparatus that transfers a transfer sheet having an image-formed transfer layer, an adhesive layer, a release layer, and a base paper to a transfer target, and holds the transfer sheet The adsorption head has an adsorbent gripping tool, an adsorbent, and a transverse pressing mechanism, and the adsorbent gripping tool has a vent hole connected to a vacuum suction device and an air supply device via a switching valve, and an adsorbent at the tip portion. The adsorbent is formed by bonding a stretchable resin material having a minute wall-like groove on one side and a foamable stretchable resin material having a minute ventilation through hole on the surface having a wall-like groove, The groove is communicated with the suction hole of the adsorbent gripping tool and attached to the adsorbent gripping tool. The traverse pressing mechanism includes a traversing mechanism provided in the adsorbent gripping tool and an ascending / descending provided at the tip of the traversing mechanism. The mechanism and the rolling mechanism held by the lifting mechanism via an elastic support Has a roll, characterized by horizontally moving the rolling roll in the transverse mechanism while pressing the roll into adsorber rolling.
[0013]
A seventh image transfer apparatus according to the present invention is an image transfer apparatus that transfers a transfer sheet having an image-formed transfer layer, an adhesive layer, a release layer, and a base paper to a transfer target, and holds the transfer sheet The suction head has a biaxial movement mechanism, an adsorbent gripping tool, an adsorbent and a pressing mechanism, and moves the biaxial movement mechanism in two horizontal orthogonal directions while holding the pressing mechanism. An elastic resin material and a wall having a vent hole connected to a vacuum suction device and an air supply device through a valve, holding an adsorbent at the tip, and having a minute wall-like groove on one surface Pressing mechanism is formed by sticking a foamable stretchable resin material having minute ventilation through-holes to the surface having a groove-like groove, and connecting the wall-like groove to the ventilation hole of the suction-body gripping tool. Is a lifting mechanism attached to the biaxial moving mechanism, and the tip of the lifting mechanism Provided, and having a pressing member having a rotatable spherical roller for pressing the adsorbent.
[0014]
It is desirable to provide an adsorbent tension varying means on the adsorbent gripping tool.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The suction head for holding the transfer sheet according to the present invention has a vacuum chamber, an elevating mechanism, a pressing part, and an adsorbing body. The vacuum chamber is connected to a vacuum suction device and an air supply device via a switching valve, and an adsorbent made of a flexible sheet-like sintered resin material is attached to the tip. The raising / lowering mechanism part is provided in the upper center of a vacuum chamber, and raises / lowers a press part. The pressing part has a flexible member whose surface has a spherical generatrix at the tip.
[0016]
When adhering the transfer layer and adhesive layer of the transfer sheet held by vacuum suction with the suction body of the suction head to the transfer target on the fixing base, the pressing portion of the suction head is lowered and provided at the tip of the pressing portion. A flexible member having a spherical generatrix is pressed against the adsorbent to deform the adsorbent into a spherical shape. When the adsorbent is deformed, the transfer layer and the adhesive layer of the transfer sheet that is vacuum-sucked by the adsorbent are also deformed into a spherical shape following the deformation of the adsorbent. In this state, the suction head is lowered by the elevating mechanism, and the transfer layer and the adhesive layer of the transfer sheet held by the suction head are transferred onto the transfer target placed on the fixing base, and the adhesive layer is moved. It is brought into contact with a predetermined position on the surface of the transfer object. When the adhesive layer of the transfer sheet is brought into contact with the surface of the transfer object, the transfer layer and the adhesive layer of the transfer sheet are deformed into a spherical shape, so that the adhesive layer makes point contact with the surface of the transfer object. In this state, when the suction head is slightly moved by the lifting mechanism and lowered, the front end of the flexible member having the spherical generatrix is deformed, and the contact area of the adhesive layer that is in contact with the transferred body gradually increases from the point contact state. The entire surface of the adhesive layer is brought into contact with the surface of the transferred body while following the air between the transferred body and the adhesive layer, and air is trapped between the transferred body and the adhesive layer. Can be prevented.
[0017]
【Example】
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the image transfer apparatus 1 includes a paper feed unit 3, a transport unit 4, a peeling unit 5, and a transfer unit 6 provided on a gantry 2. The sheet feeding unit 3 includes a sheet feeding stocker 7 that stacks and holds transfer sheets, and a sheet lifting and lowering mechanism unit 9 that lifts and lowers the transfer sheet 8 held by the sheet feeding stocker 7. The conveying unit 4 is provided on the sheet feeding unit 3, the separation unit 5, the two guide rails 10 provided above the transfer unit 6, a moving table 11 that moves along the guide rail 10, and the moving table 11. The elevating mechanism unit 12, the suction head 13 attached to the tip of the elevating mechanism unit 12, and the transport mechanism unit 14 that moves the moving table 11 along the guide rail 10 are included. As shown in FIG. 2, the suction head 13 includes a vacuum chamber 15, an elevating mechanism unit 16, a pressing unit 17, and a suction body 18. The vacuum chamber 15 is connected to a vacuum suction device and an air supply device via a switching valve. The elevating mechanism 16 is provided in the upper center of the vacuum chamber 15 and elevates the pressing unit 17. The pressing portion 17 is attached with a flexible member 19 having a spherical generatrix on the front end portion. The adsorbent 18 is made of a flexible sheet-like sintered resin material, for example, Filteren F-100 manufactured by Kaken Co., Ltd., and has air holes with a porosity of 53% and a surface pore diameter of about 100 μm. Attached to the tip of the vacuum chamber 15.
[0018]
The peeling unit 5 is provided downstream of the paper feeding unit 3 in the moving direction of the transport unit 4 and includes a suction mechanism unit, a peeling layer removing roller, and the like, and peels the base paper and the peeling layer of the transfer sheet 8. The transfer unit 6 includes a fixing base 20 that is provided downstream of the peeling unit 5 in the moving direction of the transport unit 4 and connected to the transport unit that transports the transfer target.
[0019]
The operation when the image formed on the transfer layer of the transfer sheet 8 is transferred to the transfer target by the image transfer apparatus configured as described above will be described.
[0020]
First, in a state where the transfer layer 2 of the transfer sheet 8 is stacked on the paper feed stocker 7 of the paper feed unit 3, the moving table 11 of the transport unit 4 is moved to the upper part of the paper feed stocker 7 and positioned. To do. Next, the vacuum chamber 15 is vacuum-sucked while the suction head 13 is lowered while the pressing portion 17 of the suction head 13 is raised by the lifting mechanism 12. At the same time, the stacked transfer sheets 8 are raised to a predetermined position by the sheet lifting mechanism 9 of the sheet feeding unit 3, and one transfer sheet 8 is vacuum-sucked and held by the suction head 13. When the transfer sheet 8 is held, the adsorbent 18 of the suction head 13 that holds the transfer sheet 8 has a sheet-like sintered body resin material in which, for example, the porosity is 53% and the surface pore diameter is about 100 μm. Therefore, the suction force necessary for conveying the transfer sheet 8 can be secured, and the flexibility of the adsorbent 18 prevents extra stress from being applied to the transfer layer of the transfer sheet 8. The image formed on the transfer layer can be prevented from being damaged.
[0021]
When it is confirmed that the transfer sheet 8 is held by the suction head 13, the suction head 13 is raised by the lifting mechanism unit 12, and the stacked transfer sheets 8 are lowered by the sheet lifting mechanism unit 9. When the suction head 13 rises to the rising end, the moving table 11 is moved to the peeling unit 5 to peel the base paper and the peeling layer of the transfer sheet 8. After the base paper and the release layer of the transfer sheet 8 are peeled off by the peeling unit 5, the moving table 11 is moved to the transfer unit 6.
[0022]
When the movable table 11 moves and the suction head 13 reaches the upper part of the fixing base 20, the pressing portion 17 is lowered by the elevating mechanism portion 16 provided on the suction head 13, and the spherical bus bar provided at the tip of the pressing portion 17 is used. The flexible member 19 is pressed against the adsorption body 18 to deform the adsorption body 18 into a spherical shape. When the adsorbent 18 is deformed, the transfer layer and the adhesive layer of the transfer sheet 8 vacuum-sucked by the adsorbent 18 are also deformed into a spherical shape following the deformation of the adsorbent 18. In this state, the suction head 13 is lowered by the lifting mechanism 12, and the transfer layer and the adhesive layer of the transfer sheet 8 held by the suction head 13 are transferred onto the transfer target placed on the fixing base 20. Then, the adhesive layer is brought into contact with a predetermined position on the surface of the transfer object. When the adhesive layer of the transfer sheet 8 is brought into contact with the surface of the transferred body, the transfer layer and the adhesive layer of the transfer sheet 8 are deformed into a spherical shape, so that the adhesive layer makes point contact with the surface of the transferred body. To do. In this state, when the suction head 13 is slightly moved by the elevating mechanism 12 and lowered, the front end of the flexible member 19 having a spherical generatrix is deformed, and the contact area of the adhesive layer in contact with the transfer target is point contact. The entire surface of the adhesive layer is brought into contact with the surface shape of the transferred body while gradually spreading from the state and expelling the air between the transferred body and the adhesive layer. Therefore, it is possible to prevent air from being caught between the transfer object and the adhesive layer.
[0023]
When the entire surface of the adhesive layer comes into contact with the transfer target body, the vacuum suction of the suction head 13 is released, and air of a constant pressure is supplied to the suction head 13 from the air supply device so that the transfer sheet 8 is in contact with the transfer target surface. The transfer layer and the adhesive layer are pressed against each other while following the surface shape of the transfer object, and the transfer layer is transferred to the transfer object and fixed. When transfer of the transfer layer to the transfer target is completed, air at a constant pressure is supplied to the suction head 13 and the suction head 13 is raised by the elevating mechanism unit 12 while blowing from the adsorbent 18. In this way, when the suction head 13 is raised after the transfer is completed, air of a constant pressure is blown from the adsorbent 18, so that the adsorbent 18 is reliably separated from the transfer layer transferred to the transfer target. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the transfer layer transferred onto the transfer member from being peeled off, and to prevent the image transferred to the transfer target member from being displaced or deformed, thereby forming a high-quality image on the transfer target member.
[0024]
When it is confirmed that the suction head 13 has been raised to the rising end, the movable table 11 is moved to the paper feed unit 3 which is the initial position, and the next transfer sheet 8 is processed.
[0025]
In the above embodiment, the pressing member 17 of the suction head 13 is provided with the flexible member 19 having a spherical generatrix, and the pressing member 17 is moved up and down to deform the suction body 18 into a spherical shape by the flexible member 19. As shown in FIG. 3, the rotary shaft 26, which is pivotally supported on the suction head 13 by the rotary bearing 21 and is connected to the rotary drive mechanism 25 by the drive transmission pulleys 22 and 23 and the drive belt 24, A rotary arm 27 attached to the tip of the shaft 26, a plurality of air cylinders 28 attached to the rotary arm 27, and a pressing member 29 attached to the tip of the piston rod of each air cylinder 28 and having a spherical surface. Further, a turning pressing portion 17a having a return spring 30 may be provided.
[0026]
In the case of the second embodiment, when the movable table 11 moves and the suction head 13 reaches the upper part of the fixing base 20, the air cylinder 28 at the rotation center of the rotary arm 27 is driven to lower the pressing member 29. The central portion of the adsorbent 18 holding the transfer layer and the adhesive layer of the transfer sheet 8 is pressed and deformed. In this state, the suction head 13 is lowered, and the adhesive layer at the center of the transfer sheet 8 held by the suction body 18 is brought into point contact with the transfer target placed on the fixing base 20. After that, while driving the rotation drive mechanism 25 to rotate the rotation arm 27, the air cylinder 28 is driven in order from the rotation center of the rotation arm 27 to sequentially lower the pressing member 29 and hold it by the adsorber 18. The adhesive layer of the transfer sheet 8 is brought into contact with the transfer body in a spiral shape from the rotation center of the rotary arm 27, and the entire surface of the adhesive layer is made to have the surface shape of the transfer body while expelling air between the transfer body and the adhesive layer. Follow the contact. In this way, the adhesive layer of the transfer sheet 8 is brought into contact with the transfer target body in a spiral shape from the rotation center of the rotary arm 27 so as to contact the transfer target body while expelling air between the transfer target body and the adhesive layer. It is possible to more reliably prevent air from being caught between the body and the adhesive layer, and to prevent wrinkles from occurring on the transfer layer of the transfer sheet 8 adhered to the transfer target. Even in the case of the above large size, the transfer layer can be stably attached to the transfer target.
[0027]
In the above embodiment, the case where the pressing member 29 having a spherical surface is attached to each air cylinder 28 attached to the rotary arm 27 has been described. However, as shown in FIG. A pressing member 29 having a spherical surface on the surface may be provided only on 18, and a pressing member 32 having a rotatable spherical roller 31 on the tip may be provided on the other air cylinder 18.
[0028]
In this way, when the adhesive layer of the transfer sheet 8 is brought into contact with the transfer medium, only the rotation center portion of the rotary arm 27 with small slip is pressed by the pressing member 29 having a spherical surface, and the other portions are spherical rollers. Since the pressing member 32 has the pressing member 32, it is possible to prevent wear caused by rubbing the adsorbing body 18 and to eliminate image distortion of the transfer layer due to the bending of the adsorbing body 18.
[0029]
In the above embodiment, the case where a plurality of pressing members 32 having spherical rollers 31 are provided on the rotating arm 27 has been described. However, as shown in FIG. 5, a pressing member having a spherical surface on the surface provided at the rotation center of the rotating arm 27. 29, an eccentric pressing mechanism 35 including a pressing member 32 having a spherical roller 31 attached to the tip of the air cylinder 34 of the eccentric mechanism 33 such as an eccentric air cylinder attached to the rotary arm 27 may be provided. By providing a pair of eccentric pressing mechanisms 35 in this way, the configuration of the suction head 13 can be simplified, and the control when the adhesive layer of the transfer sheet 8 contacts the transfer target can be simplified. it can.
[0030]
In each of the above embodiments, the case where the adsorbent 18 formed of a sheet-like sintered resin material having a porosity of, for example, 53% porosity and a surface pore diameter of about 100 μm is provided at the tip of the vacuum chamber 15 will be described. However, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 6, a minute wall-like groove 36 is provided on one surface of the stretchable resin material 35 instead of the adsorbent 18, and a minute ventilation is provided on the surface having the wall-like groove 36. An adsorbent 18a bonded with a foamable elastic resin material 38 having a through-hole 37 is used, and both end portions of the wall-like groove 36 of the adsorbent 18a have a vent hole 39 on one side as shown in FIG. It may be held by the adsorbent gripper 40 and one of the wall-shaped grooves 36 may be communicated with the vent hole 39. By using the adsorbent 18a having the wall-like groove 36 as described above, the vacuum chamber 15 is not required by evacuating or sending air through the vent hole 39, and no airtight mechanism or the like is required for sealing. The configuration of the head 13 can be simplified.
[0031]
Further, by providing a pulling mechanism 44 as shown in FIG. 7 in either one or both of the holding parts of the adsorbing body 18a of the adsorbing body gripping tool 40, the adsorbing body 18a can be tensioned and contracted. In this state, the transfer sheet 8 sucked by the adsorbent 18a can be applied with appropriate tension to be adhered to the transfer target, and a high-quality image without shrinkage wrinkles can be transferred to the transfer target. Furthermore, by providing a stopping mechanism for restricting the maximum tensile amount of the adsorbing body 18a in the pulling mechanism 44 and suppressing the deformation amount of the adsorbing body 18a within a certain allowable range, the adsorbing body 18a can be used stably for a long period of time. it can.
[0032]
Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the adsorbers 18 and 18a are deformed into a spherical shape by the pressing portion 17 having the flexible member 19 having the spherical generatrix on the surface, the pressing member 29 having the spherical surface on the surface, or the like. The transfer layer is transferred to the transfer target. However, as shown in FIG. 8, the adsorbent gripper 40 is provided with a traversing mechanism portion 42, and an elevating mechanism portion 43 provided at the tip of the traversing mechanism portion 42. Further, a rolling roll 46 held by a rotary bearing 45 supported by an elastic support body 44 such as a spring may be provided, and the adsorbing body 18 a may be pressed and deformed by the rolling roll 46.
[0033]
In this case, the adhesive layer of the transfer sheet 8 held by the adsorbing body 18a is brought into line contact with the transferred body in a deformed state in which the rolling roll 46 is pressed against one end of the adsorbing body 18a, and the traversing mechanism is in this state. The rolling roll 46 is moved in the horizontal direction by the portion 42, and the transfer layer of the transfer sheet 8 is transferred to the transfer target member while excluding air between the adhesive layer and the transfer target member. In this way, air is expelled while the adhesive layer is in line contact with the transfer target to transfer the transfer layer, so that the transfer speed can be increased.
[0034]
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the rolling roll 46 is moved in the horizontal direction to transfer the transfer layer of the transfer sheet 8 to the transfer target has been described. As shown in FIG. 9, a biaxial moving mechanism such as an XY table is used. 47, an air cylinder 28 and a pressing member 29 having a spherical surface are provided, and the adsorbing member 18a is deformed while moving the pressing member 29 in a zigzag manner so that the transfer layer of the transfer sheet 8 is transferred to the transfer target. good.
[0035]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when the transfer layer of the transfer sheet is transferred to the transfer target, the adhesive layer of the transfer sheet is brought into point contact with the transfer target with a flexible member having a spherical generatrix surface. Since the adhesive layer gradually adheres to the peripheral portion, air can be prevented from being caught between the transfer-receiving members, and a high-quality image without wrinkles can be transferred to the transfer-receiving member.
[0036]
In addition, the pressing member, which is attached to each of the plurality of lifting mechanisms and has a spherical surface on the surface, is lowered at the turning center so that the adhesive layer of the transfer sheet is brought into point contact with the transfer body, and then rotated while being sequentially lowered from the pressing member turning center In this way, the adhesive layer is brought into spiral contact with the transfer target and the air between the transfer target and the adhesive layer is expelled, thereby preventing air from being caught between the transfer target and the adhesive layer more reliably. In addition, the transfer layer of the transfer sheet adhered to the transfer object can be prevented from wrinkling, and the transfer layer can be stably applied to the transfer object even when the transfer sheet is large in size of A4 size or larger. Can be affixed.
[0037]
Further, by providing a rotatable spherical roller at the tip of the pressing member, it is possible to prevent wear caused by rubbing the adsorbent and to eliminate distortion of the image on the transfer layer due to bending of the adsorbent.
[0038]
In addition, the structure of the suction head can be simplified by moving the spherical roller sequentially from the rotation center side and deforming it, thereby simplifying the structure of the suction head and when the adhesive layer of the transfer sheet contacts the transfer target. Can be simplified.
[0039]
In addition, an adsorbent is used in which a small wall-like groove is provided on one surface of the stretchable resin material as an adsorbent, and a foamable stretchable resin material having a minute ventilation through hole is bonded to the surface having the wall-like groove. By connecting one of the wall-shaped grooves of the adsorbent to the vent hole of the adsorbent gripping tool, an airtight mechanism or the like for vacuum suction of the adsorbent is not necessary, and the configuration of the adsorption head can be simplified. it can.
[0040]
In addition, the adsorbent gripping tool is provided with a traversing mechanism, a lifting mechanism provided at the tip of the traversing mechanism is provided with a rolling roll held by a rotary bearing supported by an elastic support, and one end of the adsorbent In this state, the adhesive layer of the transfer sheet held by the adsorbent is brought into line contact with the transfer target in a state where the roll is pressed against the transfer part, and the roll is moved in the horizontal direction by the traversing mechanism in this state. Air can be expelled while the adhesive layer is in line contact with the transfer body, and the transfer speed can be increased.
[0041]
Furthermore, the biaxial moving mechanism is provided with a pressing member having a lifting mechanism and a spherical roll on the surface, and the pressing member is moved in a zigzag manner to deform the adsorbent and transfer the transfer layer of the transfer sheet to the transfer target. Air entrainment between the transfer body and the adhesive layer can be surely prevented, and generation of wrinkles in the transfer layer of the transfer sheet adhered to the transfer body can be prevented.
[0042]
Further, the adsorbent can be used stably for a long period of time by providing the adsorbent gripping tool on the adsorbent gripping tool to suppress the deformation amount of the adsorbent to a certain allowable range.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the suction head of the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a suction head according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a suction head according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a suction head according to a fifth embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of another adsorbent.
FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a suction head according to a sixth embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a suction head according to a seventh embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a suction head according to an eighth embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1; Image transfer apparatus, 2; Mount, 3; Paper feeding part, 4; Conveyance part, 5; Peeling part,
6; transfer portion, 8; transfer sheet, 10; guide rail, 11;
12; Lifting mechanism part, 13; Suction head, 15; Vacuum chamber, 16; Lifting mechanism part,
17; pressing part, 18; adsorbent, 19; flexible member.

Claims

An image transfer apparatus for transferring a transfer sheet having an image-formed transfer layer, an adhesive layer, a release layer, and a base paper to a transfer target,
The suction head that holds the transfer sheet has a vacuum chamber, an elevating mechanism, a pressing part, and an adsorbent,
The vacuum chamber is connected to a vacuum suction device and an air supply device via a switching valve, and an adsorbent is provided at the tip.
The elevating mechanism part is provided in the upper center of the vacuum chamber and elevates the pressing part
The pressing part is attached with a flexible member whose surface has a spherical generatrix at the tip part,
An image transfer apparatus, wherein the adsorbent is made of a flexible sheet-like sintered resin material.

An image transfer apparatus for transferring a transfer sheet having an image-formed transfer layer, an adhesive layer, a release layer, and a base paper to a transfer target,
The suction head that holds the transfer sheet has a vacuum chamber, a swivel pressing part, and an adsorbent,
The vacuum chamber is connected to a vacuum suction device and an air supply device via a switching valve, and an adsorbent is provided at the tip.
The swivel pressing unit is pivotally supported by a rotary bearing provided in the upper center of the vacuum chamber, and is connected to a rotary drive mechanism, a rotary arm attached to the tip of the rotary shaft, and a rotary arm. Each of which is attached to a plurality of lifting mechanisms, and has a pressing member having a spherical surface,
An image transfer apparatus, wherein the adsorbent is made of a flexible sheet-like sintered resin material.

The image transfer apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a rotatable spherical roller is provided at a tip portion of the pressing member.

An image transfer apparatus for transferring a transfer sheet having an image-formed transfer layer, an adhesive layer, a release layer, and a base paper to a transfer target,
The suction head that holds the transfer sheet has a vacuum chamber, a swivel pressing unit, and an adsorbent, and an adsorbent is provided at the tip.
The vacuum chamber is connected to a vacuum suction device and an air supply device via a switching valve, and an adsorbent is provided at the tip.
The swivel pressing unit is pivotally supported by a rotary bearing provided in the upper center of the vacuum chamber, and is connected to a rotary drive mechanism, a rotary arm attached to the tip of the rotary shaft, and a rotary arm. A pressing member attached to the elevating mechanism and having a spherical surface, an eccentric mechanism attached to the rotating arm, and a pressing member attached to the elevating mechanism attached to the eccentric mechanism and having a spherical roller that is rotatable at the tip. Has an eccentric pressing mechanism,
An image transfer apparatus, wherein the adsorbent is made of a flexible sheet-like sintered resin material.

The adsorbent is formed by bonding a stretchable resin material having a minute wall-shaped groove on one surface and a foamable stretchable resin material having a minute ventilation through hole on the surface having a wall-shaped groove, It consists of an adsorbent gripping tool that holds an adsorbent at the tip and has a vent hole connected to a vacuum suction device and an air supply device via a switching valve. The image transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the image transfer device communicates with the image transfer device.

An image transfer apparatus for transferring a transfer sheet having an image-formed transfer layer, an adhesive layer, a release layer, and a base paper to a transfer target,
The suction head that holds the transfer sheet has an adsorbent gripping tool, an adsorbent, and a traverse pressing mechanism,
The adsorbent gripping tool has a vent hole connected to the vacuum suction device and the air supply device via the switching valve, holds the adsorbent at the tip,
The adsorbent is formed by adhering a stretchable resin material having a minute wall-shaped groove on one side and a foamable stretchable resin material having a minute ventilation through hole on the surface having the wall-shaped groove, and adsorbs the wall-shaped groove. It is attached to the adsorbent gripping tool in communication with the ventilation hole of the body gripping tool,
The traverse pressing mechanism has a traversing mechanism portion provided in the adsorbent gripping tool, an elevating mechanism portion provided at a tip portion of the traversing mechanism portion, and a rolling roll held by the elevating mechanism portion via an elastic support. An image transfer apparatus characterized in that the rolling roll is moved horizontally by the traversing mechanism while pressing the rolling roll against the adsorbent.

An image transfer apparatus for transferring a transfer sheet having an image-formed transfer layer, an adhesive layer, a release layer, and a base paper to a transfer target,
The suction head that holds the transfer sheet has a biaxial movement mechanism, an adsorbent gripping tool, an adsorbent, and a pressing mechanism.
Move the biaxial movement mechanism in the horizontal, biaxial direction while holding the pressing mechanism,
The adsorbent gripping tool has a vent hole connected to the vacuum suction device and the air supply device via the switching valve, holds the adsorbent at the tip,
The adsorbent is formed by adhering a stretchable resin material having a minute wall-shaped groove on one side and a foamable stretchable resin material having a minute ventilation through hole on the surface having the wall-shaped groove, and adsorbs the wall-shaped groove. It is attached to the adsorbent gripping tool in communication with the ventilation hole of the body gripping tool,
The pressing mechanism includes an elevating mechanism attached to the biaxial moving mechanism, and a pressing member having a rotatable spherical roller that is provided at the tip of the elevating mechanism and presses the adsorbent. .

8. The image transfer apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the adsorbent gripping tool is provided with an adsorbent tension varying means.