US 11,772,412 B2
Layer transfer device
Tomoya Yamamoto, Aichi (JP); and Takashi Suzuki, Nagoya (JP)
Assigned to BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Nagoya (JP)
Filed by BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Nagoya (JP)
Filed on Jul. 22, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/382,767.
Application 17/382,767 is a continuation of application No. PCT/JP2019/020645, filed on May 24, 2019.
Claims priority of application No. 2019-012736 (JP), filed on Jan. 29, 2019; application No. 2019-014415 (JP), filed on Jan. 30, 2019; application No. 2019-014419 (JP), filed on Jan. 30, 2019; and application No. 2019-015452 (JP), filed on Jan. 31, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0347198 A1, Nov. 11, 2021
Int. Cl. B44C 1/17 (2006.01); B41F 16/00 (2006.01); G03G 15/20 (2006.01); B32B 37/00 (2006.01); B32B 38/00 (2006.01)
CPC B44C 1/17 (2013.01) [B32B 37/0053 (2013.01); B32B 38/004 (2013.01); B41F 16/00 (2013.01); G03G 15/2032 (2013.01); G03G 15/2064 (2013.01); B32B 2037/0061 (2013.01)] 38 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A layer transfer device for transferring a transfer layer onto an image formed on a sheet, the layer transfer device comprising:
a supply reel on which a multilayer film including a transfer layer and a supporting layer supporting the transfer layer is wound;
a take-up reel on which to take up the multilayer film;
a driving source configured to generate mechanical power to drive the take-up reel;
a releasable restraining device capable of switching to a restraining state in which the multilayer film is put under restraint in being drawn out from the supply reel and to a release state in which the restraint is lifted;
a heating roller configured to heat the multilayer film and the sheet;
a pressure roller configured to be rotatable to convey the multilayer film and the sheet nipped between the pressure roller and the heating roller; and
a controller configured such that when the driving source is generating the mechanical power,
the releasable restraining device is in the restraining state if an image area in which the image is formed on the sheet is not present in a layer transfer position between the heating roller and the pressure roller, and
the releasable restraining device is in the release state if the image area is present in the layer transfer position.