Patent Publication Number: US-6664993-B2

Title: Image transfer apparatus and image transfer method

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED ART STATEMENT 
     This invention relates to an image transfer apparatus and an image transfer method, and particularly, it relates to an image transfer apparatus and an image transfer method for transferring a variety of information such as an image and a character to a recording medium such as a card. 
     Conventionally, a thermal transfer printing apparatus has been used to record a desired image or a character on a card recording medium such as a credit card, a cash card, a license card or an ID card by thermally transferring with a thermal head via a thermal transfer film. As an example, in Japanese Patent Publication (TOKKAI) No. 09-131930, a printing apparatus using a direct transfer method has been disclosed. The apparatus directly transfers an image and a character to a recording medium via a thermal transfer film. This method has an advantage of attaining a high quality image due to thermal sublimate ink. However, the recording medium needs to have a receptive layer on its printing surface to receive the ink. Therefore, only limited recording medium can be used, or the receptive layer needs to be formed on the surface of the recording medium. 
     Generally, a card made of a polyvinyl chloride (known as a PVC card) has been widely used as the recording medium that can receive the thermal sublimate ink. However, since the PVC card generates toxic substances when burned, recently it has been tried to switch to a card made of a polyethylene terephthalate (also known as a PET card). 
     Furthermore, in recent years, a new type of card media such as an IC card, which embeds an IC chip or antenna inside, has been used in a variety of fields. Because of the embedded elements, this type of card has an uneven surface, resulting in a printing problem. 
     In Japanese Patent Publication (TOKKAI) No. 2000-141727, a printing apparatus using an indirect transfer technology, in which an image is transferred to an intermediate transfer medium once then transferred to a final recording medium, has been disclosed to solve the above problem. According to this method, it is possible to overcome the problems such as limited recording medium related to the receptive layer or the issue of printing on an uneven surface of the recording medium. Furthermore, this method makes it easier to print an image on an entire surface of the card medium as opposed to the direct transfer method. Furthermore, in Japanese Patent Publication (TOKKAI) No. 10-71789, an over-coating apparatus for coating a surface of the card medium with a coating film has been disclosed. The apparatus uses a film having a specific pattern or an image embedded hologram as a coating film to prevent falsification of an information card made by such a printing apparatus as disclosed in the Japanese Patent Publication (TOKKAI) No. 09-131930. 
     The intermediate film transfer media used in the indirect transfer method or the coating film used in the over-coating apparatus is supplied from a supply portion where the film wound, transported through a transport path, and then wound on a winding portion. A transfer device such as a heat roller is arranged on a transport path, and transfers an image formed on the film transfer medium to the recording medium. 
     When the image is transferred while transporting the film transfer medium to the winding portion, heat from the heat roller is transmitted to an used area of the film transfer medium, such as an area on the overcoat with no image or an unused portion of the film transfer media. As a result, thermal shrinking causes damage such as wrinkles or degradations, when the transfer to the recording medium is completed. This makes it very difficult to transfer a high quality image to the card medium. If it is tried to discard the damaged portion of the film transfer media to avoid this problem, a running cost increases due to excessive material, resulting in higher manufacturing cost. 
     Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image transfer apparatus that can obtain a high quality image while reducing a running cost in the transfer process of the film transfer media. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an image transfer apparatus that performs a reliable transfer to the recoding medium and maintain a stable transportation of the transfer medium until the separation after transferring the image. In addition, it is possible to prevent damage caused by contact between the recording medium and the transfer medium in the transport path. 
     Further, an object of the present invention is to provide an image transfer method that can obtain a high quality image while reducing a running cost in the transfer process of the film transfer media. 
     Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To achieve the above objects, an image transfer apparatus according to the invention is provided with a transfer media supply portion to supply a film transfer media with an image thereon; a transfer medium winding portion to wind up the film transfer medium; a transfer device to transfer the image formed on the film transfer medium to a recording medium; and a transfer medium transport device to move the film transfer medium between the transfer medium supply portion and the transfer medium winding portion. The transfer device transfers the image on the film transfer medium to the recording medium when the transfer medium transport device moves the film transfer medium toward the transfer medium supply portion. 
     One end of an image area on the transfer medium corresponding to the recording medium is positioned at a side toward the transfer medium winding portion beyond the transfer means. Also, the transfer means starts to transfer the image to the recording means from the other end of the image area. 
     Furthermore, a moving device is provided for moving the transfer device between an image transfer position and a retracted position. The moving device holds the transfer device at the image transfer position for a predetermined period of time followed by moving it to the retracted position after the image is completely transferred to the recording medium. 
     The transfer device may be a heat roller including a heating element. 
     The transfer media supply portion has an image forming device for forming an image on the transfer medium. According to this invention, the transfer device transfers an image to the recording medium while the transfer medium transport device transports the transfer medium toward the image forming device. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, an image transfer apparatus is provided with a transfer media supply portion to supply a film transfer media with an image thereon; a transfer medium winding portion to wind up the film transfer medium; a transfer device to transfer the image formed on the film transfer medium to a recording medium; a recording medium transport path to transport the recording medium; and a transfer medium guide member to guide the recording medium to an image transfer position on the transfer device. The transfer medium guide member is disposed between the transfer media supply portion and the transfer device to be capable of moving in a direction away from the recording medium transport path. 
     The transfer medium guide member includes a guide portion for separating the recording medium with an image transferred by the transfer device from the transfer medium. 
     When the transfer device transfers the image on the transfer medium to the recording medium, one end of the guide portion is positioned in the recording medium transport path. 
     Also, an image transfer method according to the invention includes a transport process, in which the film transfer medium with an image is transported to the image transfer position and the recording medium is transported to the image transfer position, and a transfer process for transferring the image formed on the transfer medium to the recording medium at the image transfer position. The image is transferred while the transfer medium is transported in a direction toward a supply portion side opposite to the image transfer position. 
     Furthermore, the image transfer method includes an image forming process for forming an image on the aforementioned transfer medium. The image is transferred while the transfer medium is transported toward the image forming position opposite to a direction in the transport process after the image forming process and the transport process. 
     Other objectives and features of the present invention will be explained in a detailed description of preferred embodiment below based upon provided drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side view showing a configuration of an image transfer apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view showing an intermediate transfer sheet transport mechanism of the image transfer apparatus; 
     FIG. 3 is a side view showing a card transport mechanism of the image transfer apparatus; 
     FIG. 4A is a schematic front view showing a thermal transfer sheet, FIG. 4B is a schematic sectional view showing an intermediate transfer sheet; 
     FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit in the image transfer apparatus; 
     FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an intermediate transfer routine executed by a CPU of the control unit in the image transfer apparatus; 
     FIG. 7A is a side view showing an image forming portion of the image transfer apparatus in a state where a thermal head is retracted, FIG. 7B shows a side view showing an image forming portion forming an image on an intermediate transfer sheet; 
     FIG. 8A is a side view showing a transfer portion of the image transfer apparatus in a state where a heat roller is at a retracted position, FIG. 8B is a side view showing a transfer portion of the image transfer apparatus in a state where the heat roller is at an image forming position; 
     FIG. 9A is a side view showing a portion near a heat roller of a transfer portion in the image transfer apparatus in a state where a card is positioned at a transfer starting position; FIG. 9B is a plan view showing an intermediate transfer sheet in the state corresponding to FIG. 9A, FIG. 9C a side view showing the portion near the heat roller of the transfer portion in the image transfer apparatus in a state where the card is positioned at a transfer completed position, FIG. 9D is a plan view showing the intermediate transfer sheet in the state corresponding to FIG. 9C, FIG. 9E a side view showing the portion near the heat roller of the transfer portion in the image transfer apparatus in a state where an intermediate transfer sheet and the card are separated, FIG. 9F is a plan view showing the intermediate transfer sheet in the state corresponding to FIG. 9E; 
     FIG. 10A is a side view showing a portion near a heat roller of a transfer portion in a conventional image transfer apparatus in a state where a card is positioned at a transfer starting position; FIG. 10B is a plan view showing an intermediate transfer sheet in the state corresponding to FIG. 10A, FIG. 10C a side view showing the portion near the heat roller of the transfer portion in the image transfer apparatus in a state where the card is positioned at a transfer completed position, FIG. 10D is a plan view showing the intermediate transfer sheet in the state corresponding to FIG. 10C, FIG. 10E a side view showing the portion near the heat roller of the transfer portion in the image transfer apparatus in a state where an intermediate transfer sheet and the card are separated, FIG. 10F is a plan view showing the intermediate transfer sheet in the state corresponding to FIG. 10E; and 
     FIG. 11 is a side view showing a configuration of an image transfer apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereunder, preferred embodiments of the invention will be explained with reference to the accompanied drawings. 
     As seen in FIG. 1, an image transfer apparatus  1  according to the embodiment of the present invention has a card transport path ‘P’ in a housing  2 . A card ‘C’ as a recording medium is transported in the card transport path for forming (or transferring) an image thereon using an indirect transfer method. On the card transport path ‘P’ are arranged a card supply portion  3  for separating and feeding the card ‘C’ one by one to the card transport path ‘P’; a cleaner  4  for cleaning both surfaces of the card ‘C’ at downstream of the card supply portion  3 ; and a horizontal transport portion  5  for transporting the card ‘C’ horizontally at downstream of the cleaner  4 . 
     The card supply portion  3  includes a card stacker to store the card ‘C’. A stacker side plate  32  with an opening slot to pass just one card ‘C’ is arranged on the card stacker at a position facing the card transport path P. A kick roller  31  is fixed to a bottom of the card stacker, and rotates to feed the card ‘C’ sequentially from a bottom card stored in the card stacker. The cleaner  4  includes a cleaning roller  34 , which is made of a rubber material with a sticky material on its surface, and a pressing roller  35  for pressing the cleaning roller at a nip point with the card transport path ‘P’ in between. The horizontal transport portion  5  includes paired horizontal transport rollers  38 ,  39  and  11  facing each other to nip the card ‘C’. One of the paired horizontal transport rollers  38 ,  39  or  11  is a driving roller, and the others are following the drive roller. 
     Also, the image transfer apparatus  1  has an image forming portion  9  above the card supply portion  3 , the cleaner  4  and the horizontal transport portion  5 . The image forming portion  9  forms an image, which corresponds to a mirror image data from a thermal head control unit  19 , on the intermediate transfer sheet F by heating thermal transfer ink. Using a similar configuration to a thermal transfer printer, the image forming portion  9  includes a platen roller  21  for supporting the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ when forming the image on the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’, and a thermal head  20  arranged to be able to move with respect to the platen roller  21 . A thermal transfer sheet ‘RR’ is interposed between the platen roller  21  and thermal head  20 . 
     As shown in FIG.  7 A and FIG. 7B, the thermal head  20  is moved with respect to the platen roller  21  by such components as a holder (not shown) supporting the thermal head  20  to be detachable; a follower roller  22  fastened to the holder; a non-circular thermal head sliding cam  23  rotating in either direction (a direction of arrow A or an opposite direction in the drawing) around a cam shaft  24  while contacting an outer surface of the follower roller  22 ; and a spring (not shown) for pressing the holder against the thermal head sliding cam  23 . 
     As shown in FIG. 4, the thermal transfer sheet ‘RR’ sequentially carries inks, ‘Y’ (yellow), ‘M’ (magenta), C (cyan) and Bk (black), on the film in a width slightly larger than a length of the card ‘C’. A protective layer region ‘T’ for protecting the card C surface is formed thereon next to the Bk (black), and this pattern is repeated along the film. 
     As shown in FIG.  7 A and FIG. 7B, the thermal transfer sheet ‘RR’ is supplied from the thermal transfer sheet supply portion  14  where the thermal transfer sheet ‘RR’ is wound in a roll. The thermal transfer sheet ‘RR’ is guided by a plurality of guide rollers  53  and the guide plate  25  fastened to the holder (not shown), then is driven along with a rotation of the paired take-up roller  57  while contacting substantially the entire surface of the leading edge of the thermal head  20 . Finally, the sheet is rolled on the thermal transfer sheet take-up portion  15 . The thermal transfer sheet supply portion  14  and the thermal transfer sheet take-up portion  15  are disposed at both sides of the thermal head  20 , and the centers thereof are mounted onto the spool shaft. In the image forming portion  9 , a mark for positioning of the thermal transfer sheet ‘RR’, a light emitting element, and a light receiving element (hereinafter referred to as light reception sensor S 1 ) for detecting the Bk portion on the thermal transfer sheet ‘RR’ are arranged between the guide rollers  53 , which are disposed between the thermal transfer sheet supply portion  14  and the thermal head  20 , being away from and perpendicular to the thermal transfer sheet ‘R’. A gear (not shown) is attached to a roller shaft of the paired take-up rollers  57  at a drive side, and engages another gear with a clock plate (not shown) on the same shaft. A unit transmission sensor (not shown) is disposed near the clock plate for detecting the rotation of the clock plate to control a wound amount of the thermal transfer sheet ‘RR’. 
     A printing position Sr (a heating position) of the thermal head  20  through the thermal transfer sheet ‘R’ with respect to the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ is located on a circumference of the platen roller  21  at an intersecting point with an imaginary horizontal line extending toward the thermal head  20  from the center of the platen roller  21  shaft. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, FIG.  7 A and FIG. 7B, the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ is wound around the platen roller  21  on a surface facing the thermal head  20 . As shown in FIG. 4B, the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ is a laminated film formed of a base film Fa; a back surface coating layer Fb formed on a back side of the base film Fa; a receptive layer Fe for receiving ink; an overcoat layer Fd for protecting the receptive layer surface; and a peeling film Fc. The peeling film is formed on a front side of the base film, and facilitates separation from the base film Fa by the thermally bonding the overcoat layer Fd and the receptive layer Fe. They are laminated in a order of the back surface coating layer Fb, the base film Fa, the peeling film Fc, the overcoat layer Fd, and the receptive layer Fe from the bottom. The intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ is wound with the receptive layer Fe facing the thermal transfer sheet ‘R’ and the back coating layer Fb side contacting the platen roller  21 . At the printing position Sr, when an image is formed on the intermediate transfer sheet (see FIG.  7 B), the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ is transported at a speed same as that of the thermal transfer sheet ‘R’. Furthermore, in the image forming portion  9 , a light emitting element and a light receiving element (hereinafter referred to as light receiving sensor S 2 ) for detecting a positioning mark of the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ are arranged between the platen roller  21  and guide roller  91 , being away from and perpendicular to the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’. 
     Also, as seen in FIG. 1, the image transfer apparatus  1  is equipped with a transfer portion  10 , which is a transfer device to transfer an image formed on the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ in the image forming portion  9  to the card C at downstream of the horizontal transport portion  5  on the card transport path ‘P’, and a horizontal transport discharge portion  12 , which includes a pair of discharge rollers to horizontally transport the card ‘C’ to downstream of the transfer portion  10  and discharge the same out of the frame  12 . 
     The transfer portion  10  is equipped with a platen roller  50 , which supports the card ‘C’ when the image is transferred from the intermediate transfer sheet F to the card ‘C’, and a heat roller  45  disposed to be able to move back and forth with respect to the platen roller  50 . A heating lamp  46  is disposed in the heat roller  45  as a heating body to heat the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’. The intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ is interposed between the platen roller  50  and the heat roller  45 . 
     As shown in FIG.  8 A and FIG. 8B, the heat roller  45  is moved with respect to the platen roller  50  by such components as a holder  49  supporting the heat roller  45  to be detachable; a follower roller  43  fastened to the holder  49 ; a non-circular heat roller lifting cam  51  rotating in a direction (a direction of arrow B) around a cam shaft  52  while contacting an outer surface of the follower roller  43 ; and a spring (not shown) disposed in the holder  49  for pressing the holder  49  against the heat roller lifting cam  51 . 
     The intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ is supplied from the intermediate transfer sheet supply portion  16  where the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ is wound in a roll. The intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ is guided through such components as a transport roller  58  accompanied by a follower roller  59 ; a guide roller  60 ; the platen roller  21 ; a guide roller  91 ; a back-tension roller  88  for applying a tension to the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ along with a pinch roller  89 ; a guide roller  92 ; a guide roller  44 ; a guide plate  47 , which is disposed between the guide roller  44  and the heat roller  45  and fixed to a frame constituting the transfer portion  10  for guiding and separatinf the card ‘C’ from the intermediate transfer sheet F; an auxiliary guide plate  54  fixed to the frame constituting the transfer portion  10 . The guide plate  54  is disposed between the heat roller  45  and a sheet winding portion  17 , and along with the guide plate  47  prevents the intermediate transfer sheet F from touching the heat roller  45  when the transfer portion  10  is not operating. Finally, the sheet is rolled on the sheet winding portion  17 . Also, as seen in FIG. 8B, when the transfer portion  10  is operating, the intermediate transfer sheet F is nipped by the platen roller  50  and the heat roller  45  on the card transport path ‘P’ with the card C interposed therebetween, and is wound in a direction of the arrow ‘E’ toward at the image forming portion  9 . 
     As seen in FIG. 1, a pair of horizontal transport rollers is disposed at downstream of the paired horizontal transport rollers  11  and upstream of the platen roller  50 . The horizontal transport rollers are nipped with and driven by the capstan roller  48  with the card transport path ‘P’ in between, and can transport the card ‘C’ in either of arrow ‘L’ or ‘R’ directions in cooperation with the horizontal transport rollers including a capstan roller  156  arranged on the transfer portion  10  side of the horizontal transport discharge portion  12 . Furthermore, in the transfer portion  10 , a light emitting element and a light receiving element (hereinafter referred to as light receiving sensor S 3 ) for detecting the positioning mark of the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ are arranged between the guide roller  44  and the guide plate  47 , being over the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’. 
     As seen in FIG. 2, in a region defined by the platen roller  21 , the card transport path ‘P’ and the frame  2  in FIG. 1, an intermediate sheet transport mechanism as a transfer media transport device is arranged with a reversible drive pulse motor M 1  and a reversible drive pulse motor M 2  as a driving source. A timing pulley  61  (hereinafter referred to as simply the pulley) is fixed to a motor shaft of the pulse motor M 1 . An endless timing belt  62  (hereinafter referred to as simply the belt) is extended between the pulley and a pulley  63 . A pulley  64  having a diameter smaller than that of the pulley  63  is fixed to the pulley  63 . 
     A belt  65  is trained between the pulley  64  and a pulley  66 . A solenoid clutch  67  is attached to a shaft of the pulley  66 . The solenoid clutch  67  interlocks a rotational drive of the pulley  66  to a pulley  68  fixed to a shaft of the solenoid clutch  67  when an image is formed on the intermediate transfer sheet F by the thermal head  20 . The pulley  70  is fixed to the same shaft as the platen roller  21 , and the belt  69  is trained between the pulley  68  and the pulley  70 . 
     Also, another belt  81  is trained to the pulley  64  for transmitting a rotational drive to the pulley  82 . A gear  83  is fixed to a shaft of the pulley  82  to engage a gear  84 . A gear  85  having a diameter smaller than that of the gear  84  is fixed to a shaft of the gear  84  to engage the gear  86 . A torque limiter  87  is fixed to a shaft of the gear  86  so that a rotational drive force is transmitted to a back-tension roller  88  via the torque limiter  87 . A pinch roller  89  is pressed against the back-tension roller  88 . A clock plate  90  is fixed to a common shaft to the back-tension roller  88 . When the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ is transported in a reverse direction, the back-tension roller  88  rotates in synchronization with the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’. A unit transmission sensor S A  is disposed near the clock plate  90  to detect the rotation of the clock plate  90  to control a transport amount of (a fed amount and a returned amount) of the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’. 
     A pulley  93  is fixed to a motor shaft of the pulse motor M 2 . A belt  94  is trained between the pulley  93  and a pulley  95 . A gear  96  is fixed to a shaft of the pulley  95 . 
     A one-way gear  97  engages the gear  96 , and is fixed to a shaft that transmits a drive from the gear in the counterclockwise rotation and becomes free in the clockwise rotation (freely rotates). A gear  98  and a pulley  99  are fixed to a shaft of the one-way gear  97 , and the gear  98  engages a one-way gear  101  that becomes free in the clockwise rotation and is locked in the counterclockwise rotation. A belt  102  is trained between the pulley  99  and a pulley  103 . A gear  104  is fixed to a shaft of the pulley  103 , and the gear  104  engages a gear  105 . A torque limiter  106  is attached to a shaft of the gear  105  for transmitting a rotational drive to a gear  107  via the torque limiter  106 . A clock plate  108  is fixed to a shaft same as that of the gear  107 . The gear  107  engages a gear  109  that is fixed to a take-up spool shaft  110  to take up the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’. A unit transmission sensor S B  is disposed near the clock plate  108  to detect the rotation of a take-up spool shaft  110  via the rotation of the clock plate  108  as well as to detect any breakage of the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ by monitoring the rotation of the take-up spool shaft  110 . 
     Also, the gear  96  engages a one-way gear  111  that is fixed to a shaft. The shaft transmits the drive from the gear  96  in the counterclockwise rotation, and becomes free in the clockwise rotation. A gear  112  and a pulley  113  are fixed to a shaft of the one-way gear  111 , and the gear  112  engages a one-way gear  114  that becomes free in the counterclockwise rotation and is locked in the clockwise rotation. A belt  115  is trained between a pulley  113 , a pulley  116  and a pulley  125 . To maintain a constant tension on the belt  115 , a tension roller  126  is disposed between the pulley  116  and the pulley  125  that are connected by the belt  115 . A gear  117  is fixed to a shaft of the gear  116 , and engages the gear  118 . A torque limiter  119  is fixed to a shaft of the gear  118  for transmitting a rotational drive to a gear  123  via the torque limiter  119 . A clock plate  121  is fixed to a shaft same as that of the gear  123 . The gear  123  engages the gear  124  that is fixed to the supply spool shaft  120  to supply the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’. A unit transmission sensor Sc is disposed near the clock plate  121  to detect the rotation of the supply spool shaft  120  via the rotation of the clock plate  121  as well as to detect any breakage of the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ by monitoring the rotation of the supply spool shaft  120 . The intermediate transfer sheet supply portion  16  is mounted to the supply spool shaft  120 , and the sheet take-up portion  17  is mounted to the take-up spool shaft  110 . 
     Also, the drive from the pulley  113  is transmitted to the pulley  125  via the belt  115 . A gear  127  is fixed to the gear  125  shaft, and engages a gear  128 . The drive is transmitted to a gear  130  via a gear  129  disposed on a shaft same as that of the gear  128 . A solenoid clutch  131  is fixed to a shaft of the gear  130 . The solenoid clutch  131  interlocks a rotation drive of the gear  130  to the gear  131  via a gear  132  fixed to a shaft of the solenoid clutch  131  only when the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ (Rv) is rewound. A torque limiter  134  is fixed to a shaft of the gear  133 , and a rotational drive is transmitted via the torque limiter  134  to the transport roller  58  to transport the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’. Note that when the aforementioned solenoid clutch  131  drive is interlocked, the supply spool shaft  120 , the platen roller  21  and the transport roller  58  transport the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ in different speeds. The speeds are set be an order of the supply spool shaft  120 , the transport roller  58 , and the platen roller  21  from fast to slow. Regarding the torque control, the torque is set to be an order of the platen roller  21 , the transport roller  58 , and the supply spool shaft  120  from large to small. 
     The rotational direction of the pulse motor M 2  switches a direction of the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ between a forward (Fw) and a reverse (rewind) (Rv). When the image is transferred on the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ while rewinding (Rv), the transport speed of the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ by the supply spool shaft  20 , the platen roller  21  and the back-tension roller  88  is set to be an order of the supply spool shaft  120 , the platen roller  21 , the back-tension roller  88  from fast to slow. For this reason, when the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ is separated from the thermal head  20  and is transported, the drive is cut by the solenoid clutch  67  to prevent slackening of the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’. 
     As can be seen in FIG. 3, the card transport drive mechanism is disposed on the card transport path ‘P’, and uses a reversible pulse motor M 3  as a drive source. A pulley  142  is fixed to a shaft of the pulse motor M 3 . A belt  143  is trained between the pulley  142  and a pulley  144 . A pulley  145  is fixed to a shaft of the pulley  144 , and has a diameter smaller than the pulley  144 . A belt  146  is trained between the pulley  145  and a pulley  147 . To a shaft of the pulley  147  are fixed the platen roller  50  and the gear  148  having a diameter smaller than the platen roller  50 . 
     A gear  149  engages the gear  148 , and has a diameter larger than that of the gear  148 . The gear  149  engages a gear  150 . The capstan roller  48 , described above, having a diameter larger than that of the gear  150  is fixed to the gear  150  as a drive roller, and constitutes a pair of horizontal transport rollers by pressing the follower rollers on the card transport path ‘P’. A torque limiter  155  is fixed to a shaft of the pulley  150 , and has a diameter greater than the capstan roller  48 . The torque limiter  155  increase the transport speed when a trailing edge of the card ‘C’ is released from the nip point of the heat roller  45  and platen roller  50  to ensure a good separation (peeling) of the trailing edge of the card C and the intermediate transfer sheet F. (Hereunder, regardless of a horizontal direction of the card ‘C’, the edge on the side of the arrow ‘L’ shown in FIG. 1 is called one edge, and the edge on the side of the arrow ‘R’ in FIG. 1 is called the other edge.) A gear  151  engages the gear  150 , and a gear  152  engages the gear  151 . A drive roller having a diameter larger than the gear  152  is fixed to a shaft of the gear  152 , and is composed of a pair of the horizontal transport rollers  11 , described above. The drive roller is arranged to press the follower roller on the card transport path ‘P’. Note that the rotational drive force from the pulse motor M 3  transmitted to the gear  152  is transmitted to the drive rollers of a pair of the horizontal transport rollers  38  and  39  and to the cleaning roller  34  on the cleaner  4  via a plurality of gears (not shown). 
     A gear  153  engages the gear  148 , and has a diameter larger than that of the gear  148 . The gear  153  engages a gear  154 . A pulley  157  is fixed to a shaft of the gear  154 , and has a diameter smaller than those of a capstan roller  156  and the gear  154 . A belt  158  is trained between the pulley  157  and a pulley  159 . A discharge roller  160  is fixed to a shaft of the pulley  159  shaft for discharging the transported card to outside of the frame  2 . Follower rollers are disposed to press the capstan roller  156  and discharge roller  160  on the card transport path ‘P’. Note that a pair of free rollers  161  is disposed between the capstan roller  156  and the discharge roller  160  to correct a deformation of the card ‘C’ like bending. 
     As can be seen in FIG. 1, on a line to the arrow direction ‘L’ extended from the card transport path ‘P’ in the frame  2 , a discharge outlet  27  is disposed to discharge the card ‘C’ to outside of the frame  2  after printing. A detachable stacker is attached to the frame  2  below the discharge outlet  27  for stocking a stack of the card ‘C’. Note that each of unit transmission sensors (not shown) is arranged at between the cleaner  4  and the horizontal transport portion  5 ; a side of a pair of the horizontal transport rollers  11  near a pair of the horizontal transport rollers  39 ; between the transfer portion  10  and a pair of the horizontal transport rollers  12 ; a side of the capstan roller  156  near the discharge roller  160  in the horizontal transport discharge portion  12 ; and between the horizontal transport discharge portion  12  and the discharge outlet  27 . The sensors detect the one edge or the other edge of the card ‘C’ transported along the card transport path ‘P’. 
     As shown in the FIG. 1, in the frame  2 , the image transfer apparatus  1  is provided with a power supply unit  18  for converting a commercial AC power to a DC power to drive and operate each mechanism and control unit; the control unit  19  for controlling an entire operation of the image transfer apparatus  1 ; and a touch panel  8  disposed on the frame  2  for displaying a status of the image transfer apparatus  1  according to the information from the control unit  19 , and allowing an operator to input instructions to the control unit  19 . 
     As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit  19  includes a micro-controller  19 A for processing on the image transfer apparatus  1 . The micro-controller  19 A is composed of a CPU for operating under a fast clock speed as a central processing unit, a ROM for storing control instructions for the image transfer apparatus  1 , a RAM working as a work area of the CPU, and an internal bus for connecting these components together. 
     An external bus  19 B is connected to the micro-controller  19 A. To the external bus  19 B are connected a touch panel display operation control portion  19 C for controlling instructions and displays of the touch panel  8 ; a sensor control portion  19 D for controlling a signal from each of the sensors; a motor control unit  19 E for controlling a motor driver to output a drive pulse to each of the motors; an external I/O interface  19 F for communicating between an external computer and the image transfer apparatus  1 ; a buffer memory  19 G for temporarily storing image information for printing to the card ‘C’; an thermal head control unit  19 H for controlling thermal energy of the thermal head  20 ; and a clutch control unit  19 J for sending ON and OFF control signals to the solenoid clutch. The touch panel display operation control unit  19 C, the sensor control unit  19 D, the thermal head control unit  19 H and the clutch control unit  19 J are connected to the touch panel  8 , the sensors including Sa to Sc, the drivers including the pulse motor drivers of M 1  to M 3 , the thermal head  20  and the solenoid clutches  67  and  131 . 
     With reference to a flow chart, operations of the image transfer apparatus  1  according to the embodiment of the invention will be explained with focusing on the CPU of the micro-controller  19 A in the control unit  19 . Assume that the image information received via the external I/O interface  19 F and buffer memory  19 G from an external computer has been converted to a mirrored image data and stored in the RAM already. 
     The CPU displays an initial screen on the touch panel via the touch panel display operation control unit  19 C. At this time, a start button, a stand-by or print ready state and the number of printed cards on the image transfer apparatus are displayed on the touch panel  8  (or on a monitor of the external computer). When an operator presses the start button, the indirect transfer routine is initiated to transfer the image to the card ‘C’ using the indirect transfer method. 
     As shown in FIG. 6, in the indirect transfer routine, the pulse motors M 1  and M 2  initially rotate in the forward direction (Fw) (in a direction for the sheet winding portion  17  to wind the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’) at step  202 . At step  204 , the light reception sensor S 2  is being monitored to recognize the positioning mark formed on the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’. By detecting the amount of rotation of the clock plate  90  connected to the back-tension roller  88  that rotates in both directions along with the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’, it is determined whether the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ has been transported to the printing starting position. If it is determined not to be the case, the operation returns to step  202  and continues transporting the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’. If it is determined to be the case, the drive of the pulse motors M 1  and M 2  are stopped at step  206 . During this time, the thermal head  20  is positioned away from the platen roller  21  (see FIG.  7 A), and the thermal transfer sheet ‘R’ is fed by a predetermined distance to a position where, for example, the starting edge of the color ‘Y’ (yellow) is at the printing position Sr (wound by the thermal transfer sheet take-up portion  15 ). 
     Next, at step  208 , through the drive of the thermal head sliding drive unit, the thermal head sliding cam  23  is rotated in the arrow direction ‘A’ to push the thermal head  20  against the platen roller  21  along with the thermal transfer sheet ‘R’ and the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’. Next, at step  270 , while rotating the pulse motor M 1  and the pulse motor M 2  in the reverse (Rv) direction, the platen roller  21  is rotated in the counterclockwise direction by interlocking the solenoids  67  and  131  thereby rotating the transport roller  58  in the counterclockwise direction. An image starts to form on the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ using the color ‘Y’ (yellow). In other words, as the thermal head  20  heats the ‘Y’ (yellow) ink layer on the thermal transfer sheet RR, a mirror image starts to form on the receptive layer Fe of the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’. The platen roller  21  rotates in the counterclockwise direction driven by the pulse motor M 1 , and the intermediate transfer sheet supply portion  16  winds the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ driven by the pulse motor M 2 . In synchronization to that, the thermal transfer sheet take-up portion  15  winds the thermal transfer sheet ‘R’. Note that the mirror image data (the thermal energy data applied to the thermal head when forming the image) stored in the RAM is sent in advance to the thermal head  20  via the thermal head control unit  19 H, and then each of the printing elements on the thermal head  20  are heated according to the mirror data. 
     At step  212 , it is determined whether the pulse motor M 1  has driven the determined number of pulses corresponding to a size in the longitudinal direction of the image formed on the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’. Then, it is determined whether the image forming on the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ has been completed. If it is not the case, the operation returns to step  210  and continues forming the image on the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’. If it is the case, both the pulse motors M 1  and M 2  stop to drive at next step  214 , and it releases the interlock of the solenoids  67  and  131  on the platen roller  21  and transport roller  58 . 
     At step  216 , the thermal head sliding drive unit rotates the thermal head sliding cam  23  to retract the thermal head  20  from the platen roller  21 . At step  218 , it determines whether the image forming for the prescribed colors (YMC) has been completed. When it is not the case, it returns to step  202  to form an image over the color already formed on the receptive layer on the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ (for example, ‘Y’) with the next color (for example, ‘M’). If it is the case, in other words, if it is determined that the image forming using the colors YMC has been completed, then it proceeds to step  220 . 
     At step  220 , the pulse motor M 2  rotates in the forward (feed) direction to feed the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ According to the rotational amount of the clock plate connected to the back-tension roller  88 , the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ is transported until the trailing edge of the image region (hereunder the edge of the image region at the image forming portion  9  side is called the trailing edge, regardless of the transport direction of the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’) formed on the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ at the image forming portion  9  reaches a predetermined location past the leading edge of the auxiliary guide plate  54  after passing the heat roller  45  away from the platen roller  50 , then the pulse motor M 2  drive stops. At this time, the sheet take-up portion  17  winds the leading edge of the image region (hereunder the edge of the image region at the sheet take-up portion  17  side is called the leading edge, regardless of the transport direction of the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’) on the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’. Upon transporting the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’, the light receiving sensor arranged between the guide roller  44  and the guide plate  47  in the transfer portion  10  is monitored to detect the positioning mark on the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’, thereby making it possible to reset the amount of transport at this point to improve the accuracy of the transport. 
     At step  220 , the card ‘C’ is fed out from the card supply portion  3  in parallel with the transport of the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ to the sheet take-up portion  17 . The card ‘C’ is transported along the card transport path ‘P’ to a position where both edges thereof are nipped by a pair of the horizontal transport rollers having the capstan roller  156  and the discharge roller  160  with the follower roller pressed against the discharge roller  160 . The card supply portion  3  and the pulse motor M 3  are driven to transport the card ‘C’ to the card transport path ‘P’ from the supply portion  3 . The cleaner  4  cleans both sides of the card. When one edge of the card ‘C’ is detected by the unit transmission sensor (not shown) arranged between the cleaner  4  and the horizontal transport portion  5 , the kick roller  31  is stopped. The card C is transported over the horizontal transport portion  5  and the transfer portion  10 , and further in the arrow direction ‘L’ along the card transport path P. When the unit transmission sensor S 7  (not shown) arranged on the capstan roller  156  side near the discharge roller  160  detects one edge of the card ‘C’, the card is transported further a determined number of pulses in the arrow direction ‘L’, and the rotational drive of the pulse motor M 3  is stopped. The discharge roller  160  and the follower roller pressing thereto nip one edge of the card ‘C’. The other edge is nipped by a pair of the horizontal transport rollers comprising the capstan roller  156 . 
     Next, at step  222 , the pulse motor M 2  is rotated in the reverse direction. The intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ is transported in a return direction of the image forming portion  9  side (the arrow direction ‘E’ in FIG. 9A) until the trailing edge of the image region is at a position corresponding to the transfer starting position (as shown in FIG.  9 A and FIG. 9B, a position perpendicular in an imaginary vertical line from the center of the heat roller  45  to the card transport path ‘P’ when the heat roller  45  is lowered), and the drive of the pulse motor M 2  is stopped. Note that at step  222 , as shown in FIG. 8A, the heat roller  45  is positioned at a retracted position from the platen roller  50 . Also, when transporting the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ to the image forming portion  9 , the positioning mark on the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ is detected by monitoring an output from the light receiving sensor. The amount of transport is reset, thereby improving the accuracy of the transport. 
     At step  222 , along with the transport of the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ to the image forming portion  9 , the card ‘C’, whose both ends are nipped by the follower roller pressed against the discharge roller and a pair of the horizontal transport rollers having the capstan roller  156 , is transported to the image forming portion position. In other words, the pulse motor M 3  is driven in reverse, and the card ‘C’ both edges thereof nipped is transported over the card transport path ‘P’ in the arrow direction ‘R’. After the other edge of the card C is detected by the unit transmission sensor (not shown) arranged between the transfer portion  10  and the horizontal transport discharge portion  12 , the card ‘C’ is transported further in the arrow direction ‘R’ by a determined number of pulses, and the pulse motor M 3  reverse drive is stopped to transport the other edge of the card ‘C’ to the position corresponding to the image forming position. 
     At step  224 , the heat roller elevator drive unit drives the heat roller elevator cam  51  to rotate in the arrow direction ‘B’. The heat roller  45  moves down from the retracted position to the image transfer position contacting the platen roller  50  through the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ and the card ‘C’ on the card transport path ‘P’, then the heat roller elevator drive unit drive is stopped. At this point, edges of the guide plate  47  and the auxiliary guide plate  54  attached to a frame of the transfer portion  10  are positioned on or below the card transport path ‘P’. The platen roller  50  supports backside of the card ‘C’ at one edge thereof, and the trailing edge of the image forming region F 1  on the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ is touched by the heat roller  45  from above to contact the other edge of the card C (see FIG.  9 A). 
     At step  226 , the pulse motor M 2  and the pulse motor M 3  rotate in the reverse direction to perform the indirect transfer where the mirrored image on the image region F 1  on the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ is thermally transferred on an image transfer surface of the card ‘C’ using the heat roller  45 . To describe in more detail, the platen roller  50  supports backside of the card ‘C’ while rotating in the counterclockwise direction, and the image transfer surface of the card ‘C’ is pushed against the heat roller  45  via the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’, then the card is transported in the arrow direction ‘R’. The peeling layer Fc on the image forming region F 1 , which is guided substantially horizontally along the card transport path ‘P’ by the guide plate  47  and the auxiliary guide plate  54 , peels from the base film Fa by the heat from the heat generating lamp  46 . The receptive layer Fe and the overcoat layer Fd on the image region F 1  are transferred to the card C together (see FIG.  8 B). When transferring, the card ‘C’ and the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ move at the same speed. The pulse motor M 2  rotates in reverse to wind the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ on the intermediate transfer sheet supply portion  16 . During this time, at step  228 , by monitoring the unit transmission sensor (not shown) arranged at a pair of the horizontal transport rollers  11  near a pair of the horizontal transport rollers  39 , it is determined whether the other edge of the card C has been detected. Then, it is determined whether the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ is completely separated from the card ‘C’ by the guide plate  47 . In other words, the unit transmission sensor detects the other edge of the card ‘C’ to determines whether the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ and the card ‘C’ have passed the transfer complete position to complete the transfer of the image region F 1  to the card, shown in the FIG.  9 C and FIG. 9D, from the transfer starting position shown in the FIG.  9 A and the FIG.  9 B. Further, the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ and the card ‘C’ are transported in the arrow directions ‘E’ and ‘R’ to separate (hereinafter referred to separation transport). Then, as shown in FIG.  9 E and FIG. 9F, it is determined whether the leading portion of the image region of the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ and one side of the card ‘C’ are positioned at the separation complete position. If it not the case, it returns to step  226  and continues the transfer. If it is the case, the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ and the card ‘C’ are transported in the arrow directions ‘E’ and ‘R’ by a predetermined number of pulses to separate by the torque limiter described above (omitted from the view in FIG.  6 ). 
     At step  230 , the pulse motors M 2  and M 3  are stopped, and the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ and the card ‘C’ transferred or separated are stopped. The heat roller elevator drive unit is driven to rotate the heat roller elevator cam  51  again to position the heat roller  45  in a retracted position (raised) with respect to the platen roller  50 . At step  232 , the pulse motor M 3  is driven to transport the card ‘C’ further in the arrow direction ‘L’ along the card transport path ‘P’. At step  232 , it is determined whether the unit transmission sensor S 8  (not shown) arranged between the horizontal transport discharge portion  12  and the discharge outlet  27  has detected the other edge of the card ‘C’. If is not the case, it returns to step  232  to transport the card ‘C’ further. If it is the case, step  236  is held for a predetermined period of time to continue transporting the card ‘C’. The card C is discharged to the stacker  13  via the discharge outlet  27 . Next, at step  238 , the drive of the pulse motor M 3  is stopped, and the number of processed cards or the processing completion is displayed on the touch panel  8 . 
     From step  240  to step  244 , an unused portion Fo (see FIG. 9F) adjacent to the image region F 1  on the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ is transported near the image forming portion  9  to end the indirect transfer routine and prepare for a new card. In other words, at step  240 , the pulse motors M 1  and M 2  are driven in reverse. At step  240 , the unit transmission sensor is monitored to determine whether it has been transported by a predetermined distance. If it is not the case, it returns to step  240  and continues the transport up to near the image forming portion  9  of the unused portion Fo on the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’. If it is the case, the pulse motors M 1  and M 2  stop at the next step  244 . 
     Next, an effect of the image forming apparatus  1  according to the embodiment will be explained. 
     As described, in the image forming apparatus  1  according to the embodiment of the invention, when transferring and separating, the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ is transported in the arrow direction ‘E’, which is the reverse direction to the image forming portion  9 , and the card C is transported in the arrow direction ‘R’ (see FIG. 9A to FIG.  9 F). Thus, after completing the transfer (see FIG.  9 C and FIG.  9 D), to separate the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ and the card ‘C’, the separation transport is performed between the heat roller  45  and the guide plate  47  (see FIG.  9 E and FIG.  9 F). The separation transport region F 3  on the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ is the portion F 2  that is an used portion of the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ because the separation transport occurs in the arrow direction ‘E’. As can be seen in FIG. 10A to FIG. 10F, according to the prior art, if the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ and the card ‘C’ are transported in the arrow directions ‘E′’ and ‘L’ opposite to those in the present embodiment, the separation transport region F 3  on the intermediate transfer sheet F is the unused portion Fo on the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ because the separation transport of the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ would be in the arrow direction ‘E′ ’. (See FIG. 10F) Therefore, in the transport direction in the conventional image forming apparatus, heat from the heat roller  45  is transmitted to the separation transport region F 3 , i.e. the unused portion Fo, and thermal shrinking causes wrinkles or degradation such as changes in quality. As a result, high image quality or high quality image printing to the card C become difficult when transferring to subsequent cards. The unused portion Fo can be discarded to maintain the quality when transferring images by not using the separation transport region F 3 , i.e. the degraded unused portion Fo. The intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’, however, can not be used efficiently, resulting in a higher running cost for manufacturing the card ‘C’. As described above, in the image forming apparatus  1  according to the present embodiment, it is possible to continuously transfer an high quality image while reducing the running cost of the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ which is a consumable portion. This is because the heat roller  45  does not degrade the unused portion Fo by contact as the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ is transported in the arrow direction ‘E’ and the separation transport region F 3  is the used portion F 2 . Note that FIG.  10 A and FIG. 10B correspond to FIG.  9 A and FIG. 9B, FIG.  10 C and FIG. 10D to FIG.  9 C and FIG. 9D, and FIG.  10 E and FIG. 10F to FIG.  9 E and FIG.  9 F. 
     In the image forming apparatus  1  according to the present embodiment, the guide plate  47  attached to the frame of the transfer portion  10  is movable in the direction to separate from the card transport path ‘P’ along with the heat roller  45  by the heat roller elevator drive unit. The leading edge of the guide plate  47  is positioned above or below the card transport path ‘P’ when the heat roller  45  is lowered. Thus, when transferring, in cooperative movement with the auxiliary guide plate  54 , it makes the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ contact the surface of the card ‘C’ on the card transport path ‘P’, thereby ensuring the transfer of the image region Fo to the card C by the heat roller  45 . When performing the separation transport, in cooperation with the movement of the auxiliary guide plate  54 , it stabilizes the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ along the card transport path ‘P’ to enable transport. When separating, it applies an angle to enable separation of the card ‘C’ being transported in the horizontal direction and the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ being transported in the arrow direction ‘E’, so it can handle the separation of both. When separating, separation of the intermediate transfer sheet F and the card C are further promoted by the cooperative movement of the torque limiter  155 . Also, when the heat roller  45  is at the retracted position, the card ‘C’ is transported without any contact over the card transport path ‘P’, thereby reducing damage by separating the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ from the card transport path ‘P’. 
     Note that, according to the present embodiment, it has been shown that any images can be formed on the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ supplied from the intermediate transfer sheet supply portion  16  at the image forming portion  9 , and can be transferred to the card C at the transfer portion  10 . This invention can be applied to holograms formed with specific images or patterns. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the image forming apparatus  1 ′ is equipped with the intermediate transfer sheet supply portion  16  as well as the hologram supply portion  29 . The hologram sheet ‘H’ is guided by the guide plate  47  and the auxiliary guide plate  54  disposed on both sides of the transfer portion  10  via the guide rollers and wound to the sheet take-up portion  17 . When using the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’, the hologram sheet ‘H’ is completely wound back to the hologram sheet supply portion  29 . When using the hologram sheet ‘H’, the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ is completely wound back to the intermediate transfer sheet supply portion  16 . The sheet takeup portion  17  can use either sheet by winding either the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ or the hologram sheet ‘H’. The CPU determines whether the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ is to be used by monitoring the light reception sensor S 2  arranged between the platen roller  21  and the guide roller  91 . The hologram sheet ‘H’, in the same way as the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ described above, is transferred in the direction to rewind back to the hologram sheet supply portion  29 . The image forming apparatus  1 ′ can achieve high efficiency for the hologram sheet ‘H’ as well. Note that in FIG. 11, the same numbers are used for the same components in the image forming apparatus  1  of FIG.  1 . Therefore, according to the above embodiment, the term “transfer media supply portion” used in this invention describes the mechanism at an upstream to supply the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ with an image or the hologram sheet to the transfer portion  10 . 
     Also, according to the present embodiment, the auxiliary guide plate  54  has a length same as that of the guide plate  47 , as shown in FIG.  8 A. And the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ is positioned horizontally in parallel to the card transport path ‘P’ when the heat roller  45  is in retracted position. The function of the auxiliary guide plate  54  is to prevent contact between the intermediate transfer sheet ‘F’ and the card ‘C’ in the retracted position, thus the auxiliary guide plate  54  does not necessarily have to have a length same as that of the guide plate  47  and could be shorter. 
     According to the above description, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the image transfer is performed in the direction opposite to that of the prior art, and in the direction to the transfer media supply portion of the transfer media. Thus, the used portion of the transfer medium is transported for separation. Because only the used portion comes into contact with the transfer device, there is no contact of the unused portion so there is no degradation of the unused portion, allowing the continuous transferring of high quality images and high quality transfer. Furthermore, because there is no processing required for degraded unused portions that cannot be used, the running cost is reduced. According to the second embodiment, the transfer medium is moved in the direction to separate with regard to the transfer medium transport path by the transfer medium guide, so the accuracy of the transfer to the recording medium is improved by positioning the recording medium on the recording medium transport path when transferring images with the transfer means. This invention is capable of ensuring a stable transfer up to the separation of the transfer medium after transferring the image, while preventing damage caused by the contact of the recording medium transported over the recording medium transport path and the transfer medium. The third embodiment, in the same way as the first embodiment, transports the used portion of the transfer medium for separation, so it achieves high quality image transfer and does not need processing of degraded unused portions that cannot be used, so it also reduces the running costs. 
     While the invention has been explained with reference to the specific embodiments of the invention, the explanation is illustrative, and the invention is limited only by the appended claims.