Image transfer apparatus

An image transfer apparatus for transferring an image on an image sheet to an image-receiving sheet while said image sheet and said image-receiving sheet are held in a superposed condition, comprising:

• a working station for placing said image sheet and said image-receiving sheet one above the other on a support plate to make up a transported sheet assembly;
• a tacking station for tentatively securing said image sheet and said image-receiving sheet of said transported sheet assembly together;
• a transfer station for applying either pressure or pressure and heat to said transported sheet assembly tentatively secured in said tacking station, thereby to transfer said image to said image-receiving sheet;
• a cooling station for cooling said transported sheet assembly after said image has been transferred;
• and
• feed means for feeding said transported sheet assembly from said working station through said tacking station, said transfer station and said cooling station in this order in the direciton of travel of said transported sheet assembly, and then moving back said transported sheet assembly having been cooled from said cooling station through said transfer station, said tacking station and said working table in this order in the direction of travel of said transported sheet assembly.

A heat transfer method for transferring an image on an image sheet to an image-receiving sheet with said image sheet and said image-receiving sheet placed one above the other, comprising the steps of:

• transporting said image sheet and said image-receiving sheet in a superposed state;
• to form a transported sheet assembly and
• allowing said superposed image sheet and image-receiving sheet to pass through a transfer station;
• and
• allowing said superposed image sheet and image-receiving sheet to pass again through said transfer station by backwardly transporting said superposed image sheet and image-receiving sheet, thereby transferring said image recorded on said image sheet to said image-receiving sheet.

A heat transfer method for transferring an image on an image sheet to an image-receiving sheet with said image sheet and said image-receiving sheet placed one above the other, comprising the steps of:

• transporting said image sheet and said image-receiving sheet in a superposed state;
• to form a transported sheet assembly
• subjecting said superposed image sheet and said image-receiving sheet to at least pressurization while being passed through a transfer station so as to transfer said image recorded on said image sheet to said image-receiving sheet;
• and
• transporting said superposed image sheet and said image-receiving sheet in the backward direction so as to be returned to a position prior to transfer.

A heat transfer method for transferring an image on an image sheet to an image-receiving sheet with said image sheet and said image-receiving sheet placed one above the other, comprising the steps of:

• transporting said image sheet and said image-receiving sheet in a superposed state to form a transported sheet assembly;
• subjecting said superposed image sheet and said image-receiving sheet to at least pressurization while being passed through a transfer station;
• and
• transporting said superposed image sheet and said image-receiving sheet in the backward direction and subjecting said superposed image sheet and said image-receiving sheet to at least pressurization while being passed again through said transfer station, thereby transferring said image recorded on said image sheet to said image-receiving sheet.