CN102348559A

CN102348559A - Apparatus for reducing flash for thermal transfer printers

Info

Publication number: CN102348559A
Application number: CN2010800115255A
Authority: CN
Inventors: R·E·梅纳德; T·R·赫尔曼; K·R·赫弗雷
Original assignee: ZIH Corp
Current assignee: Zebra Technologies Corp
Priority date: 2009-01-10
Filing date: 2010-01-08
Publication date: 2012-02-08
Anticipated expiration: 2030-01-08
Also published as: WO2010080940A2; WO2010080940A4; EP2385901B1; EP2385901A2; EP2385901A4; CN102348559B; WO2010080940A3

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a printing assembly that includes an image transfer station and a blower configured to provide a cooling stream of air to a product being printed upon. Nozzles may be positioned such that the air targets the leading edge and side edges of the product to facilitate removal of the intermediate transfer media from the targeted areas and reduce the occurrence of flash. Also, a chamber may be defined by a wall of the transfer assembly and peel bars to focus the air flow and insulate the cooling stream of air from the heat of the transfer device. The blower may be configured to provide air when the product is received into and expelled from the transfer assembly. The printing assembly may include sensors and control circuitry for detecting the position of the product and controlling the blower accordingly.

Description

Be used to reduce the equipment of the burr of thermal transfer printer

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind of being used for is carrying out the methods, devices and systems that the image transfer operating process reduces burr to dielectric card or other products; More particularly, relating to a kind of comprising is constructed near product, provide cooling air stream to be easy to remove from product the printing assembly of the device of intermediate transfer medium.

Background technology

Can adopt several different methods with image printing to medium.A kind of such method is heat transfer printing (hot transfer printing), and heat is used to from middle transfer medium (" IT medium ") image transfer to product therein, for example dielectric card.The IT medium generally includes the layer that is designed to when being heated, be bonded to product.

Typically, in the heat transfer printing process, the printing dyestuff is applied to the IT medium.In the further subsequent process of printing process, part IT medium is transferred on the product.In some cases, the size of IT medium can be not exclusively and the consistent size of product.For example, the IT medium can be bigger than product, and when the IT medium was applied to product, the edge of IT medium can extend outside the edge of product.When product was removed, the part IT medium of extension possibly removed from product by halves outside the edge of product, thereby causes burr (flash) after the liner of IT medium is applying the IT medium.The function that burr possibly make product have to reduce and/or the aesthetic effect of minimizing.

So the applicant finds that expectation provides a kind of printing machine that is suitable for adopting with the method that reduces burr reliably and at low cost IT dielectric printing product.As be described in more detail below, make great efforts to invent and develop in the process of such printing machine the applicant and confirm and overcome multiple challenge.

Summary of the invention

The present invention combines image transfer assembly and the demand that is constructed to above air blast (hair-dryer) and/or cooling chamber that the product that just has been printed provides cooling air stream solve with the printing assembly that is easy to remove the intermediate transfer medium from product and reduce the generation of burr through providing a kind of, and obtains other advantage.Embodiment of the present invention comprises following embodiment.

In one embodiment, providing a kind of is constructed to from the intermediate transfer printing assembly of middle transfer medium to the transferred product image.The intermediate transfer printing assembly comprises the transfer assembly, shifts assembly and comprises transfer device.Shifting assembly is constructed to through product and intermediate transfer medium are received compression intermediate transfer medium in the transfer assembly, between transfer device and product, see (expelling) product off and peel off the intermediate transfer medium so that visual to transferred product from middle transfer medium from product from shifting assembly; Like this, image is transferred to product from middle transfer medium.The intermediate transfer printing assembly also is included in and is suitable for after the intermediate transfer medium is compressed, receiving being positioned at of product shifts assembly cooling chamber nearby between transfer device and product; Wherein, chamber is constructed at least one in cooling products or the intermediate transfer medium.

In some cases, printing assembly comprises that also at least one is constructed at product from shifting assembly is seen off the process roughly provides cooling air stream continuously through cooling chamber air blast.Product can limit a pair of and opposed (opposed) transverse edge receive direction approximate vertical, and wherein, cooling chamber is constructed to the roughly whole length cooling products along opposed transverse edge.In addition; Product can limit the visual receiving surface that comprises surface characteristics; Wherein, The intermediate transfer medium comprises transfer portion and non-transfer portion; And wherein; Cooling chamber is constructed to cool off the visual receiving surface at the product nearby of surface characteristics, with the transfer that promotes transfer portion and the removal of non-transfer portion when middle transfer medium is stripped from.Surface characteristics can be selected from by magnetic stripe, signature plate, smart card noncontact chip, smart card contact chip, RFID responder, printed antenna, the back of the body and carry the group that label, pattern adhesive, die-cut characteristic, snap ring, maintenance characteristic, elevated regions, thermograph zone and foil area constitute.

Cooling chamber can be arranged with cooling device with being communicated with, at least one when shifting in the assembly to be received in when product in cooling products or the intermediate transfer medium.Shifting assembly can be the single-pass bilateral transfer assembly that is constructed to shift to the opposed visual receiving surface of product from middle transfer medium first and second images.In addition, cooling chamber can be arranged with cooling device with being communicated with, at least one when shifting in the assembly to be received in when product in cooling products or the intermediate transfer medium.In some cases; Shifting assembly can be constructed to along first direction product and intermediate transfer medium are received in the transfer assembly; And see off from shifting assembly along second direction to major general's product, and cooling chamber can be constructed to when product and intermediate transfer medium are received in the transfer assembly along first direction and to major general's product along second direction when the transfer assembly is seen off at least one cooling products or the intermediate transfer medium.

Printing assembly can comprise also that at least one is constructed to the air blast through the cooling air stream of cooling chamber is provided, and wherein, air blast comprises two nozzles.Cooling chamber can be constructed to when product roughly be arranged in intermediate transfer assembly bonding station nearby the time cooling products or intermediate transfer medium at least one.Cooling chamber can be constructed to when product roughly be positioned at intermediate transfer components apart (or throw off) position nearby the time stop cooling basically.In addition, transfer device can comprise at least one heater block, and cooling chamber can comprise the shell of concentrating cooling nearby and causing the cooling and the heater block of transfer device to be isolated greatly that is constructed at the interface of product and intermediate transfer medium.Shell can comprise that the wall that shifts assembly is positioned at the stripping rod nearby of product surface with at least one, and wall limits the slit that is constructed to receive product.

In some cases; Cooling chamber is arranged with cooling device with being communicated with; When shifting in the assembly in cooling products or the intermediate transfer medium at least one to be received in when product; Wherein, Transfer device comprises heater block; And wherein, cooling chamber comprise be constructed in product or intermediate transfer medium at least one nearby, at the shell of concentrating cooling nearby and causing the cooling and the heater block of transfer device to be isolated greatly of bonding station.Shell can comprise that the wall that shifts assembly is positioned at the stripping rod nearby of product surface with at least one, and wall limits the slit that is constructed to receive product.

In some embodiments; Printing assembly can comprise also that at least one is constructed to the sensor of testing product with respect to the position of shifting assembly; And the control circuit of arranging with said at least one sensor and cooling device with being communicated with; Control circuit is constructed to make cooling device to engage, to be based in part on product at least with respect to the position cooling cooling chamber that shifts assembly.Control circuit can be constructed to make cooling device to engage, before the image transfer operation of printing assembly, to cool off cooling chamber.

In other embodiment; Provide a kind of from supplying with the method that body (donor) medium shifts transfer portion; This method comprise with product with supply with body medium and receive and shift in the assembly; Like this; Supply with body medium and between transfer device that shifts assembly and product, be compressed, see product off from transfer device, like this; The carrier part of supplying with body medium is peeled off and when cooling products when shifting assembly and see product off or supply body medium at least one from product.This method can also comprise cooling products when product is received in the transfer assembly.In some cases, cooling products comprises that cooling products reaches predetermined duration.

In addition, with product with supply with body medium be received in shift can comprise in the assembly along first direction with product with supply with body medium and be received in and shift in the assembly, see product off and comprise along second direction and see product off from shifting assembly from shifting assembly.Product can limit the leading edge with respect to first direction; With respect to the back edge of first direction, and two opposite side edges between leading edge and the back edge, wherein; Cooling products comprises roughly whole length and the roughly whole length at two opposite side edges of the leading edge of cooling products.

In addition, this method can comprise starts cooling device to reach predetermined duration, with roughly be positioned at when product supply body medium bonding station nearby the time cooling products.Product can be to be detected with respect to the position of shifting assembly, and wherein, cooling products comprises the detection position cooling products based on product.Product can limit the visual receiving surface that comprises surface characteristics; Wherein, Supply with body medium and comprise transfer portion and non-transfer portion; And wherein; Cooling products comprises the visual receiving surface of cooling at surface characteristics product nearby, with the transfer that promotes transfer portion and the removal of non-transfer portion when the supply body medium is stripped from.

In other embodiment, the intermediate transfer printing assembly is provided as being constructed to from middle transfer medium visual to transferred product, and the intermediate transfer printing assembly comprises the transfer assembly, shifts assembly and comprises transfer device.Shifting assembly is constructed to through product and intermediate transfer medium are received in compression intermediate transfer medium in the transfer assembly, between transfer device and product, see product off and peel off the intermediate transfer medium so that image is transferred to product from middle transfer medium from product from shifting assembly.The intermediate transfer printing assembly can also comprise being arranged in and shifts assembly and be constructed to the cooling device of cooling products when product is received in the transfer assembly nearby.Cooling device can be constructed to cooling products when product is seen off from shifting assembly.

In some cases, the intermediate transfer assembly can comprise also that at least one is constructed to testing product with respect to the sensor of the position of shifting assembly, and the control circuit of arranging with at least one sensor with being communicated with.Control circuit can be constructed to when product roughly be positioned at intermediate transfer medium bonding station nearby the time make cooling device engage, when product roughly be positioned at intermediate transfer medium separation point position nearby the time break off cooling device.Product can limit a pair of and the opposed transverse edge receive direction approximate vertical; Wherein, Shift assembly and limit the cooling chamber that is constructed to before product is received in the transfer device, receive product; And wherein, cooling device is constructed to cool off this chamber so that product is cooled along the roughly whole length of transverse edge.Cooling device can be selected from the group that is made up of fan, air blast, fin, flow deflector, liquid valve jacket, fin, thermoelectric cold drawing and Po Er card (Peltier) cooling device.

In another embodiment, a kind of printing process of adopting the intermediate transfer printing assembly is provided.This method comprises product and intermediate transfer medium received and shifts in the assembly, is received between cooling products when shifting in the assembly, the transfer device that is shifting assembly and the product compression intermediate transfer medium and sees product off so that the intermediate transfer medium is peeled off from product from shifting assembly when product.

In some cases, when when shifting assembly and see product off, product is cooled.Cooling products comprises that cooling products reaches predetermined duration.Product can limit a pair of and the opposed transverse edge receive direction approximate vertical, and wherein, cooling products comprises the roughly whole length of cooling off transverse edge.In addition; Product can limit the visual receiving surface that comprises surface characteristics; Wherein, The intermediate transfer medium comprises transfer portion and non-transfer portion, and wherein, cooling products comprises the visual receiving surface of cooling surface characteristic product nearby; Like this; When middle transfer medium was stripped from, transfer portion and product kept together, and non-transfer portion is removed from product.

In other embodiment, provide a kind of and be constructed to from the intermediate transfer printing assembly of middle transfer medium to the transferred product image.The intermediate transfer printing assembly comprises the transfer assembly, shifts assembly and comprises and a pair ofly between it, limit roll gap and be constructed to the intermediate transfer medium is pressed against the opposed warm-up mill on the product.Shifting assembly is constructed to from middle transfer medium to the transferred product image.The intermediate transfer printing assembly also comprises the temperature controlling circuit that is constructed to control roll independently and is shifting the cooling device of arranging and be constructed to cooling products when product is received in the transfer assembly nearby of assembly.

In some cases, in the roller is heated to the temperature higher than another roller.Simultaneously, cooling device can be selected from the group that is made up of air blast and fin.Cooling device can be constructed to when cooling products when shifting assembly and see product off.

In other embodiment, the trans-printing assembly is provided as being constructed to shifting transfer portion from supplying with body medium.The trans-printing assembly comprises the transfer assembly, shifts assembly and comprises that a pair of being constructed to is pressed against the opposed roll on the product with supplying with body medium, wherein, shifts assembly and is constructed to from supplying with body medium to the transferred product transfer portion.The trans-printing assembly also comprise be constructed to control independently in the opposed roll each the temperature controlling circuit and shifting the cooling device of arranging of assembly nearby.

In some cases, in the control circuit control roll is heated to the temperature higher than other roller.Control circuit in can control roll is heated to first temperature, is used to promote transfer portion from supplying with the transfer of body medium.In addition, cooling device can be selected from the group that is made up of fan, air blast, fin, flow deflector, liquid valve jacket, fin, thermoelectric cold drawing and Po Er card cooling device.Cooling device can be constructed to when cooling products when shifting assembly and see product off.

In another embodiment, providing a kind of is constructed to from supplying with body medium shifts trans-printing assembly from transfer portion to the visual receiving surface of product.The trans-printing assembly comprises the transfer assembly, shifts assembly and comprises transfer device.Body medium is supplied with in compression in the transfer assembly, between transfer device and product, assembly is seen product off and body medium is transferred to product and shift transfer portion from supplying with body medium to the visual receiving surface of product from supplying with from product removal supply body medium transfer portion from shifting through product is received in thereby the transfer assembly is constructed to.The trans-printing assembly also comprises the cooling chamber nearby that is suitable for after the supply body medium is compressed, receiving the transfer device of product between transfer device and product.

In some cases, the trans-printing assembly is the intermediate transfer printing assembly, and supplying with body medium is the intermediate transfer medium.In other cases, supplying with body medium is selected from by tape, signature plate, magnetic stripe, hologram, strikes off the group that band and paillon foil constitute.Product can limit a pair of and the opposed transverse edge receive direction approximate vertical, and wherein, cooling chamber is constructed to cool off the roughly whole length of transverse edge.

The image receiving surface can comprise surface characteristics, and wherein, cooling chamber is constructed to cooling surface characteristic visual receiving surface nearby.Surface characteristics can be selected from the group that is made up of magnetic stripe and smart card noncontact chip.Transfer device can comprise heater block, cooling chamber can comprise be constructed to product or supply with in the body medium at least one nearby, peeling off the shell of concentrating cooling nearby and causing the cooling and the heater block of transfer device to be isolated greatly of position.Printing assembly can also comprise air blast, and wherein, air blast comprises two nozzles, and each nozzle is positioned at each end of cooling chamber, so that cooling air stream is conducted through chamber.

In another embodiment, the intermediate transfer printing assembly is provided as being constructed to the transferred product image.The intermediate transfer printing assembly comprises the intermediate transfer medium, and the intermediate transfer medium comprises layout image thereon, shifts assembly and the air blast that cooling air stream is provided off and on that is constructed at product nearby.Shifting assembly comprises transfer device and is constructed to from middle transfer medium visual to transferred product.Especially; Product and intermediate transfer medium are received in along first direction and shift in the assembly; The intermediate transfer medium is compressed between transfer device and product; Product is seen off from shifting assembly along second direction; The intermediate transfer medium is peeled off from product; Like this, the image from middle transfer medium to transferred product.

In some cases; Air blast is constructed to when product is seen off from shifting assembly along second direction; Optionally cooling air stream is provided nearby, but when product is received in the transfer assembly along first direction, cooling air stream is not provided nearby at product at product.Product can limit the edge, and air blast can be constructed to towards margin guide cooling air stream.In some embodiments, shifting assembly can be the single-pass bilateral transfer assembly that is constructed to shift to the opposed visual receiving surface of product from middle transfer medium first and second images.

Printing assembly can also comprise one or more sensors and the control circuit of arranging with sensor with being communicated with.Sensor can be constructed to testing product with respect to the position of shifting assembly.In addition; Control circuit can be constructed to respect to shifting air blast engaged so that cooling air stream to be provided at product when product nearby, when product is disposed in the second place with respect to the transfer assembly, at product cooling air stream is not provided nearby.

In some cases, air blast can comprise the single charging portion that is communicated with two fluid nozzles.Product can limit two edges that extend along first direction, and each nozzle can be located at the edge separately of product nearby.Shift assembly and can also comprise at least one surface that is positioned at product stripping rod nearby.Stripping rod and transfer device can jointly limit chamber, and each nozzle can be located with chamber in fluid communication ground, crosses chamber with the direct cooled circulation of air.In some cases, air blast can comprise centrifugal fan.

In other embodiment; The intermediate transfer printing assembly is provided as comprising the intermediate transfer medium; The intermediate transfer medium comprises layout image thereon; Shift assembly; At least one is constructed to the sensor of testing product with respect to the position of shifting assembly; Air blast and the control circuit of arranging with sensor with being communicated with.Shifting assembly can comprise transfer device and can be constructed to from middle transfer medium visual to transferred product.Air blast can be constructed to flow at the cooling air that provides nearby of product.In addition; Control circuit can be constructed to respect to shifting air blast engaged so that cooling air stream to be provided at product when product nearby, when product is disposed in the second place with respect to the transfer assembly, at product cooling air stream is not provided nearby.

In some embodiments, sensor and control circuit can be constructed to optionally make the air blast joint, with when from shifting cooling air stream being provided when assembly is seen product off, cooling air stream are not provided when product is received in the transfer assembly still.In addition, product can limit the edge, and air blast can be constructed to towards margin guide cooling air stream.

Shifting assembly can be the single-pass bilateral transfer assembly that is constructed to shift to the opposed visual receiving surface of product from middle transfer medium first and second images.In addition, air blast can comprise the single charging portion that is communicated with two fluid nozzles.Air blast can also comprise centrifugal fan.

In other embodiment, the intermediate transfer printing assembly may be provided in comprise intermediate transfer medium, intermediate transfer medium comprise layout thereon image and comprise the transfer assembly of transfer device.Shifting assembly can be constructed to through along first direction product and intermediate transfer medium being received in the transfer assembly so that between transfer device and product, compress the intermediate transfer medium; See product off so that the intermediate transfer medium is peeled off from product along second direction from shifting assembly, and the interface between intermediate transfer medium and product cooling air stream being provided nearby and intermediate transfer medium from product peel off and from middle transfer medium to the transferred product image.

Printing assembly can comprise also that at least one is constructed to testing product with respect to the sensor of the position of shifting assembly and the control circuit of arranging with sensor with being communicated with.Control circuit can be constructed to when product is positioned in order to peel off the intermediate transfer medium from product, make air blast to engage so that product cooling air stream nearby to be provided.

In some cases, shifting assembly can comprise and the air blast that is constructed to provide the cooling single charging portion that two fluid nozzle ground that air flows are communicated with.In addition, product can limit two edges that extend along first direction, and each nozzle can be located at the edge separately of product nearby.Air blast can also comprise centrifugal fan.

Therefore, as be described in more detail below, printing assembly is provided as being easy to the intermediate transfer medium and removes from product, and reduces the generation of burr.

Description of drawings

With reference to the accompanying drawings, it must not drawn in proportion, wherein:

Fig. 1 is the side view according to the printing machine of the combining drum blower fan of an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is that the sidepiece according to the intermediate transfer medium of known systems structure schematically illustrates;

Fig. 3 is that the sidepiece according to the transfer assembly with stripping rod of an embodiment of the invention schematically illustrates;

Fig. 4 is that the sidepiece of the transfer assembly described among the Fig. 3 that air blast is shown according to an embodiment of the invention schematically illustrates;

Fig. 5 is schematically illustrating according to the intermediate transfer medium that is applied to product of an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6 is according to the single-pass bilateral image transfer assembly of another embodiment of the invention and the perspective schematic view of air blast;

Fig. 7 is the perspective view according to the air blast of the single charging portion of the combination of an embodiment of the invention and two nozzles;

Fig. 8 is according to the nozzle that air blast is shown of an embodiment of the invention perspective view with respect to the transfer assembly that shifts assembly and product orientation;

Fig. 9 is the perspective view according to the transfer assembly that comprises the stripping rod that limits cooling chamber of an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 10 is schematically illustrating according to the printing assembly that comprises sensor and control circuit of another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 11 is the schematically illustrating along the printing assembly of the sensor of the transfer path of product location that comprise according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 12 illustrates with respect to shift the sidepiece of transfer assembly that assembly is positioned at the product of primary importance to schematically illustrate;

Figure 13 is that the sidepiece of transfer assembly that Figure 12 of the product that is positioned at innermost position is shown schematically illustrates;

Figure 14 illustrates with respect to shift the sidepiece of transfer assembly of Figure 12 that assembly is positioned at the product of the second place to schematically illustrate;

Figure 15 is that the sidepiece according to the transfer assembly that cooling chamber is shown of an embodiment of the invention schematically illustrates;

Figure 16 is the perspective view of the transfer assembly of Figure 15; With

Figure 17 is that the sidepiece according to the printing assembly of combining drum blower fan of an embodiment of the invention and cooling fan schematically illustrates.

The specific embodiment

To more fully describe a plurality of embodiments of the present invention with reference to accompanying drawing hereinafter, wherein, but some not all embodiments of the present invention are illustrated.In fact, the present invention can many different forms specialize, and should not be interpreted as being limited to the embodiment that proposes here; On the contrary, these embodiments are provided as content disclosed by the invention and will satisfy applicable legal requirement.Identical Reference numeral is represented components identical in the whole text.

As be described in greater detail below, printing assembly is provided as comprising the cooling chamber of image transfer (transfer) assembly and the intermediate transfer medium that is constructed to cooling products off and on and/or is used on product, print.Cooling chamber can pass through cooling device or equipment, the for example operation of air blast or fin cooling.Under the situation of air blast, air blast can comprise centrifugal fan, and can have the single charging portion that air is provided to two nozzles.Alternatively, a plurality of air blasts with a plurality of nozzles can be used to provide cooling effect, and those skilled in the art is appreciated that according to this disclosed content.

Have many cooling devices known to those skilled in the art, it can be used to cooling chamber, assembly, product, supply body medium or its some combination according to content disclosed herein.Such device comprises fan, air blast, fin, flow deflector, liquid valve jacket, fin, thermoelectric cold drawing and Po Er card cooling device.Though polytype cooling device can be used to cool off cooling chamber, for easy explanation, the instance of the air blast that the cooling air that following description employing is constructed to entering to be provided and to pass through cooling chamber flows.

Under the situation of air blast, the nozzle of air blast can be positioned as air outside the edge of product or contingent other position of burr flow.Air blast can be constructed to be received in when shifting in the assembly and/or when the transfer assembly is seen off and/or when middle transfer medium, air is provided when product is stripped from when it when product.Printing assembly can also comprise and is used for testing product with respect to the position of shifting assembly with based on the sensor and the control circuit of the Position Control air blast that is detected.

Except improving the aesthetic effect of product, according to a plurality of advantages that provide of the minimizing burr of embodiment of the present invention, this is conspicuous according to following disclosed content for a person skilled in the art.For example, described embodiment allows the bigger free degree to the time of product printshop need, and can allow printing time faster usually.In addition, a plurality of potential printed design are possible, for example are included in the design of the printing that distributes on the surface of product unequally, and are typically more difficult for printing in the system of heat.In addition, embodiment of the present invention can allow the printing to dissimilar basic unit, that for example be made of a variety of materials, that have different thickness or the basic unit that comprises the coating that possibly have different heat-transfer characters.

In addition, paper or Synthesis Card, label, label, wrist strap and other product can have the kinds of surface characteristic, and how it can receive image, ink or thin layer vary at them.These characteristics provide as the special performances of the principal character of product or the visual effect of raising usually.Such characteristic can comprise that magnetic stripe, signature plate, smart card noncontact chip, smart card contact chip, RFID responder, printed antenna, the back of the body carry label, pattern adhesive, die-cut characteristic, snap ring or other maintenance characteristic, elevated regions, thermograph and paillon foil.Therefore, embodiment of the present invention can allow to the basic unit's printing that comprises such surface characteristics.

For illustrative purposes, following specification is described and is constructed to print or the intermediate transfer printing assembly of treatment media card.But it should be noted that; The present invention is not restricted to and is used for dielectric card; And in fact can combine to be constructed to print or handle the printing assembly of " product " of any kind, but comprise but be not restricted to dielectric card, label, RFID label, smart card print and similar products like.Such product can be made up of cellulosic-based material (for example, paper, cardboard, timber etc.), polymer, metal, thin layer, composite, film or other similar material.

In addition, still for illustrative purposes, specification is described the image transfer station be incorporated in the printing machine or used by printing machine.But; It should be noted that; Embodiment of the present invention is not restricted in printing machine and uses; In fact; Can be included in the image transfer station of using in the multiple media processing apparatus, comprise but be not restricted to card printer, label printing machine, desktop printing machine, laminating machine, RFID reader, encoder or other similar media processes assembly.

Usually, image can several different methods form on visual receiving surface.In heat transfer printing, for example, pressure and heat are used to make the coating fusing of supplying with body medium, and like this, coating (for example, dyestuff) is retained on the visual receiving surface of product.Except other, supply with body medium and for example can comprise intermediate transfer medium, tape, signature plate, magnetic stripe, hologram, strike off band and paillon foil.An instance of heat transfer printing is the intermediate heat trans-printing.In the intermediate heat trans-printing, be transferred to the intermediate transfer medium from the ink of tape, like this, image forms on the intermediate transfer medium.Then, image is transferred to product through the intermediate transfer medium is coated to product, and this will discuss below in more detail.

Though a plurality of embodiment of the present invention can be used to make heat transfer printing and intermediate heat trans-printing easy, following description is printed as background with relevant accompanying drawing with intermediate transfer and describes embodiment of the present invention.But; It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that; According to this disclosed content; A plurality of embodiment of the present invention also can be applicable to heat transfer printing; (for example to work as dyestuff; Image) when being transferred, the rear portion that makes carrier or tape (that is to say, supply with body medium) is easily from the removal of the visual receiving surface of product.For the purpose of the specification and the appending claims of front, this removal process can be similar with the intermediate transfer strip step, will be described in more detail below.In one embodiment, the cooling chamber that describes below can be constructed to when product after tape is applied to product when shifting assembly and see off cooling products so that tape is removed from print product easily.

Fig. 1 illustrates the alternative pack of printing assembly.But, for the clear and easy purpose of discussing, and whole parts of not shown printing assembly.With reference to Fig. 1, intermediate heat trans-printing assembly 10 can comprise intermediate transfer medium (" IT medium ") 15, comprise and be constructed to the transfer assembly 20 and the air blast 35 that shift the transfer device 25 of image to dielectric card 30 from IT medium 15.In some cases, air blast 35 can be incorporated in the transfer assembly 20 or forms its part.

The inventor has confirmed the several factors that can improve printing quality, in some embodiments, possibly influence the generation of burr on the dielectric card.Such factor comprises when card and moves through the temperature of temperature, transfer device 25 surrounding environment nearby of type and structure, the transfer device 25 of speed when shifting assembly 20, transfer device 25, the size and the material composition of the card 30 of printing thereon; (for example existing of surface characteristics on the visual receiving surface of card; RFID chip or magnetic stripe), image with respect to the position of the visual receiving surface of card, image content (for example; The dark image of light contrast) and the type of employed IT medium 15.Top factor here proposes just to explanation rather than for restriction, because consider this disclosed content, other factor can be conspicuous easily for a person skilled in the art.An instance of the IT medium that can be used in combination with a plurality of embodiments of the present invention is the dye sublimation IT medium tape from the parts No.800133-601 of DNP IMS u s company.

IT medium 15 can be disposed in IT medium donor rollers and the IT medium is packed up (not shown) between the roller.IT medium donor rollers can be distributed IT medium 15 through printing station 40, and therein, the printing dyestuff can be applied to IT medium 15.Further in downstream, IT medium 15 can extend through and shift assembly 20, and therein, the part IT medium 15 that stands to print can be transferred on the dielectric card 30.

Described printing assembly 10 can also comprise color tape donor rollers (not shown), and the color tape is packed up roller (not shown) and tape print head 45.Color tape donor rollers can be supplied with the color tape 50 of the colouring agent plate sequence with the plate that for example comprises yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and/or black (K), and it is used for color gamut and/or bright/dark shade are printed to IT medium 15.Color tape 50 can be transferred between tape print head 45 and cylinder 55, extending jointly with IT medium 15.Then, tape print head 45 can be closed by hot joining, so that printed image is printed on the part of IT medium 15.

Then, printing IT medium 15 can be transferred to downwards shifts assembly 20, as shown in the figure.Shifting assembly 20 constitutes by being constructed to engage with IT medium 15 printed image is printed to the transfer device 25 on the surface of dielectric card 30.Shift assembly 20 and can comprise polytype transfer device 25 of engaging with the IT medium of being used for.For example, in Fig. 1, transfer device 25 is and dummy roll 26 opposite heating compressing rollers.Alternatively, transfer device can add thermal compression roller pair of opposed, limits the arc cylinder of relative arcuate surfaces, reciprocal clamp or other similar device constitutes.

In some cases, for example in one-sided transfer assembly (in more detail below discuss), transfer device comprise a pair of between it, limit roll gap 101 (shown in Figure 15) be constructed to IT medium 15 is pressed against the opposed warm-

up mill

25,26 on the dielectric card 30.Especially, opposed warm-up mill 25 need not be heated to equal temperature.For example, roller can be by being constructed to the temperature controlling circuit control of control roll independently, and like this, (for example, roller 25) in the roller can be heated to than another (for example, roller 26) the high temperature in the roller.In this; At high temperature roller 25 can be constructed to shift image from IT medium 25 to the visual receiving surface of card; Though but another roller 26 still is heated, be maintained at than make the required low temperature of temperature of releasing layer 15B thermal activation (thermally activate) of IT medium.In an example, roller 25 can be heated to the interior temperature of scope of about 155 ℉-200 ℉, and another roller 26 is heated at the interior temperature of scope of about 65 ℉-85 ℉.

In some cases, dielectric card 30 can be seen off from the card feeder, and is supplied to printing assembly 10.Before arriving transfer assembly 20, dielectric card 30 can pass through coding station 58, and dielectric card 30 can employing information coding therein.Shifting assembly 20 places, dielectric card 30 can align with the printing of IT medium 15 jointly with extending.

Therefore; Shifting assembly 20 is constructed to through dielectric card 30 and IT medium 15 are received compression IT medium 15 in the transfer assembly 20, between transfer device 25 and dielectric card 30, see dielectric card 30 off and peel off IT medium 15 so that shift image and shift visual from IT medium 15 to dielectric card 30 to dielectric card 30 from IT medium 15 from dielectric card 30 from transfer device 20.In this, Chang Gui IT medium 15 is described in Fig. 2.Conventional IT medium 15 comprises the carrier thin film 15A that is used to support release liner 15B and printing receiving unit 15C.Image (for example, figure, text, bar code and other mark) is printed or is formed on the printing receiving unit 15C.Therefore, when being applied to dielectric card 30, printing receiving unit 15C will be close to the image receiving surface of dielectric card 30 and arrange.

Releasing layer 15B can be used for discharging printing receiving unit 15C by thermal activation, and it can be pressed or be transferred to simultaneously the image receiving surface of card 30.In many embodiments, can not expect that whole printing receiving surface 15C is transferred.For example, under the situation of IT medium, perhaps comprise and attempt to keep to print basically freely under the situation of surface characteristics (for example, magnetic stripe etc.) of receiving unit 15C at card 30 greater than card 30.Therefore, the IT medium can comprise transfer portion and non-transfer portion.In many embodiments, between the transfer portion of supplying with body medium (for example, tape, IT medium etc.) and non-transfer portion, there is not difference physics or chemistry.On the contrary, shift assembly and be constructed to make the transfer portion activation, and be constructed to not make non-transfer portion activation.Therefore, when the back layer of carrier thin film or supply body medium was stripped from, transfer portion kept, and non-transfer portion is stripped from carrier thin film or laying.

In some embodiments, except printed image above-mentioned perhaps replaces printed image above-mentioned, non-thermal activation medium and dielectric support thin-layer tablet can be provided.In this, supply with body medium (for example, IT medium 15, thin-layered medium etc.) and be easy to such thin-layer tablet is transferred to dielectric card or other visual receiver media, this is conspicuous for a person skilled in the art.

Get back to described embodiment, when IT medium 15 was applied to dielectric card 30 through transfer device 25, IT medium 15 can be peeled off from dielectric card 30, and for example dielectric card 30 is seen off from shifting assembly 20.In some cases, shown in Fig. 3 and 4, IT medium 15 is removed under the help of stripping rod 60, and stripping rod can engage with IT medium 15 in stripping area, and is easy to IT medium 15 and removes with specific angle with respect to dielectric card 30.

With reference to Fig. 4, air blast 35 can be constructed to flow at the cooling air that provides off and on nearby of dielectric card 30.In some cases, air blast is constructed to when dielectric card 30 gets into transfer assembly 20, provide cooling air stream.In other cases, when dielectric card 30 after the IT medium is compressed into dielectric card when shifting assembly and see off, use cooling air stream.In other cases, use cooling air stream at dielectric card from the entering of shifting assembly with when withdrawing from, in the single-pass bilateral printing operation that for example is described below.

Under any circumstance; And do not attempt through one theory simultaneously; Cool stream can make 15 crystallizations of IT medium; Like this; When IT medium 15 when dielectric card 30 is peeled off; Owing to crystallization process become more frangible part IT medium 15 can be more fully from other part fracture (that is to say, reduce burr) that is bonded to dielectric card 30 of IT medium 15.As a result, the part IT medium 15 that will become burr that can extend through the edge of dielectric card 30 can be removed when dielectric card 30 is peeled off at IT medium 15.In other words, cooling air stream can be easy to the removal of the non-transfer portion of IT medium 15, and like this, in fact the transfer portion of roughly only attempting to remain on the visual receiving surface of card is held.

Fig. 5 describes the cooling of above-described part IT medium 15.In Fig. 5; For example dielectric card 30 roughly along direction A (for example limits two; Receive direction, the moving direction of card in the time of maybe in being received transfer assembly 20) opposed aligned

edges

32,34, with two roughly vertical opposed

transverse edges

31,33 with receive direction A.Therefore; In some cases; One in the transverse edge is to be received " preceding " edge 31 that shifts the direction A in the assembly 20 with respect to dielectric card 30; In the transverse edge another is that 33, two aligned edges of back edge with respect to direction A are two opposed lateral edges 32,34 arranging along preceding and back edge 31, direction A between 33.IT medium 15 can extend outside one or more edges of dielectric card 30, and this causes

burr

16,17,18.For example, in Fig. 5, IT medium 15 extends to outside the lateral edges 32,34.

In addition, as above-described, the visual receiving surface of card 30 possibly comprise the surface characteristics fully removed of prevention IT medium 15 (for example, the non-transfer portion of IT medium) from card.For example, part IT medium 15 possibly have and becoming the trend of burr with lip-deep magnetic stripe that is arranged in card 30 or the relevant zone of smart card contact chip.In for example supplying with other the embodiment that body medium is a tape therein, for example, burr possibly refer to the dyestuff part or the residue of the back that after strip operation, is retained in product or card inadvertently.Such burr are harmful to for printing quality, consider this disclosed content, and this is easily conspicuous for a person skilled in the art.

The application of surrounding through the IT medium 15 that is used for bilateral printing at dielectric card 30, for example shown in Fig. 8 and 9 with describe below, the IT medium can make the IT medium remove from the edge fully with engaging of leading edge 31, this is difficult in typical stripping process.But; Through towards dielectric card 15; Especially towards the burr regional 16,17 of lateral edges 32,34 or the burr regional 18 of leading edge 31; And surface characteristics 23 can be arranged in the lip-deep burr zone 19 direct cooled air stream 36 of card wherein; IT medium 15 possibility crystallizations in these zones, this allows in the burr zone, to remove the more successful strip operation of excessive IT medium 15.In other words; Result as the cooling of the IT medium 15 in the burr zone 16,17,18,19; IT medium carrier film 15A peel off through with the edge 31,32,34 of dielectric card 30 and/or surface characteristics (for example; Magnetic stripe 23 or smart card noncontact chip) the printing receiving unit 15C of justified margin in IT medium 15, produce fracture, remove the excessive IT medium 15 in the burr zone 16,17,18,19 thus.Therefore; In some cases; Cooling air stream 36 can guide towards the one or more edges of dielectric card 30 and/or the visual receiving surface of card, for example makes to cause the strip operation of the burr in IT medium 15 edges that roughly align with dielectric card edge 31,32,33,34 and the zone of the reducing the surface characteristics that possibly promote burr to carry out.

As mentioned above, in some embodiments, dielectric card 30 is received along first direction A with IT medium 15 and shifts in the assembly 20, and sees off from shifting assembly 20 along second direction B.For example; Shifting assembly can be to be constructed in the single channel of dielectric card 30, shift the first and second visual single-pass bilaterals transfer assemblies from IT medium 15 to the opposed visual receiving surface of dielectric card 30 through shifting assembly 20; For example the name of submitting on April 19th, 2006 is called and describes among the U. S. application No.11/406548 of " single-pass bilateral image transfer method and system ", and its whole contents is incorporated into this by reference.

For example, in Fig. 6, the single-pass bilateral shifts assembly 21 and is shown as therein dielectric card 30 and is received in to shift in the assembly 21 and along the B direction along the A direction with IT medium 15 and is seen off.Shift in the assembly 21 when dielectric card 30 and IT medium 15 are received, and during through transfer device 25 (in this case, the for example a pair of thermal compression roller that adds), first and second images are printed on the counter surface of dielectric card 30.When dielectric card 30 arrives certain position (for example, when dielectric card 30 is received when shifting in the assembly 21 in-position C, shown in dotted line), the tension force in the IT medium 15 can be easy to make dielectric card 30 to see off from shifting assembly 21 along the B direction.

In some embodiments, air blast 35 is constructed to when dielectric card 30 is received in the

transfer assembly

20,21 along first direction A and when dielectric card 30 is seen off from shifting

assembly

20,21 along second direction B, cool off air stream providing of dielectric card 30 nearby.Therefore, when dielectric card 30 is received in the transfer assembly, as shown in Figure 12; Air blast can provide the air of scheduled volume to flow; Like this, the air containment that causes that is provided is enough big, flows with guiding air on the whole length of transverse edge (the for example leading edge shown in Fig. 5 31).For example, the inventor finds that approximately the minimum flow velocity of 2.6cfm provides significantly reducing of burr at leading edge 31.An instance of the fan that can be used in combination with a plurality of embodiments of the present invention is the Cooltron blower fan, model FBD5015B24W7-11, and the air that is nominally 4.90cfm flows.

When dielectric card 30 from primary importance X when usually the transfer assembly 20,21 relevant with the joint of dielectric card and IT medium 15 advances; As with zone that leading edge 31 engages in the result of cool stream; The IT medium possibly begin crystallization, is easy in this zone peeling off subsequently thus.In one embodiment, cooling air stream can engage with the IT medium or along being provided at dielectric card 30 nearby in the scheduled time of direction A (Figure 12) near the time of IT medium from dielectric card is initial.For example, for about 1.5 inches dielectric cards 30 that every wonderful speed is advanced, cool off air stream and may be provided in about 4.8 seconds.Therefore, when dielectric card 30 moves to when shifting the assembly to innermost position Y (Figure 13) along direction A from primary importance X, air blast can continue to provide cooling air stream.When dielectric card 30 was seen off from shifting assembly, dielectric card can (Figure 14) move to separating relevant second place X ' with product from IT medium 15 along direction B from innermost position Y.In some cases, the first and second position X, X ' is located adjacent one another or be positioned at roughly the same position.When dielectric card 30 is disposed among the second place X ' and when second direction moved, air blast can be directed to and stop, so that cooling air stream to be provided.Therefore, when IT medium 15 roughly when dielectric card 30 is peeled off, cooling air stream can stop to provide.In other words, in some cases, from the reception of shifting assembly and the process seen off, cooling air stream can provide continuously at product.

Therefore, when dielectric card roughly is positioned at intermediate transfer assembly bonding station, for example primary importance X nearby the time, cooling air stream can be activated, with cooling medium card 30 and/or IT medium 15.Similarly, when dielectric card 15 roughly is positioned at intermediate transfer components apart position, for example second place X ' nearby the time, cooling air stream can be stopped, to stop cooling basically.

Air blast 35 can be constructed to open and close, and like this, when blower opening, cooling air stream is provided, and when air blast cuts out, cooling air stream is not provided.Alternatively, air blast 35 can be constructed to produce continuously cooling air stream, still can comprise being constructed to stop air at certain time (for example, when dielectric card 30 is transferred assembly 20 receptions) mobile valve.Similarly, air blast 35 can comprise current divider or when dielectric card 30 is transferred assembly 20 receptions, can flow away from dielectric card 30 direct cooled air.

Forward Fig. 7 below to, air blast 35 can comprise 65, one nozzles of single charging portion of being communicated with two nozzle 70 fluids or can use according to the structure of system more than two nozzles.Charging portion 65 can be for example through flexible pipe 75, pipe, pipeline or other parts that are constructed to allow air communication to cross wherein be connected to nozzle 70.Air blast 35 can also comprise centrifugal fan 80.In some embodiments, two or more centrifugal fans can be used to guarantee to produce suitable air and flow.Centrifugal fan 80 can be constructed at selected pressure; For example approximately under 19mm water column or the higher pressure certain air containment is provided; This can not influence the IT medium 15 that takes place at transfer device 25 places is easy to some part (for example, the burr zone 16,17,18) of dielectric card 30 and IT medium 15 under the situation of the heating coating (shown in the Figure 4 and 5) of dielectric card 30 aligning.In some embodiments, each nozzle 70 can be constructed to reduce air flowing towards transfer device 25 simultaneously towards dielectric card 30 guiding air.For example, as shown in Figure 7, nozzle 70 can comprise closed side 71 and open side 72, and side 72 is opened away from transfer device 25 location towards transfer device 25 location in closed side 71, and like this, air is impelled towards dielectric card 30 with away from transfer device 25 to flow.This characteristic is also shown in Figure 8.

In some cases, shift assembly 21 and can comprise the wall 105 that is arranged between transfer device 21 and the nozzle 70, as shown in Figure 15.For example, wall 105 can be printing machine housing or the extension of shifting the housing of assembly 21, and the position of wall can help to make the transfer device 25 that can comprise heater block (for example, hot-rolling) and the cooling effect of the cooling air stream that is provided by nozzle 70 to isolate, and vice versa.In some embodiments, wall can be towards peeling off position (for example, beginning to peel off from product or card at this IT medium or other supply body medium) or concentrating cooling air stream towards the interface 66 of IT medium 15 and dielectric card 30.In other embodiment, get into transfer device 25 in order to allow card/IT medium, wall 105 can limit and be constructed to the slit 110 that receives product or product is seen off from transfer device 25.

In some cases, shown in as mentioned above and Fig. 9, shift assembly 20 and comprise one or more stripping rods 60 that IT medium 15 is removed from dielectric card 30 that are constructed to be easy to.Stripping rod 60 can be peeled off from the visual receiving surface of card to be easy to IT medium 15 in the location nearby on the surface of dielectric card 30.

Therefore, in the embodiment shown in Figure 15 and 16, wall 105 and stripping rod 60 can limit the shell of the effect of cooling chamber 85 jointly.For example, cooling chamber 85 shells can be constructed at dielectric card 30 nearby, for example the cooling effect of concentrating cooling air stream nearby at the interface 66 of IT medium 15 and card.In this, each nozzle 70 can as shown in the figure, cool off the guiding of circulation of air supercooling chamber like this, and the edge of aiming in the surperficial upper edge of dielectric card 30 31,32,33,34 pass through in the end location of cooling chamber 85.In other words, nozzle 70 can be opposite each other ground and be received when dielectric card 15 or vertically locate from shifting the path that

assembly

20,21 sees off, like this, when card when shifting assembly and move, dielectric card roughly passes through between nozzle.

In some embodiments, other cooling device of air blast 30 or some can direct cooled circulation of air supercooling chamber, with in image transfer operation (Figure 12) cooling chamber in advance before, before the introducing of dielectric card 30, to promote the crystallization of IT medium 15.This in advance cooling down operation can also provide cooling device (for example, air blast 30) from static or " shut " mode" to cooling or time of opening mode operation, guarantee thus when card is introduced into, in cooling chamber, to exist enough cooling air to flow.In another embodiment, cooling device (for example, air blast 30) can be engaged, and flows with the cooling air that provides nearby at the card/supply body medium bonding station that combines Figure 12 discussion.In other embodiment, cooling device (for example, air blast 30) can be in the transfer operation process other some place engages at some, like this, cooling air stream only provides when assembly is seen the entering cooling chamber off from shifting when card at first.

Above the cooling device joining technique in each can be used to card from the process that shifts assembly and see off dielectric card during through chamber (for example, long-time cooling chamber) influence the low temperature in the cooling chamber.After image is transferred to dielectric card 30 (Figure 16); The continuous-flow of cooling circulation of air supercooling chamber 85 can concentrate on the leading edge 31 owing to when dielectric card 30 quilts are seen off, pass the air containment of cooling chamber because nozzle 70 can similarly concentrate on cooling effect on the lateral edges 32,34 in lateral edges location nearby.

Except cooling is concentrated on the product, the shell of cooling chamber 85 can also play the effect that the heater block that causes cooling and transfer device 21 greatly (for example, warm-up mill etc.) is isolated.Adopt this method; When dielectric card 30 is transferred assembly 21 receptions; IT medium 15 can be transferred device 25 and heat effectively, so that discharge the printing receiving unit 15C of IT medium 15, and under the obvious counteractive situation of not cooling off air stream, image is printed to dielectric card 30.Adopt identical method, the heat that shell can make cooling chamber 85 and heater block by transfer device 25 distribute is isolated, and increases the temperature difference between transfer device and the cooling chamber thus.Therefore, mobile cooling air stream through cooling chamber can more effectively be easy to peeling off like above-described IT medium 30.

In some embodiments, cooling chamber 85 can shift the layout nearby of

assembly

20,21, and can be suitable for receiver media card 30 when the IT medium is compressed between transfer device and dielectric card.Therefore, cooling chamber 85 can be constructed to cooling medium card 30 and/or IT medium 15 when dielectric card is seen off from shifting assembly 20,21.In some cases, cooling chamber 85 can be constructed to when product is received in the transfer assembly or when it is received and sees off, cooling medium card 30 and/or IT medium 15.In addition; Cooling chamber 85 can be constructed to when product roughly be positioned at intermediate transfer assembly bonding station nearby the time cooling medium card 30 and/or IT medium 15, and can be constructed to when dielectric card roughly be positioned at intermediate transfer components apart position nearby the time stop cooling.

In one embodiment, each nozzle can be in the location nearby at the edge separately of dielectric card 30, on the mobile edge that concentrates on most probable experience burr problem that will cool off air stream.For example, be in the printing operation (long margin guide or LEL operation) of leading edge at the long edge of dielectric card 30, short (or shift the direct of travel aligned edges of the dielectric card 30 of assembly 20 with turnover) possibly be more prone to the burr problem than long edge.This maybe be because bonding along the IT medium 15 of the amount of the minimizing of short and the minimizing that possibly in IT medium 15, take place, with the removal from the edge of the excessive part of promotion IT medium 15.In this case, the structure that nozzle 70 can be as shown in Figure 8 is to aim at the lateral edges 32,34 of most probable experience burr.In another example, nozzle can be positioned as, when IT medium 15 when dielectric card 30 is peeled off, the interface 66 of cooling air stream between IT medium and dielectric card 30 (see Fig. 3 and 9) nearby.

In some cases, as above-described, because the relatively little thickness (maybe be for example about 0.03 inch) of card, therefore the leading edge 31 with respect to direction A possibly also tend to the burr problem.This little thickness possibly for example cause in the zone of leading edge 31 in the transfer operation of single-pass bilateral IT medium 15 reduce bonding; And adopt enough air through nozzle to flow to allow to cool off air stream and on the roughly whole length of leading edge 31, flow; To reduce the burr in this zone, describe like top combination Fig. 5.

With reference to Figure 10, in some embodiments, printing assembly 10 comprises one or more sensors 90 and the control circuit of arranging with sensor 95 with being communicated with.Sensor 90 can be constructed to detect dielectric card 30 with respect to the position of shifting assembly 20, and can transmit signals to the control circuit 95 that when at least in part based on the startup of the Position Control air blast 35 of dielectric card 30, uses.Therefore; Control circuit 95 can be constructed to make air blast 35 to engage; For example to be disposed in primary importance X(with respect to the common transfer assembly relevant with the joint of product with intermediate transfer medium when dielectric card 30; Intermediate transfer medium bonding station shown in Figure 12) the cooling air that provides nearby at dielectric card 30 in the time of in flows; When dielectric card moves to innermost position Y along direction A from primary importance X with respect to shifting assembly; Then along second direction B from innermost position Y when second place X ' (Figure 13) moves; Continue to make air blast to engage; When being disposed in usually, dielectric card (for example separates relevant second place X ' from middle transfer medium with product; Intermediate transfer medium separation point position shown in Figure 14) in the time of in, separates with air blast.Therefore, in some cases, control circuit can be constructed to make cooling chamber 85 to engage, with based on card with respect to the position cooling medium card 30 or the IT medium 15 that shift assembly 20.

Except or replace the position of dielectric card 30, sensor 90 can detect multiple other situation, and can be based on the startup of these situation through control circuit 95 control air blasts 35.For example; Sensor 90 can detect temperature, the IT medium of temperature, the medium of cooling locular wall temperature, get into the air of air blast 35 temperature, withdraw from nozzle 70 and get into the air of cooling chamber temperature, withdraw from the temperature of the inner air of temperature and the cooling chamber of air of cooling chamber, and cooling chamber is started or stoped in response to situation about being detected.

For example, when towards and/or when shifting assembly 20 and advance, sensor 90 can detect dielectric card 30 before or after the edge.Therefore, with reference to Figure 11, when engaging when dielectric card 30 entering transfer assemblies 20 and with IT medium 15, sensor 90 can detect leading edge 31 and detection is sent to control circuit 95, possibly open air blast 35 then., the leading edge 31 of dielectric card 30 (that is to say when detecting for the second time through sensor 90; When moving out along direction B, dielectric card 30 shifts assembly 20 and IT medium 15 roughly when card is peeled off; As shown in Figure 14); Control circuit 95 can cut out; Or air blast 35 is separated, get into the transfer assembly up to detecting next dielectric card 30.

Those skilled in the art considers this disclosed content, and it is obvious that, and inventive concept described herein does not need air blast in all are used, to be opened and/or closes or start and/or stop.In fact, in an exemplary embodiment, air blast need not be closed/stop, and cooling air stream can adopt valve and/or other similar air flow control apparatus to provide or do not provide at product, cooling chamber and/or IT medium nearby.

Except or replace the position of dielectric card 30, sensor 90 can be constructed to detect other situation.For example, sensor 90 can be constructed to detect the position of IT medium 15, perhaps can be constructed to detect air-flow or temperature conditions.For example, one or more sensors 90 can be constructed to the temperature of testing environment temperature, dielectric card 30 before or after providing to dielectric card 30, the temperature of IT medium 15 or the temperature of cooling air stream.Adopt this method, sensor 90 possibly be able to help to confirm when cooling air stream should be directed to dielectric card 30 and cool off the position when air stream should be directed to dielectric card 30.

In some embodiments, printing assembly 10 comprises cooling fan 120, its except cooling is contained in the printing assembly essential electric parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the temperature of the air that reduces to provide with 65 cooperations of air blast charging portion also by air blast 35.With reference to Figure 17, for example cooling fan 120 can be positioned at an end of printing assembly 10 in a side of charging portion 65, and inlet ventilating opening 125 suction airs of opposite side that can be through being arranged in charging portion, as shown in the figure.Therefore; The inlet air flow path 130 that gets into cooling fan 120 through inlet ventilating opening 125 that flows can make air around charging portion 65, flow; Thereby take away any excessive heat that around charging portion, increases, and make the charging portion temperature inside reduce the several years at least effectively.As a result, the air that get into charging portions 65 through charging portion inlet 135 can remain on than not flowing under the situation of help of air of cooling fan 120 more the temperature near the outside surrounding air of printing assembly 10 from air intake ventilating opening 125.The inventor notices that under the situation that does not have 120 pairs of charging portions of cooling fan 65 to ventilate, the burr of the leading edge 31 of dielectric card 30 can not reduce especially effectively.

Under the situation of the help of the instruction that in the description with front and relevant accompanying drawing, proposes, those skilled in the art in the invention will remember the of the present invention many modifications that propose and other embodiment here.Therefore, should be understood that the present invention is not restricted to disclosed specific embodiment, and revise with other embodiment and attempt to be included in the scope of appending claims.Though use specific term here, they are only with common using with the meaning of describing, rather than the purpose in order to limit.

Claims (according to the modification of the 19th of treaty)

1. one kind is constructed to from the intermediate transfer printing assembly of middle transfer medium to the transferred product image, and said intermediate transfer printing assembly comprises:

The transfer assembly that comprises transfer device, wherein, shift assembly and be constructed to visual to transferred product from middle transfer medium in the following manner:

Product and intermediate transfer medium are received in the transfer assembly,

Compression intermediate transfer medium between transfer device and product,

From shift assembly see off product and

Peel off the intermediate transfer medium so that visual to transferred product from product from middle transfer medium; With

Be suitable for after middle transfer medium is compressed, receiving being positioned at of product and shift assembly cooling chamber nearby between transfer device and product, wherein, cooling chamber is constructed at least one in cooling products or the intermediate transfer medium.

2. printing assembly as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that said printing assembly also comprises at least one air blast, and said air blast is constructed to see off the process and through cooling chamber roughly continuous cooling air stream is provided from shifting assembly at product.

3. printing assembly as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, said product limits opposed transverse edge a pair of and the receive direction approximate vertical, and wherein, cooling chamber is constructed to cool off said product along the roughly whole length of said opposed transverse edge.

4. printing assembly as claimed in claim 1; It is characterized in that; Said product limits the visual receiving surface that comprises surface characteristics; Wherein, The intermediate transfer medium comprises transfer portion and non-transfer portion; And wherein, cooling chamber is constructed to cool off the visual receiving surface that is positioned at surface characteristics product nearby, with the transfer that promotes transfer portion and the removal of non-transfer portion when middle transfer medium is stripped from.

5. printing assembly as claimed in claim 4; It is characterized in that surface characteristics can be selected from by magnetic stripe, signature plate, smart card noncontact chip, smart card contact chip, RFID responder, printed antenna, the back of the body and carry the group that label, pattern adhesive, die-cut characteristic, snap ring, maintenance characteristic, elevated regions, thermograph zone and foil area constitute.

6. printing assembly as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, cooling chamber is arranged with cooling device with being communicated with, at least one when shifting in the assembly to be received in when product in cooling products or the intermediate transfer medium.

7. printing assembly as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, shifting assembly is the single-pass bilateral transfer assembly that is constructed to shift to the opposed visual receiving surface of product from middle transfer medium first image and second image.

8. printing assembly as claimed in claim 7 is characterized in that, cooling chamber is arranged with cooling device with being communicated with, at least one when shifting in the assembly to be received in when product in cooling products or the intermediate transfer medium.

9. printing assembly as claimed in claim 7; It is characterized in that; Shifting assembly is constructed to along first direction product and intermediate transfer medium are received in the transfer assembly; And see off from shifting assembly along second direction to major general's product; And wherein, cooling chamber be constructed to when product and intermediate transfer medium be received in when shifting in the assembly along first direction and to major general's product along second direction when shifting assembly and see off at least one cooling products or the intermediate transfer medium.

10. printing assembly as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, said printing assembly comprises that also at least one is constructed to the air blast through the cooling air stream of cooling chamber is provided, and wherein, air blast comprises two nozzles.

11. printing assembly as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, cooling chamber be constructed to when product roughly be arranged in intermediate transfer assembly bonding station nearby the time cooling products or intermediate transfer medium at least one.

12. printing assembly as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, cooling chamber be constructed to when product roughly be positioned at intermediate transfer components apart position nearby the time stop basically the cooling.

13. printing assembly as claimed in claim 1; It is characterized in that; Transfer device comprises at least one heater block; And wherein; Cooling chamber comprises shell, and said shell is constructed to concentrate cooling nearby at the interface of product and intermediate transfer medium and cause the cooling and the heater block of transfer device to be isolated greatly.

14. printing assembly as claimed in claim 13 is characterized in that, shell comprises that the wall that shifts assembly is positioned at product surface stripping rod nearby with at least one, and wall limits the slit that is constructed to receive product.

15. printing assembly as claimed in claim 1; It is characterized in that; Cooling chamber is arranged with cooling device with being communicated with; When shifting in the assembly in cooling products or the intermediate transfer medium at least one to be received in when product; Wherein, Transfer device comprises heater block; And wherein; Cooling chamber comprises shell; Said shell be constructed in product or intermediate transfer medium at least one nearby, bonding station concentrate cooling nearby, and cause the cooling and the heater block of transfer device to be isolated greatly.

16. printing assembly as claimed in claim 15 is characterized in that, shell comprises that the wall that shifts assembly is positioned at product surface stripping rod nearby with at least one, and wall limits the slit that is constructed to receive product.

17. printing assembly as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, said printing assembly also comprises:

At least one is constructed to detect the sensor of said product with respect to the position of said transfer assembly; With

With the control circuit that said at least one sensor and cooling device are arranged with being communicated with, control circuit is constructed to make cooling device to engage, to be based in part on product at least with respect to the position cooling cooling chamber that shifts assembly.

18. printing assembly as claimed in claim 17 is characterized in that, control circuit is constructed to before the image transfer operation of printing assembly, cooling device engaged with the cooling cooling chamber.

19. the method from supply body medium transfer transfer portion, said method comprises:

Product and supply body medium are received in the transfer assembly, between transfer device that shifts assembly and product, be compressed so that supply with body medium;

See product off from transfer device, peel off from product so that supply with the carrier part of body medium; With

When cooling products when shifting assembly and see product off or supply with at least one the body medium.

20. method as claimed in claim 19 is characterized in that, said method also comprises cooling products when product is received in the transfer assembly.

21. method as claimed in claim 19 is characterized in that, cooling products comprises that cooling products reaches predetermined duration.

22. method as claimed in claim 19; It is characterized in that; With product with supply with body medium be received in shift comprise in the assembly along first direction with product with supply with body medium and be received in and shift in the assembly; And wherein, see product off and comprise along second direction and see product off from shifting assembly from shifting assembly.

23. method as claimed in claim 22; It is characterized in that; Product limit leading edge with respect to first direction, with respect to the back edge of first direction and place leading edge and back edge between two opposite side edges; Wherein, cooling products comprises roughly whole length and the roughly whole length at two opposite side edges of the leading edge of cooling products.

24. method as claimed in claim 19 is characterized in that, said method also comprises:

Cooling device is started reach predetermined duration, with roughly be positioned at when product supply body medium bonding station nearby the time cooling products.

25. method as claimed in claim 24 is characterized in that, said method also comprises testing product with respect to the position of shifting assembly, and wherein, cooling products comprises the detection position cooling products based on product.

26. method as claimed in claim 19; It is characterized in that; Product limits the visual receiving surface that comprises surface characteristics; Wherein, Supply with body medium and comprise transfer portion and non-transfer portion; And wherein, cooling products comprises the visual receiving surface of cooling at surface characteristics product nearby, with the transfer that promotes transfer portion and the removal of non-transfer portion when the supply body medium is stripped from.

27. one kind is constructed to from the intermediate transfer printing assembly of middle transfer medium to the transferred product image, said intermediate transfer printing assembly comprises:

Product and intermediate transfer medium are received in the transfer assembly,

Compression intermediate transfer medium between transfer device and product,

From shift assembly see off product and

Be arranged in and shift assembly and be constructed to the cooling device of cooling products when product is received in the transfer assembly nearby.

28. intermediate transfer printing assembly as claimed in claim 27 is characterized in that, cooling device is constructed to cooling products when product is seen off from shifting assembly.

29. intermediate transfer printing assembly as claimed in claim 27 is characterized in that, said intermediate transfer printing assembly also comprises:

At least one is constructed to the sensor of testing product with respect to the position of shifting assembly;

Control circuit, its with at least one sensor be communicated with ground arrange and be constructed to when product roughly be positioned at intermediate transfer medium bonding station nearby the time make the cooling device joint, when product roughly be positioned at intermediate transfer medium separation point position nearby the time cooling device is separated.

30. intermediate transfer printing assembly as claimed in claim 27; It is characterized in that; Product limits opposed transverse edge a pair of and the receive direction approximate vertical; Wherein, Shift assembly and limit the cooling chamber that is constructed to before product is received in the transfer device, receive product; And wherein, cooling device is constructed to cool off said cooling chamber, so that product is cooled along the roughly whole length of transverse edge.

31. intermediate transfer assembly as claimed in claim 27 is characterized in that, cooling device is selected from the group that is made up of fan, air blast, fin, flow deflector, liquid valve jacket, fin, thermoelectric cold drawing and Po Er card cooling device.

32. one kind is adopted intermediate transfer printing assembly method of printing, said method comprises:

Product and intermediate transfer medium are received in the transfer assembly;

Cooling products when product is received in the transfer assembly;

Compression intermediate transfer medium between transfer device that shifts assembly and product; With

See product off from shifting assembly, so that the intermediate transfer medium is peeled off from product.

33. method as claimed in claim 32 is characterized in that, said method also comprises when cooling products when shifting assembly and see product off.

34. method as claimed in claim 32 is characterized in that, cooling products comprises that cooling products reaches predetermined duration.

35. method as claimed in claim 32 is characterized in that, product limits opposed transverse edge a pair of and the receive direction approximate vertical, and wherein, cooling products comprises the roughly whole length of cooling off transverse edge.

36. method as claimed in claim 32; It is characterized in that; Product limits the visual receiving surface that comprises surface characteristics; Wherein, the intermediate transfer medium comprises transfer portion and non-transfer portion, wherein; Cooling products is included in the surface characteristics visual receiving surface of cooling products nearby; So that when middle transfer medium was stripped from, transfer portion and product kept together, non-transfer portion is removed from product.

37. one kind is constructed to from supplying with the trans-printing assembly that body medium shifts transfer portion, said trans-printing assembly comprises:

Shift assembly, it comprises that a pair of being constructed to is pressed against the opposed roll on the product with supplying with body medium, wherein, shifts assembly and is constructed to from supplying with body medium to the transferred product transfer portion;

Be constructed to control independently the temperature controlling circuit of each opposed roll; With

Be arranged in and shift assembly cooling device nearby.

38. trans-printing assembly as claimed in claim 37 is characterized in that, one in the control circuit control roll is heated to the temperature higher than another roller.

39. trans-printing assembly as claimed in claim 38 is characterized in that, one in the control circuit control roll is heated to first temperature, to be used to promoting transfer portion from supplying with the transfer of body medium.

40. trans-printing assembly as claimed in claim 37 is characterized in that, cooling device is selected from the group that is made up of fan, air blast, fin, flow deflector, liquid valve jacket, fin, thermoelectric cold drawing and Po Er card cooling device.

41. trans-printing assembly as claimed in claim 37 is characterized in that, cooling device is constructed to when cooling products when shifting assembly and see product off.

42. one kind is constructed to from supplying with the trans-printing assembly of body medium to the visual receiving surface transfer transfer portion of product, said trans-printing assembly comprises:

Shift assembly, it comprises transfer device, wherein, shifts assembly and is constructed to shift transfer portion from supplying with body medium to the visual receiving surface of product in the following manner:

Product is received in the transfer assembly,

Body medium is supplied with in compression between transfer device and product,

From shift assembly see off product and

Remove the supply body medium so that transfer portion is transferred to product from supplying with body medium from product; With

Transfer device cooling chamber nearby, it is suitable for after the supply body medium is compressed, receiving product between transfer device and product.

43. printing assembly as claimed in claim 42 is characterized in that, the trans-printing assembly is the intermediate transfer printing assembly, and wherein, supplying with body medium is the intermediate transfer medium.

44. printing assembly as claimed in claim 42 is characterized in that, supplies with body medium and is selected from by tape, signature plate, magnetic stripe, hologram, strikes off the group that band and paillon foil constitute.

45. printing assembly as claimed in claim 42 is characterized in that, product limits opposed transverse edge a pair of and the receive direction approximate vertical, and wherein, cooling chamber is constructed to cool off the roughly whole length of transverse edge.

46. printing assembly as claimed in claim 42 is characterized in that, visual receiving surface comprises surface characteristics, and wherein, cooling chamber is constructed to cool off said surface characteristics visual receiving surface nearby.

47. printing assembly as claimed in claim 46 is characterized in that, surface characteristics is selected from the group that is made up of magnetic stripe and smart card noncontact chip.

48. printing assembly as claimed in claim 42; It is characterized in that; Transfer device comprises heater block; And wherein; Cooling chamber comprises shell; Said shell be constructed to product or supply with in the body medium at least one nearby, concentrate cooling nearby what peeling off the position, and cause the cooling and the heater block of transfer device to be isolated greatly.

49. printing assembly as claimed in claim 42 is characterized in that, said printing assembly also comprises air blast, and wherein, air blast comprises two nozzles, and each nozzle is positioned at each end of cooling chamber, so that cooling air stream is conducted through cooling chamber.

50. an intermediate transfer printing assembly that is constructed to the transferred product image, said intermediate transfer printing assembly comprises:

The intermediate transfer medium that comprises layout image thereon;

Along first direction product and intermediate transfer medium are received in the transfer assembly,

Compression intermediate transfer medium between transfer device and product,

Along second direction from shift assembly see off product and

Be constructed to the air blast that cooling air stream is provided off and on nearby at product.

51. printing assembly as claimed in claim 50; It is characterized in that; Air blast is constructed to when second direction is seen off from shifting assembly, optionally at product cooling air stream is provided nearby when product, but when product is received in the transfer assembly along first direction, at product cooling air stream is not provided nearby.

52. printing assembly as claimed in claim 50 is characterized in that, product limits the edge, and wherein, air blast is constructed on the edge of direct cooled air stream nearby.

53. printing assembly as claimed in claim 50 is characterized in that, shifting assembly is the single-pass bilateral transfer assembly that is constructed to shift to the opposed visual receiving surface of product from middle transfer medium first image and second image.

54. printing assembly as claimed in claim 50 is characterized in that, said printing assembly also comprises:

At least one is constructed to the sensor of testing product with respect to the position of shifting assembly; With

Control circuit; It is arranged with at least one sensor with being communicated with and is constructed to provides cooling air stream nearby at product when product is disposed in primary importance with respect to the transfer assembly, when product is disposed in the second place with respect to the transfer assembly, do not provide the cooling air to flow nearby at product.

55. printing assembly as claimed in claim 50 is characterized in that, air blast comprises the single charging portion that is communicated with two fluid nozzles.

56. printing assembly as claimed in claim 55 is characterized in that, product limits two edges that extend along first direction, and wherein, each nozzle is located at the edge separately of product nearby.

57. printing assembly as claimed in claim 55 is characterized in that, shifts assembly and comprises at least one surface that is positioned at product stripping rod nearby; Wherein, stripping rod and transfer device delimit chamber, and wherein; Each nozzle is crossed the chamber in each end location of chamber with the direct cooled circulation of air.

58. printing assembly as claimed in claim 50 is characterized in that air blast comprises centrifugal fan.

59. an intermediate transfer printing assembly that is constructed to the transferred product image, said intermediate transfer printing assembly comprises:

The intermediate transfer medium that comprises layout image thereon;

The transfer assembly that comprises transfer device wherein, shifts assembly and is constructed to from middle transfer medium to the transferred product image;

Be constructed to the air blast that cooling air stream is provided nearby at product; With

Control circuit; It is arranged with at least one sensor with being communicated with and is constructed to and with respect to shifting air blast is engaged so that cooling air stream to be provided at product when product nearby, when product is disposed in the second place with respect to the transfer assembly, at product cooling air stream is not provided nearby.

60. printing assembly as claimed in claim 59; It is characterized in that; Sensor and control circuit are constructed to optionally make the air blast joint, with when from shifting cooling air stream being provided when assembly is seen product off, cooling air stream are not provided when product is received in the transfer assembly still.

61. printing assembly as claimed in claim 59 is characterized in that, product limits the edge, and wherein, air blast is constructed to towards margin guide cooling air stream.

62. printing assembly as claimed in claim 59 is characterized in that, shifting assembly is the single-pass bilateral transfer assembly that is constructed to shift to the opposed visual receiving surface of product from middle transfer medium first image and second image.

63. printing assembly as claimed in claim 59 is characterized in that, air blast comprises the single charging portion that is communicated with two fluid nozzles.

64. printing assembly as claimed in claim 59 is characterized in that air blast comprises centrifugal fan.

65. an intermediate transfer printing assembly that is constructed to the transferred product image, said intermediate transfer printing assembly comprises:

The intermediate transfer medium that comprises layout image thereon;

Along first direction product and intermediate transfer medium are received in the transfer assembly, so that the intermediate transfer medium is compressed between transfer device and product,

See product along second direction off from shifting assembly so that the intermediate transfer medium from product be stripped from and

At the intermediate transfer medium when product is peeled off, the interface between intermediate transfer medium and product cooling air stream is provided nearby.

66., it is characterized in that said printing assembly also comprises like the described printing assembly of claim 65:

Control circuit, it is arranged with at least one sensor with being communicated with, and is constructed to engage so that cooling air stream to be provided at product nearby when middle transfer medium makes air blast when product is peeled off.

67., it is characterized in that like the described printing assembly of claim 65, shift assembly and comprise air blast, said air blast comprises and is constructed to provide the cooling single charging portion that two fluid nozzle ground that air flows are communicated with.

68., it is characterized in that product limits two edges that extend along first direction, and wherein, each nozzle is located at the edge separately of product like the described printing assembly of claim 67 nearby.

69., it is characterized in that air blast comprises centrifugal fan like the described printing assembly of claim 67.

Claims

Product and intermediate transfer medium are received in the transfer assembly,

Compression intermediate transfer medium between transfer device and product,

From shift assembly see off product and

Product and intermediate transfer medium are received in the transfer assembly,

Compression intermediate transfer medium between transfer device and product,

From shift assembly see off product and

Product and intermediate transfer medium are received in the transfer assembly;

Cooling products when product is received in the transfer assembly;

Be arranged in and shift assembly cooling device nearby.

Product is received in the transfer assembly,

From shift assembly see off product and

The intermediate transfer medium that comprises layout image thereon;

Compression intermediate transfer medium between transfer device and product,

Along second direction from shift assembly see off product and

57. printing machine as claimed in claim 55 is characterized in that, shifts assembly and comprises at least one surface that is positioned at product stripping rod nearby; Wherein, stripping rod and transfer device delimit chamber, and wherein; Each nozzle is crossed the chamber in each end location of chamber with the direct cooled circulation of air.

58. printing machine as claimed in claim 50 is characterized in that air blast comprises centrifugal fan.

The intermediate transfer medium that comprises layout image thereon;

64. printing machine as claimed in claim 59 is characterized in that air blast comprises centrifugal fan.

The intermediate transfer medium that comprises layout image thereon;

69., it is characterized in that air blast comprises centrifugal fan like the described printing machine of claim 67.