JP2000127580A - Ink sheet and thermal transfer recorder and recording method using it - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink sheet in which recording can be reduced by preventing waste of ink. SOLUTION: Thermal transfer ink layers Y, M, C of different colors are formed in face order in the carrying direction and the heading mark 11, 12, 13 of each ink layer is set at a position corresponding to the distance LL from the transfer section of a thermal transfer means to a detecting means on the downstream side of actual heading position (head position 111 of each layer) in the carrying direction. Such an ink sheet is employed in the inventive thermal recorder and recording method.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a thermal sublimation type or heat melting type thermal transfer ink sheet, and a thermal transfer recording method and a thermal transfer recording apparatus using the ink sheet. The present invention relates to an ink sheet in which ink layers of respective colors are formed in a face-sequential manner, and a cueing mark of each layer is provided at a specific position.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the spread of video cameras and digital cameras, demands for color printers for outputting input color images have been increasing. There are various types of color printers.The ink sheet on which a thermal transfer ink layer is formed by applying a heat sublimable or heat fusible ink is selectively heated by a thermal head to form an ink image on a recording paper. A thermal transfer recording type color printer for transferring is widely used. In particular, a color printer using a thermal sublimation type ink sheet can record a high-quality full-color image, and is therefore expected as a printer for a digital camera.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating a thermal transfer printer for performing full-color recording by a thermal transfer recording method. The configuration of each part of the thermal transfer printer, and details of the transport and recording operations will be described later.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating the basic structure of a conventional ink sheet. This ink sheet 2
A yellow ink layer Y, a magenta ink layer M, and a cyan ink layer C (each length L52) are formed on a substrate in a plane-sequential manner. Further, cueing marks 51, 52, 53 (each length L53) of each ink layer Y, M, C are provided at the cueing position (the top position of each ink layer Y, M, C). Further, a mark 50 (each length L55) is provided for each set of the three color ink layers Y, M, and C.

A method for performing full-color recording by the thermal transfer printer shown in FIG. 2 using the conventional ink sheet shown in FIG. 5 will be briefly described below.

First, the recording sheet 1 is fed in the direction of arrow a, and the ink sheet 2 is wound and conveyed in the direction of arrow b while being held at a predetermined position. At this time, when the ink sheet cueing sensor 9 detects the cueing mark 51 of the ink sheet, the conveyance is stopped. At this point, the yellow ink layer Y, which is the first color ink, is set at the position 7 of the heating resistor of the thermal head 3. Then, while the ink sheet 2 and the recording paper 1 are conveyed in the direction of the arrow b, one-screen thermal transfer is performed in accordance with the image signals for each line of the first color.

Next, the recording paper 1 is returned in the direction of arrow a and held again at a predetermined position. In this state, the ink sheet 2 is again taken up and conveyed in the direction of arrow b. At this time, if the cueing mark 52 is detected by the cueing sensor 9, the conveyance is stopped. At this point, the magenta ink layer M, which is the second color ink, is set at the position 7 of the heating resistor of the thermal head 3. Next, the second color thermal transfer is performed in the same manner. Further, the same process is performed for the cyan ink layer C, which is the third color ink, thereby completing the full-color image recording.

[0008]

As shown in FIG. 2, in a general thermal transfer printer, a position 7 of a heating resistor of a thermal head 3 and a sensor 9 for detecting a cue mark 21 are formed by ink. In the sheet conveying direction, they are separated by a certain distance LL.

Therefore, using this thermal transfer printer,
When performing full-color printing using the conventional ink sheet shown in FIG. 5, each of the ink layers Y, M,
The C ink cannot be used for actual recording. That is, in the conventional ink sheet, each ink layer Y, M,
In C, the ink is wasted at least for the distance LL, and the recording cost is inevitably increased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an ink sheet capable of reducing recording cost without wasting ink, a thermal transfer recording method and a thermal transfer recording apparatus using the same. The purpose is to provide.

[0011]

According to the present invention, there is provided a heat transfer means for detecting a mark for cueing an ink layer of an ink layer provided on a downstream side of the heat transfer means in a conveying direction of the ink sheet. Means, the thermal transfer ink layers of different colors are formed face-sequentially in the transport direction, and the mark for cueing of each ink layer is located closer to the ink sheet than the head position of each ink layer. The ink sheet is provided at a downstream position in the conveyance direction of the ink sheet.

Further, according to the present invention, a heat-sensitive transfer ink layer of a different color is conveyed in an ink sheet used in a heat transfer recording apparatus having a heat transfer means and a detecting means for detecting a cue mark of the ink layer of the ink sheet. The distance from the top position of each ink layer to the mark for cueing of the ink layer corresponds to the distance from the transfer section of the heat transfer means to the position of the detection means. An ink sheet, wherein the mark for dispensing is provided on a surface where the ink layer is not formed, and the ink layer is not formed in a region from the head position of the ink layer to the mark for cueing of the ink layer. It is.

Further, according to the present invention, a heat-sensitive transfer ink layer of a different color is conveyed in an ink sheet used in a heat transfer recording apparatus having a heat transfer means and a detecting means for detecting a cue mark of the ink layer of the ink sheet. The distance from the head position of each ink layer to the mark for cueing of the ink layer corresponds to the distance from the transfer section of the heating transfer means to the position of the detection means, and An ink sheet, characterized in that a cueing mark is provided on a surface opposite to an ink layer with a substrate interposed therebetween.

Further, the present invention uses an ink sheet on which heat-sensitive transfer ink layers of different colors are formed in a face-sequential manner, and uses the ink sheet for cueing the ink layer at a position downstream of the position where thermal transfer is performed in the transport direction of the ink sheet. In the thermal transfer recording method of performing thermal transfer of the ink layer after detecting the mark, the cueing mark of each ink layer of the ink sheet is located at a position downstream of the head position of each ink layer in the ink sheet transport direction. Wherein the distance from the top position of the ink layer to the cue mark of the ink layer corresponds to the distance from the position where the thermal transfer is performed to the position where the cue mark is detected. Is a thermal transfer recording method.

The present invention further provides a platen roller, a heat transfer means provided so as to be able to press and separate from the platen roller, and a heat-sensitive transfer ink layer of a different color running between the platen roller and the heat transfer means. In a thermal transfer recording apparatus comprising: an ink sheet formed in a face-sequential manner; and a detection unit provided downstream of the heat transfer unit and detecting a cue mark of an ink layer of the ink sheet. A cue mark for each ink layer is provided at a position downstream of the head position of each ink layer in the transport direction of the ink sheet, and a mark from the head position of the ink layer to the cue mark for the ink layer is provided. Wherein the distance corresponds to a distance from a transfer portion of the heat transfer means to a position of a detection means for detecting the cue mark.

In the conventional ink sheet, as shown in FIG. 5, a cue mark for each ink layer is provided at the head position of each ink layer. However, in the ink sheet of the present invention, each ink layer has a mark. Is provided, for example, at a position separated by a position corresponding to the distance LL. Therefore, if the ink sheet of the present invention is used, as shown in FIG.
Even if there is a certain distance LL between the position of the heat generating resistor 7) and the position of the detecting means (the cueing sensor 9) for detecting the cueing mark, the detection of the cueing mark allows
The actual cueing position of the ink sheet (the top position of the ink layer) can be set near the transfer section of the heat transfer unit.
As a result, recording can be performed without wasting ink, and recording cost can be reduced.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the basic structure of a first embodiment of the ink sheet of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, the ink sheet 2
A yellow ink layer Y, a magenta ink layer M, and a cyan ink layer C are formed on a substrate such as a PET film in a sheet-sequential direction in the sheet conveying direction (longitudinal direction). The length L12 of each of the ink layers Y, M, and C is the same, and a set of three colors Y, M, and C has a fixed length L11. This set is repeatedly formed. The width L4 of each of the ink layers Y, M, and C is the same as the width of the ink sheet 2. The ink sheet 2 is formed on a substrate such as a PET film, for example.
The ink layer for each page of each color can be obtained by sequentially applying yellow, magenta, and cyan, for example.

Further, the cueing marks 11, 12, and 13 of each of the ink layers Y, M, and C correspond to actual cueing positions 111,
These positions are different from positions 121 and 131 (the head positions of the ink layers Y, M, and C), and are provided on the downstream side in the transport direction. In the present embodiment, the cueing marks 11, 12, 1
Reference numeral 3 is provided at a position separated by a distance LL in the transport direction of the ink sheet 2 from the actual cueing positions 111, 121, and 131. This distance LL is a distance in the ink sheet conveyance direction from the position 7 of the heating resistor of the thermal head 3 shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, the cueing marks 11, 12, and 13 are shifted to the downstream side by the same length as the distance LL. In this case, the position of the heating resistor of the thermal head 3 is Just the actual cue positions 111, 121, 1
31 is preferably set. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the actual cueing positions 111, 121, 1
What is necessary is just to set suitably so that the distance from 31 to the cueing marks 11, 12, and 13 may correspond to the distance LL from the position 7 to the cueing sensor 9. To be set to correspond to the distance LL specifically means to set the distance to be equal to or slightly shorter than the distance LL within a range in which a desired cost reduction can be achieved.

The cue marks 11, 12, 13 are
The ink layers Y, M, and C are provided so as to overlap with each other, and are provided at the ends in the sheet width direction. in this way,
If the cue marks 11, 12, and 13 are provided at the ends, the ink layers Y, M, and C can be prevented from being applied to the portions actually used for recording, and the possibility of affecting image recording can be minimized. In the present embodiment, the cueing marks 11, 12, 1
3 in the sheet conveying direction is the sheet width L4
Much shorter than Cueing mark 11, 1
The length L13 of 2, 13 is the same.

A mark 30 is provided for each set of three color ink layers Y, M, and C. This mark 30
This is for detecting a leading color of a set of three colors necessary for full-color printing of yellow, magenta, and cyan. In the present embodiment, the size of the mark 30 is the same as that of the cue marks 11, 12, and 13, and is similarly provided on each of the ink layers Y, M, and C and at the end. .
The mark 30 is provided at a distance of L13 in front of the cueing mark 11 of the yellow ink layer Y. By detecting the mark 30, the first color can be changed to yellow.

Next, a method of performing full-color recording using the ink sheet shown in FIG. 1 and the thermal transfer printer (thermal transfer recording apparatus) shown in FIG. 2 will be described. This thermal transfer printer includes a platen roller 4, a heat transfer unit (thermal head 3) provided so as to be able to press and separate from the platen roller, and marks 31 and 3 for cueing ink sheets.
It has a detecting means (a cueing sensor 9) for detecting 2, 33. The thermal head 3 has a plurality of heating elements arranged in the width direction of the recording paper 1. Further, the thermal transfer printer includes a capstan roller 5, a pinch roller 6, a recording paper 1
A recording paper leading end position detection sensor 8 for detecting the leading end position of the recording paper.

First, the recording paper 1 is fed to a position where the capstan roller 5 and the pinch roller 6 are pressed against each other by manual feeding or using paper feeding means. Then, the recording paper 1 is nipped by the capstan roller 5 and the pinch roller 6, and the recording paper 1 is
Send in the direction. At this time, the thermal head 3 is at a position separated from the platen roller 4. The leading end of the recording paper 1 sent in the direction of arrow a is detected by the sensor 8 and stopped in a state where the nipping by the capstan roller 5 and the pinch roller 6 is held.

In this state, the ink sheet 2 shown in FIG.
In the direction of arrow b. At this time, if the ink sheet cueing sensor 9 detects the cue mark 11 of the ink sheet subsequent to the mark 30, the conveyance is stopped. At this point, the yellow ink layer Y, which is the first color ink, is positioned at the position 7 of the heating resistor of the thermal head 3.
Is set to The cueing mark 11 is located at a distance LL from the actual cueing position (head position) 111. Therefore, if the conveyance of the ink sheet 2 is stopped when the cueing sensor 9 detects the cueing mark 11, the actual cueing position 111 can be easily set near the position 7.

Next, the thermal head 3 is pressed against the platen roller 4 via the ink sheet 2 and the recording paper 1 to drive the capstan roller 5 and the ink take-up reel.
While transporting the ink sheet 2 and the recording paper 1 in the direction of the arrow b, the heating elements of the thermal head 3 generate heat in accordance with the image signals of one line of the first color, and the yellow ink is thermally transferred. Also at this time, the position of the leading edge of the recording paper 1 is detected by the sensor 8, and image recording is performed at a predetermined position on the recording paper 1. In this way, after printing for one screen with the first color ink, the thermal head 3 is separated from the platen roller 4.

Then, the capstan roller 5 is driven again, the recording paper 1 is fed in the direction of arrow a, the leading end position is detected by the sensor 8, and is sent to the same position as in the case of the first color.
Stop and hold in the sandwiched state. Next, the ink sheet 2 is wound and transported in the direction of arrow b. At this time, when the cueing sensor 9 detects the cueing mark 12 of the ink sheet, the conveyance is stopped. At this point, the magenta ink layer M, which is the second color ink, is set at the position 7 of the heating resistor of the thermal head 3. As in the case of the first color, the cueing mark 12 is located at a distance LL from the actual cueing position (head position) 121,
The actual cueing position 121 can be set near the position 7.

Next, in the same manner as in the case of the first color, printing for one screen is performed using the ink of the second color. Then, in a similar manner, printing for one screen is performed using the third color ink, whereby a full-color print image is obtained.

The thermal transfer printer used in this embodiment is
The cueing sensor 9 is provided on the downstream side of the thermal head 3 in the ink sheet conveyance direction. Here, as shown in FIG.
It is also conceivable to perform thermal transfer recording by using a thermal transfer printer in which the cueing sensor 9 is provided on the upstream side as shown in FIG. An example of such a configuration is described in, for example,
No. 12004.

However, in such a configuration, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 8, in order to confirm the presence or absence of the mark x at the end end of the ink sheet, a certain blank area is required following the end end of the ink application portion. On the other hand, in this embodiment, FIG. As shown in ()), such an area is not required, which is very advantageous in reducing the recording cost.

<Second Embodiment> FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a basic configuration of a second embodiment of the ink sheet of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the cueing marks 11, 12, 13
Are provided on the surface on which the ink layers Y, M, and C are not formed, and the head positions 111, 121, and 131 of each ink layer are provided.
The ink layers Y, M, and C are not formed in the areas from to the marks for cueing 11, 12, and 13. Mark 1
0 is also provided on the surface where the ink layers Y, M, and C are not formed, and a region where the ink layer is not formed and each of the ink layers Y, M, and C have a set length L31. This set is formed repeatedly.

Also, in the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, it is not always necessary to provide the cue marks 11, 12, and 13 at the ends of the ink sheet.
As shown in the figure, the widths of the cueing marks 11, 12, 13 are the same as the width L4 of the sheet.

As described above, if an area not used for recording is set in advance and ink is not applied to this area, waste of ink can be further reduced and recording cost can be further reduced. Further, with such a configuration, the width of the ink sheet can be reduced and the cutting accuracy in the width direction of the ink sheet can be reduced during the manufacture of the ink sheet, as compared with the configuration of the first embodiment.

Using the ink sheet of this embodiment, FIG.
The method of performing full-color recording by the thermal transfer printer described in (1) is basically the same as that of the first embodiment.

<Third Embodiment> FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic views showing a basic structure of an ink sheet according to a third embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 4A is a plan view thereof, and FIG. It is.
In the present embodiment, the cueing marks 11, 12, 13 are:
It is provided on the surface opposite to the ink layer 42 with the base 41 interposed therebetween. Also, the cue marks 11, 12, 13 are:
Further, it is covered with a back coat layer 43 for maintaining heat resistance or slipperiness.

As described above, the cueing marks 11, 12,
By providing 13 in the opposite area that does not affect image recording, better and lower cost recording is possible. Further, with such a configuration, the width of the ink sheet can be reduced and the cutting accuracy in the width direction of the ink sheet can be reduced during the manufacture of the ink sheet, as compared with the configuration of the first embodiment.

Using the ink sheet of this embodiment, FIG.
The method of performing full-color recording by the thermal transfer printer described in (1) is basically the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0039]

As described above, in the present invention,
If the cueing mark is provided at a position downstream of the head position of each ink layer in the transport direction of the ink sheet, the cueing mark is detected and the actual cueing position of the ink sheet (head position of the ink layer) is detected. ) Can be set in the vicinity of the transfer section of the heat transfer means, without wasting ink.
Recording cost can be reduced.

Further, in the present invention, the cueing mark must be provided on the surface where the ink layer is not formed, and the ink layer must be formed in the area from the head position of the ink layer to the cueing mark of the ink layer. If this is the case, the recording cost can be reduced without wasting the ink, the width of the ink sheet can be reduced, and the cutting accuracy in the width direction can be reduced.

In the present invention, if the cueing mark is provided on the surface opposite to the ink layer with the substrate interposed, the recording cost can be further reduced without wasting the ink, and the ink sheet can be further reduced. Can be narrowed, and the cutting accuracy in the width direction can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a basic configuration of a first embodiment of an ink sheet of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating a thermal transfer printer for performing full-color recording by a thermal transfer recording method.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a basic configuration of a second embodiment of the ink sheet of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic views showing a basic configuration of a third embodiment of the ink sheet of the present invention, wherein FIG. 4A is a plan view thereof and FIG.
Is a sectional view thereof.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating the basic configuration of a conventional ink sheet.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating the configuration of a conventional ink sheet.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating a thermal transfer printer for performing full-color recording by a thermal transfer recording method.

8A and 8B are schematic diagrams illustrating an end end of an ink sheet, FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating an end end of a conventional ink sheet, and FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating an end end of an ink sheet according to the present invention; is there.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 recording paper 2 ink sheet 3 thermal head 4 platen roller 5 capstan roller 6 pinch roller 7 position of heating resistor 8 sensor 9 cueing sensor 30 mark 31, 32, 33 cueing mark 311, 321, 331 Head position 41 Base 42 Ink layer 43 Back coat layer 50 Mark 51, 52, 53 Cueing mark

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Kyogoku 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Within Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Kenji Takahashi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon (72) Inventor Shinya Hirai 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term (reference) 2C068 AA02 AA06 AA15 AA22 BD04 BD23 BD49 KK14 KK16

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A thermal transfer recording apparatus comprising: a heat transfer unit; and a detection unit that is provided downstream of the heat transfer unit in a conveying direction of the ink sheet and detects a cue mark of an ink layer of the ink sheet. In the ink sheet to be used, thermal transfer ink layers of different colors are formed face-to-face in the transport direction, and the mark for cueing of each ink layer is located downstream of the head position of each ink layer in the transport direction of the ink sheet. An ink sheet, wherein the ink sheet is provided in the ink sheet. 2. The ink sheet according to claim 1, wherein a distance from a head position of the ink layer to a cueing mark of the ink layer corresponds to a distance from a transfer portion of the heat transfer unit to a position of the detection unit. 3. The ink sheet according to claim 1, wherein the cueing mark is provided at an end in the sheet width direction. 4. The ink sheet according to claim 1, wherein the cueing mark is provided so as to overlap the ink layer. 5. An ink sheet for use in a thermal transfer recording apparatus having a heat transfer means and a detection means for detecting a cue mark of an ink layer of an ink sheet, wherein the heat-sensitive transfer ink layers of different colors are faced in the transport direction. The distance from the top position of each ink layer to the mark for cueing of the ink layer corresponds to the distance from the transfer section of the heating transfer means to the position of the detection means. An ink sheet provided on a surface on which the ink layer is not formed, wherein the ink layer is not formed in a region from a head position of the ink layer to a cue mark of the ink layer. 6. An ink sheet used in a thermal transfer recording apparatus having a heat transfer means and a detection means for detecting a mark for cueing an ink layer of an ink layer, wherein the heat-sensitive transfer ink layers of different colors are surfaced in the transport direction. The distance from the head position of each ink layer to the mark for cueing of the ink layer corresponds to the distance from the transfer portion of the heating transfer means to the position of the detection means, and An ink sheet, characterized in that the mark is provided on a surface opposite to the ink layer with respect to the substrate. 7. An ink sheet in which thermal transfer ink layers of different colors are formed in a face-sequential manner, and a cueing mark of the ink layer is detected downstream of a position where thermal transfer is performed in a transport direction of the ink sheet. Then, in the thermal transfer recording method of performing thermal transfer of the ink layer, the cueing mark of each ink layer of the ink sheet is provided at a position downstream of the head position of each ink layer in the transport direction of the ink sheet. Wherein the distance from the head position of the ink layer to the cue mark of the ink layer corresponds to the distance from the position at which the thermal transfer is performed to the position at which the cue mark is detected. Recording method. 8. A platen roller, a heat transfer unit provided so as to be able to press against and separate from the platen roller, and a heat-sensitive transfer ink layer of a different color running between the platen roller and the heat transfer unit is arranged in a plane-sequential manner. A thermal transfer recording apparatus comprising: an ink sheet formed by: and a detection unit provided downstream of the heat transfer unit to detect a cue mark of the ink layer of the ink sheet. Is provided at a position downstream of the head position of each ink layer in the transport direction of the ink sheet, and the distance from the head position of the ink layer to the head position mark of the ink layer is A thermal transfer recording apparatus, which corresponds to a distance from a transfer section of the heat transfer means to a position of a detection means for detecting the cue mark.