JP2000263821A - Printer and printing method using intermediate transfer medium film - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a printer using Y, M, C ink ribbons and an intermediate transfer medium film in which waste of ribbon and film is prevented. SOLUTION: A plurality, e.g. five, of color images are printed continuously onto an intermediate transfer medium film using Y, M, C ink ribbons 4, 5, 6 and an H/S ribbon 14 and the surface thereof is covered with a heat seal layer. Five images printed onto the film 3 are then transferred sequentially onto a plurality of print sheets 17 by a transfer means. Number of pulses being generated from an intermediate transfer medium film feeding means is counted during the interval after ending print of fifth sheet onto the film 3 before ending transfer of the fifth image onto the print sheet 17. Based on the number of pulses calculated from the measured number of pulses, the film 3 is rewound by a specified amount before starting next printing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention uses an intermediate transfer medium film, a plurality of ink ribbons and a plurality of thermal heads to transfer a color image formed on the intermediate transfer medium film to a printing medium such as photographic paper. The present invention relates to a printing method for performing color printing and a printer used for the printing method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A printer shown in FIG. 20 is known which performs color printing using an intermediate transfer medium film, a plurality of ink ribbons and a plurality of thermal heads.

FIG. 20 is a plan view of the printer. The printer 101 includes an intermediate transfer medium film 103 wound around a bobbin 102 and housed in a film supply unit, a yellow ink ribbon (hereinafter, referred to as a Y ink ribbon) 104 as three primary colors, and a magenta ink ribbon. (Hereinafter referred to as M ink ribbon)
105, a cyan ink ribbon (hereinafter, referred to as C ink ribbon) 106, and a heat seal ribbon (hereinafter, H /
A platen roller 108 in which the T, M, and C ink ribbons 104, 105, and 106 and the H / S ribbon 107 are sequentially arranged along the outer peripheral surface; C ink ribbon 104, 10
5, 106 and the H / S ribbon 107 are sequentially pressed onto the intermediate transfer medium film 103 to form a color image on the intermediate transfer medium film 103 and form a heat seal layer on the surface of the image. , 3rd, 4th
Thermal heads 109, 110, 111, 112,
The first, second, third, and fourth thermal heads 109,
Initial positions indicated by dashed lines 110, 111, 112, 2
First, second, third, and fourth thermal head holding / driving mechanisms 113, 114, 115, and 116 for moving to an intermediate position indicated by a dashed line and a printing position indicated by a solid line, and are printed on the intermediate transfer medium film 103. A transfer heat roller 118 and a transfer platen roller 119 for retransferring the color image onto the printing paper 117. The printing paper 117 on which the image is printed is cut into a predetermined number by a cutter 120. Thus, it is taken out from the outlet 121.

On the other hand, the intermediate transfer medium film 103
Is wound around a winding roller 122.

[0005] Continuous printing of a predetermined number of sheets, for example, five sheets, by the printer 101 is performed in the steps shown in Table 1.

[0006]

[Table 1]

[0007] In the above-mentioned five continuous printing, Y,
M, C ink ribbons 104, 105, 106 and H / S
The operation of feeding the ribbon 107 and the like is performed in the steps shown in Table 2.

[0008]

[Table 2]

Then, as shown in Tables 1 and 2,
In the first step, printing of the first sheet of the Y ink ribbon 104 is performed. In the second step, the Y ink ribbon 104
The first sheet is printed, and the M ink ribbon 105 prints the first sheet. In the third step, the Y ink ribbon 104 prints the third sheet, the M ink ribbon 105 prints the second sheet, and the C ink ribbon 106 prints the first sheet. In the fourth step, the Y ink ribbon 104 prints the fourth sheet, the M ink ribbon 105 prints the third sheet, the C ink ribbon 106 prints the second sheet, and the H / S ribbon 107 prints the first sheet. Heat sealed. In the fifth step, the Y ink ribbon 104
Prints the fifth sheet, the M ink ribbon 105 prints the fourth sheet, the C ink ribbon 106 prints the third sheet, and H / S
The second sheet of the ribbon 107 is heat-sealed, and the transfer roller 118 and the transfer platen roller 119 perform retransfer of the first sheet. In the sixth step, the Y ink ribbon 104 is not printed, the M ink ribbon 105 prints the fifth sheet, the C ink ribbon 106 prints the fourth sheet, and the H / S ribbon 107 heat seals the third sheet. And transfer roller 1
The transfer sheet 18 and the transfer platen roller 119 transfer the second sheet again. In the seventh step, the Y ink ribbon 104 and the M ink ribbon 105 are not printed, and the C ink ribbon 106 is not printed.
Prints the fifth sheet, the H / S ribbon 107 heat seals the fourth sheet, and the transfer roller 118 and the transfer platen roller 119 transfer the third sheet again. In the eighth step,
The Y / M / C ink ribbons 104, 105, and 106 are not printed, and the fifth sheet of the H / S ribbon 107 is heat-sealed, and the transfer roller 118 and the transfer platen roller 119 are transferred.
Is retransferring the fourth sheet. In the ninth step, printing of the Y, M, and C ink ribbons 104, 105, and 106 and heat sealing of the H / S ribbon 107 are not performed.
8 and the transfer platen roller 119 retransfer the fifth sheet.

[0010]

When printing is performed using a printer using the above-mentioned intermediate transfer medium film and a multi-head, there are the following problems. (1) In the ninth step in which the transfer of the fifth sheet is completed, the intermediate transfer medium film 103 for four sheets and the Y, M, and C ink ribbons 104, 105, and 106 for several sheets are in an excessive state. . In other words, after finishing five consecutive prints,
If the next continuous printing is started as it is, the four intermediate transfer medium films 103 and several Y, M, and C ink ribbons 104, 105, and 106 are wasted. (2) A so-called cue mark is provided on the intermediate transfer medium film 103, the Y, M, and C ink ribbons 104, 105, and 106, and by detecting these cue marks, the intermediate transfer medium film 103 and the like have gone too far. It is conceivable to rewind the portion, but the provision of the cue mark increases the cost of the intermediate transfer medium film and the like.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and to prevent a waste of an intermediate transfer medium film or the like even when a plurality of sheets are continuously printed.

[0012]

According to the present invention, an intermediate transfer medium film is fed out along the outer periphery of a platen roller by an intermediate transfer medium film supply means, and the yellow toner is sequentially arranged along the rotation direction of the platen roller. , Magenta, and cyan ink ribbons and heat seal ribbons are respectively fed out by the ribbon supply means, and these ribbons are sequentially pressed against the intermediate transfer medium film by a thermal head assembly, and the first to the first are transferred to the intermediate transfer medium film. After continuously forming n images and covering with a heat seal layer, the image of the intermediate transfer medium film is continuously transferred to a plurality of first to n-th printing objects by a transfer unit. When the n-th printing on the intermediate transfer medium film is completed, Measuring the number of pulses generated by the intermediate transfer medium film supply unit until the transfer of the n-th image to the printing object is completed, and based on the number of pulses calculated from the measured number of pulses. Thus, the intermediate transfer medium film was rewound by a predetermined amount.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of a printing method and a printer according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The overall structure of the printer, (2) the structure of the intermediate transfer medium film and the intermediate transfer medium film supply means, (3) the structure of the ink ribbon, (4) the structure of the thermal head assembly,
(5) Structure of the thermal head assembly holding drive mechanism,
(6) Structure of pulse number measuring means, (7) Other structures will be described in this order. (1) Overall Structure of Printer The printer of the present invention is configured as a printer that performs color printing using an intermediate transfer medium film.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the printer 1. The printer 1 includes an intermediate transfer medium film 3 wound around a bobbin 2 and Y, M, and C ink ribbons 4, 5, and 6.
And a first platen roller 7 in which the Y, M, and C ink ribbons 4, 5, and 6 are arranged along the outer peripheral surface, and the Y, M, and C ink ribbons 4, 5, and 6, a first thermal head assembly 8 to press the first platen roller 7 in a state where the first and second thermal heads 6 are superimposed on the intermediate transfer medium film 3, and a first thermal head assembly 8 to the first thermal head assembly 8. And the thermal head assemblies 8 to 10 are moved from the initial position shown by the dashed line to the printing position shown by the solid line via the intermediate position shown by the dashed line, and from the printing position shown above. The first to third thermal head assembly holding and driving mechanisms 11 to 13 moved to the initial position via the intermediate position, the H / S ribbon 14, and the H / S ribbon 14 are placed on the intermediate transfer medium film 3. Superposition The fourth thermal head assembly 15 for pressing on the first platen roller 7 in a state of
And holding the fourth thermal head assembly 15 and moving the fourth thermal head assembly 15 from the initial position to the printing position via the intermediate position.
The thermal head assembly holding drive mechanism 16, the printing paper 17 as an object to be printed on which the image formed on the intermediate transfer medium film 3 is printed, and the print paper 17 and the intermediate transfer medium film 3 are superposed. A first capstan roller 18 and a pinch roller 19 which are fed out in a state, a transfer heat roller 20 and a second platen roller which re-transfer the image of the intermediate transfer medium film 3 which has been sent out in a superimposed state onto the printing paper 17. 21.

The print paper 17 on which the image has been retransferred by the transfer heat roller 20 and the second platen roller 21 is cut by the cutter 22 and discharged from the discharge port 23, and is separated from the print paper 17. The intermediate transfer medium film 3 is sent out by the second capstan roller 24 and the pinch roller 25, and is taken out by the take-up roller 26 by the capstan roller 24 and the pinch roller 25.

The Y ink ribbon 4 is disposed downstream of the film guide roller 27 in the rotation direction a of the first platen roller 7. The Y ink ribbon 4 is pressed against the intermediate transfer medium film 3 by the first thermal head assembly 8 moved to the printing position by the first thermal head assembly holding and driving mechanism 11, and the ribbon film is pressed. Is sublimated and transferred to the intermediate transfer medium film 3.

The M ink ribbon 5 is arranged downstream of the Y ink ribbon 4. The M ink ribbon 5 is transferred to the printing position by the second thermal head assembly holding / driving mechanism 12, and the ribbon film is transferred by the second thermal head assembly 9 to the intermediate transfer medium film to which the yellow color material has been transferred. The magenta color material of the ribbon film is transferred onto the intermediate transfer medium film 3.

The C ink ribbon 6 is arranged downstream of the M ink ribbon 5. The above C ink ribbon 6
Is the third thermal head assembly holding drive mechanism 1
The ribbon film is pressed on the intermediate transfer medium film 3 to which the yellow color material and the magenta color material have been transferred by the third thermal head assembly 10 moved to the printing position by 3 and the cyan color material of the ribbon film is removed. The image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer medium film 3.

The H / S ribbon 14 is arranged downstream of the C ink ribbon 6. The above H / S ribbon 1
4 is the fourth thermal head holding and driving mechanism 1
The heat seal layer of the heat seal film is transferred onto the intermediate transfer medium film 3 so as to cover the yellow, magenta and cyan color materials by the fourth thermal head assembly 15 moved to the seal position by 6.

A print sheet 17 is superimposed on the yellow, magenta, and cyan color materials and the intermediate transfer medium film 3 provided with a heat seal layer so as to cover the color materials. Is transferred between the transfer heat roller 20 and the second platen roller 21 and the intermediate transfer medium film 3
Is retransferred to the print paper 17. (2) Structure of Intermediate Transfer Medium Film and Intermediate Transfer Medium Film Supply Means As shown in FIG. 3, the intermediate transfer medium film 3 has an image receiving layer 32 provided on one side surface of a long substrate sheet 31. .

The substrate sheet 31 is made of a synthetic resin such as a polyolefin or polystyrene resin and has a thickness of 1 to several tens μm.
The thickness is formed.

The image receiving layer 32 is mainly composed of a polyolefin resin, vinyl resin or polyester resin to which a sublimable dye, which is a coloring material of the ink ribbons 4 to 6, is easily dyed. The sheet 31 is formed on one side surface so as to have a layer thickness of 1 to 10 μm.

The long intermediate transfer medium film 3 is wound around the bobbin 2 with one end in the longitudinal direction as a winding start end.
Is wound in a roll shape and pulled out from the winding end side for use.

At the winding end side of the intermediate transfer medium film 3, that is, at the drawing start end side, a drawing section 33 is provided.

The pull-out section 33 facilitates pulling out the pull-out start end side of the intermediate transfer medium film 3 wound in a roll shape, and also facilitates feeding the intermediate transfer medium film 3 to the film guide 27 and the ink ribbons 4 to 6. The first to third thermal head assemblies 8 to 10 and the fourth thermal head assembly 15 are for cleaning the thermal head main body.

The draw-out portion 33 is formed by attaching a resin sheet having a thickness of about 100 μm and a felt or the like to the drawing start end side of the base material sheet 31.

As shown in FIG. 2, the intermediate transfer medium film 3 wound around the bobbin 2 is inserted into the intermediate transfer medium film supply section 34 from the upper surface side of the printer 1 and used. ing.

The intermediate transfer medium supply section 34 is provided with an intermediate transfer medium supply means 35 as shown in FIG.

The intermediate transfer medium means 35 includes a motor 35a rotatable in forward and reverse directions, a gear train 35b driven by the motor 35a, a drive shaft 35c rotated via the gear train 35b, and the motor 35a. When the intermediate transfer medium film 3 is accommodated in the intermediate transfer medium supply section 34, the bobbin 2 and the drive shaft 35c are connected.

When a command is issued, the motor 3
The bobbin drive shaft 35c and the bobbin 2 rotate by 5a, and the drawer 33 of the intermediate transfer medium film 3 is drawn. The drawer 33 is provided with the film guide 3.
While being guided between the film guide roller 27 and the first platen roller 7 while being guided by the... 36, the outer peripheral surface and the Y, M, C It passes between the ink ribbons 4, 5, 6 and between the H / S ribbons 14.

The intermediate transfer medium film 3 that has passed through the H / S ribbon 14 is transferred to the first capstan roller 18 and the pinch roller 19 by film guides 36.
Sent during

The intermediate transfer medium film 3 having passed between the first capstan roller 18 and the pinch roller 19
Passes between the transfer heat roller 20 and the second platen roller 21, and is transferred to the second capstan roller 2.
After being sent between the pinch roller 4 and the pinch roller 25, it is wound on the winding roller 26. When the motor 35a is rotated in the reverse direction, the intermediate transfer medium film 3 is wound around the bobbin 2. (3) Structure of Ink Ribbon and H / S Ribbon As shown in FIG. 5, the Y ink ribbon 4 includes an ink ribbon film 41 provided with a yellow coloring material layer made of a sublimable dye, and the ink ribbon film 41. , A take-up spool 43 for taking up the ink ribbon film 42 wound around the supply spool 42, the supply spool 42 and the take-up spool Holder 44 rotatably supporting 43
It consists of

As shown in FIG. 2, the Y ink ribbon 4 is used by being inserted into the Y ink ribbon accommodating portion 45 from the upper surface side of the printer 1.

The M and C ink ribbons 5 and 6 and the H / S ribbon 14 differ only in the ribbon film (the magenta color material layer is provided on the ribbon film of the M ink ribbon 5 and the ribbon of the C ink ribbon 6 The film is provided with a cyan color material layer, and the H / S ribbon 14 is provided with a heat seal layer.
It is configured similarly to.

The M and C ink ribbons 5 and 6 and the H / S ribbon 14 are respectively arranged from the upper surface of the printer 1 into the M ink ribbon accommodating section 46, the C ink ribbon accommodating section 47, and the H / S ribbon.
It is designed to be used by being inserted into the ribbon accommodating portion 48.

Each of the above-mentioned ribbon storage portions 45, 46, 47, 4
8 is provided with a ribbon supply means (not shown).

The ribbon supply means includes a motor which can be rotated forward and backward substantially in the same manner as the intermediate transfer medium supply means 35, a gear train driven by the motor, and a pair of drive means rotated via the gap train. A shaft, and control means for controlling the driving of the motor.When each ribbon is accommodated in each of the ink ribbon accommodating portions, a pair of spools of each ribbon and the pair of drive shafts are connected, and a command is issued. Is issued, the ribbon is wound up from one spool to the other spool. (4) Structure of Thermal Head Assy First thermal head assembly 8 as shown in FIG.
Is a thermal head body 52 having a heating resistor 51.
A head holder 53 that supports the head body 52 so that the fixed position can be adjusted, a first head fixed position adjusting unit 54 that adjusts the fixed position of the head body 52 with respect to the head holder 53, Head holder 5
3, a first holder supporting member 55 supporting the first holder 3, a second head fixing position adjusting means 56 for adjusting a fixing position of the head holder 53 with respect to the first holder supporting member 55, and the first holder A second holder support member 57 that couples the support member 55 to a first thermal head assembly holding drive mechanism 11 described later is provided.

The heating resistor 51 extends substantially in the width direction of the intermediate transfer medium film 3 on the lower surface of the thermal head main body 52 and at the end on the leading end side in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer medium film 3. It is formed in a rectangular shape.

As shown in FIG. 7, the thermal head main body 52 is attached to the head holder 53 so as to be position-adjustable by a long hole 61 and a screw 62.

The head holder 53 includes a top plate 53a.
And a side plate 53b connected to one end of the upper plate 53a.
And is formed by bending a metal plate at a substantially right angle.

The long hole 61 is provided in the head holder 53.
A pair of left and right sides are formed parallel to each other on both sides in the width direction of the upper surface plate 53a so as to extend in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer medium film 3.

The screw 62 is inserted into the screw hole from above the pair of long holes 61, and its tip is screwed into the upper surface of the thermal head main body 52, so that the screw 62 is connected to the thermal head main body 52. The head holder 53 is connected.

If one of the pair of screws 62 is loosened while one of the screws 62 is tightened, and the thermal head main body 52 is moved with respect to the head holder 53,
The thermal head main body 52 and the heating resistor 51 are
The intermediate transfer medium film 3 is inclined in the b or c direction at a predetermined angle with respect to the moving direction a of the intermediate transfer medium film 3. If both of the pair of screws 62 are loosened, the thermal head body 52 and the heating resistor 51 can be moved back and forth in parallel with the moving direction of the intermediate transfer medium film 3 without tilting. .

The first head fixing position adjusting means 54
Is composed of first and second cam plates 54a and 54b.

As shown in FIG. 8, the cam plates 54a,
54b is 30 ° around the rotation center P of the shaft hole 54c.
At intervals, first to seventh ridges 54e to 54k are formed on the outer contour surface 54d so as to project therefrom.
The distance from the first to seventh raised portions 54e to 54k to the rotation center P is set so as to be sequentially increased by 0.2 mm.

The cam plates 54a and 54b have first lengths corresponding to the protrusion amounts of the raised portions 54e to 54k so as to sandwich the first to seventh raised portions 54e to 54k.
The first to eighth ribs 54l to 54s are formed in the radial direction so that the first to seventh ridges 54e to 54k can be easily recognized (visual confirmation) by the first to eighth ribs 54l to 54s. ing.

As shown in FIG. 7, the first and second cam plates 54a and 54b are connected to the shaft hole 54 by screws 54t.
c, the first and the first provided on the head holder 53.
They are mounted on the second cam plate mounting portions 53c and 53d, respectively.

The first and second cam plate mounting portions 53c, 5
3d is formed by cutting and raising a part of the upper surface plate 53a and the side plate 53b of the head holder 53,
The first and second cam plates 54a and 54b are rotatably and fixedly mounted on the upper surfaces of the first and second cam plate mounting portions 53c and 53d by screws 54t, respectively.

A part of the first and second cam plates 54a and 54b penetrates inside the side plate 53b of the head holder 53, and the first to seventh raised portions 54e to 54e.
Any one of k is in contact with one side surface 52a of the thermal head main body 52.

The first and second cam plates 54a, 54a,
If the same raised portion of 54b, for example, the first raised portion 54e, is brought into contact with one side surface 52a of the thermal head main body 52, the thermal head main body 52 becomes
The head is not inclined with respect to the head holder 53, and is set at a position closest to the side plate 53b side in parallel with the head holder 53. If the seventh raised portions 54k of the first and second cam plates 54a and 54b are brought into contact with one side surface 52a of the thermal head main body 52, the thermal head main body 52 is The head holder 53 is set at a position farthest from the side plate 53b without being inclined with respect to the head holder 53.

Further, by changing the protruding portions of the first cam plate 54a and the second cam plate 54b which are in contact with one side surface 52a of the thermal head main body 52, for example, the first protruding portions of the first cam plate 54a can be obtained. The portion 54e is connected to the thermal head main body 5
2 so as to contact the one side surface 52a of the thermal head main body 52 with the raised portion other than the first raised portion 54e of the second cam plate 54b. 7 is set in a state of being inclined with respect to the head holder 53 in the direction b of FIG. 7, and conversely, for example, the first raised portion 5 of the second cam 54b is set.
4e is brought into contact with one side surface 52a of the thermal head main body 52, and the raised portion other than the first raised portion of the first cam plate 54a is brought into contact with one side surface 52a of the thermal head main body 52. The thermal head main body 52 is set in a state of being inclined in the direction c in FIG.

The larger the difference between the lengths of the raised portions of the first cam plate 54a and the second cam plate 54b that contact the one side surface 52a of the thermal head main body 52, the greater the inclination angle. It has become.

FIG. 9 shows the first and second cam plates 54a,
54 shows a modification of 54b. In this modification, the first and second cam plates 54a and 54b are formed in a perfect circular shape, and the shaft hole 54c and the rotation center P are
The first of the perfect circular shape, the second cam plate 54a, 1 ° pivot provided at a position eccentric from the center of 54b from the position P ₁ of 0 ° symmetrically in the range of position P ₂ of 180 ° Each time this is done, the distance l from the rotation center P to the contour surface 54d extends by a fixed amount, so that the fixed position adjustment of the head can be performed steplessly.

FIG. 10 shows another modification of the first head fixing position adjusting means 54. In this variation,
As the head fixing position adjusting means 54, a pair of plastic adjustment screws 54u and 54v are used. The adjusting screws 54u and 54v are screwed to the side plate 53b of the head holder 53, and press the one side surface 52a of the thermal head main body 52 at the tip thereof. The operation and effect are as follows.
54b is substantially the same as that in the case where 54b is used.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the head holder 53 is attached to the first holder support member 55 so as to be vertically tiltable by screws 63, 63 and the like.

Then, the first holder supporting member 55
Is provided with the second head fixing position adjusting means 56.

As shown in FIG. 11, the second head fixing position adjusting means 56 includes first and second cam plates 56a provided on both side surfaces of the first holder support member 55.
56b.

The first and second cam plates 56a and 56b of the second head fixed position adjusting means 56 are connected to the first and second cam plates 54a and 56b of the first head fixed position adjusting means 54, respectively.
The first holder support member 55 is rotatably attached to the first holder support member 55 by screws 56c.

The first and second cam plates 56a,
The upper surface of the upper surface plate 53a of the head holder 53 is pressed by 56b, and the head holder 53 is tilted in the vertical direction, so that the first heating resistance portion 51 of the thermal head main body 52 attached to the head holder 53 is pressed. The angle of contact with the platen roller 7 is adjusted.

The first holder supporting member 55 is
Is removably attached to the holder support member 57 of FIG.

The second holder support member 57 has a rectangular support main body 57a for attaching the first holder support member 55 to the outer surface, and two ends in the longitudinal direction of the support main body 57a. A pair of bearing portions 57b provided in parallel,
57c. The second holder support member 57 is formed by bending a metal plate into a substantially U-shape. The second holder support member 57 is attached to the thermal head assembly holding and driving mechanism 11 described below on the pair of bearing portions 57b and 57c. Shaft 57d is provided. Both ends of the support shaft 57d protrude from the outer surfaces of the pair of bearings 57b and 57c.

The support body 57a has an opening 57e in the center, and first and second projections 57f, 57g having a substantially L-shaped cross section are formed on both sides of the opening 57e. It is formed.

An elastic member 57h made of a flexible material such as plastic is attached between the pair of bearing portions 57b and 57c of the second holder supporting member 57, and the engaging member 57h is provided on the elastic member 57h. The protrusion 57i is connected to the opening 57e.
Through the support body portion 57a.

On the other hand, the first holder support member 55
A first coupling guide hole 55a is formed corresponding to the first L-shaped protrusion 57f of the second holder support member 57, and the engagement protrusion 57i and the second L
The second and third coupling guide holes 55b and 55c are formed corresponding to the letter-shaped projection 57g.

Then, the first holder supporting member 55
Is assembled on the second holder support member 57 by superimposing the first holder support member 55 on the surface of the second holder support member 57, and the elastic member 57h of the second holder support member 57. The first and second L-shaped projections 57f and 57g are inserted into the first and second coupling guide holes 55a and 55c of the first holder support member 55 by compressing the engagement protrusion 57i of the first holder. After that, the first holder supporting member 55 is slid in the direction of the arrow with respect to the second holder supporting member 57 so that the engaging projection 57i of the elastic member 57h is positioned at the position of the second coupling guide hole 55b. Then, the engaging projection 57i is released from the compressive force and enters the second coupling guide hole 55b, and the first and second L-shaped projections 57f and 57g allow the engagement projection 57i to move into the second coupling guide hole 55b. 1
The surface of the holder support member 55 is suppressed, and as shown in FIG.
7 are connected to each other.

The second and third thermal head assemblies 9 and 10 and the heat seal head assembly 15 are configured similarly to the first thermal head assembly 8 described above. (5) Structure of the Thermal Head Assembly Holding and Driving Mechanism The thermal head assembly holding and driving mechanism holds the thermal head assembly as described above and moves the thermal head assembly to an initial position, an intermediate position, and a printing position. Things.

As shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, the thermal head assembly holding / driving mechanism 11 has one end rotatably mounted on both ends of a support shaft 57d provided on the second holder support member 57. A first thermal head assembly support member 72 whose other end is rotatably attached to a bearing (not shown) of the printer housing by a fixed shaft 71; and a first thermal head assembly support member 72.
By locking one end to the spring locking portion 72a and the other end to the second holder support member 57, the second holder support member 57 supports the support shaft 57d.
A coil spring 73 for supporting the thermal head assembly 8 in a state pressed against the first thermal head assembly support member 72 by applying a rotational force in the direction of arrow a around the center, and the first thermal head support member The second thermal head assembly support member 7 having one end rotatably attached to both ends of the support shaft 57d of the second holder support member 57 in a state of being superposed on the outside of the second holder support member 57.
4, a first corner 77a is connected to the other end of the second thermal head assembly support member 74 by a connection shaft 75, and the second corner 77b is A substantially triangular third thermal head assembly support member (lever member) 77 rotatably mounted on a bearing portion (not shown) of the third thermal head assembly support member, and a third corner portion of the third thermal head assembly support member 77 A cam 81 provided with an endless cam groove 79 and a shaft hole 80 serving as a center of rotation;
0, and a cam drive shaft 82 for rotating the cam 81.

As shown in FIG. 16, the cam groove 79 of the cam 81 is formed substantially symmetrically about the shaft hole 80.

The distance between the cam groove 79 and the shaft hole 80 gradually increases from a position A ₁ where the distance from the shaft hole 80 is the shortest (hereinafter referred to as an initial position), and from the position A ₂ to the position A _3. during the while maintaining a substantially constant distance (hereinafter, referred to as an intermediate position this), between the position a ₃ to the position a ₄ (hereinafter referred to as printing position) the distance between the shaft hole 80 is the longest, further again becomes an intermediate position from the position a _4, so that the return from the position a ₅ to the initial position.

As shown in FIG. 13, when the cam pin 78 is at the initial position A ₁ of the cam groove 79, the thermal head assembly 8 is held at the initial position apart from the first platen roller 7. .

When the cam 81 rotates and the cam pin 78 is located at an intermediate position of the cam groove 79, as shown in FIG. 14, the thermal head assembly 8
Is moved to and held at an intermediate position close to the platen roller 7.

When the cam 81 further rotates, the cam groove 7
When the cam pin 78 is located at the printing position of FIG.
As shown in the above, the thermal head assembly 8 is
To the printing position where it comes into contact with the platen roller 7.

As shown in FIG. 17, the cam drive shaft 8
The cam 81 is attached to one end and the other end of the motor 2 respectively.
, And is rotated via a ga train 84. The rotation angle of the cam 81 with respect to the cam drive shaft 82 is always detected by a head position sensor (not shown), and the elevation of the thermal head assembly 8 is controlled based on the detection result. Has become.

Since the second, third, and fourth thermal head assembly holding / driving mechanisms 12, 13, and 16 are also configured substantially in the same manner as the first thermal head holding / driving mechanism 11, duplicate explanations will be omitted. Omitted. (6) Structure of Pulse Number Measuring Means The pulse number measuring means, for example, when printing five sheets continuously as shown in Table 1, applies five pulses to the intermediate transfer medium film 3.
The number of pulses generated by the intermediate transfer medium film supply means 35 from the end of printing of the Y-th ink ribbon 4 to the end of transfer of the fifth image to the printing paper 17 was measured and measured. This is for rewinding the intermediate transfer medium film 3 based on the number of pulses.

As shown in FIG. 4, the pulse number measuring means 91 is mounted on the rotating shaft of the motor 35a of the intermediate transfer medium film supply means 35, and has a large number of radially arranged slits 92. It comprises a rotary disk 93 and an encoder comprising a sensor 94 for detecting the slits 92 and generating a pulse.

Next, the operation of the pulse number measuring means 91 will be described. In the fifth step of Table 1 above, when the printing of the fifth Y-link ribbon 4 on the intermediate transfer medium film 3 is completed, the unused portion of the intermediate transfer medium film 3 is a part A in FIG. (Between the Y ink ribbon 4 and the guide roller 27). When the printing of the fifth Y ink ribbon 4 on the intermediate transfer medium film 3 is completed, the number of pulses on the supply side is started to be measured. In the ninth step of Table 1 where the transfer of the fifth sheet has been completed, the unused portion of the intermediate transfer medium film 3 corresponds to the portion B (the H / S ribbon 14, the first capstan roller 18, the pinch roller 18) in FIG. 19). Therefore, the motor of the intermediate transfer medium film supply means 35 is arranged so that the unused portion of the intermediate transfer medium film 3 located at the section B comes to the section C (between the Y ink ribbon 5 and the C ink ribbon 6) in FIG. 3
If the intermediate transfer medium film 3 is rewound by reversing the intermediate transfer medium film 3, the printing of the M ink ribbon 5 on the intermediate transfer medium film 3 in the sixth step of Table 1 is performed by the unused portion of the intermediate transfer medium film 3. Since it is performed from the leading end side, waste of the intermediate transfer medium film 3 can be eliminated.

In this case, if the number of pulses on the supply side from section A to section B is P _AB , and the number of pulses to be returned is P _BC , the following equation holds.

P _BC = P _AB × L _BC / L _AB (1) where L _AB and L _BC are distances between AB and BC, respectively.

At this time, the return amounts P _Y , P _M , P of the Y ribbon, M ribbon, C ribbon, and heat seal ribbon
_C, P _H is as follows.

P _Y = P _BC P _M = P _Y -α P _C = P _M -α P _H = P _C -α where α is the printing length of one sheet. There is a method in which the return amount is independently performed. In this case, counting the number of pulses on the supply side of each color ribbon starts after the end of the fifth Y printing. After the measurement is performed until the transfer of the fifth sheet has been completed, the supply side is reversed to prepare for the next printing. If the return amount is slightly smaller than the measured amount, it is possible to prevent the used portion from tabbing.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the process from the end of printing the fifth Y ink ribbon 4 on the intermediate transfer medium film 3 to the rewinding of the intermediate transfer medium film.

First, the number of pulses of P _AB is determined from the time when printing of the fifth Y ink ribbon 4 on the intermediate transfer medium film 3 is completed to the time when the transfer of the fifth image to the printing paper 17 is completed. Measure (Step 1).

Next, the number of pulses required to return the unused portion of the intermediate transfer medium film 3 to the portion C is calculated from the equation P _BC = P _AB × L _BC / _LAB (step 2), It is determined whether the printing is completed (step 3).

[0084] When the continuous printing is determined to have ended, by reversing the motor 35a of the intermediate transfer medium film supply means 35 to rewind the intermediate transfer medium film 3 by the number of pulses of the P _BC (Step 4).

FIG. 19 shows that the Y, M, C ink ribbons 4, 5, 6 and the H / S ribbon 1 after the continuous printing is completed.
It is a flowchart figure which shows up to rewinding of No. 4.

First, it is determined whether or not the continuous printing has been completed (step 1).

When it is determined that the continuous printing is completed, the number of pulses required to return the Y, M, and C ink ribbons 4, 5, 6 and the H / S ribbon 14 to predetermined positions is measured (step 2). , Step 3, Step 4, Step 5).

Then, the ink ribbons 4, 5, 6 and the H / S ribbon 14 are rewound based on the measured number of pulses (step 6).

Although the embodiment has been described with reference to the case of five continuous prints, the number of continuous prints is not limited to five. (7) Other Structures As shown in FIG.
The printer 1 is wound in a roll shape, and is inserted into the paper storage unit 49 from the upper surface of the printer 1.

The leading end of the print paper 17 pulled out from the paper storage section 49 is located between the first capstan roller 18 and the pinch roller 19 and the transfer heat roller 2.
Cutter 2 passing between the first platen roller 21 and the second platen roller 21.
The paper is sent to the second side, is cut into a predetermined length by the cutter 22, and is discharged to the outside of the printer 1 through the discharge port 23.

The intermediate transfer medium film 3, Y,
M and C ink ribbons 4, 5, 6, thermal head assemblies 8 to 10, thermal head assembly holding drive mechanism 1
A series of color print processing using 1 to 13 etc. is C
This is automatically performed by a PU (not shown).

[0092]

The present invention has the following effects. (1) The number of pulses from the end of printing of the last sheet to the end of transfer of the last sheet is measured, and based on the number of pulses, the intermediate transfer medium film, the Y, M, and C ink ribbons are specified. The intermediate transfer medium film, the Y, M, and C ink ribbons are rewound to the position of the unused portion by a simple method of calculating the number of pulses required to return to the position of the unused portion (the position of the unused portion). Useless consumption of these films and ink ribbons can be eliminated. (2) There is no need to provide a cue mark on the intermediate transfer medium film, the Y, M, and C ink ribbons, etc., and it is possible to suppress an increase in cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a printer.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the printer.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an intermediate transfer medium film.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an intermediate transfer medium film supply unit.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an ink ribbon.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the thermal head assembly.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a mounting state of a thermal head main body and a head holder.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a cam plate.

FIG. 9 is a front view of a modified example of the cam plate.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view when a screw is used as a head fixing position adjusting unit.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state where first and second holder supporting members are separated.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state where first and second holder supporting members are assembled.

FIG. 13 is a side view (initial position) of the thermal head assembly holding drive mechanism.

FIG. 14 is a side view (intermediate position) of the thermal head assembly holding drive mechanism.

FIG. 15 is a side view (printing position) of the thermal head assembly holding drive mechanism.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of a cam.

FIG. 17 is a front view showing a cam driving mechanism.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the rewinding of the intermediate transfer medium film.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the rewinding of each ink ribbon and the H / S ribbon.

FIG. 20 is a plan view of a main part of a conventional printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer, 2 ... Bobbin, 3 ... Intermediate transfer medium film, 4, 5, 6 ... Y, M, C ink ribbon, 8, 9,
10... First, second, and third thermal head assemblies, 1
Reference numerals 1, 12, 13: first, second, and third thermal head assembly holding / driving mechanisms, 17: print paper (object to be printed), 35: intermediate transfer medium film supply means, 91: pulse number measurement means (encoder) .

Continued on the front page F-term (reference) 2C064 CC02 CC06 CC11 EE01 EE05 EE15 2C065 AA01 AB09 AC01 DC10 DC14 DC29 DC32

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An intermediate transfer medium film is fed out along an outer periphery of a platen roller by an intermediate transfer medium film supply means, and respective yellow, magenta, and cyan ink ribbons are sequentially arranged along a rotation direction of the platen roller. Each of the ribbons is sequentially pressed against the intermediate transfer medium film by a thermal head assembly while sending the heat seal ribbons by the ribbon supply means, and the first to n-th are transferred to the intermediate transfer medium film.
A printing method for continuously forming a plurality of images and continuously transferring the image of the intermediate transfer medium film to a plurality of first to n-th printing objects by a transfer unit; The number of pulses emitted by the intermediate transfer medium film supply means from the end of printing the nth image on the film to the end of the transfer of the nth image to the object to be printed is determined by a pulse number measurement means. A printing method using an intermediate transfer medium film, characterized in that the intermediate transfer medium film is rewound by a predetermined amount based on the number of pulses measured and calculated from the measured number of pulses. 2. An intermediate transfer medium film; intermediate transfer medium film supply means for feeding the intermediate transfer medium film; yellow, magenta, and cyan ink ribbons; and ink ribbon supply for feeding the ink ribbons. Means, a platen roller in which each of the ink ribbons is arranged along the outer peripheral surface, and pressing each of the ink ribbons against the platen roller in a state in which each of the ink ribbons is overlaid on the intermediate transfer medium film. A thermal head assembly for printing by attaching the color material of each ink ribbon to the intermediate transfer medium film, and holding the thermal head assembly,
A thermal head assembly holding drive mechanism for moving the thermal head assembly from the initial position to the printing position and from the printing position to the initial position; and a transfer means for transferring an image formed on the intermediate transfer medium film to a printing object. In the printer provided, the intermediate transfer medium film supply means is a motor for feeding the intermediate transfer medium film, and a pulse number measuring means for measuring the number of pulses generated when the intermediate transfer medium film is fed for a predetermined length. And a control unit for rewinding the intermediate transfer medium film by the number of pulses calculated based on the number of pulses measured by the number of pulses measuring unit. 3. The printer according to claim 2, wherein the pulse number measuring means is constituted by an encoder.