JP2001232834A - Method and apparatus for thermal transfer recording - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure a stable printing quality by eliminating generation of fins when one or both of an undercoat layer for forming a smooth face and an overcoat layer for forming a protecting film is formed on a recording sheet. SOLUTION: For thermally transferring on a recording medium one or both of the undercoat and the overcoat, the recording sheet S is transferred forward and backward and a recorded recording ribbon R is wound to the take-up side (step S6).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a thermal transfer recording method and a thermal transfer recording apparatus, and more particularly, to a method for forming an undercoat layer using a recording ribbon having an undercoat layer disposed on a recording medium which cannot be printed by a thermal sublimation method as it is. It is related to forming technology.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, according to a thermal sublimation recording type printing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-35192, its recording portion is arranged to face a line thermal head, a recording ribbon, and a heating portion of the line thermal head. And a pickup roller provided opposite to a sheet cassette containing a recording sheet, sequentially picking up the recording sheet from the uppermost position, conveying the recording sheet downstream, and performing predetermined recording in the recording unit. And then discharging the tray onto the lid of the tray.

Further, in this disclosure, a recording sheet having a recording capacity of, for example, 30 sheets is stacked on a recording surface (for example, 30 sheets) in which the recording surface is smoothed by a so-called calendering process. It is provided to the user in a state of being bundled with a ribbon cassette containing a ribbon.

On the other hand, in recent years, in addition to the above-mentioned dedicated recording sheet, there is an increasing demand for recording on postcards, general paper, or various sheets desired by users. In addition, there is a demand for improving durability by forming a protective film after printing.Therefore, in order to respond to such a demand, each color area is sequentially and repeatedly arranged on a continuous base material, and between color areas, By using a ribbon cassette containing a recording ribbon in which one or both of an undercoat layer for forming the smooth surface by thermal transfer and an overcoat layer for forming the protective film by thermal transfer are used. It is becoming practical to enable good thermal sublimation printing even for postcards.

[0005]

FIG. 6 shows a state in which an undercoat layer UC having a smooth surface and an overcoat layer OC serving as a protective film are formed on a postcard, a general paper or a resin sheet made by a conventional apparatus. (A) is a plan view, (b) is a side view, and (c) is a cross-sectional view.

First, in FIG. 6 (b), continuous energization of all the dots of the heat generating portion 7a of the line thermal head 7 is performed in synchronization with the conveyance of the recording sheet S such as an official postcard in the direction of the arrow. The undercoat layer on the base material B of the recording ribbon R is thermally transferred.

After the thermal transfer, the recording ribbon R is taken up in the direction of the arrow by the take-up means, so that the recording ribbon R is not affected by the heat generated by the continuous energization of all the dots of the heating portion 7a of the line thermal head 7. Since the burrs Ra as shown in FIG. 6A occur, the quality is impaired. Further, while the burr Ra is left as it is, FIG.
(C) As shown in the figure, after applying a current for thermal sublimation printing to the line thermal head using at least Y (yellow), M (magenta) and C (cyan) of a plurality of colors, the overcoat layer OC is formed. When thermal transfer is performed, burr Ra
Is bent so that there is a problem that the quality is significantly impaired. In order to prevent the occurrence of such burrs, thermal transfer may be performed using a recording ribbon in which the undercoat layer is formed in an accurate rectangle. However, it is difficult at present due to manufacturing restrictions.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has been made by forming one or both of an undercoat layer UC forming a smooth surface and an overcoat layer OC forming a protective film. It is an object of the present invention to provide a thermal transfer recording method and a thermal transfer recording apparatus which can guarantee stable printing quality without generating burrs.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems To solve the above-mentioned problems,
In order to achieve the object, according to the present invention, a recording ribbon in which color regions are sequentially and repeatedly arranged on a continuous substrate, and one or both of an undercoat layer and an overcoat layer are arranged between the color regions A thermal transfer recording method for thermally transferring one or both of the undercoat and the overcoat onto a recording medium, wherein the transporting means transports the recording medium in forward and reverse directions,
The recording ribbon is disposed between the recording medium and the line thermal head by a winding unit having a function of winding the used recording ribbon toward the supply side, and power is supplied to the line thermal head and the recording medium is conveyed by the conveying unit. A step of winding the used recording ribbon while peeling the used recording ribbon from the recording medium in synchronization with the conveyance in the forward direction, and determining a type of the recording ribbon on which one or both of the undercoat layer and the overcoat layer are arranged by the determination unit A step of performing a determination, a step of conducting the thermal transfer to the line thermal head based on the type determination by an energizing unit, and the control unit causes the recording medium after the thermal transfer to be conveyed in a reverse direction, And controlling the recording ribbon to be wound up toward the supply side.

Each of the color areas includes at least Y (yellow), M (magenta),
C (cyan), characterized in that the method further comprises a step of applying a current to the line thermal head for thermal sublimation printing after the thermal transfer of the undercoat layer.

Each of the color regions includes a plurality of colors of at least Y (yellow), M (magenta),
C (cyan), which includes a step of conducting a current for the thermal transfer of the overcoat layer after conducting a current to the line thermal head for thermal sublimation printing.

[0012] The undercoat or the undercoat or the overcoat layer may be formed on a continuous base material by using a recording ribbon in which each color region is sequentially and repeatedly disposed and one or both of an undercoat layer and an overcoat layer are disposed between the color regions. What is claimed is: 1. A thermal transfer recording apparatus for thermally transferring one or both of overcoats onto a recording medium, comprising: transport means for transporting the recording medium in forward and reverse directions; The used recording ribbon is taken up while peeling off the used recording ribbon from the recording medium in synchronization with the energization of the line thermal head and the conveyance in the forward direction by the conveyance unit, and the used recording ribbon is directed toward the supply side. And a winding means having a function of winding and one or both of the undercoat layer and the overcoat layer are disposed. And a judging means for type determination recording ribbon, on the basis of the type determination, and energizing means for energizing the thermal transfer to the line thermal head, to transport the recording medium after the transfer in the opposite direction,
And control means for controlling the recording ribbon to be wound up toward the supply side.

Each of the color regions includes a plurality of colors of at least Y (yellow), M (magenta),
C (cyan), wherein the line thermal head is energized for thermal sublimation printing after the thermal transfer of the undercoat layer.

Further, each of the color areas includes at least Y (yellow), M (magenta),
C (cyan), wherein the line thermal head is energized for thermal sublimation printing, and then energized for the thermal transfer of the overcoat layer.

Further, the recording ribbon is incorporated in a ribbon cassette case so that the recording ribbon can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body, and the type is determined by loading the recording ribbon.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, FIG. 1 is an expanded view of a part of the recording ribbon built in the ribbon cassette 8, and FIG.
This shows a state in which a plurality of colors of yellow Y, magenta M, and cyan C to be thermally sublimated and printed on a base film serving as a base material of the recording ribbon R are sequentially and repeatedly arranged, and an undercoat layer UC is formed. The ribbon cassette 8 shown by a two-dot chain line is provided with a mark 8a for automatic identification, so that the type can be automatically detected by being loaded into the apparatus.

Further, yellow Y, magenta M, cyan C
A mark 33 detected by an optical sensor is formed at a corner at the beginning of the undercoat layer UC, so that the timing of energization for performing thermal transfer and thermal sublimation can be measured as described later.

FIG. 1 (b) is substantially the same as FIG. 1 (a), and the same reference numerals are given to the components already described, and the description is omitted.
Overcoat layer OC for forming protective film instead of C
Are formed.

FIG. 1 (c) shows that both the overcoat layer OC and the undercoat layer UC are repeatedly arranged between yellow Y, magenta M and cyan C of a plurality of colors.

The recording ribbon R as described above is wound around the supply spool shaft 5 on the supply side, and is wound on the take-up spool shaft 4, thereby performing thermal transfer and printing on a recording sheet.

FIG. 2A is a side view showing a main part of the recording apparatus. A recording sheet S such as an official postcard is placed in a sheet cassette 10 for sheets provided with the tray 13 described above. The state after loading and setting in the apparatus is illustrated.

FIG. 2A shows a state in which a part of the sheet cassette 10 is set so as to enter into an opening formed on the front surface of the recording apparatus, and FIG. 2B.
FIG. 2C illustrates a state in which a sheet is conveyed to a recording unit including a thermal line head 7 and a platen roller 26 by a pickup roller described later, and FIG. 2C illustrates a state in which printing is started. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing only the recording unit of FIG.

2 and 3, in a sheet cassette 10, for example, 30 sheets of A5 size government-made postcards and plain paper having a predetermined stiffness and containing plain paper are placed in a tray 13.
Is built in with the recording surface Sa facing upward in a stacked state, and sequentially from the recording sheet S located at the uppermost position,
The recording sheet S after recording is conveyed to the recording section, and is discharged onto the lid 11 above the sheet cassette 10.

Further, when the ribbon cassette 8 is set in the recording section, the cassette is automatically identified, the built-in recording ribbon is determined, and the line thermal head 7 is provided on the recording ribbon R provided on the ribbon cassette 8.
The heat transfer and the heat sublimation are performed by being positioned on the platen roller 26 with the intermediary of the heat transfer.

On the other hand, the sheet cassette 10 is configured as a box body opened upward as shown in the figure, and a plurality of recording sheets S are placed on the tray 13 and the opening of the tray 13 and one of the recording sheets S is covered. And a cover 11 that can be exposed below the pickup roller 21. The cover 11 is disposed on the printing apparatus side by a pressing force of a pressing plate (not shown) disposed on the bottom surface of the tray 13. The uppermost recording sheet S is pressed against the pick-up roller 21 to be conveyed downstream one by one.

In the printing apparatus, components to be described later are generally provided on the base 20. That is, a rubber (not shown) for separating the recording sheets S one by one when being conveyed downstream by the pickup roller 21 is provided on the base 20 on the recording apparatus side. The first sheet guide 22 is provided on an upright surface, and only one sheet is fed by handling an excessively fed sheet.

Further, the pickup roller 21 is provided at the base 20.
, And is configured to obtain a driving force from a first motor M1 which is rotatably supported and is intermittently driven to rotate counterclockwise, and is recorded on the downstream side by being picked up at a predetermined timing. The sheet S and the like are sent out. In the vicinity of the downstream side of the pickup roller 21, the above-mentioned first sheet guide 22 for guiding the picked-up recording sheet S to the downstream side is fixed to the base 20. A sensor K1 for detecting the presence or absence of a recording sheet by a method including optically is provided below the tray section. Also, the platen roller 2
6, a sensor K2 for detecting the leading and trailing edges of the recording sheet by a method including optically is provided.
As shown in FIG. 3, it is connected to the control unit 100 together with each motor.

On the downstream side of the first sheet guide 22, a transport roller 24 that obtains a driving force from a second motor M2 that rotates forward and backward, and constantly contacts and follows the transport roller 24. The idle rollers 25 are rotatably held at the base 20, respectively, and are configured to convey the recording sheet S downstream or upstream by driving the second motor M2 in the forward and reverse directions.

In the vicinity of the downstream side of the transport roller 24,
A platen roller 26 having a so-called platen function for securing a contact force with the heat generating portion 7a of the line thermal head 7 is rotatably provided at the base 20.

In the ribbon cassette 8, the recording ribbon R wound by the spool provided with the supply shaft 5 and the take-up shaft 4 is transferred onto the base film B in the transport direction as described with reference to FIG. Each color region including a plurality of different colors, yellow Y, magenta M, and cyan C, is sequentially and repeatedly arranged (a so-called gradual pattern), and is supplied from a supply spool shaft 5 with a recording operation. It is configured to be sequentially wound by the shaft body 4. The take-up spool provided with the take-up shaft 4 is a DC motor including a stepping motor.
Driven by the motor M3. On the other hand, the supply spool shaft 5 is provided with a fourth motor M4 for driving via a pulley in which a one-way clutch 35 is provided. It has the function of rewinding. A guide rod 30 for guiding the recording ribbon is provided near the thermal line head 7.
And a guide plate 31 are provided.

Further, a third sensor K3 for optically detecting the mark 33 is connected to the control unit 100.

With the above construction, the cartridge 8 can be inserted and removed from one end of the line thermal head 7 which is supported in one piece.
Is set at the recording position shown in the figure as an exchange unit.

Although not shown, a protective film for forming a protective layer provided for protecting the printing surface is also built in the same cartridge and is replaceable. In addition, the above-described plurality of colors of yellow Y, magenta M, and cyan C may be thermally transferred.

On the other hand, a second sheet guide 23 for guiding the recording sheet S toward an opposing surface of the pickup roller 21 opposing the pickup surface is located between the conveyance roller 24 and the base 20 as shown in FIG. It is fixed and guides the lower surface of the recording sheet S in the state shown in the figure, which is the back surface of the recording surface.

The operation of forming the undercoat layer UC with reference to the flowchart of the operation shown in FIG. 4 and the partial front view for explaining the operation of FIG. When the ribbon cassette 8 is set at the position shown in FIG. 2A and the apparatus is started up, the type of the recording ribbon R is automatically detected in step S1. Following, step S
In step 2, continuous conduction is applied to all the dots of the heat generating portion 7a of the line thermal head 7, and the transfer is performed in synchronization with the conveyance of the recording sheet S such as a government-made postcard, so that the undercoat layer UC of the recording ribbon R is thermally transferred. .

When the completion of the thermal transfer is determined in step S3, the thermal line head 7 is raised in the direction of the arrow by a lifting mechanism (not shown) in step S4 so that the state shown in FIG. .

Following this, the process proceeds to step S5, where FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2B, the recording sheet S is conveyed in the reverse direction by the distance L, and the recorded recording ribbon R is placed on the guide plate 3.
1. Make it slack below 1.

From this state, in step S6, the power is transmitted via the one-way clutch by the activation of the fourth motor M4, and the recorded recording ribbon is rewound in the direction of the arrow. As described above, as shown in FIG.
An undercoat free from burrs is obtained.

Although not shown, an overcoat can be similarly formed.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration, and it is needless to say that various configurations are possible. For example, the sheet size may be A5 size or larger, and the recording method may be different. It is needless to say that anything may be used as long as the image is printed on the upper side, and the present invention is also applicable to the case of performing monochrome recording in addition to the above-described color recording. Further, the shaft of the supply side spool is driven to rewind by the fourth motor M4 via the one-way clutch. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a single motor may be used by using a planetary gear mechanism or the like. it can.

[0042]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When forming one or both of the undercoat layer forming the smooth surface and the overcoat layer forming the protective film on the recording sheet, it is possible to guarantee stable printing quality without generating burrs. It is possible to provide a thermal transfer recording method and a thermal transfer recording apparatus that can be used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view in which a part of a recording ribbon built in a ribbon cassette 8 is developed, and FIG. 1 (a) shows a plurality of thermal sublimation printed on a base film serving as a base material of a recording ribbon R. The colors yellow Y, magenta M, and cyan C are sequentially and repeatedly arranged, and an undercoat layer UC is formed.
(B) forms an overcoat layer OC for forming a protective film in place of the undercoat layer UC, and (c) shows both the overcoat layer OC and the undercoat layer UC in a plurality of colors of yellow Y and magenta M. , And cyan C. FIG.

FIGS. 2A to 2C are side views for explaining the operation of the printing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of a recording unit.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of forming an undercoat.

FIGS. 5A to 5D are explanatory diagrams of an operation of forming an undercoat.

FIGS. 6A to 6C are explanatory views of a conventional undercoat formation.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 8 ribbon cassette 10 sheet cassette 11 lid 13 tray 20 base 21 pickup roller 22 first sheet guide 23 second sheet guide 24 transport roller 25 idle roller 30 guide rod 31 guide plate 35 one-way clutch 100 control unit R recording ribbon M1 first Motor M2 Second motor M3 Third motor M4 Fourth motor S Recording sheet B Base film (base material)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI theme coat ゛ (reference) B41J 33/44 B41J 3/20 117C F-term (reference) 2C065 AA01 AB03 AB10 CJ01 CJ02 CJ03 CJ08 CJ09 DC07 DC13 DC18 DC26 DC33 2C068 AA02 AA05 AA22 BD04 BD15 BD23 BD31 GN03

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A method according to claim 1, wherein each of the color regions is sequentially and repeatedly arranged on a continuous base material, and the undercoat layer or the overcoat layer is disposed between the color regions by using a recording ribbon. A thermal transfer recording method for thermally transferring one or both of overcoats onto a recording medium, comprising: transporting the recording medium in a forward / reverse direction by a transporting unit; and winding the used recording ribbon toward a supply side. The recording ribbon is disposed between the recording medium and the line thermal head by a winding unit having a function of removing the recording medium, and the used ribbon is used in synchronization with the energization of the line thermal head and the transport in the forward direction by the transport unit. Removing the recording ribbon from the recording medium and winding the recording ribbon; A step of determining the type of the recording ribbon on which one or both of the recording layers are arranged; a step of energizing the thermal transfer to the line thermal head based on the type determination by an energizing unit; Controlling the transfer of the recording medium after the thermal transfer in the reverse direction and winding the recording ribbon toward the supply side. 2. Each of the color regions includes at least Y (yellow), M (magenta), C
2. The thermal transfer recording method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of applying a current to the line thermal head for thermal sublimation printing after the thermal transfer of the undercoat layer. 3. Each of the color areas includes at least Y (yellow), M (magenta), C
2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: applying a current for the thermal transfer of the overcoat layer to the line thermal head after applying a current for thermal sublimation printing to the line thermal head. 3. Thermal transfer recording method. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein each of the color regions is sequentially and repeatedly arranged on a continuous substrate, and the undercoat or the overcoat layer is disposed between the color regions by using a recording ribbon. A thermal transfer recording apparatus for thermally transferring one or both of overcoats onto a recording medium, comprising: transport means for transporting the recording medium in forward and reverse directions; and disposing the recording ribbon between the recording medium and a line thermal head. The used recording ribbon is taken up while peeling off the used recording ribbon from the recording medium in synchronization with the energization of the line thermal head and the conveyance in the forward direction by the conveyance unit, and the used recording ribbon is directed toward the supply side. A winding means having a function of winding by winding, and one or both of the undercoat layer and the overcoat layer are arranged. Determining means for determining the type of the recording ribbon; energizing means for energizing the thermal transfer to the line thermal head based on the type determination; conveying the recording medium after the thermal transfer in a reverse direction; and And a control means for controlling the recording ribbon to be wound up toward the supply side. 5. Each of the color regions includes at least Y (yellow), M (magenta), C
5. The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein after the thermal transfer of the undercoat layer, the line thermal head is energized for thermal sublimation printing. 6. 6. Each of the color regions includes at least Y (yellow), M (magenta), C
5. The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein after the energization for thermal sublimation printing is performed on the line thermal head, the energization for the thermal transfer of the overcoat layer is performed. . 7. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said recording ribbon is incorporated in a ribbon cassette case so that said recording ribbon can be attached to and detached from an apparatus main body, and said type is determined by loading. The thermal transfer recording device according to claim 1.