JP2002137510A - Tape cartridge and tape printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tape cartridge and a tape printer in which a hologram image can be formed on demand using a tape printer. SOLUTION: The tape cartridge 20 comprises a hologram transfer ribbon R produced by coating a ribbon basic material layer 61 with a hologram layer 62, and a print tape T having an image receiving layer 50 being transferred thermally with the hologram layer 62 of the hologram transfer ribbon R contained in a cartridge case 21.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a tape cartridge and a tape printing apparatus used for thermally transferring a hologram image to a printing tape.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, holograms have been generally used as forgery prevention on plastic cards such as licenses and ID cards, and the hologram is known, for example, from JP-A-7-40690. The hologram image in this case is formed on the image receiving layer of the card base material of the ID card by transferring the sheet provided with the hologram by hot stamping, and the laminate film protects the hologram image. I have.

[0003]

Since the hologram itself requires advanced processing and manufacturing techniques, it is difficult for a general user to create the hologram, and the hologram is used for a part of the plastic card as described above. It was in the form. For this reason, it has been extremely difficult for a general user to create a hologram image of a desired character or the like.

An object of the present invention is to provide a tape cartridge and a tape printing apparatus which can create a hologram image on demand by using a tape printing apparatus.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided a tape cartridge comprising: a hologram transfer ribbon in which a hologram layer is coated on a ribbon base layer; and a printing tape having an image receiving layer to which the hologram layer of the hologram transfer ribbon is thermally transferred. It is housed in a cartridge case.

According to this configuration, since the hologram transfer ribbon and the printing tape are accommodated in one cartridge case, handling during transportation including storage of the hologram transfer ribbon and the printing tape is facilitated, and By mounting this tape cartridge in a tape printer, a printing tape (label) on which a desired hologram image is printed (thermally transferred) can be easily obtained. In this case, it is preferable that the hologram layer has an evaporation reflection layer in which a metallic substance is evaporated by a physical evaporation method,
According to this configuration, the hologram image can have an appropriate gloss.

In this case, it is preferable that a laminate tape to be attached to the image receiving layer on which the hologram transfer ribbon is thermally transferred is further housed in a cartridge case.

According to this configuration, the hologram image printed on the printing tape is appropriately protected by the laminating tape by attaching the laminating tape further accommodated in one cartridge case to the printing tape after the thermal transfer. And the wear resistance of the hologram image can be improved.

In this case, the printing tape comprises a tape base layer and an image receiving layer provided on the surface side of the tape base layer.
The laminate tape is preferably composed of a release paper layer and an adhesive layer that can be attached to the image receiving layer provided on the back side of the release paper layer.

[0010] According to this structure, the printed printing tape (label) is protected by the hologram image via the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer of the laminate tape, and by peeling off the release paper layer of the laminate tape. Can be easily adhered to. Therefore, when the label is attached to the adherend, the outermost surface of the label itself is used as a tape base layer,
Since the hologram image is protected on the inner surface of the label, damage due to abrasion of the hologram image with the outside can be appropriately prevented. In this case, in general, a mirror image is printed on the image receiving layer as a print image, so that when the release paper layer of the laminate tape is peeled off and the label is attached to the adherend, the print image is correct. It will be recognized as an image.

[0011] Similarly, it is preferable that the printing tape is made of a tape with a release paper having an image receiving layer, and the laminate tape is made of a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer that can be attached to the image receiving layer.

According to this configuration, the printed printing tape (label) is protected on the adherend by protecting the hologram image through the adhesive layer of the laminating tape and peeling off the release paper of the printing tape. It can be easily attached. Therefore, with the label attached to the adherend,
By using the outermost surface of the label itself as a laminate tape to protect the hologram image on the inner surface of the label, damage due to abrasion of the hologram image with the outside can be appropriately prevented.

In these cases, the hologram transfer ribbon is
It is preferable that a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is previously formed on the hologram layer.

According to this configuration, the hologram image with the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern can be thermally transferred to the print tape. For example, when the hologram image is a hologram image of a character or the like, the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern can be represented on the character itself. That is, a special hologram image useful for preventing forgery can be formed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tape printing apparatus in which a tape cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is detachably mounted, an input means capable of inputting a print image on a printing tape, and a printing apparatus. And printing means for forming a printed image by thermally transferring the hologram layer of the hologram transfer ribbon to the image receiving layer of the tape.

According to this configuration, the desired hologram print image can be printed on the print tape by setting the tape cartridge in the tape printer. This makes it possible to easily create a hologram image label on demand.

In this case, the apparatus further comprises storage means for storing one or more special forms for hologram printing, and the printing means comprises:
Preferably, printing is performed based on one or more special forms.

According to this configuration, a print image of the special form for hologram printing can be created on the label.
The applicability as a label can be improved. The special form is a special printing form such as negative printing, bold printing, or solid printing for making the hologram image conspicuous, or a special printing image suitable as a hologram image. In addition, it is preferable that the tape printing apparatus can read and print the special form by switching the mode of the special form, and it is preferable that the mode switching be performed by the input unit or by detecting the cartridge.

In this case, it is preferable that the one or more special forms include a form representing a calendar.

According to this configuration, a label such as a calendar representing a calendar can be created. For example, by attaching this label to a transparent glass portion of a wristwatch, it is possible to confirm the time in a normal state. At the same time, the display of the calendar can be confirmed by looking at the wristwatch while changing the viewing angle, and the playability as a label can be improved.

In these cases, it is preferable that the one or more special forms include a solid pattern form which is used for solid printing on a printing tape.

According to this configuration, the hologram is solid printed on the printing tape. That is, a printing tape coated with a hologram becomes unnecessary. By adjusting the print density, it is preferable to form a dark solid hologram image on a light solid print portion as a background.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a tape cartridge and a tape printer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this tape cartridge, a hologram transfer ribbon, which is thermally transferred to form a hologram image, a printing tape, and a laminate tape are accommodated in a cartridge case so as to be able to be fed out. In addition, the tape printing apparatus detachably mounts the tape cartridge, draws out a printing tape from the tape cartridge, thermally transfers a hologram image of a character including desired characters to the printing tape, and prints the hologram image. The tape is attached with a laminate tape, and the printing tape is cut in this state to create a laminated label. In the following description, first,
The description starts with the tape printer.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are an overall perspective view of the tape printing apparatus and an overall perspective view of the tape printer in an opened state, respectively. As shown in both figures, the tape printing apparatus 1 has a hand shell 3 having an outer shell formed by an apparatus case 2 and enabling easy carrying at the front of the apparatus case 2 and a letter or the like on the upper surface of the center. A keyboard 4 serving as an input means, an openable and closable lid 5 attached to a left upper part of the rear upper surface, a display 6 for displaying information such as characters on the right upper part of the rear upper surface, and a left side of the device case 2 Outlet 7 that communicates with the outside of the device
And a cut button 8 provided on the upper left side of the device case 2;
At the left side of the apparatus case 2, a mounting section 9 for detachably storing the tape cartridge 20 inside the opening / closing lid 5. The tape printer 1 includes a tape cartridge 2
0, on the printing tape T, characters such as desired characters and figures can be printed in a free form such as vertical writing and horizontal writing, and the printed portion of the printing tape T is cut into a predetermined length, A label (T) is created.

The mounting portion 9 has a cartridge housing portion 10 for housing the tape cartridge 20. The cartridge housing portion 10 has a platen drive shaft 1 for applying rotational power to a driven portion of the tape cartridge 20.
1. Ribbon take-up shaft 12 and feed roller drive shaft 17
And a head unit 13 having a thermal head 14
(Printing means). Platen drive shaft 11
Rotates the platen 33 of the tape cartridge 20 to feed the printing tape T. The ribbon take-up shaft 12 is fitted to the ribbon take-up core 32 of the tape cartridge 20, rotates the ribbon take-up core 32, and takes up the hologram transfer ribbon R. The feed roller drive shaft 17 rotates the feed drive roller 38 of the tape cartridge 20 to feed the laminated tape L. Although not shown, a tape feed mechanism provided with a motor 15 for rotating a platen drive shaft 11, a ribbon take-up shaft 12, and a feed roller drive shaft 17 is provided below the cartridge accommodating portion 10 (bottom plate). In addition to being built in, the cartridge accommodating section 10 includes a detecting section 16 for detecting the stored tape cartridge 20.

As shown in FIG. 3, the tape printing apparatus 1 includes a control unit 40 for controlling various operations of the tape printing apparatus 1 inside the apparatus case 2. Control unit 40
Includes a CPU 41 for performing various controls, a ROM 42, a character generator ROM (CG-ROM 43),
A RAM 44 and an interface 45 are provided, and these are connected to each other via a bus 46. ROM42
Has an area for storing a control program and control data processed by the CPU 41. The CG-ROM 43 (storage means) stores font data such as characters, symbols, and figures prepared in the tape printer 1 and font data of a special form for hologram printing, and stores code data for specifying characters and the like. Is output, the corresponding font data is output. The RAM 44 is used as various work areas for control processing. A logic circuit for complementing the function of the CPU 41 and handling signals with peripheral circuits is incorporated in the interface 45, and the detection unit 16, the keyboard 4, the display 6, the thermal head 14, and the motor 15 are connected via a driver. Have been.

The CPU 41 inputs various detection signals, various commands, various data and the like via the interface 45 in accordance with the control program in the ROM 42, and
Processing font data from the ROM 43, various data in the RAM 44, and outputting control signals via the interface 45 to control printing position and display of the display 6 through various drivers; The tape printing apparatus 1 controls the head 14 to print on the printing tape T under predetermined printing conditions, and controls the motor 15 of the tape feeding mechanism to feed the printing tape T, the hologram transfer ribbon R, and the laminate tape L. You have total control.

The tape printer 1 is provided with a hologram special mode using a special form for hologram printing. That is, the tape printer 1
By switching the mode from the normal mode using general characters and the like to the hologram special mode by inputting from the keyboard 4, a special label (T) can be created. The special printing form for hologram printing includes special printing forms such as solid printing, bold printing, and negative printing, and special printing images such as a calendar shown in FIG. These are input to the CG-R by the input operation of the keyboard 4.
The data can be read from the OM 43 (the details will be described later). In addition, a special print form is prepared such that a plurality of types of forms such as hatch print, decorative character print, copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print described later can be selected, and the special print image is
A plurality of types of print images such as barcode images are prepared so as to be selectable.

The processing flow of the hologram special mode will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 conceptually shows a process when a special form for hologram printing is selected. When a special form for hologram printing is selected (S1), the process proceeds to a decision branch (S2) as to whether or not to input a text such as a character. When a text is input (S2: YES), a desired text is input. After inputting the image (S3), the process proceeds to a decision branch (S4) as to whether or not to select a special print image type. On the other hand, when text input is not performed (S2: NO), the special print image type is changed. The process proceeds to a decision branch (S4) as to whether or not to make a selection. When a special print image is selected (S4: YES), after a desired special print image is selected (S5), the process proceeds to a decision branch (S6) as to whether or not to print with a special print form. When printing with a special print form (S6: YES), after a desired special print form is selected (S7), printing is executed (S6).
8) and do not print with the special print form (S6: N
In the case of O), normal printing is executed (S8). Although not shown, in this case, if no input or selection has been made as a print image, the flow shifts to a decision branch (S2) as to whether or not to input text again.

The mode switching from the normal mode to the hologram special mode is performed by the input operation of the keyboard 4. However, the tape cartridge 20 itself is created exclusively for the hologram, and the detecting unit 16 uses the tape cartridge 20 (cartridge case). By detecting 21),
The mode may be automatically switched to the hologram special mode.

Further, a mirror (mirror image) is used as a print image.
You can also choose to print. Mirror printing uses the thermal head 1 when printing font data.
This is performed by driving the heating elements 4 from the side opposite to the normal printing. Therefore, mirror printing can be performed without storing font data dedicated to mirror printing in the CG-ROM 43.

As will be described later, when the laminated tape L accommodated in the tape cartridge 20 is provided with a release paper (second embodiment), the tape printer 1
Is configured to automatically perform mirror printing by detecting the tape cartridge 20 by the detection unit 16. That is, the tape printing apparatus 1 prints the print image as a mirror image on the print tape T, attaches the laminate tape L to the printed side, and creates a label (T). As a result, when the label (T) is attached to the adherend after peeling off the release paper of the laminate tape L, the printed image is recognized as a normal image.

When the user uses the tape printer 1, first, the user opens the opening / closing lid 5, and inserts the head opening 24 formed through the tape cartridge 20 into the head unit 13 of the mounting section 9 and the platen 33. To the platen drive shaft 11, the ribbon take-up core 32 to the ribbon take-up shaft 12, the feed drive roller 38 to the feed roller drive shaft 17,
The tape cartridge 20 is accommodated in the cartridge accommodating section 10 and the opening / closing lid 5 is closed. Next, the user inputs print information such as desired characters using the keyboard 4 while confirming the input / edit result on the display 6, and instructs printing on the print tape T supplied by the tape cartridge 20. Then, the printing tape T is sent by the platen drive shaft 11 and the hologram transfer ribbon R is sent by the ribbon winding shaft 12, and the thermal head 14 of the head unit 13 sends the print tape T.
Printing on the printing tape T is performed. The printed portion of the printing tape T is attached with the laminated tape L sent by the feed roller drive shaft 17 and is sent out of the device case 2 from the outlet 7 as needed, and when printing is completed,
When the user presses the cut button 8, the print tape T
Is cut to a desired length to produce a desired label (T).

Next, the tape cartridge 20 will be described with reference to FIG. The tape cartridge 20
An outer shell is formed by a cartridge case 21 having an upper and lower two-part structure including an upper case and a lower case. The inside of the cartridge case 21 is composed of a tape storage section 22 in the upper right part of the drawing, a ribbon storage section 23 in the lower part of the drawing, and a laminate storage part 34 in the upper left part of the drawing. The tape accommodating portion 22 accommodates a tape assembly 27 including a printing tape T and a tape core 28 having the shaft hole at the center and wound around the printing tape T.

The ribbon accommodating portion 23 accommodates a ribbon assembly 30 including a hologram transfer ribbon R, a ribbon feeding core 31 for feeding the hologram transfer ribbon R, and a ribbon winding core 32 for winding the hologram transfer ribbon R. A hollow cylindrical platen 33 around which a platen rubber is wound is accommodated. The laminate housing portion 34 houses a laminate assembly 35 composed of a laminate tape L and a laminate core 37 having the shaft hole at the center and wound with the laminate tape L, and a pair of upper and lower laminate rollers 36 is provided. Is housed. The laminating roller 36 is connected to the upper feed driving roller 3.
8 and a lower feed driven roller 39.
Then, these tape core 28, ribbon feeding core 31,
Ribbon take-up core 32, platen 33, laminate core 3
7 and the laminating roller 36 are rotatably supported by shaft projections and fitting holes formed in the upper case and the lower case.

At the bottom of the cartridge case 21 in the figure,
The tape first path projection 47 is located close to the ribbon feeding core 31.
And a tape second path projection 48 is provided upright in proximity to the platen 33 to guide the travel of the printing tape T from the tape core 28 to the platen 33. Further, a head opening 24 facing the head unit 13 is formed in the ribbon accommodating portion 23, and a substantially C-shaped guide in plan view that guides the travel of the hologram transfer ribbon R is provided at an edge of the head opening 24. The wall 25 is formed, and the ribbon feeding core 31 is formed.
A ribbon path projection 49 for guiding the traveling of the hologram transfer ribbon R is provided between the guide wall 25 and the guide wall 25.
Further, a delivery slit 26 for discharging the printing tape T from the inside of the cartridge case 21 is formed on the left side surface of the cartridge case 21 in the drawing.

When the tape cartridge 20 is mounted on the mounting section 9 of the tape printing apparatus 1, the head opening 24 is formed on the head unit 13, the center hole of the platen 33 is formed on the platen drive shaft 11, and the ribbon winding shaft 12 is wound on the ribbon winding shaft 12. The center holes of the take-up core 32 and the center holes of the feed drive roller 38 are inserted into the feed roller drive shaft 17, respectively, so that the print tape T, the hologram transfer ribbon R, and the laminate tape L can be fed. Further, when the cover 5 is closed in this state, the thermal head 14 rotates so as to sandwich the printing tape T and the hologram transfer ribbon R, and comes into contact with the platen 33 to enable printing.

The printing tape T wound around the tape core 28 is moved along with the rotation of the platen 33.
And reaches the laminating roller 36 via the thermal head 14. The hologram transfer ribbon R is
The ribbon take-up core 32 rotates by the ribbon take-up shaft 12 and is fed out of the ribbon feed-out core 31, and passes through the platen 33 (thermal head 14) and along the outer peripheral surface of the guide wall 25, so that the ribbon take-up core 32 It is wound up and accommodated. As a result, the hologram transfer ribbon R and the printing tape T overlap and run together at the position of the platen 33, and the hologram of the hologram transfer ribbon R is peeled off in a character shape and thermally transferred to the printing tape T. The printed portion of the print tape T on which printing has been performed is pressed between the feed drive roller 38 and the feed driven roller 39 by the laminate tape L fed from the laminate core 37 with the rotation of the feed drive roller 38. Then, with the laminated tape L stuck, it passes through the delivery slit 26 of the cartridge case 21 and is sent out of the tape printer 1 from the outlet 7 as needed to the outside of the device case 2 to complete the printed label (T). I do.

Next, the structures of the printing tape T, the hologram transfer ribbon R, and the laminating tape L will be described in order. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the printing tape T and the hologram transfer ribbon R of the present embodiment.
5 shows a state where the thermal head 14 and the hologram transfer ribbon R are arranged. The printing tape T includes a tape base layer 51 in which an image receiving layer 50 that can be printed by a thermal transfer method is laminated on the outermost surface.
An adhesive layer 52 and a release paper layer 53 are sequentially laminated.

The tape base layer 51 is made of a resin film such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or a synthetic rubber, and maintains the rigidity of the entire printing tape T. The image receiving layer 50 is made of a polyester resin or the like, and has good hologram adhesion to the printing tape T. The adhesive layer 52 is formed of an adhesive synthetic resin such as an acrylic resin. The release paper layer 53 is made of high-quality paper or the like, and is positioned at the lowermost layer of the entire print tape T so as to protect the adhesive layer 52 on the upper surface (front surface) from dust and dust. Is adhered to the tape base material layer 51 via the. Therefore, the adhesive layer 52 is exposed on the printed printing tape T (label) by peeling off the release paper layer 53, and can be directly adhered to the surface of the adherend via the adhesive layer 52.

The hologram transfer ribbon R is formed by laminating a back coat layer 60, a ribbon base material layer 61, and a hologram layer 62 from the thermal head 14 side. The ribbon base material layer 61 and the back coat layer 60 are made of a material having heat conductivity. The ribbon base material layer 61 holds the entire shape of the hologram transfer ribbon R. In addition to preventing the thermal head 1 from adhering to the head 14,
4 has improved abrasion resistance.

The hologram layer 62 includes a release layer 63, an anchor layer 64, and a vapor deposition reflection layer 6 in this order from the ribbon base layer 61 side.
5 and an adhesive layer 66 are laminated. The release layer 63 is made of an acrylic resin, a thermoplastic acrylic resin, or the like, suitably bonds the anchor layer 64 and the ribbon base layer 61, and when heated by the thermal head 14, the anchor layer 64, It is separated from the interface with the ribbon base material layer 61 together with the vapor deposition reflection layer 65 and the adhesive layer 66. The anchor layer 64 is made of a resin having good embossability and adhesiveness, for example, made of a polyolefin-based polyethylene resin or the like, and has a relief surface 64a having fine irregularities on the surface on the side of the vapor deposition reflection layer 65. ing. With the relief surface 64a, the hologram transfer ribbon R has an optical modulation function after being transferred to the printing tape T, and changes the reflection of light to produce an effect. The relief surface 64a is formed by being pressed by a press master or the like provided with a hologram-forming uneven pattern.

The vapor deposition reflection layer 65 has transmissivity and reflectivity for reflecting light, and is made of a material having metal reflectivity such as aluminum, gold, silver, copper, iron, titanium oxide, and aluminum oxide by a vacuum deposition method. , Formed by a predetermined thickness by a thin film forming method such as a sputtering method or an ion plating method,
The structure is such that the refractive index is larger than that of the anchor layer 64. The adhesive layer 66 may be a commonly used one as long as it does not alter the vapor deposition reflection layer 65. For example, the adhesive layer 66 is formed of an acrylic resin or the like having an adhesive property, and is configured to be adhered to the image receiving layer 50 of the printing tape T. ing.

The hologram layer 62 is used as the release layer 6
Except for 3, the anchor layer 64 may have a suitable adhesive property so that the anchor layer 64 also serves as the release layer 63. In addition, as the hologram layer 62, the vapor deposition reflecting layer 65 is laminated on the anchor layer 64, but the vapor deposition reflecting layer 65 may be omitted. Further, the relief surface 64a is formed on the anchor layer 64 to have an optical modulation function. However, a fine uneven pattern may be formed on the vapor deposition reflection layer 65 to bring about the optical modulation function. Further, the hologram layer 62 is configured as a relief type having a fine uneven pattern, but the hologram layer 62 may be a volume type that records interference fringes in a volume direction using a recording material such as a photosensitive resin, or a plurality of types. It may be configured as a diffraction grating type in which a diffraction grating is arranged to form a pixel.

When the back coat layer 60 is heated by the thermal head 14, the heat is transmitted to the hologram transfer ribbon R through the ribbon base material layer 61 to form the hologram transfer ribbon R.
2, the hologram layer 62 in the heated portion is once melted and separated from the ribbon base material layer 61, and the separated pieces 6
2a adheres to the surface of the image receiving layer 50 of the printing tape T, whereby the printing is performed on the printing tape T from the hologram transfer ribbon R.

The laminate tape L is formed by laminating an adhesive layer on the surface of a laminate base material layer. The laminate base material layer is made of a transparent resin film and maintains the rigidity of the laminate tape L itself. The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is made of a synthetic resin having an adhesive property such as an acrylic resin, and is bonded to the image receiving layer 50 of the printing tape T. That is, the printing tape T on which the hologram is thermally transferred is adhered to the image receiving layer 50 of the printing tape T by pressing the laminating tape L onto the printing tape T by the laminating roller 36. As a result, the hologram image is discharged from the delivery slit 26 of the tape cartridge 20 while being protected by the laminate tape L. The laminating tape L and the printing tape T are formed to have substantially the same width, and are adhered so that the side edges are aligned and overlapped.

With the above configuration, the release paper (release paper layer 5
3) The hologram image is printed on the attached printing tape T via the hologram transfer ribbon R by the thermal head 14 of the tape printer 1 and the laminating tape L is adhered so as to protect the hologram image. Be worn. Therefore, when the release paper layer 53 is peeled off and the printing tape T having the hologram image is attached to the adherend,
Since the laminate tape L is located on the outermost surface, the hologram image is not damaged by abrasion.

Although the printed hologram image is protected by storing the laminated tape L in the cartridge case 21, the hologram image is not protected by the laminated tape L without storing the laminated tape L. The hologram layer 62 (hologram image) itself may have abrasion resistance so as to withstand a solvent or the like.

Next, the hologram special form will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 shows a calendar printed on a print tape T as a special print image. In the tape printing apparatus 1, when the mode is switched from the normal mode for mainly printing characters and the like to the hologram special mode by inputting from the keyboard 4, the processing flow of the hologram special mode as described above (FIG. 4) is performed, and the hologram printing is performed. Printing of a special print image for printing can be performed. FIG. 7A shows a label (T) on which a calendar image is printed on a printing tape T. FIG. 7B shows a state in which the label (T) is attached to a transparent glass portion 81 of a wristwatch 80. It is. The calendar image 70 is a transparent label (T)
And has an optical modulation function. By using the label (T) of the calendar image 70 with the release paper layer 53 peeled off and affixed to the transparent glass part 81 of the wristwatch 80, the hour hand 82 inside the transparent glass part 81 can be visually recognized. It is possible, and in a state where the viewing angle is slightly changed, the light-calendering calendar image 70 can be viewed by the optical modulation function.

Although not shown, other special print images include a barcode image, and a unique barcode image can be created. A desired bar coat image is created for the bar code image by performing a desired key input with the keyboard 4 by the tape printer 1. Thus, by using the barcode image label (T) pasted on paper or the like, forgery by a copying machine or the like can be effectively prevented.

FIG. 8 shows a printing tape T on which a tint block is printed.
FIG. 8A shows a background pattern printed on a character itself, and FIG. 8B shows a background pattern printed on a character using a special print form. The label (T) shown in FIG. 8A is created by forming a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern on the hologram layer 62 of the hologram transfer ribbon R in advance. Therefore, in the tape printer 1, the keyboard 4
When a desired character or the like is input and printing is performed, the desired character or the like is thermally transferred to the printing tape T as a hologram image with a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern. Thereby, a label (T) including a hologram image useful for preventing forgery can be created.

FIG. 8B shows the tape printer 1
By switching the mode from the normal mode for mainly printing characters and the like to the hologram special mode by inputting from the keyboard 4, the processing flow of the hologram special mode as described above (FIG. 4) is achieved, and the hologram printing special mode is performed. From the print form, select the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern printing
It was printed on. As the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern, for example, a predetermined copy-forgery-inhibited pattern such as cherry blossoms, snow, dot netting and the like is stored in the CG-ROM 43, and an original copy-forgery-inhibited pattern can be created by an input operation of the keyboard 4 of the tape printer 1. Therefore,
A desired character or the like can be created as a hologram image on the printing tape T, and a desired tint block can be created as a hologram image on the background of the character or the like.

Although not shown, solid printing, negative printing, bold printing, and the like are prepared in the tape printer 1 so as to be selectable by an input operation of the keyboard 4 as other special printing forms. For example, when solid printing is selected, when a desired solid pattern is input using the keyboard 4,
The hologram image is printed solidly on the print tape T. In this case, the print density may be adjusted so that a desired character or the like is a dark hologram image and the background of the character or the like is light solid printing. Also, when negative printing is selected, the part other than the characters input on the keyboard 4 is used.
The label (T) is created such that the hologram layer 62 is thermally transferred and characters and the like emerge. Further, when bold printing is selected, the print image can be printed in bold, and the hologram image can be further enhanced.

Next, a tape cartridge 20 according to a second embodiment will be described (see FIG. 5). In the present embodiment, the configurations of the printing tape T and the laminating tape L are different from those of the first embodiment. That is, the printing tape T is formed of a transparent tape having no release paper layer 53, and includes a tape base layer 51 on which an image receiving layer 50 that can be printed by a thermal transfer method is laminated. Therefore, the printing tape T is wound around the tape core 28 with the image receiving layer 50 on which the hologram transfer ribbon R is printed inside, while the rigidity of the tape itself is maintained by the tape base layer 51. Note that the characteristics of the tape base layer 51 and the image receiving layer 50 are the same as in the first embodiment, and will not be described.

On the other hand, the laminate tape L includes a laminate base layer having an adhesive layer laminated on the outermost surface, and an adhesive layer and a release paper layer are sequentially laminated on the back surface of the laminate base layer. That is, the laminate base material layer is formed of a transparent resin film, maintains the rigidity of the laminate tape L itself, and the adhesive layer is formed of an acrylic or other synthetic resin having an adhesive property. Affixed to layer 50. The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is composed of an adhesive synthetic resin such as an acrylic resin, and the release paper layer is composed of a high-quality paper or the like so that the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer on the upper surface (surface) is protected from dust and the like. It is located at the lowermost layer of the entire laminate tape L, and is adhered to the laminate base material layer via an adhesive layer. That is, in the first embodiment, the printing tape T
The adhesive layer 52 and the release paper layer 53 of the above configuration are attached to the laminate base layer of the laminate tape L.

Therefore, the printing tape T to which the hologram transfer ribbon R has been thermally transferred is bonded to the image receiving layer 50 of the printing tape T by the laminating roller 36 by pressing the laminating tape L with release paper. Thereby, the hologram image is protected by the laminate tape L,
The tape cartridge 20 is ejected from the delivery slit 26. The adhesive layer is exposed on the printed printing tape T (label) by peeling off the release paper layer, and the tape substrate layer 51 is covered with the laminate substrate layer via the adhesive layer in a state where the tape substrate layer 51 is the outermost surface. It can be directly attached to the surface of the body.

With the above configuration, the hologram image is printed on the transparent printing tape T via the hologram transfer ribbon R by the thermal head 14 of the tape printing apparatus 1, and the hologram image is protected. The laminating tape L is stuck. Therefore, even when the printing tape T having the hologram image is adhered to the adherend by peeling the release paper layer, the hologram image is damaged by abrasion because the outer surface is protected by the tape base layer 51. Nothing.

In this case, the tape printing apparatus 1 automatically performs mirror printing by detecting the tape cartridge 20 by the detecting unit 16. That is, the tape printing apparatus 1 thermally transfers the print image as a mirror image to the image receiving layer 50 of the printing tape T by the thermal head 14, affixes the thermally transferred image receiving layer 50 with the laminate tape L, and creates a label (T). I do. As a result, when the label (T) is attached to the adherend after the release paper layer of the laminate tape L is peeled off, the printed image is recognized as a normal image.

However, the tape printing apparatus 1 attaches the label (T) to the inside of the transparent glass surface and intends to show it from the outside so that the printed image can be recognized as a normal image. It is also possible to print the print image on the print tape T.

[0060]

According to the tape cartridge of the present invention,
The hologram is configured as a hologram transfer ribbon, which is housed in a cartridge case together with a printing tape, etc., which facilitates handling such as storage of the hologram transfer ribbon and printing tape, etc., and sets the hologram in a tape printing device. By doing so, the hologram can be thermally transferred to the printing tape by the tape printing device.

According to the tape printer of the present invention,
By setting the tape cartridge having the above configuration in a tape printer, a desired hologram image can be easily created on demand for a printing tape, and a label on which a hologram image is formed can be easily created. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a tape printer in which a tape cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted.

FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of the tape printer in an open state.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control system of the tape printing apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a conceptual process of a special mode for hologram printing.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the tape cartridge of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part showing a printing tape and an ink ribbon together with a thermal head.

FIG. 7 shows a specific example of a hologram image printed on a printing tape, wherein (a) shows a hologram image of a calendar and (b)
Is a view of a state in which this is attached to a wristwatch.

FIG. 8 is a specific example of a hologram image printed on a printing tape.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tape printing device 4 Keyboard 6 Display 9 Mounting part 11 Platen drive shaft 12 Ribbon winding shaft 14 Thermal head 17 Feed roller shaft 20 Tape cartridge 21 Cartridge case 24 Head opening 33 Platen 36 Laminating roller 40 Control unit 50 Image receiving layer 51 Tape base Material layer 52 Adhesive layer 53 Release paper layer 60 Back coat layer 61 Ribbon base layer 62 Hologram layer 62a Separator 63 Release layer 64 Anchor layer 64a Relief surface 65 Evaporation reflection layer 66 Adhesive layer T Printing tape R Hologram transfer ribbon L Laminate tape

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) B41M 5/40 G03H 1/18 2K008 B65H 41/00 B41J 3/20 117A 3F108 G03H 1/18 B41M 5/26 BF term (reference) 2C055 CC01 CC05 2C060 AA06 BA09 BC84 2C065 AA01 AD07 AF02 AF03 2C068 AA01 AA06 BB22 BB33 BC11 EE27 2H111 AA05 AA07 AA33 AA53 BA01 BA12 BA31 2K008 AA13 AA15 DD02 3F108 JA04

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A hologram transfer ribbon in which a hologram layer is coated on a ribbon base layer, and a printing tape having an image receiving layer to which the hologram layer of the hologram transfer ribbon is thermally transferred are housed in a cartridge case. Tape cartridge. 2. The tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a laminate tape to be attached to the image receiving layer to which the hologram transfer ribbon has been thermally transferred is further housed in the cartridge case. 3. The printing tape includes a tape base layer and the image receiving layer provided on a front side of the tape base layer. The laminate tape includes a release paper layer and a back surface of the release paper layer. The tape cartridge according to claim 2, further comprising: an adhesive layer attached to the image receiving layer provided on a side of the tape cartridge. 4. The printing tape is made of a tape with a release paper having the image receiving layer, and the laminate tape is configured to have an adhesive layer that can be attached to the image receiving layer. Claim 2
A tape cartridge according to claim 1. 5. The tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the hologram transfer ribbon has a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern formed on the hologram layer in advance. 6. A tape printing apparatus in which the tape cartridge according to claim 1 is detachably mounted, an input unit capable of inputting a print image on the print tape, and the image receiving of the print tape. And a printing unit for printing the print image by thermally transferring the hologram layer of the hologram transfer ribbon to the layer. 7. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising storage means for storing one or more special forms for hologram printing, wherein said printing means performs printing based on said one or more special forms. Tape printing equipment. 8. The tape printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the one or more special forms include a form representing a calendar. 9. The tape printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the one or more special forms include a solid pattern form that is used for solid printing on the printing tape.