JP2003231288A - Intermediate transfer recorder and intermediate transfer recording method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an intermediate transfer recorder and an intermediate transfer recording method which can improve a mechanical strength or the like of a secondary image recorded by re-transferring to a re-transferring recording medium, a primary image of an intermediate transfer medium obtained by thermally transferring and recording an ink layer of an ink ribbon. <P>SOLUTION: The intermediate transfer recorder S forms a thermosetting resin layer formed of at least a thermosetting resin to an ink ribbon 2 or/and the intermediate transfer medium 7. The thermosetting resin layer is thermally transferable to the re-transferring recording medium 11 by a heat roller 10 as a re-transferring means. A heat curing means 13 is set for heating and heat curing the thermosetting resin layer thermally transferred by the heat roller 10 to the re-transferring recording medium 11, and therefore the secondary image 15 can be heat cured or can be coated thereon with a heat curing layer 15a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an intermediate transfer recording apparatus and an intermediate transfer recording method, and in particular, an ink layer of an ink ribbon is once thermally transferred onto an intermediate transfer medium to form a primary image, and this primary image is transferred to a card. The present invention relates to an intermediate transfer recording apparatus and an intermediate transfer recording method for retransferring to a retransfer recording medium such as the above.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an output terminal device of an information processing device such as a word processor, a facsimile, and a computer,
From the viewpoints of quietness, low cost, high reliability, etc., the ink of the ink ribbon is once thermally transferred to the intermediate transfer recording medium to form a primary image, and the primary image is re-transferred to a retransfer recording medium such as a card. There is an intermediate transfer recording apparatus and method for transferring and recording a secondary image.

Such a conventional intermediate transfer recording apparatus T is
As shown in FIG. 7, the thermal head 31 is provided,
A plurality of heating elements are selectively heated and heated according to a print signal. An ink ribbon 32 is arranged on the side of the thermal head 31 facing the heat generating element, and the ink ribbon 32 is wound around a supply core 33 and a winding core 34, respectively. Also, the supply core 3
A plurality of tension rollers 35 for applying a predetermined tension to the ink ribbon 32 are arranged in the ribbon transport path between the winding roller 3 and the winding core 34.

An ink layer (not shown) is formed on one surface of the ink ribbon 32, and this ink layer is
In addition to at least a thermoplastic material such as a low melting point wax, a colorant having a desired color is added. Further, a platen roll 36 is arranged at a position facing the thermal head 31, and the back side of the intermediate transfer medium 37 is elastically contacted with the outer peripheral portion of the platen roller 36, so that the platen roller 36 can rotate. The intermediate transfer medium 37 can be conveyed in the direction of arrow C.

Further, the intermediate transfer recording medium 37 is wound around a supply reel 38 and a take-up reel 39, and is conveyed in the direction of arrow C by the counterclockwise rotation of the platen roller 36 and is taken up by the take-up reel. It can be wound around 39. As with the ink ribbon 32, the intermediate transfer medium 1 between the supply reel 38 and the take-up reel 39 is biased with a predetermined tension by a plurality of tension rollers 35.

By moving the thermal head 31 in the direction of arrow A, the thermal head 31 presses the ink layer of the ink ribbon 32 so that the surface of the intermediate transfer medium 37 elastically contacting the platen roller 36 can be pressed. Has become. Further, a heat roller 40 is arranged downstream of the platen roller 36 in the transport direction of the intermediate transfer medium 37 indicated by the arrow C. This heat roller 40 is
A rubber roller 40a having a hollow shape and heat resistance is provided, and 40b is arranged inside the hollow of the rubber roller 40a.

Further, by moving the thermal head 31 in the direction of arrow A, the ink layer of the ink ribbon 32 can be pressed against the surface of the intermediate transfer medium 37. A retransfer recording medium 41 such as a plastic card can be placed,
A pedestal 42 movable in the direction of arrow D is provided.

The conventional intermediate transfer recording device T as described above
In the conventional intermediate transfer recording method using, the thermal head 31 is first moved in the direction of arrow A, and the ink layer of the ink ribbon 32 is pressed against the intermediate transfer medium 37 that elastically contacts the platen roller 36. Then, by selectively heating the plurality of heating elements of the thermal head 31 on the basis of the print information, the ink layer of the ink ribbon 32 has the ink layer of the intermediate transfer medium 3.
A desired primary image 44 is recorded on the intermediate transfer medium 37 by being partially thermally transferred onto the intermediate transfer medium 37.

Next, the portion on which the primary image 44 is recorded is conveyed in the direction of arrow C and is positioned below the heat roller 40 which has been heated to a predetermined temperature, and the heat roller 40 is placed from the back side of the intermediate transfer medium 37. Pressure contact. Then, the heat of the heat roller 40 causes the primary image 44 to be softened and melted, and
The next image 44 is retransferred to the retransfer recording medium 41, and the secondary image 45 is recorded on the retransfer recording medium 41. In such a conventional intermediate transfer recording method, a high quality secondary image 45 is retransferred to a retransfer recording medium 41 such as a plastic card or an object having a curved printing surface, which is difficult to print with an ordinary printer. Can be recorded.

[0010]

However, the retransfer recording medium 41 is formed by the conventional intermediate transfer recording apparatus and intermediate transfer method.
Since the secondary image 45 recorded in No. 2 is a retransfer of the ink layer made of the thermoplastic resin which is the main component of the ink ribbon 32, if the retransfer recording medium 41 recording the secondary image 45 is left in a high temperature environment, The secondary image 45 may be thermally softened and melted, and the secondary image 45 may be deformed or disappear.

Further, the thermoplastic resin, which is the main component of the ink layer of the ink ribbon 32, generally has low mechanical strength even when solidified at room temperature, and the retransfer recording medium 41 such as a card.
It was difficult to obtain high abrasion resistance for the secondary image 45 re-transferred to. Therefore, if the secondary image 45 re-transferred onto the re-transfer recording medium 41 is repeatedly rubbed by hand, or if the re-transfer recording medium 41 is vibrated in a state of being stacked, the secondary image 45 may be scraped off. Therefore, there is a risk that it will become unreadable or disappear.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and the primary image obtained by thermally transferring the ink layer of the ink ribbon to the intermediate transfer recording medium is retransferred to the retransfer recording medium and recorded. An object of the present invention is to provide an intermediate transfer recording apparatus and an intermediate transfer recording method capable of improving the mechanical strength of the next image.

[0013]

As a first solving means for solving the above problems, the intermediate transfer recording apparatus of the present invention comprises:
Thermal recording means, an ink ribbon having an ink layer formed on one surface, an intermediate transfer medium capable of thermally transferring the ink layer by the thermal transfer means, and the thermal transfer of the ink layer to the intermediate transfer medium to record 1 The ink ribbon and / or the intermediate ribbon; and a retransfer recording medium capable of retransferring the next image and a retransfer recording medium capable of retransferring the primary image by the retransfer unit to record a secondary image. A thermosetting resin layer made of at least a thermosetting resin is formed on the transfer medium, and the thermosetting resin layer can be thermally transferred to the retransfer recording medium by the retransfer means, and the thermotransfer resin layer can be transferred by the retransfer means. The thermosetting resin layer thermally transferred to the retransfer recording medium is heated and cured by heat.

As a second means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the thermosetting resin contains an epoxy thermosetting resin.

As a third means for solving the above-mentioned problems, at least the ink layer of the ink ribbon is formed of the thermosetting resin layer, and the ink layer is formed by the thermal recording means. The thermal transfer to the transfer medium,
The primary image composed of the thermosetting resin layer is recorded, and the primary image is retransferred to the retransfer recording medium by the retransfer means to record the secondary image. The heat-curing means was used for heat-curing.

As a fourth means for solving the above problems, the thermosetting resin layer is formed on at least one surface of the intermediate transfer medium, and the ink ribbon is formed on the thermosetting resin layer. 1) by thermally transferring the ink layer of
When a secondary image is recorded, the primary image is retransferred to the retransfer recording medium to record the secondary image, the thermosetting resin layer of the intermediate transfer medium is also thermally transferred at the same time, and the retransfer recording is performed. The secondary image recorded on the medium was configured such that the upper portion thereof was covered with a thermosetting layer obtained by thermosetting the thermosetting resin layer.

As a fifth means for solving the above problems, the intermediate transfer medium has a release layer made of a thermoplastic resin formed on one surface thereof, and the heat release layer is formed on the release layer. The configuration was such that a curable resin layer was formed.

As a sixth means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the thermosetting means is composed of a heat-resistant heating roller, and a heating element is arranged inside the heating roller.

As a seventh means for solving the above problems, the thermal transfer means is composed of a thermal head in which a plurality of heating elements are aligned.

Further, as an eighth means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the intermediate transfer recording method of the present invention uses an ink ribbon having an ink layer formed on one surface thereof, and the ink layer is intermediately formed by thermal recording means. A thermal transfer recording step of performing thermal transfer recording on a transfer medium, and the primary image thermally transferred to the intermediate transfer medium in this thermal transfer recording step is retransferred to a retransfer recording medium, and 2
And a retransfer recording step of recording a next image, wherein the ink ribbon and / or the intermediate transfer medium forms a thermosetting resin layer made of at least a thermosetting resin, and the thermosetting resin layer is A method in which a heat transfer step is provided that enables heat transfer to the retransfer recording medium in the retransfer recording step, and heats the thermosetting resin layer that has been thermally transferred to the retransfer recording medium in the retransfer recording step to heat cure And

As a ninth means for solving the above-mentioned problems, at least the ink layer of the ink ribbon is formed of the thermosetting resin layer, and is thermally transferred to the intermediate transfer medium in the thermal transfer recording step. The primary image made of the thermosetting resin is retransferred to the retransfer recording medium in the retransfer recording step to record the secondary image, and the secondary image is heated in the thermosetting step. The method is such that it is thermally cured.

As a tenth means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the ink ribbon is made of a plurality of types in which the colors of the ink layers are different, and the ink layers of different colors are used in the thermal transfer recording step. A method was adopted in which the primary image composed of a desired color image was thermally transferred onto the intermediate transfer medium by sequentially performing overprinting.

As an eleventh solving means for solving the above problems, in at least one or more of the plurality of kinds of ink ribbons, the ink layer is formed of the thermosetting resin layer, and the thermal transfer recording is performed. In the step, the ink layer composed of the thermosetting resin layer was used at the beginning of the overprinting to thermally transfer the ink layer to the intermediate transfer medium to record the primary image.

As a twelfth means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the thermosetting resin layer is formed on at least one surface of the intermediate transfer medium, and the thermosetting resin layer is formed in the thermal transfer recording step. At the time of recording the secondary image by re-transferring the primary image on which the ink layer of the ink ribbon is thermally transferred onto the re-transfer recording medium in the re-transfer recording step, the thermosetting resin layer is also simultaneously formed. A method was employed in which the secondary image was coated by thermal transfer.

As a thirteenth means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the thermosetting resin layer is formed on the entire surface of the one surface of the intermediate transfer medium, and the re-transfer recording step is performed. A method was used in which the thermosetting resin layer thermally transferred onto the entire surface of the transfer recording medium was thermoset in the thermosetting step.

As a fourteenth solving means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the heating means is composed of a heat-resistant heating roller, and a heating element disposed inside the heating roller causes
The surface temperature of the heating roller was heated to 120 to 180 ° C., and the thermosetting resin layer was thermoset.

As a fifteenth solving means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the surface temperature of the heating roller when the thermosetting resin layer is thermoset is determined by the surface temperature of the intermediate transfer medium. Is set at 10 ° C. or higher than the temperature of the retransfer recording means when the retransfer is performed on the retransfer recording medium.

[0028]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An intermediate transfer recording apparatus and method of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an intermediate transfer recording apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a main portion of an intermediate transfer medium according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a main portion of an ink ribbon according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part for explaining the retransfer of the primary image to the retransfer recording medium according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 illustrates the secondary image recorded on the retransfer recording medium according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a sectional view of an essential part, and FIG. 6 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the intermediate transfer recording apparatus according to the present invention.

First, in the intermediate transfer recording apparatus S according to one embodiment of the present invention, a head pressing mechanism (not shown) causes an arrow A to appear.
A thermal head 1 which is a thermal recording means movable in any direction is provided. The thermal head 1 has a plurality of heating elements (not shown) arranged in an array at the right end in the figure. Then, by selectively energizing the heating element in accordance with the input signal, the heating element is selectively heated and heated.

A long ink ribbon 2 having a predetermined width is arranged on the side of the thermal head 1 facing the heating element. One end of the ink ribbon 2 is supplied to the supply core 3.
Further, the other end is wound around the winding core 4 and the winding core 4 is driven to rotate, so that the supply core 3 can be wound in the winding core 4 (arrow B direction). In addition, a plurality of tension rollers 5 for applying a predetermined tension to the ink ribbon 2 wound in the arrow B direction are provided in the ribbon transport path between the supply core 3 and the winding core 4.
Is provided to prevent the occurrence of slack in the ink ribbon 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ink ribbon 2 has an ink layer 2b formed on one surface of a film-shaped substrate 2a and a back surface treatment layer 2c formed on the other surface. A polymer film having a film thickness of 1 to 12 μm is usually used as the base material 2a, and the material thereof is polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyimide (PI), polyether ether ketone. General-purpose resins such as (PEEK) and aramid are used.

The ink layer 2b is formed by applying an ink material of a desired color, and this ink material is
A thermoplastic material such as low melting point wax or a thermoplastic resin is used as a main component, and various pigments and various plasticizers, dispersants, antioxidants, etc. are added as colorants in minute amounts. Examples of the low melting point wax used in the ink layer 2b include carnauba wax, candelilla wax, rice wax, paraffin wax, microcrystalline wax, and polyethylene wax, which are used alone or in combination.

Such a low-melting wax is mixed with toluene,
Dissolve in various solvents such as xylene, acetone, MEK, various alcohols, kerosene, naphtha, and volatile oil to prepare an ink coating solution, and apply gravure coating, wire bar coating, spin coating, spray coating, dipping coating. It is manufactured by coating one surface of the base material 3a by various coating methods such as silk screen coating and then drying it to volatilize the above-mentioned various solvents.

The thermoplastic resin used in the ink material constituting the ink layer 2b is an ethylene-based copolymer such as an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, an ethylene-vinyl butyrate copolymer, an ethylene-acrylic copolymer. Coalesced, poly (meth) acrylic acid esters such as polyuralyl methacrylate, polyhexyl acrylate, polyvinyl chloride,
Examples thereof include vinyl chloride copolymers such as vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers and vinyl chloride-vinyl alcohol copolymers, and resins such as these are used alone or in combination.

The back surface treatment layer 2c is coated with a lubricant made of silicon resin or the like to reduce the abrasion of the thermal head 1 slidingly contacting the ink ribbon 2 and to wind the ink ribbon 2 around the winding core 4. It is formed for the purpose of preventing fusion with the ink material of the ink layer 2b at that time. In such an ink ribbon 2, the colors of the ink layer 2b are, for example, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), black (K).
There are several types prepared. Then, by sequentially printing the ink layers 2b of different colors, the primary image 14 composed of a color image of a desired color can be thermally transferred onto the intermediate transfer medium 7 described later.

A platen roll 6 that can be driven to rotate is disposed at a position facing the thermal head 1. The platen roller 6 is formed in a columnar shape and includes a metal shaft disposed at the center of rotation. The rotating shaft 6a and the elastic roller 6b fixed to the rotating shaft 6a and made of an elastic resin such as silicon or EPDM have a length slightly longer than the width dimension of the intermediate transfer medium 7 described later.
An intermediate transfer medium 7 is elastically contacted with the outer peripheral portion of the platen roller 6 as described above. The intermediate transfer medium 7 has a film-shaped base material 7a as shown in FIG.
Is formed into a thin film having a thickness of 2 to 38 μm, preferably 2 to 6 μm.

The material of the base material 7a is PET.
General-purpose resins such as polyethylene terephthalate, PEN (polyethylene naphthalate), PI (polyimide), PEEK (polyether ether ketone), and aramid are used. The intermediate transfer medium 7 has one surface of the substrate 7a. In addition, a thermosetting resin layer 7b made of at least a thermosetting resin is formed to a film thickness of about 8 μm, and the thermosetting resin layer 7b contains a thermosetting resin as a main component, and if necessary. A colorant, and various kinds of plasticizers, dispersants, antioxidants, etc. are added in small amounts.The thermosetting resin is a resin that is further polymerized by heating.

If necessary, a release layer 7c made of an acrylic thermoplastic resin is formed between the base material 7a and the thermosetting resin layer 7b with a very thin film thickness of approximately 0.2 μm. ing. Further, on the other surface of the base material 7a, the abrasion resistance with the heat roller 10, which is a retransfer means described later, is reduced, the traveling of the intermediate transfer medium 7 is stabilized, and the thermosetting resin layer 7b during winding is provided. A backside treatment layer 7d made of a lubricant is applied for the purpose of preventing fusion with the like.

The base material 7a is specifically Toray Co., Ltd.
A silicon resin (MEK solvent diluted) manufactured by Toagosei Co., Ltd. is coated on the other surface of the PFA film having a thickness of 5 μm manufactured by Toa Gosei Co., Ltd. and dried in an oven at 60 ° C. As a result, a raw material of the base material 7a on which the back surface treatment layer 7d having low frictional resistance is formed can be obtained. Further, an acrylic release material is gravure coated on one surface of the base material 7a,
By drying at 95 ° C. for 5 minutes, the film thickness becomes approximately 0.
A release layer 7c having a thickness of 2 μm is formed.

The thermosetting resin which is the main component of the thermosetting resin layer 7b formed on the release layer 7c is an epoxy thermosetting resin manufactured by Nihon Gosei Kako Co., Ltd., which is MEK (methyl ethyl ketone). A thermosetting ink coating solution dissolved in is prepared. This thermosetting ink coating liquid is gravure coated on the release layer 7c and then dried at 80 ° C. for 10 minutes to evaporate various solvents and the like, thereby releasing the release layer 7c and the thermosetting resin layer 7b. It was possible to obtain the intermediate transfer medium 7 having a multilayer structure of Various solvents for the thermosetting ink coating liquid include toluene, xylene, acetone, MEK, various alcohols, kerosene, naphtha, volatile oil and water.

As the thermosetting resin used for the thermosetting resin layer 7b, novolac type phenol resin, resol type phenol resin, urea resin, melamine resin, unsaturated polyester resin, bisphenol A type epoxy resin, Alicyclic epoxy resins may be mentioned as suitable ones. Further, as the colorant, in addition to black pigments such as carbon black, acetylene black and oil black and white pigments such as titania and calcium carbonate, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C)
And the like, and the color tone of the thermosetting resin layer 7b can be adjusted to a desired color by appropriately changing the addition amount of these pigments or dyes.

In such an intermediate transfer medium 7, the back surface treatment layer 7d is elastically contacted with the outer peripheral portion of the platen roller 6, and the thermosetting resin layer 7b on one surface side is arranged so as to face the thermal head 1. Has been done. The intermediate transfer medium 7 is driven to rotate in the counterclockwise direction of the platen roller 6 by the arrow C.
It can be transported in any direction.

The intermediate transfer medium 7 elastically contacting the platen roller 6 has one end wound around the supply reel 8 and the other end wound around the take-up reel 9.
It is possible to wind it on the take-up reel 9 by carrying it in the direction of arrow C by. The intermediate transfer medium 7 wound from the supply reel 8 to the take-up reel 9 is biased with a predetermined tension by a plurality of tension rollers 5 like the ink ribbon 2.

On the downstream side of the platen roller 6 in the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer medium 7 indicated by the arrow C, a primary image 14 recorded on the intermediate transfer medium 7, which will be described later, can be retransferred to the retransfer recording medium 11. Heat roller 10 as transfer means
Is provided. The heat roller 10 includes a hollow rubber roller 10a and a heater 10b disposed inside the rubber roller 10a. A temperature sensor capable of measuring the temperature of the surface of the rubber roller 10a at or near the outer circumference of the rubber roller 10a. 10c is provided.

Such a heat roller 10 includes a heater 1
By heating 0b, the surface temperature of the rubber roller 10a can be raised to about 160 ° C. Then, the thermosetting resin layer 7b and the release layer 7c formed on the intermediate transfer medium 7 that elastically contacts the surface of the rubber roller 10a can be thermally softened and melted. In addition, by moving the thermal head 1 in the direction of arrow A, the ink layer 2 of the ink ribbon 2
b can be pressed into contact with the thermosetting resin layer 7b of the intermediate transfer medium 7.

A retransfer recording medium 11 made of, for example, a flat card made of acrylic is disposed on the lower side of the drawing facing the heat roller 10, and the retransfer recording medium 11 is attached to and detached from the base 12. It is placed as possible. The pedestal 12 can be transported in the direction of arrow D.
The retransfer recording medium 11 is made of a plastic card, a hard material such as metal or ceramics, or various types such as a curved surface or an uneven surface.

Further, a thermosetting means 13 is arranged on the downstream side of the heat roller 10 in the carrying direction of the arrow D and above the drawing facing the retransfer recording medium 11 carried in the direction of the arrow D. The thermosetting means 13 has a heating roller 13a which is hollow and has heat resistance.
The outer peripheral portion of is excellent in heat resistance, and the thermosetting resin layer 7b of the intermediate transfer medium 7 thermally transferred to the retransfer recording medium 11 is covered with a silicone or fluorine-based elastomer having high releasability. In addition, the heat curing unit 13 is the heating roller 1.
A heating element 1 including a halogen heater or the like is provided inside the hollow 3a.
3b is built in, and the heating element 13b has a function of radiating heat.

A temperature sensor 13c capable of measuring the temperature of the surface of the heating roller 13a is arranged on or near the surface of the heating roller 13a. In such a thermosetting unit 13, the surface temperature of the heating roller 13a can be heated to 120 to 200 ° C. by the radiant heat from the heating element 13b.

Then, the primary image 14 thermally transferred to the intermediate transfer medium 7 by the thermal head 1 is conveyed to the heat roller 10 and is reheated to the retransfer recording medium 11 as shown in FIG. The secondary image 15 is transferred and recorded on the retransfer recording medium 11. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the thermosetting resin layer 7b of the intermediate transfer medium 7 is peeled from the peeling layer 7c, and at the same time, it is thermally transferred to the retransfer recording medium 11. Then, the secondary image 15 is covered with the thermosetting resin layer 7b.

Further, 2 coated with the thermosetting resin layer 7b
The next image 15 is conveyed in the direction of the arrow D of the pedestal 12 and is conveyed to the thermosetting means 13, and the heating roller 13a in a state where the outer peripheral surface is heated to and maintained at about 195 ° C. When the thermosetting resin layer 7 is pressed against
When b is thermally polymerized and thermally cured, it becomes the thermosetting layer 15a. The intermediate transfer recording apparatus S of the present invention can cover the secondary image 15 with the thermosetting layer 15a as shown in FIG. 5, so that the secondary image 15 having excellent mechanical strength and the like can be obtained.
Can be recorded.

In the intermediate transfer recording method for recording the secondary image 15 on the retransfer recording medium 11 using the intermediate transfer recording apparatus S as described above, first, the ink ribbon 2 is provided between the thermal head 1 and the platen roller 6. And the intermediate transfer medium 7 are positioned, the thermal head 1 is moved in the direction of arrow A to move the ink layer 2b of the ink ribbon 2 to the intermediate transfer medium 7
It is pressed against the thermosetting resin layer 7b.

Then, the platen roller 6 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, and a heating element (not shown) of the thermal head 1 is selectively caused to generate heat based on the recorded information, so that the ink is responded to the generated heat. Part of the ink layer 2b of the ribbon 2 is thermally softened and melted, and part of the ink layer 2b is intermediately transferred and recorded on the thermosetting resin layer 7b of the intermediate transfer medium 7. Then, the ink ribbon 2 and the intermediate transfer medium 7
Are transported to the downstream side by the rotation of the platen roller 6, and are wound around the winding core 4 and the winding reel 9. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, the ink ribbon 2 intermediately transferred onto the thermosetting resin layer 7b of the intermediate transfer medium 7 is transferred.
The desired primary image 14 is recorded by the ink layer 2b.

Next, when the primary image 14 is conveyed to the heat roller 10, the pedestal 12 also moves and the retransfer recording medium 1 is moved.
1 is located under the heat roller 10. Then, by conveying the intermediate transfer medium 7 in the direction of arrow C, the intermediate transfer medium 7 is pressed against the surface of the retransfer recording medium 11 by the rubber roller 10a of the heat roller 10 heated to approximately 160 ° C. At this time, the heat roller 10 keeps the pressure applied to the retransfer recording medium 11 via the intermediate transfer medium 7 at 1 MPa, and moves the retransfer recording medium 11 at a moving speed of about 10 cm / min in the direction of arrow D. When it is moved to, the primary image 14 and the thermosetting resin layer 7b are thermally softened and melted, and are brought into close contact with the retransfer recording medium 11 as shown in FIG.

Thereafter, by pulling the intermediate transfer medium 7 in the direction of arrow C, the heat roller 10 is rotated in the direction of arrow E and the retransfer recording medium 11 is conveyed in the direction of arrow D. The adhered thermosetting resin layer 7b is peeled off from the peeling layer 7c of the intermediate transfer medium 7. At the same time, the secondary image 15 and the thermosetting resin layer 7b are melted by heat and transferred to the retransfer recording medium 11.

In this state, when the retransfer recording medium 11 is further conveyed in the direction of the arrow D, the thermosetting resin layer 7b on the retransfer recording medium 11 is conveyed to the heating roller 13a of the thermosetting means 13 and thermoset. Resin layer 7b is pressed against heating roller 13a. The surface temperature of the heating roller 13a at this time is
It is designed to be heated to 120 to 200 ° C. In the present embodiment, the thermosetting resin layer 7b is thermally polymerized by moving the retransfer recording medium 11 at a speed of 10 cm / min while the heating roller 13a is heated to and maintained at about 195 ° C. It is heat cured and the secondary image 15 is covered with the heat cured layer 15a.

2 coated with such a thermosetting layer 15a
The next image 15 shows mechanical strength, heat resistance, wear resistance,
An image having excellent solvent resistance can be obtained. And
As a result of the peeling test of the thermosetting layer 15a covering the secondary image 15 and the cross-cut adhesive tape, no peeling of the thermosetting layer 15a was observed, and it was confirmed that the thermosetting layer 15a had sufficient abrasion resistance. It was In addition, it is covered with a thermosetting layer 15a
After the retransfer recording medium 11 on which the next image 15 is recorded is left at 40 ° C. for 48 hours, a cotton cloth is loaded on the surface of the image with a load of 100.
A rubbing test was repeated 10 times while being pressed with 0 g. When the surface of the thermosetting layer 15a after the rubbing test was observed, no deformation or disappearance of the thermosetting layer 15a was observed, and it was confirmed that the thermosetting layer 15a had sufficient heat resistance.

A rubbing test was repeated 10 times while a cotton cloth moistened with 99% ethanol was pressed against the surface of the thermosetting layer 15a with a load of 1000 g. When the surface of the thermosetting layer 15a was observed after the rubbing test, no deformation or disappearance of the thermosetting layer 15a was observed, and it was confirmed that the thermosetting layer 15a had sufficient solvent resistance.

Further, in the description of the embodiment of the apparatus and method of the present invention, the description has been made on the one in which the thermosetting resin layer 7b is formed on the intermediate transfer medium 7, but the ink layer 2 of the ink ribbon 2 is described.
The ink layer 2b may be made of a thermosetting resin and the ink layer 2b may be a thermosetting resin layer. That is, at least the ink layer 2b of the ink ribbon 2 is formed of a thermosetting resin layer, and the ink layer 2b is thermally transferred to record the primary image 14 of the thermosetting resin layer on the intermediate transfer medium 7. Then, the primary image 14 is retransferred onto the retransfer recording medium 11 and
The next image 15 is recorded, and this secondary image 15 is recorded on the thermosetting means 1.
It may be heat-cured at 3. The secondary image 15 that has been directly heat-cured in this way is the retransfer recording medium 11
Can be firmly adhered to the secondary image 15, and the mechanical strength and the like of the secondary image 15 can be further improved.

The thermosetting resin layer may be formed not only on the ink ribbon 2 or the intermediate transfer medium 7, but may be formed on both the ink ribbon 2 and the intermediate transfer medium 7. By forming a thermosetting resin layer on both the ink ribbon 2 and the intermediate transfer medium 7, both the secondary image 15 and the thermosetting resin layer covering the secondary image 15 are thermally cured. It is possible,
A stronger secondary image 15 can be recorded on the retransfer recording medium 11. That is, the ink ribbon 2 and / or the intermediate transfer medium 7 may have at least a thermosetting resin layer formed of a thermosetting resin.

Further, the ink ribbon 2 is composed of a plurality of different ink layers 2b such as yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and the like.
The thermal head 1 may be used to sequentially print b, and the primary image 14 composed of a desired color image may be recorded on the intermediate transfer medium 7. At least one or more of the plurality of types of ink ribbons 2 is formed by forming the ink layer 2b with a thermosetting resin layer, and the ink layer 2b made of the thermosetting resin layer is used at the beginning of the overprinting to obtain a color image The primary image 14 consisting of is thermally transferred.

In such a primary image 14, a plurality of ink layers 2b of different colors are overprinted, and at least the lowermost ink layer 2b may be composed of a thermosetting resin layer. Therefore, at least the uppermost layer of the secondary image 15 recorded by retransferring the primary image 14 in which the lowermost ink layer 2b is composed of a thermosetting resin layer to the retransfer recording medium 11 is thermosetting. The mechanical strength of the secondary image 15 composed of a color image can be improved by thermosetting the thermosetting resin layer composed of a resin layer by the thermosetting means 13. Further, in the description of the embodiments of the present invention, the thermal recording means has been described as a thermal head, but the thermal recording means is not limited to the thermal head, and a method such as laser heat irradiation may be used.

As another embodiment of the present invention, thermosetting means 1 having a heating roller 13a shown in FIG.
Instead of 3, the thermosetting means 23 having a light emitting body 23a such as a halogen lamp may be used as shown in FIG. Such a thermosetting unit 23 collects light emitted from a halogen lamp or the like capable of emitting white light, and the light emitted from the light emitting body 23a in a certain direction so as to be substantially transferred to the retransfer recording medium 11. It can be illuminated vertically. Such a thermosetting unit 23 can perform thermosetting without contacting the secondary image 15 thermally transferred to the retransfer recording medium 11 or the thermosetting resin layer 7b, and a higher definition 2
The next image can be obtained.

[0063]

As described above, the intermediate transfer recording apparatus according to the present invention is provided with the thermosetting means for heating and thermosetting the thermosetting resin layer thermally transferred to the retransfer recording medium by the retransfer means. By thermally polymerizing the thermoplastic resin by a thermosetting means, the surface of the retransfer recording medium such as a card can be 3
It is possible to obtain a thermosetting layer having a three-dimensionally crosslinked network structure. Therefore, a secondary image having excellent heat resistance, abrasion resistance, solvent resistance, etc. can be recorded on a retransfer recording medium such as a card.

Further, since the thermosetting resin contains an epoxy thermosetting resin, it is possible to obtain a thermosetting resin layer having excellent adhesiveness to the retransfer recording medium.

At least the ink layer of the ink ribbon is formed of a thermosetting resin layer, and the ink layer is thermally transferred to an intermediate transfer medium by a thermal recording means to record a primary image of the thermosetting resin layer, This primary image is retransferred onto a retransfer recording medium by a retransfer means to record a secondary image, and this secondary image is
Since the thermosetting means is used for thermosetting, the secondary image recorded on the retransfer recording medium can be surely thermoset. Therefore, the adhesive strength of the secondary image to the retransfer recording medium can be further improved.

Further, a thermosetting resin layer is formed on at least one surface of the intermediate transfer medium, and the ink layer of the ink ribbon is thermally transferred onto the thermosetting resin layer to record a primary image,
At the time of recording the secondary image by retransferring the primary image to the retransfer recording medium, the thermosetting resin layer of the intermediate transfer medium is also thermally transferred at the same time, and the secondary image recorded on the retransfer recording medium has an upper portion. Since the thermosetting resin layer is covered with the thermosetting layer obtained by thermosetting, the secondary image can be covered with the thermosetting layer having excellent mechanical strength and the like. Therefore, the strength of the secondary image excellent in mechanical strength and the like can be improved.

Since the intermediate transfer medium has a release layer made of a thermoplastic resin formed on one surface and a thermosetting resin layer formed on this release layer, the retransfer recording medium is thermosettable. When the resin layer is retransferred, the releasability of the thermosetting resin layer from the intermediate transfer medium can be improved, and a high quality secondary image can be recorded on the retransfer recording medium.

Further, since the thermosetting means is composed of a heat-resistant heating roller, and the heating element is arranged inside the heating roller, the heating element is built in the heating roller and is heated inside the heating roller. The heat of the can never escape. Therefore, the heating roller can be quickly heated by the heating element.

Further, since the thermal transfer means comprises a thermal head in which a plurality of heating elements are aligned and positioned, the ink layer of the ink ribbon is thermally transferred onto the intermediate transfer medium to obtain a high-definition image.
The next image can be recorded on the retransfer recording medium.

Further, since the intermediate transfer recording method of the present invention is provided with the thermosetting step of heating and thermosetting the thermosetting resin layer thermally transferred to the retransfer recording medium in the retransfer recording step, it is possible to improve mechanical strength and the like. An intermediate transfer recording method capable of recording an excellent secondary image can be provided.

Further, at least the ink layer of the ink ribbon is formed of a thermosetting resin layer, and a primary image formed of the thermosetting resin thermally transferred to the intermediate transfer medium in the thermal transfer recording step is formed.
In the retransfer recording process, the secondary image is retransferred to the retransfer recording medium, and the secondary image is heated in the thermosetting process to be heat-cured. Recording can be performed on the retransfer recording medium, and the adhesive strength of the secondary image brought into close contact with the retransfer recording medium can be increased.

Further, since the ink layers of different colors are sequentially printed in the thermal transfer recording step so that the primary image of the desired color image is thermally transferred onto the intermediate transfer medium, a high quality primary image is obtained. The secondary image retransferred from the intermediate transfer medium to the retransfer recording medium has high definition and excellent mechanical strength.

At least one of the plurality of types of ink ribbons has an ink layer formed of a thermosetting resin layer, and an ink layer made of the thermosetting resin layer is formed in the thermal transfer recording step at the beginning of overlay printing. Since the primary image is recorded by thermal transfer to the intermediate transfer medium by using it, the secondary image retransferred to the retransfer recording medium is heated by the thermal curing means to be thermally cured, thereby improving the mechanical strength and the like. An excellent secondary image can be obtained.

Further, a thermosetting resin layer is formed on at least one surface of the intermediate transfer medium, and the primary image recorded on the thermosetting resin layer is transferred to the retransfer recording medium in the retransfer recording step. At the time of re-transferring and recording the secondary image, the thermosetting resin layer is also thermally transferred at the same time so that the upper portion of the secondary image is covered with the thermosetting resin layer. By thermosetting the thermosetting resin layer, 2
Since the subsequent image is covered with the thermosetting layer, the secondary image can be covered with the thermosetting layer having excellent mechanical strength even if the secondary image is made of a thermoplastic resin or the like.

The thermosetting resin layer is formed on the entire surface of one surface of the intermediate transfer medium, and the thermosetting resin layer thermally transferred to the entire surface of the retransfer recording medium in the retransfer recording step is heated in the thermosetting step. Since the curing is performed, the entire surface of one surface of the retransfer recording medium can be covered with the thermosetting layer, and the surface of the retransfer recording medium including a card or the like can be prevented from being scratched.

Further, the heating means controls the surface temperature of the heating roller from 120 to 180 by means of the heating element disposed inside the heating roller.
Since the thermosetting resin layer is heat-cured by heating to 80 ° C., the thermosetting resin layer can be surely heat-cured, and a secondary image excellent in mechanical strength and the like can be retransferred to a recording medium. Can be recorded on.

The surface temperature of the heating roller when the thermosetting resin layer is cured by heat is 10 from the heat generation temperature of the retransfer recording means when retransferring the primary image of the intermediate transfer medium to the retransfer recording medium. Since the temperature is higher than ℃, the thermosetting resin layer can be surely thermally transferred from the intermediate transfer medium to the retransfer recording medium, and the thermosetting resin layer retransferred to the retransfer recording medium is surely thermally polymerized and thermally cured. be able to.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an intermediate transfer recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts of an intermediate transfer medium according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the ink ribbon according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an essential part for explaining retransfer of a primary image onto a retransfer recording medium according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts for explaining a secondary image recorded on the retransfer recording medium according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the intermediate transfer recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a conventional intermediate transfer recording apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 thermal head 2 Ink ribbon 3 supply cores 4 winding core 5 Tension roller 6 Platen roller 7 Intermediate transfer medium 7a base material 7b Thermosetting resin layer 7c Release layer 7d Back surface treatment layer 8 supply reels 9 Take-up reel 10 heat roller 10a rubber roller 10b heater 10c temperature sensor 11 Retransfer recording medium 12 pedestals 13 Thermosetting means 13a heating roller 13b heating element 14 Primary image 15 Secondary image 15a thermosetting layer

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) B41M 5/30 B41M 5/26 Z 5/40 B41J 3/20 109J

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A thermal recording device, an ink ribbon having an ink layer formed on one surface, an intermediate transfer medium capable of thermally transferring the ink layer by the thermal transfer device, and the thermal transfer of the ink layer to the intermediate transfer medium. And a retransfer recording medium capable of retransferring the primary image by the retransfer means to record a secondary image. Or / and a thermosetting resin layer made of at least a thermosetting resin is formed on the intermediate transfer medium, and the thermosetting resin layer can be thermally transferred to the retransfer recording medium by the retransfer means; An intermediate transfer recording apparatus comprising: a thermosetting unit that heats and thermosets the thermosetting resin layer thermally transferred to the retransfer recording medium by the retransfer unit. 2. The intermediate transfer recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thermosetting resin contains an epoxy thermosetting resin. 3. The ink layer of at least the ink ribbon is formed of the thermosetting resin layer, and the ink layer is thermally transferred to the intermediate transfer medium by the thermal recording means,
The primary image composed of the thermosetting resin layer is recorded, and the primary image is retransferred to the retransfer recording medium by the retransfer means to record the secondary image. The intermediate transfer recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heat curing unit is configured to heat cure. 4. The thermosetting resin layer is formed on at least one surface of the intermediate transfer medium, and the ink layer of the ink ribbon is thermally transferred onto the thermosetting resin layer to form the thermosetting resin layer.
When a secondary image is recorded, the primary image is retransferred to the retransfer recording medium to record the secondary image, the thermosetting resin layer of the intermediate transfer medium is also thermally transferred at the same time, and the retransfer recording is performed. The intermediate transfer recording according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the secondary image recorded on the medium has an upper part covered with a thermosetting layer obtained by thermosetting the thermosetting resin layer. apparatus. 5. The intermediate transfer medium is characterized in that a release layer made of a thermoplastic resin is formed on the one surface, and the thermosetting resin layer is formed on the release layer. Four
The intermediate transfer recording apparatus described. 6. The intermediate transfer recording according to claim 1, wherein the thermosetting means is composed of a heat-resistant heating roller, and a heating element is arranged inside the heating roller. apparatus. 7. The intermediate transfer recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thermal transfer means comprises a thermal head in which a plurality of heating elements are arranged in an array. 8. A thermal transfer recording step of thermally transferring and recording the ink layer onto an intermediate transfer medium by a thermal recording means using an ink ribbon having an ink layer formed on one surface, and a thermal transfer onto the intermediate transfer medium in the thermal transfer recording step. And a retransfer recording step of recording a secondary image by retransferring the formed primary image to a retransfer recording medium, wherein the ink ribbon and / or the intermediate transfer medium are made of at least a thermosetting resin. A thermosetting resin layer is formed, and the thermosetting resin layer is thermally transferable to the retransfer recording medium in the retransfer recording step, and the thermosetting resin thermally transferred to the retransfer recording medium in the retransfer recording step. An intermediate transfer recording method comprising a heat curing step of heating and heat curing the layer. 9. At least the ink layer of the ink ribbon is formed of the thermosetting resin layer, and the primary image made of the thermosetting resin thermally transferred to the intermediate transfer medium in the thermal transfer recording step, The secondary image is recorded by being retransferred to the retransfer recording medium in the retransfer recording step, and the secondary image is heated and thermoset in the thermosetting step. Item 8. The intermediate transfer recording device according to item 8. 10. The ink ribbon is made up of a plurality of types having different colors of the ink layer, and the ink layers of different colors are sequentially overprinted in the thermal transfer recording step to print a desired color on the intermediate transfer medium. 10. The intermediate transfer recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the primary image composed of an image is transferred by heat. 11. The ink layer of at least one of the plurality of types of ink ribbons, wherein the ink layer is formed of the thermosetting resin layer, and the thermosetting resin layer is formed in the thermal transfer recording step. 11. The intermediate transfer recording method according to claim 10, wherein the primary image is recorded by thermal transfer onto the intermediate transfer medium at the beginning of the overprinting. 12. The thermosetting resin layer is formed on at least one surface of the intermediate transfer medium, and the ink layer of the ink ribbon is thermally transferred onto the thermosetting resin layer in the thermal transfer recording step. The next image is retransferred to the retransfer recording medium in the retransfer recording step, and at the time of recording the secondary image, the thermosetting resin layer is also thermally transferred at the same time so as to cover the secondary image. 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein
12. The intermediate transfer recording method according to any one of 1 to 11. 13. The thermosetting resin layer formed on the entire surface of the one surface of the intermediate transfer medium and thermally transferred to the entire surface of the retransfer recording medium in the retransfer recording step. 13. The intermediate transfer recording method according to claim 12, wherein the is heat-cured in the heat-curing step. 14. The heating means comprises a heat-resistant heating roller, and a heating element disposed inside the heating roller,
14. The intermediate transfer recording according to claim 8, wherein the surface temperature of the heating roller is heated to 120 to 180 [deg.] C. to thermoset the thermosetting resin layer. Method. 15. The surface temperature of the heating roller when the thermosetting resin layer is thermally cured is the same as when the retransfer of the primary image of the intermediate transfer medium to the retransfer recording medium is performed. 15. The intermediate transfer recording method according to claim 14, wherein the temperature is higher than the temperature of the retransfer recording means by 10 ° C. or more.