JP2003341243A - Image recording method and image recording device for use in the method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable an image, once formed in an intermediate transfer recording medium, to be selectively transferred to a body to be transferred in the state of the absence of displacement, and to reduce costs by reducing unused parts of the intermediate transfer recording medium. <P>SOLUTION: When the image is formed on an image receiving layer surface on the intermediate transfer recording medium 1, in the formation of the image of a first color, an image forming area is located on the basis of a position f a detection mark (a) which is provided in the medium 1, and in the formation of the images of a second color or later, the image forming area is located by rewinding the medium 1 by a length equal in dimension to the distance of the conveyance of the medium 1 in the formation of the image of the first color. An image recording process and an image transfer process can be performed in either an in-line state or an off-line state. The detection mark (a) can also be preprovided in the medium 1 or provided in the medium 1 in the formation of the image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to image formation by a heat-sensitive transfer system, and more specifically, image recording for recording an image on a transfer-receiving member whose surface cannot be directly recorded by the heat-sensitive transfer system. The present invention relates to a method and an image recording device used therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a thermal transfer sheet having a color material layer provided on one surface of a base sheet, and a transfer target provided with an image receiving layer as needed are used as a heating device such as a thermal head. It is pressed against the platen roller to selectively generate heat in the heating portion of the heating device according to the image information, and the color material contained in the color material layer on the thermal transfer sheet is transferred to the transfer target to record an image. Various thermal transfer systems have been proposed.
Among them, the heat-sensitive melting transfer method and the heat-sensitive sublimation transfer method are widely used.

The heat-sensitive melt transfer system uses a heat transfer sheet in which a base material sheet such as a plastic film carries a heat-melting ink layer in which a coloring material such as a pigment is dispersed in a binder such as a heat-melting wax or a resin. , An image recording method in which a color material is transferred together with a binder onto an object to be transferred such as paper or a plastic sheet by applying energy according to image information of a heating device such as a thermal head. An image recorded by this heat-melt fusion transfer method has high density and excellent sharpness, and is suitable for recording binary images such as characters and line drawings. Further, a multicolor or color image can be recorded by superposing and recording on a transfer target using a thermal transfer sheet of yellow, magenta, cyan, black or the like.

The thermal sublimation transfer system is a thermal transfer sheet in which a dye layer obtained by melting or dispersing a sublimable dye used as a color material in a binder resin is carried on a base material sheet such as a plastic film, and a support such as paper or a plastic sheet. By using an object to be transferred having an image receiving layer on the body, by applying energy according to the image information of a heating device such as a thermal head, the sublimable dye contained in the dye layer on the thermal transfer sheet is removed. It is a method of recording an image by transferring it to an image receiving layer on a transfer target. In this thermal sublimation transfer method, the transfer amount of the dye can be controlled in dot units depending on the amount of energy applied to the thermal transfer sheet, and therefore gradation reproduction by density gradation is possible. Further, since the coloring material used is a dye, the image to be recorded is transparent, and the reproducibility of the intermediate color when the colors are overlapped by using a plurality of dye layers is excellent. Therefore, a high-quality full-color image can be obtained by recording three or four colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan, or a four-color thermal transfer sheet in which black is added to the transferred material in an overlapping manner. Can be recorded.

Among these image recording systems by thermal transfer, particularly in the latter thermal sublimation transfer system, it is necessary that the image receiving surface of the transferred material has a dyeing property.
It was almost impossible to record an image on a transfer body without an image receiving layer. For this reason, as a method of recording an image on a transfer target other than a dedicated paper sheet in which the image receiving layer is set in advance by a thermal sublimation transfer method, the image receiving layer is formed on a base sheet so that the image can be peeled off from the receiving layer transfer sheet. There has been proposed a technique in which an image is recorded by transferring a receiving layer onto a transfer target and then transferring a color material from a thermal transfer sheet (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-264994). However, in this method, the image receiving layer on the transferred material is strongly affected by the surface quality of the transferred material, and transfer marks of the image receiving layer are generated in the recesses of the transferred material, or the surface of the transferred material is uneven. As a result, the surface of the image receiving layer becomes uneven, which may cause unevenness in the recorded image. Therefore, in order to obtain a good image-recorded material, it is necessary to select a transfer target having a smooth surface.

[0006] Therefore, in order to record an image on any transfer target and to prevent the image quality from being affected by the surface irregularities and texture of the transfer target, first, the image receiving layer is used as the base sheet. An image is formed by transferring a sublimation dye from a thermal transfer sheet having a dye layer formed on a base material sheet onto an image receiving layer of an intermediate transfer recording medium which is peelably provided on the intermediate transfer recording medium. There is proposed a method of heating an image-receiving layer to transfer an image-receiving layer having an image formed on a transfer-receiving member (see JP-A-62-238791). In this method, the image forming step for the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium and the image transferring step from the intermediate transfer recording medium to the transfer target may be performed inline or offline.

[0007]

When the method using the intermediate transfer recording medium described in the prior art is performed in-line,
Although the two drive systems are shared to simplify the device and the two processes are synchronized to operate, the time is shortened. However, the image forming part for transferring the color material and the receiving layer are transferred. Since the image transfer area is distant from the image transfer area, it is difficult to accurately position the image transfer area when the image transfer area is conveyed to a predetermined position with respect to the image transfer area, and the image transfer area is easily displaced from the image transfer area. There is a problem, and further, the intermediate transfer recording medium from the end of one image formed on the intermediate transfer recording medium to the leading end of the next image is not used,
There is a problem that the intermediate transfer recording medium in this portion is wasted and the running cost becomes high. On the other hand, in the case of off-line, since the image forming area cannot be specified when transferring the image receiving layer, it is possible to selectively transfer the image formed on the intermediate transfer recording medium to the transfer target. Have difficulty. Further, as a problem common to both, when forming a color image, in order to print by superimposing three or four color materials on the intermediate transfer recording medium, after transferring a certain color material, the next It is necessary to rewind the intermediate transfer recording medium to the front end of the image forming area when shifting to the transfer of the color material, but at this time, it is difficult to accurately position the intermediate transfer recording medium at the front end of the image forming area, which causes misregistration. Cheap.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to selectively cover an image once formed on an intermediate transfer recording medium without misalignment. An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording method that can be transferred to a transfer body and can reduce the unused portion of an intermediate transfer recording medium, and an image recording apparatus used for the same.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an image recording method of the present invention comprises an intermediate transfer recording medium having at least an image receiving layer releasably provided on one surface of a substrate sheet. , A thermal transfer sheet having at least a color material layer provided on one surface of a base material sheet is pressed between the heating means and the platen roller so that the image receiving layer surface and the color material layer surface are overlapped, An image forming step of forming an image by transferring the coloring material from the thermal transfer sheet to the image receiving layer on the intermediate transfer recording medium by selectively heating the heating means, and the intermediate transfer recording medium on which the image is formed. An image comprising an image transfer step in which an image receiving layer on which an image is formed is transferred by superimposing an image receiving layer surface and a transfer target and applying heat and / or pressure to record an image on the transfer target. In the recording method, when a multicolor image is formed on the image receiving layer surface of the intermediate transfer recording medium, the image formation of the first color is based on the position of the detection mark provided on the intermediate transfer recording medium. Positioning is performed, and in the image formation for the second and subsequent colors, the intermediate transfer recording medium is rewound by the same length as the intermediate transfer recording medium was conveyed during the image formation for the first color, and the image forming area is positioned. And

In this image recording method, a detection mark provided in advance on the intermediate transfer recording medium may be used, or a first color image may be formed on the image receiving layer surface on the intermediate transfer recording medium. The detection mark may be formed at the time of forming and the detection mark may be used.

In any one of the above methods, when the image receiving layer is transferred to the transfer medium, the image transfer area of the image receiving layer is positioned on the basis of the position of the detection mark provided on the intermediate transfer recording medium. It is preferable to do so.

The image recording apparatus used in the above-mentioned image forming method comprises an image forming section and an image transfer section, of which the image forming section is a conveying means for the intermediate transfer recording medium and one surface of the base sheet. A heat transfer sheet conveying means provided with at least a color material layer, and selectively generates heat according to image information,
The heat transfer sheet comprises a heating means for transferring a color material to an image receiving layer on the intermediate transfer recording medium to form an image, and a platen roller for pressing the intermediate transfer recording medium and the thermal transfer sheet to the heating means. In addition, a detection unit for detecting a detection mark provided on the intermediate transfer recording medium is provided, and in the image formation of the first color, the image forming area is positioned based on the position of the detection mark provided on the intermediate transfer recording medium. The image formation for the second and subsequent colors is performed such that the intermediate transfer recording medium is rewound by the same length as the intermediate transfer recording medium was conveyed during the image formation for the first color, and the image forming area is positioned. An image forming unit is provided.

In this image device, in addition to the image forming section, the intermediate transfer recording medium conveying means, the transfer medium conveying means, and the image receiving layer on which the image of the intermediate transfer recording medium is formed are transferred. It is preferable to have an image transfer section that is provided with a heating unit for transferring the image onto the body and also with a detection unit for detecting a detection mark provided on the intermediate transfer recording medium. When the image recording is performed in-line, the image forming unit and the image transfer unit are combined.

[0014]

In the image recording method of the present invention having the above-described structure, first, in the image forming step, the intermediate transfer is performed in a state where the image forming area is positioned with reference to the position of the detection mark provided on the intermediate transfer recording medium. An image of the first color is formed on the recording medium. Further, in the subsequent image transfer step, the transfer of the image receiving layer on which the image is formed on the transfer target is performed in a state where the position of the image transfer area is determined with reference to the position of the detection mark provided on the intermediate transfer recording medium. Done.

That is, the image forming section is constructed so that the area where the image is to be formed can be identified by the detection mark provided at a predetermined relative position to the area where the image is to be formed on the intermediate transfer recording medium. There is. On the other hand, the image transfer section uses the detection mark at a predetermined relative position with respect to the area where the image is formed on the intermediate transfer recording medium.
It is configured so that the area where the image is to be transferred can be identified.

When the intermediate transfer recording medium is constructed so as to be continuously conveyed between the image forming section and the image transferring section and the image forming step and the image transferring step are operated in-line, an image is formed. After transferring the image receiving layer to the transfer target, the intermediate transfer recording medium is rewound based on the detection mark, and the next image can be formed without leaving a wasteful portion on the intermediate transfer recording medium.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, an embodiment in which the image forming process and the image transferring process are performed off-line will be described. 1 is a schematic view showing an example of an image forming section, FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an example of an image transferring section, FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an intermediate transfer recording medium to be used, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a main part of the image transferring section. It is a figure. In addition,
In the figure, 1 is an intermediate transfer recording medium, 2 is a thermal transfer sheet, and 3 is a transfer target.

The intermediate transfer recording medium 1 used in the present invention is
Basically, an image receiving layer is formed on one side of a base sheet so that it can be peeled off. In order to improve slidability between the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 and a heating means such as a thermal head, a back layer may be set on the other surface of the base sheet on the image receiving layer side. Further, in order to control the peeling of the image receiving layer from the base sheet, a release layer may be provided between the base sheet and the image receiving layer. Further, an image protective layer may be provided between the base sheet and the image receiving layer for the purpose of protecting the image receiving layer transferred together with the image formed on the transferred body 3. This image protection layer is transferred onto the transferred body 3 together with the image receiving layer, and improves the weather resistance of the image and the durability against fingerprints and chemicals.

As the base material sheet, the same base material sheet as that used in the conventional thermal transfer sheet 2 can be used as it is without any particular limitation. Specific examples of preferable substrate sheets include thin paper such as glassine paper, condenser paper, and paraffin paper, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyphenylene sulfide, polyether ketone, polyether sulfone, and other heat-resistant polyesters. Stretched or unstretched films of plastics such as polypropylene, polycarbonate, cellulose acetate, derivatives of polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polystyrene, polyamide, polyimide, polymethylpentene, and ionomer, and laminated materials of these materials. Can be mentioned. The thickness of the base sheet can be appropriately selected depending on the material so that the strength, heat resistance and the like are appropriate, but normally a thickness of about 1 to 100 μm is preferably used.

The image receiving layer is composed of at least a binder resin, and various additives such as a release agent may be added if necessary. It is preferable to use a binder resin that is easily dyed with a sublimation dye, such as polyolefin resin such as polypropylene, halogenated resin such as polyvinyl chloride or polyvinylidene chloride, vinyl resin such as polyvinyl acetate polyacrylate, polyethylene. Terephthalate, polyester resins such as polybutylene terephthalate, polystyrene resins, polyamide resins, copolymers of olefins such as ethylene and propylene with other vinyl monomers, ionomers, cellulose derivatives and the like can be used. Of these, vinyl resins and polyester resins are particularly preferably used.

When the image receiving layer is transferred to the transferred body 3 via the adhesive layer, it is not always necessary to impart heat-sensitive adhesiveness to the image receiving layer itself. Therefore, a resin that is not easily softened by heat can be used as the resin forming the image receiving layer.

In order to prevent heat fusion of the image receiving layer with the thermal transfer sheet 2, it is preferable to add a release agent to the above resin. As the release agent, silicone oil, phosphoric acid ester-based surfactant, fluorine-based compound and the like can be used, and among these, silicone oil is particularly preferably used. The amount of the release agent added is preferably 0.2 to 30 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin forming the image receiving layer. The image receiving layer is an ink prepared by adding necessary additives such as a release agent to the above resin on the above-mentioned base sheet and dissolving or dispersing it in water or a solvent such as an organic solvent, a gravure printing method, a screen. The application can be performed by a usual method such as a printing method or a reverse roll coating method using a gravure plate. The coating amount is preferably such that the film thickness after coating and drying is 0.1 to 10 μm.

The release layer contains a binder resin and a release material. Examples of the binder resin include acrylic resins such as polymethyl methacrylate, polyethyl methacrylate, and polybutyl acrylate, which are thermoplastic resins, vinyl acetate, vinyl chloride vinyl acetate copolymers, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl butyral, and other vinyl resins. Resin,
Cellulose derivatives such as ethyl cellulose, nitrocellulose, and cellulose acetate, or thermosetting unsaturated polyester resins, polyester resins, polyurethane resins, aminoalkyd resins, and the like can be used. As the release material, waxes, silicone waxes, silicone resins, melamine resins, fluorine resins, talc, fine silica powder, lubricants such as surfactants and metal soaps can be used. The release layer can be formed by a method similar to that of the image receiving layer and has a thickness of 0.1 to
5 μm is preferable.

The image-protecting layer is composed of at least a binder resin, but has an adequate releasability from the substrate sheet, and is desired as a surface-protecting layer for the image-receiving layer after being transferred together with the image-receiving layer to the transferred body 3. Select a resin composition that has the following physical properties. Generally, cellulose derivatives such as ethyl cellulose, nitrocellulose, and cellulose acetate, acrylic resins such as polymethyl methacrylate, polyethyl methacrylate, and polybutyl acrylate, polyvinyl chloride, vinyl chloride vinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinyl. A vinyl polymer thermoplastic resin such as butyral, or a thermosetting resin such as an unsaturated polyester resin, a polyurethane resin, or an aminoalkyd resin can be used. When abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, and stain resistance are particularly required for the image-transferred body 3, an ionizing radiation curable resin can be used as the image protective layer resin. Further, to the above resin, a lubricant for improving the scratch resistance of the image formed, a surfactant for preventing contamination, an ultraviolet absorber for improving weather resistance, an antioxidant and the like may be added. The image protective layer can be formed in the same manner as the image receiving layer, and the thickness is preferably 0.1 to 10 μm.

The back layer prevents thermal fusion with a heating device such as a thermal head or a line heater when the color material is transferred from the thermal transfer sheet 2 and when the image receiving layer is transferred to the transferred body 3. For the purpose of smooth running, it can be provided on the other surface of the base sheet, which comes into contact with the heating device, on the image receiving layer side. Examples of the resin used for the back layer include, for example, ethyl cellulose, hydroxycellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose resins such as nitrocellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl acetal, Vinyl-based resins such as polyvinylpyrrolidone, polymethylmethacrylate, polyethylacrylate, polyacrylamide, acrylic resins such as acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer, polyamide resins, polyvinyltoluene resins, coumarone-indene resins, polyester-based resins, polyurethane A single substance or a mixture of natural or synthetic resins such as resin, silicone-modified or fluorine-modified urethane is used. In order to further improve the heat resistance of the back layer, a resin having a reactive group such as a hydroxyl group is used among the above resins, and a polyisocyanate or the like is used in combination as a crosslinking agent to form a crosslinked resin layer. preferable. Further, in order to provide slidability with the thermal head, a solid or liquid release agent or lubricant may be added to the back surface layer so as to have heat-resistant lubricity. Examples of the release agent or lubricant include various waxes such as polyethylene wax and paraffin wax, higher aliphatic alcohols, organopolysiloxanes, anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, nonionic surfactants. It is possible to use an activator, a fluorine-based surfactant, an organic carboxylic acid and its derivative, a fluorine-based resin, a silicone-based resin, fine particles of an inorganic compound such as talc and silica. The amount of lubricant contained in the back layer 15 is 5 to
It is about 50% by weight, preferably about 10 to 30% by weight.

The thermal transfer sheet 2 used in the present invention has a heat resistant slipping layer provided on one side of a base sheet and a color material layer having heat transferability on the other side. In the thermal sublimation transfer method, a known dye thermal transfer sheet using a dye layer composed of a sublimable dye and a binder resin as a color material layer is used. Further, in the heat-sensitive melt transfer method, a known thermoplastic resin melt ink transfer sheet using a melt transfer layer composed of a color material such as a pigment or a dye and a wax or a thermoplastic resin as a color material layer is used. Then, in the dye thermal transfer sheet, the dye that sublimates / migrates due to heat becomes a color material that forms an image, and when the heat-melt ink transfer sheet is used, the ink itself that melts / migrates becomes a color material.

The image finally obtained by the present invention is
Since it has a mirror image relationship with the image formed on the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium 1, it is necessary to previously form characters and symbols as reverse images.

The material 3 to be transferred that can be used in the present invention is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include natural fiber paper, coated paper, tracing paper, plastic film that is not deformed by heat during transfer, glass, metal, ceramics, wood, cloth. Any of the above may be used. Regarding the shape and usage of the transferred material 3, stock certificates, securities, certificates, passbooks, boarding tickets, wagon tickets, stamps, stamps, appreciation tickets, admission tickets, cash vouchers such as tickets, credit cards, prepaid cards ,
Cards such as members cards, greeting cards, postcards, business cards, driver's licenses, IC cards, optical cards, cases such as cartons and containers, bags, forms,
Envelopes, tags, OHP sheets, slide films, bookmarks, calendars, posters, brochures, menus,
Passports, POP supplies, coasters, displays,
Nameplates, keyboards, cosmetics, wristwatches, accessories such as lighters, stationery, report paper, stationery, building materials, panels, emblems, keys, cloth, clothing, footwear, radios, televisions, calculators, OA equipment, and other devices. Sample book,
Album, also computer graphics output,
It does not matter what kind of medical image is output.

An image receiving layer is provided on the entire surface of the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 shown in FIG. 3, and a detection mark a serving as a reference for determining the image forming area 1a is provided as shown in the figure. The detection mark a is formed by applying a black ink containing carbon black particles. Further, in this embodiment, the thermal transfer sheet 2 in which the dye layers of three colors of yellow, magenta and cyan are provided in the surface order is used.

In the image forming section 10 shown in FIG. 1, the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 which is fed from the paper feed roll 11 and wound by the take-up roll 12, and the thermal transfer which is fed from the paper feed roll 13 and wound by the take-up roll. The sheet 2 is guided between the thermal head 15 and the platen roller 16 so that the image receiving layer and the dye layer overlap each other. Further, a light emitting element 17a using a light emitting diode emitting near infrared light and a light receiving element 1 using a photodiode sensitive to near infrared light
7b are arranged so as to sandwich the path of the intermediate transfer recording medium 1.

When the image forming process is started, first, cueing is performed so that the yellow dye layer portion of the thermal transfer sheet 2 comes to the position of the heating element of the thermal head 15. Next, the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 is idly fed to the winding roll 12 side, the detection mark a provided on the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 approaches the light emitting element 17a and the light receiving element 17b, and the detection mark a is detected. When it is done, the blank feed is stopped. Next, the thermal head 15 is pressed against the platen roller 16 by a thermal head supporting means (not shown), and the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 and the thermal transfer sheet 2 are brought into pressure contact between the thermal head 15 and the platen roller 16. Then, the platen roller 16 rotates to convey the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 and the thermal transfer sheet 2 at a predetermined speed, and in synchronization with this, a signal corresponding to image data to be printed is output from a thermal head drive circuit (not shown) in accordance with the thermal data. By being applied to the head 15, the thermal head 15
The heat-generating resistor of 1 generates heat by energization, and a yellow image is formed on the image receiving layer of the image forming area 1a of the intermediate transfer recording medium 1.

Subsequently, the thermal head 15 is separated from the platen roller 16 by the thermal head supporting means, and the magenta dye layer portion of the thermal transfer sheet 2 is indexed. Next, the intermediate transfer recording medium 1
Is controlled to rewind the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 to the left by the same length as the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 was transported to the right when forming a yellow image. As a result, the position of the heating element of the thermal head 15 and the front end of the image forming area 1a where the yellow image has already been formed coincide. Thereafter, the same operation is repeated for the magenta and cyan prints. The intermediate transfer recording medium 1 on which the color image is formed in the image forming area 1a in this manner is the winding roll 1
It is sent to the next image transfer section in a state of being wound up by 2.

In the image transfer section 20 shown in FIG. 2, the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 which is unwound from the paper feed roll 21 and wound by the take-up roll 22 and the transferred material 3 which is conveyed in opposition thereto are intermediate. The heat roller 23 and the platen roller 2 with the image receiving layer surface of the transfer recording medium 1 facing the transfer target 3 side.
Guided between four. Further, a light emitting element 25a using a light emitting diode emitting near infrared light and a light receiving element 25b using a photodiode sensitive to near infrared light are arranged so as to sandwich the path of the intermediate transfer recording medium 1.
A detection mark a is provided on the receiving layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium 1, and an image is formed in the image forming area 1a having a fixed positional relationship with the detection mark a.

When the image transfer process is started, the heat roller 23 is first heated to a predetermined temperature. Next, while rotating the heat roller 23 and the platen roller 24 in the same direction as the feeding direction of the intermediate transfer recording medium 1, the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 is conveyed in the direction of the winding roll 22, and the position of the detection mark a is used as a reference. Then, at the moment when the front end of the image forming area 1a coincides with the nip position between the heat roller 23 and the platen roller 24, the platen roller 24 is brought into contact with the heat roller 23 to start image transfer. In this state, the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 and the transferred material 3 are conveyed, and when the rear end of the image forming area 1a passes through the nip position between the heat roller 23 and the platen roller 24, the platen roller 24 is separated from the heat roller 23. . After this, as shown in FIG.
Is separated from the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 and discharged. As a result, the image receiving layer (indicated by A) on which the image of the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 is formed is transferred onto the transferred material 3, and the image is recorded on the transferred material 3.

Next, an embodiment in which the image forming process and the image transfer process are performed in-line will be described. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing an example of an image recording apparatus in which an image forming section and an image transfer section are integrally formed.

In the figure, reference numeral 31 denotes a thermal head as heating means provided in the image forming portion. The thermal head 31 is provided so as to face the platen roller 32, and the thermal transfer with the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 is performed. The sheet 2 is guided so that the dye layer and the image receiving layer are overlapped and passed between them. Then, the thermal head 31 is pressed against the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 via the thermal transfer sheet 2, and the thermal head 31 is energized while conveying the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 and the thermal transfer sheet 2 at a predetermined speed, thereby performing the intermediate transfer recording. An image is formed on the image receiving layer provided on the medium 1. Reference numerals 33a and 33b in the figure respectively denote a light emitting element and a light receiving element similar to those in the above-mentioned embodiment, and these constitute a detection mark detecting means.
In the figure, reference numeral 34 is a heating means arranged in the image transfer portion, and a thermal head, a heat roll, a line heater, a hot stamper, or the like can be used and is not particularly limited. Then, the image forming area 1a on which the image has been formed on the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 is overlapped with the transfer target body 3,
By pressing the heating means 34 from the back side of the intermediate transfer recording medium 1, the image receiving layer on which the image has been formed is transferred from the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 onto the transferred material 3. When the transferred body 3 is thin, the heating means 34 may be brought into contact with the back side of the transferred body 3.
Further, in the figure, 35a and 35b are a light emitting element and a light receiving element, respectively, which are similar to those in the above-mentioned embodiment, and these constitute a detection mark detecting means. In the image recording apparatus having this configuration, the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 is conveyed from the image forming step to the image transferring step as shown in the figure, whereby each step is continuously performed in-line.

The thermal transfer sheet 2 used in the present invention is for a color, and ones which are separately coated in three colors of cyan, magenta and yellow, or those in which a black separately-separated region is added are used. In this embodiment, the thermal transfer sheet 2 is provided with an additional black dye layer in addition to the dye layers of three colors, and when the image forming step is performed, the image forming area 1a of the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 is used.
A detection mark a for positioning is provided in the vicinity of.

A case where a color image is recorded on a transfer medium by the above image recording apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

In FIG. 5, a color image of three colors and a detection mark a are formed at a position having a predetermined positional relationship with the image forming area 1a in the image forming area 1a on the front side in the conveying direction, and in the image forming area 1a 'on the rear side. The image of the first color and this image forming area 1
The state at the time when the detection mark a ′ is formed at a position having a predetermined positional relationship with a ′ is shown. From this state, the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 is rewound to the left by the same distance as when the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 was conveyed during the image formation of the first color, and the positioning is performed. Then, as shown in FIG. The second color image is formed in the formation area 1a '. However, for the second color, the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 is rewound in consideration of the position where the detection mark a ′ is formed.
For the third color, the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 is rewound by a length corresponding to the amount of the formed image of the first color for positioning, and then image formation is performed. As a result, images are continuously formed on the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 without any waste, and the three-color image formation is properly registered. The rear detection mark a ′ is used for positioning when forming an image in the next image forming area. The image transfer process may be performed appropriately, but the image formation process and the image transfer process can be performed simultaneously by appropriately setting the distance between the thermal head 31 of the image formation unit and the heating unit 34 of the image transfer unit. However, in this case, the detection means (35a, 35b) is unnecessary.

Here, the detection mark used in the present invention is
It may be formed when the image is formed on the image receiving layer surface on the intermediate transfer recording medium in the image forming section as shown in each of the above embodiments, or it may be provided in advance on the intermediate transfer recording medium. There are the following means to organize each case.

<When Providing Detection Mark in Image Forming Section> 1) A detection mark is formed by using a color material (heat-melting ink, sublimable dye) used for image formation. (Detection method: optical) 2) An ink layer for forming a detection mark is provided on a thermal transfer sheet, and this is transferred to form a detection mark. This ink layer may be provided in the surface order with the coloring material layer, or may be provided on the side edge portion of the thermal transfer sheet. Further, the ink layer may be provided in the shape of the detection mark, or a part of the ink layer may be selectively transferred to serve as the detection mark. (Detection method: optical, magnetic, electrical) 3) Apply a tape mechanically to form a detection mark. (Detection method: optical, magnetic, electrical, physical (unevenness)) 4) Mechanically forming holes or irregularities to form detection marks.
(Detection method: optical, physical (contact, unevenness)) 5) As shown in FIG. 7, the thermosensitive coloring layer 4 is applied to the area (for example, the side edge portion) of the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 excluding the image forming area 1a. A processing area is provided, and the detection mark is formed by selectively heating and forming the coloring portion 4a. (Detection method: optical) 6) As shown in FIG. 8, a magnetic information recording portion 5a is provided on the magnetic stripe 5 provided in a region (for example, a side edge portion) of the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 excluding the image forming region 1a. Form a detection mark. This magnetic stripe 5 may be provided by being transferred from a thermal transfer sheet at the time of image formation, or may be formed at the time of manufacturing the intermediate transfer recording medium 1. (Detection means: magnetic)

<When the detection mark is provided on the intermediate transfer recording medium in advance> 1) The detection mark is formed by the coating means. (Detection method: optical, magnetic, electrical) 2) Mechanically attach a tape to form the detection mark.
(Detection method: optical, magnetic, electrical, physical (unevenness)) 3) Mechanically form holes or irregularities to form detection marks. (Detection method: optical, physical (contact, unevenness)) 4) As shown in FIG. 8, on the magnetic stripe 5 provided in an area (for example, a side edge portion) of the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 excluding the image forming area 1a. The magnetic information recording portion 5a is provided to form a detection mark. This magnetic stripe 5 is an intermediate transfer recording medium 1.
It is formed at the time of manufacturing. (Detection means: magnetic)

The detecting means written in parentheses is as follows. 1) Optical: A light emitting element and a light receiving element are used in combination.
Then, the detection mark is detected by the difference in the intensity of the transmitted light or the reflected light of the detection mark and its peripheral portion. The combination of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit may be appropriately selected in consideration of the spectral emission characteristic of the light emitting unit and the spectral sensitivity characteristic of the light receiving unit. The wavelength range used may be any of ultraviolet light, visible light, and infrared light, and is not particularly limited. 2) Magnetic; a magnetic head is used. Then, the detection mark may be detected by the presence or absence of the magnetic layer or the shape of the magnetic layer, or the detection mark may be identified by the information recorded on the magnetic layer. 3) Electrical; use electrodes. Then, the detection mark is detected depending on the presence or absence of electrical continuity. 4) Physically: The detection mark is detected by physically detecting holes or irregularities.

Regarding the planar position where the detection mark is formed, the positional relationship between the heating means of the image forming section and the image transfer section and the detection means for detecting the detection mark is taken into consideration in addition to the operation procedure of the image recording apparatus. And decide accordingly. The position is, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, and as shown in FIG. 9A, the image forming area 1a on the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 is formed.
It may be provided at any one of the rear end portion, the front end portion of the image forming area 1a as shown in (b), the side edge portion of the image forming area 1a as shown in (c), or a combination thereof, and is not particularly limited. Not something. Further, the shape of the detection mark is not limited to the rectangle shown in the figure, and may be a triangle, another polygon, a circle, an ellipse, a character, etc., and one set of these detection marks constitutes one detection mark. You may have been.

Further, the detection mark is formed between the base sheet and the receiving layer in the intermediate transfer recording medium, and when the receiving layer is a multilayer, the layers, the surface of the receiving layer, the back surface of the base sheet, and the receiving layer face the receiving layer. It can be provided on the surface of the base material sheet which is not provided.

[0047]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The image formed on the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium can be selectively transferred to the transfer target without displacement and the image can be recorded, and the unused portion of the intermediate transfer recording medium can be reduced to reduce the cost. Can be down.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image forming unit.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image transfer unit.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an example of an intermediate transfer recording medium.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a main part of an image transfer unit.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a state in which the formation of a first color image and the formation of a detection mark in the vicinity thereof have been completed when forming a color image.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the state at the time when the image formation of the second color is started.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an example of an intermediate transfer recording medium on which a thermosensitive coloring layer is provided to form detection marks.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing an example of an intermediate transfer recording medium in which a detection mark is formed by providing a magnetic stripe.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing positions of detection marks provided on an intermediate transfer recording medium.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Intermediate transfer recording medium 1a Image forming area a Detection mark 2 Thermal transfer sheet 3 Transferee 10 Image forming section 15 Thermal head (heating means) 16 Platen roller 17a, 17b Detection means 20 Image transfer section 23 Heat roller (heating means) 24 Platen roller 25a, 25b Detection means 31 Thermal head (heating means) 32 Platen roller 33a, 33b Detection means 34 Heating means 35a, 35b Detection means

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Tatsuya Kita             1-1-1, Ichigaya-Kagacho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo             Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2C065 AA01 AB09 AB10 AE07 DC07                       DC18 DC26                 2H111 AA26 AA27 AA31 AA40 AB05                       BA03 BB15 CA03

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An intermediate transfer recording medium having at least an image receiving layer releasably provided on one surface of a base sheet, and a thermal transfer sheet having at least a coloring material layer provided on one surface of the base sheet. The image on the intermediate transfer recording medium is transferred from the thermal transfer sheet by pressing the heating means and the platen roller so that the image receiving layer surface and the color material layer surface are overlapped and selectively heating the heating means according to the image information. By an image forming step of transferring a color material to the receiving layer to form an image and by superimposing the image receiving layer surface of the intermediate transfer recording medium on which the image is formed and the transfer target, and applying heat and / or pressure, An image recording method comprising a step of transferring an image-receiving layer having an image formed thereon to record an image on a transfer-receiving body, wherein a multicolor image is formed on the image-receiving layer surface of an intermediate transfer recording medium. When the first color image is formed, the image forming area is positioned based on the position of the detection mark provided on the intermediate transfer recording medium, and the second and subsequent images are formed by the intermediate transfer when the first color image is formed. An image recording method characterized in that the intermediate transfer recording medium is rewound by a length equal to that of the conveyed recording medium to position the image forming area. 2. The image recording method according to claim 1, wherein a detection mark provided in advance on the intermediate transfer recording medium is used. 3. An image receiving layer surface on an intermediate transfer recording medium is provided with 1
The image recording method according to claim 1, wherein a detection mark is formed when the color image is formed, and the detection mark is used. 4. When transferring an image receiving layer to a transfer-receiving member,
4. The image recording method according to claim 1, wherein the image transfer area of the image receiving layer is positioned with reference to the position of the detection mark provided on the intermediate transfer recording medium. 5. A transfer means for the intermediate transfer recording medium, a transfer means for the thermal transfer sheet in which at least a color material layer is provided on one surface of the base sheet, and heat is selectively generated according to image information to generate a thermal transfer sheet. Heating means for forming an image by transferring the color material to the image receiving layer on the intermediate transfer recording medium from
The intermediate transfer recording medium and the platen roller for pressing the thermal transfer sheet against the heating means are provided, and the detection means for detecting the detection mark provided on the intermediate transfer recording medium is provided. The image forming area is positioned on the basis of the position of the detection mark provided on the intermediate transfer recording medium, and the image formation for the second and subsequent colors has the same length as that when the intermediate transfer recording medium was conveyed during the image formation for the first color. An image recording apparatus comprising an image forming unit configured to rewind the intermediate transfer recording medium only and position an image forming area. 6. The image recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, in addition to the image forming section, an intermediate transfer recording medium conveying unit, a transfer target conveying unit, and an image on which an image of the intermediate transfer recording medium is formed. A heating means for transferring the receiving layer to the transfer medium, and an image transfer part having a detecting means for detecting a detection mark provided on the intermediate transfer recording medium. Image recording device.