JP2006327035A - Thermal transfer recording method, thermal transfer recorder and recorded object - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an uniform transfer state for the whole transfer area of an adhesive layer and obtain the uniform adhesive force after transferring the adhesive layer. <P>SOLUTION: After recording a color image, character information, etc. on an image receiving layer of an intermediate transfer ribbon using a line-typed thermal head, the image receiving layer is thermally transferred onto the recording page of passbooks. At that time, the adhesive layer is transferred from a color ink ribbon onto the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer ribbon to improve the adhesive force between the image receiving layer and the intermediate transfer ribbon. After that, when transferring the adhesive layer from the color ink ribbon onto the image receiving layer in the thermal transfer recording operation for transferring the image receiving layer onto the recording page through the adhesive layer formed thereon, each heating element of the thermal head is actuated so that the transferring is performed with changing the heating energy for transferring the adhesive layer onto the surface according to whether the adhesive layer is transferred to a surface having an image formed thereon or not having the image formed thereon. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a thermal transfer recording method and a thermal transfer recording apparatus for thermally transferring and recording color images, character information, and the like on a passbook (recording medium) such as a personal authentication card, passbook, or bank passbook in a financial institution.
The present invention also relates to a recorded matter on which color images, character information, and the like have been thermally transferred and recorded by the thermal transfer recording method and thermal transfer recording apparatus.

For example, thermal transfer recording apparatuses that thermally transfer and record color images (face images, etc.) and character information (personal information, etc.) to passbooks such as personal authentication cards and passbooks or bankbooks at financial institutions are generally widely used. Known (for example, refer to Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).
On the other hand, for the purpose of preventing forgery of unique character information (such as personal information) recorded in passbooks, it has recently been required to overcoat a transparent protective film on the surface of the page where the character information of the passbooks is recorded. ing. A thermal transfer recording method using an intermediate transfer ribbon is conceivable as a method for simultaneously recording images and character information on passbooks and forming a protective film on the surface (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent No. 3465110 JP 2003-94701 A

  The thermal transfer recording method using the intermediate transfer ribbon uses a line-type thermal head in which a large number of heating elements are arranged in a line, and after recording a color image or character information on the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer ribbon, The image-receiving layer is thermally transferred onto the recording page of the passbooks. At this time, in order to improve the adhesive force between the image-receiving layer of the intermediate transfer ribbon and the recording page of the passbooks, it is colorless on the image-receiving layer of the intermediate transfer ribbon. Alternatively, an adhesive layer composed of a transparent ink layer mainly composed of flame-colored transparent resin is transferred, and then the image receiving layer is transferred onto the recording page via the adhesive layer formed thereon.

However, the transfer of the adhesive layer made of the transparent ink layer is transferred onto the surface of the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer ribbon on which the color image and character information are formed. At this time, the adhesive layer is transferred with uniform heating energy. In this case, the transfer state of the adhesive layer is different between the color image formation, the character information formation, and the area where nothing is formed.
In addition, when there are objects with different surface conditions (for example, a sticker attached) on the recording medium, the adhesive force after the transfer of the adhesive layer differs between an area with a seal or the like and an area without the seal.

  As described above, there is a problem that the recorded material on which the transfer of the uniform adhesive layer (transparent ink layer) is not performed has a problem that the adhesive force is reduced, and the image receiving layer is peeled off due to rubbing or the like, or is easily falsified. .

Therefore, the present invention provides a thermal transfer recording method and thermal transfer recording that can obtain a uniform transfer state over the entire transfer region of the adhesive layer and can make the adhesive force after transfer of the adhesive layer uniform. An object is to provide an apparatus.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a recorded material that can prevent peeling and falsification due to rubbing of the image receiving layer or the like because the adhesive force after transfer of the adhesive layer can be made uniform.

  In the thermal transfer recording method of the present invention, an ink ribbon in which an ink layer and an adhesive layer are sequentially provided on one surface of a film-like substrate, and an image receiving layer capable of transferring the plurality of colors of ink from the ink ribbon are in the form of a film. Using an intermediate transfer ribbon provided on one surface of the substrate and a line-type thermal head in which a plurality of heating elements are arranged in a row, each heating element of the thermal head is selectively selected The intermediate transfer ribbon is heated and driven to form a desired image by transferring the ink of the ink ribbon onto the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer ribbon, and each heating element of the thermal head is heated and driven. The adhesive layer is transferred from the ink ribbon onto the surface of the image receiving layer on which the image is formed, and then the image receiving layer on which the image of the intermediate transfer ribbon is formed is transferred onto the surface. A thermal transfer recording method for transferring to the surface of a recording medium through a layer, wherein when transferring the adhesive layer from the ink ribbon onto the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer ribbon, the image is transferred onto the surface on which the image is formed Each heating element of the thermal head is driven so that the heating energy and the heating energy in the case of transferring onto the surface on which no image is formed are transferred.

  Further, the thermal transfer recording apparatus of the present invention comprises an ink ribbon supply means for supplying an ink ribbon in which an ink layer and an adhesive layer are sequentially provided on one surface of a film-like substrate, and the plurality of colors of ink from the ink ribbon. An intermediate transfer ribbon supply means for supplying an intermediate transfer ribbon in which an image receiving layer capable of transferring a film is provided on one surface of a film-like substrate, and a line-type thermal apparatus comprising a plurality of heating elements arranged in a row A head and each heating element of the thermal head are selectively heated and driven on the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer ribbon supplied by the intermediate transfer ribbon supply means. A desired image is formed by transferring ink, and each heating element of the thermal head is heated to drive the intermediate transfer ribbon supply unit. A thermal head driving means for transferring the adhesive layer from the ink ribbon supplied by the ink ribbon supply means onto the surface of the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer ribbon supplied by the ink ribbon; And a transfer unit that transfers the image-receiving layer on which the image is formed to the surface of the recording medium via an adhesive layer transferred onto the surface, wherein the thermal head drive unit includes the ink ribbon When the adhesive layer is transferred onto the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer ribbon, the heating energy when transferring onto the surface on which the image is formed and the heating energy when transferring onto the surface where the image is not formed are changed. Each heating element of the thermal head is driven so as to transfer.

  Further, the recorded matter of the present invention comprises a transparent ink layer mainly composed of a colorless or flame-colored transparent resin on a recording medium, an image forming layer formed by superposing one or more color inks, a colorless or light color The transparent ink layer is formed in the order of the transparent protective layer, wherein the transparent ink layer has a uniform thickness in a range larger than a region where the image forming layer is formed. To do.

According to the present invention, since the optimum heating energy can be selected for each different state (on color image formation, character information formation, sticker application, etc.) on the recording medium, the entire transfer area of the adhesive layer can be selected. It is possible to provide a thermal transfer recording method and a thermal transfer recording apparatus that can obtain a uniform transfer state and can make the adhesive force of the adhesive layer after transfer uniform.
Further, the present invention can make the adhesive force after the transfer of the adhesive layer uniform, and thus can provide a recorded matter that can prevent peeling and falsification due to rubbing of the image receiving layer.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration of a thermal transfer recording apparatus to which the thermal transfer recording method according to the present embodiment is applied. This thermal transfer recording apparatus simultaneously records color images (face images, etc.) and character information (personal information, etc.) on a recording medium such as cards and passbooks and forms a protective film on the recording surface. .

In FIG. 1, a thermal transfer recording apparatus 1 includes a recording unit 2 that functions as a recording unit, and a transfer unit 3 that functions as a transfer unit provided below the recording unit 2.
The recording unit 2 includes a line-type thermal head 4 in which a plurality of heating elements are arranged in a line, a platen roller 5 disposed opposite to the thermal head 4, and the like. Between the thermal head 4 and the platen roller 5, for example, a colorless or flame functioning as a color ink layer and an adhesive layer composed of each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). A color ink ribbon 6 in which a transparent ink layer mainly composed of a color transparent resin is sequentially provided on one surface of the film-like substrate is interposed.

The platen roller 5 serves as a supply means for supplying an intermediate transfer ribbon 7 having an image receiving layer capable of transferring each ink of the color ink layer from the color ink ribbon 6 on one surface of the film-like substrate at a predetermined speed. Function.
One end of the color ink ribbon 6 is wound around the delivery shaft 8, and the other end is wound around the winding shaft 9. At least one of the delivery shaft 8 and the winding shaft 9 can be driven independently in both forward and reverse directions. The middle portion of the color ink ribbon 6 fed from the feed shaft 8 is stretched around the guide shafts 10 and 11.

  The transfer unit 3 includes a heat roller 12 as a transfer roller, a backup roller 13 disposed opposite to the heat roller 12, and the like. The heat roller 12 includes a heater 12a for heating and a cut surface 12b in which a part of the circumference is cut out. An intermediate transfer ribbon 7 that functions as an intermediate transfer medium is interposed between the heat roller 12 and the backup roller 13.

  One end of the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 is wound around a feed shaft 14 provided on the upper side of the recording unit 2, and the other end is wound on a winding shaft 15 provided on the lower side of the recording unit 2. At least one of the delivery shaft 14 and the take-up shaft 15 can be driven independently in both forward and reverse directions. The delivery shaft 14 and the take-up shaft 15 function as a supply unit that supplies the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 toward the recording unit 2. The intermediate portion of the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 fed from the feed shaft 14 is stretched over the guide shafts 16 to 18 and is stretched over the tension roller 19 to be maintained at a substantially constant tension.

  In addition, the transfer unit 3 includes conveyance roller pairs 20 and 21. The conveyance roller pair 20 is disposed upstream of the heat roller 12 in the conveyance direction. Further, the transport roller pair 21 is disposed downstream of the heat roller 12 in the transport direction.

  The conveyance roller pair 20, 21 is a heat roller along the conveyance path 23 for recording medium P inserted in the passbook entry port 22 (in this embodiment, a passbook for personal authentication with a recording page opened). 12 to a predetermined transfer position. That is, the transport roller pairs 20 and 21 transport the passbook P so that the transfer start position on the recording page of the passbook P matches the transfer position of the heat roller 12.

Further, the transfer unit 3 includes sensors S1 and S2 that function as detection means arranged along the supply path of the intermediate transfer ribbon 7. The sensors S1 and S2 optically detect a bar mark arranged outside the effective area of the intermediate transfer ribbon 7, and output a detection signal thereof.
The transfer unit 3 includes sensors S3 and S4 that function as detection means arranged along the conveyance path 23 of the passbook P. The sensors S3 and S4 optically detect the presence or absence of the passbook P inserted from the passbook entry port 22, and output the detection signal.

  FIG. 2A shows an example of a passbook P after the recording is completed. This figure shows a state where a predetermined recording page (recording surface) of the bankbook P is opened, and a face image 32 of the owner of the bankbook P is recorded in color on the recording page 31. In addition, character information (personal information or the like) 33 is recorded in black. A transparent protective layer 34 is formed on the entire surface (shaded area) of the recording page 31 on which the face image 32 and the character information 33 are recorded. Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, a seal 35 or the like may be affixed on the recording page 31.

  FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the intermediate transfer ribbon 7. The intermediate transfer ribbon 7 is configured, for example, by sequentially laminating a transparent protective layer 42 and an image receiving layer 43 on which an image is formed on one surface of a base layer (film-like substrate) 41. In order to facilitate peeling from the base layer 41, a structure in which a peeling layer is provided between the base layer 41 and the protective layer 42 may be used.

  FIG. 4 schematically shows a control system. In FIG. 4, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 51 that functions as a control means for controlling the entire apparatus includes a memory unit 52 that stores a control program for controlling the entire apparatus, and an external device such as a host computer. Are connected to an interface unit 53 for receiving recording data necessary for recording. The recording data received via the interface unit 53 is temporarily stored in the memory unit 52.

  The CPU 51 includes a thermal head control circuit 54, a recording unit conveyance control circuit 55, a heater temperature control circuit 56, a heat roller rotation control circuit 57, a transfer unit conveyance control circuit 58, a passbook conveyance control circuit 59, and a sensor input. A circuit 60 or the like is connected.

  The thermal head control circuit 54 controls the printing operation of the thermal head 4 based on the recording data. The recording unit conveyance control circuit 55 controls driving of the delivery shaft 8 and the winding shaft 9 that function as a conveyance mechanism in the recording unit 2. The heater temperature control circuit 56 controls the heater 12a in the heat roller 12 so as to maintain the heat roller 12 at a predetermined temperature.

  The heat roller rotation control circuit 57 controls the rotation driving of the heat roller 12. That is, the heat roller rotation control circuit 57 aligns the transfer start position of the passbook P with respect to the recording surface 31 and the transfer position of the predetermined information recorded on the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 by the heat roller 12 in a state where the heat roller rotates. After the edge portion of the twelve cut surface 12b is brought into contact with the transfer start position, the predetermined information on the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 is transferred to the recording surface 31 of the book P by rotating the heat roller 12 in a predetermined direction. .

  The transfer unit conveyance control circuit 58 controls driving of the platen roller 5, the feed shaft 14, and the winding shaft 15 that function as a conveyance mechanism in the transfer unit 3. The bankbook transport control circuit 59 controls the driving of the pair of transport rollers 20 and 21 to take in the bankbook P from the bankbook inlet 22 and transport it to a predetermined transfer position. It discharges from the class intake 22.

  The sensor input circuit 60 detects the bar mark of the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 based on the output signals from the sensors S1 and S2. The sensor input circuit 60 detects the presence or absence of the bankbook P based on the output signals from the sensors S3 and S4.

Next, the overall operation of the thermal transfer recording apparatus 1 having such a configuration will be briefly described.
First, in the recording unit 2, a face image, character information, and the like are recorded by the thermal head 4 and the color ink ribbon 6 on the surface of the image receiving layer 43 of the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 to which the transparent protective layer 42 is previously applied. At this time, in order to control the recording position of the intermediate transfer ribbon 7, the bar mark of the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 fed out from the feed shaft 14 is detected by the sensor S1, thereby recording at a predetermined position.

  Information to be recorded is color recording by superimposing four colors of Y, M, C, and K, and the color ink ribbon 6 may be applied by repeating a single color or a plurality of colors as necessary. Further, molten black ink may be repeatedly applied for character information recording, and Y, M, and C sublimation dyes may be repeatedly applied for color recording. In the case of multi-color superposition recording, the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 reciprocates the thermal head 4 as many times as the number of colors to perform superposition recording. Since the speed of the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 is determined mainly by the platen roller 5, the platen roller 5 is accurately driven by combining, for example, a five-phase stepping motor with a speed reduction mechanism. Further, the recorded information is a reverse image.

  Next, in the recording unit 2, a colorless or flame-colored transparent film that functions as an adhesive layer by the thermal head 4 and the color ink ribbon 6 is formed on the surface of the image receiving layer 43 on which the face image and character information of the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 are recorded. A transparent ink layer mainly composed of a resin is transferred.

  Next, in the transfer unit 3, the recording surface of the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 to which the recording information is applied in the recording unit 2 (the surface on which the transparent ink layer as the adhesive layer is transferred on the surface of the image receiving layer 43) and the passbooks P The recording information (image receiving layer 43) and the protective layer 42 are simultaneously transferred through the transparent ink layer by superimposing the recording page 31 on the recording page 31 and applying pressure and heating by the heat roller 12. At this time, the alignment between the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 and the passbook P is performed as follows.

(1) After the transfer area of the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 has been recorded, the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 is wound in the direction of the heat roller 12, and the position of the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 is grasped by the sensor S2 in the middle of the path. Thereafter, the amount of movement of the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 relative to the position of the heat roller 12 is determined.
(2) The passbooks P are taken from the passbook take-in port 22 in a state where the recording page 31 to be transferred is opened by the operator, and conveyed to a predetermined position with respect to the heat roller 12.
(3) The intermediate transfer ribbon 7 and the recording page 31 of the passbook P, which are positioned with respect to each other, are put together with the rotation of the heat roller 12 and are pressed and heated to perform transfer through the transparent ink layer. It is.

  The passbook P thus transferred is discharged from the passbook take-in port 22 toward the operator again with the recording page 31 opened. In this example, the heat roller 12 is driven at an accurate speed by a DC servo motor or a stepping motor, and a pressure generated by a coil spring is applied to the freely rotatable backup roller 13. .

FIG. 5 schematically shows the transfer operation from the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 to the recording page 31 of the passbook P. By the pressurization / heating operation by the heat roller 12, the protective layer 42, the image receiving layer 43, the information (face image, character information, etc.) 44 recorded by the thermal head 4 and the thermal head 4 are transferred. The transparent ink layer (adhesive layer) 45 is transferred to the surface of the recording page 31.
In this example (FIG. 5), the base layer 41 of the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 is peeled off immediately after passing through the heat roller 12, but the peeling guide (guide shaft 18) is attached to the heat roller 12 as shown in FIG. It is also possible to change the peeling parameter from the base layer 41 by disposing the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 at a position away from the base layer 41 and cooling the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 after being heated by the heat roller 12 to the peeling guide 18. .

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method of driving the thermal head 4 according to the present invention. Heat is generated by selectively energizing each heating element of the thermal head 4 and recording is performed by melting each ink of the color ink ribbon 6. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, one set of a non-energized portion (non-shaded portion) and a energized portion (shaded portion) is defined as one pulse, and by changing the number of pulses, an arbitrary recording density can be obtained. Is reproduced. In the example shown in FIG. 6, for example, three pulses are energized when recording an intermediate density, and six pulses are energized when recording the highest density.

FIG. 7 shows recording of color images (face images, etc.) and character information (personal information, etc.) (FIG. 7 (a)), and heating energy when the adhesive layer is transferred to the thermal head 4 (FIG. 7 (b)). The relationship is shown in a schematic diagram.
In the drawing, when the adhesive layer (transparent ink layer) 45 is directly transferred onto the surface of the image receiving layer 43 of the intermediate transfer ribbon 7, the heating energy E11 is applied to the image receiving layer 43 of the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 without any gap. It is energy that can be transferred to.
When the adhesive layer 45 is transferred after the color image (face image or the like) 32 is recorded on the surface of the image receiving layer 43 of the intermediate transfer ribbon 7, the heating layer E12 is used to transfer the adhesive layer 45 without any gap. 43 is energy that can be transferred onto 43.
The heating energy E13 (shaded portion) is used when the adhesive layer 45 is transferred to the intermediate transfer ribbon without any gap when the adhesive layer 45 is transferred after the character information (personal information, etc.) 33 is recorded on the surface of the image receiving layer 43 of the intermediate transfer ribbon 7. 7 is energy that can be transferred onto the image receiving layer 43.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for determining the heating energy during transfer of the adhesive layer for each pixel (one heating element) when the color image 32 and the character information 33 are recorded as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, processing based on this flowchart will be described.

First, it is determined whether or not it is a region to transfer the adhesive layer (transparent ink layer) 45 (hereinafter also referred to as an adhesive layer transfer region) (step S1). If it is not the adhesive layer transfer region, the heating energy of the adhesive layer transfer region is determined. “0” is set (step S2), and the process is terminated.
If the result of determination in step S1 is an adhesive layer transfer region, it is determined whether or not it is a pixel recording a color image (such as a face image) 32 (step S3), and if it is a pixel recording a color image 32 Then, the heating energy of the adhesive layer transfer region is set to “E12” (step S4), and the process is terminated.

If the result of determination in step S3 is that the pixel is not a pixel on which the color image 32 has been recorded, it is determined whether or not the pixel has recorded character information (personal information, etc.) 33 (step S5). If there is, the heating energy of the adhesive layer transfer region is set to “E13” (step S6), and the process is terminated.
If the result of determination in step S5 is that the pixel does not contain character information 33, the heating energy in the adhesive layer transfer region is set to “E11” (step S7), and the process ends.

  In addition, after the color image 32 and the character information 33 are recorded (the recording order of the color image 32 and the character information 33 may be reversed), the transfer of the adhesive layer 45 is finally performed. Do. When the adhesive layer 45 is transferred, the heating energy of the transfer area of the adhesive layer 45 is E11, but the area where the color image 32 and the character information 33 are recorded before the transfer of the adhesive layer 45 is different from the heating energy E11. The adhesive layer 45 is transferred with heating energy. That is, in the area where the color image 32 is recorded, the heating energy is set to E12, and in the area where the character information 33 is recorded, the heating energy is set to E13 to transfer the adhesive layer 45.

FIG. 9 shows the first seal 35a and the second seal 35b (FIG. 9 (a)) stuck on the recording medium P and the heating energy (FIG. 9) when transferring the adhesive layer of the thermal head 4 to this. The relationship of (b)) is shown with a schematic diagram.
In the figure, the heating energy E21 transfers the adhesive layer (transparent ink layer) 45 onto the surface of the image receiving layer 43 of the intermediate transfer ribbon 7, and then the image receiving layer 43 of the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 is covered via the adhesive layer 45. This is the energy at which the adhesive force after transfer onto the recording medium P is in an optimal state.
The heating energy E22 transfers the adhesive layer 45 on the surface of the image receiving layer 43 of the intermediate transfer ribbon to a position where it overlaps with the first seal 35a on the recording medium P after transfer, and then the image receiving layer 43 of the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 Is an energy at which the adhesive force on the first seal 35a after the toner is transferred onto the recording medium P via the adhesive layer 45 is in an optimum state.

  The heating energy E23 transfers the adhesive layer 45 on the surface of the image receiving layer 43 of the intermediate transfer ribbon to a position where it overlaps with the second seal 35b on the recording medium P after transfer, and then the image receiving layer 43 of the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 Is an energy at which the adhesive force on the second seal 35b after the toner is transferred onto the recording medium P via the adhesive layer 45 is in an optimum state.

  FIG. 10 determines the heating energy during transfer of the adhesive layer for each pixel (one heating element) when the first seal 35a and the second seal 35b are on the recording medium P as shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process, and demonstrates the process based on this flowchart below.

First, it is determined whether or not it is a region to transfer the adhesive layer (transparent ink layer) 45 (hereinafter also referred to as an adhesive layer transfer region) (step S11). If it is not the adhesive layer transfer region, the heating energy of the adhesive layer transfer region is determined. “0” is set (step S12), and the process ends.
If the result of determination in step S11 is an adhesive layer transfer region, it is determined whether or not the first seal 35a is present (step S23). If the region is the first seal 35a, the adhesive layer transfer region is determined. Is set to “E22” (step S14), and the process is terminated.

If the result of determination in step S13 is not the region of the first seal 35a, it is determined whether or not the region is the region where the second seal 35b is present (step S15), and if it is the region of the second seal 35b, the adhesive layer The heating energy of the transfer area is set to “E23” (step S16), and the process is terminated.
If the result of determination in step S15 is that the region is not the second seal 35b, the heating energy in the adhesive layer transfer region is set to “E21” (step S17), and the process ends.

  As described above, when the transfer of the adhesive layer 45 is performed, the heating energy of the transfer region of the adhesive layer 45 is E1, but the surface of the recording medium P having a different surface state (the first seal 35a or the second seal). 35b, etc.), the adhesive layer 45 is transferred to the region where the first seal 35a and the second seal 35b are present with heating energy different from that of E21. That is, the adhesive layer 45 is transferred with the heating energy set to E22 in the region where the first seal 35a exists and the heating energy set to E23 in the region where the second seal 35b exists.

  According to the thermal transfer recording method (thermal transfer recording apparatus) described above, a uniform transfer state can be created over the entire transfer region of the transparent ink layer (adhesive layer). Further, the adhesive force after transfer can be made uniform over the entire transfer region of the transparent ink layer (adhesive layer). Therefore, it is possible to prevent peeling and falsification due to rubbing of the image receiving layer.

FIG. 11 schematically shows a first example of a recorded matter obtained by the above-described thermal transfer recording method (thermal transfer recording apparatus). In the figure, on a recording medium 71 (corresponding to the recording medium P in FIG. 2), a transparent ink layer (adhesive layer) 72 (corresponding to the adhesive layer 45 in FIG. 5) mainly composed of a colorless or flame-colored transparent resin. ) An image forming layer 73 (corresponding to the image receiving layer 43 on which an image is formed) formed by superimposing one or more color inks, a colorless or light transparent protective layer 74 (corresponding to the protective layer 42 in FIG. 3) Are formed in this order. The transparent ink layer 72 as the adhesive layer is uniformly formed in a range larger than the area where the image forming layer 73 is formed.
In this way, since a recorded matter having a uniform transfer state can be obtained over the entire transfer region of the transparent ink layer 72, peeling due to rubbing of the image forming layer (image receiving layer) 73 can be prevented, and falsification can be prevented. Leads to.

FIG. 12 schematically shows a second example of a recorded matter obtained by the above-described thermal transfer recording method (thermal transfer recording apparatus). In the figure, on a recording medium 81 (corresponding to the recording medium P in FIG. 2), a transparent ink layer (adhesive layer) 82 (corresponding to the adhesive layer 45 in FIG. 5) mainly composed of a colorless or flame-colored transparent resin. ) A first image region 83 formed by overlapping one or more color inks, a second image region 84 formed by overlapping one or more color inks and an ink containing a UV excitation type fluorescent pigment. And a third image region 85 formed from one color ink, a fourth image region 86 formed from ink containing a UV excitation type fluorescent pigment, and a non-image region 87 where no image is formed. An image forming layer 88 and a colorless or light transparent protective layer 89 (corresponding to the protective layer 42 in FIG. 3) are formed in this order. The transparent ink layer 82 as the adhesive layer is uniformly formed in a range larger than the area where the image is formed in the image forming layer 88.
In this way, since a recorded matter having a uniform transfer state can be obtained over the entire transfer region of the transparent ink layer 82, it is possible to prevent peeling due to rubbing of the image forming layer (image receiving layer) 88, and to prevent falsification. Leads to.

1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a configuration of a thermal transfer recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The schematic diagram which shows an example of the passbooks after completion | finish of recording. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an intermediate transfer ribbon. The block diagram which shows a control system roughly. The side view which shows typically transfer operation | movement from the intermediate transfer ribbon to the recording page of passbooks. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for driving a thermal head according to the present invention. The schematic diagram which shows the relationship between the recording of a color image (face image etc.) and character information (personal information etc.), and the heating energy at the time of the adhesive layer transfer of a thermal head with respect to this. The flowchart which shows the flow of the process which determines the heating energy at the time of adhesive layer transfer at the time of recording of a color image and character information for every pixel (one heating element). The schematic diagram which shows the relationship of the heating energy at the time of adhesive layer transfer of the thermal head with respect to the 1st seal | sticker and 2nd seal | sticker stuck on the recording medium. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for determining heating energy for each pixel (one heating element) when transferring an adhesive layer when there is a first seal and a second seal on a recording medium. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal side view schematically showing a first example of a recorded matter obtained by the thermal transfer recording method (thermal transfer recording apparatus) of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal side view schematically showing a second example of a recorded matter obtained by the thermal transfer recording method (thermal transfer recording apparatus) of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Thermal transfer recording apparatus, 2 ... Recording part (recording means), 3 ... Transfer part (transfer means), 4 ... Thermal head, 5 ... Platen roller, 6 ... Color ink ribbon, 7 ... Intermediate transfer ribbon (intermediate transfer medium) , 8 ... delivery shaft, 9 ... take-up shaft, 12 ... heat roller, 13 ... backup roller, 14 ... delivery shaft, 15 ... take-up shaft, 20, 21 ... transport roller pair, 22 ... passbook entry port, 23 ... transport path, P ... passbook (recorded medium), 31 ... recording page, 32 ... face image, 33 ... character information (personal information, etc.), 34 ... protective layer, 35 ... seal, etc. 41 ... base layer (film) Shaped substrate), 42 ... protective layer, 43 ... image receiving layer, 44 ... recorded information (face image, character information, etc.), 45 ... transparent ink layer (adhesive layer), 51 ... CPU (control means), E11, E12, E13 ... heating energy, E21, E22, E23 ... Thermal energy, 71 ... recording medium, 72 ... transparent ink layer (adhesive layer), 73 ... image forming layer, 74 ... transparent protective layer, 81 ... recording medium, 82 ... transparent ink layer (adhesive layer), 83 ... 1 image area, 84 ... second image area, 85 ... third image area, 86 ... fourth image area, 87 ... non-image area, 88 ... image forming layer, 89 ... transparent protective layer.

Claims (10)

An ink ribbon in which an ink layer and an adhesive layer are sequentially provided on one surface of the film-like substrate, and an image receiving layer capable of transferring the plurality of colors of ink from the ink ribbon are provided on one surface of the film-like substrate. Using an intermediate transfer ribbon and a line-type thermal head in which a plurality of heating elements are arranged in a row,
Each heating element of the thermal head is selectively heated to form a desired image by transferring ink of the ink ribbon onto the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer ribbon, and each heating element of the thermal head Is heated to transfer the adhesive layer from the ink ribbon onto the image-formed surface of the image-receiving layer of the intermediate transfer ribbon, and then the image-receiving layer on which the image of the intermediate transfer ribbon is formed A thermal transfer recording method for transferring to the surface of a recording medium via an adhesive layer transferred onto the surface,
When transferring the adhesive layer from the ink ribbon onto the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer ribbon, the heating energy when transferring onto the surface on which the image is formed and the heating energy when transferring onto the surface where the image is not formed A thermal transfer recording method, wherein each heat generating element of the thermal head is driven so as to transfer with different temperatures. An ink ribbon in which an ink layer and an adhesive layer are sequentially provided on one surface of the film-like substrate, and an image receiving layer capable of transferring the plurality of colors of ink from the ink ribbon are provided on one surface of the film-like substrate. Using an intermediate transfer ribbon and a line-type thermal head in which a plurality of heating elements are arranged in a row,
Each heating element of the thermal head is selectively heated to form a desired image by transferring ink of the ink ribbon onto the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer ribbon, and each heating element of the thermal head Is heated to transfer the adhesive layer from the ink ribbon onto the image-formed surface of the image-receiving layer of the intermediate transfer ribbon, and then the image-receiving layer on which the image of the intermediate transfer ribbon is formed A thermal transfer recording method for transferring to the surface of a recording medium via an adhesive layer transferred onto the surface,
When transferring the adhesive layer from the ink ribbon onto the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer ribbon, if the surface of the recording medium has two or more states, set the optimum heating energy for each surface state, A thermal transfer recording method, wherein each heating element of the thermal head is driven so as to transfer with the set heating energy.   3. The thermal transfer according to claim 1, wherein the ink ribbon is a color ink ribbon in which a color ink layer composed of a plurality of colors and an adhesive layer are sequentially provided on one surface of a film-like substrate. Recording method.   When forming a color image other than at least black with each ink of the color ink ribbon, the heating elements of the thermal head are alternately arranged so that even-numbered pixels and odd-numbered pixels are alternately formed for each recording line. 4. The thermal transfer recording method according to claim 3, wherein the thermal transfer recording method is driven. An ink ribbon supply means for supplying an ink ribbon in which an ink layer and an adhesive layer are sequentially provided on one surface of the film-like substrate;
An intermediate transfer ribbon supply means for supplying an intermediate transfer ribbon in which an image receiving layer capable of transferring the plurality of colors of ink from the ink ribbon is provided on one surface of the film-like substrate;
A line-type thermal head in which a plurality of heating elements are arranged in a line;
Each heating element of the thermal head is selectively heated to transfer the ink ribbon ink supplied by the ink ribbon supply means onto the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer ribbon supplied by the intermediate transfer ribbon supply means. A surface on which the image of the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer ribbon supplied by the intermediate transfer ribbon supply means is formed by forming a desired image by heating and heating each heating element of the thermal head. Thermal head driving means for transferring the adhesive layer from the ink ribbon supplied by the ink ribbon supply means;
A thermal transfer recording apparatus having transfer means for transferring an image receiving layer on which an image of the intermediate transfer ribbon is formed to the surface of a recording medium via an adhesive layer transferred onto the surface;
When the thermal head driving means transfers the adhesive layer from the ink ribbon onto the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer ribbon, the thermal energy is transferred on the surface on which the image is formed and the surface on which the image is not formed. A thermal transfer recording apparatus, wherein each heating element of the thermal head is driven so that the heating energy is changed when transferring to the thermal head. An ink ribbon supply means for supplying an ink ribbon in which an ink layer and an adhesive layer are sequentially provided on one surface of the film-like substrate;
An intermediate transfer ribbon supply means for supplying an intermediate transfer ribbon in which an image receiving layer capable of transferring the plurality of colors of ink from the ink ribbon is provided on one surface of the film-like substrate;
A line-type thermal head in which a plurality of heating elements are arranged in a line;
Each heating element of the thermal head is selectively heated to transfer the ink ribbon ink supplied by the ink ribbon supply means onto the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer ribbon supplied by the intermediate transfer ribbon supply means. A surface on which the image of the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer ribbon supplied by the intermediate transfer ribbon supply means is formed by forming a desired image by heating and heating each heating element of the thermal head. Thermal head driving means for transferring the adhesive layer from the ink ribbon supplied by the ink ribbon supply means;
A thermal transfer recording apparatus having transfer means for transferring an image receiving layer on which an image of the intermediate transfer ribbon is formed to the surface of a recording medium via an adhesive layer transferred onto the surface;
The thermal head drive means is optimal for each surface state when the surface of the recording medium has two or more states when transferring the adhesive layer from the ink ribbon onto the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer ribbon. A thermal transfer recording apparatus, wherein a heating energy is set, and each heating element of the thermal head is driven so as to transfer with the set heating energy.   The thermal transfer according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the ink ribbon is a color ink ribbon in which a color ink layer composed of a plurality of colors and an adhesive layer are sequentially provided on one surface of a film-like substrate. Recording device.   The thermal head driving means, when forming at least a color image other than black with each ink of the color ink ribbon, forms the thermal pixels so as to alternately form even-numbered pixels and odd-numbered pixels for each recording line. 8. The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein each heating element of the head is driven alternately.   On a recording medium, a transparent ink layer mainly composed of a colorless or flame-colored transparent resin, an image forming layer formed by superposing one or more color inks, and a colorless or light-colored transparent protective layer are formed in this order. The recorded matter, wherein the transparent ink layer is uniformly formed in a range larger than a region where the image forming layer is formed.   A transparent ink layer mainly composed of a colorless or flame-colored transparent resin on a recording medium, a first image area formed by superimposing one or more color inks, one or more color inks, and a UV excitation type The second image region formed by overlapping the ink containing the fluorescent pigment, the third image region formed from the one color ink, and the fourth image formed from the ink containing the UV excitation type fluorescent pigment. An image forming layer composed of an image area and a non-image area where no image is formed, and a recorded matter formed in the order of a colorless or light-colored transparent protective layer, wherein the transparent ink layer is included in the image forming layer. The recorded matter is characterized in that the thickness is uniformly formed in a range larger than the area where the image is formed.

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