JP2013086324A - Image recoding device and image recoding method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image recoding method and an image recoding device which use a thermal head with heating elements arranged at constant intervals in a main scanning direction to achieve dot arrangement offering higher resolution and improve security using information expressed by characteristic dot arrangement.SOLUTION: The image recording method includes a first transfer step of making a heat transfer ribbon come in contact with an intermediate transfer film and transferring dots of ink to the intermediate transfer film by partial heating by a thermal head on an opposite surface, and a second transfer step of transferring a transfer layer on the intermediate transfer film to a transfer subject. According to the image recoding method and the device, at first transfer step of ink transfer, the thermal head is moved minutely in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the heat transfer ribbon.

Description

  The present invention uses a thermal head in which a plurality of heating resistors are arranged in the main scanning direction of a color image, and applies an image to a sheet on which three or more color materials including at least yellow, magenta, and cyan are sequentially applied. The present invention relates to an intermediate transfer recording apparatus and a recording method for recording an image on an intermediate recording medium by sequentially applying the corresponding heat and then transferring the image to a printing material.

  In a color thermal transfer recording apparatus using a thermal head in which a plurality of heating resistors are arranged in a line, a heat-fusible ink whose main material is a pigment and a heat-sublimable ink whose main material is a dye are used. In general, the former is called a melting type thermal transfer recording apparatus, and the latter is called a sublimation type thermal transfer recording apparatus.

  In a sublimation thermal transfer recording device, when a color material mainly composed of a sublimation dye is applied to a base layer composed of a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film for color printing, thermal transfer is applied in the order of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. Overlay the thermal transfer recording paper with an image-receiving layer made of a polyester resin or other material that easily dyes on the ribbon, and sublimate the ink by applying heat from the thermal head to the thermal transfer ribbon in the order of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. To transfer it onto the thermal transfer recording paper. In the case of the sublimation type, the transfer amount to the thermal transfer recording paper continuously changes according to the heat amount to which the gradation of density is applied, so it is suitable for recording halftone images such as photographs. Is possible.

  However, the transfer temperature of the sublimation type is as high as 100 ° C. to 200 ° C. compared to a general melting type transfer temperature of 100 ° C. or less, and requires a large amount of energy. Since the printing time is longer than that of the melted type, the printing time is longer. In addition, sublimation ink uses dye as the main raw material, so there are fewer types and higher prices compared to pigments, and it is weak in light resistance and recording paper is generally used. Since ordinary plain paper cannot be used, it has the disadvantage of high running costs.

  In contrast, in the case of a melt type thermal transfer recording apparatus, when a color material having a fusible pigment as a main material is color printing on a base layer such as a PET film, it is applied in the order of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black as shown in FIG. Heat transfer recording paper with high smoothness is stacked on the thermal transfer ribbon and heat is applied from the thermal head to the thermal transfer ribbon to dissolve the solid ink and adhere it to the recording paper in the order of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. To do.

  The pigment is the same type as that used in general printed materials such as offset printing, so it can be transferred to plain paper, and can be transferred with low energy, so it can be compared to a sublimation thermal transfer recording device. There is an advantage that the apparatus cost and running cost are low, but since the transfer is performed due to the difference in the adhesive strength between the ink paper and the base layer, multi-tone expression with one dot is difficult. Value printing was common.

  When a halftone image is printed by a melt-type thermal transfer recording apparatus, dithering or error diffusion is used, but there is a disadvantage that the substantial resolution of the printed halftone image is low and the image becomes rough. In recent years, it has become possible to express multi-tones in a single dot even with a melt-type thermal transfer recording device by improving the thermal control technology of the thermal head, stabilizing the quality of the thermal transfer ribbon, and improving the coating material of the recording paper. In order to improve the resolution, it is desired to increase the density of the dot distribution itself.

  A method of transferring and forming a desired image on a transfer object by using a thermal transfer ribbon coated with a sublimation dye uniformly on the entire surface and selectively heating a local area with a thermal head in accordance with image data is known. However, the materials that can be dyed with a sublimation dye are limited, and can be applied only to the transfer material of limited materials such as polyester, acrylic resin, and polyvinyl chloride. However, as the material of the transfer object, there can be various materials such as synthetic resin, paper, metal, glass and the like, which are generally not dyeable with respect to the sublimable dye, in addition to the above synthetic resin.

  Therefore, as proposed in Patent Document 1, using a thermal transfer ribbon of a sublimable dye and a thermal head, an image is first transferred to a film-like intermediate transfer medium, and then the image of the intermediate transfer film is bonded. A two-stage transfer recording system in which a layer is used to transfer to a transfer medium has become widespread.

  This method is epoch-making in that the image can be transferred and formed by selecting the adhesive layer regardless of the material of the transfer target. Since the transfer body is a film-like medium, there is an advantage that the transfer conditions can be controlled more easily than the transfer to the final product of different materials and shapes, and the resolution can be increased more precisely. .

The higher density of the dot distribution itself necessary to more effectively demonstrate the advantages of the two-stage transfer recording system having such advantages is the main scanning direction of a plurality of heating elements formed in a row on the thermal head surface. This has been achieved by shortening the dimensions in the direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the transfer target and increasing the arrangement pitch, but it is natural to increase the density in the main scanning direction due to processing limitations. There was a limit.
In addition, the dot density in the sub-scanning direction (traveling direction of the transfer object) is defined by the relationship between the transfer speed of the transfer object during printing and the heating timing of the heating element, and the density is increased so that adjacent dots do not overlap. There was a limit to achieve this as well.

Reduce the size in the main scanning direction of the multiple heating elements formed in a row on the surface of the thermal head, increase the arrangement pitch to the limit, and further increase the dot density to increase the resolution of the transferred image. Another method for increasing the frequency is proposed in Patent Document 2.
FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a method for improving the arrangement density of dots formed at a constant pitch in the main scanning direction by this different method.

The upper diagram (1) of FIG. 4 schematically shows dot arrangements formed at regular intervals in the feeding direction of the thermal transfer ribbon using a thermal head having heating elements arranged at regular intervals in the main scanning direction. It is shown. In this case, the dot interval is a substantially square arrangement in which the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction are substantially equal.
On the other hand, FIG. 4 (2) on the lower side of FIG. 4 shows a dot arrangement that can form a higher resolution image by shortening the heat generation interval of the thermal head to the limit at which the dots do not overlap with respect to the feeding speed of the thermal transfer ribbon. ing.

With such a conventional method, it is possible to shorten the dot arrangement interval to some extent with respect to the feeding direction of the thermal transfer ribbon, but the position of the thermal head is fixed with respect to the ribbon width direction. Therefore, the dot position in the width direction cannot be moved.
In addition, when the dot arrangement is arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions, printing can be easily performed with other printers. In the case of elaborate forgery with similar dot shapes, it may be difficult to determine authenticity just by looking at the dot shape (state).

  FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a method for improving the dot density, which is formed by using a thermal head provided with heating elements arranged at a constant pitch in the main scanning direction disclosed in Patent Document 2.

The upper diagram (1) of FIG. 5 schematically shows dot arrangements formed at regular intervals in the feeding direction of the thermal transfer ribbon using a thermal head having heating elements arranged at regular intervals in the main scanning direction. It is shown. In this case, the dot interval is a square arrangement in which the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction are substantially equal.
On the other hand, FIG. 5 (2) on the lower side of FIG. 5 shows the arrangement of dots by controlling the heat generation interval of the thermal head with the heating timing of the heating elements at adjacent positions in the main scanning direction with respect to the feeding speed of the thermal transfer ribbon. Shows a dot arrangement in which a higher resolution image can be formed in a staggered arrangement instead of a square.

  According to this method, although the arrangement interval between the dot centers in the main scanning direction does not change, the dot-to-dot distance can be shortened and the dot occupation area can be increased by using the staggered arrangement. As a result, a high-resolution image can be formed with the same density.

However, even if such a staggered dot arrangement is adopted, the distance between dots in the thermal transfer ribbon width direction does not change, so the degree of resolution enhancement is small.
For this reason, it is possible to increase the resolution of the dot arrangement using a thermal head with a constant heating element interval in the main scanning direction and to improve security by using information expressed by the characteristic dot arrangement. A method was sought.

JP-A 63-81093 Japanese Patent No. 3621777

  According to the present invention, it is possible to increase the resolution of a dot arrangement using a thermal head with a constant heating element interval in the main scanning direction and to improve security by using information expressed by the characteristic dot arrangement. An object is to provide an image recording method and apparatus.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the second transfer layer on one side of the thermal transfer ribbon is brought into contact with the first transfer layer on one side of the intermediate transfer film, and the thermal head is used from the opposite side of the thermal transfer ribbon. A first transfer device that transfers the second transfer layer in a dot shape onto the first transfer layer of the intermediate transfer film by partial heating, and supports the transfer object, and the intermediate transfer film on the transfer object A second transfer device for transferring the first transfer layer and the second transfer layer and an intermediate transfer film supply for winding the wound intermediate transfer film after passing the first transfer device and the second transfer device. An image recording apparatus comprising the apparatus,
An image recording apparatus comprising: means for moving the thermal head in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the thermal transfer ribbon at the time of transfer by the first transfer apparatus.

  The invention according to claim 2 of the present invention is characterized in that the movable means includes a linear actuator attached to the thermal head and a linear motion guide provided in the moving direction of the thermal head. An image recording apparatus according to claim 1.

  The invention according to claim 3 of the present invention is characterized in that a glass thin film is provided between a thermal head and a thermal transfer ribbon at the time of transfer by the first transfer device. Device.

In the invention according to claim 4 of the present invention, the second transfer layer on one side of the thermal transfer ribbon is brought into contact with the first transfer layer on one side of the intermediate transfer film, and the thermal head is used from the opposite side of the thermal transfer ribbon. A first transfer step of transferring the second transfer layer in the form of dots onto the first transfer layer of the intermediate transfer film by partial heating; supporting the transfer object; and the intermediate transfer film on the transfer object A second transfer step for transferring the first transfer layer and the second transfer layer above, and an intermediate transfer film supply for winding the wound intermediate transfer film after passing through the first transfer device and the second transfer device An image recording method including a process,
In the image recording method, the thermal head is finely moved in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the thermal transfer ribbon during the transfer in the first transfer step.

According to the image recording method of the present invention, the second transfer layer on one side of the thermal transfer ribbon is brought into contact with the first transfer layer on one side of the intermediate transfer film, and the portion by the thermal head is formed from the opposite side of the thermal transfer ribbon. A first transfer step of transferring the second transfer layer in the form of dots onto the first transfer layer of the intermediate transfer film by heating; supporting the transfer object; and on the intermediate transfer film on the transfer object A second transfer step of transferring the first transfer layer and the second transfer layer, and an intermediate transfer film supply step of winding the wound intermediate transfer film after passing through the first transfer device and the second transfer device An image recording method comprising: moving the thermal head in a direction perpendicular to the running direction of the thermal transfer ribbon at the time of transfer in the first transfer step,
Since the dot arrangement on the intermediate transfer film in the first transfer step can be made in a staggered arrangement, the number of dots per unit area can be increased and the resolution can be increased.

FIG. 6 shows an example of dot arrangement on the intermediate transfer film schematically showing this effect. FIG. 6 (1) shows a conventional high-resolution dot arrangement example, and FIG. 6 (2) shows a high-resolution dot arrangement example (staggered arrangement) of the present invention.
The method of shortening the inter-dot distance in the feed direction of the thermal transfer ribbon shown in FIG. 4 or the method of staggered arrangement by shifting the heating timing in the ribbon feed direction every other heating element in the main operation direction shown in FIG. On the other hand, according to the method of the present invention, as a result of minute movement of the thermal head in the direction perpendicular to the running direction of the thermal transfer ribbon, the number of dots per unit area can be increased as shown in FIG. Can be raised.

  Further, it is difficult to use the conventional method in which the position of the thermal head is fixed because the thermal recording head is finely moved in the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the thermal transfer ribbon at the time of transfer in the first transfer step. In addition, it is possible to easily realize a dot arrangement with various characteristics. Some examples of characteristic dot arrays are shown in FIG.

  The dot arrangement of (1) in FIG. 7 schematically shows an example in which the dot arrangement becomes a wave shape by a minute reciprocation of the thermal head in a direction perpendicular to the ribbon conveyance direction. Although the difference in dot arrangement is not obvious at first glance, it can be expected to have a security effect as information for authenticity determination.

The dot arrangement shown in (2) of FIG. 7 is turned on by the minute reciprocation of the heating element in one pitch unit in the direction perpendicular to the ribbon transport direction of the thermal head. For example, data such as personal information data, face photo data, and issue date / time can be embedded. It is possible to determine the authenticity by comparing the specific data with the actual printed data based on the dot arrangement at the end.
As described above, it is possible to embed information in the dot arrangement itself by changing the dot arrangement from the conventional grid-like dot arrangement to a feature different from that, and not only in the above example, but a passport that requires security. This hidden information can be used extensively for ID cards and ID cards.

According to the image recording apparatus of the present invention, the second transfer layer on one side of the thermal transfer ribbon is brought into contact with the first transfer layer on one side of the intermediate transfer film, and the portion formed by the thermal head from the opposite side of the thermal transfer ribbon. A first transfer device that transfers the second transfer layer in a dot shape onto the first transfer layer of the intermediate transfer film by heating, and supports the transfer object, and on the intermediate transfer film on the transfer object A second transfer device for transferring the first transfer layer and the second transfer layer, and an intermediate transfer film supply device for winding the wound intermediate transfer film after passing through the first transfer device and the second transfer device An image recording apparatus comprising:
An image recording apparatus characterized by having means for moving the thermal head in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the thermal transfer ribbon at the time of transfer by the first transfer apparatus. The above-described effects can be obtained due to the dot arrangement characteristic that cannot be obtained by the head.

  According to the image recording apparatus of the present invention, the movable means includes a linear actuator driven by a servo motor attached to the thermal head and a linear motion guide provided in the moving direction of the thermal head. By being an image recording apparatus, it has become possible to achieve micron level positioning control with a linear actuator, improvement in linearity with a linear motion guide, and low friction operation.

  According to the image recording apparatus of the present invention, the glass thin film is provided between the thermal head and the thermal transfer ribbon at the time of transfer by the first transfer device, so that the thermal head slides while being pressed against the platen roller (drum). Even if the operation is performed, it is possible to prevent the thermal transfer ribbon and the intermediate transfer film from becoming wrinkles due to contact movement with the thermal head.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the resolution of the dot arrangement is increased using a thermal head having a constant heating element interval in the main scanning direction, and security information is obtained using information expressed by the characteristic dot arrangement. It is possible to easily provide an image recording method and apparatus capable of realizing the improvement.

Two-stage transfer method using an intermediate transfer film. A second transfer device of a two-stage transfer system using an intermediate transfer film. Basic configuration example of color thermal transfer ribbon. (1) Top view, (2) Cross section. The conventional dot arrangement example of an intermediate transfer film. (1) Low resolution, (2) High resolution. The conventional dot arrangement example of an intermediate transfer film. (1) Low resolution, (2) High resolution. The dot arrangement example of an intermediate transfer film. (1) Conventional, (2) High resolution of the present invention. The dot arrangement example of this invention of an intermediate transfer film. (1) Wave type dot arrangement example (2) Special dot arrangement example The thermal head position control apparatus of the 1st transfer apparatus concerning this invention. (1) Front, (2) Upper surface. The thermal head position control apparatus (side surface) of the 1st transfer apparatus which concerns on this invention. The thermal head position control apparatus of the 1st transfer apparatus concerning this invention. (1) Side surface, (2) Upper surface.

Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of an image recording apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as necessary. FIG. 1 shows an example of an embodiment in which the image recording apparatus of the present invention is used in a two-stage transfer system using an intermediate transfer film. FIG. 2 shows an example of an embodiment of a second transfer device of the two-stage transfer method using the intermediate transfer film.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an indirect transfer type image recording apparatus using an intermediate transfer film.
In FIG. 1, (1) is an intermediate transfer film as an intermediate medium having a first transfer layer (1a) on one side, and (2) is a thermal transfer ink layer (2a) as a second transfer layer on one side. (A) shows a first transfer layer in which the thermal transfer ink layer (2a) of the thermal transfer ribbon (2) is brought into contact with the first transfer layer (1a) of the intermediate transfer film (1). (1a) A first transfer device that transfers the thermal transfer ink layer (2a) onto the first transfer layer (1a) to form an image. (B) holds the sheet (3) as the body of the transfer object, while the transferred intermediate transfer film (1) is supplied and the thermal transfer ink layer (2a) is transferred to form the first transfer. The second transfer device transfers the layer (1a) onto the transfer object (3).

  To summarize the indirect transfer system in this image recording apparatus, the intermediate transfer film (1) is fed from the intermediate transfer film unwinding roll (8) to the first transfer apparatus (A) via the roller, and the first transfer In the apparatus (A), the second thermal transfer layer (2a) is transferred from the thermal transfer ribbon (2). On the intermediate transfer film (1) to which the thermal transfer ink layer (2a) has been transferred, a layer having a cross-sectional configuration as shown in FIG. 2 is formed and sent to the second transfer device (B) via a roller. The substrate (3) is held in the second transfer device (B), and an image composed of the first transfer layer (1a) and the thermal transfer ink layer (2a) on the lower surface of the intermediate transfer film (1) is printed on the substrate (3). ) And after the transfer to the substrate (3) is completed, the film is wound around the intermediate transfer film winding roller (9).

  The intermediate transfer film (1) before transfer in the second transfer device (B) has a cross-sectional configuration as shown in FIG. 2, and is peeled off from the lower surface of the base material (10a) made of a polyethylene terephthalate resin sheet. A layer (10), a security layer (11), and an image receiving layer (12) are laminated. In the security layer (11), highly confidential data such as personal information is recorded by a transparent hologram or fine pattern printing. In the image receiving layer (12), an image such as an individual face photograph is recorded.

  The ink forming the thermal transfer ink layer (2a) of the thermal transfer ribbon (2) is composed of four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). 1 unit is arranged at a constant pitch (see FIG. 3). As these inks, sublimation transfer ink and melt transfer ink are used. The thermal transfer ribbon (2) is wound in a roll shape and sent from the thermal transfer ribbon unwinding roll (13) to the thermal transfer ribbon take-up roller (14).

  The first transfer device (A) includes a drum (15) that winds the intermediate transfer film (1) around the peripheral surface, and a press roller as a film fixing unit that fixes the intermediate transfer film (1) on the peripheral surface of the drum (15). (16), (17), press rollers (18), (19) for bringing the thermal transfer ribbon (2) into close contact with the intermediate transfer film (1) on the peripheral surface of the drum (15), and the thermal transfer ribbon (2). A thermal head (6) for transferring the thermal transfer ink layer (2a) to the first transfer layer (1a) of the intermediate transfer film (1).

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a thermal head position control device of the first transfer device according to the present invention, where FIG. 8A is a front view and FIG. 8B is a top view. In the drawing, the left and right are the main scanning direction (the width direction of the thermal transfer ribbon), and the upper and lower are the sub scanning direction (the running direction of the thermal transfer ribbon).
In FIG. 8, the thermal head (6) having a heat generating portion (6a) composed of heat generating elements arranged at a constant pitch in the main scanning direction on its surface is supported at one end by a spring (25) and the other end is at the other end. It is fixed to the shaft of the linear actuator (26) driven by the servo motor (28), and is configured to move as the shaft of the linear actuator (26) moves left and right.

  In this case, the movement of the thermal head (6) in the left direction in the figure is performed by pushing the shaft portion of the linear actuator (26), and the movement of the thermal head (6) in the right direction is performed by the linear actuator (26). Although the mechanism in which the shaft portion returns to the right by the repulsive force of the spring (25) moved to the right side is shown, the movement mechanism may not include a spring.

  Further, a linear guide (27) is attached in the direction of reciprocal movement of the thermal head (6) in order to improve the linearity of the movement of the thermal head (6) and realize a low friction operation. This makes it possible to achieve ultra-precision positioning and high-speed response with a linear actuator.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram (cross-sectional view) of the thermal head position control device of the first transfer device according to the present invention, and the top and bottom of the drawing are the running direction of the thermal transfer ribbon (2). The intermediate transfer film (1) is pressure-bonded to the drum (15) by press rolls (16), (17) with the surface (1a) facing outside, and the thermal transfer ribbon (2) is a heating portion of the thermal head (6). (6a) is pressed against the intermediate transfer film (1) during printing.

If the thermal head (6) is moved in this state by the linear actuator (26) in the main scanning direction (front and back direction in the figure), wrinkles may enter the thermal transfer ribbon (2) and the intermediate transfer film (1).
In order to prevent this, it is effective to sandwich a thin film having good thermal conductivity such as a glass thin film between the thermal head (6) and the thermal transfer ribbon (2).

FIG. 10 shows a side sectional view (FIG. 10 (1)) and a top sectional view (FIG. 10 (2)) when a glass thin film (29) is provided between the thermal head (6) and the thermal transfer ribbon (2). )showed that.
As a result, the thermal head (6) slides on the glass thin film (29). Therefore, even if the thermal head (6) is slid against the drum (15) and is slid, the thermal transfer ribbon (2) and It becomes possible to prevent the intermediate transfer film (1) from becoming wrinkled.

Next, an operation example of the first transfer device in the present invention will be described.
The drum (15) serving as a platen roller in the first transfer device can be rotated in the forward and reverse directions by a rotation driving device (not shown), and a drum (15) is provided on the peripheral surface of the side end of the drum (15). 15) A sign for detecting the rotation angle is provided, and a sensor such as a photocoupler for detecting the sign by an optical, mechanical, or electrical method is disposed in the vicinity of the sign. The amount of rotation of the drum (15) is calculated by transmitting detection data from the sensor to the rotation amount calculation means of the CPU.

On the peripheral surface of the drum (15), there is a rotation direction front end position of the first transfer layer (1a) provided on the intermediate transfer film (1) and a rotation direction rear end position of the first transfer layer (1a). Is set.
When the drum (15) is in the rotation start position, the front end position in the rotation direction of the first transfer layer (1a) is positioned at a position where the heat generating portion (6a) of the thermal head (6) performs transfer, and the drum The front end portion of the sign arranged in the peripheral surface of (15) in the drum rotation direction is located at the sensor position.
When the drum (15) is stopped at the rotation start position, the intermediate transfer film (1) is moved along the peripheral surface of the drum (15) by rotating the intermediate transfer film winding roller (9). .

At this time, the feeding of the intermediate transfer film (1) stops when the rotation direction front end of the first transfer layer (1a) is positioned at the rotation direction front end position of the drum (15). The fact that the front end portion of the first transfer layer (1a) is positioned at the front end position of the drum (15) means that the alignment mark provided on the intermediate transfer film (1) and this alignment mark are detected by the drum (15). Detection is possible by providing a sensor such as a photocoupler.

  When the front end position of the first transfer layer (1a) of the intermediate transfer film (1) is located at the front end position in the rotational direction of the drum (15), the press rollers (16) and (17) are pressed against the drum (15) side. The intermediate transfer film (1) is fixed to the drum (15).

  After fixing the intermediate transfer film (1) to the drum (15), the thermal transfer ribbon take-up roller (14) is rotated so that the corresponding part (2a (Y)) of the yellow transfer ink layer (2a) is moved to the thermal head (6). The press rollers (18) and (19) are pressed against the drum (15).

  Next, the drum (15) is moved to the thermal transfer ink layer (2a) so that the yellow transfer position of the first transfer layer (1a) of the intermediate transfer film (1) is positioned at the heat generating portion (6a) of the thermal head (6). To the yellow transfer position. When the drum (15) is rotated in this way, the heat generating part (6a) of the thermal head (6) is brought into contact with the drum (15) via the thermal transfer ribbon (2) and the intermediate transfer film (1), and the thermal head The heat generating part (6a) of (6) generates heat.

During these series of operations, the thermal head (6) reciprocates in the main scanning direction and transfers dots at an arbitrary position onto the first transfer layer (1a) surface of the intermediate transfer film (1) within a set range. I can do it.
The reciprocation of the thermal head (6) is performed by the linear actuator (26) based on the position data and color data relating to the dot configuration of the image data to be recorded.
Data regarding these dot configurations is transmitted to the heat generating portion (6a) of the thermal head (6), and heat generation control of the thermal head (6) is performed.

FIG. 10 (1) is a side sectional view of the first transfer device (A) in the case where a glass thin film (29) is further added between the thermal head (6) and the thermal transfer ribbon (2) in FIG. (2) shows a cross section viewed from above.
As shown in FIG. 10, the glass thin film (29) is interposed between the thermal head (6) and the thermal transfer ribbon (2), so that the arrangement between the linear guides from the drum of the first transfer device during printing is as follows. The drum (15) / intermediate transfer film (1) / thermal transfer ribbon (2) / glass thin film (29) / thermal head (6) / linear motion guide (27). The thermal head (6) becomes the thermal transfer ribbon (2). Since sliding operation is performed while contacting the glass thin film (29) without direct contact, it is possible to prevent wrinkles from entering the intermediate transfer film (1) and the thermal transfer ribbon (2).

The press rollers (16) and (17) are displaceable in the diameter direction of the drum (15), and include an arm mechanism (not shown) that comes into contact with or separates from the circumferential surface of the drum (15). .
The rotation center line of the arm mechanism is at a position shifted from the rotation center line of the drum (15) and extends in parallel to the rotation center line of the drum (15). , The press rollers (16), (17) can be moved closer to or away from the drum (15).
Although the rotation control of the arm mechanism is not shown, it is performed by a member that expands and contracts by electrical control such as an actuator.

When the transfer of the yellow portion of the thermal transfer ink layer (2a) is completed by the thermal head (6), the press rollers (18) and (19) are separated from the drum (15), and the thermal transfer ribbon take-up roller (14) is rotated. The first part of magenta (M) is sent to the position of the heat generating part (6a), and the drum (15) is rotated in the reverse direction so that the magenta dot transfer position of the first transfer layer (1a) is positioned at the forefront line part. ) Is positioned at the transfer position of the heat generating portion (6a).
When the front row portion of the magenta dot transfer position of the drum (15) is positioned at the transfer position of the heat generating portion (6a), the thermal transfer ribbon (2) is fixed to the intermediate transfer film (1) by the press rollers (18) and (19). Then, the heat generating portion (6a) of the thermal head (6) is pressed against the drum (15), and the magenta dot configuration data is applied to the heat generating portion (6a) of the thermal head (6) based on the data regarding the magenta dot configuration. Then, heat generation control of the thermal head (6) is performed.
The same process is performed for cyan (C) and black (K) of the transfer ribbon (2) to complete the transfer process in the first transfer device.

Next, an operation example of the second transfer device will be described.
When the transfer from the thermal transfer ink layer (2a) of the thermal transfer ribbon (2) to the first transfer layer (1a) of the intermediate transfer film (1) is completed, the intermediate transfer film take-up roller (9) is rotated to complete the transfer. The portion is moved to the second transfer device (B). FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show this state. The heat generating part (6a) of the press rollers (16), (17), (18), (19) and the thermal head (6) is respectively a drum (15). The intermediate transfer film take-up roller roller (9) and the thermal transfer ribbon take-up roller (14) rotate, the intermediate transfer film (1) is sent to the second transfer device (B), and the thermal transfer ribbon (2) It is wound around a thermal transfer ribbon winding roller (14).

  Since the drum (15) repeats forward and reverse rotation during the primary transfer of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, an intermediate transfer film between the first transfer device (A) and the second transfer device (B). Since it may occur that (1) relaxes, a measure to eliminate slack may be taken by interposing a tension roller that prevents relaxation.

  The second transfer device (B) includes a stage (21) that holds the transfer object (3), an unillustrated elevating unit that elevates and lowers the stage (21), and the elevating unit on the lower surface of the intermediate transfer film (1). It is comprised by the heat roller (22) which transfers the indirect transfer image of an intermediate transfer film (1) to the to-be-transferred object (3) of the upper stage (21) upper surface by thermocompression bonding. As shown in FIG. 2, the heat roller (22) has a round cylindrical cross section, and a convex portion (23) having a cylindrical peripheral surface for thermocompression bonding is formed on the peripheral surface.

The heat roller (22) is provided so as to roll in the direction in which the intermediate transfer film (1) flows, and the intermediate transfer film (1) is placed above the transfer target (3) of the stage (21). When the transferred image is positioned (film transfer positioning step), the heater (24) of the heat roller (22) is heated (temperature appropriateness determination), the intermediate transfer film (1) is stopped, and the stage (21) is moved. Ascending, the heat roller (22) rotates.
Thereby, a convex part (24) thermocompression-bonds an intermediate transfer film (1) and a to-be-transferred object (3) in cooperation with a stage (21). When the transfer of the transfer object (3) is repeated, the process returns to the film transfer position setting step again. In this way, printing is performed on the surface of the transfer object.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain effects such as higher resolution and improved security due to the characteristics of the dot arrangement that cannot be obtained with the conventional fixed thermal head.
It has become possible to achieve micron-level positioning control with a linear actuator, improved linearity with a linear guide, and low-friction operation.
By providing a glass thin film between the thermal head and the thermal transfer ribbon, it is possible to prevent the thermal transfer ribbon and the intermediate transfer film from becoming wrinkles due to contact movement with the thermal head.

  As a result, it is possible to increase the resolution of the dot arrangement using a thermal head with a constant heating element interval in the main scanning direction and to improve the security using information expressed by the characteristic dot arrangement. It has become possible to easily provide a recording method and apparatus.

The present invention can be applied to a printing method of a thermal transfer printer as a technique capable of printing at a resolution higher than that of a normal head. In particular, by freely changing the dot arrangement and handling the arrangement itself as information, it can be used effectively when printing passports or identification cards that require security.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Intermediate transfer film 1a ... 1st transfer layer 2 ... Thermal transfer ribbon 2a ... Thermal transfer ink layer 3 ... Transfer object A ... 1st transfer apparatus 5 ... Secondary transfer roll 6 ... Thermal head 6a ... Heat generating part B ... 2nd transfer Apparatus 8 ... Intermediate transfer film unwinding roll 9 ... Intermediate transfer film winding roller 10 ... Release layer 10a ... Base material 11 ... Security layer 12 ... Image receiving layer 13 ... Thermal transfer ribbon unwinding roll 14 ... Thermal transfer ribbon winding roller 15 ... Drum (Platen roll)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 16 ... Press roll 17 ... Press roll 18 ... Press roll 19 ... Press roll 21 ... Stage 22 ... Heat roller 23 ... Convex part 24 ... Heater 25 ... Spring 26 ... Linear actuator 27 ... Linear motion guide 28 ... Servo motor 29 ... Glass thin film T: Thermal transfer ribbon feed direction

Claims (4)

The first transfer layer on one side of the intermediate transfer film is brought into contact with the second transfer layer on one side of the thermal transfer ribbon, and the first of the intermediate transfer film is partially heated by a thermal head from the opposite side of the thermal transfer ribbon. A first transfer device that transfers the second transfer layer in a dot shape onto the transfer layer; and a first transfer layer and a second transfer layer on the intermediate transfer film that support the transfer object and support the transfer object. An image recording apparatus comprising: a second transfer device that transfers the intermediate transfer film; and an intermediate transfer film supply device that winds the wound intermediate transfer film after passing the first transfer device and the second transfer device,
An image recording apparatus comprising: means for moving the thermal head in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the thermal transfer ribbon at the time of transfer by the first transfer apparatus.   2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the movable means includes a linear actuator attached to the thermal head and a linear motion guide provided in the moving direction of the thermal head.   3. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a glass thin film is provided between the thermal head and the thermal transfer ribbon at the time of transfer by the first transfer device. The first transfer layer on one side of the intermediate transfer film is brought into contact with the second transfer layer on one side of the thermal transfer ribbon, and the first of the intermediate transfer film is partially heated by a thermal head from the opposite side of the thermal transfer ribbon. A first transfer step for transferring the second transfer layer in the form of dots onto the transfer layer; and a first transfer layer and a second transfer layer on the intermediate transfer film on the transfer target material that support the transfer target material. A second transfer step for transferring the intermediate transfer film, and an intermediate transfer film supply step for winding the wound intermediate transfer film after passing the first transfer device and the second transfer device,
An image recording method, wherein the thermal head is finely moved in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the thermal transfer ribbon at the time of transfer in the first transfer step.

Images