JP2013163353A - Thermal transfer printer and control program of thermal transfer printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a thermal transfer printer that can appropriately thermal transfer an ink layer and an overprint layer in each print image forming area divided in a width direction of a sheet to be transferred, that can decrease the bending of an ink ribbon by the thermal transfer of the overprint layer, and that can evade the decrease of a print quality originating in the bending.SOLUTION: A thermal transfer printer is provided with a control section that accepts a print command including information concerning a print image forming area divided into a width direction of a sheet to be transferred, and that controls, when being at the overprint layer thermal transfer, in an overprint layer incidental area Ro, so that the thermal energy given to a part Ro2 corresponding to a straight line border region that is a boundary of the print image forming areas that adjoin in a width direction of the sheet to be transferred that can be specified from the print command is lower than the thermal energy given to a part Ro1 corresponding to each print image forming area.

Description

  The present invention relates to a thermal transfer printer capable of thermally transferring an ink layer and an overprint layer of an ink ribbon to a plurality of print screens (frames) divided in a sheet width direction, and a control program for the thermal transfer printer.

  Conventionally, a thermal transfer printer that forms a color image by pressing a thermal head against an ink ribbon coated with an ink layer and transferring the ink layer of the ink ribbon to a transfer sheet such as paper or a seal by heating the thermal head. Are known. An ink ribbon used in such a printer is obtained by applying, for example, yellow, magenta, and cyan ink layers in order in a long direction to a long base film (also referred to as a ribbon or a base material). In addition, each color ink layer is formed using a dye or the like that sublimes by heat.

  This type of printer can perform gradation printing with the print density level changed by adjusting the temperature of the heating element of the thermal head, and prints a high-quality color image on the print surface of the transfer sheet. Is particularly suitable for photographic printing. There is also known a thermal transfer printer configured to be able to form a color image on each frame (print screen) divided into a plurality of frames in the width direction (sheet width direction) of the transfer sheet.

  In such a thermal transfer printer, an ink ribbon in which, for example, yellow, magenta, and cyan color ink layers and an overprint layer are applied in a predetermined order in the longitudinal direction may be used on the base film. Can be thermally transferred to each frame on the transfer sheet to form a color image, and then the overprint layer can be further thermally transferred onto the color image to give a desired surface finish such as matte or glossy. Possible printers are also known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2010-064319 A

  By the way, when the overprint layer is thermally transferred onto the transfer sheet, by applying thermal energy equivalent or substantially equivalent to the thermal energy given from the heating element to the ink ribbon when the ink layer is thermally transferred onto the transfer sheet, An overprint process can be performed on the color image.

  However, the portion of the base film to which heat energy is applied in the region where the ink layer is attached (ink layer-attached region) varies depending on the color image to be formed, but the heat energy is applied to the entire ink layer-attached region. There is nothing or very rarely, but in the area of the base film where the overprint layer is attached (overprint layer attached area), the location where the thermal energy is applied is the color image regardless of the content of the color image. It is customary to cover the entire region, that is, the entire region of the overprint layer or substantially the entire region.

  As described above, although the thermal energy values necessary for the overprint layer thermal transfer process and the ink layer thermal transfer process are the same, the area to which the thermal energy is applied is more in the area with the overprint layer than the area with the ink layer. Therefore, it is considered that the overprint layer-attached region is more easily damaged by thermal energy than the ink layer-attached region. Therefore, when the overprint layer is thermally transferred onto the thermal transfer sheet, the overprint layer-attached region of the base film is easily stretched, and the tension with the surrounding region (non-extended region) of the overprint layer-attached region is It is thought that bending and wrinkles are likely to occur from the difference of

  There is no particular problem as long as such a region where warping or wrinkles occurs stays in the overprint layer-attached region. However, when thermal energy is applied to the entire overprint layer-attached area, the entire overprint layer-attached area bends, and the amount of bending gradually increases from both ends of the base film toward the center in the width direction. The area does not stay in the overprint layer-attached area, but the ink layer-attached area formed next to the overprint layer-attached area in the longitudinal direction of the base film (the same direction as the ink ribbon transport direction) It is possible to reach “the next ink layer-attached region”). Then, the ink layer attached to the ink layer attached area is transferred in a state where the second ink layer attached area upstream of the overprint layer attached direction in the ink ribbon transport direction has been bent or wrinkled. When a color image is formed by thermal transfer to a new print screen on a sheet, unnecessary streaks or color loss due to bending or wrinkles appear in the color image, which may cause a decrease in print quality.

  In addition, for example, as a technique for realizing a matte finish without light reflection by generating an uneven pattern on the entire surface of a color image, a laminate film corresponding to the above-described overprint layer when thermally transferring the overprint layer Japanese Patent No. 3861293 discloses a technique for thermally transferring the image in a predetermined pattern. With such a technique, since it is not necessary to uniformly apply heat energy to the entire overprint layer-attached region of the ink ribbon, it can be inferred that bending and wrinkles caused by the heat energy can be reduced.

  However, when such a laminate film is overprinted with a predetermined pattern and the matte finish is realized with the uneven pattern on the entire printed image, the uneven pattern can be visually observed, so it looks rather bad and prints it. There are cases where it can be regarded as a deterioration in quality, and it is difficult to say that it can be suitably applied to any color image printing.

  Here, as described above, the overprint layer-attached area of the base film is likely to be slightly bent and wrinkled as compared to the ink-layer-attached area, but for matte finish and glossy finish respectively. As long as a special ink ribbon with an overprint layer is used in a normal manner, that is, as long as the overprint layer is thermally transferred by applying the assumed normal heat energy, the problem of bending and wrinkle is unlikely to be obvious. .

  However, since the matte finish and the glossy finish need to use an ink ribbon having a dedicated overprint layer, the matte finish and the glossy finish cannot be switched with one type of ink ribbon.

  Therefore, when an ink ribbon for glossy finish is used and the overprint layer for glossy finish is thermally transferred, the thermal energy higher than the thermal energy given to the glossy finish is given to this overprint layer. It was considered that the matte finish could be realized by making the surface of the overprint layer rougher than the glossy finish on the color image.

  However, as in the case of performing a matte finish print process using an ink ribbon for glossy finish, when applying a thermal energy higher than the thermal energy assumed in a normal usage method to the entire surface of the overprint layer-attached region, It is considered that the entire overprint layer-attached region is extended, and the problems of bending and wrinkling become more apparent.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to such a problem, and a main object is to appropriately provide an ink layer and an overprint layer on each frame (print image formation region) divided in the width direction of the transfer sheet. Thermal transfer printer capable of performing thermal transfer and reducing the degree to which the ink ribbon bends due to the thermal energy received during thermal transfer of the overprint layer, and avoiding deterioration in print quality due to bending or wrinkles of the ink ribbon, and thermal transfer It is to provide a printer control program.

  That is, according to the present invention, an ink ribbon having a single color or a plurality of colors of ink layers and an overprint layer attached to a long base film so as to be peelable in a predetermined order in the longitudinal direction and a transfer sheet are formed on the platen. In the state where they are superimposed in the direction, the thermal head having a heating element is pressed to the platen side, and the ink layer and the overprint layer are sequentially placed in the print image formation area on the transfer sheet where the print image is to be formed. The present invention relates to a thermal transfer printer capable of forming a desired print image by thermal transfer.

  Here, examples of the “transfer sheet” include paper and sticker paper, and the transfer sheet in the present invention includes various printing media according to the printing method of the printing unit, and is in a roll shape. Any of a continuous sheet and a sheet (cut paper) formed in a predetermined size in advance may be used. Examples of the ink layer include yellow, magenta, cyan, black, and other color ink layers, but other color ink layers may be used. A typical example of “single color ink layer” in an ink ribbon in which a single color ink layer and an overprint layer are attached on a long base film is a black ink layer. Typical examples of “multiple color ink layers” in an ink ribbon in which a plurality of color ink layers and an overprint layer are attached on a film include yellow, magenta, and cyan color ink layers. In the following description, “color image” means an image obtained by thermally transferring an ink layer, and even a black single color image is treated as a color image.

  The thermal transfer printer according to the present invention accepts a print command including division information that is at least information about the number of divisions of the print image forming area along the width direction of the transfer sheet, and performs thermal printing on the overprint layer on the base film. Out of the region with the overprint layer attached to the substrate (overprint layer attached region), it is the boundary between the print image forming regions adjacent to each other in the width direction of the transfer sheet that can be specified from the print command, and the transfer of the transfer sheet A portion corresponding to each print image forming region (hereinafter referred to as a “print image forming region corresponding portion”) is applied to a portion corresponding to a linear boundary region extending linearly in the direction (hereinafter referred to as a “linear boundary region corresponding portion”). It is characterized by having a control unit that controls lower than the heat energy given to There.

  In the present invention, the “number of divisions of the print image forming area along the width direction of the transfer sheet” may be two or more, and the number of linear boundary areas is a value obtained by subtracting 1 from the number of divisions. Therefore, for example, if the number of divisions is 2, the number of linear boundary regions is 1. The concept of “lower than thermal energy” also includes “zeroing thermal energy (not causing the heating element of the thermal head to generate heat)”.

As described above, in the thermal transfer printer of the present invention, when the print image forming area is divided in the sheet width direction on the transfer sheet, it extends linearly in the transport direction of the transfer sheet at the boundary portion between the print image forming areas. Paying attention to the fact that the linear boundary area is always formed on the layout, when the overprint layer is thermally transferred,
Each print image formation corresponding portion of the overprint layer-attached area is given thermal energy that can properly transfer the overprint layer, while the portion corresponding to the linear boundary area of the overprint layer-attached region is compatible with print image formation. When the thermal energy is controlled so as to be lower than the thermal energy applied to the part, the part that receives the thermal energy can be divided in the overprint layer-attached region, and the thermal energy is given to the entire overprint layer-attached region Compared with, it is possible to reduce the portion that can be extended by thermal energy by dispersing the damage due to thermal energy. In particular, the linear boundary area on the transfer sheet is an area extending linearly in the transfer direction of the transfer sheet, and is an area where an image is not formed in the first place and a portion where thermal transfer of the overprint layer is not essential. Paying attention, if the technical idea of the present invention prevents the portion corresponding to the linear boundary region from extending in the overprint layer-attached region, the portion corresponding to the print image formation that receives relatively high thermal energy is transferred. By dividing the sheet in the width direction of the sheet, it is possible to divide the area that tends to extend due to the thermal energy during the overprint layer thermal transfer process in the overprint layer ancillary area in the width direction of the transferred sheet, effectively preventing bending and wrinkles. Can be reduced.

  As described above, in the thermal transfer printer according to the present invention, bending or wrinkling occurs up to the next ink layer-attached region (next-point ink layer-attached region) adjacent to the overprint layer-attached region along the ink ribbon transport direction. The situation can be prevented / suppressed. When a color image is formed by thermally transferring the ink layer attached to the second ink layer attached region to a new print image forming region on the transfer sheet, the color It is possible to avoid the occurrence of unnecessary streaks and color loss due to bending or wrinkles in the image, and it is possible to form an overprint layer over the entire color image, thereby realizing high print quality. In the present invention, the portion that gives lower thermal energy to the portion corresponding to each print image formation region (print image formation region corresponding portion) in the overprint layer-attached region corresponds to the linear boundary region. It may be all of the portion (hereinafter, referred to as “linear boundary region corresponding portion”) or a part of the linear boundary region corresponding portion. Here, the “part of the linear boundary region corresponding part” refers to a part corresponding to substantially the whole linear boundary area corresponding part, a part of the linear boundary area corresponding part along the conveyance direction of the transfer sheet, or a straight line A part along the width direction of the sheet to be transferred can be cited as a part corresponding to the boundary area, and its specific range prevents or suppresses the occurrence of bending or wrinkling up to the next ink layer-attached area. It can be set as appropriate within the possible range. Therefore, the “part of the portion corresponding to the linear boundary region” is determined based on the experimental results after considering various conditions such as individual differences of the ink ribbon, the aspect ratio of the ink ribbon, and the tension acting on the ink ribbon during the thermal transfer process. It is possible to grasp that it is a part beyond the limit part where the obtained effect can be obtained.

  In addition, the control unit of the thermal transfer printer according to the present invention causes a thermal energy higher than the normal thermal energy set for the overprint layer-attached region to the overprint layer-attached region during the thermal transfer of the overprint layer. In the case of applying, the thermal energy applied to the linear boundary region corresponding portion may be controlled to be lower than the thermal energy applied to each print image forming region corresponding portion. The “normal thermal energy set for the overprint layer-attached area” means a normal overprint assumed by the overprint layer for the overprint layer-attached area (for example, for glossy finish). It means a set thermal energy necessary to realize a glossy finish if it is an overprint layer and a matte finish if it is an overprint layer for matte finish. And, “when applying thermal energy higher than the normal heat energy set for the overprint layer ancillary region to the overprint layer ancillary region”, for example, an overprint layer for glossy finish is attached. In this case, the overprint layer-attached region may be given higher heat energy than the set heat energy required for realizing the glossy finish. In this case, for example, by using an ink ribbon having an overprint layer for glossy finish, a thermal energy higher than the set thermal energy required to achieve a glossy finish for the region with an overprint layer is obtained. A matte finish can be realized.

  Thus, when the control unit of the present invention gives thermal energy higher than the normal thermal energy set for the overprint layer-attached region to the overprint layer-attached region, the linear boundary region corresponding part If the thermal energy given to the print image forming area is controlled to be lower than the thermal energy given to the corresponding part of the print image forming area, the normal heat set for the overprint layer-attached area of the overprint layer-attached area is used. The area that can be stretched by thermal energy higher than the energy can be divided in the width direction of the transferred sheet to effectively reduce bending and wrinkles, and to the overprint layer-attached area along the ink ribbon transport direction. Prevents bending and wrinkling from occurring to the next adjacent ink layer area (next ink layer area) When a color image is formed by thermally transferring the ink layer attached to the second ink layer attached region to a new print image forming region on the transfer sheet, the color image may be bent or It is possible to avoid the occurrence of unnecessary streaks and color loss due to wrinkles. Furthermore, with a thermal transfer printer equipped with such a control unit, different finishes can be realized by using an ink ribbon with one type of overprint layer, and the surface finish of the print screen can be adapted to the user's needs. For example, it is possible to select a matte tone or a glossy tone, and it is possible to meet various user needs related to surface finishing. In addition, for example, there is no need for special techniques such as patterning to give unevenness on a color image, and avoiding the situation of print quality deterioration due to the appearance of unevenness patterns on the print screen on which the color image is formed It is also advantageous in that it can be done.

  In addition, as a control unit of the thermal transfer printer of the present invention, during thermal transfer of the overprint layer, it is a portion corresponding to the linear boundary region in the overprint layer-attached region and upstream from the downstream edge in the ink ribbon transport direction during thermal transfer. What controls the heat energy given to the continuous part over an edge lower than the heat energy given to the part corresponding to each print image formation field is employable. When the overprint layer thermal transfer process is performed under such control, the area where the overprint layer is attached may be subjected to a region corresponding to the linear boundary area in a region where the thermal energy received during the overprint layer thermal transfer process may cause bending or wrinkles. Can be completely divided in the width direction, effectively reducing the amount of deflection and the length of wrinkles, and the linear boundary region during and after overprint layer thermal conversion Good tension continues to act in the ink ribbon transport direction on the corresponding part and the continuous part from the downstream edge to the upstream edge in the ink ribbon transport direction during thermal transfer. Contributes to improved efficiency.

  The thermal transfer printer of the present invention may require a user to perform a cutting process (that is, a cutting process according to a frame division of a print image) along a linear boundary region formed on a transfer sheet. The process of cutting along the boundary region is cumbersome for the user, and may cause quality degradation due to excessive or insufficient cutting regions. Therefore, if the thermal transfer printer is provided with a vertical cutting portion capable of cutting the transfer sheet along the linear boundary region, the above-described problems can be solved.

  The thermal transfer printer control program according to the present invention includes an ink ribbon in which a single-color or multiple-color ink layer and an overprint layer are attached to a long base film so as to be peelable in a predetermined order in the longitudinal direction. With the transfer sheet superimposed on the platen in the thickness direction, the thermal head having a heating element is pressed against the platen side, and the print image forming area, which is the area where the print image is to be formed, is formed on the transfer sheet. A computer mounted on a thermal transfer printer capable of forming a desired print image by thermal transfer of the ink layer and the overprint layer or a computer connected to the thermal transfer printer has at least a print image forming area along the width direction of the transfer sheet. Processing that accepts a print command including division information that is information about the number of divisions, Among the areas where the overprint layer is attached on the base film during the thermal transfer of the print layer, it is a boundary between print image forming areas adjacent to each other in the width direction of the transfer sheet that can be specified from the print command, and the transfer sheet The thermal energy given to the portion corresponding to the linear boundary region extending linearly in the transport direction is lower than the thermal energy given to the portion corresponding to each print image forming region.

  By controlling the operation of the thermal transfer printer with such a control program, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those described above, and a portion that can be extended by thermal energy in the overprint layer-attached region (corresponding portion for the print image formation region) Can be divided in the width direction of the transferred sheet to reduce bending and wrinkles.

  In addition, when the control program for the thermal transfer printer of the present invention gives a thermal energy higher than the normal thermal energy set for the overprint layer-attached region to the overprint layer-attached region, A program for executing a process of lowering the heat energy applied to the portion to be lower than the heat energy applied to the portion corresponding to each print image forming area may be used.

  According to the present invention, when the overprint is thermally transferred to the transfer sheet, the overprint layer is thermally transferred to a portion corresponding to the print image forming area divided in the width direction of the transfer sheet in the overprint layer-attached area. In addition to giving possible thermal energy, the portion corresponding to the boundary region between the print image forming regions of the overprint layer-attached region is given lower heat energy than the heat energy applied to the portion corresponding to the print image forming region. In this way, the overprint layer can be appropriately thermally transferred to the print image forming area divided in the width direction of the sheet to be transferred, and the portion corresponding to the boundary area in the overprint layer-attached area is thermally energized. Can prevent or suppress the situation of stretching Deflection or avoidable thermal transfer printer deterioration of printing quality due to wrinkles, and a control program of the thermal transfer printer can be provided for.

1 is an overall schematic configuration diagram of a thermal transfer printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of an ink ribbon used in the embodiment. The functional block diagram of the control part in the embodiment. The plane schematic diagram of the to-be-transferred sheet used in the embodiment. The flowchart which shows the process by the thermal transfer printer which concerns on the same embodiment. The figure which shows typically one pattern of the overprint layer accompanying area | region at the time of the overprint layer thermal transfer process of the embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the thermal transfer printer P according to the present embodiment performs printing that performs a thermal transfer printing process on the sheet feeding unit 1 and the surface (printing surface) of the transfer sheet S supplied from the sheet feeding unit 1. Unit 2, a discharge unit 3 having a discharge port 31, and a sheet conveyance mechanism that conveys a transfer sheet S along a sheet conveyance path L (conveyance path) formed between the sheet feeding unit 1 and the discharge unit 3. 4 and a transverse cutting part 5 that is disposed on the discharge port 31 side of the printing unit 2 on the sheet conveyance path L and can cut the transfer sheet S in the sheet width direction Sw.

  The transfer sheet S is not particularly limited as long as, for example, each color ink layer or overprint layer of the ink ribbon R is a sheet that can be thermally transferred, and in this embodiment, a seal paper is applied as the transfer sheet S. doing. In this printer P, at least the paper feeding unit 1, the printing unit 2, the sheet conveying mechanism 4, and the horizontal cutting unit 5 are provided in a common casing, and the discharge port 31 and the discharge tray 32 constituting the discharge unit 3 are provided outside the casing. It is configured so that it can be exposed.

  Further, the thermal transfer printer P according to the present embodiment has the ink ribbon R shown in FIG. 2, that is, the yellow, magenta, and cyan ink layers Y, M, and C and the overprint layer OP on the long base film B. An ink ribbon R attached in a longitudinal order so as to be peeled off in a predetermined order is passed between a thermal head 21 and a platen 22 that are arranged to face each other in a state where they can be pressed against each other in a state where they are stacked on the transfer sheet S. Thus, the ink layers Y, M, and C of the ink ribbon R and the overprint layer OP are thermally transferred to the transfer sheet S, and a desired image can be printed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ink ribbon R applied in the present embodiment is obtained by applying the yellow, magenta, and cyan ink layers Y, M, and C and the overprint layer OP to the base film B by a coating process or the like. Are repeatedly attached in a certain order in the longitudinal direction. Specifically, on the base film B, the yellow ink layer Y / magenta ink from the downstream side in the transport direction Rt of the ink ribbon R during thermal transfer processing (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “ink ribbon transport direction Rt during thermal transfer processing”). The layer M, the cyan ink layer C, and the overprint layer OP are repeatedly attached in this order. During the thermal transfer process by the printing unit 2, the yellow ink layer Y, the magenta ink layer M, the cyan ink layer C, and the overprint layer OP The heat transfer is configured in order on the transfer sheet S. That is, on the base film B, the yellow ink layer Y, the magenta ink layer M, the cyan ink layer C, and the overprint layer OP can be regarded as one cycle, and the upstream side of the overprint layer OP in each cycle (during thermal transfer processing) The yellow ink layer Y of the next cycle is applied on the upstream side of the ink ribbon transport direction Rt. In the following description, a region of the ink ribbon R in which the yellow ink layer Y, the magenta ink layer M, the cyan ink layer C, and the overprint layer OP are attached to the base film B is referred to as a yellow ink layer-attached region Ry. They are referred to as magenta ink layer-attached region Rm, cyan ink layer-attached region Rc, and overprint layer-attached region Ro.

  In addition, the ink ribbon R used in the present embodiment includes, as shown in FIG. 2, a yellow ink layer-attached region Ry, a magenta ink layer-attached region Rm, which are arranged on the base film B in the ink ribbon transport direction Rt during the thermal transfer process. Blank portions where none of the ink layers Ry, Rm, Rc and the overprint layer OP are attached to the boundary portions of the cyan ink layer-attached region Rc and the overprint layer-attached region Ro (hereinafter referred to as “boundary blank portion R1”) In the base film B, blank portions (hereinafter referred to as “side margin portions R2”) that are not attached to the ink layers Ry, Rm, Rc and the overprint layer OP on both side edges parallel to the ink ribbon transport direction Rt during the thermal transfer process are formed. ") Is formed. In the thermal transfer process (ink layer thermal transfer step 104 and overprint layer thermal transfer step 105, which will be described later), the thermal head 21 does not directly apply heat to the boundary margin portion R1 and the side margin portion R2. Drive is controlled. Each color ink layer Y, M, C is formed using a dye or pigment that sublimes by heat, and the overprint layer OP is formed using a material that melts by heat. . In the present embodiment, an overprint layer OP formed of a material for glossy finish is applied.

  The paper supply unit 1 can accommodate a transfer sheet S wound in a roll shape with the surface (print surface) to be thermally transferred facing outward. In addition, as the paper feeding unit, a paper feeding unit that can accommodate a transfer sheet wound in a roll shape with a surface (printing surface) to be thermally transferred facing inward may be applied. Relative position of thermal head 21 and paper feed unit 1 depending on whether the print surface is in a roll shape facing outward or inward (relative position where the heating element of thermal head 21 can face the print surface) May be set as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet transport mechanism 4 that transports the transfer sheet S between the paper feed unit 1 and the discharge unit 3 is, for example, sequentially from the paper feed unit 1 side to the discharge unit 3 side. The sheet feeding side feed roller 41 and the first pinch roller 42 are arranged, the group of the feed roller 43 and the second pinch roller 44, and the discharge side feed roller 45 are used. It should be noted that the number of rollers themselves, or the number of rollers and pinch rollers, and the location of the rollers can be set as appropriate according to the specifications.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printing unit 2 is arranged at a position facing the thermal head 21 and a thermal head 21 having a heating element, and sandwiches the transfer sheet S between the thermal head 21 and the sheet conveying mechanism 4. The platen 22 that bears a part of the functions of the ink ribbon, the ink ribbon transport mechanism 23 that transports the ink ribbon R between the thermal head 21 and the platen 22, and the thermal head 21 and the platen 22 that pass between each other. The transfer sheet S and the ink ribbon R in the finished state are provided with a peeling portion 24 that peels off the ink ribbon R.

  The thermal head 21 is provided with a heating element in a portion that can be directly pressed against the platen 22, and is separated from the platen 22 by the control unit 7, and the heating element is separated from the platen 22. It is controlled to be movable between a head-up position where it cannot contact R. The position where the heating element of the thermal head 21 positioned at the head down position contacts the platen 22 is the thermal transfer position where the ink ribbon R is thermally transferred to the transfer sheet S. In this embodiment, a platen roller that can rotate in the forward and reverse directions in synchronization with the rotation operation of the feed roller 43 is applied as the platen 22.

  The ink ribbon transport mechanism 23 also supplies the supply ribbon core 231 that can be held in a state where the ink ribbon R is wound in a roll shape, and the ink ribbon R that is wound around the supply ribbon core 231 to the sheet transport path L (transport path). ) And the above-described thermal transfer position (thermal head) in the conveyance direction St of the transfer sheet S during the thermal transfer process (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “the sheet conveyance direction St during the thermal transfer process”). A winding side ribbon core 233 which is disposed downstream of the pressure contact position between the platen roller 22 and the platen roller 22 and can be held in a state where the ink ribbon R subjected to the thermal transfer process is wound, and the ink ribbon R is wound up. A take-up guide roller 234 transported toward the ribbon core 233 is provided.

  By such an ink ribbon transport mechanism 23, the ink ribbon R is unwound from the supply side ribbon core 231 and guided toward the sheet transport path L by the feeding guide roller 232 during the thermal transfer process, and is transferred to the transfer sheet S. After passing through the thermal transfer position in a close contact state, the sheet is peeled off from the transfer sheet S by passing through the peeling portion 24, and is conveyed as it is toward the winding side ribbon core 233 by the winding guide roller 234. Rolled up. The transport direction Rt of the ink ribbon R during the thermal transfer process is the same as the sheet transport direction St during the thermal transfer process. In the present embodiment, the sheet transfer direction St during the thermal transfer process is set to a direction opposite to the transfer direction Su from the paper feed unit 1 toward the discharge unit 3 (this transfer direction is referred to as “discharge transfer direction Su”). However, the printer P in which the conveyance direction during the thermal transfer process is set to the same direction as the discharge conveyance direction Su may be used.

  Of the ink ribbon R that is transported in a predetermined direction by the ink ribbon transport mechanism 23 during the thermal transfer process, a portion that is transported between the feeding guide roller 232 and the take-up guide roller 234 is particularly appropriate in the transport direction. It becomes a posture (a state in which it is tensioned) with a strong tension. The peeling unit 24 is provided on the downstream side of the thermal head 21 in the sheet transfer direction St during the thermal transfer process, and the peeling start position where the ink ribbon R that has passed between the thermal head 21 and the platen roller 22 is peeled from the transfer sheet S. It prescribes. In the present embodiment, the separation sheet S and the ink ribbon R that overlap each other are pressed toward the platen roller 22 from the ink ribbon R side at a position downstream of the thermal transfer position in the sheet conveying direction St during the thermal transfer process. The peeling part 24 is comprised using. Here, the peeling unit 24 constitutes a part of the printing unit 2, but if it pays attention to the function of defining the transport path of the ink ribbon R, it constitutes a part of the ink ribbon transport mechanism 23. It can also be understood as a thing. In the present embodiment, the peeling portion 24 is provided between the feeding guide roller 232 and the winding guide roller 234, and a portion of the ink ribbon R between the feeding guide roller 232 and the winding guide roller 234 is provided. Is pressed to the platen 22 side, and the adhered ink ribbon R and the transfer sheet S are peeled off. In FIG. 3, for convenience of explanation, the peeling portion 24 is omitted, and each color ink layer-attached region Ry, Rm, Rc or the overprint layer Ro between the feeding guide roller 232 and the winding guide roller 234. The number and size are different from the actual ones.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the discharge unit 3 includes a discharge port 31 and a discharge tray 32 that receives and stores the transfer sheet S discharged from the discharge port 31, and performs a desired print process by the printing unit 2. The transferred sheet S can be discharged as a cut sheet (paper piece) cut into a predetermined size from the discharge port 31 to the outside of the housing, and can be placed on the discharge tray 32 in a stacked state.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the transverse cutting unit 5 includes a first cutter 51 disposed on the print surface (front surface) side of the transfer sheet S and a first cutter fixedly disposed on the back surface (back surface) side of the transfer sheet S. 2, and the first cutter 51 is slid on the second cutter 52 and scanned in the width direction Sw of the transfer sheet S according to the control of the control unit 7, so that the transfer sheet S is moved in the width direction Sw. To cut.

  In the printer P according to the present embodiment, the control unit 7 controls the operations of the paper feeding unit 1, the printing unit 2, the discharge unit 3, the sheet material transport mechanism 4, and the transverse cutting unit 5. In the thermal transfer printer P according to the present embodiment, the amount of heat generated by the thermal head 21 when the overprint layer OP is thermally transferred to the transfer sheet S in the printing unit 2 (in other words, thermal energy given to the ink ribbon R). ) And the control specifications for controlling the heating region in the overprint layer-attached region Ro on the ink ribbon R by the control unit 7.

  This control unit 7 is stored in a program (“thermal transfer printer control program” of the present invention) stored in an internal memory or an external storage device (storage device connected to the thermal transfer printer P by wire or wirelessly) provided in the thermal transfer printer P. 3 and 4 (FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the control unit 7, FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the control unit 7, by operating each component and each element such as a CPU of a microprocessor provided in the thermal transfer printer P. Is a schematic plan view of the transfer sheet S), at least print image information that is information about the print image to be formed and the number of print image divisions along the width direction Sw of the transfer sheet S (frame division). Print command accepting means 71 for accepting a print command including division information, which is information relating to the number), and a print command included in the print command. Print image formation area specifying means 72 for specifying an area (hereinafter referred to as “print image formation area Sp”) on the transfer sheet S based on the print image information, and division information included in the print command The number of divisions / boundary regions for specifying the number of divisions of the print image forming region Sp in the width direction Sw of the transferred sheet S and the boundary region Sk between the print image forming regions Sp adjacent in the width direction Sw of the transferred sheet S based on Specifying means 73, ink layer thermal transfer means 74 for forming a color image by thermally transferring the ink layers Y, M, and C to the respective print image forming areas Sp specified by the print image forming area specifying means 72, and ink layer thermal transfer means Overprint layer thermal transfer means 7 for thermally transferring the overprint layer OP onto the color image formed by 74 The function of the one having at least.

  Next, with regard to the operation and action of the thermal transfer printer P according to the present embodiment, particularly in the case of performing matte finish printing using the ink ribbon R provided with the overprint layer OP for glossy finish, refer to FIG. While explaining.

  The thermal transfer printer P according to the present embodiment first receives a print command input by a user operation or the like by the print command receiving means 71 of the control unit 7 (see print command receiving step 101, FIG. 5). The print command includes print image information and division information. Next, the thermal transfer printer P of the present embodiment uses the print image forming area specifying unit 72 of the control unit 7 to specify each print image forming area Sp divided in the sheet width direction Sw based on the print image information in the print command. (Print image formation region specifying step 102), based on the division information in the print command, the number of print image divisions in the width direction Sw of the transfer sheet S and the print image formation region Sp adjacent to the width direction Sw of the transfer sheet S The boundary area Sk between each other is specified by the division number / boundary area specifying means 73 of the control unit 7 (number of divisions / boundary area specifying step 103). Hereinafter, as illustrated in FIG. 4, for example, a case where the number of divisions is “2” and the boundary region Sk is the center in the sheet width direction Sw will be described.

  Subsequently, the respective color ink layers Y, M, and C are thermally transferred to the respective print image formation areas Sp (two frames in the drawing) specified in the print image formation area specifying step 102 to transfer the color images to the ink layer thermal transfer means of the control unit 7. 74 (ink layer thermal transfer step 104). Specifically, according to the size of the print image forming area Sp specified in the print image forming area specifying step 102, the transfer sheet S wound in a roll shape by the paper supply unit 1 is fed to the paper supply side feed roller 41. And the first pinch roller 42 and the feed roller 43 and the second pinch roller 44 are sequentially passed to the printing unit 2 and conveyed to the printing unit 2, and the thermal transfer position in the printing unit 2 (the thermal head 21 and the platen roller 22 A color image is formed in each print image forming area Sp specified on the print surface of the transfer sheet S passing through the press contact position). In the present embodiment, as described above, the sheet transfer direction St during the thermal transfer process is opposite to the discharge transfer direction Su from the paper feed unit 1 toward the discharge unit 3, so that the time point before executing the ink layer thermal transfer step Therefore, it is necessary to convey the transfer sheet S to the discharge unit 3 side from the thermal transfer position according to the size of the specified print image. This conveyance process is performed with the thermal head 21 positioned at the head-up position.

  Then, the thermal head 21 is moved from the head-up position to the head-down position, and the transfer sheet S and the ink ribbon R are sandwiched between the thermal head 21 and the platen roller 22 in the thickness direction. The transport mechanism 4 transports the transfer sheet S in the sheet transport direction St during the thermal transfer process, and the ink ribbon transport mechanism 23 transports the ink ribbon R in the same direction as the transfer sheet S. In the thermal transfer position, which is the pressure contact position between the thermal head 21 and the platen roller 22, the yellow, magenta, and cyan color ink layers Y, M, and C are placed in this order (ink during thermal transfer processing during thermal transfer). In the ribbon transport direction Rt in the order from the downstream side to the upstream side). Forming a desired color image on the print image formation area Sp (each frame) in the printing plane of the S (printing) can be. At this time, it is possible to perform gradation printing in which the print density level is changed by adjusting the temperature of the heating element of the thermal head 21, and a high-quality color image is formed on each print image forming region Sp of the transfer sheet S. Can be printed. Temperature control and operation of the heating element are controlled by the control unit 7 based on print image information included in the print command. In the ink layer thermal transfer step 104, the controller 7 drives the thermal head 21 so as not to apply heat from the heating element of the thermal head 21 to the boundary margin portion R1 and the side margin portion R2 of the ink ribbon R described above. Is controlling.

  When the ink layer thermal transfer step 104 is completed, a color image is formed in each print image forming area Sp (each frame) divided in the sheet width direction Sw on the transfer sheet S, while in the sheet width direction Sw. A color image is not formed in the boundary region Sk between the adjacent print image forming regions Sp. In the present embodiment, the driving of the thermal head 21 is controlled by the control unit 7 so that the dimension of the boundary region Sk in the sheet width direction Sw is several mm (for example, 1 mm).

  Next, in the printer of this embodiment, the overprint layer OP is thermally transferred onto the color image formed in the ink layer thermal transfer step 104 by the overprint layer thermal transfer means 75 of the control unit 7 (overprint layer thermal transfer step 105). Here, the thermal transfer printer P of the present embodiment can realize both glossy finish and matte finish using the ink ribbon R with the overprint layer OP for glossy finish. Information indicating whether the user has selected glossy finish or matte finish is included in, for example, print image information in the print command, and the control unit 7 can specify the finish pattern based on this information. .

  The thermal energy required for performing glossy finish printing by melting the overprint layer OP is equal to the thermal energy required for sublimating the respective color ink layers Y, M, and C and transferring them to the transfer sheet S or It is almost equivalent. Therefore, in the overprint layer thermal transfer step 105, the heat generation temperature of the heating element is set to be equal to or substantially equal to the heating temperature of the heating element in the ink layer thermal transfer step 104 by the control unit 7. Furthermore, it has been found that the thermal energy required for performing matte finish printing by melting the overprint layer OP is higher than the thermal energy applied to the overprint layer OP when performing glossy finish.

  When performing such matte finish printing, if such high thermal energy is applied to the entire overprint layer-attached region Ro of the ink ribbon R, the entire overprint layer-attached region Ro of the ink ribbon R is extended by the thermal energy. Therefore, bending and wrinkles occur due to the difference in tension with other regions. In particular, a portion of the ink ribbon R that is transported between the feeding guide roller 232 and the winding guide roller 234 is subjected to an appropriate tension in the transport direction, and the portion on which this tension is acting. (Hereinafter sometimes referred to as “tension acting portion”), the side margin portion R2 set on both side edges of the ink ribbon R is not given thermal energy from the heating element. On the other hand, in the portions other than the side margin portions R2 of the tension acting portion, the amount of bending increases from both side edges of the ink ribbon R toward the center in the width direction Rw of the ink ribbon R. Therefore, the deflection and wrinkles exceed the overprint layer-attached region Ro, and further exceed the boundary margin portion R1, and the next ink layer-attached region (next-in You can reach the layer incidental region). In this state, if the ink layer in the secondary ink layer-attached region is thermally transferred to the transfer sheet S, unnecessary streaks and color loss due to bending and wrinkles are generated, and the print quality is deteriorated.

  In order to avoid such a situation, in the thermal transfer printer P of the present embodiment, the division number / boundary region specification is specified in the overprint layer-attached region Ro in which the overprint layer OP for glossy finish is attached to the ink ribbon R. A portion of the overprint layer OP corresponding to a region other than the boundary region Sk (that is, a print image forming region Sp) that is applied to the portion Ro1 corresponding to the boundary region Sk between the print image forming regions Sp specified by the means 73. The control part 7 is controlling so that it may become lower than the heat energy given to Ro2. Here, the boundary region Sk of the print image forming region Sp adjacent in the width direction Sw of the transfer sheet S is a region extending linearly (band-shaped) in the sheet transfer direction St during the thermal transfer process, as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, it is referred to as “straight boundary region Sk”. In this embodiment, the size of the linear boundary region Sk along the sheet transfer direction St during thermal transfer processing matches the size of the overprint layer-attached region Ro of the ink ribbon R in the ink ribbon transport direction Rt during thermal transfer processing. It is almost the same. In the ink ribbon R, on the downstream side of the overprint layer-attached region Ro along the ink ribbon transport direction Rt during the thermal transfer process, a cyan ink layer C (this overprint layer OP is transferred) immediately before the overprint layer thermal transfer process is formed. And an ink layer having the same cycle as the cycle to which it belongs, and is newly specified after the overprint layer thermal transfer process on the upstream side of the overprint layer incident area Ro along the ink ribbon transport direction Rt during the thermal transfer process. A yellow ink layer Y (an ink layer belonging to the next cycle (next cycle)) that is thermally transferred to the print image forming region Sp is attached.

  Then, in the overprint layer thermal transfer step 105, the overprint layer thermal transfer means 75 of the controller 7 applies the print image forming region Sp on the transfer sheet S in the overprint layer-attached region Ro as shown in FIG. The corresponding portion (print image forming region corresponding portion Ro1) is given higher thermal energy from the heating element than when the respective color ink layers Y, M, and C are thermally transferred and higher than when performing glossy finish printing. As a result, each print image forming area Sp on the transfer sheet S can be subjected to a matte finish by making the surface of the overprint layer OP rougher than the gloss finish on the color image. Improvements can be made. On the other hand, in this overprint layer thermal transfer step 105, the overprint layer thermal transfer means 75 of the control unit 7 applies to the portion corresponding to the linear boundary region Sk (the linear boundary region corresponding portion Ro2) in the overprint layer incidental region Ro. The heat energy given from the heating element is set to zero or almost zero. As a result, in the overprint layer-attached region Ro of the ink ribbon R, almost no thermal energy acts on the linear boundary region corresponding portion Ro2 (at least the thermal energy due to the environmental temperature acts), and the overprint layer thermal transfer step 105 ends. At the time, a good tension continues to act on the linear border region corresponding portion Ro2 of the overprint layer-attached region Ro of the ink ribbon R, as with the side margin portion R2 set on both side edges of the ink ribbon R. Yes. Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the linear boundary region corresponding portion Ro2 is a portion that extends linearly in the ink ribbon transport direction Rt during the thermal transfer process, and the print image forming region corresponding portion Ro1 is the width direction of the ink ribbon R. This is a part that is divided into Rw.

  Therefore, even if the print image forming region corresponding portion Ro1 of the overprint layer-attached region Ro is extended by high thermal energy at the time of overprint layer thermal transfer, the extended region is defined as the side edge (side margin portion R2) of the ink ribbon R. In the width direction from both side edges of the ink ribbon R, compared to a mode in which high thermal energy is applied to the entire overprint layer-attached region Ro during the overprint layer thermal transfer process. It is possible to avoid a situation in which the amount of deflection gradually increases toward the center of Rw, and the second ink layer-attached region of the overprint layer-attached region Ro at the time of the overprint layer thermal transfer process and after the overprint layer thermal transfer process. (In the example shown, the yellow ink layer-attached region Ry in the next cycle) Miyashiwa it is possible to prevent a situation in which occurs. In addition, the ink ribbon R applied in this embodiment includes an overprint layer-attached region Ro and each ink layer-attached region adjacent to the overprint layer-attached region Ro (on the downstream side in the ink ribbon transport direction Rt during the thermal transfer process). The boundary portion with the cyan ink layer-attached region Rc that belongs to the upstream region and the yellow ink layer-attached region Ry that belongs to the next cycle on the upstream side has the boundary margin portion R1, and thus the overprint layer-attached region Ro. Among these, the bending or wrinkle generated between the side edge (side margin portion R2) of the ink ribbon R and the linear boundary region corresponding portion Ro2 slightly causes the overprint layer-attached region Ro in the ink ribbon transport direction Rt during thermal transfer processing. Even if it exceeds, the deflection and wrinkle can be fastened with the boundary margin R1, and the area with the overprint layer is attached. It is possible to avoid a situation in which the deflection and wrinkling reach to the ink layer incidental region adjacent to ro.

  The thermal transfer printer P of the present embodiment performs the overprint layer thermal transfer step 105 under such control, and subsequently performs the thermal transfer process in a state where the ink ribbon R and the transfer sheet S that have passed the thermal transfer position are stacked in the thickness direction. A process of separating the ink ribbon R that has been conveyed to the peeling unit 24 along the sheet conveying direction St and reached the peeling unit 24 from the transfer sheet S by the pressing action of the peeling unit 24 (peeling step 106) is performed. Next, in the thermal transfer printer P of the present embodiment, the ink ribbon R that has passed through the peeling unit 24 and has been peeled off from the transfer sheet S is moved toward the winding-side ribbon core 233 by the winding guide roller 234 of the ink ribbon transport mechanism 23. Conveyed and wound around the take-up ribbon core 233 (ink ribbon take-up step 107), while the transfer sheet S that has passed through the peeling unit 24 is conveyed to the discharge unit 3 side, and is transversely cut by the transverse cutting unit 5 Processing (lateral cutting step 108) is performed.

  When the peeling step 106 and the ink ribbon winding step 107 are executed, the linear boundary region corresponding portion Ro2 of the overprint layer-attached region Ro in the ink ribbon R is the same as both side edges (side margin portion R2) of the ink ribbon R. Since it does not extend or hardly extends due to the thermal energy from the thermal head 21, compared with the case where the entire overprint layer-attached region Ro is extended due to the thermal energy from the thermal head 21, the peeling treatment and the ink are performed. The ribbon winding process can be performed appropriately and smoothly. In the transverse cutting step 108, the first cutter 51 and the second cutter 52 of the transverse cutting part 5 arranged to face each other in the thickness direction of the transfer sheet S are scanned in the width direction Sw of the transfer sheet S, thereby The transfer sheet S is cut in the width direction Sw.

  Finally, the thermal transfer printer P of the present embodiment, after completing the horizontal cutting process by the horizontal cutting unit 5, is separated from the roll-shaped transfer sheet S wound in a roll shape by the paper feeding unit 1. The (sheet piece) is discharged from the discharge port 31 and accommodated on the discharge tray 32 (discharge step 109). Then, the user can obtain a sheet piece printed with a desired print size by cutting with a scissors or the like along the straight boundary region Sk formed on the discharged sheet piece.

  The thermal transfer printer P of the present embodiment that performs the thermal transfer printing process according to such a procedure pays attention to the fact that there is a linear boundary region Sk between the print image forming regions Sp divided in the width direction Sw of the transfer sheet S. When the matte finish print is performed by the overprint layer thermal transfer process by the printing unit 2, the print image formation region is supported in the overprint layer attached region Ro in which the overprint layer OP for the glossy finish is attached to the ink ribbon R. The thermal energy given to the portion Ro1 is made higher than the thermal energy given to the print image forming region corresponding portion Ro1 when performing glossy finish printing, while the thermal energy given to the linear boundary region corresponding portion Ro2 is adapted to the print image forming region. Therma so as to be lower than the thermal energy given to part Ro1 Since the drive of the head 21 is controlled by the control unit 7, the matte finish is realized by making the surface of the overprint layer OP for the glossy finish in each print image forming region Sp rougher than the glossy finish. Compared with the aspect in which the entire overprint layer-attached area Ro is given higher thermal energy during the matte finish print process than in the glossy finish print process, the flexure and wrinkles that can occur in the overprint layer-attached area Ro The bending or wrinkle reaches the ink layer-attached region (ink layer-attached region Ry in the illustrated example) existing downstream from the overprint layer-attached region Ro in the ink ribbon transport direction Rt during the thermal transfer process. Can be prevented / suppressed. Therefore, when transferring the ink layer onto the transfer sheet S by applying heat from the thermal head 21 to the ink layer-attached region, an excellent streak or color loss due to bending or wrinkles does not occur and a good color image is obtained. The print quality can be maintained.

  Further, the thermal transfer printer P according to the present embodiment can also perform glossy finish printing using the ink ribbon R provided with the above-described glossy finish overprint layer OP. In this case, a portion corresponding to the boundary area Sk between the print image forming areas Sp specified by the division number / boundary area specifying means 73 in the overprint layer-attached area Ro accompanied by the overprint layer OP for glossy finish. The controller 7 controls the thermal energy applied to Ro2 to be lower (for example, zero or substantially zero) than the thermal energy applied to the print image forming region corresponding portion Ro1. Note that the thermal energy applied to the print image forming region portion Ro1 in the overprint layer-attached region Ro at the time of glossy finish print processing is equal to the thermal energy applied when the color ink layers Y, M, and C are thermally transferred, or It is almost equivalent.

  When the glossy finish printing process is performed under such control in the overprint layer thermal transfer step 105, the glossy finish print can be appropriately applied to each print image forming area Sp on the transfer sheet S. Since almost no thermal energy acts on the linear boundary region corresponding portion Ro2 in the overprint layer-attached region Ro, at the end of the overprint layer thermal transfer step 105, the linear boundary of the overprint layer-attached region Ro in the ink ribbon R Good tension continues to act on the region corresponding portion Ro2 in the same manner as the side margin portion R2 set on both side edges of the ink ribbon R. Therefore, at the time of the overprint layer thermal transfer process, it is possible to reduce bending and wrinkles that are considered to be likely to occur in the overprint layer-attached region Ro, as compared to an aspect in which thermal energy is applied to the entire overprint layer-attached region Ro. Prevents / suppresses the occurrence of bending or wrinkles reaching the ink layer auxiliary region (ink layer auxiliary region Ry in the illustrated example) existing downstream of the ink ribbon transport direction Rt in the thermal transfer process from the overprint layer auxiliary region Ro can do. Therefore, when transferring the ink layer onto the transfer sheet S by applying heat from the thermal head 21 to the ink layer-attached region, an excellent streak or color loss due to bending or wrinkles does not occur and a good color image is obtained. The print quality can be maintained.

  As described above, in the thermal transfer printer P of the present embodiment, both the glossy finish print and the matte finish print are performed using the ink ribbon R provided with the overprint layer OP for the glossy finish. This is extremely excellent in that it can be realized according to the user's needs without incurring problems such as a decrease in print quality.

  In particular, in the thermal transfer printer P of the present embodiment, the linear boundary region corresponding portion Ro2 in the overprint layer-attached region Ro has an upstream side edge from the downstream edge in the ink ribbon transport direction Rt during the thermal transfer process in the overprint layer-attached region Ro. Therefore, the linear boundary region corresponding portion Ro2 ensures that the region where the bending or wrinkle may occur due to the thermal energy received during the overprint layer thermal transfer process is ensured in the width direction Rw of the ink ribbon R. It can be divided, and the amount of bending and the length of wrinkles can be effectively reduced, and also during the overprint layer thermal conversion process and after the overprint layer thermal conversion process, A good tension is applied to the linear boundary region corresponding part Ro2 in the ink ribbon transport direction Rt during the thermal transfer process. It will be to continue, even conveyance of the ink ribbon R can be suitably performed.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above. For example, in the above-described embodiment mode, at the time of the overprint layer thermal transfer process, the aspect in which the thermal energy applied from the thermal head to the linear boundary region corresponding portion of the overprint layer-attached region is set to zero to almost zero, The thermal energy given from the thermal head to the portion corresponding to the linear boundary region in the overprint layer-attached region should be lower than the thermal energy given to the portion corresponding to the print image forming region, and the thermal energy having a value of zero to almost zero. You may control to give. In this case, it is considered that the linear boundary region corresponding part is easily extended by the amount of thermal energy applied to the linear boundary region corresponding part, and the possibility of occurrence of bending or wrinkles is increased, but compared with the print image forming region corresponding part. Therefore, the degree of bending and wrinkles (the amount of bending and the length of wrinkles) that can occur in the portion corresponding to the linear boundary region is smaller than that corresponding to the print image forming region. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the entire overprint layer-attached region is greatly bent due to the presence of the linear boundary region corresponding part.

  Also, during the overprint layer thermal transfer process, the thermal energy given only to the part corresponding to the linear boundary area in the overprint layer ancillary area is controlled to be lower than the thermal energy given to the part corresponding to the print image forming area. It doesn't matter. Specifically, even when the linear boundary region corresponding portion extends from the downstream edge to the upstream edge in the ink ribbon transport direction during thermal transfer processing in the overprint layer-attached region, or the overprint layer In any case where the temperature does not extend from the downstream edge of the ink ribbon conveyance direction to the upstream edge in the thermal transfer process in the incidental area, only the part corresponding to the downstream side in the ink ribbon conveyance direction during the thermal transfer process of the linear boundary region corresponding part. The thermal energy applied only to the upstream portion of the ink ribbon transport direction during thermal transfer processing, or only to the central portion of the ink ribbon transport direction during thermal transfer processing, should be lower than the thermal energy applied to the print image forming area corresponding portion. You may control to. Further, when the linear boundary area on the transfer sheet is a wide area having a width dimension (dimension in the sheet width direction) equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the width dimension of the linear boundary area is smaller than the width dimension of the linear boundary area. The thermal energy applied only to the portion corresponding to the width dimension may be controlled to be lower than the thermal energy applied to the print image forming region corresponding portion.

  Further, in addition to or instead of each of the yellow, magenta, and cyan ink layers, an ink ribbon having an ink layer of another color attached thereto, or an ink ribbon having a single ink layer in one cycle (single color ink layer) Ink ribbons) may be used.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the number of divisions of the print image forming region along the width direction of the transfer sheet is 2 is illustrated. However, even if the number of divisions is 3 or more, the procedure is the same as above. Print layer thermal transfer treatment can be performed. Specifically, the number of linear boundary areas obtained by subtracting 1 from the number of divisions on the transfer sheet is specified based on the print command, and the thermal energy given to each linear boundary area corresponding portion of the overprint layer-attached area is determined. The thermal energy applied to the portion corresponding to each print image forming area may be lower. As the number of portions corresponding to the straight boundary region increases, the region extending by heat in the overprint layer-attached region can be subdivided or narrowed.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the thermal transfer printer capable of realizing both the glossy finish print and the matte finish print using the ink ribbon having the overprint layer for the glossy finish is exemplified. Ink ribbons with thermal transfer printers that can only achieve glossy finish printing using ink ribbons with overprint layers for printing, and other types of overprint layers (for example, overprint layers for matte finishes) It is also possible to use a thermal transfer printer that can perform an appropriate overprinting process. Further, the ink ribbon having an appropriate overprint layer may be used to realize only one type of finishing pattern, or may be realized by selecting a plurality of finishing patterns.

  The size of each print image forming area in the sheet width direction may be uniform or non-uniform. When the size of each print image forming area in the sheet width direction is not uniform, the position of the straight boundary area also changes appropriately according to the size difference in the sheet width direction of each print image forming area. In addition to the linear boundary region extending in the conveyance direction, a boundary region extending in the width direction of the sheet may be formed to perform further fine division (frame division). In this case, whether or not the thermal energy given to the portion corresponding to the boundary region extending in the sheet width direction in the overprint layer-attached region is lower than the thermal energy given to the portion corresponding to each print image forming region. Is optional.

  It is also possible to set areas in which the number of print image divisions is different along the sheet conveyance direction within the print size on the transfer sheet that can be formed by one cycle of the ink layer and the overprint layer. is there. For example, when the number of divisions is 2 in the downstream area in the sheet conveyance direction and the division number is 3 in the upstream area, the area on the downstream side in the ink ribbon conveyance direction corresponds to the linear area in the overprint layer-attached area. There are two parts, and there are three linear areas corresponding to the upstream area in the ink ribbon transport direction, and the thermal energy given to all or part of each linear area corresponds to each print image formation area. What is necessary is just to make it lower than the heat energy given to the part to perform.

  Furthermore, it may be a thermal transfer printer provided with a longitudinal cutting section capable of cutting a transfer sheet along a linear boundary region and dividing it in the sheet width direction. In this case, the cutting position by the vertical cutting part may always be constant (fixed) or may be changed as appropriate. With such a thermal transfer printer, even a sheet on which a longitudinal cutting guide portion is not formed can be cut into a print size according to the user's needs by the longitudinal cutting portion and the lateral cutting portion.

  Moreover, you may apply as a to-be-transferred sheet what formed the longitudinal cutting guide part in the linear boundary area | region. Examples of the longitudinal cutting guide portion include a dotted line hole (perforation) and a thin portion having a thickness set thinner than other portions. By manually cutting the sheet piece in the longitudinal direction (sheet conveying direction) along the longitudinal cutting guide portion, it is possible to obtain a sheet piece that has been printed with a desired print size.

  It is also possible to apply a cut sheet cut in advance to a predetermined size in the sheet conveying direction as a transfer sheet supplied from the sheet feeding unit.

  In the above-described embodiment, a printer including a control unit (controller) that controls hardware such as a printing unit is illustrated. However, an external device of the printer (such as an arithmetic machine connected to the printer by wire or wireless) is provided. The operation of hardware such as a transverse cutting unit may be controlled based on a control command from the control unit.

  In addition, the specific configuration of each part is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

21 ... thermal head 22 ... platen 7 ... control unit B ... base film C, M, Y ... ink layer (cyan ink layer, magenta ink layer, yellow ink layer)
OP ... Overprint layer P ... Thermal transfer printer R ... Ink ribbon Ro ... Overprint layer-attached area Ro1 ... Print image formation area corresponding part Ro2 ... Linear boundary area corresponding part S ... Transfer sheet Sk ... Linear boundary area Sp ... Print image formation region

Claims (5)

An ink ribbon and a transfer sheet on which a single-color or multiple-color ink layer and an overprint layer are detachably attached in a predetermined order in the longitudinal direction are overlapped on the platen in the thickness direction on a long base film. In this state, a thermal head having a heating element is pressed to the platen side, and the ink layer and the overprint layer are thermally transferred to a print image formation area on the transfer sheet where a print image is to be formed. A thermal transfer printer capable of forming a desired print image,
Accepts a print command including division information that is at least information about the number of divisions of the print image forming region along the width direction of the transfer sheet;
During the thermal transfer of the overprint layer, the overprint layer-attached region, which is the region where the overprint layer is attached on the base film, is adjacent in the width direction of the transfer sheet that can be specified from the print command. Thermal energy applied to a portion corresponding to a linear boundary region that is a boundary between print image forming regions and linearly extends in the conveyance direction of the transfer sheet, and applied to a portion corresponding to each print image forming region A thermal transfer printer comprising a control unit for controlling the temperature lower than the above. When the control unit gives thermal energy higher than the normal thermal energy set for the overprint layer-attached region to the overprint layer-attached region during the thermal transfer of the overprint layer, the straight line 2. The thermal transfer printer according to claim 1, wherein the thermal energy applied to the portion corresponding to the boundary region is controlled to be lower than the thermal energy applied to the portion corresponding to each print image forming region. The control unit applies a portion corresponding to the linear boundary region in the overprint layer-attached region and a continuous portion extending from the downstream edge to the upstream edge in the ink ribbon transport direction during the thermal transfer. The thermal transfer printer according to claim 1, wherein the thermal energy is controlled to be lower than the thermal energy applied to a portion corresponding to each print image forming area. 4. The thermal transfer printer according to claim 1, further comprising a longitudinal cutting portion capable of cutting the transfer sheet along the linear boundary region. 5. An ink ribbon and a transfer sheet on which a single-color or multiple-color ink layer and an overprint layer are detachably attached in a predetermined order in the longitudinal direction are overlapped on the platen in the thickness direction on a long base film. In this state, a thermal head having a heating element is pressed to the platen side, and the ink layer and the overprint layer are thermally transferred to a print image formation area on the transfer sheet where a print image is to be formed. A computer mounted on a thermal transfer printer capable of forming a desired print image or a computer connected to the thermal transfer printer,
A process of accepting a print command including division information that is information on the number of divisions of the print image forming region along at least the width direction of the transfer sheet;
The boundary between the print image forming regions adjacent to each other in the width direction of the transferred sheet that can be specified from the print command among the regions where the overprint layer is attached on the base film during the thermal transfer of the overprint layer The thermal energy applied to the portion corresponding to the linear boundary region extending linearly in the conveyance direction of the transfer sheet is lower than the thermal energy applied to the portion corresponding to each print image forming region. A control program for a thermal transfer printer.

Images