JP2016117244A - Thermal transfer printing apparatus and thermal transfer printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To generate a printed matter of one screen size and a printed matter of panoramic photograph of plural screen size using the same ink ribbon.SOLUTION: A thermal transfer printing method involves superimposing an ink ribbon including a dye layer on a print sheet, conveying them between a thermal head and a platen roller, and heating the ink ribbon to transfer ink and print an image on the print sheet. The method includes: a step of printing a first image on the print sheet; and a step of printing a second image such that one end of the second image overlaps with one end of the first image. In the printing of the first image, the energy for heating the ink ribbon at the one end is lower than the energy for heating the ink ribbon at portions other than the one end. In the printing of the second image, the energy for heating the ink ribbon at the one end is lower than the energy for heating the ink ribbon at portions other than the one end.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a thermal transfer printing apparatus and a thermal transfer printing method for forming an image by sublimation transfer of ink onto photographic paper.

  There is known a thermal transfer type printer in which yellow, magenta, and cyan are sequentially sublimated and transferred onto photographic paper to form an image. In a thermal transfer type printer, a thermal head is pressed against a platen roller via an ink ribbon and photographic paper. The ink ribbon includes a ribbon (support layer) extending in a strip shape, and an ink layer formed on the ribbon and containing a dye or the like. By pressure bonding, the ink on the ink ribbon is transferred to the photographic paper in a pattern corresponding to the image.

  In the ink layer of the ink ribbon, a layer containing a yellow dye (Y), a layer containing a magenta dye (M), and a layer containing a cyan dye (C) are provided in the surface order. A surface protective layer (OP) transfer region is provided after the Y, M, and C regions, and this Y, M, C, and OP form one set, and one set of ink ribbon is used to form one image. Is done.

  In the thermal transfer type printer, the size of the dye layer region of each color of the ink ribbon determines the maximum printable size. Therefore, in order to create a large-sized printed material, it is necessary to prepare an ink ribbon corresponding to the size. For example, when printing a panoramic photograph taken with a digital camera having a panoramic photographing function, it is necessary to prepare an ink ribbon according to the size (length) of the panoramic photograph. This produces a variety of ink ribbons having different specifications, which causes a problem of increasing costs.

Japanese Patent No. 3688433

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional situation, and a thermal transfer printing apparatus capable of creating a one-screen size printed matter and a multi-screen size panoramic photograph using the same ink ribbon, and It is an object to provide a thermal transfer printing method.

  A thermal transfer printing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a thermal head and a platen roller, and superimposes an ink ribbon including a dye layer and a printing sheet to convey between the thermal head and the platen roller. A thermal transfer printing apparatus in which a thermal head heats the ink ribbon to transfer ink, and prints an image on the printing sheet. After printing the first image on the printing sheet, one end portion of the first image The second image is printed so as to overlap with one end, and when the first image is printed, the energy that the thermal head heats the ink ribbon at the one end is determined by the thermal head other than the one end. The thermal head applies the ink ribbon at the one end when the second image is printed. Energy, said thermal head being lower than the energy for heating the ink ribbon in the other said end portion.

  In the thermal transfer printing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention, the ink ribbon includes the dye layer and a protective layer, and the thermal head heats the protective layer after printing the first image and before printing the second image. Then, the protective layer is transferred to the surface of the first image other than the one end.

  In the thermal transfer printing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention, after the printing of the second image, the thermal head heats the protective layer and transfers the protective layer to the surface of the second image including the one end.

  The thermal transfer printing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention transfers the protective layer to the surface of the second image so as to overlap a part of the protective layer transferred to the surface of the first image.

  A thermal transfer printing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a protective ribbon supply unit that supplies a protective ribbon including a protective layer, and the protective ribbon supply unit that heats the protective ribbon and prints the first image and the second image printed on the printing sheet. And a second thermal head for transferring the protective layer to the surface.

  The thermal transfer printing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention prints the second image on the printing sheet, and then prints the third image so that one end overlaps the other end of the second image. At the time of printing, the energy at which the thermal head heats the ink ribbon at the other end is lower than the energy at which the thermal head heats the ink ribbon except at both ends, and at the time of printing the third image, the one end The energy of heating the ink ribbon by the thermal head is lower than the energy of heating the ink ribbon by the thermal head except at the one end.

  In the thermal transfer printing method according to one aspect of the present invention, an ink ribbon including a dye layer and a printing sheet are overlapped and conveyed between a thermal head and a platen roller, and the ink ribbon is heated to transfer ink. A thermal transfer printing method for printing an image on the printing sheet, the step of printing a first image on the printing sheet, and the step of printing a second image so that one end thereof overlaps one end of the first image. When the first image is printed, the energy for heating the ink ribbon at the one end is lower than the energy for heating the ink ribbon at the other end than the one end, and when the second image is printed, The energy for heating the ink ribbon at one end is lower than the energy for heating the ink ribbon except for the one end. And butterflies.

  The thermal transfer printing method according to an aspect of the present invention further includes a step of transferring a protective layer to the surface of the first image other than the one end after printing the first image and before printing the second image.

  The thermal transfer printing method according to an aspect of the present invention further includes a step of transferring a protective layer to the surface of the second image including the one end after printing the second image.

  In the thermal transfer printing method according to an aspect of the present invention, the protective layer is transferred to the surface of the second image so as to overlap a part of the protective layer transferred to the surface of the first image.

  The thermal transfer printing method according to an aspect of the present invention further includes a step of transferring a protective layer to the surfaces of the first image and the second image printed on the printing sheet.

  The thermal transfer printing method according to an aspect of the present invention further includes a step of printing a third image so that one end portion overlaps the other end portion of the second image after printing the second image on the printing sheet. The energy for heating the ink ribbon at the other end when printing the second image is lower than the energy for heating the ink ribbon at the other end, and the ink ribbon at the one end when printing the third image. The energy for heating the ink ribbon is lower than the energy for heating the ink ribbon except at the one end.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to create a one-screen size print and a multi-screen size panoramic photo print using the same ink ribbon.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a thermal transfer printing apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is a top view of an ink ribbon. It is sectional drawing of a printing sheet. It is a figure explaining the printing method of a panoramic photograph. It is a figure explaining the printing method of a panoramic photograph. It is a figure which shows the example of a printed matter. It is a figure explaining the printing method of a panoramic photograph. It is a figure explaining the printing method of a panoramic photograph. It is a schematic block diagram of the thermal transfer printing apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the printing method of a panoramic photograph.

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

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a thermal transfer printing apparatus according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a top view of an ink ribbon used in the thermal transfer printing apparatus. The thermal transfer printing apparatus forms an image by sublimation transfer of yellow, magenta, and cyan onto a printing sheet (image receiving paper).

  This thermal transfer printing apparatus is compatible with a plurality of print sizes, and can perform, for example, a small size print and a large size print (panoramic photo print) that is a multiple of the small size. For example, the small size is an L size (89 × 127 mm) or a postcard size (102 × 152 mm).

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the thermal transfer printing apparatus includes a Y layer 51 containing a yellow dye, an M layer 52 containing a magenta dye, a C layer 53 containing a cyan dye, and a surface protection (OP) layer 54 in a surface sequential manner. A thermal head (printing unit) 1 is provided that forms an image by sublimation transfer of Y, M, and C on a printing sheet 7 using an ink ribbon 5 provided on the printing sheet 7, and forms a protective layer on the image. . An ink ribbon supply roll 3 formed by winding an ink ribbon 5 is provided on the downstream side of the thermal head 1, and an ink ribbon collection roll 4 is provided on the upstream side of the thermal head 1, and is fed out from the ink ribbon supply roll 3. The obtained ink ribbon 5 passes through the thermal head 1 and is collected by the ink ribbon collection roll 4.

  A rotatable platen roll 2 is provided below the thermal head 1. Furthermore, a rotatable capstan roller 13 for conveying the printing sheet 7 and a pinch roller 14 for pressing the printing sheet 7 against the capstan roller 13 are provided on the upstream side.

  In the ink ribbon 5, a Y layer 51, an M layer 52, a C layer 53, and an OP layer 54 are sequentially formed on one surface from the ink ribbon collection roll 4 side. For the Y layer 51, the M layer 52, and the C layer 53, it is preferable to use a material obtained by melting or dispersing a sublimable dye in a binder resin. The OP layer 54 is preferably made of a transparent material having adhesiveness, light resistance, and the like.

  Each of the Y layer 51, the M layer 52, the C layer 53, and the OP layer 54 has a size corresponding to a small size print. In order to create one small-size print, a set of ink ribbons of Y layer 51, M layer 52, C layer 53, and OP layer 54 is used. A plurality of sets of ink ribbons corresponding to the size of the panoramic photograph are used to create a print of one panoramic photograph print. For example, two sets of ink ribbons are used to create a printed product of a panoramic photograph that is twice the size (length) of the small size.

The photographic sheet 7 is wound around the photographic paper roll 6 and is fed out from the photographic paper roll 6. As the printing sheet 7, a known material can be used. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a resin coat layer 7a, a paper 7b, an adhesive layer 7c, a void-containing film 7d, and a receiving layer 7e are laminated in this order. Can be used. As the void-containing film 7d, various films can be used as long as voids are formed in the film. For example, it is possible to use a film in which a void is formed in a film by adding a void developing agent to PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and peeling PET and the void developing agent in the process of film formation and stretching. As the base material, in addition to PET, polyolefin resins such as PP (polypropylene) and PE (polyethylene) can be used.

  The drive of the ink ribbon collecting roll 4, the photographic paper roll 6, the capstan roller 13, the thermal head 1, and the cutter 8 are controlled by a control unit (control means) having a CPU (not shown).

  A method for performing small size printing using this thermal transfer printing apparatus will be described. First, the printing sheet 7 and the Y layer 51 are aligned, and the thermal head 1 comes into contact with the platen roll 2 via the printing sheet 7 and the ink ribbon 5. Next, the capstan roller 13 and the ink ribbon collection roll 4 are driven to rotate, and the printing sheet 7 and the ink ribbon 5 are sent to the rear side. During this time, the area of the Y layer 51 is selectively and sequentially heated by the thermal head 1 based on the image data, and Y is sublimated and transferred from the ink ribbon 5 onto the printing sheet 7.

  After the sublimation transfer of Y, the thermal head 1 rises and leaves the platen roll 2. Next, the printing sheet 7 and the M layer 52 are aligned. In this case, the printing sheet 7 is fed forward by a distance corresponding to the print size, and the ink ribbon 5 is fed backward by a distance corresponding to a margin between the Y layer 51 and the M layer 52.

  M and C are sequentially sublimated and transferred onto the printing sheet 7 in the same manner as the Y sublimation transfer method, and an image is formed on the printing sheet 7. Next, the OP layer 54 is transferred to the entire image by the thermal head 1 to form a protective layer.

  Thereafter, the printing sheet 7 is cut out as a printed sheet 11 by the cutter 8 on the downstream side. The printed sheet 11 is discharged from a discharge port (not shown). In this way, a print 80 of a small size print as shown in FIG.

  Next, a method of performing panoramic photo printing having a size (length) that is approximately twice the small size will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, an image processing unit (not shown) divides a panoramic image into a first image and a second image using the input image data. At this time, the first image and the second image are divided so that the ends overlap.

  Subsequently, based on the image data of the first image, the thermal head 1 selectively heats the Y layer 51, the M layer 52, and the C layer 53. Y, M, and C are sequentially transferred onto the printing sheet 7 by sublimation, and an image of the first screen is formed on the printing sheet 7.

  The thermal head 1 heats the Y layer 51, the M layer 52, and the C layer 53 with low energy in a portion where the first image and the second image overlap, and heats the other portions with normal energy. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4A, in the region 72 from the printing start position 72a to the distance L2, the Y layer 51, the M layer 52, and the C layer 53 are heated with low energy. In the region 71 after the distance L2 from the print start position 72a, the Y layer 51, the M layer 52, and the C layer 53 are heated with normal energy. The width (distance L2) of the region 72 is, for example, about 5 mm to 10 mm.

  The normal energy corresponds to the energy for heating the Y layer 51, the M layer 52, and the C layer 53 in the above-described small size print. Low energy is lower than normal energy, for example, about half of normal energy. Low energy may be greater than half of normal energy. In the image formed by the sublimation transfer of Y, M, and C shown in FIG. 4A, the region 71 is darker than the region 72 even if they are the same color on the original image data.

  Note that the margin area of the printing sheet 7 on the front side of the area 71 is not shown.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4B, the OP layer 54 is transferred to the region 71 to form a protective layer. The region 72 does not transfer the OP layer 54 and does not form a protective layer. The protective layer forming region is indicated by hatching.

  A set of ink ribbons is used for the sublimation transfer of the ink shown in FIG. 4A and the protective layer formation shown in FIG. The total length L1 of the area 71 and the area 72 where the image is formed is about the same as the small size print described above.

  Next, the printing sheet 7 is fed forward so that an image can be formed from the printing start position 73a shown in FIG. The ink ribbon 5 is fed backward by a distance corresponding to a margin between the OP layer 54 and the next set of Y layers 51. At this time, the printing sheet 7 is not cut out by the cutter 8.

  Then, based on the image data of the second image, the thermal head 1 selectively heats the Y layer 51, the M layer 52, and the C layer 53. Y, M, and C are sequentially transferred onto the printing sheet 7 by sublimation, and an image on the second screen is formed on the printing sheet 7. As shown in FIG. 4C, the second screen extends from the print start position 73a to the boundary 71a between the area 71 and the area 72.

  The thermal head 1 heats the Y layer 51, the M layer 52, and the C layer 53 with low energy in a portion where the first image and the second image overlap, and heats the other portions with normal energy. Therefore, in the image formation on the second screen, in the region 73 from the print start position 73a to the print start position 72a on the first screen, the Y layer 51, the M layer 52, and the C layer 53 are heated with normal energy. Thereafter, in the region 72, the Y layer 51, the M layer 52, and the C layer 53 are heated with low energy.

  The first screen and the second screen overlap in the area 72. In this area 72, since the ink is transferred twice with low energy, an image having the same color density as the areas 71 and 73 where the ink is transferred with normal energy is formed.

  In the protective layer forming step in the region 71 shown in FIG. 4B, no protective layer is formed in the region 72. Therefore, in the second screen image forming step shown in FIG. The ink can be transferred to the region 72 without transferring.

  In this way, a panoramic image is formed by connecting the first screen and the second screen. By overlapping one end portion of the first screen and one end portion of the second screen, it is possible to prevent a blank area from being generated between the screens due to misalignment or the like.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4D, the OP layer 54 is transferred to the regions 73 and 72 to form a protective layer.

  Ink sublimation transfer shown in FIG. 4C and protective layer formation shown in FIG. 4D use one set of ink ribbons. The total length L1 of the region 73 and the region 72 where the image is formed is about the same as the small size print described above.

  Thereafter, the printing sheet 7 is cut out as a printed sheet 11 by the cutter 8 on the downstream side. The printed sheet 11 is discharged from a discharge port (not shown). In this manner, a panoramic photo print 81 having a size about twice that of the small size print as shown in FIG. 6B is created.

  Next, a method of performing panoramic photo printing having a size (length) about three times the small size will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the image processing unit divides the panoramic image into a first image, a second image, and a third image using the input image data. At this time, the image is divided so that one end of the first image and one end of the second image overlap, and the other end of the second image and one end of the third image overlap.

  Subsequently, based on the image data of the first image, the thermal head 1 selectively heats the Y layer 51, the M layer 52, and the C layer 53. Y, M, and C are sequentially transferred onto the printing sheet 7 by sublimation, and an image of the first screen is formed on the printing sheet 7.

  The thermal head 1 heats the Y layer 51, the M layer 52, and the C layer 53 with low energy in a portion where the first image and the second image overlap, and heats the other portions with normal energy. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5A, in the region 75 from the printing start position 75a to the distance L2, the Y layer 51, the M layer 52, and the C layer 53 are heated with low energy. In the region 74 after the distance L2 from the print start position 75a, the Y layer 51, the M layer 52, and the C layer 53 are heated with normal energy.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5B, the OP layer 54 is transferred to the region 74 to form a protective layer. The region 75 does not transfer the OP layer 54 and does not form a protective layer.

  Next, the printing sheet 7 is fed forward so that an image can be formed from the printing start position 77a shown in FIG. The ink ribbon 5 is fed backward by a distance corresponding to a margin between the OP layer 54 and the next set of Y layers 51. At this time, the printing sheet 7 is not cut out by the cutter 8.

  Then, based on the image data of the second image, the thermal head 1 selectively heats the Y layer 51, the M layer 52, and the C layer 53. Y, M, and C are sequentially transferred onto the printing sheet 7 by sublimation, and an image on the second screen is formed on the printing sheet 7. As shown in FIG. 5C, the second screen extends from the print start position 77a to the boundary between the region 74 and the region 75.

  The thermal head 1 includes a Y layer 51, an M layer 52, and a C layer 53 in a portion where the first image and the second image overlap and a portion where the second image and the third image overlap (both ends of the second image). Heat with low energy, and heat the other parts with normal energy. Therefore, in the image formation on the second screen, in the region 77 from the printing start position 77a to the distance L2, the Y layer 51, the M layer 52, and the C layer 53 are heated with low energy. Subsequently, in the region 76 up to the print start position 75a of the first screen, the Y layer 51, the M layer 52, and the C layer 53 are heated with normal energy. Thereafter, in the region 75, the Y layer 51, the M layer 52, and the C layer 53 are heated with low energy.

  The first screen and the second screen overlap in a region 75. In the region 75, since the ink is transferred twice with low energy, an image having the same color density as the regions 74 and 76 where the ink is transferred with normal energy is formed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5D, the OP layer 54 is transferred to the regions 76 and 75 to form a protective layer. The region 77 does not transfer the OP layer 54 and does not form a protective layer.

  Next, the printing sheet 7 is fed forward so that an image can be formed from the printing start position 78a shown in FIG. The ink ribbon 5 is fed backward by a distance corresponding to a margin between the OP layer 54 and the next set of Y layers 51. At this time, the printing sheet 7 is not cut out by the cutter 8.

  Then, based on the image data of the third image, the thermal head 1 selectively heats the Y layer 51, the M layer 52, and the C layer 53. Y, M, and C are successively transferred onto the printing sheet 7 by sublimation, and an image on the third screen is formed on the printing sheet 7. As shown in FIG. 5E, the third screen extends from the print start position 78a to the boundary between the region 76 and the region 77.

  The thermal head 1 heats the Y layer 51, the M layer 52, and the C layer 53 with low energy in the portion where the second image and the third image overlap, and heats the other portions with normal energy. Therefore, in the image formation on the third screen, in the region 78 from the print start position 78a to the print start position 77a on the second screen, the Y layer 51, the M layer 52, and the C layer 53 are heated with normal energy. Thereafter, in the region 77, the Y layer 51, the M layer 52, and the C layer 53 are heated with low energy.

  The second screen and the third screen overlap in a region 77. In the region 77, since the ink is transferred twice with low energy, an image having the same color density as the regions 76 and 78 where the ink is transferred with normal energy is formed.

  In this way, a panoramic image is formed by connecting the three screens of the first screen, the second screen, and the third screen. By overlapping one end of the first screen and one end of the second screen, and overlapping the other end of the second screen and one end of the third screen, a blank area is generated between the screens due to misalignment or the like. Can be prevented.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5F, the OP layer 54 is transferred to the regions 78 and 77 to form a protective layer.

  Thereafter, the printing sheet 7 is cut out as a printed sheet 11 by the cutter 8 on the downstream side. The printed sheet 11 is discharged from a discharge port (not shown). In this way, a panoramic photo print 82 having a size about three times the size of the small print size (the length of three screens) as shown in FIG. 6C is created. A panoramic photo print having a length of four screens or more can be created in the same manner.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, by continuously printing images of a plurality of screens without cutting the printing sheet 7, one screen can be used by using the ink ribbon 5 having a size corresponding to the small size printing. Size prints and multi-screen size panoramic photo prints can be created. In addition, by changing the number of screens for continuous printing, it is possible to create a print of a panoramic photograph having a desired length.

  By overlapping a plurality of screens by overlapping the end portions between the screens, it is possible to prevent a blank area from being generated between the screens.

  By transferring the ink twice with low energy to the overlapping portion of the screen edge that overlaps the adjacent screen, it is possible to form an image having the same color intensity as the region heated with normal energy. Therefore, the panoramic photo prints 81 and 82 shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C have a natural finish because the joints between the screens are not conspicuous.

  4D, when the protective layer is formed by transferring the OP layer 54 to the region 72, the protective layer forming region is expanded to the region 71 where the protective layer has already been formed as shown in FIG. May be. That is, the OP layer 54 may be transferred twice at the tip portion 70 of the region 71 so that the protective layer overlaps. By overlapping the protective layers in this manner, it is possible to prevent the image surface from being exposed even when a positional shift occurs during the formation of the protective layer. The width | variety of the front-end | tip part 70 is about 1 mm-3 mm, for example.

  In the protective layer formation step in the region 71 shown in FIG. 4B, as shown in FIG. You may shift to). An interval L3 between the boundary 71a and the protective layer formation start position 71b is, for example, about 1 mm to 2 mm. By providing a gap between the boundary 71a and the protective layer formation start position 71b, the ink is transferred onto the protective layer in the region 71 even when a positional shift occurs during the ink transfer in the region 72 during the second screen formation. Can be prevented. A protective layer is formed together with the region 72 in the region between the boundary 71a and the protective layer formation start position 71b.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the thermal transfer printing apparatus using the ink ribbon 5 in which the Y layer 51, the M layer 52, the C layer 53, and the OP layer 54 are sequentially formed has been described. However, the ink ribbon in which the OP layer 54 is omitted. 5 may be used. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, a thermal layer formed by thermally transferring a protective layer to the entire surface of the image formed on the printed sheet 11 using a screen protective ribbon 24 having an OP layer on the downstream side of the cutter 8. A head 20 is provided.

  A screen protection ribbon supply roll 21 around which the screen protection ribbon 24 is wound is provided on the upstream side of the thermal head 20, and a screen protection ribbon collection roll 22 is provided on the downstream side of the thermal head 20. The screen protection ribbon 24 fed out from the screen protection ribbon supply roll 21 passes through the thermal head 20 and is collected by the screen protection ribbon collection roll 22.

  Between the cutter 8 and the thermal head 20, a transfer means 26 for transferring the printed sheet 11 is provided. The transfer means 26 includes a transfer conveyor 26a on which the printed sheets 11 are placed, and a drive unit 26b that drives the transfer conveyor 26a.

  A method for performing panoramic photo printing of about twice the small size (two screen sizes) using this thermal transfer printing apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 10A, the process of forming the first screen image in the region 71 and the region 72 is the same as that in the first embodiment shown in FIG. A description thereof will be omitted.

  Next, the printing sheet 7 is fed forward, and the ink ribbon 5 is fed backward by a distance corresponding to a margin between the C layer 53 and the next set of Y layers 51. At this time, the printing sheet 7 is not cut out by the cutter 8.

  Then, based on the image data of the second image, the thermal head 1 selectively heats the Y layer 51, the M layer 52, and the C layer 53. As shown in FIG. 10B, Y, M, and C are sequentially sublimated and transferred onto the printing sheet 7, and an image on the second screen is formed on the printing sheet 7.

  The thermal head 1 heats the Y layer 51, the M layer 52, and the C layer 53 with low energy in a portion where the first image and the second image overlap, and heats the other portions with normal energy. Therefore, in the image formation of the second screen, in the region 73, the Y layer 51, the M layer 52, and the C layer 53 are heated with normal energy. Thereafter, in the region 72, the Y layer 51, the M layer 52, and the C layer 53 are heated with low energy.

  The first screen and the second screen overlap in the area 72. In the region 72, since the ink is transferred twice with low energy, an image having the same color density as the regions 71 and 73 where the ink is transferred with normal energy is formed.

  Next, the printing sheet 7 is cut out by the cutter 8 on the downstream side, and a printed sheet 11 as shown in FIG.

  The printed sheet 11 is transferred below the thermal head 20 by the transfer means 26. Then, as shown in FIG. 10D, the OP layer is thermally transferred by the thermal head 20 to form a protective layer on the entire surface of the printed sheet 11 using the screen protective ribbon 24. As a result, a panoramic photo print 81 having a size about twice that of the small-size print is created as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the ink ribbon 5 having the Y layer 51, the M layer 52, and the C layer 53 and the screen protection ribbon 24 having the OP layer are separated, the OP layer is obtained after the panoramic photo image is completed. Is thermally transferred to form a protective layer. For this reason, the protective layer forming process can be performed only once to produce one printed matter, and the protective layer can be easily formed.

  Also in the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, by continuously printing images of a plurality of screens, a printed material of one screen size using the ink ribbon 5 having a size corresponding to a small size print. And a multi-screen size panoramic photo print. In addition, by changing the number of screens for continuous printing, it is possible to create a print of a panoramic photograph having a desired length.

  The cutter 8 may be provided on the downstream side of the thermal head 20. In this case, after the protective layer is formed on the entire surface of the image forming area of the printing sheet 7, the printed sheet 11 is cut out by the cutter 8.

  In the first and second embodiments, the overlapping portions of adjacent screens are printed twice with low energy, but the energy of the two printings may be the same or different. For example, the energy of the second printing may be higher or lower than the energy of the first printing. It is preferable to determine how to set the energy of the two printings depending on the material of the ink ribbon 5 to be used.

  The ink transfer energy may change stepwise for the overlapping portions of adjacent screens. For example, when printing the area 72 in FIG. 4A, the energy may be gradually increased as the area 71 approaches the area 71 from the print start position 72a. In addition, when printing the area 72 in FIG. 4C, the energy may be gradually lowered as the area 71 is approached.

  In the first and second embodiments, the example in which the ink is transferred onto the printing sheet 7 while feeding the printing sheet 7 and the ink ribbon 5 to the rear side has been described. However, even if the ink is transferred to the front side, the ink is transferred. Good. In this case, an ink ribbon supply roll 3 is provided on the upstream side of the thermal head 1, and an ink ribbon collection roll 4 is provided on the downstream side of the thermal head 1. Since the print start position changes, for example, in the image forming process on the first screen shown in FIG. 4A, the ink is transferred to the region 71 with normal energy and then transferred to the region 72 with low energy. Even if the conveyance direction of the printing sheet 7 and the ink ribbon 5 during ink transfer is changed, a print of a panoramic photograph having a desired length can be obtained by continuously printing images on a plurality of screens by overlapping edges between the screens. Can be created.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Thermal head 2 Platen roll 3 Ink ribbon supply roll 4 Ink ribbon collection roll 5 Ink ribbon 6 Printing paper roll 7 Printing sheet 8 Cutter 11 Print sheet 13 Capstan roller 14 Pinch roller

Claims (12)

An ink ribbon having a thermal head and a platen roller, and an ink ribbon including a dye layer and a printing sheet are superposed and conveyed between the thermal head and the platen roller, and the thermal head heats the ink ribbon to form ink. A thermal transfer printing apparatus for printing an image on the printing sheet,
After printing the first image on the printing sheet, the second image is printed so that one end thereof overlaps one end of the first image,
At the time of printing the first image, the energy at which the thermal head heats the ink ribbon at the one end is lower than the energy at which the thermal head heats the ink ribbon except at the one end.
The thermal transfer printing characterized in that, during printing of the second image, the energy at which the thermal head heats the ink ribbon at the one end is lower than the energy at which the thermal head heats the ink ribbon at the other end. apparatus. The ink ribbon includes the dye layer and a protective layer,
The thermal head heats the protective layer after printing the first image and before printing the second image, and transfers the protective layer to the surface of the first image other than the one end. Item 2. The thermal transfer printing apparatus according to Item 1.   3. The thermal transfer printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein after the printing of the second image, the thermal head heats the protective layer to transfer the protective layer to the surface of the second image including the one end. .   The thermal transfer printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the protective layer is transferred to the surface of the second image so as to overlap a part of the protective layer transferred to the surface of the first image. A protective ribbon supply section for supplying a protective ribbon including a protective layer;
A second thermal head that heats the protective ribbon and transfers a protective layer to the surfaces of the first image and the second image printed on the printing sheet;
The thermal transfer printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: After printing the second image on the printing sheet, print the third image so that one end overlaps the other end of the second image,
At the time of printing the second image, the energy at which the thermal head heats the ink ribbon at the other end is lower than the energy at which the thermal head heats the ink ribbon except at both ends.
The energy at which the thermal head heats the ink ribbon at the one end when the third image is printed is lower than the energy at which the thermal head heats the ink ribbon except at the one end. The thermal transfer printing apparatus according to any one of 1 to 5. A thermal transfer printing method in which an ink ribbon including a dye layer and a printing sheet are superposed and conveyed between a thermal head and a platen roller, the ink ribbon is heated to transfer ink, and an image is printed on the printing sheet. Because
Printing a first image on the printing sheet;
Printing a second image such that one end overlaps one end of the first image;
With
At the time of printing the first image, the energy for heating the ink ribbon at the one end is lower than the energy for heating the ink ribbon except for the one end.
The thermal transfer printing method, wherein energy for heating the ink ribbon at the one end when printing the second image is lower than energy for heating the ink ribbon at the other end.   The thermal transfer printing according to claim 7, further comprising a step of transferring a protective layer to the surface of the first image other than the one end portion after printing the first image and before printing the second image. Method.   The thermal transfer printing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a step of transferring a protective layer to the surface of the second image including the one end after printing the second image.   The thermal transfer printing method according to claim 9, wherein the protective layer is transferred to the surface of the second image so as to overlap a part of the protective layer transferred to the surface of the first image.   The thermal transfer printing method according to claim 7, further comprising a step of transferring a protective layer to the surfaces of the first image and the second image printed on the printing sheet. After printing the second image on the printing sheet, further comprising the step of printing the third image so that one end overlaps the other end of the second image;
At the time of printing the second image, the energy for heating the ink ribbon at the other end is lower than the energy for heating the ink ribbon except at both ends.
12. The energy for heating the ink ribbon at the one end when printing the third image is lower than the energy for heating the ink ribbon at the other end. Thermal transfer printing device.

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