JP2017170715A - Printing device, printing method, manufacturing method of card, and card - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing device which can obtain a re-transfer object having the high security.SOLUTION: A printing device includes: a transfer unit (TB) which forms a first transfer image body (PT1) overlapped with a second transfer image (PiR) by transferring meltable ink on a first transfer image (PB) after forming the first transfer image (PB) by transferring sublimation ink to a first transfer object body (2fA), and forms a second transfer image body (PT2) overlapped with a fourth transfer image (PW) by transferring the meltable ink on a third transfer image (PCR) after forming the third transfer image (PCR) by transferring the sublimation ink to a second transfer object body (2fB) different from the first transfer object body (2fA); and a re-transfer unit (TB2) which superposes the respective transfer images in the order of the second transfer image (PiR), the first transfer image (PB), the fourth transfer image (PW), and the third transfer image (PCR) when seen from a re-transfer object body (C1) by re-transferring the second transfer image body (PT2) to the re-transfer object body (C1) after re-transferring the first transfer image body (PT1) to the re-transfer object body (C1).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing method, a card manufacturing method, and a card.

  As a printing device, ink on an ink ribbon (ink film) is sublimated or melted by a thermal head to transfer and form an image on a transfer body (intermediate transfer film), and the transferred image is transferred to the transfer body. There is known a re-transfer type printing apparatus in which a card base is transferred and printed again to make a card, and is described in Patent Document 1.

  In addition, a technology for preventing visual interpretation by superimposing and printing on a printed material an image as confidential information that is difficult to visually interpret with infrared light absorbing ink and an image as general information that is visually readable with visible light absorbing ink. Is known and is described in US Pat.

Japanese Patent No. 4337582 JP 2002-205384 A

Cards such as credit cards and ID cards are required to have security that makes it difficult to read the secret information visually when the secret information is printed.
The security is similarly required for a card on which an image is printed by the above-described retransfer printing apparatus, regardless of the printing method.

  In view of this, even in a retransfer type printing apparatus, it is considered to obtain a card having security properties by using infrared light absorbing ink and visible light absorbing ink.

In retransfer printing, usable ink types include sublimation ink and melt ink.
As a technique of thermal transfer printing including a retransfer method, generally, an image formed by sublimation ink and meltable ink can be superimposed and transferred onto an image transferred and formed with sublimation ink.
On the other hand, it cannot be superimposed and transferred with sublimation ink on an image transferred and formed with meltable ink.

In the retransfer method, for example, the transfer image is colored by superimposing the images of yellow, magenta, and cyan inks, and each color ink is a sublimation ink.
On the other hand, meltable inks are easily procured for infrared light absorbing inks for printing confidential information.
Therefore, in order to improve the security by superimposing and transferring the sublimation ink and the meltable ink, there is a restriction on the order in which the sublimation ink and the meltable ink are superimposed and transferred.

  For this reason, when a color image and an image as secret information are superimposed and formed, first, a three-color sublimation ink is superimposed and transferred onto an intermediate transfer film to form a color transfer image as general information. Next, it is considered to superimpose and transfer an image as secret information using a meltable infrared light absorbing ink (hereinafter also referred to as IR ink) on the formed color transfer image.

However, the characteristics of the infrared light absorbing ink are not zero although the light absorption in the wavelength region of visible light is small. Therefore, depending on conditions, there is a concern that it may be visually recognized as light gray.
Specifically, confidential information printed with infrared light-absorbing ink may be visually readable depending on the pattern of the color transfer image formed as general information or the degree of illumination of external light that illuminates the card. There is concern.

  Under such circumstances, since the retransfer method can print high-quality images from the beginning, the card produced by printing by the retransfer method printing device has confidential information by infrared light absorbing ink. Therefore, it is desired to have a high level of security that is more difficult to read visually.

  Therefore, the problems to be solved by the present invention are a printing apparatus and a printing method capable of obtaining a transferred body having high security, a card having high security, and a card manufacturing method for manufacturing the card, Is to provide.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following configuration or procedure.
1) A printing apparatus that does not have a function of superimposing and transferring a second ink type ink onto a transfer image formed by transferring the first ink type ink to a transfer object,
After transferring the ink of the second ink type onto the first transfer target to form a first transfer image, the ink of the first ink type is transferred onto the first transfer image. A first transfer image body in which a second transfer image is superimposed on the first transfer image is formed, and the second ink type is formed on a second transfer body different from the first transfer body. After the ink is transferred to form the third transfer image, the first ink type ink is transferred onto the third transfer image, and the fourth transfer image is superimposed on the third transfer image. A transfer portion for forming the second transfer image body,
After the first transfer image body is retransferred to the retransfer body, the second transfer image body is retransferred to the retransfer body, so that the second transfer is seen from the retransfer body. A retransfer unit that superimposes the transfer images in the order of an image, a first transfer image, a fourth transfer image, and a third transfer image;
A printing apparatus comprising:
2) After the sublimable ink is transferred to the first transfer member to form the first transfer image, the fusible ink is transferred onto the first transfer image to transfer the first transfer image. A first transfer image body in which the second transfer image is superimposed on the transfer image is formed, and the sublimation ink is transferred to a second transfer body that is different from the first transfer target body, and the third transfer image body is transferred. After forming the transfer image, the transfer of the meltable ink onto the third transfer image to form a second transfer image body in which the fourth transfer image is superimposed on the third transfer image And
After the first transfer image body is retransferred to the retransfer body, the second transfer image body is retransferred to the retransfer body, so that the second transfer is seen from the retransfer body. A retransfer unit that superimposes the transfer images in the order of an image, a first transfer image, a fourth transfer image, and a third transfer image;
A printing apparatus comprising:
3) After forming the first transfer image by transferring the sublimation ink to the first transfer object, transferring the fusible ink onto the first transfer image to transfer the first transfer image. A first transfer image body in which the second transfer image is superimposed on the transfer image is formed, and the sublimation ink is transferred to a second transfer body that is different from the first transfer target body, and the third transfer image body is transferred. After forming the transfer image, the transfer of the meltable ink onto the third transfer image to form a second transfer image body in which the fourth transfer image is superimposed on the third transfer image Steps,
After the first transfer image body is retransferred to the retransfer body, the second transfer image body is retransferred to the retransfer body, so that the second transfer is seen from the retransfer body. A retransfer step of superimposing the transfer images in the order of an image, a first transfer image, a fourth transfer image, and a third transfer image;
A printing method characterized by comprising:
4) A card manufacturing method for manufacturing a card, which is a transfer target, on which the transfer images are superimposed, using the printing apparatus according to 1) or 2).
5) a card substrate;
From the card base side,
A first layer of an image formed with a first ink type ink;
A second layer of an image formed with an ink of a second ink type;
A third layer of an image formed with the first ink type ink;
A fourth layer of an image formed with an ink of the second ink type;
Have
The ink of the second ink type is an ink of an ink type that cannot be superimposed and transferred onto a transfer image formed by transferring the ink of the first ink type to a transfer target. Card.
6) a card substrate;
From the card base side,
A first layer of an image formed by a meltable ink;
A second layer of an image formed by sublimable ink,
A third layer of an image formed with a meltable ink;
A fourth layer of an image formed by sublimable ink,
It is a card | curd characterized by having.

  The card of the present invention has a high degree of security. Moreover, according to the printing apparatus, printing method, and card manufacturing method of the present invention, a card having high security can be obtained.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a printing apparatus PR which is an example of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the printing apparatus PR. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the ink film 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the intermediate transfer film 2. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining transfer from the ink film 1 to the intermediate transfer film 2. FIG. 6 is a view for explaining transfer image bodies PT1 and PT2 transferred and formed on the intermediate transfer film 2. FIG. FIG. 7 is a view for explaining a state in which the transfer image body PT1 is retransferred to the card substrate C1. FIG. 8 is a view for explaining a state where the transfer image body PT2 is re-transferred to the card substrate C1 side. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining a card C which is an example of the card according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the ink film 11 used in the printing method B which is a modification of the printing method A of the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the transfer image body PT3 transferred and formed on the intermediate transfer film 2 in the printing method B. FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a state in which the transfer image body PT3 is retransferred to the card substrate C2. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining a card CA which is a modification of the card C.

  A printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to a printing apparatus PR of an example.

(Example)
The printing apparatus PR is provided with a belt-like ink film 1 in which ink layers of different colors are formed in a surface sequential manner, and a belt-like intermediate transfer film 2 capable of transferring ink of each ink layer of the ink film 1 and is a substrate to be printed. A certain card base C1 is supplied to perform a retransfer printing operation.

  In the re-transfer operation in the printing apparatus PR, the ink of each ink layer of the ink film 1 is superimposed and transferred to a transfer region (frame 2f) (also referred to as “transfer object”) of the intermediate transfer film 2 to form a transfer image, In this operation, the formed transfer image is transferred (retransferred) to the card substrate C1 which is a transfer target. As a result, the card C on which the retransfer image is printed is obtained. The card C is a so-called ID card, credit card or the like.

  The printing apparatus PR has a configuration shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 in order to perform printing of a transfer target including the transfer operation and the retransfer operation.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus PR includes an ink film transport unit HB1 that can selectively transport the ink film 1 stretched between a pair of mounted reels R1 in the feed and rewind directions.
In addition, the printing apparatus PR includes a transfer film transport unit HB2 that can selectively transport the intermediate transfer film 2 stretched between a pair of mounted reels R2 in the feed-out and rewind directions.
In addition, the printing apparatus PR includes a card transport unit HC that can transport the card base C1 supplied from the outside in the feed direction and the return direction which are the left and right directions in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ink film transport unit HB1 includes motors M1a and M1b that drive a pair of reels R1.
The transfer film transport unit HB2 includes motors M2a and M2b that drive the pair of reels R2.
The card transport unit HC includes a pair of pressure rollers 3 and 3 that roll with the card base C1 sandwiched from both sides in order to transport the card base C1, and a motor M3 that drives one pressure roller 3.

  The printing apparatus PR includes a control unit 6 that controls the overall operation. The operations of the motors M1a, M1b, M2a, M2b, and M3 are controlled by the control unit 6.

The ink film transport unit HB1 includes an ink film sensor 7a that detects a marker 1m (see FIG. 3) of the ink film 1.
The transfer film transport unit includes a transfer film sensor 7b that detects a marker 2m (see FIG. 4) of the intermediate transfer film 2.
The card transport unit HC includes a card base C1 to be transported and a card sensor 7c that detects the presence / absence of the card C at a predetermined transport position.
The ink film sensor 7a, the transfer film sensor 7b, and the card sensor 7c are, for example, optical sensors.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 6 detects detection signals from the ink film sensor 7a, transfer film sensor 7b, and card sensor 7c, and encoders (not shown) of the motors M1a, M1b, M2a, M2b, and M3. ) From the movement direction and amount of movement of the ink film 1, the intermediate transfer film 2, and the card C (including the card base C1).

  In FIG. 1, the printing apparatus PR includes a transfer unit TB including a roller 4, a thermal head 5, and a separation contact drive unit 5 </ b> K that moves the thermal head 5 toward and away from the roller 4.

  The travel paths of the ink film 1 and the intermediate transfer film 2 are set so as to run close to each other in the transfer portion TB.

The thermal head 5 presses the ink film 1 and the intermediate transfer film 2 against the roller 4 by the operation of the separation drive unit 5K, and heats the ink film 1 based on the image signal supplied from the control unit 6. The ink is transferred to the transfer area (frame 2f) of the intermediate transfer film 2.
The operations of the separation drive unit 5K and the thermal head 5 are controlled by the control unit 6.

That is, the transfer operation in the transfer unit TB cooperates with the operations of the ink film transport unit HB1 and the transfer film transport unit HB2, and moves the ink film 1 and the intermediate transfer film 2 in a predetermined transport direction while being crimped. 5 is an operation of performing transfer by heating.
By this transfer operation, the ink of the ink film 1 is two-dimensionally transferred to the transfer region (frame 2f) of the intermediate transfer film 2, and a desired transfer image based on the image signal is formed.

As will be described later, the ink type of the ink film 1 is sublimable ink and meltable ink.
The transfer unit TB can superimpose and transfer an image of any ink type of sublimation ink and meltable ink on an image transferred and formed with sublimation ink.
On the other hand, the transfer portion TB does not have a function of superimposing and transferring with sublimation ink on an image transferred and formed with meltable ink. When superimposing transfer with sublimation ink is attempted on an image formed by transferring meltable ink, when the ink film 1 and the intermediate transfer film 2 are pressed and separated, the ink film 1 and the intermediate transfer film 2 are stuck. This is because problems such as breakage of the ink film 1 and the intermediate transfer film occur.
That is, when the meltable ink is the first ink type and the sublimation ink is the second ink type, the transfer unit TB transfers the second ink onto the transfer image formed by transferring the first ink type ink. It can be said that it does not have a function of superimposing and transferring inks of the above ink types.

  The printing apparatus PR has a re-transfer unit TB2 including a heat roller 15 and a separation drive unit 15K that brings the heat roller 15 into and out of contact with the card substrate C1 on the transport path.

In the retransfer section TB2, the heat roller 15 presses and heats the intermediate transfer film 2 against the card base C1 by the operation of the separation contact drive section 15K.
Simultaneously with this pressure heating, the card base C1 and the intermediate transfer film 2 are moved in a predetermined transport direction, so that the transfer formed on the transfer region (frame 2f) of the intermediate transfer film 2 by the transfer operation of the transfer portion TB. The image is separated by a release layer 2b (described later) and transferred (retransferred) again to the card substrate C1.
The card base C1 becomes a card C on which a retransfer image is formed.

  Next, the ink film 1 will be described. 3A is a plan view of the ink film 1, and FIG. 3B is a side view.

The ink film 1 has a strip-shaped base film 1a and an ink layer 1b formed on one surface thereof.
In the ink layer 1b, an ink set 1p in which eight ink layers having different characteristics are formed in the surface order is repeatedly provided in the band direction (the direction in which the ink film 1 extends long).

  A marker 1m is formed at the boundary between the adjacent ink layers as a light non-transmissive portion. The length of each ink layer in the band direction is constant at a predetermined length.

  The ink set 1p includes, in order, a Y ink layer 1Ya that is a yellow ink layer, an M ink layer 1Ma that is a magenta ink layer, a C ink layer 1Ca that is a cyan ink layer, and an ink layer of infrared light absorbing ink. IR ink layer 1iR, second Y ink layer 1Yb, second M ink layer 1Mb, second C ink layer 1Cb, and white ink layer W ink layer 1W.

  The Y ink layers 1Ya and 1Yb, the M ink layers 1Ma and 1Mb, and the C ink layers 1Ca and 1Cb are sublimable ink layers. The IR ink layer 1iR and the W ink layer 1W are meltable ink layers.

  As the meltable white ink used for the W ink layer 1W, an ink having a sufficiently high absorption of visible light (a so-called highly concealing ink) is used.

  Next, the intermediate transfer film 2 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the intermediate transfer film 2. 4A is a plan view of the intermediate transfer film 2, and FIG. 4B is a side view.

The intermediate transfer film 2 has a strip-shaped base 2a, a release layer 2b laminated on one surface of the base 2a, and an ink receiving layer 2c laminated on the release layer 2b via a protective layer 2d.
The ink receiving layer 2c is a layer that receives sublimable ink. The ink receiving layer 2c is divided by a plurality of markers 2m as light non-transmitting regions with a predetermined band direction length.

A plurality of regions arranged in the band direction divided by the marker 2m in the ink receiving layer 2c are referred to as a frame 2f. In addition, each region in the ink receiving layer 2c that is lined up in the band direction divided by the marker 2m is also referred to as a transfer target.
The predetermined band-direction length of the frame 2 f matches the band-direction length of each ink layer of the ink film 1.

  The control unit 6 operates the ink film transport unit HB1 and the transfer film transport unit HB2 to transport the ink film 1 and the intermediate transfer film 2 independently in either the sending or rewinding direction, respectively, and a desired ink layer And the desired frame.

  Thereby, the printing apparatus PR transfers the ink of the arbitrary ink layer in the ink film 1 to the arbitrary frame 2f of the intermediate transfer film 2, and then the ink of another ink layer in the ink film 1 is transferred to the transferred frame 2f. Can be superimposed and transferred.

The above-described ink film 1 and intermediate transfer film 2 are attached to the printing apparatus PR by the user. Then, a general image having a picture set on the user side and an image including confidential information are formed on the card base C1 by the printing method A described below to be a card C. The control unit 6 inputs data related to the general image and data related to the image including secret information through an input unit (not shown), and controls the transfer unit TB and the like based on the data. The input unit inputs data indicating an image from the outside of the printing apparatus PR via a USB memory or network communication.
In the following description, the secret information is a character string “JV”.

In the printing method A, the transfer image body PT1 and the transfer image body PT2 are formed by superimposing transfer on the two frames 2fA and 2fB, respectively, of the frame 2f of the intermediate transfer film 2 by the printing apparatus PR. Is done.
Next, the transfer image body PT1 and the transfer image body PT2 are superimposed and retransferred onto the card base C1, and the card C having the card image PF1 formed on the card base C1 is obtained.
In the printing method A, it is preferable that the two frames 2fA and 2fB are adjacent frames because the transport distance of the intermediate transfer film 2 is shortened.

  Next, details of the printing method A will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Procedure A1)
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the control unit 6 converts the ink of the Y ink layer 1Ya, the M ink layer 1Ma, and the C ink layer 1Ca in the ink film 1 to a solid image with the highest density, and the intermediate transfer film 2. The frame 2fA as the first region is superimposed and transferred in this order, for example.

That is, the image PYa of the ink of the Y ink layer 1Ya, the image PMa of the ink of the M ink layer 1Ma, and the image PCa of the ink of the C ink layer 1Ca are each transferred to the frame 2fA as a solid image having the highest density. .
As a result, the ink of each color is received by the ink receiving layer 2c of the frame 2fA, and a transfer image PB in which the image PYa, the image PMa, and the image PCa are superimposed is formed.
This can be said that the transfer portion TB formed a transfer image PB by transferring a plurality of colors of sublimation ink in a superimposed manner.
In addition, the yellow, magenta, and cyan inks are superimposed and transferred at the highest density, so that the transfer image PB is formed as an image that is visually recognized as black.

(Procedure A2)
Next, the control unit 6 superimposes and transfers the secret information “JV” as the transfer image PiR onto the transfer image PB with the ink of the IR ink layer 1 iR. The superimposed transfer image PiR is obtained by horizontally inverting the secret information “JV”.

  Since the transfer image PB is an image of sublimation ink, the transfer image PiR of the fusible ink of the IR ink layer 1iR can be superimposed and transferred onto the transfer image PB.

By performing (Procedure A1) and (Procedure A2) in this way, as shown in FIG. 6, the transfer image PB is formed on the frame 2fA of the ink receiving layer 2c, and the transfer image PiR is superimposed and transferred thereon. The
The transfer image PB and the transfer image PiR formed thereon are collectively referred to as a transfer image body PT1.

(Procedure A3)
The control unit 6 superimposes and transfers the inks of the Y ink layer 1Yb, the M ink layer 1Mb, and the C ink layer 1Cb onto the frame 2fB of the intermediate transfer film 2 so as to be a horizontally reversed image of the image designated from the user side. . The order of transfer is not limited, but the order of formation on the ink film 1 is preferable in terms of operation efficiency because the amount of movement of the ink film 1 is small.
That is, in this example, the image PYb of the ink of the Y ink layer 1Yb, the image PMb of the ink of the M ink layer 1Mb, and the image PCb of the ink of the C ink layer 1Cb are displayed on the frame 2fB as the second region. Superimposing transfer in order.

By this superposition transfer, ink of each color is received by the ink receiving layer 2c of the frame 2fB, and a user-specified transfer image PCR in which the image PYb, the image PMb, and the image PCb are superimposed is formed.
This can be said that the transfer portion TB formed a transfer image PCR by transferring a plurality of color inks that are sublimation inks in a superimposed manner.
The transfer image PCR is formed as a monochrome or color image by superimposing yellow, magenta, and cyan inks in a density and pattern corresponding to the user-specified image.

(Procedure A4)
Next, the control unit 6 superimposes and transfers the ink of the W ink layer 1W onto the transfer image PCR as a white solid transfer image PW having the highest density.
Since the transfer image PCR is an image of sublimation ink, the image of the meltable ink W ink layer 1W can be superimposed and transferred.

By performing (Procedure A3) and (Procedure A4) in this way, as shown in FIG. 6, a transfer image PCR is first formed on the frame 2fB of the ink receiving layer 2c, and a solid white transfer image is formed thereon. PW is superimposed and transferred.
The transfer image PCR and the transfer image PW formed thereon are collectively referred to as a transfer image body PT2.

  When the formation of the transfer image body PT1 on the frame 2fA and the formation of the transfer image body PT2 on the frame 2fB are completed by (Procedure A1) to (Procedure A4), the control unit 6 moves to the card substrate C1 in the retransfer unit TB2. The re-transfer of is performed as follows.

(Procedure A5)
As shown in FIG. 7, the controller 6 re-transfers the transfer image body PT1 formed on the frame 2fA of the intermediate transfer film 2 to the image forming surface C1s that is one surface of the card substrate C1. The retransferred image body PT1 is formed as a retransfer image body PT1S (referred to as a first transfer layer).
The retransfer of the transfer image body PT1 is performed by separating the protective layer 2d and the ink receiving layer 2c from the release layer 2b.
The retransfer image body PT1S is layered in the order of a transfer image PiR as secret information and a black transfer image PB from the image forming surface C1s side. A protective layer 2d is attached to the surface.

(Procedure A6)
When the retransfer image body PT1S is formed, the control unit 6 retransfers the transfer image body PT2 formed on the frame 2fB onto the retransfer image body PT1S as shown in FIG. The retransferred transfer image body PT2 is formed on the transfer image body PT1 as a retransfer image body PT2S (referred to as a second transfer layer) via a protective layer 2d.
The retransfer image body PT2S is layered in the order of the transfer image PW and the transfer image PCR which is a user image from the retransfer image body PT1S side.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the card C. As shown in FIG. 9, the card in which the four layers of the card image PF1 are formed on the image forming surface C1s of the card base C1 by the transfer image including the secret information by the above (procedure A1) to (procedure A6). C is obtained. In FIG. 9, the protective layer 2d is not shown.

The four layers of the card image PF1 formed by retransfer on the image forming surface C1s of the card C are as follows.
That is, from the white image forming surface C1s side of the card substrate C1, the first layer of the transfer image PiR containing the secret information by the infrared light absorbing ink (IR ink) that is the meltable ink, the entire surface black by the sublimation ink. The second layer of the transfer image PB, the third layer of the transfer image PW that is entirely white with the meltable ink, and the fourth layer of the transfer image PCR that is a color (including monochrome) user image with the sublimation ink.

As described above, as viewed from the image forming surface C1s side, the first layer made of meltable ink, the second layer made of sublimable ink, the third layer made of meltable ink, and the fourth layer made of sublimable ink Thus, when printing is performed using only one frame 2fA, the transfer portion TB is in the reverse order of the above layers as viewed from the image forming surface C1s side with respect to one frame 2fA. (1) Sublimation It is necessary to perform the transfer operation in the order of ink, (2) meltable ink, (3) sublimation ink, and (4) meltable ink.
However, as described above, since the transfer portion TB cannot be superimposed and transferred with the sublimation ink on the image transferred with the meltable ink, (3) the sublimation ink transfer operation cannot be performed.
Accordingly, the transfer portion TB cannot perform the transfer operation in the above order, and the layer in the above order cannot be formed on the card base C1.

  In the card image PF1 of the card C, if an attempt is made to visually check the transfer image PiR, which is the first layer of secret information, the card C has high visible light concealability (visible light absorption) from the upper side of FIG. In this case, the second layer is viewed through the entire black layer and the third white layer.

That is, even if the transfer image PiR using the infrared light absorbing ink is visually readable as a light gray in the case of a single layer, the card C has an entire black layer and an entire white layer that are highly concealed by visible light. You will see through the two layers.
For this reason, the visual interpretation of the secret information is virtually impossible.

Further, as described above, the transfer image PiR of the infrared light absorbing ink is light gray when visible. For this reason, normally, the third layer white surface layer of the meltable ink having higher concealability is effectively concealed.
Further, when the transfer image PiR has dark eyes within a light gray range, it is effectively hidden by the entire black layer of the second layer.

The card C has a fourth layer, which is a user image, formed on a white third layer. As a result, the user image can be viewed with high brightness and saturation, and the card C has high quality.
Further, according to the printing apparatus PR of the present embodiment, the general image that is the pattern set by the user is formed on the white third layer as the fourth layer. It is preferable that the image is created on the user side on the premise that it is superimposed on white.
Note that the image forming surface C1s of the card base C1 that is a retransfer object is generally white, so that a user image printed on the retransfer object is generally created on the assumption that the background is white. Often done. Therefore, even when the secret information is printed by the printer of the present embodiment, a user image created on the assumption that the general background is white can be used.

As described above, when the secret information of the card image PF1 is to be visually read, the card C is viewed through the black and white layers of the entire black layer and the entire white layer.
Therefore, regardless of the darkness of the color of the transfer image PiR on the gray scale, it is well concealed by the two layers of black and white, and visual interpretation is impossible. Therefore, the card C has high security.

  As described in detail above, the card C in which the card image PF1 is formed on the card base C1 has high security. Further, the printing apparatus PR can form the card image PF1 on the card base C1 to manufacture the card C having high security.

  The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration and procedure, and may be modified as long as it does not depart from the gist of the present invention.

The printing method of the above-described embodiment is a method in which two frames of the intermediate transfer film 2 are used and retransfer is performed twice on the card substrate C1.
Instead of the two retransfers, one frame of the intermediate transfer film 2 may be used, and the card CA having the card image PF2 may be obtained by one retransfer to the card substrate C1. This modification will be described.

(Modification)
In the modification, an ink film 11 having a different ink set configuration from the ink film 1 is used. Further, a card base C2 having a different color on the image forming surface with respect to the card base C1 is used.
The printing device PR and the intermediate transfer film 2 are the same as those in the examples.

  First, the ink film 11 will be described with reference to FIG.

The ink film 11 has a strip-shaped base film 11a and an ink layer 11b formed on one surface thereof.
In the ink layer 11b, an ink set 11p in which five ink layers having different characteristics are formed in the surface order is repeatedly provided in the band direction (the direction in which the ink film 11 extends long).

  The ink set 11p includes a Y ink layer 11Y that is a yellow ink layer, an M ink layer 11M that is a magenta ink layer, a C ink layer 11C that is a cyan ink layer, and a W ink layer that is a white ink layer. 11W and an IR ink layer 11iR layer that is an infrared light absorbing ink layer.

  The Y ink layer 11Y, the M ink layer 11M, and the C ink layer 11C are ink layers of sublimation ink. The W ink layer 11W and the IR ink layer 11iR are ink layers of meltable ink.

In the card base C2, the color of the image forming surface C2s is black by performing printing or the like in advance. Of course, the card base C2 itself may be formed of a black resin. When the concealability of the W ink is sufficiently high, the color of the image forming surface C2s may be formed from light gray to white.
In the following description, as shown in FIG. 12, the card base C2 is assumed to have a black processing layer C1a formed in advance on one surface of the card base C1. That is, the image forming surface C2s of the card base C2 is black.

  The printing apparatus PR, with the ink film 11 and the intermediate transfer film 2 installed by the user, prints the general image of the picture set on the user side and the image of the secret information by the following printing method B to the card substrate C2. The card CA is manufactured.

In the printing method B, roughly, the transfer image body PT3 is formed on the frame 2fC, which is one frame of the frames 2f of the intermediate transfer film 2, by superimposing transfer by the printing apparatus PR.
Next, the transfer image body PT3 is retransferred to the card base C2, and a card CA formed by forming the card image PF2 on the card base C2 is obtained.

  Details of the printing method B will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Procedure B1)
The control unit 6 causes the inks of the Y ink layer 11Y, the M ink layer 11M, and the C ink layer 1C in the ink film 11 to become a horizontally reversed image of the image designated by the user on the frame 2fC of the intermediate transfer film 2. Superimposing transfer. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11, the transfer image PCR2 is formed on the frame 2fC of the ink receiving layer 2c in the intermediate transfer film 2 with a horizontally reversed image of a desired picture and a desired color (monochrome or color). .

  The transfer order in the superimposing transfer is not limited, but the order formed on the ink film 11 is preferable in terms of operation efficiency because the movement amount of the ink film 11 is small.

(Procedure B2)
The controller 6 superimposes and transfers the ink of the W ink layer 11W on the ink film 11 onto the ink receiving layer 2c on which the transfer image PCR2 is formed to form the transfer image PW2. The transfer image PW2 is solid white transferred at the highest density.

(Procedure B3)
The controller 6 superimposes and transfers an image including secret information onto the transfer image PW2 with the ink of the IR ink layer 11iR in the ink film 11 to form the transfer image PiR2.

  Thus, by performing (Procedure B1) to (Procedure B3), the transfer image PCR2 is formed on the frame 2fC of the ink receiving layer 2c, and the white solid transfer image PW2 is superimposed and transferred thereon, and the transfer image PW2 is transferred. The transfer image PiR2 including the secret information is superimposed and transferred onto the image.

  The transfer image PCR2, the transfer image PW2, and the transfer image PiR2 are collectively referred to as a transfer image body PT3.

  When the transfer image body PT3 is formed on the frame 2fC, the control unit 6 executes retransfer to the card base C2 in the retransfer unit TB2 as follows.

(Procedure B4)
As shown in FIG. 12, the controller 6 retransfers the transfer image body PT3 formed on the frame 2fC of the intermediate transfer film 2 to the image forming surface C2s that is one surface of the card substrate C2, and retransfers the image body PT3S. Form.
The retransfer image body PT3S is layered in order of the transfer image PiR2 as secret information, the white solid transfer image PW2, and the transfer image PCR2 as the user image from the image forming surface C2s side.

  By (procedure B1) to (procedure B4) described above, as shown in FIG. 13 which is a schematic cross-sectional view of the card CA, the black image forming surface C2s of the card base C2 has three layers based on the transferred image. A card CA on which the retransfer image body PT3S is formed is obtained.

  In the following description, the retransfer image body PT3S in the card CA is also referred to as a card image PF2 in order to be associated with the card image PF1 in the card C.

The three layers of the card image PF2 formed by retransfer on the image forming surface C2s of the card substrate C2 are as follows.
That is, from the black image forming surface C2s side of the card substrate C2, the first layer of the transfer image PiR2 including the secret information by the infrared light absorbing ink (IR ink) that is the meltable ink, the entire white surface by the meltable ink. The second layer is a transfer image PW2, and the third layer is a transfer image PCR2 that is a color (monochrome) user image using sublimation ink.

In the card image PF2 of the card CA, if an attempt is made to visually check the transfer image PiR2 including the first layer of secret information, the card CA is viewed from above in FIG. Will see through.
That is, even if the transfer image PiR2 using the infrared light absorbing ink is visually readable as a light gray in the case of a single layer, the card C sees through the entire white layer with high concealment.
Therefore, it is difficult to read the secret information visually.

In the card CA, the background color of the transfer image PiR2 including the secret information is black. As a result, when the transfer image PiR2 has slightly dark eyes, the color difference from the black background becomes small, and the difference from the visual base is difficult to distinguish.
Therefore, the secret information is concealed more effectively.

  In the card CA, the third layer, which is a user image, is formed on the white second layer. Thereby, a user image can be made visible with high brightness and saturation, and the card CA becomes high quality.

The modified example can manufacture a card CA having high security and high concealment capability with a small number of transfer times and a small number of retransfer times compared to the embodiment.
Therefore, the modified example is suitable when it is desired to further suppress the raw material cost and the running cost as compared with the example.

In the embodiment and the modification, when the gray color that is the visual color of the infrared light absorbing ink to be used is lighter (whiter), the black and deformation of the transfer image PB of the embodiment depending on the degree of the thinness. The black color of the black processing layer C1a in the example may be adjusted and set as gray (gray black) that is slightly closer to the white side instead of true black. Therefore, the transfer image PB is also referred to as a black side transfer image.
Thereby, the color difference between the visual color of the infrared light absorbing ink, the visual color of the transfer image PB, and the visual color of the black processing layer C1a is reduced, and the concealability is increased.

Further, when the gray color which is the visual color of the infrared light absorbing ink to be used is darker (blackish), the white color of the transfer image PW of the embodiment and the transfer image of the modified example according to the degree of the darkness. The white color of PW2 may be adjusted and set as gray (gray white) slightly closer to the black side instead of pure white. Therefore, the transfer image PW is referred to as a white side transfer image.
Thereby, the color difference between the visual color of the infrared light absorbing ink, the visual color of the transfer image PW, and the visual color of the transfer image PW2 is reduced, and the concealing property is increased.

  If these adjustment settings are performed, a good concealing effect is exhibited and high security can be stably obtained regardless of the visible gray shade of the infrared light absorbing ink.

  In the embodiment, the timing (timing) at which retransfer is executed is described as after the transfer image bodies PT1 and PT2 are formed on the two frames 2fA and 2fB of the intermediate transfer film 2, respectively, for convenience of explanation. Of course, the time for retransfer is not limited to this.

  Specifically, after the transfer image body PT1 is formed on the first frame 2fA of the intermediate transfer film 2, the transfer image body PT1 is re-transferred to the card base C1, and then the transfer image body is transferred to the second frame 2fB. After forming PT2, the transfer image body PT2 may be re-transferred to the card substrate C1 side.

  When a plurality of cards C are manufactured, a transfer image body to be retransferred to an arbitrary number of card bases C1 is continuously formed on the intermediate transfer film 2, and then retransferred to the card bases C1. The operation may be performed continuously.

  The second layer (black layer by sublimation ink) and the third layer (white layer by meltable ink) of the card C manufactured in the example shown in FIG. 9 do not cover the entire surface of the card substrate C1. Good. As long as it covers at least the range where the secret information of the first layer (image layer made of meltable infrared light absorbing ink) is retransfer printed.

  Although the control unit 6 has been described as being provided in the printing apparatus PR, the present invention is not limited to this. The control unit 6 may be installed outside and connected to the printing apparatus PR by wire or wireless.

  The transferred object is not limited to a card. The material to be retransferred may be paper, a resin sheet, or the like. Further, a plurality of retransferred members may be configured by dividing a region in a belt-like film or the like.

  In the embodiment, a plurality of transfer objects are configured by dividing a region in the intermediate transfer film 2 that is one object, but the configuration is not limited to such a configuration. Each transferred object may be composed of one object.

1,11 ink film 1a, 11a base film, 1b, 11b ink layer 1m marker, 1p, 11p ink set 1Ya, 1Yb, 11Y Y ink layer 1Ma, 1Mb, 11M M ink layer 1Ca, 1Cb, 11C C ink layer 1iR, 11iR IR ink layer, 1W, 11W W ink layer 2 Intermediate transfer film 2a Base, 2b Release layer, 2c Ink receiving layer 2f, 2fA, 2fB, 2fC Frame, 2m Marker 3 Pressure roller, 4 Roller 5 Thermal head, 5K Separation Drive unit 6 Control unit 7a Ink film sensor, 7b Transfer film sensor 7c Card sensor C, CA card, C1, C2 card base C1a Black processing layer, C1s, C2s Image forming surface HB1 Ink film transport unit, HB2 Transfer film transport unit HC Card transport Part M1a, M1 b, M2a, M2b, M3 Motors PB, PiR, PCR, PW, PCR2, PW2, PiR2 Transfer image PF1, PF2 Card image, PR (Retransfer system) printing device PT1, PT2, PT3 Transfer image bodies PT1S, PT2S, PT3S retransfer image bodies PYa, PYb, PMa, PMb, PCa. PCb Image R1, R2 Reel TB transfer part, TB2 Retransfer part

Claims (12)

A printing apparatus that does not have a function of superimposing and transferring the second ink type on the transfer image formed by transferring the first ink type ink to the transfer object,
After transferring the ink of the second ink type onto the first transfer target to form a first transfer image, the ink of the first ink type is transferred onto the first transfer image. A first transfer image body in which a second transfer image is superimposed on the first transfer image is formed, and the second ink type is formed on a second transfer body different from the first transfer body. After the ink is transferred to form the third transfer image, the first ink type ink is transferred onto the third transfer image, and the fourth transfer image is superimposed on the third transfer image. A transfer portion for forming the second transfer image body,
After the first transfer image body is retransferred to the retransfer body, the second transfer image body is retransferred to the retransfer body, so that the second transfer is seen from the retransfer body. A retransfer unit that superimposes the transfer images in the order of an image, a first transfer image, a fourth transfer image, and a third transfer image;
A printing apparatus comprising: The ink of the second ink type and the ink of the first ink type forming the fourth transfer image have visible light absorptivity,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink of the first ink type that forms the second transfer image has infrared ray absorptivity. The first transfer image is a black or gray-black black side transfer image,
The second transfer image is an image including secret information,
The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the fourth transfer image is a white-side or gray-white white-side transfer image.   The transfer unit forms the first transfer image and the third transfer image by superimposing and transferring a plurality of colors of ink of the second ink type. The printing apparatus according to any one of 1 to 3. After the sublimable ink is transferred onto the first transfer member to form a first transfer image, the meltable ink is transferred onto the first transfer image, and the first transfer image is transferred. Forming a first transfer image body on which the second transfer image is superimposed, and transferring a sublimation ink to a second transfer body different from the first transfer body to transfer a third transfer image. A transfer section for transferring a meltable ink onto the third transfer image to form a second transfer image body in which the fourth transfer image is superimposed on the third transfer image; ,
After the first transfer image body is retransferred to the retransfer body, the second transfer image body is retransferred to the retransfer body, so that the second transfer is seen from the retransfer body. A retransfer unit that superimposes the transfer images in the order of an image, a first transfer image, a fourth transfer image, and a third transfer image;
A printing apparatus comprising: The ink of the sublimable ink and the ink of the meltable ink that forms the fourth transfer image have visible light absorptivity,
The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the ink of the meltable ink that forms the second transfer image has infrared ray absorptivity. The first transfer image is a black or gray-black black side transfer image,
The second transfer image is an image including secret information,
The printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the fourth transfer image is a white-side or gray-white white-side transfer image.   The transfer section forms the first transfer image and the third transfer image by superimposing and transferring a plurality of color inks that are the sublimation ink. 8. The printing apparatus according to any one of 7 above. After the sublimable ink is transferred onto the first transfer member to form a first transfer image, the meltable ink is transferred onto the first transfer image, and the first transfer image is transferred. Forming a first transfer image body on which the second transfer image is superimposed, and transferring a sublimation ink to a second transfer body different from the first transfer body to transfer a third transfer image. A transfer step of transferring a meltable ink onto the third transfer image to form a second transfer image body in which a fourth transfer image is superimposed on the third transfer image; ,
After the first transfer image body is retransferred to the retransfer body, the second transfer image body is retransferred to the retransfer body, so that the second transfer is seen from the retransfer body. A retransfer step of superimposing the transfer images in the order of an image, a first transfer image, a fourth transfer image, and a third transfer image;
A printing method comprising:   A card manufacturing method for manufacturing a card, which is a transfer target, on which each of the transfer images is superimposed, using the printing apparatus according to claim 1. A card base;
From the card base side,
A first layer of an image formed with a first ink type ink;
A second layer of an image formed with an ink of a second ink type;
A third layer of an image formed with the first ink type ink;
A fourth layer of an image formed with an ink of the second ink type;
Have
The ink of the second ink type is an ink of an ink type that cannot be superimposed and transferred onto a transfer image formed by transferring the ink of the first ink type to a transfer target. Card. A card base;
From the card base side,
A first layer of an image formed by a meltable ink;
A second layer of an image formed by sublimable ink,
A third layer of an image formed with a meltable ink;
A fourth layer of an image formed by sublimable ink,
A card characterized by having.

Images