JP3333970B2 - Thermal image protection layer transfer device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transfer device for a thermal image protective layer, and more particularly, to a face of an image receiving sheet for thermal transfer recording.
The present invention relates to a thermal image protective layer transfer device for transferring a high-quality and highly durable image protective layer onto an image on which an image such as a character or a figure is formed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a transfer sheet having an ink layer on a support is superimposed on a heat-sensitive transfer recording image-receiving sheet, and an image such as a face, a character or a figure is formed by heating. There is a thermal image protection layer transfer device that transfers a heat transferable transfer sheet having an image protection layer on a support to a heat transfer roller or the like, and then peels off the support of the transfer sheet.

For example, a transfer sheet having an image protection layer on a heat transferable support is synchronously superimposed on a recording image of a thermal transfer recording image-receiving sheet (for example, an ID card) and continuously transferred at regular time intervals. The image protection layer by ID
There is a dedicated device for thermal transfer to a card. Further, there is an apparatus for thermally transferring ID cards discontinuously one by one. But,
There is a problem that a single device cannot perform continuous transfer or discontinuous transfer.

[0004] In recent years, various types of IDs represented by automobile licenses, identification cards, membership cards with photos, and the like have been developed.
Cards have become popular. For these ID cards, there is a strong demand for a technology for providing a protective film effective for improving durability and preventing falsification. Further, there is a demand for an apparatus which can transfer a protective layer to an ID card at any time (discontinuously) when necessary, and which minimizes waste of an image protective layer of a transfer sheet. . Also,
There is a need for a transfer sheet that can prevent wrinkles and can easily and quickly replace the transfer sheet.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a heat-sensitive transfer method capable of thermally transferring a high-quality, highly durable image protective layer onto an image formed on a heat-sensitive transfer recording image-receiving sheet. An image protection layer transfer device is provided.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a thermal image protection transfer apparatus which minimizes waste of an image protection layer of a transfer sheet such as a foil having an image protection layer on a support.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a transfer sheet reel member and a peeling member for peeling off the transfer sheet support on the same substrate having an image protection layer on the support,
An object of the present invention is to provide a thermal image protection transfer device that includes a detachable transfer sheet cassette, prevents wrinkles of the transfer sheet, and allows easy and quick exchange of the transfer sheet.

[0008]

The above object is achieved by the following constitution.
Is achieved. That is, (1) a thermal transfer recording receiver in which an image receiving layer is laminated on a support;
Image forming means for forming an image on the image receiving layer of the image sheet,
The image of the image receiving sheet for thermal transfer recording was formed.
An image receiving layer and a transfer sheet having an image protective layer on a support.
Heating means for superposing and heating the image protective layer and peeling
Means for transferring a thermal image protective layer,
The image receiving layer and the image protective layer heated by the heating unit are
The thermal transfer recording image receiving sheet in a superimposed state;
It has a cooling means for cooling the transfer sheet.
Thermal image protective layer transfer device. (2) The preceding thermal transfer recording image receiving sheet is
After the heat treatment by heat means, the subsequent thermal transfer
Based on the positional relationship of the recording image receiving sheet on the transport path,
The transfer after peeling the preceding image transfer sheet for thermal transfer recording
Whether to return the copy sheet by a predetermined length in the direction opposite to the transport direction
The thermal image according to (1), wherein
Protective layer transfer device. (3) Supply side for holding one end of both ends of the transfer sheet
Holding means; winding-side holding means for holding the other end;
A roller for guiding a copying sheet, and an image receiving member for the thermal transfer recording
Built-in peeling means for peeling the sheet from the transfer sheet
Characterized by having a transfer sheet cassette that performs
The thermal image protective layer transfer device according to (1) or (2).

Here, the image-receiving sheet for thermal transfer is basically formed by laminating an image-receiving layer on a support. As a support,
Various papers such as paper, coated paper, and synthetic paper, and various plastic films or sheets such as a vinyl chloride resin sheet and an ABS resin sheet are appropriately selected. The image receiving layer can be formed with an image receiving binder, a metal ion-containing compound and various additives, and the type, blending amount, thickness of the image receiving layer and the like may be appropriately selected according to the purpose. The thermal transfer method may be a fusion transfer method or a thermal diffusion transfer method.

The transfer sheet is basically formed by forming a transfer layer (also called an image protection layer) on a support. As the support, those which can be used for the support of the above-mentioned image receiving sheet for thermal transfer recording in both materials and thicknesses are suitably used.
In the case of a thermal diffusion transfer system (sublimation transfer system), the transfer layer is required to be as small as possible in the diffusion transfer of the sublimable dye.

As a method for thermal transfer, a heat roller is generally used. In addition, a known method such as a hot stamp using a hot plate can be used. The thermal energy may be applied from the transfer sheet side, from the image receiving sheet for thermal transfer recording, or from both sides, but preferably from the transfer sheet side.

The cooling after the transfer is performed by a cooling means .
The cooling temperature and the cooling time may be appropriately selected depending on the difference in the thermal transfer system and the difference between the transfer sheet and the image receiving sheet for thermal transfer recording.

The peeling basically peels off between the support of the transfer sheet and the transfer layer. As a peeling means, a peeling bar is generally used, but other known means can be used.

[0014]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following Examples, but it should not be construed that the invention is limited thereto.
The embodiment is an ID card producing machine for producing an ID card as one of the thermal transfer recording image receiving sheets employing the thermal image protective layer transfer device of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an ID card maker, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a thermal image protective layer transfer device which is a part of the ID card maker, and FIG. (A) is a cooling state of the ID card, (b) is a cooling state of the next ID card, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a main part at the time of discontinuous transfer of the apparatus. The cooled state (b) of the card indicates a state in which the transfer sheet T has been returned after the ID card has been ejected by one ID card and stopped.

The schematic structure of the ID card making machine will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The hopper section 91 has a plurality of cassettes containing a large number of ID cards S for heat-sensitive transfer recording image receiving sheets having an image receiving layer Sa on a support Sb. , Multiple different IDs
The card is prepared and selectively taken out as appropriate. The image forming mechanism 92 forms an image of a face, a character, a figure, or the like by superposing the above-mentioned ID card S on a transfer sheet having an ink layer Ia on a support and heating according to a recording signal. , And the ID card on which the image is formed is sent to the next process. The drop mechanism 93 freely drops the ID card S sent from the image forming mechanism 92 and sends the ID card S to the thermal image protective layer transfer device of the present invention in the next step.

The thermal image protective layer transfer apparatus 1 transfers a transfer sheet T having an image protective layer Ta containing a metal ion-containing compound on a support Ib to an ID card on which an image has been formed by a heat roller 11 of a thermal transfer unit 10. Transfer to ID card and cool
The ID card is cooled by the sheet cooling unit 35,
The supporter Tb of the transfer sheet T is used at the peeling unit 30 serving as a peeling unit.
Is peeled off and sent to the next step.

An ultraviolet curing coating mechanism 94 applies an ultraviolet curing resin on the image protection layer of the ID card, and cures the ultraviolet curing by irradiating ultraviolet rays to form a substantially transparent cured protection layer. It is sent to the next process. Card stocker 95 is a completed ID card S
Is temporarily stored. The control device 96 is an electric system of the ID card making machine, and mainly controls the whole system sequentially. The power supply unit 97 has an ID
Various power supplies necessary for the card making machine 90 are supplied. Next, each configuration will be described in detail.

The hopper section 91 prepares several types of card cassettes containing a plurality of ID cards of the same type, and
The card S is provided so that the card S can be selectively removed in a timely manner. In the image forming mechanism 92, an image containing a gradation information (face) on the image receiving layer Sa of the ID card by a sublimation type thermal transfer recording method and an image containing text information (characters) by a heat melting type thermal transfer recording method.
Can be formed. The drop mechanism 93 freely drops the ID card sent from the image forming mechanism 92 and sends the ID card to the thermal image protective layer transfer device 1 in the next step.

The thermal image protective layer transfer device 1 includes an insertion transport section 2
0, a transfer sheet unit 70, a thermal transfer unit 10, a sheet cooling unit 35, a peeling unit 30, a sheet detection unit 60, an unloading conveyance unit 40, and a transfer sheet control unit 80.

To explain the insertion / transport section 20, reference numeral 23c denotes a belt, which has transport rollers 22a and 22b on the left and right, and the transport roller 22b is driven by a belt 23b hung on a coaxial pulley 25a. The belt 23c conveys the ID card S in the direction of the arrow. 22c and 22d are I
A transport roller for transporting the D card, the transport roller 22d
Is driven by a belt 23a hung on a coaxial pulley 25c. A pulley 25b is provided coaxially with the transport roller 22d, and drives the aforementioned belt 23b. Also, 22e, 22
f is also a conveying roller of the ID card, and the conveying roller 22f is driven by a belt 23d hung on a coaxial pulley 25d.

The transfer sheet section 70 will be described. The transfer sheet T is provided with a back tension reel 71a having a supply side holding unit and a take-up reel 7 having a winding side holding unit.
1b. Also, 71a and 71b are motors 73a and 73b, respectively, via a clutch (not shown) coaxially.
Driven by The transfer sheet T in the form of a ribbon is
It is guided and moved by 5a, 75b, 75c, 75d and 75e. The transfer sheet cassette 76 has a back tension reel 71a, a take-up reel 71b, a roller 75
a, 75b, 75c, 75d, 75e and peeling means
A peel bar 31 is incorporated.

The heat transfer unit 10 will be described. There is a heat roller 11 in which a silicone rubber having a hardness of about 75 is wound around an iron core. The heat roller 11 is driven by a motor in the vertical direction indicated by an arrow 14 in FIG.
A pressure of about 20 kg / cm is applied, and further driven by a motor 13. A heater is provided inside the heat roller 11 to heat the silicon rubber. ID card S and transfer sheet T between heat roller 11 and roller 12
To transfer the image protection layer to the ID card. Further, chelation of the chelate dye remaining on the image surface during the thermal transfer is progressing. This heat provides a temperature, for example, 170 ° C. or higher at which the chelation reaction is completed. The roller 12 is a coaxial pulley 25
and is driven by a belt 23e hung on e.

The sheet cooling section 35 will be described. The ID card S and the transfer sheet T heated by the thermal transfer section 10 are transferred.
The image protection layer Ta transferred by cooling by the cooling means
The curing is stable up to the edge of the edge of the D card so that the multi-layer ID card is not peeled off.

The peeling section 30 will be described.
Is provided in the transfer sheet cassette 76 and has a peeling section at a right angle to the transfer moving direction of the transfer sheet T with high accuracy, and the bending angle of the transfer sheet at the peeling section is an acute angle of about 45 degrees to 90 degrees to achieve good peeling I can do it. This allows I
Burrs at the rear end of the D card can be prevented. The temperature at the time of peeling is set to about 50 ° C., which is the peel softening point of the image receiving layer Sa of the ID card S and the image protective layer Ta of the transfer sheet T.

The sheet detection section 60 will be described. An entrance sensor 61, a first exit sensor 62, and a second exit sensor 63 are provided. The entrance sensor 61 detects the completion of the passage of the ID card S, and the first exit sensor 62
The second exit sensor 63 detects the end of the card S and detects the completion of the ejection of the ID card S, and outputs information for performing a temporary standby when the ID card is cooled. In the case of operation, information for rewinding the transfer sheet is issued.

The discharge / transport section 40 will be described.
There are 41a and 41b, and the roller 41b is driven by a belt 43 hung on a coaxial pulley. After peeling, the ID card is conveyed by the rollers 41a and 41b and moves to the ultraviolet curing coating mechanism 94 in the next step.

The transfer sheet control unit 80 will be described.
The electrical control of each mechanism of the thermal image protective layer transfer device is performed. More specifically, the sheet detection means
The sequence of each mechanism for continuous transfer and discontinuous transfer of the ID card is controlled by detecting each transport position of the card.

The ultraviolet curing coating mechanism 94 forms a substantially transparent cured protective layer by applying an ultraviolet curable resin on the image protective layer of the ID card and curing the resin by irradiating ultraviolet rays. I have. In addition, the card stocker 95 temporarily stores the completed ID card S.

Next, the operation of the ID card making machine will be described.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of the main part of FIG. The operation of the ID card making machine is such that several kinds of ID cards S put in the hopper 91 are selectively taken out and an image is formed by the image forming mechanism 92. Thermal image protective layer transfer device 1 of the present invention
Is transferred, cooled and peeled off. There are cases where the ID card is processed continuously and cases where the ID card is processed discontinuously, which will be described later. Further, in the ultraviolet curing coating mechanism 94 in the next step, a transparent cured protective layer is formed on the image protective layer of the ID card, and the operation is performed so that the completed ID card enters the card stocker 95 at last. Here, the thermal image protective layer transfer device will be described in detail.

(1) Case of Continuous Transfer An operation in the case where the image protection layer is continuously photographed on the ID card will be described. When the ID card is transferred and the leading edge of the ID card is detected by the first exit sensor 62 and the take-up reel 71b and the back tension reel 71a stop rotating (F01). Check if you have passed 61 (F02)
If the ID card has passed, the ID card moves in the cooling section and waits for a predetermined time until the next ID card comes to the transfer section (F03). Here, after the elapse of the predetermined time, the heat roller 11 moves down in the direction of arrow 14 in FIG.
The take-up reel 71b and the back tension reel 71a rotate (F04). Thereafter, the transfer sheet is moved integrally with the ID card, and the ID card is peeled off and discharged.
The D card is transferred (F05). Transfer is performed by repeating the above sequence.

(2) In the case of discontinuous transfer The operation in the case where the transfer of the image protective layer to the ID card is performed discontinuously will be described. When the ID card is transferred and the leading edge of the ID card is detected by the first exit sensor 62 and the take-up reel 71a and the back tension reel 71b stop rotating (F01). It is checked whether or not the heat roller 11 has passed (F02), and if not, the heat roller 11 moves to an upper position where no transfer is performed (F06). Here, it is checked (F07) whether a prohibition command (signal) not to move the ID card to the thermal image protection layer transfer device 1 is issued in the dropping mechanism 93 (F07). 1
It is checked (F09) whether a movement prohibition command (signal) has been issued for a predetermined time. If the signal is output, the take-up reel 71b and the back tension reel 71a rotate (F10), and the first ID card is peeled and ejected, and at the same time, the second exit sensor 63 is moved to the rear end of the ID card. Is detected (F11)
I do.

Next, upon detection of the rear end of the ID card, the take-up reel 71b and the back tension reel 71a rotate in the reverse direction (F12). The transfer sheet T moves by one ID card in the reverse direction, the take-up reel 71b and the back tension reel 71a stop rotating (F13), and wait for transfer of the next ID card. The above sequence is repeated to perform discontinuous transfer. It is checked whether or not a prohibition command (signal) for not moving the ID card S to the thermal image protection layer transfer device 1 by the dropping mechanism 93 has been issued (F07). If not, a sequence error or jamming of the ID card has occurred. Therefore, an abnormality warning display (F08) is issued.

The embodiment is not limited to the ID card making machine 90 employing the thermal image protective layer transfer device of the present invention. For example, the thermal image protective layer transfer device 1 may be a single device.

[0035]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects.

According to the first and second aspects of the invention, by cooling after heating and before peeling, a high-quality and highly durable image protective layer can be transferred onto the image of the image receiving sheet for thermal transfer recording. The edge of the image receiving sheet for thermal transfer recording does not peel off. In particular, when a layer containing a metal ion-containing compound is thermally transferred on a dye image formed by a thermal diffusion transfer method (sublimation transfer method), a chelation reaction using heat is applied to the unchelated dye remaining on the image surface. proceeded completely to form an image without turbidity color chelated, by cooling, and good durability to the image with high quality.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first aspect, the waste of the image protection layer of the transfer sheet such as a foil can be minimized even if the image receiving sheet for thermal transfer recording is continuous or discontinuous. Can be suppressed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first and second aspects, the transfer sheet cassette provided with the transfer sheet reel member and the peeling member on the same base is provided. Exchange can be performed easily, quickly and reliably, and wrinkles of the transfer sheet can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a card making machine according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a thermal image protective layer transfer device that is a part of an ID card making machine.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of a main part during continuous transfer.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of a main part at the time of discontinuous transfer.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an operation of a main part of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Thermal image protective layer transfer device 10 Thermal transfer unit 11 Heat roller 12 Roller 13 Motor 30 Peeling unit 31 Peeling bar 35 Sheet cooling unit 60 Sheet detecting unit 61 Inlet sensor 62 First outlet sensor 63 Second outlet sensor 70 Transfer sheet unit 71a Back Tension reel 71b Take-up reel 73a, 73b Motor 76 Transfer sheet cassette 80 Transfer sheet control unit 90 ID card making machine 92 Image forming mechanism 94 Ultraviolet curing coat mechanism 96 Controller S ID card Sb Support Sa Image receiving layer T Transfer sheet Tb Support Body Ta Image protection layer

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-58-224779 (JP, A) JP-A-58-8671 (JP, A) JP-A-3-15131 (JP, U) JP-A-63 156746 (JP, U) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 2/32 B41J 2/325

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A thermal transfer recording method in which an image receiving layer is laminated on a support.
Image forming apparatus for forming an image on the image receiving layer of a recording image receiving sheet
Forming an image on the image receiving sheet for thermal transfer recording
Transfer layer having an image receiving layer and an image protective layer on a support.
Heating means for superposing and heating the image protective layer of the sheet
Image transfer device having a thermal image protective layer and a peeling means
The image receiving layer heated by the heating means and the image
The image receiving device for thermal transfer recording in the state where the protective layer is superimposed
A cooling means for cooling the sheet and the transfer sheet;
And a thermal image protective layer transfer device. 2. The image receiving sheet for thermal transfer recording according to claim 1 , wherein
After the heat treatment by the heating means,
Based on the positional relationship of the thermal transfer recording image receiving sheet on the conveyance path
After peeling off the preceding thermal transfer recording image receiving sheet
Return the transfer sheet by a predetermined length in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction
2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:
Thermal image protection layer transfer device. 3. An end of each of both ends of the transfer sheet is held.
Supply side holding means and winding side holding means for holding the other end
And a roller for guiding the transfer sheet;
Peeling hand for peeling off the recording image receiving sheet from the transfer sheet
It has a transfer sheet cassette with built-in steps
The thermal image protective layer transfer device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
Place.