JP3455886B2 - Hydraulic transfer printing equipment - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hydraulic transfer printing apparatus, and more particularly, to the flexibility of the printing technique.
To an improved hydraulic transfer printing apparatus. 2. Description of the Related Art In general, hydraulic transfer printing is a technique in which a pattern on a transfer film floating on the water surface is transferred to a transfer target to perform printing.
A transfer film (usually a film mainly composed of polyvinyl alcohol) is fed out from its supply roller and is sent out floating on the water surface in the transfer tank, while the object to be transferred is transported by a conveyor above the transfer film, and the transferred surface is transferred to the transfer film. It is configured to transfer the pattern on the transfer film to the transfer target by pushing it into water from above. Such a printing method has a feature that printing on a three-dimensional curved surface is accurate and easy. Therefore, in recent years, it has been used for surface printing of various three-dimensional products in various applications. Some proposals for improvement have also been made conventionally (JP-B-60-50597, JP-A-57-45090, JP-A-58-31754, JP-A-4-119850, No. Hei 4-22647). However, in this type of printing method, as a transfer film, a predetermined pattern such as a wood grain pattern, a precious stone (marble) is conventionally formed on the surface of a water-soluble resin film by printing (before use in transfer printing). Etc.) Those having a pattern or the like have been used for a long time. [0004] By the way, consumers' tastes are diversified and diversified, and the tastes change drastically. Given the situation, in a product production facility, a single device can quickly respond to products of more types and a wider range of specifications at the production site, that is, change the design quickly on the spot. In addition, a facility that can be produced, that is, a facility with high flexibility, is required to improve the operation efficiency of the facility and reduce the production cost. However, as described above, the transfer film that has been conventionally used is an existing resin film having a fixed pattern. Therefore, when a transfer print product having a new surface pattern is to be produced, the transfer film having the new pattern is required. Must be started in a separate production facility or by ordering a new order from the manufacturer and purchasing it. Therefore, there is also a limitation that a change in the surface design cannot be made frequently in terms of production cost.
Therefore, the conventional hydraulic transfer printing equipment cannot sufficiently meet the demand for improved flexibility. [0006] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the object thereof is to be able to quickly change the design at the site of hydraulic transfer printing, thereby providing an arbitrary pattern (design). It is an object of the present invention to provide a hydraulic transfer printing apparatus having extremely high flexibility, which can produce various transfer printing products having the above-mentioned characteristics immediately. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The present invention provides a method for hydraulically transferring printing, which optically reads a design of an original image and, after photoelectric conversion, feeds an ink jet record in accordance with the read tone signal. Before the transfer film is transferred onto the water surface of the transfer tank, the transfer film having a printing pattern corresponding to the design of the original image is formed in place by applying an adhesive coating. It can be created immediately. More specifically, a hydraulic transfer printing apparatus according to the present invention feeds a transfer film from a supply source, floats the transfer film on the water surface in a transfer tank, and pushes the transfer object into water from above the transfer film. In a hydraulic transfer printing apparatus that transfers a print pattern on a transfer film to the surface of a transfer receiving member, optically reads the level of some basic colors at each origin in the original image and converts this into an electric signal. A scanner device, connected to the scanner device,
A computer control device that creates a color tone signal for each pixel corresponding to each origin on the transfer film based on a signal from the device, and outputs the color tone signal in conjunction with the transfer of the transfer film; A print head capable of discharging inks of the respective basic colors is provided in the feed path of the transfer film, for example, so as to be capable of scanning in the width direction of the transfer film or over the same width, and is connected to the computer control device, An ink jet recording apparatus for performing ink jet recording on the transfer film from the print head in accordance with a color tone signal from the apparatus, and a coating apparatus for coating an adhesive on a surface of the ink jet recorded transfer film. It is assumed that. The components of the hydraulic transfer printing apparatus of the present invention will be described below. The scanner apparatus applies light from a light source to an original image (a pattern (design) to be printed on a transfer film is formed). , Its reflected or transmitted light,
By receiving with a photoelectric conversion element via a mirror etc.,
There are several basic tones (yellow,
(Red, blue, black, etc.) is read optically and converted into an electrical signal. Although the basic color tone in this case is arbitrary, a combination of four color tones Y, M, C and BK is generally adopted. The scanner device of the present invention may be any type of scanner device as long as it exhibits the above functions, but a dot generator type direct scanner is usually used. Further, this device may be a serial scanning type scanner device or a plane scanning type scanner device. In the case of the former type of device,
A drum that fixes the original picture and rotates it in that state is used,
In the case of the latter type of apparatus, a scanning head that performs a plane scan in parallel with the original image is used. As a light source, a halogen lamp or the like is used, and as a photoelectric conversion element,
Photodiodes, phototransistors, EL elements and the like can be used. The computer control device according to the present invention comprises:
It is connected to the above-described scanner device and has a built-in pixel storage device for storing the position and size of each pixel on the transfer film or is connected to an external device, and a transfer film feeding device. (Such as a conveyor) are connected so as to operate in conjunction with the feeding of the film. This control device creates a color tone signal for each pixel corresponding to each origin of the original image on the transfer film by digital processing based on the electric signal input from the scanner device, and cooperates with the feed of the transfer film. Then, the image is output to an ink jet recording apparatus described later. The ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention is a general ink jet recording apparatus, but has a print head in a feed path of a transfer film before it is fed onto a water surface in a transfer tank. The print head has a structure capable of discharging inks of several basic colors, such as the above-described four-color combination, by the function of the piezoelectric conversion element, and is a small head that scans in the width direction of the transfer film. The head is provided as possible or has a size corresponding to the film width and is provided over the entire width. The ink jet recording apparatus is connected to the computer control apparatus described above, and performs ink jet recording on a transfer film fed from a print head in accordance with a color tone signal from the apparatus. In the present invention, the type, structure, and the like of the inkjet recording apparatus are not particularly limited, and a continuous ejection type inkjet recording apparatus, an intermittent ejection type inkjet recording apparatus (particularly, a slit jet type apparatus), or an on-demand type inkjet recording apparatus may be used. Recording devices (especially bubble jet type devices and spark jet type devices) can also be used. Further, the coating apparatus according to the present invention is an apparatus for coating an ink-jet recorded transfer film over the entire surface with an adhesive in order to ensure hydraulic transfer, and is provided downstream of a print head of the ink-jet recording apparatus. (Although in the feed path before being sent to the water surface in the transfer tank). Examples of the coating device that can be used include a spray coating device and a curtain coating device. With respect to other constitutions, the same one as this type of conventional hydraulic transfer printing apparatus can be applied to the present invention. That is, even in the present invention, the transfer film is fed from a supply source (usually a supply roller), and is sent out above the transfer tank and floats on the water surface, while the object to be transferred is conveyed above the transfer tank. While the transfer surface is pressed into the water from above the transfer film, a hydraulic transfer printing apparatus configured to transfer the print pattern on the transfer film to the surface of the transfer body can be used. In addition, the printed product hydraulically transferred using the apparatus of the present invention is also coated with a clear resin paint on the printing surface, as in the related art. The thickness of the clear resin coating is usually 10 to 50 μm, more preferably about 20 μm. In the apparatus of the present invention, similarly to the conventional hydraulic transfer printing process, the transfer film is fed from the supply source and is sent out floating on the water surface in the transfer tank. When the body is pushed into the water from above the transfer film, the printed pattern on the transfer film is transferred to the surface of the transfer object. In the present invention, when the original image is set on the scanner device during the operation of the device, the height of some basic colors is optically read at each origin in the original image by the scanner device. Is converted into an electric signal. Then, a color tone signal for each pixel corresponding to each of the origins on the transfer film is created by the computer control device based on the electric signal from the scanner device, and this color tone signal is then linked with the transfer of the transfer film. Output to the ink jet recording apparatus. Subsequently, according to the color tone signal, inks of several basic color tones are respectively ejected from the print head in a timely and appropriate amount by an ink jet recording apparatus,
Ink jet recording is performed on the transferred transfer film. That is, the color tone at each origin of the original image is faithfully displayed on each pixel corresponding to the origin of the transfer film. Subsequently, the adhesive is coated on the surface of the transfer film on which ink jet recording has been performed by the coating device. Thereafter, the transfer film coated with the adhesive is fed into a transfer tank, and hydraulic transfer is performed on a water surface in the transfer tank by a process similar to the conventional one. Therefore, in the apparatus of the present invention, a transfer film having a print pattern corresponding to the design of the original image is immediately created at the site of hydraulic transfer printing, and thus a transfer product having the print pattern is immediately produced. In addition, a transfer film having an arbitrary print pattern can be produced only by appropriately changing the original image, and the design of the transfer product can be easily changed. Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a hydraulic transfer printing apparatus according to the present embodiment. This printing apparatus is an apparatus for forming a pattern to be transferred on the surface of a transfer film 1 (PVA-based film, usually 600 m in length), and subsequently performing hydraulic transfer printing using the same. A transfer tank 2 filled with water (a indicates a water surface), a transfer conveyor 3 for transferring the transfer target body 30 above the transfer tank 2 and pushing it into the water from above the transfer film 1, The transfer film feeder 4 feeds out the transfer film 1 from the supply roller 32 and floats and transfers the transfer film 1 on the water surface in the transfer tank 2. The transfer tank 2 is divided into a main tank 21 and a sub-tank 22 located on the rear side, and a collection pipe from the sub-tank 22 is connected to a pump 24 (P) via a filter (F) 23. The outlet pipe from the pump 24 is introduced from the front side of the main tank 21. Accordingly, the operation of the pump 24 causes the water in the tank to overflow the side wall of the main tank 21 into the sub-tank 22, as shown in FIG. The tank is of a system that constantly circulates so as to be supplied into the main tank 21. Therefore, during operation, the surface flow f is formed on the water surface a in the tank. The transfer conveyor 3 has two chains 25,
25 are arranged in parallel, each chain 25 being stretched between three pulleys 26... And some holders 27.
The pulley 26 connected thereto is rotated by the operation of the motor 28, and then the chains 25, 25 are rotated and the holder 27.
Is to be transported. The holder 27 has a structure in which a frame-shaped jig 29 on which the transfer object 30 is mounted can be hung so as to be able to be detached. The conveyor 3 has a place where the holder 27 descends and a place where the holder 27 rises thereafter, the former being the position of arrival and the latter being the position of unloading. As shown in FIG. 1, the transfer film feeding device 4 includes a supply roller 32 around which a transfer film 1 having a length of about 600 m is wound, and a supply roller 3 having a length of about 600 m.
A static elimination roller 33 provided so as to be able to move forward and backward so as to abut against and separate from the transfer film 1 unreeled from 2;
A tension roller 34 for applying necessary tension to the transfer film 1; and a feed conveyor 35 for pulling the transfer film 1 so as to be sent out above the transfer tank 2. The transfer film 1 is operated during operation. ,
The paper is fed from the supply roller 32, is fed while maintaining a necessary tension, and is sent out above the transfer tank 2. In this embodiment, a scanner device 5, a computer control device 6, an ink jet recording device 7, and a coating device 8 are further provided in connection with the transfer film feeding device 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the scanner device 5 is a direct scanner of a dot generator type, and a drum 11 for fixing a transparent original image 10 and rotating in that state.
And a light source (halogen lamp) 12 that shines light on the original image 10 on the drum 11 from the back side, and the original image 1 via a mirror 13.
Photoelectric conversion element (photodiode) 1 receiving light from 0
4 for each origin in the original image 10 and optically read the levels of some basic tones (four tones of Y, M, C, and BK) and convert them into electric signals. The computer control device 6 is connected to a pixel storage device 15 for storing the position and area of each pixel on the transfer film 1 in addition to the scanner device 5, and controls the feeding of the transfer film 1. Feed control device 16
Is also connected. The control device 6 performs digital processing based on the electric signal input from the scanner device 5 based on the pixel information stored in the storage device 15,
A color tone signal for each pixel corresponding to each origin of the original image on the transfer film 1 is created, and the color tone signal is output to the ink jet recording apparatus 7 in cooperation with the transfer of the transfer film. The ink jet recording apparatus 7 is an on-demand type ink jet recording apparatus (especially a bubble jet type apparatus), and the print head 9 is fed to the feed path m of the transfer film 1 in the chamber 31 (on the water surface in the transfer tank 21). Feed path before it is sent to As the print head, an endless belt 1 as shown as A in FIG.
8 may be a small print head 9a capable of scanning (± p) in the width w direction of the transfer film 1 by a scanning mechanism using the scanning mechanism 8 or provided over the entire width w of the transfer film 1 as indicated by B. Or a large print head 9b. Each of the print heads has a structure in which the above-described four color inks can be respectively discharged by the function of the piezoelectric conversion element. The ink jet recording device 7 is connected to the computer control device 6, and performs the ink jet recording from the print head 9 on the transfer film 1 fed according to the color tone signal from the device 6. The coating device 8 is provided in the feed path m downstream of the print head 9 in the chamber 31 and coats the adhesive in the tank 20 on the surface of the transfer film 1 on which ink jet recording has been performed. A spray coating device or a curtain coating device may be used. In the hydraulic transfer printing, the transfer film 1 is continuously supplied into the transfer tank 2 by the operation of the film feeding device 4 and is sent out while floating on the water surface a, similarly to the conventional process. First, the transfer conveyor 3 is operated, and the transfer target 30 is first loaded on the holder 27 at the place where the holder 27 descends, and then the transfer surface is pushed into the water from above the transfer film 1 while transferring the transfer target 30. The print pattern on the transfer film 1 is
The transfer is performed on the surface of the holder 27, and then, the transfer target 30 is unloaded from the holder 27 at the position where the holder 27 rises. Thereafter, the product subjected to the hydraulic transfer printing is coated with a clear resin, and a transparent resin coating having a thickness of 10 to 50 μm, more preferably about 20 μm is formed on the printed surface of the product. In this embodiment, when the original image 10 is set on the drum 11 of the scanner device 5 at a stage before the transfer film 1 is sent out to the transfer tank 2 in the process, each of the original images 10 The heights of the four basic tones Y, M, C, and BK are optically read at the origin, and subsequently converted into electric signals by the photoelectric conversion element 14. Then, the computer controller 6 creates a tone signal for each pixel of the transfer film 1 (corresponding to each origin of the original image 10) based on the electric signal, and thereafter, the created tone signal is controlled. It is output to the ink jet recording device 7 in cooperation with the feeding of the transfer film 1 to and from the device 16. Subsequently, in accordance with the color signal, the recording device 7 discharges the ink of the above-mentioned basic color from the print head 9 in an appropriate amount in a timely manner. Ink jet recording is performed on the transferred transfer film 1 and the original image 10 is formed. The color tone at each origin is faithfully projected on each pixel of the transfer film 1 corresponding to the origin. Thereafter, the adhesive is coated on the surface of the inkjet-recorded transfer film 1 by the coating device 8, and the coated transfer film 1 is coated with the adhesive.
Is sent out onto the water surface in the transfer tank 2 to perform hydraulic transfer. Therefore, when the apparatus of the present embodiment is used, the transfer film 1 having a printed pattern corresponding to the design of the original picture is obtained.
Was immediately produced at the site of hydraulic transfer printing, so that a transfer product having the printed pattern could be produced immediately. In addition, a transfer film having an arbitrary print pattern can be produced only by appropriately changing the original image, and the design of the transfer product can be easily changed. As described above, according to the present invention,
A transfer film having a print pattern corresponding to the design of the original picture can be immediately created at the site of hydraulic transfer printing, and thus an effect of immediately producing a transfer product having the print pattern can be obtained. In particular, according to the present invention, it is possible to produce a transfer film having an arbitrary print pattern simply by appropriately changing the original image, and it is very easy to change the design of the transfer product. As a result, a remarkable effect that a transfer printing product having various patterns can be immediately produced. That is, according to the present invention, there is provided a hydraulic transfer printing apparatus in which so-called flexibility is greatly improved as compared with the related art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an overall view showing a hydraulic transfer printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view showing a configuration part of a hydraulic transfer printing apparatus according to an embodiment, which forms a pattern on a transfer film. [Description of Signs] 1 transfer film 2 transfer tank 3 transfer conveyor 4 transfer film feeding device 5 scanner device 6 computer control device 7 inkjet recording device 8 coating device 9 printing head 10 base paper 11 rotating drum 12 light source 13 mirror 14 photoelectric conversion element Reference Signs List 15 Pixel storage device 16 Feed control device 20 Adhesive tanks 9a, 9b Print head a Water surface m Transfer path of transfer film w Width of transfer film

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-6-312571 (JP, A) JP-A-63-107558 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41F 16/00

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] [Claim 1] A transfer film is fed from a supply source, is floated on the water surface in a transfer tank, and is sent out, and the object to be transferred is pressed into water from above the transfer film. In a hydraulic transfer printing device that transfers a print pattern on a transfer film to the surface of a transfer object, a scanner device that optically reads the level of some basic colors at each origin in the original image and converts it into an electric signal Connected to the scanner device, based on a signal from the scanner device, creates a color tone signal for each pixel corresponding to each of the origins on the transfer film, and outputs it in conjunction with the transfer of the transfer film. A computer control device, a print head capable of discharging each of the several basic color inks is provided in a transfer path of the transfer film; An ink jet recording apparatus connected to the printer and performing ink jet recording on the transfer film from the print head according to a color tone signal from the apparatus; and a coating apparatus for coating an adhesive on the surface of the ink jet recorded transfer film. A hydraulic transfer printing apparatus, comprising: