JP4688476B2 - Thermal transfer apparatus and inkjet recording apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a thermal transfer apparatus and an ink jet recording apparatus.

The ink jet recording method is a recording method in which ink droplets are ejected from minute nozzles in accordance with an image signal from a computer or the like and attached to a recording medium for printing.
In recent years, with the expansion of inkjet recording technology to digital photography services, commercial printing applications, etc., preservability such as water resistance, gas resistance, heat resistance of images formed by inkjet recording methods has been regarded as important. The improvement is an important issue.
Therefore, as a technique relating to an image protection method, a technique for improving image storage stability and gloss is known by laminating a transparent film or the like as a protective layer on an image surface on which ink is ejected.

  As a method for laminating the image surface, there is a cold laminating method in which a transparent film having adhesiveness at room temperature is used, and the transparent film is bonded to the image surface while removing the backing paper (separator) that protects the adhesiveness. . In addition, a transparent film made of a thermoplastic resin without a backing paper is used, and the transparent film having a transfer layer as a base layer and a protective layer is used, and the transparent film is bonded to the image surface while being heated. There is a thermal transfer method in which a transfer layer is thermally transferred to an image surface using a film.

In particular, the thermal transfer method has the advantage of not giving excessive glossiness to the image surface because the protective layer can be made thinner compared to other laminating methods, and the original recorded matter. As a laminating method for improving the storage stability and gloss of an image without impairing the texture and texture of the film (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-121777 A

However, in the thermal transfer method, dust or dirt adhering to the image surface is mixed between the image surface and the transfer layer to form bubbles around the adhering material, which is larger than the adhering material. In order to form a space, there is a problem of deteriorating image storage stability and glossiness. Therefore, after removing the transfer layer that encloses the bubbles, it is possible to improve the storage stability and gloss by thermally transferring the new transfer layer again. However, the time for removing the thermally transferred transfer layer and the new thermal transfer can be improved. There is a disadvantage that the cost of the thermal transfer method is increased due to the use of the transfer layer to be used.
Furthermore, in the case of uneven paper (eg, matte paper or raster paper) whose surface is processed to be uneven, since the image surface and the transfer layer are bonded only by the convex portion on the image surface, There is a problem that the adhesiveness between the image surface and the transfer layer cannot be maintained.

An object of the present invention is to provide a transfer layer is transferred, the transfer layer adhesion and image of the thermal transfer device Ru improve storage stability and gloss and ink jet recording apparatus on the surface of the recording medium.

The thermal transfer apparatus according to the present invention can be configured as follows.
That is, in a state where a transfer sheet including a transfer layer and a base material that supports the transfer layer is superimposed on a recording medium, at least one of the transfer sheet and the recording medium is heated and pressed to form the transfer layer. A first heating and pressurizing unit that presses the recording medium, and a second heating and pressurizing unit that enables the transfer layer press-bonded to the recording medium to be heated and pressed again.
According to the surface properties of the recording medium, a reprocessing operation state in which thermal transfer is performed by using both the first heating and pressing unit and the second heating and pressing unit, and the first heating and pressing unit is used. An operation selecting means for selecting an operation state alternatively between the non-reprocessing operation state in which the second heating and pressurizing means does not work,
A peeling means for peeling the base material from the transfer layer pressed against the recording medium is provided between the first heating and pressing means and the second heating and pressing means,
The second heating and pressing unit includes a fixed roller provided with a heating unit, and a movable roller that presses the transfer layer and the recording medium against the fixed roller.
The operation selecting means includes a switching roller for separating the transfer layer and the recording medium sent from the first heating and pressing means from the fixed roller, and the movable roller, in order to reveal the non-reprocessing operation state. It is set as the structure provided with the raising / lowering apparatus which moves this to the downward direction.
In this thermal transfer apparatus, the first heating and pressing unit executes the first heating and pressing step, and the second heating and pressing unit executes the second heating and pressing step. Then, by the operation of the operation selection means, according to the surface property of the recording medium, the surface property of the recording medium is selected by selecting the operation state between the reprocessing operation state and the non-reprocessing operation state. Thus, an appropriate thermal transfer can be performed to obtain a good thermal transfer product.

Furthermore, when performing this type of alternative operation, thermal transfer is performed in the reprocessing operation state when the surface texture of the recording medium is low gloss, and the non-printing is performed when the surface texture of the recording medium is high gloss. It is preferable to perform thermal transfer in the reprocessing operation state.
As described in the present application, the surface condition of the recording medium can be determined based on the gloss of the medium. When the gloss is low, the surface of the recording medium is generally considered rough. Through both the pressurizing step and the second heating and pressurizing step, there is no problem in adhesion, and thermal transfer from which bubbles are removed is executed. On the other hand, in the case of high gloss, the surface of the recording medium is usually considered to be smooth, so that the gloss after thermal transfer can be protected without passing through the second heating and pressing step.

In order to select such an operation state, a surface gloss detection process for detecting the surface gloss of the recording medium is executed, and the reprocessing operation state or the non-reprocessing operation is performed according to the surface gloss detected in the surface gloss detection process. It is preferable to select the operation of the state.
In this way, it is possible to cope with a case where a recording medium having different surface properties is sequentially supplied by selecting an operation state automatically based on the detection result in the surface gloss detection step.

The thermal transfer apparatus for executing this thermal transfer method includes a surface gloss detecting means for detecting the surface gloss of the recording medium, and the reprocessing operation state or the non-reprocessing operation state is determined according to the surface gloss detected by the surface gloss detection means. What is necessary is just to provide the said operation | movement selection means which performs operation | movement selection.
In this thermal transfer apparatus, the surface gloss detection means executes the surface gloss detection process, and the operation selection means performs operation selection based on the detection result, thereby ensuring an appropriate operation state according to the surface gloss of the recording medium. Thus, a good thermal transfer product can be obtained.

As described above, when the operation in the reprocessing operation state referred to in the present application is performed, the temperature and pressure supplied to the transfer layer in the second heating and pressing step are the same as the temperatures in the first heating and pressing step. And preferably smaller than the pressure.
According to this thermal transfer method, the transfer layer can be heated and pressurized again in a state where the adhesiveness between the transfer sheet and the recording medium to be pressure-bonded by the first heating and pressing means is maintained.
In this case, as the thermal transfer apparatus, the temperature and pressure of the second heating and pressing unit are set to be smaller than the temperature and pressure of the first heating and pressing unit, respectively.

In the thermal transfer apparatus described so far, the surface of the roller in contact with the transfer layer is subjected to fluorine treatment or polytetrafluoroethylene-containing diamond-like carbonate treatment with the roller constituting the second heating and pressing means. It is preferable.
When the transfer layer adheres to the roller side or the transfer layer is dragged, the transfer layer that has not yet been completely adhered is peeled off, misaligned, or spotted. Occur.

Therefore, in order to solve this problem, a low friction process is performed in which the surface of the roller is a low friction surface. Typical examples of such low friction treatment include Teflon (registered trademark) -containing diamond / like / carbonate treatment (DLC treatment) and fluorine treatment.
Thus, by making the surface of this roller a low friction surface, it is possible to perform good thermal transfer while minimizing the influence of the transfer layer on the roller.

Furthermore, in the thermal transfer apparatus described so far,
It is preferable that the roller constituting the second heating and pressing unit is provided with a deposit removing unit that removes a deposit adhering to the surface of the roller in contact with the transfer layer.
As described above, the roller in contact with the transfer layer of the second heating and pressing means is a very important roller in the thermal transfer device according to the present application. Since the surface of the transfer layer is roughened or the adhered matter adheres to the surface of the transfer layer, a good thermal transfer product cannot be obtained.
Therefore, the roller is provided with a deposit removing means such as a scraper to remove the deposit. By doing so, it is possible to perform thermal transfer while maintaining a good surface of the transfer layer.

  Furthermore, in the thermal transfer apparatus described so far, it is preferable that at least one of the first heating and pressing unit and the second heating and pressing unit includes an adjusting unit that adjusts the temperature and pressure. In this way, even if the conditions such as the environmental atmosphere change or the transfer sheet or the recording medium is changed, the temperature and pressure state of the first heating and pressurizing means are suitable for thermal transfer. Can be adjusted.

Furthermore, in the conventional thermal transfer apparatus, it is preferable to include an avoiding unit that avoids the transfer layer of the transfer sheet that is pressure-bonded to the recording medium from the second heating and pressing unit.
By providing this avoiding means, it is avoided that the second heating and pressurizing means affects the transfer layer of the transfer sheet in the pressure-bonded state. Therefore, although this avoidance means becomes one embodiment of the operation selection means in the present application, the operation selection means in the present application can be constructed with a very simple configuration that avoids the second heating and pressurizing means.

The thermal transfer unit as described above is provided in the thermal transfer unit, and an upstream side of the inkjet recording unit is provided with a recording unit that ejects ink droplets onto a medium to form an image, and the thermal transfer unit includes the recording unit. Thus, the ink jet recording apparatus can be constructed so that the image-formed medium is received as a recording medium and thermal transfer is performed.
According to this ink jet recording apparatus, an image is formed on the medium by the recording means.
Then, using the image-formed medium as a recording medium, a transfer sheet is supplied by a transfer sheet supply unit. In the reprocessing operation state, the transfer sheet is pressed against the recording medium by the first heating and pressing unit, and the transfer layer of the pressed transfer sheet is heated and pressed again by the second heating and pressing unit. On the other hand, in the non-reprocessing operation state, only the heating and pressing by the first heating and pressing means is executed.
As a result, in accordance with the surface properties of the image-formed medium obtained by the recording means, an appropriate thermal transfer treatment can be performed on the surface to obtain a good inkjet recorded matter.

Hereinafter, an embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
1 and 2 are explanatory views for explaining an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present application, FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a reprocessing operation state in which a second heating and pressurizing means works, and FIG. 2 shows a second heating state. It is explanatory drawing which shows the non-reprocessing operation state which a pressurization means does not work.

  3 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the recording medium, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the transfer sheet, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the recording medium before the first heating and pressing step, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the pressure-bonded product that has undergone the heating and pressurizing step 1, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the pressure-bonded product that has undergone the peeling process, and FIG. It is.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present application includes an ink jet recording unit 11 as a recording unit and a thermal transfer unit 12 as a thermal transfer device as main parts.
Hereinafter, these portions 11 and 12 will be described in the following order.

[Inkjet recording unit 11]
The ink jet recording unit 11 includes a paper feeding unit 13, guide rollers 14a and 14b, an ink cartridge 15a, a carriage 15b, a recording head 15c, and a platen 16.
The paper feed unit 13 includes, for example, a plurality of paper feed rollers 13a. The paper feed unit 13 is configured to select a medium P to be used and supply it to the apparatus. The sheet feeding roller 13a can rotate in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1, and a medium P wound in a roll shape is mounted on the outer periphery.

As shown in FIG. 3, the medium P includes a substrate P1 made of base paper (base paper) or plastic, and a receiving layer P2 made of a mixture of an inorganic pigment (amorphous silica) and an organic component (binder resin or the like). Is formed.
The receiving layer P <b> 2 is coated on the substrate P <b> 1, and ink droplets are received by the capillary force of minute gaps of the inorganic pigment, and an image is formed on the medium P. The medium P is sent out from the paper supply unit 13 with the receiving layer P2 facing upward, and is conveyed from the right side to the left side shown in FIGS.

Guide rollers 14 a and 14 b are disposed on the left side (downstream side) of the sheet feeding unit 13 and on the upper and lower sides of the medium P. The guide rollers 14a and 14b support the medium P conveyed from the paper feeding unit 13 from the upper and lower sides and convey the medium P to the downstream side.
An ink cartridge 15a, a carriage 15b, a guide member (not shown), and the like are disposed downstream of the guide rollers 14a and 14b and above the medium P, and a platen 16 is disposed below the medium P. ing.

  The ink cartridge 15a stores ink therein and is attached to the carriage 15b. The carriage 15b is attached so as to be capable of reciprocating along a guide member (not shown) arranged in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the medium P (the front and back direction in FIGS. 1 and 2 in the main scanning direction). . A recording head 15c is provided on the lower surface of the carriage 15b. The recording head 15c is provided with a nozzle opening (not shown) that is supplied with ink from the ink cartridge 15a and discharges the ink droplets. In addition, as a method for ejecting ink droplets, a method in which ink droplets are ejected using an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element, and an ink is heated and ejected by an electrothermal transducer such as a heating element having a heating resistor. Although there are methods, etc., there is no particular limitation in the present embodiment.

  Accordingly, the medium P transported from the right side to the left side with the receiving layer P2 on the upper side, the substrate P1 is supported by the platen 16 disposed on the lower side. Then, ink is ejected to the receiving layer P2 by the recording head 15c disposed above the medium P. Here, an image is formed on the medium P by the carriage 15b reciprocating in the main scanning direction. The medium P on which the image is formed is conveyed to the downstream side shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with the receiving layer P2 facing upward as the recording medium referred to in the present application.

[Thermal transfer section 12]
A thermal transfer unit 12 that thermally transfers the transfer sheet S is disposed on the downstream side of the inkjet recording unit 11.
The thermal transfer unit 12 includes a sheet feeding roller 17 as a transfer sheet supply unit, first heating and pressing rollers 18 and 19 as first heating and pressing units that perform a first heating and pressing step, and a peeling step. The guide roller 20 and the take-up roller 21 as peeling means for performing the above, and the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23 as second heat and pressure means for performing the second heat and pressure step are provided.

  Further, the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present application is configured not to be reprocessed by the second heating and pressurizing unit so as to be selectively operable between two states of the reprocessing operation state and the non-reprocessing operation state. Therefore, a switching roller 33 and guide rollers 34a and 34b are provided as avoiding means. The operation control for this avoiding means is based on a command from the control device 100 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, each means will be sequentially described.

[Transfer sheet supply means]
The sheet feeding roller 17 is formed in a cylindrical shape and can be rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1, and a transfer sheet S wound in a roll shape is mounted on the outer periphery thereof.
As shown in FIG. 4, the transfer sheet S has a three-layer structure including a heat-resistant substrate S1, a transfer layer S2, and an adhesive layer S3. The heat resistant substrate S1 is made of a synthetic resin made of polyethylene terephthalate resin or the like. A transfer layer S2 made of a thermoplastic resin is laminated on the heat-resistant substrate S1, and an adhesive layer S3 made of a thermoplastic resin made of polyethylene resin or the like is laminated on the transfer layer S2.

  Here, the adhesive layer S3 is inactive at room temperature, melted by heating, and has adhesiveness with the recording medium P. The transfer layer S2 is a protective layer that protects the image on the recording medium P when the adhesive layer S3 is adhered to the recording medium P. In the present embodiment, the heat-resistant substrate S1 has a thickness of 25 μm, the transfer layer S2 has a thickness of 4 μm, and the adhesive layer S3 has a thickness of 5 μm.

[First heating and pressurizing means]
First heating and pressing rollers 18 and 19 as first heating and pressing means are disposed on the downstream side of the sheet feeding roller 17 and on the lower side of the substrate P1 and the upper side of the heat-resistant substrate S1, respectively. Has been. The first heat and pressure rollers 18 and 19 include elastic portions 18a and 19a, metal rollers 18b and 19b, heaters 18c and 19c constituting adjustment means, and temperature measurement portions 18d and 19d constituting adjustment means. ing.

  The elastic portions 18a and 19a are formed of a synthetic resin made of silicon rubber or the like on the outermost periphery of the first heat and pressure rollers 18 and 19. The elastic portions 18a and 19a cover the entire outer periphery of the metal rollers 18b and 19b at the inner edges. The metal rollers 18b and 19b are cylindrical rollers formed of a metal made of steel or the like, and are rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The elastic portions 18a and 19a can rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the metal rollers 18b and 19b. Heaters 18c and 19c are provided inside the metal rollers 18b and 19b. The heaters 18c and 19c heat the elastic portions 18a and 19a via the metal rollers 18b and 19b, and supply the amount of heat that sets the temperature of the elastic portions 18a and 19a to the set temperature of the first heating and pressing step. . The temperatures of the elastic portions 18a and 19a are measured by temperature measuring portions 18d and 19d provided on the side edges. In the present embodiment, the temperature of the elastic portions 18a and 19a, which is the temperature of the first heat and pressure rollers 18 and 19, is 100 ° C.

The first heating and pressing roller 19 disposed below the recording medium P is provided with an elevating part 19e. The elevating part 19e can move the first heating and pressing roller 19 up and down toward the first heating and pressing roller 18 whose position is fixed. The elevating unit 19e is configured to set a pressure at which the recording medium P and the transfer sheet S are pressed against each other with the first heating and pressing rollers 18 and 19 (first heating and pressing step). , 19 is adjusted. The pressure between the first heat and pressure rollers 18 and 19 is measured by a pressure gauge (not shown) provided in the elevating part 19e. In the present embodiment, the pressure of the first heat and pressure rollers 18 and 19 (first heat and pressure process) is 8 to 12 kg / cm ² . As shown in FIG. 1, the transfer sheet S and the recording medium P are in contact with the first heating and pressure rollers 18 and 19 while the adhesive layer S3 and the receiving layer P2 face each other. To transport.

  Accordingly, the transfer sheet S and the recording medium P conveyed by the first heat and pressure rollers 18 and 19 are conveyed while being heated and pressurized. As a result, the adhesive layer S3 and the receiving layer P2 melted by the heated elastic portions 18a and 19a are pressure-bonded.

[Peeling means]
On the downstream side of the first heat and pressure rollers 18 and 19, a guide roller 20 and a take-up roller 21 constituting a peeling means for performing a peeling process are disposed.
The guide roller 20 guides the transfer sheet S upward and away from the recording medium P with respect to the transfer sheet S and the recording medium P to which the adhesive layer S3 of the transfer sheet S and the receiving layer P2 of the recording medium P are pressure-bonded. 21 is conveyed. Accordingly, since the adhesive layer S3 and the receiving layer P2 are pressure-bonded, only the heat-resistant substrate S1 is peeled off and taken up by the take-up roller 21 via the guide roller 20. As a result, the transfer layer S2 is adhered (transferred) to the receiving layer P2 of the recording medium P via the adhesive layer S3 and is conveyed together with the recording medium P.

[Second heating and pressurizing means]
Second heating and pressing rollers 22 and 23 as second heating and pressing means are provided on the upper and lower sides of the recording medium P to which the transfer layer S2 has been transferred, downstream of the guide roller 20 and the take-up roller 21. It is arranged. As shown in FIG. 1, the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23 include elastic portions 22 a and 23 a, metal rollers 22 b and 23 b, a heater 22 c that constitutes adjustment means, and a temperature measurement portion that constitutes adjustment means. 22d.
The elastic portions 22a and 23a are formed of a synthetic resin made of silicon rubber or the like on the outermost periphery of the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23. Of these second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23, the surface of the roller 22 that contacts the transfer layer S2 formed on the recording medium has a so-called Teflon (registered trademark) -containing diamond / like / carbonate process (DLC process). ) Is made. By performing this process, the surface of the roller 22 is a low friction surface. Further, the roller 22 is provided with a scraper 22f as a deposit removing means for removing deposits adhering to the roller 22 at an outer peripheral specific portion. By providing the scraper 22f, it is possible to avoid the deposits attached to the roller 22 from affecting the transfer layer S2.

  Now, the elastic portions 22a and 23a cover the entire outer periphery of the metal rollers 22b and 23b at the inner edges. The metal rollers 22b and 23b are cylindrical metal rollers formed of a metal made of steel or the like, and are rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The elastic portions 22a and 23a can rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the metal rollers 22b and 23b. A heater 22c is provided inside the metal roller 22b. The heater 22c heats the elastic part 22a via the metal roller 22b, and supplies heat to bring the temperature of the elastic part 22a to the set temperature of the second heating and pressing step. In addition, the temperature of the elastic part 22a is measured by the temperature measurement part 22d provided in the side edge. In the present embodiment, the temperature of the elastic portion 22a, which is the temperature of the second heating and pressing roller 22, is set to 80 ° C., which is lower than the temperature of the elastic portions 18a, 19a, which is the temperature of the first heating and pressing rollers 18, 19. Yes.

The second heating and pressure roller 23 disposed below the recording medium P is provided with an elevating part 23e. The elevating unit 23e moves the second heating and pressing roller 23 up and down toward the second heating and pressing roller 22 whose position is fixed. The elevating unit 23e is configured to apply a second heating pressure in order to set a pressure for pressing the recording medium P on which the transfer layer S2 is transferred by the second heating and pressing rollers 22 and 23 (second heating and pressing step). The interval between the pressure rollers 22 and 23 is adjusted. The pressure between the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23 is measured by a pressure gauge (not shown) provided in the elevating part 23e. In the present embodiment, the pressure of the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23 (second heat and pressure process) is set to 3 to 7 kg / cm ² . Then, the recording medium P to which the transfer layer S2 has been transferred is conveyed while being heated and pressed by the second heating and pressing rollers 22 and 23, as shown in FIG.

[Avoidance measures]
This avoiding means works when the ink jet recording apparatus operates in a non-reprocessing operation state.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the thermal transfer unit 12 includes a switching roller 33 as a path switching unit that constitutes an avoiding unit, below the guide roller 20 and with the first heat and pressure rollers 18 and 19. It is disposed between the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23. The switching roller 33 can move up and down along the arrow direction shown in FIG.

  The switching roller 33 is in contact with the upper surface of the recording medium P and rotated when the recording medium P transferred with the transfer layer S2 is conveyed to the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23 (shown by a solid line in FIG. 1). , At a position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. On the other hand, when the recording medium P to which the transfer layer S2 is transferred avoids the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23, as shown by the solid line in FIG. The recording medium P is disposed at a position where the upper surface of the recording medium P is pressed and rotated.

  In the reprocessing operation state, the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23 arranged on the downstream side of the switching roller 33 press the recording medium P to which the transfer layer S2 is transferred as shown in FIG. . On the other hand, in the non-reprocessing operation state, the second heating and pressure rollers 22 and 23 are moved up and down as shown in FIG. 2 with the switching roller 33 being moved downward. Thus, the second heat and pressure roller 23 is moved downward to be separated from the recording medium P onto which the transfer layer S2 has been transferred.

  Guide rollers 34a and 34b constituting avoiding means are disposed downstream of the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23. These guide rollers 34a and 34b are rotated in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. In the non-reprocessing operation state, the recording medium P transferred with the transfer layer S2 is conveyed while being in contact with the switching roller 33, and is guided and supported on the upper and lower sides of the recording medium P and conveyed to the introduction port of the cutter 24. It is supposed to be. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the switching roller 33 and the guide rollers 34a and 34b which are arranged and moved downward form an avoidance path for avoiding the second heating and pressing means.

[Cutter 24]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a cutter 24 is disposed on the downstream side of the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23. The cutter 24 is arranged so that an introduction port (not shown) is on an extension of the transport path of the recording medium P to which the transfer layer S2 has been transferred, and cuts the transported recording medium P to a predetermined length. It is possible. Accordingly, the recording medium P to which the transfer layer S2 transferred to the cutter 24 has been transferred is cut by passing through the cutter 24 to be an inkjet recorded matter M.

[Operation switching]
The configuration described above is a configuration that enables operation in a reprocessing operation state and a non-reprocessing operation state. Hereinafter, a configuration that enables this alternative switching will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, a sensor 101 as a surface gloss detecting means for detecting the gloss of the paper (medium) fed in is provided at the entrance portion of the ink jet recording unit 11, and the control device 100 includes: Based on the detection result from the sensor 101, the position of the switching roller 33 constituting the avoiding means is controlled, and the lift position of the lift section 23e is controlled. Specifically, the sensor 101 measures the reflectance of the paper that is fed.

  The control device 100 selects the operation state of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present application based on the detection result detected by the sensor 101 between the reprocessing operation state and the non-reprocessing operation state. Select and set automatically. That is, when the reflectance is 80% or more, for example, it is determined that the paper is made of high gloss paper, and the non-reprocessing operation state in which the second heating and pressing unit does not work is set. That is, in this state, the switching roller 33 is lowered as shown in FIG. 2, and the elevating part 23e is also lowered. On the other hand, when the reflectance is lower than 80%, for example, it is determined that the paper is made of low-gloss paper, and a reprocessing operation state in which both the first heating and pressing unit and the second heating and pressing unit operate is set. That is, in this state, as shown in FIG. 1, the switching roller 33 is retracted to the normal position, and the elevating part 23e is raised.

Hereinafter, in more detail, regarding the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present application,
1 Operation in reprocessing operation state, effect in that case,
2 Operations in the non-reprocessing operation state and effects in that case will be described.

Reprocessing Operation State The medium P wound around the paper supply unit 13 is sent out in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 1 with the receiving layer P2 shown in FIG. Then, the medium P is carried between the recording head 15c and the platen 16 via the guide rollers 14a and 14b. Here, the substrate P1, which is the lower side of the medium P, is supported by the platen 16 on the lower side. Then, an image is formed on the medium P by ejecting ink from the recording head 15c disposed above the receiving layer P2 and reciprocating the carriage 15b in the main scanning direction. During the transportation, when there is dust or dirt in the transportation atmosphere, dust or dirt or the like adheres to the receiving layer P2 of the medium P as an attachment D as shown in FIG.

  Next, the recording medium P, which is an image-formed medium, is conveyed to the thermal transfer unit 12 and is carried into the first heat and pressure rollers 18 and 19 together with the transfer sheet S sent out from the sheet feeding roller 17. Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the recording medium P and the transfer sheet S are thermocompression bonded to the first heat and pressure rollers 18 and 19 so that the adhesive layer S3 and the receiving layer P2 face each other. At this time, the adhering matter D adhering to the recording medium P is similarly covered with the adhesive layer S3. Therefore, in the first heat and pressure rollers 18 and 19, as shown in FIG. 6, bubbles are enclosed in the outer edge of the deposit D between the adhesive layer S3 and the receiving layer P2, and the transfer sheet S is transferred to the recording medium. Crimped to P. As a result, a recording medium P that is a space in which the adhesive layer S3 and the receiving layer P2 are not in contact and has a non-adhesive space A that is larger than the deposit D is formed, and the first heating and pressurizing step is completed.

  Next, the heat-resistant substrate S <b> 1 of the transfer sheet S is peeled off by the guide roller 20 and the take-up roller 21. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the recording medium P having the transfer layer S2 transferred to the surface is formed, and the peeling step is completed. The recording medium P to which the transfer layer S2 has been transferred retains the shape of the non-adhesion space A formed between the receiving layer P2 and the adhesive layer S3.

  Next, the recording medium P on which the transfer layer S2 has been transferred is conveyed to the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23. At this time, the recording medium P onto which the transfer layer S2 has been transferred is heated and pressurized again by the second heating and pressing roller 22, and the adhesive layer S3 covering the deposit D is melted again. Accordingly, bubbles on the outer periphery of the deposit D are degassed through the adhesive layer S3 and the transfer layer S2. Therefore, the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23 reduce the non-adhesion space A of the recording medium P to which the transfer layer S2 has been transferred. As a result, the adhesive layer S3 is adhered along the uneven surface shape formed by the receiving layer P2 and the deposit D, and as shown in FIG. 8, the adhesive layer S3 and the transfer layer S2 are formed along the uneven surface shape. The recording medium P to which the transfer layer S2 has been transferred is formed, and the second heating and pressing step ends.

  Then, the recording medium P to which the transfer layer S2 has been transferred is conveyed to the cutter 24 and cut into a predetermined length, whereby the formation of the inkjet recorded matter M shown in FIG. 1 is completed and the thermal transfer is completed.

In this operating state, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) An image is formed on the medium P by the ink jet recording unit 11, and the transfer sheet S is supplied onto the recording medium P by the sheet feeding roller 17. Then, the adhesive layer S3 is adhered to the receiving layer P2 by the first heat and pressure rollers 18 and 19, and the recording medium P on which the transfer layer S2 has been transferred by the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23 is again heated and pressurized. I let you. Therefore, the non-adhesive space A formed between the transfer layer S2 and the recording medium P is heated and pressed again by the second heating and pressing rollers 22 and 23 by the first heating and pressing rollers 18 and 19. Therefore, it is possible to deaerate bubbles in the non-adhesive space A formed by adhering matter D such as dust or dust. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the recording medium P to which the transfer layer S2 along the surface uneven shape of the recording medium P is transferred.
(2) The heat-resistant substrate S1 was peeled off from the recording medium P to which the transfer sheet S was pressure-bonded by the guide roller 20 and the take-up roller 21. Therefore, the thermal transfer can be completed without removing the heat-resistant substrate S1 by hand.
(3) The guide roller 20 and the take-up roller 21 are disposed between the first heat and pressure rollers 18 and 19 and the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23. Therefore, the transfer layer S2 can be heated and pressurized again without the heat-resistant substrate S1. As a result, the heating uniformity on the transfer layer S2 by the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23 can be improved.
(4) The temperature and pressure of the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23 were supplied at values smaller than the temperature and pressure of the first heat and pressure rollers 18 and 19. Therefore, the transfer layer S2 is transferred without causing the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23 to shift the bonding surface of the adhesive layer S3 transferred by the first heat and pressure rollers 18 and 19 and the receiving layer P2. The recording medium P can be heated and pressurized again.
(5) The temperature of the first heat and pressure rollers 18 and 19 and the temperature of the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23 can be adjusted by the heaters 18c, 19c and 22c. In addition, the pressures of the first heat and pressure rollers 18 and 19 and the pressure of the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23 can be adjusted by the elevating parts 19e and 23e. As a result, the temperature and pressure of the first heating and pressure rollers 18 and 19 are set to correspond to the surface irregularities of the recording medium P, the thickness of the transfer layer S2 constituting the transfer sheet S and the thickness of the heat-resistant substrate S1, and the like. In addition, the temperature and pressure of the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23 can be supplied.
(6) A simple configuration in which the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23 are provided enables thermal transfer along the surface irregularities on the recording medium P.

Non-Reprocessing Operation State In this operation state, as shown in FIG. 2, the second heat and pressure roller 23 is moved downward and the switching roller 33 is moved downward. In this state, the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23 are separated from the recording medium P to which the transfer layer S2 is transferred, the pressure is released, and the recording medium P is conveyed with its upper side pressed by the switching roller 33. . That is, the recording medium P on which the transfer layer S2 is transferred while avoiding the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23 is conveyed to the cutter 24 via the avoidance path. Then, the recording medium P to which the transfer layer S2 has been transferred is cut into a predetermined length by the cutter 24, and an ink jet recorded matter M that avoids the heating process by the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23 is formed.

According to the operation state, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) A switching roller 33 constituting path switching means is disposed downstream of the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23, and the switching roller 33 and the second heat and pressure roller 23 are disposed and moved downward. Thus, the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23 are separated from the recording medium P to which the transfer layer S2 is transferred. As a result, thermal transfer that does not require the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23 can be performed.
(2) A simple configuration in which the switching roller 33 and the second heat and pressure roller 23 are arranged and moved in the vertical direction enables thermal transfer that does not require the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23. As a result, it is possible to easily switch between thermal transfer using the second heating and pressing rollers 22 and 23 and thermal transfer not using (avoiding) the second heating and pressing rollers 22 and 23.

[Another embodiment]
Hereinafter, another embodiment of the present application will be described with reference to FIG.
In this embodiment, the first and second heat and pressure rollers of the thermal transfer unit are changed, and the other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, hereinafter, the first and second heat and pressure rollers will be described in detail, and the same components as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and redundant description will be omitted.

In FIG. 9, in the thermal transfer section 42, the first heating and pressing roller 18 and the second heating and pressing roller 22 are opposed to the first heating and pressing roller 43 constituting the first heating and pressing means. Are arranged. As shown in the figure, the first heating and pressing roller 43 is a cylindrical roller whose outer shape is larger than the outer shapes of the first heating and pressing roller 18 and the second heating and pressing roller 22, and the elastic portion 43a. And a metal roller 43b.
The elastic portion 43a is formed of a synthetic resin made of silicon rubber or the like on the outermost periphery of the first heat and pressure roller 43. The elastic portion 43a covers the entire outer periphery of the metal roller 43b at the inner edge. The metal roller 43b is a cylindrical roller formed of a metal made of steel or the like, and is rotated in the arrow direction in FIG. The elastic portion 43a can rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the metal roller 43b. The elevating unit 43e adjusts the position of the first heating and pressing roller 43 to adjust the pressure between the first heating and pressing rollers 18 and 43, the second heating and pressing roller 22, and the first heating and pressing roller 43. And the pressure between them are set respectively. In addition, the pressure with the 1st and 2nd heating-pressing rollers 18 and 22 shall be measured with the pressure gauge which is not shown in figure provided in the raising / lowering part 43e.
Therefore, the first heating and pressing roller 43 can perform the first heating and pressing step with the first heating and pressing roller 18, as shown in FIG. Then, the first heat and pressure roller 43 can perform the second heat and pressure process with the second heat and pressure roller 22.

Guide rollers 44 a and 44 b are disposed on the downstream side of the second heat and pressure roller 22. The guide rollers 44a and 44b are arranged opposite to an introduction port (not shown) of the cutter 24. The guide rollers 44a and 44b guide and support both the upper and lower sides of the recording medium P to which the transfer layer S2 has been transferred, and convey it to the inlet of the cutter 24.
That is, the recording medium P and the transfer sheet S are carried between the first heat and pressure rollers 18 and 43, the first heat and pressure process is performed, and the transfer layer S2 is transferred through the peeling process. P is conveyed along the outer periphery of the first heating and pressing roller 43, and is carried between the second heating and pressing roller 22 and the first heating and pressing roller 43. Then, the recording medium P to which the transfer layer S2 has been transferred is heated and pressed again by the second heating and pressing roller 22 and the first heating and pressing roller 43. As a result, the recording medium P having the adhesive layer S3 and the transfer layer S2 along the surface irregularity shape of the recording medium P is formed, and the second heating and pressing step is completed. Then, the recording medium P is conveyed to the cutter 24 according to the guide rollers 44a and 44b, whereby the thermal transfer is completed and the ink jet recorded matter M is formed.
Even in this alternative embodiment, as described in the previous example, a sensor for detecting the reflectance of the paper feed is provided in the upper side portion of the thermal transfer unit, and based on the detection result of this sensor. And a controller for controlling the elevating unit 22e that elevates and lowers the heating and pressing roller constituting the second heating and pressing means. Then, in the reprocessing operation state referred to in the present application, the heating and pressing roller 22 is brought into contact with each other to act as the second heating and pressing means, and in the non-reprocessing operation state, an arrow in FIG. As shown, the heating and pressing roller 22 is retracted to avoid the heating and pressing by the roller 22.

According to this another embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The first heating and pressing means and the second heating and pressing means are composed of the first heating and pressing rollers 18 and 43 and the second heating and pressing roller 22, that is, three rollers. Formed by. As a result, the configuration of the thermal transfer unit can be simplified.
(2) The first heat and pressure roller 18 and the second heat and pressure roller 22 are arranged on the first heat and pressure roller 43. As a result, the conveyance path from the first heat and pressure roller 18 to the second heat and pressure roller 22 can be shortened. Therefore, the productivity of thermal transfer along the surface irregularity shape of the recording medium P can be improved.

In the embodiment described so far, the following changes may be made.
○ A peeling unit is provided between the first heating and pressing roller (18, 19) as the first heating and pressing unit and the second heating and pressing roller (22, 23) as the second heating and pressing unit. Provided. This may be changed, and a peeling unit may be provided on the downstream side of the second heating and pressing unit (22, 23).
O Elastic portions 18a, 19a, 43a are provided on the outermost periphery of the first heating / pressurizing rollers 18, 19, 43 constituting the first heating / pressurizing means. By changing this, the outermost surfaces of the metal rollers 18b, 19b, and 43b may be the outermost periphery of the first heat and pressure rollers 18, 19, and 43. In addition, the elastic portions 22a and 23a are provided on the outermost periphery of the second heating and pressing rollers 22 and 23 constituting the second heating and pressing means, but the outermost periphery of the metal rollers 22b and 23b is provided on the outer periphery of the second heating and pressing roller 22 and 23. It is good also as the outermost periphery of the pressure rollers 22 and 23. FIG. Furthermore, the outermost periphery of the first heating and pressing rollers 18, 19, and 43 and the outermost periphery of the second heating and pressing rollers 22 and 23 may be metal rollers.
The first heating and pressing rollers 18 and 19 are heating type rollers having a heater. However, one of these rollers 18 and 19 may be changed to a non-heating type roller.
Even in the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23, one of these rollers may be a non-heated roller.
In the other embodiment, the first heating and pressing roller 43 is configured as the non-heating type roller having no heater, but may be a heating type roller.
○ Although the transfer sheet S has a three-layer structure in which the heat-resistant substrate S1, the transfer layer S2, and the adhesive layer S3 are formed, the transfer sheet S has a two-layer structure formed by the heat-resistant substrate S1 and the transfer layer S2 having thermal adhesiveness. There may be. Further, it may not be provided on the heat resistant substrate S1. In this case, it is not necessary to provide a peeling means.
A recording medium P, such as matte paper, on which the concave and convex shapes on the receiving layer P2 formed by the adhering matter D such as dust or dust are applied on the recording medium P, but the receiving layer P2 is formed in the concave and convex shape on the surface. Or raster paper.
○ The set temperature of the second heating and pressurizing step was 80 ° C. This set temperature is preferably in the range of 60 ° C to 100 ° C.

Explanatory drawing explaining the inkjet recording device in a reprocessing operation state. Explanatory drawing explaining the inkjet recording device in a non-reprocessing operation state. The principal part sectional drawing of a recording medium. The principal part sectional drawing of a transfer sheet. The principal part sectional drawing of the recording medium before passing through a 1st heating-pressing process. Sectional drawing of the principal part of the crimped article which passed through the 1st heating and pressurizing process. The principal part sectional drawing of the press-fit thing which passed through the peeling process. Sectional drawing of the principal part of the crimped article which passed through the 2nd heating-pressing process. Explanatory drawing explaining the inkjet recording device of another embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Inkjet recording part 12, 32, 42 ... Thermal transfer part 13 ... Paper feed roller 14a, 14b ... Guide roller 15a ... Ink cartridge 15b ... Carriage 15c ... Recording head 16 ... Platen 17... Sheet feeding rollers 18, 19, 43 as transfer sheet supply means, first heating and pressing rollers 18 c, 19 c as first heating and pressing means, adjusting means Heaters 18d, 19d constituting the temperature measuring units 19e, 23e, 43e constituting the adjusting means 20 elevating parts constituting the adjusting means 20 guide rollers 21 constituting the separating means peeling means Take-up rollers 22, 23... Second heating and pressing roller 33 as second heating and pressing means... Switching rollers 34 a, 34 b. And avoidance constitute means guide rollers 100 ... control unit 101 ... sensor P ... recording medium (medium)
P1 ... Substrate P2 ... Receiving layer S ... Transfer sheet S1 ... Heat-resistant substrate S2 ... Transfer layer S3 ... Adhesive layer A ... Non-adhesive space

Claims (7)

In a state where a transfer sheet including a transfer layer and a base material supporting the transfer layer is superimposed on a recording medium, at least one of the transfer sheet and the recording medium is heated and pressed to form the transfer layer on the recording medium A first heating and pressurizing unit for press-bonding to the recording medium, and a second heating and pressurizing unit that enables the transfer layer press-bonded to the recording medium to be heated and pressed again.
According to the surface properties of the recording medium, a reprocessing operation state in which thermal transfer is performed by using both the first heating and pressing unit and the second heating and pressing unit, and the first heating and pressing unit is used. An operation selecting means for selecting an operation state alternatively between the non-reprocessing operation state in which the second heating and pressurizing means does not work,
A peeling means for peeling the base material from the transfer layer pressed against the recording medium is provided between the first heating and pressing means and the second heating and pressing means,
The second heating and pressing unit includes a fixed roller provided with a heating unit, and a movable roller that presses the transfer layer and the recording medium against the fixed roller.
The operation selecting means includes a switching roller for separating the transfer layer and the recording medium sent from the first heating and pressing means from the fixed roller, and the movable roller, in order to reveal the non-reprocessing operation state. A thermal transfer device comprising a lifting device that moves the device downward. The thermal transfer apparatus according to claim 1,
Surface gloss detecting means for detecting the surface gloss of the recording medium,
The thermal transfer apparatus, wherein the operation selection unit selects an operation of the reprocessing operation state or the non-reprocessing operation state according to the surface gloss detected by the surface gloss detection unit. The thermal transfer apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
A thermal transfer apparatus comprising a roller constituting the second heating and pressurizing means, wherein the surface of the roller in contact with the transfer layer is subjected to fluorine treatment or polytetrafluoroethylene-containing diamond like carbonate treatment. In the thermal transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A thermal transfer apparatus comprising: a roller constituting the second heating and pressing unit; and a deposit removing unit that removes a deposit adhering to the surface of the roller that contacts the transfer layer. In the thermal transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The thermal transfer apparatus characterized in that the temperature and pressure of the second heating and pressing means are smaller than the temperature and pressure of the first heating and pressing means, respectively. In the thermal transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
At least one of the first heating and pressing unit and the second heating and pressing unit includes an adjusting unit that adjusts the temperature and pressure thereof. The inkjet recording unit includes recording means for forming an image by ejecting ink droplets on a medium,
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising the thermal transfer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a thermal transfer unit receives a medium on which an image has been formed by the recording unit as the recording medium and performs thermal transfer.

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