JP4966491B2 - Thermal transfer method, thermal transfer apparatus, and inkjet recording apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a thermal transfer method and a thermal transfer device and an ink jet recording equipment.

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.

The laminating method of the image surface 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 peeling the backing paper (separator) protecting the adhesiveness. is there. 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, it is possible to improve the preservability and gloss by removing the transfer layer containing bubbles once and then transferring the new transfer layer again.However, it is possible to improve the storage time and glossiness. 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 transfer a transfer layer along a concavo-convex shape formed on the surface of a recording medium, thereby improving the adhesion of the transfer layer and the storage stability and gloss of an image, a thermal transfer apparatus, and an inkjet recording apparatus. Is to provide a place.

The thermal transfer method of the present invention, in a state of superposing the transfer sheet and the recording medium and a heat resistant base material transfer layer, wherein said transfer sheet recorded between two first hot pressing rollers facing each other in the thermal transfer method having a first heating and pressing step of crimping the transfer layer by applying heat and pressure to the medium to the recording medium, the surface roughness based on JIS B0601 in the printing surface of the recording medium is 0.15 or more In some cases, the recording medium is subjected to a second heating and pressing step in which the transfer layer pressed against the recording medium is heated and pressed between two second heating and pressing rollers facing each other . In the second heating and pressing step, the switching roller disposed above the transfer layer between the two first heating and pressing rollers and the two second heating and pressing rollers is provided with the switching roller. Separated from the transfer layer , Wherein when the surface roughness of the printing surface of the recording medium is less than 0.15, the recording medium with respect to, the command only the first hot pressing step, and on the recording medium conveyed The transfer roller is pressed downward by the switching roller while rotating the switching roller by contact with the transfer layer, and the recording medium to which the transfer layer is pressure-bonded has two second heating and pressing rollers. The position of the second heat and pressure roller disposed above the transfer layer is fixed so as to be away from the transfer layer, and the second heat and pressure roller disposed below the transfer layer is moved downward. Moved to .

According to the thermal transfer method of the present invention, when the surface roughness based on JIS B0601 on the printing surface of the recording medium is 0.15 or more, that is, when the printing surface of the recording medium is a fine roughness surface, the first of the transfer sheet by heat and pressure step after being crimped onto the recording medium, thereby pressurized thermal pressure to the transfer layer of the transfer sheet was pressed by a second hot pressing step. When the surface roughness on the printing surface of the recording medium is less than 0.15, only the first heating and pressing step is performed. Therefore, when the surface roughness is 0.15 or more, the non-adhesive space (bubbles) that are likely to be formed between the transfer layer and the recording medium in the first heating and pressing step is used as the second heating and pressing. The non-adhesion space can be eliminated by heating and pressing again in the process. For this reason, it is possible to obtain a printed matter having no non-compression space. In addition, when the surface roughness is less than 0.15, that is, for a recording medium in which the printing surface is smooth and it is difficult to form a non-compression space, the transfer layer is formed in the first heating and pressing step. Since it is difficult to form a non-compression space between the recording medium and the recording medium, it is possible to avoid heating and pressing again in the second heating and pressing step. Thereby, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the texture due to thermal transfer.

Further, according to this thermal transfer method, when the surface roughness on the printing surface of the recording medium is less than 0.15, the switching roller without a heating function and the transfer layer are disposed below the transfer layer. By moving the second heat and pressure roller downward, it is possible to avoid heat and pressure again in the second heat and pressure step.

In this thermal transfer method , a peeling step of peeling the heat-resistant substrate from the transfer sheet that is pressure-bonded to the recording medium after any one of the first heating and pressing step and the second heating and pressing step. Have

According to this thermal transfer method, for stripping heat resistant substrate from a recording medium was transferred to the transfer layer in the peeling step, only the transfer layer Ru are transferred onto the recording medium.
In this thermal transfer method, the temperature and pressure supplied to the transfer layer in the second heating and pressing step are smaller than the temperature and pressure in the first heating and pressing step, respectively .

In this thermal transfer method, the recording medium is printed with pigment ink.
According to this thermal transfer method, the transfer layer is transferred to the recording medium printed with the pigment ink on the printing surface, so that uneven gloss between the printed portion and the non-printed portion on which the pigment ink is adhered on the printing surface. And can produce high-quality printed matter.

In this thermal transfer method, the recording medium is made of resin-coated paper obtained by coating a base material with a resin layer, and a receiving layer for receiving pigment ink is provided on the printing surface.
According to this thermal transfer method, the recording medium is resin-coated paper, and a receiving layer for receiving pigment ink is formed on the printing surface. For this reason, a high-quality printed matter can be provided.

The thermal transfer apparatus of the present invention, in a state superimposed transfer sheet and a heat-resistant base material transfer layer to the recording medium, the pre-Symbol transfer sheet and the transfer layer said recording medium under application of heat and pressure to the recording medium In a thermal transfer apparatus having two first heating and pressing rollers facing each other to be pressure-bonded,
Wherein the first hot pressing said transfer layer at roller facing each other pressed again heat and pressure to the recording medium which is crimped two second hot pressing rollers, wherein said first heating and pressing roller No. disposed above said transfer layer between the second heating and pressing roller, the switching roller to avoid the transfer layer of the transfer sheet which has been crimped on the recording medium from two of said second heating and pressing roller with the door, the surface roughness based on JIS B0601 is applied to the recording medium having a printing surface is 0.15 or more, together with the second heating and pressing roller applies pressure and heat the recording medium, wherein The transfer on the recording medium that is conveyed by being applied to the recording medium having a first mode in which a switching roller is spaced above the transfer layer and a printing surface having a surface roughness of less than 0.15 By contact with the layer The transfer roller presses the transfer layer downward while rotating, and the recording medium to which the transfer layer is pressure-bonded is separated from the two second heat and pressure rollers above the transfer layer. disposed position of the second heating and pressing roller is fixed to, and wherein arranged below the transfer layer and the second heating and pressing roller and a second mode is set to move downward.

According to the thermal transfer apparatus of the present invention, when the surface roughness based on JIS B0601 on the printing surface of the recording medium is 0.15 or more, the two heating and pressure rollers facing each other cause the transfer layer and the recording medium. The non-adhesive space (bubbles) that are likely to be formed between the two can be eliminated by the two second heat and pressure rollers that also face each other . For this reason, it is possible to obtain a printed matter having no non-compression space. In addition, when the surface roughness is less than 0.15, that is, for a recording medium in which the printing surface is smooth and the non-compression space is difficult to be formed, the two first heating and pressing rollers are used. since it is difficult unbonded space is formed between the transfer layer and the recording medium, it is possible to prevent the heated and pressurized again by two said second hot pressing rollers. As a result, it is possible to perform transfer relative to the surface irregularity shape of the recording medium, the thickness of the transfer layer constituting the transfer sheet and the heat-resistant substrate, and the like.

Further, in the prior SL first mode, the switching roller is separated from the transfer layer which is crimped to the recording medium, and in the second mode, together with the switching roller to press the transfer layer downwards, from the transfer layer also the disposed under the second heating and pressing roller is moved downward, and to release said recording medium from both of the two of said second heating and pressing roller.
According to the thermal transfer device, when the surface roughness of the printing surface of the recording medium is less than 0.15, avoids heated and pressurized again by two said second hot pressing rollers be able to.

The thermal transfer apparatus includes a peeling unit that peels the heat-resistant substrate from the transfer sheet that is pressure-bonded to the recording medium .
According to the thermal transfer device, for stripping heat resistant substrate from a recording medium was transferred to the transfer layer by the peeling means, only the transfer layer is Ru is transferred onto the recording medium.

In this thermal transfer system, the temperature and pressure of the two said second hot pressing rollers, respectively less than two <br/> temperature and pressure of the first heat and pressure roller.
According to this thermal transfer apparatus, it is possible to heat and press the transfer layer again in a state in which the adhesiveness between the transfer sheet and the recording medium that are pressure-bonded by the two first heat and pressure rollers is maintained.

In this thermal transfer apparatus, the two second heat and pressure rollers are provided with adjusting means for adjusting at least one of temperature and pressure.
According to the thermal transfer device, it is possible to adjust at least one of the two said temperature and pressure of the second heating and pressing roller. Therefore, it is possible to supply the temperatures and heating pressures of the two second heating and pressing rollers relative to the surface irregularity shape of the recording medium, the thickness of the transfer layer constituting the transfer sheet and the heat-resistant substrate, and the like.

The ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention includes a recording unit that discharges ink droplets onto a recording medium to form an image, and the thermal transfer apparatus .

According to the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, an image is formed on a recording medium by the recording means. Further, when the surface roughness based on JIS B0601 on the printing surface of the recording medium is 0.15 or more, non-adhesion that is easily formed between the transfer layer and the recording medium by the two first heating and pressing rollers . space (bubbles), eliminating the two said second hot pressing rollers. In addition, when the surface roughness is less than 0.15, that is, for a recording medium in which the printing surface is smooth and the non-compression space is difficult to be formed, the two first heating and pressing rollers are used. since the hard non-pressure-bonding space is formed between the transfer layer and the recording medium, to avoid being heated and pressed again by the two said second hot pressing rollers. Accordingly, while supplying the temperature and heating pressure of the first and second heating and pressing rollers relative to the surface irregularity shape of the recording medium and the thickness of the transfer layer and the heat-resistant substrate constituting the transfer sheet, the non-compression space is provided. You can get no printed matter.

(First reference form)
A first embodiment embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an ink jet recording apparatus provided with a thermal transfer device , FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a recording medium, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a transfer sheet, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the pressure-bonded product that has undergone the first heating and pressing process, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the pressure-sensitive material that has been subjected to the peeling process, and FIG. It is principal part sectional drawing of the crimped | bonded material which passed through the heating-pressing process.

In FIG. 1, the ink jet recording apparatus includes an ink jet recording unit 11 as a recording unit and a thermal transfer unit 12 as a thermal transfer device.
The ink jet recording unit 11 includes a paper feed roller 13, guide rollers 14a and 14b, an ink cartridge 15a, a carriage 15b, a recording head 15c, and a platen 16.

  The paper feed roller 13 is formed in a cylindrical shape, can be rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1, and a recording medium P wound in a roll shape is mounted on the outer periphery thereof. As shown in FIG. 2, the recording medium P is composed of a substrate P1 (base material) made of base paper (base paper) or plastic, and a mixture of an inorganic pigment (amorphous silica) and an organic component (binder resin or the like). The receiving layer P2 (printing surface) 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 the minute gaps of the inorganic pigment, and an image is formed on the recording medium P. The recording medium P is fed from the paper feed roller 13 with the receiving layer P2 facing upward, and is conveyed from the right side to the left side shown in FIG.

  Guide rollers 14 a and 14 b are disposed on the left side (downstream side) of the paper feed roller 13 and on the upper and lower sides of the recording medium P. The guide rollers 14a and 14b support the recording medium P conveyed from the paper supply roller 13 from above and below and convey it downstream.

An ink cartridge 15a, a carriage 15b, a guide member (not shown) and the like are disposed on the downstream side of the guide rollers 14a and 14b and above the recording medium P, and the platen 16 is disposed below the recording medium P. It is installed. The ink cartridge 15a stores ink therein and is attached to the carriage 15b. The carriage 15b is attached so as to be able to reciprocate along a guide member arranged in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording medium P (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 for ejecting ink droplets using an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element and a method for heating and ejecting ink by an electrothermal transducer such as a heating element having a heating resistor there is a method such as, but is not particularly limited in the present reference embodiment.

Therefore, the recording medium P conveyed from the right side to the left side with the receiving layer P2 on the upper side is supported by the platen 16 disposed on the lower side thereof. Then, ink is ejected to the receiving layer P2 by the recording head 15c disposed on the upper side of the recording medium P. Therefore, an image is formed on the recording medium P when the carriage 15b reciprocates in the main scanning direction. The recording medium P on which the image is formed is conveyed downstream with the receiving layer P2 facing upward as shown in FIG.

  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.

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. 3, the transfer sheet S has a three-layer structure including a heat-resistant substrate S1, a transfer layer S2, and an adhesive layer S3 (thermoplastic resin layer). 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, and a recording medium A crimping surface to be crimped to P is provided. The adhesive layer S3 is inactive at normal temperature, melted by being heated, 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 this reference 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 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 this reference embodiment, the elastic portion 18a which is the temperature of the first hot pressing rollers 18 and 19, the temperature of 19a and 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 this reference embodiment, the first hot pressing rollers 18, 19 the pressure of the (first hot pressing step) and 10 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.

  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 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. 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 this reference embodiment, the temperature of the elastic portion 22a which is the temperature of the second heating and pressing roller 22 first heating the temperature of the pressure roller 18, 19 elastic section 18a, as 80 ° C. lower than the temperature of 19a 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 this reference embodiment, the pressure of the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23 (second heat and pressure process) is set to 5 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.

A cutter 24 is disposed downstream 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. Therefore, the recording medium P to which the transfer layer S2 conveyed to the cutter 24 is transferred is
The ink is cut by passing through the cutter 24 and becomes an ink jet recorded matter M as a printed matter shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus configured as described above will be described.
Now, the recording medium P wound around the paper feed roller 13 is sent out in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 1, with the receiving layer P2 shown in FIG. Then, the recording medium P is carried between the recording head 15c and the platen 16 via the guide rollers 14a and 14b. Here, the substrate P1 under the recording medium P is supported by the platen 16 under the recording medium P. Then, an image is formed on the recording medium P by ejecting ink from the recording head 15c arranged above the receiving layer P2 and reciprocating the carriage 15b in the main scanning direction. During the conveyance, when there is dust or dirt in the conveyance atmosphere, the dust or dirt or the like adheres to the receiving layer P2 of the recording medium P as the deposit D as shown in FIG.

  Next, the recording medium P is conveyed to the thermal transfer unit 12 and is carried into the first heating and pressing 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 by 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. 5, bubbles are mixed 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. 6, the recording medium P having the transfer layer S2 transferred on 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, the transfer layer S2, and the like. 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. 7, the adhesive layer S3 and the transfer layer S2 are formed along the uneven surface shape. The recording medium P is formed, and the second heating and pressing step is completed.

  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.

Therefore, according to the first reference embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) According to this preferred embodiment, to form an image on the recording medium P by the ink jet recording unit 11 was supplied to the transfer sheet S onto the recording medium P by the sheet feed 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) According to this preferred embodiment, the guide roller 20 and the winding roller 21 Thus, was peeled off the heat resistant substrate S1 to the recording medium P pressed against the transfer sheet S. Therefore, the thermal transfer can be completed without removing the heat-resistant substrate S1 by hand.

(3) According to this preferred embodiment, the guide roller 20 and the take-up roller 21, is disposed between the first hot pressing rollers 18, 19 and the second hot pressing rollers 22, 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) According to this preferred embodiment, the temperature and pressure of the second heating and pressing roller 22, 23 is supplied with a value less than the temperature and pressure of the first hot pressing rollers 18, 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) In this preferred embodiment, the heater 18c, 19c, and can adjust the temperature of the first temperature of the heating and pressing roller 18, 19 and the second hot pressing rollers 22, 23 by 22c. In addition, the pressure of the first heating and pressing rollers 18 and 19 and the pressure of the second heating and pressing 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) In this preferred embodiment has enabled the thermal transfer along the surface irregularities of the recording medium P with a simple configuration of providing a second hot pressing rollers 22, 23.
(Implementation form)
Next, an embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the implementation form of this is obtained by adding an avoidance means for avoiding the second hot pressing means in the thermal transfer unit, but otherwise has the same configuration as the first reference embodiment. In addition, although the inkjet recording part is not illustrated in FIG. 8, the inkjet recording part is provided also in this embodiment. Therefore, in the following, the avoidance means will be described in detail, and the same components as those in the first reference embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and redundant description will be omitted.

  In FIG. 8, a switching roller 33 as a path switching unit constituting an avoiding unit is provided in the thermal transfer unit 32 below the guide roller 20 and the first heating and pressing rollers 18 and 19 and the second switching unit. It is disposed between the 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 disposed at a position away from the upper side of the recording medium P when the recording medium P to which the transfer layer S2 has been transferred is conveyed to the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23. On the other hand, when the recording medium P to which the transfer layer S2 has been transferred avoids the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23, as shown in FIG. It arrange | positions in the position which contact | abuts on the upper surface of P and rotates.

The second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23 disposed 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. Further, when the switching roller 33 is arranged and moved downward, the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23 are moved up and down as shown in FIG.
The second heat and pressure roller 23 is moved downward by e to be separated from the recording medium P to 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. The guide rollers 34a and 34b are rotated in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. When the recording medium P transferred with the transfer layer S2 is conveyed in contact with the switching roller 33, both the upper and lower sides of the recording medium P are guided and supported and conveyed to the inlet of the cutter 24. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the switching roller 33 and the guide rollers 34a and 34b, which are arranged and moved downward, form an avoidance path that avoids the second heating and pressing means.

  Next, the control device 50 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the control device 50. In the present embodiment, the control device 50 is described as a device that drives the avoiding means, but the control device 50 drives the inkjet recording unit 11 and the thermal transfer unit 32.

  The control device 50 includes a control unit 51, and the control unit 51 drives and controls the vertical movement mechanism 53 via the first drive circuit 52. The vertical movement mechanism 53 is configured to move the switching roller 33 and the elevating part 23e of the second heat and pressure roller 23 up and down. Furthermore, the control unit 51 receives various commands transmitted by operating the operation switch 54, and drives and controls the first drive circuit 52 according to the received signal.

  The operation switch 54 is configured so that the first mode and the second mode can be selected. In the first mode, the first heating and pressing step for heating and pressurizing the transfer sheet S to the recording medium P and the second heating and pressing step for eliminating bubbles between the recording medium P and the transfer sheet S are performed. It is a mode to perform. The second mode is a mode in which only the first heating and pressing step is performed and the second heating and pressing step is omitted. When each mode is selected by the operation switch 54, a mode setting command is transmitted from the operation switch 54 to the control unit 51. The control unit 51 drives and controls the first drive circuit 52 according to this command to drive the vertical movement mechanism 53.

  Next, the recording medium P of the present embodiment will be described in detail. As the recording medium P, paper, coated paper, ink jet recording paper, non-woven fabric, various resin films, and the like can be used, but ink jet recording paper is preferable particularly when a high-quality printed matter is required. In particular, an inkjet recording paper in which a receiving layer is formed on at least one side (printing side) of the resin-coated paper is preferable.

  Resin-coated paper (resin-coated paper) is provided with a resin layer such as polyethylene on both sides of a base material (base paper) and is excellent in water resistance. The receiving layer contains a water-soluble resin such as polyvinyl alcohol or polyvinylpyrrolidone as an essential component, so-called swelling type receiving layer, a so-called porous material containing pigments and binders such as silica and alumina as essential components. And a receiving layer. Of these receiving layers, the latter receiving layer made of a porous material is particularly preferable.

  The recording medium P only needs to be capable of adhering the transfer sheet S to the printing surface after printing. The inkjet recording method, offset printing method, gravure printing method, sublimation transfer method, melt transfer method, electrostatic toner recording method. Can be printed by etc. In particular, a printed matter (pigment inkjet printed matter) printed by ejecting pigment ink onto the recording medium P by the ink jet recording method is highly effective in improving image quality and storability due to thermal transfer of the transfer sheet S, and gloss unevenness is eliminated. Therefore, it is optimal as a printed matter of the present invention.

Next, the transfer sheet S of this embodiment will be described in detail. The transfer sheet S includes a heat resistant substrate and a transfer layer. The heat resistant substrate has a heat resistance that allows the shape to be stably maintained under a predetermined thermocompression bonding condition at the time of thermal transfer, and from a transfer layer that is pressure-bonded on the printing surface (receiving layer) of the recording medium P. Those that can be easily peeled are preferred. Specifically, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), biaxially oriented polypropylene (OPP), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyphenyl sulfide (PPS), polyether sulfone (PES), polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP ) Etc. can be used. The thickness of the base material is not particularly limited as long as the above-described function can be obtained, but considering a plurality of points such as thermal conductivity, adhesion, handleability, and prevention of mixing of bubbles during thermal transfer, 8-60 micrometers is preferable and 10-50 micrometers is still more preferable.

  The transfer layer is transferred to the printing surface of the recording medium P to protect the image. For the transfer layer, acrylic resin, acrylic-styrene resin, acrylic-urethane resin, polyvinyl acetal, vinyl acetate resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate resin, styrene resin, or the like can be used. The transfer layer may be formed using one of these resins or a mixture of two or more.

In addition, the transfer layer may have a single layer structure, but in order to provide a balanced property such as transferability, adhesion, weather resistance, blocking resistance, and abrasion resistance, one or more layers may be further laminated. A multilayer structure is preferable. In particular, it is preferable to form a transfer layer having a two-layer structure by laminating the adhesive layer S3 on the protective layer (transfer layer S2) as in the first reference embodiment. When laminating the adhesive layer and the protective layer, the glass transition temperature of the protective layer is preferably higher than the glass transition temperature of the adhesive layer, and the difference in glass transition temperature between the layers is preferably about 10 to 100 ° C.

  Specifically, the glass transition temperature of the adhesive layer is preferably −20 to 60 ° C., and preferably −15 to 55 ° C. from the viewpoint of adhesion to the printing surface (receiving layer) of the recording medium P. Further preferred. The glass transition temperature of the protective layer is preferably from 30 to 130 ° C, and more preferably from 35 to 125 ° C, in order to improve the blocking resistance and abrasion resistance.

  For the transfer layer, if necessary, inorganic pigments such as silica, waxes, film-forming aids, UV absorbers, light stabilizers, antioxidants, water-resistant agents, preservatives, surfactants, thickeners. Various additives such as an agent, a fluidity improver, a pH adjuster, a leveling agent, and an antistatic agent can be added.

  The protective layer and the adhesive layer can be formed by applying a coating solution prepared by mixing the layer forming material with an appropriate solvent as necessary and drying the coating solution on the heat-resistant substrate. The coating can be performed by various coating methods such as a roll coating method, a rod bar coating method, and an air knife coding method.

  Furthermore, the thickness of the transfer layer (protective layer and adhesive layer) is preferably 2 to 50 μm, and more preferably 5 to 30 μm. When the thickness of the transfer layer is less than 2 μm, the effect of protecting the printed surface and improving the glossiness is poor. Conversely, when the thickness exceeds 50 μm, the transparency may be lowered. When the protective layer and the adhesive layer are laminated, the thickness of the protective layer is preferably 1 to 28 μm, and the thickness of the adhesive layer is preferably 2 to 29 μm.

Next, the operation of the thermal transfer section 32 configured as described above will be described. First, the user selects the first or second mode using the operation switch 54. Specifically, when the surface roughness defined by JIS B0601 on the printing surface (receiving layer) of the recording medium P is 0.15 or more, the first mode is selected. The recording medium P having a printed surface with a surface roughness of 0.15 or more has a finely printed surface and has a unique texture such as a semi-glossy tone or a raster tone. Suitable for creating printed materials. The semi-gloss tone is a so-called silk tone, and is a texture having a gloss between the gloss tone and the matte tone. The raster tone has a gloss between a glossy tone and a matte tone, and has a slightly coarser texture than a semi-glossy tone. As described above, when the first heating and pressurizing step is performed using the recording medium P having a fine rough surface, the print surface and the transfer sheet S can be obtained even if there is no deposit because the print surface is a fine rough surface. Air bubbles (non-adhesive space) are easily mixed between the two. For this reason, after the transfer layer is transferred to the recording medium P, the second heating and pressing step is performed to eliminate the air bubbles mixed between the recording medium P and the transfer layer, thereby creating a printed matter free of air bubbles. can do. The first mode is preferably selected when the surface roughness of the printing surface (receiving layer) is 0.15 to 5.0, and is selected when it is 0.15 to 4.5. More preferably. As a result, the texture or gloss of the printed material can be improved and air bubbles can be prevented from being mixed.

  The surface roughness means the surface roughness SRa at a cutoff value of 0.8 mm measured using a stylus type three-dimensional surface roughness meter, and is obtained by the following equation 1.

Further, when using the recording medium P having a printing surface whose surface roughness specified by JIS B0601 is less than 0.15, the operation switch 54 selects the second mode. In the case of such a recording medium P, since the printing surface is smooth, bubbles are hardly mixed between the transfer sheet S and the printing surface. Therefore, even if the second heating and pressurizing step is performed on the recording medium P and the transfer sheet S in which no bubbles are mixed, there is a possibility that the glossiness and texture of the transfer layer may be impaired. For this reason, when the printing surface is smooth, the second mode is selected in order to maintain the gloss and texture, and the second heating and pressing step is omitted.

  A method for avoiding the second heating and pressing means in the second mode will be described. First, the control unit 51 drives and controls the first drive circuit 52 to move the second heat and pressure roller 23 downward and the switching roller 33 downward. Then, 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, as shown in FIG. 8, the recording medium P to which the transfer layer (transfer layer S2, adhesive layer S3) has been transferred avoids the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23 and is conveyed to the cutter 24 via the avoidance path. Will be. Then, the recording medium P is cut into a predetermined length by the cutter 24, and an ink jet recorded matter M is formed as a printed matter that avoids the heating step by the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23. As a result, it is possible to create an inkjet recorded matter M with no glossy bubbles and improved glossiness and texture.

In addition, when performing the thermal transfer again through the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23, the first reference form can be obtained by moving the second heat and pressure roller 23 upward and moving the switching roller 33 upward. The same thermal transfer can be applied.

According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) According to the present embodiment, the switching roller 33 constituting the path switching means is disposed on the downstream side of the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23. Then, the switching roller 33 and the second heat and pressure roller 23 are arranged and moved downward, and the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23 are transferred to the transfer layer (transfer layer S2, adhesive layer S3). The configuration is such that it is separated from the medium P. As a result, thermal transfer that does not require the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23 can be performed.

(2) According to the present embodiment, thermal transfer that does not require the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23 is achieved by 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. I was able to do it. 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.

Hereinafter, examples of the present invention and test examples showing the effects of the present invention will be given and described in detail, but the present invention is not limited to these examples and test examples.
(Manufacture of transfer sheet)
In order to create the glossy transfer sheet S, a PET film (Lumirror S10, manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc., thickness 23 μm) was used as a heat-resistant substrate. Further, in order to create a so-called mat transfer sheet S with less gloss, a PET film (Lumirror X42, manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc., thickness 23 μm) was used as a heat-resistant substrate. The coating liquid A and the coating liquid B having the following composition are sequentially applied to each front surface on one side of these films and dried, and each of the protective layers having a thickness of 4 μm made of the coating liquid A is coated with the coating liquid B. Each adhesive layer S3 having a thickness of 5 μm was laminated to form each transfer layer. And each film which laminated | stacked each transfer layer was wound up on the paper tube, and each roll-shaped transfer sheet S (2 types for glossy and mat | matte) was manufactured, respectively.

<Composition of coating liquid A>
・ Movinyl 8020 (colloidal silica-containing emulsion, manufactured by Clariant Polymer Co., Ltd., glass transition temperature −22 ° C.); 47.6% by weight
・ Movinyl 790 (acrylic emulsion, manufactured by Clariant Polymer Co., Ltd., glass transition temperature 102 ° C.); 31.7% by weight
・ Snowtex 30 (Colloidal silica, manufactured by Nissan Chemical Co., Ltd.); 15.9% by weight
-Sunleaf CLA-3 (wax emulsion, manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Co., Ltd.); 3.8% by weight
・ Texanol (film forming aid, manufactured by Chisso Corporation); 1.0% by weight
<Composition of coating liquid B>
・ Movinyl 727 (acrylic emulsion, manufactured by Clariant Polymer Co., Ltd., glass transition temperature 16 ° C.); 99.0% by weight
・ Texanol (film forming aid, manufactured by Chisso Corporation); 1.0% by weight
(Preparation of printed matter)
Using a pigment inkjet printer (PM-4000PX, manufactured by Seiko Epson Corporation), a high-definition color digital standard image (ISO / JIS-SCID, image name “Portrait”) for inkjet recording paper (recording medium P) Sample No. 1 and image evaluation recognition number N1) were printed in the “recommended clean mode”. Then, three types of printed matter 1, printed matter 2, and printed matter 3 having different textures were created.

  Printed matter 1 (glossy printed matter): “photographic paper (glossy)” manufactured by Seiko Epson Corporation was used as the recording medium P. The surface roughness SRa defined by JIS B0601 of the printing surface of the recording medium P is 0.11.

  Printed matter 2 (semi-glossy printed matter): As a recording medium P, “photographic paper (semi-glossy)” manufactured by Seiko Epson Corporation was used. The surface roughness SRa of the printing surface of the recording medium P is 0.71.

  Printed matter 3 (raster-like printed matter): As the recording medium P, “Crystalio exclusive paper (Premium Raster Photo Paper), manufactured by Seiko Epson Corporation was used. The surface roughness SRa of the printing surface of this recording medium P was 0 .17.

The surface roughness of the recording medium P was measured using a fine shape measuring machine (Surfcoder ET4000, manufactured by Kosaka Laboratory Ltd.) with a cutoff value of 0.8 mm, X pitch = 0.3 μm, and Y pitch = 2.
It calculated | required on conditions of micrometer and speed 0.05mm / s.

(Creation of inkjet recordings)
Using the thermal transfer part 32, each transfer sheet S manufactured as described above was thermally transferred to the printed material 1, the printed material 2 and the printed material 3, respectively, to produce four types of printed materials.

<Example 1 and Example 2>
A glossy inkjet recording material was prepared for the glossy printed matter 1 using the glossy transfer sheet S, and this was used as a sample of Example 1. In addition, a mat-like inkjet recording material was prepared on the printed material 1 using the mat transfer sheet S, and this was used as a sample of Example 2. When preparing each inkjet recording material, the second heating and pressing step was omitted, and only the first heating and pressing step was performed. The heating and pressing conditions in the thermal transfer section 32 are: the conveyance speed of the printed product 1 is 15 mm / s, and the heating temperatures of the upper and lower first heating and pressing rollers 18 and 19 (see FIG. 1) are 100 ° C. and 70 ° C., respectively. The nip pressure was set to 10 kg / cm ² . Further, the heating temperature of the upper second heating and pressing roller 22 was set to 90 ° C., and the nip pressure of the second heating and pressing rollers 22 and 23 was set to 5 kg / cm ² .

<Example 3>
A semi-glossy ink-jet recorded material was prepared on the semi-glossy printed matter 2 using the glossy transfer sheet S, and used as a sample of Example 3. At this time, the 1st and 2nd heating-pressing process was performed with respect to the printed matter 2. FIG. The heating and pressing conditions of the thermal transfer unit 32 were the same as those in the first and second embodiments.

<Example 4>
Using the glossy transfer sheet S for the raster-like printed matter 3, a raster-like ink-jet recorded matter was prepared and used as a sample of Example 4. Moreover, the 1st and 2nd heating-pressing process was performed with respect to this printed matter 3. The heating and pressing conditions of the thermal transfer unit 32 were the same as those in the first and second embodiments.

<Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2>
Using the transfer sheet S for gloss and mat for the printed matter 1, the first and second heating and pressurizing steps are performed to create an ink jet recorded matter, and the samples of Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 are used. did. That is, Comparative Examples 1 and 2 differ from Examples 1 and 2 in that the second heating and pressing step is performed after the first heating and pressing step.

<Comparative Example 3 and Comparative Example 4>
The glossy transfer sheet S was used for the printed matter 2 and the printed matter 3, and only the first heating and pressurizing step was performed to prepare an ink jet recorded matter, which were used as samples of Comparative Example 3 and Comparative Example 4, respectively. That is, Comparative Examples 3 and 4 differ from Examples 3 and 4 in that the second heating and pressing step is omitted.

(Test example)
About each sample created by above-described Examples 1-4 and Comparative Examples 1-4, mixing of a bubble and a texture were evaluated, respectively.

  The surface (printed surface) of each sample (inkjet recording) is visually judged to determine whether or not bubbles are mixed. A sample indicates that no bubbles are mixed, and B indicates that bubbles are mixed. It was.

Further, in order to obtain a glossy texture, when a gloss transfer sheet is used for the printed material 1, A is used when the gloss is 60 degrees or more, and B is used when the gloss is less than 60 degrees. did. This glossiness is evaluated by a JIS Z8741 20-degree specular gloss measurement method (PG-1M, manufactured by Nippon Denshoku Co., Ltd.).

In order to obtain a matte texture, when a mat transfer sheet is used for the printed matter 1, A is given when the gloss is 10 degrees or less, and B is given when the gloss is 10 degrees or more.
In order to obtain a semi-glossy texture, when a glossy transfer sheet is used for the printed matter 2, A is a glossiness of 10 to 30 degrees, and B is a glossiness of 30 degrees or more. did.

  In order to obtain a raster-like texture, when a glossy transfer sheet is used for the printed material 3, A is used when the gloss is 10 to 30 degrees, and B is used when the gloss is 30 degrees or more. . The results are shown in Table 1.

( Second reference form)
Next, a second reference embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the second reference embodiment, the first and second heat and pressure rollers of the thermal transfer unit are changed, and the other configurations are the same as those in the first reference embodiment. In addition, although the inkjet recording part is not illustrated in FIG. 10, the inkjet recording part is provided also in this reference form. Therefore, in the following, the first and second heat and pressure rollers will be described in detail, and the same reference numerals are given to the components common to the first reference embodiment on the drawings, and redundant description is omitted. .

  In FIG. 10, in the thermal transfer section 42, the first heating and pressing roller 18 and the second heating and pressing roller 22 constitute the first heating and pressing roller 43 and the first heating and pressing roller 43. They are arranged opposite to each other.

  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 includes an elastic portion 43a and a metal roller 43b. And.

The elastic portion 43a is formed on the outermost periphery of the first heat and pressure roller 43 and is formed of a synthetic resin made of silicon rubber or the like. 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 direction of the arrow in FIG. The elastic portion 43a can rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the metal roller 43b. The elevating part 43e is the first
The pressure between the first heat and pressure rollers 18 and 43 and the pressure between the second heat and pressure roller 22 and the first heat and pressure roller 43 are adjusted by adjusting the position of the heat and pressure roller 43. Set each. 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 heat and pressure roller 43 can perform the first heat and pressure process with the first heat and pressure 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 an ink jet recorded matter M as a printed matter is formed.

According to the second reference embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) According to this preferred embodiment, the first hot pressing means and the second heating and pressing means consists of a first hot pressing rollers 18,43 and a second heating and pressing roller 22 for That is, it was formed by three pairs of rollers. As a result, the configuration of the thermal transfer unit can be simplified.

(2) According to this preferred embodiment was arranged with the first heating and pressing roller 18 and the second heating and pressing roller 22 on the first hot pressing rollers 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 addition, you may change the said embodiment or each reference form as follows.
In the above embodiment or each reference embodiment, the first heat and pressure roller (18, 19) as the first heat and pressure means and the second heat and pressure roller (22 as the second heat and pressure means) , 23) is provided with a peeling means. This may be changed and a peeling means may be provided on the downstream side of the second heat and pressure roller (22, 23).

In the above embodiment or each reference embodiment , the elastic portions 18a, 19a, and 43a are provided on the outermost periphery of the first heat and pressure rollers 18, 19, and 43 that constitute the first heat and pressure unit. 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 unit, but the outermost periphery of the metal rollers 22b and 23b is provided on the outermost 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.

In the first reference embodiment and the first embodiment, the first heating and pressing rollers 18 and 19 are heating type rollers having a heater. A non-heated roller without a heater may be used. Further, the first heating and pressing roller 19 may be a non-heating type roller having no heater.

In the first reference embodiment and the first embodiment, the second heat and pressure rollers 22 and 23 and the second heat and pressure roller 23 below the recording medium P do not have a heater. Although the thermal transfer units 12 and 32 are configured as the rollers, a heating type roller having a heater and a temperature measuring unit similar to the first heating and pressing rollers 18 and 19 may be used. In addition, the first heat and pressure rollers 18 and 19 and the first heat and pressure roller 19 on the lower side of the recording medium are heating type rollers. Similarly to the roller 23, a non-heated roller may be used.

In the second reference 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.
In the above embodiment or each reference embodiment , 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. A two-layer structure formed of In this case, the transfer layer S2 also has a function as an adhesive layer.

In the first reference embodiment and one embodiment, the irregular shape on the receiving layer P2 formed by the deposit D such as dust or dust on the recording medium P is subjected to thermal transfer, but the receiving layer P2 has a surface irregular shape. It may be a recording medium P formed on the paper, for example, matte paper or raster paper.

○ In the first reference embodiment, 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.
In the first reference embodiment, the set pressure in the second heating and pressurizing step is 5 kg / cm ² . This set pressure is preferably in the range of 3-7 kg / cm ² .

Explanatory drawing explaining an inkjet recording device provided with the thermal transfer apparatus of a 1st reference form. 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 an inkjet recording device provided with the thermal transfer apparatus of one Embodiment. The block diagram explaining the control apparatus which controls an avoidance means. Explanatory drawing explaining an inkjet recording device provided with the thermal transfer apparatus of the 2nd reference form.

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 ... Transfer sheet Sheet feeding roller as supply means, 18, 19, 43... First heating and pressing roller as first heating and pressing means, 18c, 19c... Heater constituting adjusting means, 18d, 19d. Constructing temperature measuring unit, 19e, 23e, 43e ... Lifting unit constituting adjusting means, 20 ... Guide roller constituting peeling means, 21 ... Winding roller constituting peeling means, 22, 23 ... Second heating heating Second heating and pressing roller as pressure means, 33... Switching roller constituting avoidance means, 34a and 34b... Guide roller constituting avoidance means, P Recording medium, P1 ... substrate, P2 ... receptive layer, S ... transfer sheet, S1 ... heat-resistant substrate, S2 ... transfer layer, S3 ... adhesive layer constituting the transfer layer, SRa ... surface roughness, A ... nonadherent space.

Claims (10)

In a state of superposing the transfer sheet and the recording medium and a heat resistant base material transfer layer, heating and pressing with said recording medium and said transfer sheet between the two first hot pressing rollers facing each other In a thermal transfer method including a first heating and pressing step in which the transfer layer is pressure-bonded to the recording medium,
When the surface roughness based on JIS B0601 on the printing surface of the recording medium is 0.15 or more ,
A second heating and pressing step of heating and pressurizing the transfer layer pressed against the recording medium between the two second heating and pressing rollers facing each other ; and In the heating and pressing step, a switching roller disposed above the transfer layer between the two first heating and pressing rollers and the two second heating and pressing rollers is separated from the transfer layer. ,
When the surface roughness on the printing surface of the recording medium is less than 0.15 ,
With respect to the recording medium, the command only the first hot pressing step, and the transfer layer in said switching roller while rotating the switching roller by contact with the transfer layer on the recording medium conveyed The second heat and pressure roller disposed above the transfer layer so as to press downward and the recording medium to which the transfer layer is pressure-bonded is separated from the two second heat and pressure rollers. The thermal transfer method is characterized in that the second heating and pressure roller disposed below the transfer layer is moved downward . The thermal transfer method according to claim 1 ,
The method includes a peeling step of peeling the heat-resistant substrate from the transfer sheet that is pressure-bonded to the recording medium after either one of the first heat-pressing step and the second heat-pressing step. Thermal transfer method. The thermal transfer method according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The thermal transfer method characterized in that the temperature and pressure supplied to the transfer layer in the second heating and pressing step are smaller than the temperature and pressure in the first heating and pressing step, respectively. In the thermal transfer method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
A thermal transfer method, wherein the recording medium is printed with pigment ink. The thermal transfer method according to claim 4 ,
The thermal transfer method, wherein the recording medium is made of resin-coated paper obtained by coating a base material with a resin layer, and a receiving layer for receiving pigment ink is provided on the printing surface. In a state in which the transfer sheet was superposed on a recording medium and a heat resistant base material transfer layer, before Symbol transfer sheet and the recording medium and the heating under pressure the transfer layer two facing each other is crimped to said recording medium In the thermal transfer apparatus having the first heat and pressure roller ,
Wherein the first hot pressing said transfer layer at roller facing each other pressed again heat and pressure to the recording medium which is crimped two second hot pressing rollers,
Disposed above said transfer layer between the first heating and pressing roller and the second heating and pressing roller, said transfer layer of two of the transfer sheet is crimped on the recording medium first A switching roller for avoiding the heating and pressure roller of 2,
Applied to the recording medium having a printing surface having a surface roughness of 0.15 or more based on JIS B0601, the second heating and pressing roller heats and presses the recording medium, and the switching roller A first mode that is spaced above the transfer layer ;
The transfer layer is applied to the recording medium having a printing surface having a surface roughness of less than 0.15, and the transfer roller is rotated by contact with the transfer layer on the conveyed recording medium. The second heat and pressure roller disposed above the transfer layer so as to press downward and the recording medium to which the transfer layer is pressure-bonded is separated from the two second heat and pressure rollers. the position of the fixed and the thermal transfer device, characterized in that a second mode is set to move the disposed also below the said transfer layer second hot pressing roller downward. The thermal transfer apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein
A thermal transfer apparatus comprising a peeling means for peeling the heat-resistant substrate from the transfer sheet that is pressure-bonded to the recording medium. The thermal transfer apparatus according to claim 6 or 7 ,
Two said temperature and pressure of the second heating and pressing roller, a thermal transfer device, characterized in that each smaller than two of the temperature and the pressure in the first hot pressing rollers. In the thermal transfer device according to any one of claims 6 to 8 ,
The two second heat and pressure rollers are provided with adjusting means for adjusting at least one of temperature and pressure thereof. Recording means for forming an image by ejecting ink droplets onto a recording medium, ink jet recording apparatus characterized by comprising a thermal transfer device according to any one of claims 6-9.