JP5818347B2 - Printing apparatus and printing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus for transferring an image formed on a transfer film to a recording medium such as a card, and more particularly to a printing apparatus and a printing method capable of transferring with high accuracy without causing transfer deviation.

  In general, this type of printing apparatus is widely known as an apparatus for forming an image such as a facial photograph or character information on a medium such as a plastic card. However, the image formed on a transfer film is transferred to a recording medium by a platen portion. In this case, it is necessary to accurately align the transfer film conveyed to the platen and the recording medium.

  Therefore, after the front edge of the image on the transfer film is transported to just before the retransfer position, the front edge of the image on the transfer film is aligned with the front edge of the card, and then the heat roller is moved to move the transfer film surface. There has been known a configuration in which the image is transferred by being pressed on (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the above configuration, even if the card and the transfer film are cued and aligned before transfer, the film path changes as the heat roller moves and presses the transfer film for transfer. There is a problem that the transfer film is pulled out and the position of the transfer film fluctuates.

  At this time, if a certain amount is always drawn out, misalignment of the print start position can be prevented by performing alignment in anticipation of the amount. However, there is a case where the used transfer film is pulled out from the spool side where the used transfer film is pulled out due to the overrun due to inertia when being pulled out or the balance of the amount of film wound on the supply side and the winding side, and the change of the path. The amount of transfer film moved by the movement was not constant, and the printing start position on the card was not stable.

  Therefore, a configuration is also known in which the card and film are aligned after the heat roller is moved to the transfer position. That is, as shown in FIG. 20, in the state where the heat roller 90 is moved and the transfer film 97 is pressed against the platen roller 91, the film cueing mark 94 is detected by the film cueing sensor 93, and the card cueing sensor 95 is detected. By detecting the leading edge of the card, the positions of the cards are aligned with each other, the transfer portion 92 of the transfer film and the card 96 are synchronized, and the heat roller and the transfer portion are sent to the nip portion to transfer. is there.

JP 2006-198963 A

  In the prior art of FIG. 20, there is a defect that the heat roller damages the film by touching a portion other than the transfer area of the film for a long time.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a printing apparatus that can transfer with high accuracy without causing a transfer shift even if the heat roller moves after the alignment between the transfer film and the card, and the position of the transfer film does not vary greatly. .

To solve the above problem, a printing apparatus according to the present invention is a printing apparatus for transferring an image on a recording medium from the film-like medium, the recording medium conveying means for conveying said recording medium, and more in the recording medium conveying means a medium transport path formed, a film conveying means for feeding transportable said film-like medium, a transfer unit that transfers an image on the recording medium the film-like medium put pressure on the recording medium, the film-like medium A guide member to be supported; and arranged on the downstream side of the transfer unit with respect to the transfer direction of the film-like medium, supporting the film-like medium in a state of being bridged with the guide member, and transferring the image by the transfer unit a peeling member for peeling the film-shaped medium from the recording medium, and the film path formed by the peeling member, the recording medium of the film-like medium By lifting between a retracted position for supporting the film-like medium in a state of being separated from the recording medium and an operating position for peeling the transfer film on which an image is transferred onto the recording medium in a state of being in contact with, the A film path moving means for moving the film path; and a control means for controlling the recording medium conveying means, the transfer means, the film conveying means, and the film path moving means, and the control means includes the film path moving means. After the means moves the peeling member from the retracted position to the operating position, the recording medium and the film-like medium are respectively transferred to the transfer start position to perform alignment processing, and then the film is transferred by the transfer means. you transfer an image on the recording medium Jo medium put pressure on the recording medium is characterized with this.

And the said peeling member moves to the direction orthogonal to the said medium conveyance path | pass, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

Further, the peeling member is moved from the operating position to the retracted position after the transfer means releases the pressing of the film-like medium to the recording medium upon completion of the transfer .

The present invention further relates to a printing method for transferring an image from the film medium to the recording medium by bringing the film-like medium moving in the same direction into contact with the recording medium, the film-like medium being upstream of a transfer position. A film path formed by a guide member that supports a medium and a peeling member that supports the film-like medium in a state of being bridged together with the guide member on the downstream side of a transfer position, wherein the peeling member is Between an operating position for peeling the transfer film image-transferred on the recording medium in a state where the film-like medium is in contact with the recording medium and a retracted position for supporting the film-like medium in a state of being separated from the recording medium A movable film path is formed by moving up and down, and (a) a slide for moving the peeling member from the retracted position to the operating position. (B) conveying the recording medium and the film-like medium to a transfer start position, respectively, (c) performing an alignment process, and (d) transferring the film-like medium to the recording medium by transfer means. A printing method comprising: a step of transferring an image onto the recording medium by pressing on the recording medium; and a step of (e) peeling the transfer film transferred onto the recording medium from the film-like medium. To do .

Here, further, (f) the peeling member has a step of moving from the operating position to the retracted position .

  According to the present invention, the transfer film transport path is moved so as to come into contact with the card transport path before the heat transfer operation of the heat roller at the time of transfer, so that the change in the position of the transfer film due to the variation of the path path is determined. In order to perform alignment between the transfer film and the card at the stage, the thermal transfer operation can be performed with the two being accurately synchronized. Accordingly, the printing accuracy is improved without causing transfer deviation.

1 shows an overall configuration of a printing apparatus according to the present invention. The perspective view of the film cassette in the apparatus of FIG. 1 is shown. An explanatory view of a state where a recording medium is carried in by image transfer is shown. Explanatory drawing of the state which has a heat roller in an operation position by image transfer is shown. An explanatory view of a state in a retracted position in image transfer is shown. FIG. 2 is a perspective configuration diagram of a transfer unit and a film cassette in the apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of the transfer unit in the apparatus of FIG. 6. The whole perspective view which shows the raising / lowering mechanism of a heat roller is shown. The block diagram of the raising / lowering mechanism of the peeling roller in FIG. 8 is shown. The block diagram of the part in connection with the image transfer in the apparatus of FIG. 1 is shown. FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory diagram in a state where a card approaches in the printing apparatus according to the present invention. Operation | movement explanatory drawing of the state which the peeling roller moved to the peeling position in the printing apparatus concerning this invention is shown. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an operation in the alignment state in the printing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram in a state where the heat roller is moved to the operating position in the printing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory diagram in a state where the rear end of the card passes through the heat roller and the transfer is completed in the printing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory diagram in a state where the heat roller is returned from the operating position to the standby position in the printing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram in a state where the peeling roller moves from the peeling position to the retracted position in the printing apparatus according to the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of a printing apparatus according to the present invention. Operation | movement explanatory drawing of the conventional peeling operation | movement is shown. An explanatory view of conventional image transfer is shown.

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus for transferring an image to a recording medium through a film-like medium. As a preferred embodiment, the present invention will be described by showing a printing apparatus for recording image information on a card through a transfer film.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the overall configuration of a printing apparatus according to the present invention. This apparatus transfers and prints image information on an ID card for various certifications, a credit card for commercial transactions, etc. through a transfer film. For this purpose, an information recording unit A, an image recording unit (image forming unit; the same applies hereinafter) B, and a card supply unit C for supplying cards to these are provided.

[Card supply section]
The device housing 1 is provided with a card supply unit C, and is constituted by a card cassette that stores a plurality of cards. The card cassette 3 shown in FIG. 1 stores a plurality of cards arranged in a standing posture, and feeds the cards from the left end to the right end in the figure. A separation opening 7 is provided at the front end of the card cassette 3, and the pickup roller 19 supplies the card from the front row to the apparatus.

[Configuration of information recording section]
A card (recording medium; the same applies hereinafter) sent from the card cassette 3 is sent from the carry-in roller 22 to the reversing unit F. The reversing unit F is composed of a unit frame supported by a device frame (not shown) so as to be pivotable and a pair or a plurality of roller pairs supported by the frame.

  In the illustrated example, two roller pairs 20 and 21 arranged at a distance from each other at a distance are axially supported on a unit frame so as to be rotatable. The unit frame is swiveled in a predetermined angle direction by a swivel motor (pulse motor or the like), and a roller pair attached to the unit frame is configured to rotate in a forward / reverse direction by a transport motor. Although this drive mechanism is not shown in the figure, even if it is configured that the rotation of the unit frame and the rotation of the roller pair are switched by a clutch with one pulse motor, the rotation of the unit frame and the rotation of the roller pair are configured as separate drives. May be.

  Accordingly, the cards prepared in the card cassette 3 are separated one by one by the pickup roller 19 and the separation roller (idle roller) 9 and sent to the reverse unit F on the downstream side. The reversing unit F carries the card into the unit with the roller pairs 20 and 21 and deflects its posture in a predetermined angle direction while being nipped by the roller pair.

  A magnetic recording unit 24, a non-contact type IC recording unit 23, a contact type IC recording unit 27, and a reject stacker 25 are disposed on the outer periphery of the reversing unit F in the turning direction. A bar code reader 28 shown in the figure is a unit for reading a bar code printed by an image forming unit B, which will be described later, and making a correct / incorrect determination (error determination). Hereinafter, these recording units are referred to as data recording units.

  Therefore, when the card whose posture is deflected in the predetermined angle direction by the reversing unit F is transferred to the recording unit by the roller pairs 20 and 21, data can be magnetically or electrically input to the card. Further, when a recording error occurs in these data input units, they are carried out to the reject stacker 25.

  An image forming unit B is provided on the downstream side of the reversing unit F. A conveying path P1 for transferring the card from the card cassette 3 is provided in the image forming unit B, and the reversing unit F is disposed in the path P1. ing. In addition, transport rollers (may be belts) 29 and 30 for transporting cards are arranged in the transport path P1, and are connected to a transport motor (not shown). The transport rollers 29 and 30 are configured to be capable of switching between forward and reverse, and are configured to transport the card from the image forming unit B to the reversing unit F in the same manner as the card is transported from the reversing unit F to the image forming unit B. .

  On the downstream side of the image forming unit B, a carry-out path P2 for transferring the card to the storage stacker 55 is provided. Conveying rollers (or belts) 37 and 38 for conveying cards are arranged in the carry-out path P2, and are connected to a conveying motor (not shown).

  A decurling mechanism 36 is disposed between the conveying roller 37 and the conveying roller 38, and the curl is corrected by pressing the central portion of the card held between the conveying rollers 37 and 38. For this reason, the decurling mechanism 36 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction in FIG.

[Image forming unit]
The image forming unit B forms an image such as a face photograph or character data on the front and back surfaces of a card which is a recording medium for printing. The image forming portion B is provided with a transfer platen 31 and a heat roller 33 as transfer means, and an image is formed on the card with this platen. The apparatus shown in the figure first forms an image (primary transfer) on a transfer film 46 (intermediate transfer film-like medium), and further transfers an image of this film onto a card (secondary transfer) by a transfer platen 31. Therefore, the apparatus housing 1 is equipped with an ink ribbon cassette 42 and a transfer film cassette 50.

  The illustrated ink ribbon cassette 42 has a sublimation ink ribbon or other thermal transfer ink ribbon 41 wound between a feed roll 43 and a take-up roll 44 and is detachably mounted on the apparatus housing 1. A wind motor Mr1 (not shown) is connected to the winding roll 44. On the apparatus side, a thermal head 40 and an image forming platen 45 are disposed opposite to each other with the ink ribbon 41 interposed therebetween.

  A head control IC 74a (see FIG. 18) is connected to the thermal head 40 so that the thermal head 40 is thermally controlled. The head control IC 74a controls the heating of the thermal head 40 according to the image data, thereby forming an image of the ink ribbon 41 on the transfer film 46 described later. As a result, an image information recording portion d (see FIG. 11) is formed on the transfer film 46 and is later transferred to the card. Therefore, the take-up roll 44 rotates in synchronization with the thermal control of the thermal head 40, and the ink ribbon 41 is taken up at a predetermined speed. Reference numeral f1 denotes a cooling fan for cooling the thermal head 40.

  On the other hand, a transfer film cassette 50 (hereinafter referred to as “film cassette”) is also detachably attached to the apparatus housing 1. The transfer film 46 loaded in the film cassette 50 travels between the platen roller (image forming platen) 45 and the ink ribbon 41 to form an image on the transfer film. Therefore, the transfer film 46 is wound around a supply spool 47 and a take-up spool 48, and the transfer film 46 transfers an image formed on the image forming platen 45 between the transfer platen 31 and a heat roller 33 described later.

  The transfer roller 49 is connected to a drive motor (not shown) and serves as a main transport roller that transports the transfer film 46 only when an image is formed on the transfer film 46 (primary transfer). Pinch rollers 32a and 32b are arranged on the peripheral surface of the transfer roller 49. In the primary transfer state, the pinch rollers 32a and 32b press the peripheral surface of the transfer roller 49 and press the transfer film 46 as shown in FIG. It is brought into close contact with the transfer roller 49.

  The guide roller 34a guides the transfer film 46 to the transfer platen 31, and the peeling roller 34b is a peeling member for peeling the transfer platen 31 from the card of the recording medium. The guide roller 34a and the peeling roller 34b are attached to the film cassette 50 with the transfer platen 31 sandwiched between the guide roller 34a on the upstream side and the peeling roller 34b on the downstream side. The distance L1 between the guide roller 34a and the peeling roller 34b is set to be shorter than the length Lc in the image forming direction (conveying direction) of the recording medium K (L1 <Lc) (see FIG. 3).

  The heat roller 33 is disposed to face the transfer platen 31 with the transfer film 46 interposed therebetween. The heat roller 33 transfers (secondary transfer) the image on the image information recording portion formed on the transfer film 46 by heating and pressing the card. The heat roller 33 is configured to be pressed and separated from the transfer platen 31 from the inside of the film cassette 50 by a heat roller raising / lowering means 61 described later. The sensor Se1 detects the position of the ink ribbon 41, and the sensor Se2 detects the presence or absence of the transfer film 46. The image forming unit B is provided with a fan f2 for releasing heat generated in the apparatus.

[Structure of film cassette]
The film cassette 50 loaded with the transfer film 46 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the film cassette 50 is composed of a unit separated from the apparatus housing 1 and is detachably attached to the apparatus housing 1. Although not shown, a front cover is disposed on the front side of FIG. 1 so as to be openable and closable. With the front cover opened, the film cassette 50 is mounted on the apparatus frame in the direction of the arrow in FIG.

  A supply spool 47 and a take-up spool 48 are detachably attached to the film cassette 50. The bearing portion 52 supports one end of the spool, and the coupling member 56 supports the other end side of the spool. Then, the transfer film 46 is bridged from the supply spool 47 to the guide rollers 34a, 35b, 35a and then to the take-up spool 48 through the peeling roller 34b.

  The guide rollers 35a, 35b, 34a and the peeling roller 34b are composed of pin members (driven rollers) attached to the film cassette 50, but may be fixed pins (non-rotating). . In this apparatus, when the image on the transfer film 46 is transferred to the card, transfer is performed while winding the transfer film 46 with the supply spool 47. Therefore, the peeling roller 34 b is provided on the downstream side in the film transport direction (the supply spool 47 side with respect to the heat roller 33) when the transfer film 46 is transferred.

  The transfer film 46 spanned in this way is driven so that the drive rotation shaft (not shown) connected to the transport rollers 29 and 30 disposed on the apparatus side and the transfer roller 49 travel on the film at the same speed. Drive and rotate.

[Thermal transfer to card]
The structure of the part relating to the thermal transfer operation in the above-described image forming unit and film cassette will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. The transfer film 46 is supported by a guide roller 34a and a peeling roller 34b as a peeling member. The peeling roller 34b is for peeling the film from the card after transferring the image formed on the transfer film 46 to the card.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the peeling roller 34b can be moved between an operating position (solid line) and a retracted position (broken line). At the operating position, the peeling roller 34b is moved relative to the surface of the card conveyed along the conveyance path P1. It is set so as to contact through the transfer film 46.

  Therefore, the transfer film 46 transferred to the card is adhered to the card from the heat roller 33 to the peeling roller 34b, and the transfer film 46 is peeled from the card surface when the card reaches the peeling roller 34b. At this time, since the peeled transfer film 46 is wound in a direction perpendicular to the card (downward in the figure), the relation between the card and the peeled transfer film 46 is approximately 90 degrees via the peeling roller 34b. (Peeling angle β is approximately 90 degrees).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 19, when the peeling roller 34b is provided at a position away from the conveyance path P1, the transferred film 46 is peeled off from the card before reaching the peeling roller 34b. In such a configuration, the position where the transfer film 46 peels from the card and the peel angle (β2) become uncertain, and there is a possibility that transfer spots occur. Furthermore, since the time from the transfer to the peeling is shortened, there are cases where good peeling cannot be performed. Therefore, by setting the peeling roller 34b to the operating position of the present embodiment, the peeling angle and the time until peeling (distance from the heat roller 33 to the peeling position) become constant, thereby suppressing the occurrence of transfer spots. be able to.

  On the other hand, the heat roller 33 is pressed against or separated from the transfer platen 31, and the control means 70, which will be described later, moves the heat roller 33 to the operating position (Pn1) and presses it (FIG. 4) when transferring an image onto the card. After the image formation (after the rear end of the card has passed through the heat roller 33), the image is moved to the standby position (Pn2) and separated (FIG. 5). This prevents the transfer film 46 from being deformed by the transfer film 46 coming into contact with the heat roller 33 after the rear end of the card has passed through the heat roller 33.

  Further, the control means 70 moves the peeling roller 34b from the operating position (Pn3) to the standby position (Pn4) at the timing when the rear end of the card passes the peeling roller 34b. Here, since the separation roller 34b is moved to the standby position, the card collides with the separation roller 34b when the card is switched back and conveyed toward the reversing unit F on the upstream side of the conveyance path when performing duplex printing. Is preventing. By such control, there is no fear that excessive heat acts on the transfer film 46 to cause deformation, and image spots do not occur when the transfer film 46 is peeled off.

  The present invention realizes transfer onto a card with a transfer film with high accuracy without causing transfer displacement by appropriately controlling the timing of raising and lowering the heat roller 33 and the peeling roller 34b. Will become clear later.

[Raising and lowering of heat roller and peeling roller]
In order to raise and lower the heat roller 33 and the peeling roller 34, a heat roller raising / lowering means 61 and a peeling roller raising / lowering means 62 are provided. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of the film cassette 50, the heat roller lifting means 61, and the peeling roller lifting means 62 described above. The lifting means 61 and 62 and the heat roller 33 are built in the film unit 60 and attached to the apparatus frame. On the other hand, the peeling roller 34b is attached to the film cassette 50 side.

  In FIG. 6, the film cassette 50 is detachably attached to the apparatus frame in the direction of the arrow. The film unit 60 provided in the apparatus frame and the transfer film 46 of the film cassette 50 are combined. FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the film unit 60, and an elevating frame 63 having a heat roller 33 is supported on the transfer unit 60 so as to be movable up and down in the direction of the arrow. Further, the peeling roller 34b is supported on the film cassette 50 side by a fitting groove 34S so as to be movable up and down.

  A configuration of the lifting frame 63 provided with the heat roller 33 is shown in FIG. The heat roller 33 is attached to the unit frame 64 so as to move up and down in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 6 together with the lifting frame 63 at a position facing the transfer platen 31 (the illustrated roller). A shift motor MS is attached to the unit frame 64, and a shift cam 64c (for example, an eccentric cam) is provided on the rotating shaft of the motor. By the rotation of the shift cam 64c, the elevating frame 63 fitted with this cam through a long groove (cam follower; not shown) is moved up and down in FIG.

  The heat roller 33 is provided with an open / close cover 65 at a position facing the transfer platen 31 so as to rotate (open / close) around the support shaft 65p in the direction of the arrow shown. The opening / closing cover 65 guards the user's fingers from touching the hot heat roller 33. Therefore, when the heat roller 33 is in the standby position (Pn2; FIG. 3), the opening / closing cover 65 covers the roller surface, and guards the card from jamming and touching the roller surface when the user performs a jam release operation. When the heat roller 33 is in the operating position (Pn1; FIG. 4), the transfer film 46 is retracted from the roller surface and pressed against the platen 31. Further, by covering the heat roller 33, heat is not applied to the transfer film 46 except during transfer, so that the transfer film 46 is also protected.

  In the opening / closing mechanism, a rack 63r is integrally provided on the unit frame 64, and a pinion 63p that meshes with the rack is provided on the lifting frame 63. The pinion 63p is gear-coupled to the support shaft 65p of the opening / closing cover 65. Accordingly, when the shift cam 64c is rotated by the shift motor MS and the elevating frame 63 is raised in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 8, the pinion 63p rotates counterclockwise in the figure, and the open / close cover 65 connected to the gear is indicated by the arrow in the figure. Rotate in the (clockwise) direction.

  Thus, the heat roller raising / lowering means 61 that moves up and down between the operating position (Pn1) where the heat roller 33 is pressed against the card and the separated retracted position (Pn2) is constituted by the shift motor MS and the shift cam 64c. Become. The heat roller lifting / lowering means 61 opens and closes the opening / closing cover 65 of the heat roller 33 between the open position shown in FIG. 4 and the closed position shown in FIG.

  Next, the peeling roller raising / lowering means 62 for raising and lowering the peeling roller 34b between the operation position (Pn3) for peeling the transfer film 46 having the image transferred to the card and the retracted position (Pn4) separated from the recording medium K will be described.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram in which only the configuration of the peeling roller raising / lowering means 62 is extracted from the mechanism of FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 9, a drive cam 66c is connected to the drive rotating shaft 64d geared to the shift motor MS. Has been. A lever 66r having a cam follower 66f that engages with the drive cam 66c is supported by the unit frame 64 by a slit and a pin so as to be movable up and down in FIG. A return spring 66S is bridged between the lever 66r and the unit frame 64.

  Therefore, when the drive cam 66c is rotated by the rotation of the shift motor MS, the lever 66r having the cam follower 66f moves up and down. As will be described later, the drive cam 66c causes the peeling roller 34b to stand by at the retracted position (Pn4) by the angle control of the shift motor MS, and moves from this state to the operating position (Pn3).

  Therefore, the drive cam 66c is rotated to raise the lever 66r in the direction of the arrow. A swing lever 67 is coupled to the lever 66r, and the swing lever 67 rotates (swings) in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 9 about the support shaft 67p. Then, the elevating lever 68a that is pin-slit connected to the swing lever 67 is lowered in the direction of the arrow. An operating lever 68b integrated with the elevating lever 68a is engaged with the peeling pin brackets 69a and 69b. The lift lever 68a is restricted in movement by the pin-slit coupling with the unit frame 64 in the vertical movement direction.

  Accordingly, the lever 66r is lifted by the drive cam 66c, and the swinging lever 67 is swung by the vertical movement that is lowered by the return spring 66S, and the lift lever 68a and the operating lever 68b are vertically moved and engaged with the operating lever 68b. The peeling pin brackets 69a and 69b move up and down. The peeling pin brackets 69a and 69b are integrally attached to both ends of the peeling roller 34b.

  As described above, the peeling roller lifting / lowering means 62 includes the shift motor MS, the drive cam 66c, the lever 66r, the swing lever 67, the lifting lever 68a, and the operation lever 68b. The illustrated apparatus lifts and lowers the peeling member (peeling roller) 34b equally by the same amount without biasing both ends of the peeling member 34b by the operating lever 68b.

  As is apparent from the above description, the cam shape of the shift cam 64c of the heat roller raising / lowering means 61 and the drive cam 66c of the peeling roller raising / lowering means 62 is such that the heat roller 33 and the peeling roller 34b are driven by the drive rotating shaft 64d. Through the timing described with reference to FIG.

[Control configuration]
The control configuration will be described with reference to FIG. The control unit H includes a control CPU 70, and the CPU 70 includes a ROM 71 and a RAM 72. The control CPU 70 includes a data input control unit 73, an image formation control unit 74, and a card transport control unit 75.

  The card transport controller 75 transmits a command signal to a drive circuit of a drive motor (not shown) so as to control the recording medium transport means (a pair of transport rollers shown in FIG. 1) disposed in the transport path P1 and the transport path P2. . The card conveyance control unit 75 transmits a command signal to the drive circuit of the turning motor of the reversing unit F. At the same time, the card transport control unit 75 is connected to receive a job signal from the data input control unit 73. When the job signal is input, a detection signal from a detection sensor of each card arranged in the apparatus. Is configured to monitor the card conveyance state.

  The data input control unit 73 transmits a command signal for controlling transmission / reception of input data to the data R / W IC 73x built in the magnetic recording unit 24. Similarly, the non-contact IC recording unit 23 and the contact type A command signal is transmitted to the IC 73y for IC data R / W. The image formation control unit 74 controls image formation on the front and back surfaces of the card in the image formation unit B.

  The image formation control unit 74 transfers the image onto the card surface by the transfer platen 31 and the heat roller 33 in accordance with the card conveyance controlled by the card conveyance control unit 75. For this reason, the image formation control unit 74 controls the thermal head 40 during primary transfer to form an image on the transfer film 45, a head controller IC 74a, an ink ribbon wind motor control unit 74b, a transfer film wind motor control unit 74c, and a shift motor. An MS control unit 74d is provided.

  The RAM 72 stores a processing time for inputting data on the card by the data input unit (magnetic / IC recording unit), for example, in a data table.

  In the printing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention having the above-described configuration, an operation of thermally transferring from the transfer film to the card will be described.

  FIG. 10 shows a state in which the primary transfer for forming an image on the transfer film 46 with the ink ribbon 41 is completed. In FIG. 10, conveyance rollers 29 and 30 are card conveyance means (recording medium conveyance means) which is a recording medium on which printing is performed on a transfer film, and the transfer film is placed between a supply spool 47 and a take-up spool 48. The separation roller 34b, the guide rollers 34a, 35b, 35a and the like that are transferred serve as film conveying means.

  In the state shown in FIG. 10, in the vicinity of the transfer position where the heat roller 33 and the transfer platen 31 are located, the film path formed by the film transport means is in the retracted position because the peeling roller 34b is in the retracted position. The conveyance direction is the same as that of the medium conveyance path (conveyance path P1) formed in (1), but is not in contact. At this time, the cue mark provided on the transfer film 46 stands by on the upstream side of the film sensor Se2, and the recording portion of the image information transferred to the card is located further on the upstream side of the cue mark. On the other hand, the card is waiting on the upstream side of the card sensor Se4.

  The transfer operation is started from this state. Hereinafter, the heat transfer operation will be described with reference to FIGS.

  When the approach of the card for image formation to the transfer platen 31 is detected by the sensor Se4 (FIG. 11), the image formation control unit 74 of the control CPU 70 controls the shift motor drive circuit 74d to rotate the shift motor MS by a predetermined angle. Then, by the rotation of the drive cam 66c, the peeling roller 34b moves to the peeling position and becomes the state shown in FIG.

  In the state shown in FIG. 12, the peeling roller 34b is moved from the retracted position to the operating position for the peeling operation. Due to this movement of the peeling roller 34b, the transfer film 46 also moves together with the peeling roller 34b. Alternatively, the film path is changed by drawing the film from the take-up spool 48. The film path at this time comes into contact with the recording medium conveyance path (conveyance path P1) at the time of transfer, and the position of the transfer film is determined.

  Next, the control CPU 70 controls the card transport control unit 75 to control the card transport, and at the same time, the image formation control unit 74 controls the transfer film wind motor control unit 74c, as shown in FIG. An operation as an alignment processing means for performing alignment with 46 is performed.

  First, the transfer film wind motor control unit 74 c controls the drive motor of the supply spool 47 to convey the transfer film 46 in order to align the image information recording unit of the transfer film 46 with the transfer platen 31. In this case, the image formation control unit 74 detects the film cue mark set at the head of the image information recording unit of the transfer film 46 by the sensor Se <b> 2 until the image information recording unit reaches the transfer platen 31. After the elapse of time, the transfer film wind motor control unit 74c is controlled to stop the conveyance.

  After completing the alignment of the transfer film, the card conveyance control unit 75 controls the motor that drives the conveyance roller 30 to convey the card in order to align the card with the transfer platen 31. Then, the conveyance is stopped after a lapse of time from when the leading edge of the card is detected by the sensor Se4 until reaching the transfer platen.

  In the alignment process described above, the transfer film 46 is first conveyed by alignment and then the card is conveyed by alignment. However, even if both are performed at the same time, the card is first and the transfer film 46 is later. Also good. However, if the transfer film 46 is moved after the card first, the image held on the transfer film 46 may pass through the image information recording portion of the transfer film 46 while the card is waiting at the transfer position, and the image held may be damaged by rubbing against the card. is there.

  Next, when the image formation control unit 74 of the control CPU 70 further controls the shift motor drive circuit 74d to rotate the shift motor MS by a predetermined angle, the heat roller 33 is moved to the operating position by the rotation of the shift cam 64c, and FIG. It becomes a state. Then, the control CPU 70 controls the transfer film wind motor control unit 74c and the card transport control unit 75 to simultaneously transport the transfer film 46 and the card, so that the transfer film 46 image forming unit and the card are connected to the transfer platen 31 and the heat roller. The image nipped by 33 and held in the image information recording unit is transferred to the card and printed.

  In this way, when the position of the transfer film is determined, if the alignment is performed by cueing the card and the transfer film 46 by the sensors Se2 and Se4, the card and the transfer film 46 are not displaced at the time of transfer.

  Then, the image forming control unit 74 of the control CPU 70 shifts the shift motor drive circuit when the time (predetermined timer time) for which the rear end of the card passes the transfer platen 31 and the heat roller 33 is expected (a preset timer time). The shift motor MS is further rotated by a predetermined angle by controlling 74d, and the heat roller 33 is returned from the operating position to the standby position by the rotation of the shift cam 64c. FIG. 16 shows this state. At this time, the peeling roller 34 is held in an operating state in which the transfer film 46 is peeled from the card.

  Thereafter, the control CPU 70 rotates the shift motor MS again by a predetermined angle after the expected time (timer time) for the rear end of the card to pass through the peeling roller 34b, and rotates the drive cam 66c to move the peeling roller 34b from the peeling position. Move to the retreat position. This state is shown in FIG. 17, and the film path deviates from the medium conveyance path (conveyance path P1). At this time, the heat roller 33 is held at the standby position. By completing the series of operations, the shift cam 64c and the drive cam 66c return to the home position.

  As described above, the peeling roller 34b is moved to the operating position prior to the heat roller 33, and positioning is performed after the position of the transfer film 46 is determined, so that high-precision printing can be performed without causing transfer deviation.

  Further, after the transfer, the heat roller 33 is retracted to the standby position before the peeling roller 34b performs the peeling operation, so that the transfer film 46 comes into contact with the heat roller 33 after the rear end of the card passes through the heat roller 33. The film 46 is prevented from being deformed.

29 Conveying roller (recording medium conveying means)
30 Conveying roller (recording medium conveying means)
31 Transfer platen (transfer means)
33 Heat roller (transfer means)
34b Peeling roller (film path moving means)
46 Transfer film (intermediate transfer film-like medium)
47 Supply spool (film transport means)
48 Take-up spool (film transport means)
70 Control CPU (Positioning processing means)
P1 Media transport path (transport route)

Claims (5)

A printing apparatus for transferring an image from a film medium to a recording medium,
Recording medium conveying means for conveying the recording medium;
A medium transport path is more formed on said recording medium conveying means,
Film conveying means for conveying the film-like medium;
Transfer means for pressing the film-like medium against the recording medium to transfer an image to the recording medium;
A guide member that supports the film-like medium; and is disposed downstream of the transfer means in the film-like medium conveyance direction, and supports the film-like medium in a state of being bridged with the guide member. A film path formed by a peeling member that peels off the image-transferred film-like medium from the recording medium ;
The peeling member supports the film-like medium in a state where the film-like medium is in contact with the recording medium and separated from the recording medium and an operating position for peeling the transfer film image transferred onto the recording medium. A film path moving means for moving the film path by moving up and down between the retracted position ,
Control means for controlling the recording medium conveying means, the transfer means, the film conveying means and the film path moving means,
After the film path moving means moves the peeling member from the retracted position to the operating position, the control means conveys the recording medium and the film-like medium to a transfer start position, and performs alignment processing. performed, then you transfer an image on the recording medium with pressure the film-like medium to the recording medium by the transfer means, the printing device comprising a call. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the peeling member moves in a direction orthogonal to the medium conveyance path . The release member, according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transfer means is characterized in that to move to the retracted position from the operating position after releasing the pressure with to the recording medium of the film-like medium by termination transfer Printing device. A printing method for transferring an image from the film medium to the recording medium by bringing the recording medium into contact with the film-like medium moving in the same direction,
A film path formed by a guide member that supports the film-like medium on the upstream side of the transfer position, and a peeling member that supports the film-like medium on the downstream side of the transfer position in a state of being bridged with the guide member. And the release member is separated from the recording medium with an operating position for releasing the transfer film image transferred onto the recording medium in a state where the film-like medium is in contact with the recording medium. A movable film path is formed by moving up and down between the retreat position supporting the medium,
(A) moving the peeling member from the retracted position to the operating position;
(B) The recording medium and the film-like medium are respectively conveyed to the transfer start position.
(C) performing alignment processing;
(D) a step of pressing the film-like medium against the recording medium by a transfer means to transfer an image to the recording medium;
(E) the step of peeling the transfer film image-transferred on the recording medium from the film-like medium;
The printing method which has each step of. (F) The printing method according to claim 4, wherein the peeling member further includes a step of moving from the operating position to the retracted position .

Images