JP5924075B2 - Thermal transfer printer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a thermal transfer printer capable of performing thermal transfer printing on a sheet by a printing unit having a thermal head, and a control program for the thermal transfer printer.

  2. Description of the Related Art A thermal transfer printer that can perform thermal transfer print processing on a sheet by a printing unit having a thermal head includes a conveyance mechanism that conveys the sheet between a sheet feeding unit and a discharge unit. As a transport mechanism that includes a transport roller and a pinch roller that can sandwich the paper between the transport rollers, a minute protrusion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the transport roller, and the paper is sandwiched between the transport roller and the pinch roller. An aspect has been devised in which the conveyance roller is driven to rotate so that the minute protrusions bite into the paper (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  With such a transport mechanism, compared to a configuration in which the paper is sandwiched and transported by a transport roller and a pinch roller that are not provided with minute protrusions on the outer peripheral surface, an effective grip force for the paper can be obtained, and the grip force is reduced. It was considered that the problem caused by lowness, that is, the problem that the sheet could not be conveyed properly and the print quality was liable to be reduced could be solved.

JP 2002-114399 A

  However, the thermal transfer printing process is performed at a position slightly deviated from the position to be printed even when the thermal transfer printing process is performed by the printing unit while conveying the paper by the conveyance mechanism having the conveyance roller having the fine protrusion on the outer peripheral surface. Has been applied to the print quality. In particular, on an image on which a first color ink is thermally transferred by back feeding a sheet on which the first color ink is thermally transferred using an ink ribbon in which a plurality of colors of ink are applied in a predetermined order along the longitudinal direction of the ribbon. In the case of so-called overprinting in which the second color ink is thermally transferred to form a color image, a phenomenon (color shift) occurs in which the position where the first color ink is thermally transferred and the position where the second color ink is thermally transferred are shifted. In this case, the print quality is remarkably deteriorated. Even in the case where the single color ink is thermally transferred to the paper, the print quality is deteriorated if the thermal transfer printing process is performed at a position slightly deviated from the position to be printed as described above.

  As a result of earnest research to investigate the cause of the above-mentioned problems, the present inventor has a case where the relative position between the thermal head and the paper during the thermal transfer printing process is displaced from the position to be printed. It has been found that it is relatively likely to occur when the first thermal transfer printing is performed after the time when the paper is set on the printer, or when the thermal transfer printing process is resumed after a predetermined time has elapsed since the end of the previous thermal transfer printing process. Attention is paid to the point that the pinch roller is retracted to a position where the sheet is not sandwiched between the conveyance roller immediately before the first thermal transfer printing process after the sheet is set and immediately before the thermal transfer printing process is resumed. However, the present inventors have come up with the present invention that adopts a novel technical idea that has never been conceived.

  The main object of the present invention is to increase the grip force with respect to a printing object such as a sheet passing through the pressure contact position between the conveying roller and the pinch roller during the thermal transfer printing process, so that the position shifted from the position to be printed. Another object of the present invention is to provide a thermal transfer print capable of preventing / suppressing the occurrence of misalignment in which thermal transfer print processing is performed, and a control program for the thermal transfer printer.

  That is, the present invention passes between a printing unit that performs thermal transfer printing processing on a print object that passes through a thermal transfer point that is a pressure contact position between a thermal head and a platen, and a conveyance roller having a minute protrusion on the outer peripheral surface and a pinch roller. A print target region that includes a print target transport mechanism that transports a print target to be performed, and a control unit that controls at least the operation of the printing unit and the print target transport mechanism, and is subjected to thermal transfer printing processing among the print target. The present invention relates to a thermal transfer printer that starts a thermal transfer printing process from a state in which an object to be printed is conveyed to a thermal transfer printing startable position where the starting end of the thermal transfer point coincides with the thermal transfer point.

  Here, the “printing object” of the present invention includes various printing media corresponding to the printing method of the printing unit, and is not limited to “paper” in a narrow sense, but can be printed by the printing unit. It may be other than paper, may be continuous in a roll shape, or may be previously formed into a predetermined size (for example, cut paper). In addition, the minute protrusions may be formed on the entire outer peripheral surface of the transport roller, or may be formed only in a predetermined area (for example, both end areas in the axial direction of the transport roller) of the outer peripheral surface of the transport roller. There may be. The “start end of the print target area” means the downstream end of the print target area in the print object conveyance direction during the thermal transfer printing process.

In the thermal transfer printer of the present invention, a control unit having a projection trace forming unit and a print startable position conveying unit is applied, and as described in detail below, the control unit has a projection trace formed by the projection trace formation unit. The configuration is such that the formation process and the print start possible position conveyance process by the print start possible position conveyance means are continuously performed , and at least based on a print command including information on the print contents to be formed in the print target area. The present invention is characterized in that the number of protrusion trace forming processes by the protrusion trace forming means for the pinched region is determined .
In the thermal transfer printer of the present invention, a controller having a protrusion trace forming unit and a print startable position conveying unit is applied as the control unit. The configuration is such that the printing start possible position carrying process by the carrying means is continuously performed, and the number of projection trace forming processes by the projection trace forming means for the same pinched area is determined based on at least the individual information of the print target It is characterized by being configured to.
Further, the thermal transfer printer of the present invention further includes a temperature detection unit that directly or indirectly detects the temperature of the print object, and has a protrusion trace forming unit and a print startable position conveying unit as the control unit. The control unit is configured to continuously perform the projection trace formation process by the projection trace formation unit and the print startable position conveyance process by the print startable position conveyance unit, and the detection information by the temperature detection unit Based on this, the number of times of the projection mark forming process by the protrusion mark forming means for the same pinched region is determined.

  The protrusion mark forming means moves the pinch roller from a pinch position where the print object is pressed between the outer peripheral surface of the transport roller to a non-pinch position where the print object is not sandwiched between the transport roller and the pinch position. When the thermal transfer printing process is performed for the first time after the opening, the thermal head is positioned at the head retracting position where the printing object is not sandwiched between the platen and the pinch roller is positioned at the pinch position. A means for forming protrusion marks in the pinched area by passing the pinched point that passes through the pinch point, which is the pressure contact position between the transport roller and the pinch roller during the thermal transfer printing process, before the thermal transfer printing process. is there. Here, the “protrusion mark” refers to a mark (a bite mark) that is generated when a minute protrusion bites into (sticks into) the surface of the print target that has passed through the pinch point and that is in close contact with the conveying roller. The “pinch release time when the pinch roller is moved from the pinch position to the non-pinch position” is the time when the most recent thermal transfer print processing is completed (the time when the most recent print processing is completed) or the print object is set in the paper feed unit. The point in time (print object set point) can be mentioned.

  Further, the print startable position conveying means performs thermal transfer printing on a printing object in which protrusion traces are formed in the pinched area by the protrusion trace forming means with the pinch roller positioned at the pinch position and the thermal head positioned at the head retracted position. It is a means to convey to a start possible position.

  In the thermal transfer printer of the present invention, if the thermal transfer printing process by the printing unit is a thermal transfer printing process that is first performed after the pinch release time when the pinch roller is moved from the pinch position to the non-pinch position, the thermal transfer printing process is performed. In the previous stage, the thermal head is positioned at the head retracting position and the pinch roller is positioned at the pinch position, and the projection trace is formed on the pinched area of the print target by the projection trace forming means. Here, the pinched area that is the area that passes through the pinch point during the thermal transfer printing process of the print object can be specified based on, for example, a print command input to the control unit. In the thermal transfer printer of the present invention, following the process of forming the projection trace in the pinched region by the projection trace forming means, the thermal head is positioned at the head retracting position and the focus roller is positioned at the pinch position. The print object is transported to the thermal transfer print start possible position by the print start possible position transport means. In the present invention, the print object conveyance direction during the protrusion trace formation process and the print object conveyance direction during the print start possible position conveyance process may be the same direction, or may be in the opposite direction.

  In this way, the protrusion trace forming process by the protrusion trace forming means and the print start possible position conveying process by the print start possible position conveying means are continuously performed, and the thermal transfer printing process is performed following the print start possible position conveying process. For example, at the pinch point (pressure contact position between the transport roller and the pinch roller) at the time of the thermal transfer printing process, the minute protrusions of the transport roller surely pierce (bite) into the protrusion marks formed by the protrusion mark forming means. As a result, in the case of the thermal transfer printer according to the present invention, during the thermal transfer printing process, the print object sandwiched between the thermal head and the platen is more than the frictional resistance (contact pressure) between the thermal head and the platen. A large grip force can be applied at the pinch point, improving the accuracy of conveying the print object during the thermal transfer printing process, and the position of the print object and the thermal head displaced from the normal position where the print process should be performed. The occurrence of misalignment can be prevented and suppressed, and the printing accuracy can be improved.

  When conceiving the technical idea described above, the present inventor, as a cause of positional deviation, moved the pinch roller from the pinch position to the non-pinch position, and then moved it to the pinch position again to perform thermal transfer printing processing. When the thermal transfer printing process is performed on the object to be printed, the minute projections do not penetrate properly into the part that passes the pinch point for the first time, and the grip force higher than the contact pressure between the object to be printed and the thermal head is printed. The point which cannot be made to act on a target object was discovered. Then, the inventor pays attention to this point and moves the pinch roller from the pinch position to the non-pinch position, and then moves the pinch roller to the pinch position again to perform the thermal transfer printing process. Protrusion marks are formed in advance in the pinched area by conveying the printing object so that the pinched area that is the area that passes the pinch point during the thermal transfer printing process passes through the pinch point, and the protrusion mark forming process By maintaining the pinch roller in the pinch position from the start to the thermal transfer printing process, a fine projection sticks out into the projection mark during the thermal transfer printing process, so that an appropriate spike function for the print target is demonstrated and the print target The inventors have arrived at the thermal transfer printer according to the present invention having high object conveyance accuracy.

  In addition, the inventor tends to increase the contact pressure between the print object and the thermal head depending on the print contents formed in the print area of the print object, and needs to give a stronger grip force to the print object. I found out that there is. However, if the pressing force of the pinch roller against the print object is excessively increased, the damage acting on the print object naturally increases and is not appropriate. Therefore, in the present invention, the control unit determines the number of protrusion trace forming processes by the protrusion trace forming means for the same pinched area based on at least a print command including information on the print contents to be formed in the print area. Can be configured. With such a configuration, if the print content corresponds to a predetermined condition in which the contact pressure between the print object and the thermal head increases based on information included in the print command, the protrusion to the same pinched region By deciding to perform the projection trace formation process by the trace forming means multiple times, the pinch roller does not excessively increase the pressing force against the print object, and the protrusion is projected on the pinched area of the print object before the thermal transfer printing process. Marks can be properly formed, and it is possible to give a high grip force to the object to be printed by reliably piercing the small protrusions of the transport roller at the protrusion marks at the pinch point in the thermal transfer printing process. It is possible to improve the accuracy of the object conveyance and thus the print quality.

Furthermore, depending on the type and characteristics of the printing object, it may be difficult to form sufficient protrusion traces in the pinched region with only one protrusion trace formation process. Therefore, in the thermal transfer printer of the present invention, it is possible to apply a control unit configured to determine the number of projection mark forming processes by the protrusion mark forming means for the same pinched area based on at least individual information of the print target. it can. With such a configuration, if the print object satisfies a predetermined condition in which it is difficult to form a projection trace in the pinched area by only one projection trace formation process based on the individual information, the same pinched target By determining to perform the projection mark forming process by the projection mark forming means for the region a plurality of times, the projection mark can be appropriately formed in the pinched region of the print target before the thermal transfer printing process, and the same as described above. An effect can be obtained. The individual information of the print object may be input to the control unit in advance. For example, individual information stored in an RF tag attached to the print object is read by a reader provided in the printer, and the information is controlled. You may make it utilize in a department.

  In addition, it is assumed that it is difficult to form sufficient protrusion traces in the pinched area by only one protrusion trace formation process depending on the temperature of the printing object itself depending on the temperature in the thermal transfer printer. Therefore, the thermal transfer printer of the present invention includes a temperature detection unit that directly or indirectly detects the temperature of the printing object, and the control unit uses the same pinched object based on detection information (temperature information) by the temperature detection unit. It is also possible to configure so as to determine the number of times of protrusion mark forming processing by the protrusion mark forming means for the region. With such a configuration, when the temperature of the printing object falls below a predetermined temperature at which it is difficult to form a projection trace in the pinched region by only one projection trace formation process based on the detection information of the temperature detection unit. By determining that the protrusion mark forming process by the protrusion mark forming means is performed a plurality of times for the same pinched area, the protrusion mark can be appropriately formed in the pinched area of the print target before the thermal transfer printing process. . As a result, it is possible to realize a thermal transfer printer capable of giving a high grip force to a print object by reliably piercing the minute protrusions of the conveyance rollers into these protrusion traces at a pinch point in thermal transfer printing processing. It is possible to improve the accuracy of the object conveyance and thus the print quality.

  The thermal transfer printer control program of the present invention includes a printing unit that performs thermal transfer printing processing on a print object that passes through a thermal transfer point that is a pressure contact position between a thermal head and a platen, and a conveyance roller that has minute protrusions on an outer peripheral surface. A print object conveyance mechanism that conveys a print object that passes between the pinch rollers, and a thermal transfer print start position where the start edge of the print target area to be subjected to the thermal transfer printing process matches the thermal transfer point. A computer mounted on a thermal transfer printer that starts the thermal transfer printing process from the state in which the printing object is conveyed or a computer connected to the thermal transfer printer is pressed with a pinch roller between the outer peripheral surface of the conveying roller and the printing object. From a possible pinch position to a non-pinch position where the print object is not pinched between the transport rollers. When the thermal transfer printing process is performed for the first time after the pinch is released, the thermal head is positioned at the head retraction position where the print object is not sandwiched between the platen and the pinch roller is positioned at the pinch position. Protrusion traces are formed in the pinched area by passing the pinched point through the pinch point that passes through the pinch point that is the pressure contact position between the conveying roller and the pinch roller during the thermal transfer printing process. Protrusion mark formation processing, and with the pinch roller positioned at the pinch position and the thermal head positioned at the head retracted position, the print object on which the protrusion mark is formed in the pinched area by the protrusion mark forming means reaches the position where the thermal transfer printing can be started. The print startable position transport process to be transported is executed continuously. It is characterized in Rukoto.

  By controlling the operation of the thermal transfer printer with such a control program, it is possible to obtain the same operational effects as those described above, and the position of the printing object relative to the thermal head during the thermal transfer printing process is a normal position to be printed. It is possible to preferably eliminate the problem of shifting from the above.

  According to the present invention, in the stage before the first thermal transfer printing process that is performed after the time when the pinch roller is moved from the non-pinch position to the pinch position, the pinched area of the print target that passes the pinch point during the thermal transfer printing process Between the pinch position moved from the non-pinch position to the pinch position and the conveying roller, that is, a pinch point is passed through to form a protrusion trace, and from the start of the protrusion trace formation process to the end of the thermal transfer printing process, the pinch roller By keeping the pin in the pinch position, minute protrusions can be stuck in the protrusion traces without any deviation during the thermal transfer printing process, giving a high grip force to the print object, and shifting the position of the print object relative to the thermal head. Thermal transfer printer that can prevent / suppress and avoid degradation of print quality, and control program for thermal transfer printer It is possible to provide a beam.

1 is an overall schematic configuration diagram of a thermal transfer printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of an ink ribbon used in the embodiment. The schematic diagram of the conveyance roller and main pinch roller in the embodiment. The functional block diagram of the control part in the embodiment. The flowchart which shows the process by the thermal transfer printer which concerns on the same embodiment. The figure which shows typically the example of 1 process which does not apply the process by the thermal transfer printer which concerns on the embodiment. The figure which shows the example of a process typically. The figure which shows typically another process example which does not apply the process by the thermal transfer printer which concerns on the embodiment. The figure which shows the example of a process typically. The figure which shows the example of a process typically. The figure which shows typically the process at the time of the 1st protrusion trace formation step start among the processes by the thermal transfer printer which concerns on the same embodiment. The figure which shows the time of the completion | finish of the primary projection trace formation step in the thermal transfer printer which concerns on the embodiment corresponding to FIG. The figure which shows the time of the completion | finish of the secondary projection trace formation step in the thermal transfer printer which concerns on the embodiment corresponding to FIG. The figure which shows the time of completion | finish of the 2nd protrusion trace formation process round process in the thermal transfer printer which concerns on the embodiment corresponding to FIG. FIG. 12 is a view corresponding to FIG. 11 when the print start possible position conveyance process is completed in the thermal transfer printer according to the embodiment. The figure which shows the time of completion | finish of the thermal transfer process in the thermal transfer printer which concerns on the embodiment corresponding to FIG.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the thermal transfer printer P according to the present embodiment performs a thermal transfer printing process on a sheet feeding unit 1 and the surface (printing surface) of a sheet S that is a printing object supplied from the sheet feeding unit 1. A printing unit 2 to be applied, a discharge unit 3 having a discharge port 31, and a sheet S along a sheet conveyance path L (conveyance path) that is a conveyance path of a print object formed between the sheet feeding unit 1 and the discharge unit 3. And a horizontal cutting unit 5 that is disposed on the discharge port 31 side of the printing unit 2 on the paper conveyance path L and can cut the paper S in the sheet width direction.

  The sheet S is not particularly limited as long as, for example, each color ink layer or overprint layer of the ink ribbon R is a sheet-like sheet that can be thermally transferred. For example, a sticker sheet can be used as the sheet. In this printer P, at least the paper feeding unit 1, the printing unit 2, the paper transport mechanism 4 and the horizontal cutting unit 5 are provided in a common housing, and the discharge port 31 and the discharge tray 32 constituting the discharge unit 3 are provided outside the housing. It is configured so that it can be exposed.

  Further, the thermal transfer printer P according to the present embodiment has the ink ribbon R shown in FIG. 2, that is, the yellow, magenta, and cyan ink layers Y, M, and C and the overprint layer OP on the long base film B. A thermal transfer point that is a pressure contact point between a thermal head 21 and a platen 22 in which the ink ribbon R, which is attached in a predetermined order in the longitudinal direction, is placed on the paper S so as to be pressed against each other. By passing 2P, the ink layers Y, M, and C of the ink ribbon R and the overprint layer OP are thermally transferred to the paper S, and a desired image can be printed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ink ribbon R applied in the present embodiment is obtained by applying the yellow, magenta, and cyan ink layers Y, M, and C and the overprint layer OP to the base film B by a coating process or the like. Are repeatedly attached in a certain order in the longitudinal direction. Specifically, on the base film B, the yellow ink layer Y / magenta ink from the downstream side in the transport direction Rt of the ink ribbon R during thermal transfer processing (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “ink ribbon transport direction Rt during thermal transfer processing”). The layer M, the cyan ink layer C, and the overprint layer OP are repeatedly attached in this order. During the thermal transfer process by the printing unit 2, the yellow ink layer Y, the magenta ink layer M, the cyan ink layer C, and the overprint layer OP In this order, heat transfer onto the paper S is possible. That is, on the base film B, the yellow ink layer Y, the magenta ink layer M, the cyan ink layer C, and the overprint layer OP can be regarded as one cycle, and the upstream side of the overprint layer OP in each cycle (during thermal transfer processing) The yellow ink layer Y of the next cycle is applied on the upstream side of the ink ribbon transport direction Rt. In FIG. 2, for convenience of explanation, a peeling portion 24 to be described later is omitted, and each color ink layer Y, M, C between the feeding guide roller 232 and the winding guide roller 234 of the ink ribbon transport mechanism 23 The number and size of the overprint layers Ro are also different from the actual ones. In addition, as each color ink layer Y, M, and C, what was formed, for example using the dye or pigment which sublimates with a heat | fever, respectively can be mentioned.

  The paper feeding unit 1 can accommodate the paper S wound in a roll shape with the surface (printing surface) to be thermally transferred facing outward. In addition, as the sheet feeding unit 1, a sheet that can accommodate a transfer sheet wound in a roll shape with the surface (print surface) to be thermally transferred facing inward may be applied. Relative position of thermal head 21 and paper feed unit 1 depending on whether the print surface is in a roll shape facing outward or inward (relative position where the heating element of thermal head 21 can face the print surface) May be set as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet transport mechanism 4 that transports the sheet S between the sheet feeding unit 1 and the discharge unit 3 is sequentially arranged from the sheet feeding unit 1 side to the discharge unit 3 side, for example. The sheet feeding side feed roller 41 and the first pinch roller 42, the conveyance roller 43 and the main pinch roller 44 (corresponding to the “pinch roller” of the present invention), and the discharge side feed roller 45 are used. Is. In the present embodiment, a set of the conveyance roller 43 and the main pinch roller 44 is disposed on the paper feed unit 1 side with respect to the printing unit 2.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the conveyance roller 43 has a cylindrical shape or a columnar shape in which minute protrusions 43 a are formed on the outer peripheral surface. In the present embodiment, a large number of minute protrusions 43a are provided on both end portions in the axial direction of the outer peripheral surface of the transport roller 43, and the central portion in the axial direction of the outer peripheral surface of the transport roller 43 is set to be a smooth surface. Although FIG. 3 illustrates an example in which the minute protrusions 43a are formed in an irregular pattern, the minute protrusions 43a can be regularly formed. In addition, the formation region of the minute protrusions 43a on the transport roller 43 can be changed as appropriate. The transport roller 43 is a drive that can rotate forward and backward in a direction in which the paper S can be transported from the paper feed unit 1 side toward the discharge unit 3 and in a direction in which the paper S can be transported toward the paper feed unit 1 side. Laura. The transport driving roller 43 is preferably a metal member (for example, stainless steel) that is slightly bent and deformed, and the whole or at least the surface portion may be a combination of resin materials such as elastomer.

  The main pinch roller 44 preferably has a cylindrical shape or a columnar shape having a smooth outer peripheral surface on which minute protrusions or the like are not formed, and is a slightly deformable metal member (for example, stainless steel or the like). The surface portion may be a combination of resin materials such as elastomers. The main pinch roller 44 has a pinch position (c) where the sheet S can be sandwiched between the conveyance rollers 43 and a non-pinch position (d) where the sheet S is not sandwiched between the conveyance rollers 43. It is controlled to be movable between. The main pinch roller 44 positioned at the pinch position (c) rotates following the rotational driving of the transport roller 43. In FIG. 1, the main pinch roller 44 positioned at the pinch position (c) is indicated by a solid line, and the main pinch roller 44 positioned at the non-pinch position (d) is indicated by a two-dot chain line. The position where the main pinch roller 44 positioned at the pinch position (c) contacts the transport roller 43 is a pinch point 4P that sandwiches the paper S with the transport roller 43. It should be noted that the number of rollers themselves, or the number of rollers and pinch rollers, and the location of the rollers can be set as appropriate according to the specifications.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printing unit 2 is disposed at a position facing the thermal head 21 having a heating element and the thermal head 21, and sandwiches the paper S between the thermal head 21 and the printing unit 2. The platen 22 that bears a part of the function, the ink ribbon transport mechanism 23 that transports the ink ribbon R between the thermal head 21 and the platen 22, and the thermal head 21 and the platen 22 are passed between and adhered to each other. A separation unit 24 that separates the sheet S and the ink ribbon R in a state is provided.

  The thermal head 21 includes a heating element at a portion that can be directly pressed against the platen 22, and a head down position (a) that can be pressed against the platen 22 by the control unit 6 (hereinafter referred to as a “head pressing position”). In some cases) and a head-up position (b) (corresponding to the “head retracting position” of the present invention) that is separated from the platen 22 and in which the heating element cannot contact the ink ribbon R. ing. In FIG. 1, the thermal head 21 positioned at the head down position (a) is indicated by a solid line, and the thermal head 21 positioned at the head up position (b) is indicated by a two-dot chain line. The position at which the heating element of the thermal head 21 positioned at the head down position (a) contacts the platen 22 becomes the thermal transfer point 2P where the ink ribbon R is thermally transferred to the paper S. In this embodiment, a platen roller that can rotate in the forward and reverse directions in synchronization with the rotation operation of the transport roller 43 is applied as the platen 22.

  The ink ribbon transport mechanism 23 also supplies a supply-side ribbon core 231 that can be held in a state where the ink ribbon R is wound in a roll shape, and the ink ribbon R that is wound around the supply-side ribbon core 231 to a paper transport path L (transport path). ) And the above-described thermal transfer point 2P (the thermal head 21) in the transport direction St of the paper S during the thermal transfer process (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “the paper transport direction St during the thermal transfer process”). A take-up side ribbon core 233 which is disposed downstream of the pressure contact position between the platen roller 22 and the platen roller 22 and can hold the ink ribbon R subjected to the thermal transfer process in a wound state, and the take-up side ribbon core. A take-up guide roller 234 conveyed toward the 233.

  By such an ink ribbon transport mechanism 23, the ink ribbon R is unwound from the supply side ribbon core 231 and guided toward the paper transport path L by the feeding guide roller 232 during the thermal transfer process, and is in close contact with the paper S. In this state, after passing through the thermal transfer point 2P, it is peeled off from the paper S by passing through the peeling portion 24, and is conveyed as it is toward the winding side ribbon core 233 by the winding guide roller 234, and is wound on the winding side ribbon core 233. It is done. The transport direction Rt of the ink ribbon R during the thermal transfer process is the same as the paper transport direction St during the thermal transfer process. In the present embodiment, the paper transfer direction St during the thermal transfer process is set to a direction opposite to the transfer direction Su from the paper feed unit 1 toward the discharge unit 3 (this transfer direction is referred to as “discharge transfer direction Su”). However, the thermal transfer printer P in which the conveyance direction during the thermal transfer process is set to the same direction as the discharge conveyance direction Su may be used.

  The peeling unit 24 is provided downstream of the thermal head 21 in the paper transport direction St during the thermal transfer process, and defines a peeling point at which the ink ribbon R that has passed between the thermal head 21 and the platen 22 is peeled from the paper S. It is. In the present embodiment, the peeling roller that presses the paper S and the ink ribbon R that overlap each other from the ink ribbon R side toward the platen roller 22 at a position downstream of the thermal transfer point 2P in the paper transport direction St during the thermal transfer process. The peeling part 24 is comprised using. Here, the peeling unit 24 constitutes a part of the printing unit 2, but if it pays attention to the function of defining the transport path of the ink ribbon R, it constitutes a part of the ink ribbon transport mechanism 23. It can also be understood as a thing. In the present embodiment, the peeling portion 24 is provided between the feeding guide roller 232 and the winding guide roller 234, and a portion of the ink ribbon R between the feeding guide roller 232 and the winding guide roller 234 is provided. Is pressed to the platen 22 side, and the stuck ink ribbon R and the paper S are peeled off.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the discharge unit 3 includes a discharge port 31 and a discharge tray 32 that receives and stores the paper S discharged from the discharge port 31, and a desired print process is performed by the printing unit 2. The paper S can be discharged out of the housing as a cut paper (paper piece) cut into a predetermined size and placed on the discharge tray 32 in a stacked state.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the horizontal cutting unit 5 includes a first cutter 51 disposed on the print surface (front surface) side of the paper S, and a second cutter 52 fixedly disposed on the back surface (back surface) side of the paper S. And the first cutter 51 is slid on the second cutter 52 and scanned in the width direction of the paper S in accordance with the control of the control unit 6 to cut the paper S in the width direction.

  Further, in the printer P according to the present embodiment, the operation of the paper feeding unit 1, the printing unit 2, the discharge unit 3, the paper transport mechanism 4, and the horizontal cutting unit 5 is controlled by the control unit 6. The thermal transfer printer P according to the present embodiment is characterized by its control specifications for controlling the operation of the printing unit 2 and the paper transport mechanism 4 by the control unit 6 having the following means.

  This control unit 6 is stored in a program ("thermal transfer printer control program" of the present invention) stored in an internal memory provided in the thermal transfer printer P or an external storage device (a storage device connected to the thermal transfer printer P by wire or wirelessly). 4), by operating each component and each element such as a microprocessor CPU provided in the thermal transfer printer P, as shown in FIG. A projection trace forming means 61 for forming a projection trace in the pinched area S1 passing through the pressure contact position (pinch point 4P) between the transport roller 43 and the main pinch roller 44 during the thermal transfer printing process, and the pinched area by the projection trace forming means 61 A print start possible position transport means 62 for transporting the paper S on which protrusion marks are formed in S1 to a print start possible position; Those having at least a thermal transfer means 63 to perform thermal transfer printing process on the sheet S which has been transported by cement startable position transfer means 62 to the print start enabled position. Here, the “printable start position” refers to the start edge S21 of the print area S2 of the paper S where the thermal transfer printing process is performed (specifically, the downstream of the print area S2 in the paper transport direction St during the thermal transfer process). The end) corresponds to a position (thermal transfer point 2P) where the sheet S can be sandwiched between the platen 22 and the thermal head 21 positioned at the head down position (a).

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 6 of the thermal transfer printer P according to the present embodiment includes a print command receiving unit 64 that receives a print command including print image information that is at least information about a print image to be formed, and a print command. Print area specifying means 65 for specifying an area (hereinafter referred to as “printed area S2”) on which the print image is to be formed on the paper S based on the print image information included in the print image information, and the print image information included in the print command And pinch area specifying means 66 for specifying the pinched area S1 that passes through the pressure contact position (pinch point 4P) between the conveying roller 43 and the main pinch roller 44 during the thermal transfer printing process, and the protrusion trace by the protrusion trace forming means 61 Determining the number of projection mark formation processes to determine the number of times to perform the formation process Has means 67.

  The projection mark forming means 61 moves the thermal head 21 to the head retracted position when the thermal transfer printing process is performed for the first time after the pinch release time when the main pinch roller 44 is moved from the pinch position (c) to the non-pinch position (d). In the state where the main pinch roller 44 is positioned at the pinch position (c) while being positioned at (b), the pinched area S1 specified by the pinched area specifying means 66 of the paper S is set to the pinch point 4P before the thermal transfer printing process. By transporting the paper S in a predetermined direction so as to pass, a biting trace (projection trace) of the minute protrusion 43a of the transport roller 43 is formed in an area corresponding to the pinched area S1 on the back surface (back surface) of the paper S. To do. Whether or not the main pinch roller 44 is in the pinch open state in which the main pinch roller 44 is moved from the pinch position (c) to the non-pinch position (d) is determined by, for example, a pinch roller position detection unit (not shown) that detects the position of the main pinch roller 44. The detection information output from (omitted) can be specified when the control unit 6 accepts the detection information. In addition, the “case where the thermal transfer printing process is first performed after the pinch is released” includes a case where the thermal transfer printing process is first performed after the thermal transfer printing process based on one print command. Determines that the first thermal transfer printing process is performed after the time when the paper S has been set in the paper supply unit 1 or that the next print command has not been received within a predetermined time from the timing at which one print command is received. A case where the thermal transfer printing process is first performed after the time point can be given.

  The print startable position conveying means 62 is projected onto the pinched area S1 by the projection trace forming means 61 with the main pinch roller 44 positioned at the pinch position (c) and the thermal head 21 positioned at the head up position (b). The paper S on which the marks are formed is conveyed to a position where the thermal transfer printing can be started. Note that the process of “conveying the paper to the thermal transfer print startable position” itself is also referred to as “paper cueing process”, but the print startable position conveying means 62 in this embodiment is formed by the protrusion trace forming means 61. This is different from the conventional paper cueing process in that the paper S having protrusion marks in the pinched area S1 is cueed.

  The thermal transfer means 63 in the present embodiment performs thermal transfer printing using an ink ribbon R having a plurality of color ink layers and a single overprint layer, and the print target specified by the print area specifying means 65 is used. Ink layer thermal transfer means 631 for thermally transferring the ink layers Y, M, and C to the region S2 to form a color image, and overprint layer thermal transfer means for thermally transferring the overprint layer OP onto the color image formed by the ink layer thermal transfer means 631. 632.

  The projection trace formation processing number determination means 67 includes information regarding print contents (print image information included in the print command) to be formed in the print area S2, individual information of the paper S, or temperature of the paper S. Based on this, the number of times of projection mark formation processing by the protrusion mark forming means 61 for the same pinched region S1 is determined. In the present embodiment, the number of protrusion mark forming processes by the protrusion mark forming means 61 for the same pinched area S1 based on the print image information included in the print command, the individual information of the sheet S, and all the information on the temperature of the sheet S. The projection trace formation processing number determination means 67 for determining the above is adopted.

  Specifically, the projection trace formation processing number determination unit 67 determines to perform the projection trace formation processing multiple times based on the print image information when the transfer amount of the color ink to be thermally transferred first is smaller than a predetermined value. . This is because the contact pressure between the thermal head 21 and the ink ribbon R is lower as the ink transfer amount is larger, and the paper S can be transported with a smaller transport force in the transport direction St during thermal transfer, while the ink transfer amount is smaller. In consideration of the fact that the contact pressure between the thermal head 21 and the ink ribbon R is increased and a large transport force is required for transporting the paper S in the transport direction St during thermal transfer, the number of protrusion trace forming processes is increased, thereby increasing thermal transfer. Protrusion marks are surely formed in the pinched area S1 before the processing, and the minute protrusions 43a are appropriately inserted into the protrusion marks during the thermal transfer process, thereby enhancing the grip force of the paper S at the pinch point 4P. This is a process aimed at.

  Further, the projection trace formation processing number determination means 67 determines, based on the individual information of the paper S, that the projection trace formation processing is performed a plurality of times when the hardness of the paper S is higher than a predetermined value. In consideration of the fact that the harder the paper S, the harder the protrusions 43a are, and the more difficult it is to form protrusion marks. By increasing the number of protrusion mark formation processes, the protrusions are reliably projected onto the pinched area S1 before the thermal transfer process. This is a process aimed at enhancing the gripping force of the sheet S at the pinch point 4P by forming a mark and configuring the minute protrusion 43a to properly pierce the protrusion mark during the thermal transfer process. The individual information of the paper S can be obtained based on information about the paper S input by the user, or the characteristic information of the paper S can be obtained from storage means (such as an RF tag) attached to each paper S. It is possible to grasp by reading.

  Further, the protrusion trace formation processing number determination unit 67 determines that the number of protrusion trace formation processes is performed a plurality of times when the temperature of the paper S is lower than a predetermined value. This is because, as the temperature of the sheet S is lower, the hardness of the sheet S is increased, and it is difficult to pierce the minute protrusions 43a and it is difficult to form sufficient protrusion traces. Protrusion marks are surely formed in the pinched area S1 at the previous time point, and the minute protrusions 43a are appropriately inserted into the protrusion marks during the thermal transfer process to enhance the grip force of the paper S at the pinch point 4P. This is the intended process. In the present embodiment, a temperature detection unit (not shown) that indirectly detects the temperature of the paper S is provided in the housing of the thermal transfer printer P, and the control unit 6 performs the same pinching based on detection information from the temperature detection unit. The number of times of the protrusion trace forming process 61 by the protrusion trace forming means 61 for the region S1 is determined. Note that the thermal transfer printer P may include a temperature detection unit that directly detects the temperature of the paper S.

  Next, regarding the operation and action of the thermal transfer printer P according to the present embodiment, the operation and action from the protrusion trace forming process to the thermal transfer print process will be described with reference to FIG.

  The thermal transfer printer P according to the present embodiment first receives a print command input by a user operation or the like by the print command receiving unit 64 of the control unit 6 (print command receiving step 101, see FIG. 5). The print command includes print image information. Based on the print image information in the print command, the thermal transfer printer P according to the present embodiment specifies the print area S2 by the print area specifying means 65 of the control unit 6 (print area specifying step 102). Further, the thermal transfer printer P according to the present embodiment detects whether the main pinch roller 44 is in the non-pinch position (d) at the timing when the control command is received by the control unit 6, for example, a pinch roller position detection such as a position sensor. When the main pinch roller 44 is in the non-pinch position (d) based on the detected information (Yes), the thermal transfer printing process based on the received print command is performed. Then, it is specified that the thermal transfer printing process is first performed after the pinch release time, and the process proceeds to the pinched area specifying step 104. The pinched area specifying step 104 is a step of specifying the pinched area S1 by the pinched area specifying means 66 of the control unit 6 based on the print image information in the print command.

  Subsequently, the thermal transfer printer P according to the present embodiment uses the projection trace forming means 61 for the pinched region S1 based on the print image information of the print command, the individual information of the paper S, and the detection information of the temperature detection unit. The number of times is determined (projection mark formation processing number of times determination step 105). When determining the number of protrusion trace forming processes by the protrusion trace forming means 61 for the pinched area S1 based on the print command print image information, the individual information of the paper S, and the detection information of the temperature detection unit, the internal memory or the like In an appropriate storage unit, print image information of the print command, individual information of the paper S, detection information of the temperature detection unit, and table information in which the number of protrusion formation processes is associated with each piece of information are stored. The table information may be referred to individually to determine the number of protrusion mark formation processes, and the print image information of the print command, the individual information of the paper S, the detection information of the temperature detection unit, It is also possible to configure such that weighting is performed and the number of protrusion trace forming processes is determined. Hereinafter, a case will be described in which the number of protrusion trace formation processes is determined to be two, for example.

  After determining the number of times of projection mark formation processing at the number of times of protrusion mark formation process determination step 105, the thermal transfer printer P of the present embodiment forms a protrusion mark in the pinched region S1 by the protrusion mark forming means 61 (protrusion mark formation step). 106). In this projection mark forming step 106, the paper S is placed in a state where the thermal head 21 is positioned at the head retracting position (b) while the main pinch roller 44 is moved from the non-pinch position (d) to the pinch position (c). By transporting in a predetermined direction, a minute protrusion 43a of the transport roller 43 is pierced into the paper S passing through the pinch point 4P which is a pressure contact point between the main pinch roller 44 and the transport roller 43, and a protrusion trace is formed in the pinched region S1. It is a process to form. In the projection mark forming step 106, since the thermal head 21 is positioned at the head retracting position (b), the ink on the ink ribbon R is also transferred to the sheet S even when the sheet S passes over the platen roller 22 during the projection mark forming process. It is not thermally transferred to. Further, a protrusion mark is formed on the sheet S that has passed the pinch point 4P during the thermal transfer printing process based on the previous print command, but the main pinch roller 44 is moved from the pinch position (c) to the non-pinch position (d). When moved, the relative positional relationship between the minute projection 43a and the projection trace up to that point is once canceled. That is, when the main pinch roller 44 moved from the pinch position (c) to the non-pinch position (d) is moved again from the non-pinch position (d) to the pinch position (c), it is formed up to that point. It is extremely unlikely that the minute protrusion 43a of the transport roller 43 will pierce into the protrusion trace that has been formed, and when the main pinch roller 44 is moved again from the non-pinch position (d) to the pinch position (c), the minute protrusion 43a A new protrusion mark is formed on the paper S.

  The projection mark forming step 106 of the present embodiment will be specifically described with reference to the drawings after FIG. 6. For example, after the most recent thermal transfer printing process, the main pinch roller 44 is moved from the pinch position (c) to the non-pinch position ( In the state moved to d) (see FIG. 6), the thermal head 21 is positioned at the head retracting position (b) and the main pinch roller 44 is moved to the non-pinch position (d) without performing the projection mark forming process in this embodiment. ), The sheet S is simply positioned at a position where printing can be started (a position where the start edge S21 of the print area S2 coincides with the thermal transfer point 2P) (see FIG. 7). No protrusion marks are formed on the back surface (back surface) of the film. In this state, the thermal head 21 is moved from the head retracted position (b) to the head pressure contact position (a), and the main pinch roller 44 is moved from the non-pinch position (d) to the pinch position (c), thereby causing the paper S When the thermal transfer process is performed on the paper S that passes through the thermal transfer point 2P while being conveyed in the thermal transfer direction St, the minute protrusions 43a of the conveying roller 43 may pierce the paper S at the pinch point 4P. Therefore, if the sticking is not properly performed, a sufficient grip force cannot be applied to the paper S, and the transport distance of the paper S at the time of the thermal transfer printing process is shifted, and the print quality is deteriorated. It can cause a decline. 6 and subsequent drawings illustrate the operation of the thermal head 21 and the main pinch roller 44 and the sheet S conveyance process, and the ink ribbon R, the ink ribbon conveyance mechanism 23, the peeling unit 24, and the like are omitted. ing.

  The above-described problem is that the main pinch roller 44 performs the process of transporting the paper S to the print startable position without going through the projection mark forming step 106 of the present embodiment, with the thermal head 21 positioned at the head retracted position (b). This can also occur when it is performed in a state in which is moved to the pinch position (c). That is, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, one end SA of the paper S (the end in the paper discharge direction Su) is positioned on the paper discharge direction Su side of the platen roller 22, and the paper transport direction St specified based on the print command. , Su, when the dimension of the print area S2 is larger than the distance between the thermal transfer point 2P and the pinch point 4P, the main pinch roller 44 is moved to the pinch position (c) as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, when the paper S is conveyed to the print start possible position, a projection mark is formed in the area S10 that has passed through the pinch point 4P on the back surface (back surface) of the paper S. The thermal head 21 is moved from the head retracted position (b) to the head pressure contact position (a) to convey the paper S in the thermal transfer direction St and the thermal transfer point. When the thermal transfer process is performed on the paper S that passes 2P, the region S10 in which the protrusion trace is formed of the paper S passes through the pinch point 4P until a certain point in time, so that the pinch point 4P is formed on the paper S. The minute protrusion 43a of the transport roller 43 is pierced into the projected protrusion trace. However, after a certain point in time, the minute protrusion 43a is pierced for the first time in an area where no protrusion mark is directly formed by the immediately preceding paper cueing process (process for transporting the paper S to the print startable position) (FIG. 10). reference). Then, during the thermal transfer printing process, the minute protrusion 43a was not properly pierced to the paper S due to an event that an area in which the minute protrusion 43a could not be pierced in the protrusion mark formed by the previous cueing process occurred. In this case, the effective spike function due to the minute protrusions 43a cannot be exhibited at the pinch point 4P, and a sufficient grip force cannot be applied to the paper S. As a result, the paper S is conveyed during the thermal transfer printing process. The distance may be shifted, resulting in a decrease in print quality.

  Therefore, in the thermal transfer printer P of the present embodiment, the one end SA (the end portion of the paper discharge direction Su) of the paper S is closer to the paper discharge direction Su side than the platen roller 22 before the start of the protrusion trace formation step 106. When the dimension of the print area S2 in the paper conveyance direction that is positioned and specified based on the print command is larger than the separation dimension between the thermal transfer point 2P and the pinch point 4P), the projection mark forming means 61 performs the pinch area S1. The sheet S is conveyed so as to pass the pinch point 4P, and a projection mark is formed in the pinched region S1. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the main pinch roller 44 positioned at the pinch position (c) at the start of the projection mark forming step 106 in the pinched area S1 specified by the pinched area specifying means 66 and transported. Assuming that the portion sandwiched between the rollers 43 is the initial pinch position Si, as shown in FIG. 12, in the paper transport direction St, Su, one side area with the initial pinch position Si as a boundary (for example, the discharge side area S1x). ) Is conveyed in a predetermined direction (for example, a direction St toward the paper feed unit 1) so that the sheet passes through the pinch point 4P. Thereby, a projection mark can be formed in a region (for example, discharge side region S1x) extending from the initial pinch position Si to one end position (for example, discharge side end position S11) in the pinched region S1 (primary protrusion). Scar formation step). Next, as shown in FIG. 13, a region extending from one end position (for example, discharge-side end position S11) of the pinched region S1 to the other end position (for example, paper-feeding end position S12) beyond the initial pinch position Si. The paper S is transported in a direction opposite to the transport direction at the time of the primary projection mark forming step 106 (for example, the direction Su toward the discharge unit 3) so that the paper passes the pinch point 4P. As a result, protrusion traces are formed in both the one side area (for example, the discharge side area S1x) and the other side area (for example, the paper feed side area SPy) with the initial pinch position Si as the boundary in the paper transport directions St and Su. (Secondary protrusion trace forming step). That is, after passing through the primary projection trace formation step and the secondary projection trace formation step, from one end position (for example, the discharge side end position S11) of the pinched area S1 to the other end position (for example, the paper supply side end position S12). ) Can form protrusion marks. Of course, a projection mark is formed in the paper feeding side area SPy of the pinched area S1 by the first protrusion mark forming step, and a protrusion mark is formed in the discharge side area S1x of the pinched area S1 by the second protrusion mark forming step. It is also possible to set so as to form.

  Note that the above-described case is a projection trace forming process applied when the initial pinch position Si is in the middle of the pinched region S1, and includes a first projection trace formation step and a secondary projection trace formation step. In the case where an initial pinch position Si coincides with any one end position of the pinched region S1 (for example, coincides with the discharge-side end position S11), the initial pinch position forming process is required. A region extending from the position Si to the other end position (for example, the paper feed end position S12) of the pinched region S1 protrudes into the pinched region S1 by a single process of transporting the paper S passing the pinch point 4P in a predetermined direction. Scratches can be formed. Further, even when the initial pinch position Si is a position deviated from the pinched area S1, the sheet reaches a position where one end position (for example, the discharge side end position S11) of the pinched area S1 reaches the pinch point 4P. S is transported in a predetermined direction, and further, the paper S is transported in the same direction to the position where the other end position (for example, the paper feed side end position S12) reaches the pinch point 4P, thereby forming protrusion marks in the pinched region S1. can do.

  In the present embodiment, the projection trace formation step 106 (see FIG. 5) is repeatedly performed according to the number of times determined in the projection trace formation processing count determination step 105. Accordingly, when the number of times determined in the projection mark formation processing number determination step 105 is “2”, the protrusion mark formation step 106 is performed twice. Here, at the end of the first projection mark forming step 106, one of the end positions (for example, the paper feed side end position S12) of the pinched area S1 coincides with the pinch point 4P (see FIG. 13). In the second projection mark forming step 106, the region extending from the end position (for example, the paper feed side end position S12) to the other end position (for example, the discharge side end position S11), that is, the pinched region S1 has the pinch point 4P. The paper S is conveyed in a predetermined direction so as to pass (see FIG. 14). Here, the transport direction of the paper S in the second and subsequent projection trace formation step 106 is the time of the previous projection trace formation step 106 (for example, the second projection trace formation step 106 is the second projection trace formation step 106). ) In the opposite direction to the conveying direction.

  As described above, by performing the projection trace forming step 106 a plurality of times in succession, the projection trace can be reliably formed in the pinched region S1 of the paper S at the time before the thermal transfer process.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the thermal transfer printer P of the present embodiment determines whether or not the projection trace formation process is performed according to the number of times determined in the projection trace formation process count determination step 105 (number of projection trace formation process counts). Step 106), when it is determined that the projection trace formation process corresponding to the number of times determined in the projection trace formation process determination step 105 has been performed (Yse), as shown in FIG. With the pinch roller 44 positioned at the pinch position (c) and the thermal head 21 positioned at the head retracting position (b), the thermal transfer printing is started on the sheet S on which the projection trace is formed in the pinched area S1 by the projection trace forming means 61. Transport to possible position (print start possible position transport step 108). In the example shown in FIG. 14, at the end of the second projection mark formation process, the end S22 of the print area S2 to be subjected to the thermal transfer printing process on the sheet S is located at a position on the platen roller 22 where it can become the thermal transfer point 2P. Match. Therefore, in the print start possible position conveying step 108, the paper S is moved in a predetermined direction (discharge direction Su) so that the starting edge S21 of the print area S2 of the paper S coincides with the position of the platen roller 22 that can become the thermal transfer point 2P. Will be transported. In the example shown in FIG. 15, since the pinched region S1 of the paper S passes through the pinch point 4P again when the print start possible position conveyance step 108 is executed, the print start possible position conveyance step 108 is performed at a plurality of times of protrusion marks. It also serves as the forming step 106. This can be regarded as realizing the print start possible position conveying step 108 by the plurality of projection mark forming steps 106.

  In the thermal transfer printer P of the present embodiment, following the print start possible position conveying step 108, the thermal transfer process is performed by the thermal transfer unit 63 on the print area S2 specified in the print area specifying step 104 (thermal transfer step 109). FIG. 5). The thermal transfer step 109 includes an ink layer thermal transfer step by the ink layer thermal transfer unit 631 of the control unit 6 and an overprint layer thermal transfer step by the overprint layer thermal transfer unit 632 of the control unit 6.

  The ink layer thermal transfer step is a step in which the color ink layers Y, M, and C are thermally transferred to the print area S2 to form a color image by the ink layer thermal transfer means 631 of the control unit 6. (Ink layer thermal transfer step). In the present embodiment, as described above, the paper transfer direction St during the thermal transfer process is opposite to the discharge transfer direction Su from the paper feed unit 1 toward the discharge unit 3, and thus the time point before the ink layer thermal transfer step is executed. Therefore, it is necessary to transport the paper S to the discharge unit 3 side from the thermal transfer point 2P by the print start possible position transport step 108 according to the specified size of the print image (size of the print area S2).

  In this ink layer thermal transfer step, as shown in FIG. 16, the main pinch roller 44 is continuously positioned at the pinch position (c) after completion of the print start possible position conveying step 108, while the thermal head 21 is retracted. The sheet S is moved from the position (b) (head-up position) to the head pressure contact position (a) (head-down position), and the sheet S is subjected to thermal transfer processing according to the size of the print area S2 specified in the print area specifying step 104. While transporting in the paper transport direction St, the ink ribbon transport mechanism 23 transports the ink ribbon R in the same direction as the paper S. Then, at the thermal transfer point 2P that is the pressure contact position between the thermal head 21 and the platen roller 22, the first color ink layer (the yellow color ink layer Y in this embodiment) is first sublimated by the heat from the heating element. Thermal transfer can be performed on the S print area S2. Next, the thermal head 21 is moved from the head-down position (a) to the head-up position (b), and the paper S is back-fed (conveyed in the discharge conveyance direction Su) by the print area S2, and the thermal head 21 is moved again. In the state where the head is moved from the head-up position (b) to the head-down position (a), the second color ink layer (in this embodiment, the magenta color ink layer M) is sublimated by the heat from the heating element. The image of the second color is superimposed on the image of, and thermally transferred. By repeating such an operation according to the number of ink colors, the yellow, magenta, and cyan ink layers Y, M, and C are arranged in this order (the order in which the ink ribbon transport direction Rt during thermal transfer is arranged from the downstream side to the upstream side). The desired color image can be formed (printed) on the print area S2 on the print surface of the paper S. At this time, it is possible to perform gradation printing in which the print density level is changed by adjusting the temperature of the heating element of the thermal head 21, and to print a high-quality color image on the print area S 2 of the paper S. Is possible. Temperature control and operation of the heating element are controlled by the control unit 6 based on print image information included in the print command.

  Subsequently, in the thermal transfer printer P of the present embodiment, the overprint layer OP is thermally transferred onto the color image formed by the ink layer thermal transfer step by the overprint layer thermal transfer means 632 of the control unit 6 (overprint layer thermal transfer step). The overprint layer thermal transfer step can be realized by the control unit 6 executing control according to the ink layer thermal transfer step.

  The thermal transfer printer P according to the present embodiment executes the thermal transfer step 109 of the sheet S by the protrusion trace forming unit 61 before executing the thermal transfer step 109 including the ink layer thermal transfer step and the overprint layer thermal transfer step. A projection mark is formed in advance in the pinched region S1 that passes through the pinch point 4P, and the main pinch roller 44 is continuously positioned at the pinch position (c) during the projection mark formation step 106 to the thermal transfer step 109. Thus, during execution of the thermal transfer step 109, the fine protrusions 43a of the transport roller 43 pierce the protrusion marks one after another so as to trace the previously formed protrusion marks at the pinch point 4P, and exhibit a good spike function. To do. As a result, a grip force larger than the contact pressure acting on the sheet S at the thermal transfer point 2P can be applied to the sheet S at the pinch point 4P, and the distance between the sheet S and the print area S2 during execution of the thermal transfer step 109 can be increased. Can only be transported properly. Accordingly, a malfunction caused by the fact that an appropriate grip force cannot be applied to the paper S at the pinch point 4P, that is, the paper S is transported by a distance corresponding to the print area S2 during execution of the thermal transfer step 109. It is possible to prevent or suppress the problem that the positional deviation or the color deviation appears on the paper S, and to improve the print quality.

  The thermal transfer printer P according to the present embodiment performs the thermal transfer step 109 under such control, and after the overprint layer thermal transfer step, the ink ribbon R and the paper S that have passed through the thermal transfer point 2P are stacked in the thickness direction. During the thermal transfer process, a process (peeling step 110) is performed (peeling step 110) in which the ink ribbon R that has been transported to the peeling unit 24 along the paper transport direction St and reached the peeling unit 24 is peeled off from the paper S by the pressing action of the peeling unit 24. Next, the thermal transfer printer P according to the present embodiment transports the ink ribbon R that has passed through the peeling unit 24 and peeled from the paper S toward the winding-side ribbon core 233 by the winding guide roller 234 of the ink ribbon transport mechanism 23. The paper S that has passed through the peeling unit 24 is conveyed to the discharge unit 3 side and is subjected to a horizontal cutting process (horizontal cutting by the horizontal cutting unit 5). A cutting step 112) is performed. In the horizontal cutting step 112, the first cutter 51 and the second cutter 52 of the horizontal cutting unit 5 arranged to face each other in the thickness direction of the paper S are scanned in the width direction of the paper S, so that the paper S is moved in the width direction. Disconnect.

  Finally, when the thermal transfer printer P of the present embodiment finishes the horizontal cutting process by the horizontal cutting unit 5, the paper (paper piece) separated from the roll-shaped paper S wound in a roll shape by the paper supply unit 1 Is discharged from the discharge port 31 and accommodated on the discharge tray 32 (discharge step 113).

  Through the above processing, the user can obtain a piece of paper on which a desired print image is formed (printed). In the pinch roller position detection step 103, when the main pinch roller 44 is in the pinch position (c) (No), the thermal transfer printing process based on the received print command is performed first after the pinch release time. It is determined that the process is not to be performed, and the process proceeds to a print start possible position conveyance step 108. Through the steps after the thermal transfer step 109, the user can form a sheet on which a desired print image is formed (printed). You can get a piece.

  As described above, in the thermal transfer printer P according to the present embodiment, when the thermal transfer printing process is performed first after the pinch release time when the main pinch roller 44 is moved from the pinch position (c) to the non-pinch position (d), Before performing the thermal transfer printing process, the thermal head 21 is positioned at the head retracting position (b) and the main pinch roller 44 is positioned at the pinch position (c). A protrusion trace is formed at 61, and subsequently, the thermal head 21 is positioned at the head retracting position (b) and the main pinch roller 44 is positioned at the pinch position (c), and the print startable position conveying means 62 causes the sheet to be printed. Since S is transported to the position where thermal transfer printing can be started, thermal transfer printing Minute projection 43a of the conveying roller 43 in the pinch point 4P during processing, stick securely so as to trace the projecting marks formed by the projection mark formation means 61 (bite). As a result, the thermal transfer printer P according to the present embodiment has a frictional resistance (contact pressure) between the thermal head 21 and the platen 22 against the paper S sandwiched between the thermal head 21 and the platen 22 during the thermal transfer printing process. ) Greater gripping force can be applied at the pinch point 4P, and the paper conveyance accuracy during the thermal transfer printing process is improved, and the positions of the paper S and the thermal head 21 are displaced from the normal positions to be printed. The occurrence of misalignment can be prevented and suppressed, and the printing accuracy can be improved.

  Further, in the thermal transfer printer P of the present embodiment, the control unit 6 uses the projection trace forming means 61 for the same pinched area S1 based on a print command including information regarding the print contents to be formed in the print area S2. Since the number of forming processes is determined, if the print content corresponds to a predetermined condition in which the contact pressure between the paper S and the thermal head 21 is increased, the formation of protrusion traces on the same pinched region S1 is performed. By determining that the projection mark forming process by the means 61 is performed a plurality of times, the pressing force of the main pinch roller 44 against the sheet S is not excessively increased, and the protrusion is projected on the pinched region S1 of the sheet S before the thermal transfer printing process. Traces can be appropriately formed, and the transfer roller 4 can be respectively formed on these projection traces at a pinch point 4P in the thermal transfer printing process. By piercing the minute projection 43a reliably, and it is possible to provide a high grip on the sheet S, it is possible to improve the accuracy and thus the printing quality precision of the sheet conveying.

  Furthermore, in the thermal transfer printer P according to the present embodiment, the control unit 6 is configured to determine the number of projection mark forming processes by the protrusion mark forming means 61 for the same pinched area S1 based on the individual information of the paper S. Therefore, in the case of the paper S that satisfies a predetermined condition in which it is difficult to form a projection mark in the pinched region S1 only by one projection mark forming process, the protrusion by the projection mark forming unit 61 for the same pinched region S1 By determining to perform the mark forming process a plurality of times, it is possible to appropriately form a protrusion mark in the pinched area S1 of the paper S before the thermal transfer printing process, and it is possible to obtain the same effects as described above.

  In addition, in the thermal transfer printer P of the present embodiment, the control unit 6 has the same pinched region S1 based on detection information (temperature information) of a temperature detection unit that directly or indirectly detects the temperature of the paper S. Therefore, the temperature of the sheet S is equal to or less than a predetermined temperature at which it is difficult to form a projection trace in the pinched region S1 by only one projection trace formation process. Is determined so that the protrusion mark forming means 61 performs the protrusion mark forming process 61 a plurality of times on the same pinched area S1, so that the protrusion mark is formed in the pinched area S1 of the paper S before the thermal transfer printing process. Can be formed appropriately, and the same effect as described above can be obtained.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the mode in which the pair of the conveyance roller and the pinch roller (main pinch roller) is arranged on the paper feeding unit side from the printing unit is illustrated, but the group of the conveyance roller and the pinch roller is It is also possible to adopt a mode in which the printing unit is disposed closer to the discharge unit than the printing unit.

  Further, the printing object conveyance direction during the projection mark forming process by the projection mark forming unit and the printing object conveyance direction during the print start possible position conveyance process may be the same direction or may be in the opposite direction. Good.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the first condition in which one end of the print object (the end in the print object discharge direction) is positioned on the print object discharge direction side of the platen before the start of the protrusion trace forming process The operation of the thermal transfer printer of the present invention in a case that satisfies the second condition that the dimension of the print area in the print object conveyance direction specified based on the print command is larger than the separation dimension between the thermal transfer point and the pinch point. Although the operational effects have been described in detail, even in the case where the first condition and the second condition are not satisfied, the same operational effects as described above can be obtained with the thermal transfer printer of the present invention.

  Further, in addition to or instead of each of the yellow, magenta, and cyan ink layers, an ink ribbon having an ink layer of another color attached thereto, or an ink ribbon having a single ink layer in one cycle (single color ink layer) It is also possible to use a thermal transfer printer that uses an ink ribbon attached with a.

  Furthermore, it may be a thermal transfer printer provided with a longitudinal cutting section capable of cutting a print object along the print object conveyance direction and dividing the print object in the print object width direction.

  It is also possible to apply a cut sheet cut in advance to a predetermined size in the print object conveyance direction as the print object supplied from the paper supply unit. Moreover, you may apply what consists of raw materials (for example, resin etc.) other than paper as a printing target object.

  The technical idea of the present invention can be applied not only to a single-sided printer that performs a thermal transfer printing process on only one side of a printing object, but also to a double-sided printer that performs a thermal transfer printing process on both sides of a printing object.

  In the above-described embodiment, a printer including a control unit (controller) that controls hardware such as a printing unit and a printing object conveyance mechanism is exemplified. However, an external device of the printer (wired or wirelessly connected to the printer) The operation of hardware such as a printing unit and a printing object conveyance mechanism may be controlled based on a control command from a control unit provided in a computing machine or the like.

  In addition, the specific configuration of each part is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

2 ... Printing section 21 ... Thermal head 21 (b) ... Head retraction position (head up position)
22 ... Platen (Platen roller)
2P ... Thermal transfer point 4 ... Print object transport mechanism (paper transport mechanism)
43 ... Conveying roller 43a ... Micro projection 44 ... Pinch roller (main pinch roller)
44 (c) ... pinch position 44 (d) ... non-pinch position 4P ... pinch point 6 ... control unit 61 ... protrusion mark forming means 62 ... print startable position conveying means P ... thermal transfer printer S ... printing object (paper)
S1 ... Pinch area S2 ... Print area

Claims (3)

A printing unit that performs a thermal transfer printing process on a printing object that passes through a thermal transfer point, which is a pressure contact position between the thermal head and the platen, and a printing object that passes between a conveying roller and a pinch roller that have minute protrusions on the outer peripheral surface. A printing object conveyance mechanism to be conveyed, and at least a control unit that controls the operation of the printing unit and the printing object conveyance mechanism, and a thermal transfer printing process is performed at a start end of the print area on the printing object. A thermal transfer printer that starts a thermal transfer printing process from a state in which an object to be printed is conveyed to a thermal transfer printing startable position that matches a point,
The control unit is
After the pinch release time when the print object is moved from the pinch position where the print object is sandwiched between the outer peripheral surface of the transport roller and pressed to the non-pinch position where the print object is not sandwiched between the transport roller When the thermal transfer printing process is performed for the first time, the thermal head is positioned at a head retracting position where the printing target is not sandwiched between the platen and the pinch roller is positioned at the pinch position. The pinched area that passes through the pinch point that is the pressure contact position between the transport roller and the pinch roller during the thermal transfer printing process is allowed to pass through the pinch point before the thermal transfer printing process. A protrusion trace forming means for forming
With the pinch roller positioned at the pinch position and the thermal head positioned at the head retracted position, the thermal transfer print start position at which the print target is formed in the pinched area by the protrusion mark forming means And a print startable position conveying means for conveying to
The process of forming protrusion marks in the pinched area by the protrusion mark forming means and the process of transferring the print object to the thermal transfer print start possible position by the print startable position conveying means are continuously performed. In addition , the number of protrusion trace formation processes by the protrusion trace forming means for the same pinched area is determined based on a print command including information on print contents to be formed in the print area . This is a thermal transfer printer. A printing unit that performs a thermal transfer printing process on a printing object that passes through a thermal transfer point, which is a pressure contact position between the thermal head and the platen, and a printing object that passes between a conveying roller and a pinch roller having a minute protrusion on the outer peripheral surface A printing object conveyance mechanism to be conveyed, and at least a control unit that controls the operation of the printing unit and the printing object conveyance mechanism, and a thermal transfer printing process is performed at a start end of the print area on the printing object. A thermal transfer printer that starts a thermal transfer printing process from a state in which an object to be printed is conveyed to a thermal transfer printing startable position that matches a point,
The control unit is
After the pinch release time when the print object is moved from the pinch position where the print object is sandwiched between the outer peripheral surface of the transport roller and pressed to the non-pinch position where the print object is not sandwiched between the transport roller When the thermal transfer printing process is performed for the first time, the thermal head is positioned at a head retracting position where the printing target is not sandwiched between the platen and the pinch roller is positioned at the pinch position. The pinched area that passes through the pinch point that is the pressure contact position between the transport roller and the pinch roller during the thermal transfer printing process is allowed to pass through the pinch point before the thermal transfer printing process. A protrusion trace forming means for forming
With the pinch roller positioned at the pinch position and the thermal head positioned at the head retracted position, the thermal transfer print start position at which the print target is formed in the pinched area by the protrusion mark forming means And a print startable position conveying means for conveying to
The process of forming protrusion marks in the pinched area by the protrusion mark forming means and the process of transferring the print object to the thermal transfer print start possible position by the print startable position conveying means are continuously performed. and, and on the basis of the individual information of the at least printing object, a thermal transfer printer is characterized in that it is configured to determine a projection mark formation processing times by the projection mark formation means the same said with respect to the pinch region. A printing unit that performs a thermal transfer printing process on a printing object that passes through a thermal transfer point, which is a pressure contact position between the thermal head and the platen, and a printing object that passes between a conveying roller and a pinch roller that have minute protrusions on the outer peripheral surface. A printing object conveyance mechanism to be conveyed, and at least a control unit that controls the operation of the printing unit and the printing object conveyance mechanism, and a thermal transfer printing process is performed at a start end of the print area on the printing object. A thermal transfer printer that starts a thermal transfer printing process from a state in which an object to be printed is conveyed to a thermal transfer printing startable position that matches a point,
Provided with a temperature detector that directly or indirectly detects the temperature of the print object,
The control unit is
After the pinch release time when the print object is moved from the pinch position where the print object is sandwiched between the outer peripheral surface of the transport roller and pressed to the non-pinch position where the print object is not sandwiched between the transport roller When the thermal transfer printing process is performed for the first time, the thermal head is positioned at a head retracting position where the printing target is not sandwiched between the platen and the pinch roller is positioned at the pinch position. The pinched area that passes through the pinch point that is the pressure contact position between the transport roller and the pinch roller during the thermal transfer printing process is allowed to pass through the pinch point before the thermal transfer printing process. A protrusion trace forming means for forming
With the pinch roller positioned at the pinch position and the thermal head positioned at the head retracted position, the thermal transfer print start position at which the print target is formed in the pinched area by the protrusion mark forming means And a print startable position conveying means for conveying to
The process of forming protrusion marks in the pinched area by the protrusion mark forming means and the process of transferring the print object to the thermal transfer print start possible position by the print startable position conveying means are continuously performed. and, and on the basis of the information detected by the temperature detection section, the same of the thermal transfer printer is characterized in that it is configured to determine a projection mark formation processing times by the projection mark forming means with respect to the pinch region.

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