JP7005995B2 - Thermal transfer sheet winding body and thermal transfer printing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a thermal transfer sheet winding body and a thermal transfer printing device.

A thermal transfer printing device that prints characters, images, etc. on a transfer target such as an image receiving sheet using a thermal transfer sheet (ink ribbon) is widely used.

In the thermal transfer sheet, three color dye layers of yellow, magenta, and cyan and a protective layer are repeatedly provided on the base film in a surface-sequential manner, and carbon black is provided between each dye layer or between the dye layer and the protective layer. The detection mark is formed by an ink containing a pigment such as or aluminum. The thermal transfer printing device reads this detection mark, determines the printing start position, and identifies the type and size of the thermal transfer sheet.

The thermal transfer sheet is wound around a bobbin to form a winding body. In the conventional thermal transfer sheet winding body, it is not easy to distinguish between one end side and the other end side, which causes erroneous attachment to the thermal transfer printing device.

In order to detect the remaining amount of the thermal transfer sheet wound on the bobbin, in Patent Document 1, a part of the ink layer is removed every time printing is performed to form a mark, and the number of the mark is determined by using an optical sensor. Although it is described that it counts, the control is complicated. Patent Document 2 describes that an observation hole is provided on the side surface of the cassette and the winding amount (remaining amount) of the thermal transfer sheet wound around the bobbin shaft is visually observed. However, the remaining amount is visually observed. It is not described that the remaining amount is detected by the sensor.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-306046 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-74728

An object of the present invention is to provide a thermal transfer sheet winding body in which one end side and the other end side in the axial direction of the thermal transfer sheet winding body can be easily distinguished.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a thermal transfer sheet winding body capable of easily detecting the end of a thermal transfer sheet and a thermal transfer printing apparatus using the thermal transfer sheet winding body in one embodiment thereof.

The thermal transfer sheet winding body of the present invention is a thermal transfer sheet winding body having a bobbin and a thermal transfer sheet wound around the bobbin, and the thermal transfer sheet winding body has one end side and the other end side in the axial direction of the thermal transfer sheet winding body. It is characterized by the presence of parts with different colors.

In one aspect of the present invention, the color is different between at least a part of the bobbin and at least a part of the other half.

In one aspect of the present invention, the bobbin-side end portion of the thermal transfer sheet is a protective layer, a yellow layer, or a cyan layer.

In one aspect of the present invention, the end portion of the thermal transfer sheet on the bobbin side is a magenta layer having a length shorter than a substantially half circumference of the bobbin.

In one aspect of the present invention, there are portions having different colors on at least the outer peripheral surface of one end of the wound and columnar thermal transfer sheet and at least the outer peripheral surface of the other end.

In one aspect of the present invention, some of the yellow layer, magenta layer and cyan layer of the thermal transfer sheet reach one end of the substrate film of the thermal transfer sheet, and the other reaches from this one edge. It is separated.

The thermal transfer printing apparatus of the present invention has a thermal head and a platen roll, and the thermal transfer sheet from the thermal transfer sheet winding body of the present invention and a photographic paper are superposed and conveyed between the thermal head and the platen roll. This is a thermal transfer printing device in which the thermal head heats the thermal transfer sheet to transfer a dye, forms an image on the photographic paper, and transfers the protective layer onto the image.

In one aspect of the present invention, the thermal transfer sheet winding body is a thermal transfer sheet winding body in which colors are different between at least a part of one half side of the bobbin and at least a part of the other half side, and one half of the bobbin. It has color detecting means on the side and the other half.

In one aspect of the present invention, the thermal transfer sheet winder is different in color from at least the outer peripheral surface of one end of the thermal transfer sheet wound into a columnar shape and at least the outer peripheral surface of the other end. It is a thermal transfer sheet winding body in which a portion is present, and has a means for detecting the color of an end portion whose color is different from that of the central portion in the axial direction of the thermal transfer sheet winding body.

In the thermal transfer sheet winding body of the present invention, the orientation of the thermal transfer sheet winding body in the axial core line direction can be identified by providing portions having different colors on one end side and the other end side in the axial core line direction. can.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the end of the thermal transfer sheet can be detected by detecting the color of one half side and the other half side of the bobbin.

It is a perspective view of the thermal transfer sheet winding body which concerns on embodiment. It is a perspective view of the bobbin used for the thermal transfer sheet winding body. It is a perspective view of the bobbin used for the thermal transfer sheet winding body. It is a perspective view of the bobbin used for the thermal transfer sheet winding body. It is a perspective view at the time of unwinding of the thermal transfer sheet winding body which concerns on embodiment. It is a top view of the thermal transfer sheet which concerns on embodiment. It is a top view of the thermal transfer sheet which concerns on embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the installation state of the thermal transfer sheet winding body which concerns on embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the thermal transfer sheet winding body which concerns on embodiment. It is a top view of the thermal transfer sheet which concerns on embodiment. It is a top view of the thermal transfer sheet which concerns on embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

1 is a perspective view of the thermal transfer sheet according to the embodiment, FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the bobbin, and FIGS. It is a perspective view and a plan view.

The thermal transfer sheet winding body 1 is obtained by winding the thermal transfer sheet 3 around the outer circumference of a cylindrical bobbin 2. As shown in FIG. 6, a yellow dye layer (Y layer) 11, a magenta dye layer (M layer) 12, a cyan dye layer (C layer) 13, and a transferable protective layer (OP) are formed on one surface of the base film of the thermal transfer sheet 3. Layers) 14 are provided in a surface-sequential manner. A back layer such as a heat-resistant slipping layer is provided on the other surface of the base film 2.

The width of the thermal transfer sheet 3 is smaller than the length of the bobbin 2 in the axial direction, and both ends of the bobbin 2 in the axial direction protrude from both ends of the thermal transfer sheet winding body 1.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2A, the color a on one half side of the bobbin 2 in the axial direction and the color b on the other half side are different. The color tone may be different, or the same color but different lightness may be used. In this way, by making the colors of the bobbins 2 different at both ends of the thermal transfer sheet winding body 1, the thermal transfer sheet winding body 1 is transferred to the thermal transfer sheet winding body installation portion 4 of the thermal transfer printing device as shown in FIG. The orientation of the thermal transfer sheet winding body 1 can be easily recognized when the thermal transfer sheet is installed in the room, and erroneous mounting is prevented. The color of one frame 4a of the thermal transfer sheet winding body 4 is the color of one half of the bobbin 2 of the thermal transfer sheet winding body 1, and the color of the other frame 4b is the color of the other half of the bobbin 2. May be good. In this way, erroneous mounting is more sufficiently prevented.

One end of the bobbin 2 in the axial direction may protrude from one end of the thermal transfer sheet winding body 1, and the other end may not protrude. Further, the width of the thermal transfer sheet 3 and the length in the axial direction of the bobbin 2 may be the same, and the end face of the thermal transfer sheet winding body 1 and the end face of the bobbin 2 may be flush with each other.

The color tone of the outer periphery of the winding bobbin 5 that winds up the thermal transfer sheet 2 from the thermal transfer sheet winding body 1 may be the same as that of the bobbin 2 of the thermal transfer sheet winding body 1. As a result, erroneous mounting is more sufficiently prevented.

Further, according to the thermal transfer sheet winding body 1, as shown in FIG. 5, optical sensors 6 and 7 for detecting the color of the outer peripheral surface of the bobbin 2 are provided on one half side and the other half side of the bobbin 2, respectively. , The unwinding of the thermal transfer sheet 3 can be completed (end detection). That is, when the dyed layer portion having the Y layer 11, the M layer 12 and the C layer 13 of the thermal transfer sheet 3 is still left unwound on the bobbin 2, it is possible to recognize the color difference between one half side and the other half side of the bobbin 2. The detection colors of the optical sensors 6 and 7 are the same. When the entire dyed layer portion is unwound from the bobbin 2, the optical sensor 6 detects the color on one half side of the bobbin 2 through the transparent OP layer 14, and the optical sensor 7 detects the color on the other half side of the bobbin 2. Since the detection is performed, the detection colors of the optical sensors 6 and 7 are different from each other, and the end of unwinding of the thermal transfer sheet 3 is detected based on this.

In FIG. 2A, the color of the outer peripheral surface is different between one half of the bobbin 2 in the axial direction and the other half, but the color is different between one end side and the other end side of the bobbin 2. Any color-coded pattern may be used, and for example, the color-coded patterns shown in FIGS. 2 (b) to 2 (d) may be used.

Further, in FIGS. 2A to 2D, the two-color pattern of the color a and the color b is used, but the pattern may be three or more colors. An example thereof is shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b). In FIG. 3A, three different colors c, d, and e are color-coded. In FIG. 3B, four different colors f, g, h, and i are color-coded.

In the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, an information display unit such as a bar code 8 or a two-dimensional code 9 may be provided on one end side of the bobbin 2. FIG. 4 shows an information display unit provided in the color-coded pattern of FIG. 2A, but an information display unit can also be provided in other color-coded patterns.

In FIG. 6, the end portion (end portion in the winding direction) on the bobbin 2 side of the thermal transfer sheet 3 is the OP layer 14, but as shown in FIG. 7A, the Y layer is arranged at the end portion. It is also preferable that the Y layer has high translucency. Further, in the above description, the planes of the Y layer → the M layer → the C layer → the OP layer are sequentially arranged, but as shown in FIGS. 7 (b) and 7 (d), the planes of the C layer → the M layer → the Y layer → the OP layer. It may be sequential. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7B, the C layer may be arranged at the end portion, and it is preferable that the C layer has high translucency.

In the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 7 (c) and 7 (d), an M layer whose winding direction length is shorter than the outer peripheral length of the bobbin 2 may be arranged at the end portion. In this case, the winding direction length of the M layer is preferably about half or less of the outer peripheral length of the bobbin 2. 7 (c) shows the short M layer arranged at the end portion in FIG. 7 (a), and FIG. 7 (d) shows the short M layer arranged at the end portion in FIG. 7 (b). It is a thing.

In the above embodiment, the end detection is performed by detecting the color-coded portion of the bobbin 2. However, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the panel 20a or the end lead film wound around the end portion of the thermal transfer sheet 3 is used. 20b is provided, and the tape 21 is attached to one side of the winding panel 20a or the end lead film 20b (one side in the axial center line direction of the bobbin 2), and the tape 21 is detected by an optical sensor to detect the end. May be good.

9 (a) to 9 (c) show the thermal transfer sheet winding bodies 30A, 30B, 30C according to another embodiment, and the upper side of each figure of (a), (b), (c) is shown. It is a perspective view of the thermal transfer sheet winding bodies 30A, 30B, 30C, and the lower side is a plan view of the thermal transfer sheets 33A to 33C.

In this embodiment, one side of any one or two of the Y layer, the M layer and the C layer of the thermal transfer sheets 33A to 33C is made to reach the end edge of the base film 32, and the color is changed to the thermal transfer sheet winding body. It is exposed at the end of 30A to 30C in the axial direction.

In the thermal transfer sheet 33A of the thermal transfer sheet winding body 30A of FIG. 9A, the right side of the M layer reaches the right end side of the base film 32. The right sides of the Y layer, the C layer, and the OP layer are separated from the right end side of the base film 32 by a predetermined distance. The left side of the figure of the Y layer, the C layer, the M layer, and the OP layer reaches the left end side of the base film 32.

In the thermal transfer sheet winding body 30A in which the thermal transfer sheet 33A is wound around the bobbin 31 to form a columnar shape, a magenta color 30 m is exposed on the outer peripheral surface on the right end side of the thermal transfer sheet 33A wound in a columnar shape, and the left end is exposed. Since the outer peripheral surface on the side is a single color in which Y, M, and C are mixed, one end side and the other end side in the axial core line direction of the thermal transfer sheet 30A are identified by the color.

In the thermal transfer sheet 33B of the thermal transfer sheet winding body 30B of FIG. 9B, the right side of the C layer and the Y layer reaches the right end side of the base film 32. The right sides of the M layer and the OP layer are separated from the right end side of the base film 32 by a predetermined distance. The left side of the Y layer, the M layer, the C layer, and the OP layer reaches the left end side of the base film 32.

In the thermal transfer sheet winding body 30B in which the thermal transfer sheet 33B is wound around the bobbin 31, a green color 30 g in which yellow and cyan are superimposed on the outer peripheral surface on the right end side of the thermal transfer sheet 33B wound in a columnar shape is formed. Since the outer peripheral surface on the left end side of the surface is a single color, one end side and the other end side of the thermal transfer sheet 30B in the axial center line direction are identified by the color.

In the thermal transfer sheet 33C of the thermal transfer sheet winding body 30C of FIG. 9C, the right side of the M layer reaches the right end of the base film 32, and the left side of the Y layer is the left end of the base film 32. Has reached. The right sides of the Y layer, the C layer, and the OP layer are separated from the right end side of the base film 32 by a predetermined distance. The left sides of the M layer, the C layer, and the OP layer are separated from the left end side of the base film 32 by a predetermined distance.

In the thermal transfer sheet winding body 30C in which the thermal transfer sheet 33C is wound around the bobbin 31, magenta color 30 m is exposed on the outer peripheral surface on the right end side of the thermal transfer sheet 33C wound in a columnar shape, and the outer periphery on the left end side is exposed. Since the yellow color 30y appears on the surface, one end side and the other end side of the thermal transfer sheet 30C in the axial center line direction are identified by the color.

In the case of the thermal transfer sheet winding bodies 30A to 30C of FIGS. 9A to 9C, the end portion of the thermal transfer sheet wound in a columnar shape (the central portion of the thermal transfer sheet winding bodies 30A to 30C in the axial direction). May detect the remaining amount of the thermal transfer sheet by reading the color densities of magenta color 30 m, green color 30 g, yellow color 30y, etc. at the ends having different colors) with a sensor. Further, a sensor may be provided to detect the color difference between the central portion of the thermal transfer sheet winding bodies 30A to 30C in the axial direction and the end portion whose color is different from the central portion.

In the present invention, in any of the above embodiments, a barcode pattern or the like may be further provided in the non-printing region of at least a part of the Y layer, the M layer, and the C layer to display various information. FIG. 10 shows an example thereof. In the Y layer 11, the M layer 12 and the C layer 13, the peripheral portion is a non-printing region 11a, 12a, 13a, and the central region surrounded by them is a printing region. It is 11b, 12b, 13b. In this example, the barcode pattern 22 is provided in the non-printing regions 12a and 13a of the M layer 12 and the C layer 13.

Next, the materials constituting the thermal transfer sheet will be described.

[Base film]
The base film used for the thermal transfer sheet may be any film as long as it has a certain degree of heat resistance and strength. For example, polyethylene terephthalate film, 1,4-polycyclohexylene methylene terephthalate film, polyethylene naphthalate film, polyphenylene sulfide film, polystyrene film, polypropylene film, polysulfon film, aramid film, polycarbonate film, polyvinyl alcohol film, cellophane, acetic acid. Examples thereof include cellulose derivatives such as cellulose, polyethylene films, polyvinyl chloride films, nylon films, polyimide films, resin films such as ionomer films, and the like. It is also possible to apply a primer layer (adhesive layer) between the base film and the back surface layer to form the primer layer. The primer layer is, for example, a polyester resin, a polyvinyl acid ester resin, a polyvinyl acetate resin, a polyurethane resin, a styrene acrylate resin, a polyacrylamide resin, a polyamide resin, a polyether resin, a polystyrene resin, etc. Formed using polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, polyvinyl chloride resin, polyvinyl alcohol resin, vinyl resin such as polyvinylidene chloride resin, polyvinyl acetal resin such as polyvinyl acetacetal and polyvinyl butyral, cellulose resin, etc. Can be done.

[Dye layer]
As the dye layer, it is preferable to use a material in which a sublimation dye is melted or dispersed in a binder resin. Examples of sublimable dyes include diarylmethane dyes; triarylmethane dyes; thiazole dyes; merocyanine dyes; pyrazolone dyes; methine dyes; Indian aniline dyes; acetophenone azomethines, pyrazoloazomethines, imidazole azomethines, and imidazoles. Azomethine dyes such as azomethine and pyridone azomethine; xanthene dyes; oxazine dyes; cyanostyrene dyes such as dicyanostyrene and tricyanostyrene; thiazine dyes; azine dyes; aclysine dyes; benzeneazo dyes; pyridone azo and thiophene Azo dyes such as azo, isothiazole azo, pyrrol azo, pyrazol azo, imidazole azo, thiadiazol azo, triazol azo, disazo; spiropylan dyes; indolinospiropylan dyes; fluorin dyes; rhodamine lactam dyes; naphthoquinone dyes; Anthraquinone dyes; quinophthalone dyes; and the like.

As the binder resin for supporting the dye, generally, a binder resin having heat resistance and having an appropriate affinity with the dye can be used. Examples of the binder resin include cellulose-based resins such as ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, ethyl hydroxy cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, cellulose acetate and cellulose butyrate; polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl acetoacetal and polyvinylpyrrolidone. Vinyl-based resins such as; acrylic resins such as poly (meth) acrylate and poly (meth) acrylamide; polyurethane-based resins; polyamide-based resins; polyester-based resins; and the like. Among the above-mentioned binder resins, cellulose-based resin, vinyl-based resin, acrylic-based resin, urethane-based resin, polyester-based resin and the like are preferable, and vinyl-based resin is more preferable, from the viewpoint of excellent heat resistance, dye transferability and the like. , Polyvinyl butyral, polyvinylacetoacetal and the like are particularly preferable.

As the dye layer, additives such as a mold release agent, inorganic fine particles, and organic fine particles may be used. Examples of the mold release agent include silicone oil and phosphoric acid ester. Examples of the inorganic fine particles include carbon black, aluminum, molybdenum disulfide and the like. Further, examples of the organic fine particles include polyethylene wax.

For the dye layer, a coating liquid is prepared by dissolving or dispersing the above-mentioned dye and binder resin in an appropriate organic solvent or water together with an additive to be added as needed, and further, a gravure printing method or screen printing. It can be formed by applying the above coating liquid to one surface of the above-mentioned base film and drying it by a known means such as a reverse roll coating printing method using a gravure plate or a method.

[Protective layer]
As the protective layer, various resins conventionally known as protective layer forming resins can be used. Examples of the resin for forming the protective layer include polyester resin, polystyrene resin, acrylic resin, polyurethane resin, acrylic urethane resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, resin obtained by modifying each of these resins with silicone, and each of these resins. Can be exemplified as a mixture of the above.

The protective layer is formed by applying and drying a coating liquid containing the above resin, for example, using a gravure printing method.

[Back layer]
The back layer is provided on the back surface of the base film in order to improve heat resistance and the running performance of the thermal head at the time of printing.

The back layer can be formed by appropriately selecting a thermoplastic resin or the like. Examples of such thermoplastic resins include polyester resins, polyacrylic acid ester resins, polyvinyl acetate resins, styrene acrylate resins, polyurethane resins, polyolefin resins, polystyrene resins, and polyvinyl chloride resins. , Polyether-based resin, polyamide-based resin, polyimide-based resin, polyamideimide-based resin, polycarbonate-based resin, polyacrylamide resin, polyvinyl chloride resin, thermoplastic resin such as polyvinyl acetal resin, and silicone modified products thereof.

In addition to the above thermoplastic resin, the back layer contains a wax, a higher fatty acid amide, a phosphate ester compound, a metal soap, a silicone oil, a release agent such as a surfactant, and a fluororesin for the purpose of improving slipperiness. Various additives such as organic fine particles such as silica, clay, talc, and inorganic particles such as calcium carbonate can be contained.

For the back layer, for example, a coating liquid obtained by dispersing or dissolving the above-mentioned thermoplastic resin and various additives added as needed in an appropriate solvent is subjected to a gravure printing method, a screen printing method, or a reverse roll using a gravure plate. It can be formed by applying it to the back surface of a base film and drying it by a known means such as a coating printing method.

In the printing process using such a thermal transfer sheet, first, the printing sheet and the Y layer of the dye layer are aligned, and the thermal head comes into contact with the platen roll via the printing sheet and the thermal transfer sheet. Next, the capstan roller and the recovery unit are rotationally driven to feed the printing sheet and the thermal transfer sheet. During this period, the region of the Y layer is selectively and sequentially heated by the thermal head based on the image data, and Y is sublimated and transferred from the thermal transfer sheet onto the printing sheet.

After the sublimation transfer of Y, the thermal head rises and separates from the platen roll. Next, the printing sheet and the M layer are aligned. In this case, the printing sheet is sent to the front side by a distance corresponding to the print size, and the thermal transfer sheet is sent to the rear side by a distance corresponding to the margin between the Y layer and the M layer.

Similar to the method of sublimation transfer of Y, M and C are sequentially sublimated and transferred onto the printing sheet based on the image data, and an image is formed on the printing sheet.

After image formation, the printing sheet and the protective layer are aligned, the protective layer is heated by the thermal head, and the protective layer is transferred from the thermal transfer sheet onto the printing sheet so as to cover the image.

The above description is an example of the present invention, and the present invention may be in a form other than the above.

1,30A-30C Thermal transfer sheet winding body 2,31 Bobbin 3,33A-33C Thermal transfer sheet 4 Thermal transfer sheet winding body installation part 5 Winding bobbin 6,7 Optical sensor

Claims (3)

In a thermal transfer sheet winder having a bobbin and a thermal transfer sheet wound around the bobbin,
There are parts having different colors on one end side and the other end side in the axial direction of the thermal transfer sheet winding body .
The color is different between at least a part of the bobbin and at least a part of the other half.
The thermal transfer sheet winding body is characterized in that the end portion on the bobbin side of the thermal transfer sheet is a magenta layer having a length shorter than a substantially half circumference of the bobbin . It has a thermal head and a platen roll, and the thermal transfer sheet from the thermal transfer sheet winding body according to claim 1 and a photographic paper are overlapped with each other to be conveyed between the thermal head and the platen roll, and the thermal is transferred. A thermal transfer printing device in which a head heats the thermal transfer sheet to transfer a dye and forms an image on the photographic paper. The thermal transfer printing apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising color detecting means on one half side and the other half side of the bobbin.

Images