JP7024431B2 - Thermal transfer sheet and thermal transfer printing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a thermal transfer sheet and a thermal transfer printing apparatus using the thermal transfer sheet.

In a thermal transfer printing device, a sublimation dye is used as a recording material, and a sublimation dye is obtained from a thermal transfer sheet (sublimation type thermal transfer sheet) having a dye layer in which a dye for sublimation transfer is used as a recording material and the dye is supported on a substrate such as a polyester film with an appropriate binder. The sublimation dye is thermally transferred onto a thermal transfer image receiving sheet having a dye receiving layer formed on a transferable material that can be dyed with, for example, paper or a plastic film, to form various full-color images. The image formed by repeatedly providing the dye layer and the protective layer of three colors in a surface-sequential manner by heating with the thermal head of the printer and transferring the color adjusted in each panel to the receiving layer of the thermal transfer image receiving sheet is obtained. It is very clear because the coloring material used is a dye.

In the conventional sublimation type thermal transfer sheet, the three color dye layers and the protective layer of the yellow dye layer, the magenta dye layer, and the cyan dye layer are repeatedly applied in a surface-sequential manner to the three color dye layers and the protective layer, or yellow or the like. The detection mark was printed and formed on the head of the dye layer of the color at the start of printing with an ink using a pigment such as carbon black or aluminum. Then, the yellow image, the magenta image, and the cyan image are superimposed and transferred onto the image receiving sheet to form a color image, and the protective layer is transferred onto the color image. At that time, first, the detection mark of the yellow dye layer of the thermal transfer sheet is read, the printing start position of the yellow dye layer and the image receiving sheet is aligned, and the printing is started, and then the printing start position of the magenta dye layer and the image receiving sheet is aligned. And make a print. At this time, if the thermal transfer sheet is conveyed to a predetermined length, the detection mark indicating the position of the magenta dye layer is not always necessary. In the same manner, the cyan dye layer and the like are printed at the same printing start position.

Patent Document 1 describes that the detection mark is formed by printing by gravure printing, screen printing, or offset printing.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-291419

In the conventional thermal transfer sheet, the detection mark is formed by using a dedicated ink and a printing unit. That is, the ink for exclusive use of the detection mark is not used by being transferred to the color printing image itself, and wasteful ink is used as the printed matter. Further, there is a problem that a unit for printing the detection mark is required, the number of printing colors is increased, the work load in manufacturing such as alignment is increased, and the work efficiency is poor.

An object of the present invention is to provide a thermal transfer sheet that eliminates the need for detection mark ink and further eliminates a detection mark printing unit to improve manufacturing work efficiency, and a thermal transfer printing apparatus using this thermal transfer sheet. be.

The thermal transfer sheet of the present invention is a thermal transfer sheet having a base film and a dye layer and an identification mark provided on the base film, and the identification mark is formed of the same material as the dye layer. It is characterized by.

In one aspect of the present invention, the dye layer is provided with a yellow dye layer, a magenta dye layer, and a cyan dye layer, and the identification mark is a colored region of at least one of a yellow region, a magenta region, and a cyan region. Has.

In one aspect of the invention, the identification mark has a plurality of regions of different colors arranged in the width direction of the base film.

In one aspect of the invention, the identification mark further has at least one mixed color region of yellow and magenta mixed color regions, magenta and cyan mixed color regions, and cyan and yellow mixed color regions. ..

In one aspect of the present invention, the mixed color region comprises a stack of two layers of a yellow layer, a magenta layer, and a cyan layer.

In one aspect of the invention, the identification mark further has a black region.

In one aspect of the invention, the identification mark further comprises a region comprising an invisible light absorbing material.

The thermal transfer sheet according to another aspect of the present invention is a thermal transfer sheet having a substrate film and a dye layer provided on the substrate film, on at least one of the front end side and the rear end side in the feeding direction of the dye layer. It is characterized in that an information display unit including a minute non-applied area to which ink is not applied is provided.

In one aspect of the present invention, the ink area ratio of the information display unit is 5% or more and 90% or less of the regular dye layer other than the information display unit.

In one aspect of the present invention, an identification mark formed of the same material as the dye layer is provided on the base film.

In one aspect of the invention, the identification mark comprises a plurality of non-coated areas.

The thermal transfer printing apparatus of the present invention is a thermal transfer printing apparatus that forms an image using the thermal transfer sheet according to the present invention, and controls an image forming condition based on a detection means for detecting the identification mark and a detection result of the detection means. It is characterized by being provided with a control means for performing the above.

In one aspect of the present invention, the detecting means detects the identification mark and the hue of the dye layer.

The thermal transfer printing device of the present invention is a thermal transfer printing device that forms an image using the thermal transfer sheet according to the present invention. It is characterized by being provided with a control means for controlling.

In one aspect of the present invention, the thermal transfer sheet is provided with an identification mark formed of the same material as the dye layer on the base film, and the identification mark includes a plurality of non-coated areas. The detection means detects the ink area ratio of the identification mark and the information display unit.

The thermal transfer sheet of another aspect of the present invention is a thermal transfer sheet having a substrate film and a dye layer and a detection mark provided on the substrate film, and the dye layer includes a yellow dye layer, a magenta dye layer, and a magenta dye layer. A cyan dye layer is provided, and the detection mark is formed of the same material as the dye layer, includes a yellow mark, a magenta mark, and a cyan mark, and includes the thickness of the yellow dye layer and the yellow mark. The thickness, the thickness of the magenta dye layer and the thickness of the magenta mark, or the thickness of the cyan dye layer and the cyan mark are different.

The thermal transfer printing apparatus of the present invention is a thermal transfer printing apparatus that forms an image using the thermal transfer sheet according to the present invention, and irradiates the dye layer and the detection mark with light, and the yellow dye layer and the yellow mark emit light. Whether or not the transmittance or transmittance of the magenta dye layer is different, whether or not the light transmittance or reflectance is different between the magenta dye layer and the magenta mark, and whether or not the light transmittance or the light transmittance is different between the cyan dye layer and the cyan mark. It includes a detection means for detecting whether or not the transmittance is different, and a control means for controlling image formation conditions based on the detection result of the detection means.

In the thermal transfer sheet of the present invention, since the identification mark is formed of the same material that forms the dye layer of the thermal transfer sheet, it is possible to eliminate the need for equipment and a forming material dedicated to forming the identification mark. Further, since the identification mark can be formed at the same time as the dye layer molding, the thermal transfer sheet can be easily manufactured, and the manufacturing equipment can be simple.

(A) is a plan view of the thermal transfer sheet according to the embodiment, and (b) is an enlarged view of the identification mark of the thermal transfer sheet. (A) is a plan view of the thermal transfer sheet according to the embodiment, and (b) is an enlarged view of the identification mark of the thermal transfer sheet. (A) is a plan view of the thermal transfer sheet according to the embodiment, and (b) is an enlarged view of the identification mark of the thermal transfer sheet. It is an enlarged view of the identification mark of the thermal transfer sheet which concerns on embodiment. It is a top view which shows another aspect of the dye layer of the thermal transfer sheet which concerns on embodiment. It is a top view which shows another example of a thermal transfer sheet. It is a top view which shows another example of a thermal transfer sheet. (A)-(d) are plan views which show another example of a thermal transfer sheet.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1A is a plan view of the thermal transfer sheet 1 according to the embodiment, and FIG. 1B is an enlarged view of the identification mark. In this thermal transfer sheet 1, a Y layer 3 containing a yellow dye, an M layer 4 containing a magenta dye, a C layer 5 containing a cyan dye, and a protective (OP) layer 6 are sequentially surface-ordered on one surface of the base film 2. It is provided in. A heat-resistant slipping layer is provided on the other surface of the base film 2. The OP layer 6 may be omitted.

The Y layer 3, the M layer 4, the C layer 5, and the OP layer 6 form a set, and this set is repeatedly formed. An identification mark 10 is formed between a set of Y layer 3 to OP layer 6 and an adjacent set of Y layer 3 to OP layer 6.

In the identification mark 10 of FIG. 1, the Y layer 11, the M layer 12, the C layer 13, and the OP layer 14 are arranged in this order in the width direction of the base film 2. The Y layer 11 is formed of the same material as the Y layer 3, the M layer 12 is formed of the same material as the M layer 4, the C layer 13 is formed of the same material as the C layer 5, and the OP layer 14 is OP. It is made of the same material as layer 6. The Y layers 3,11, the M layers 4,12, the C layers 5,13, and the OP layers 6,14 are each formed on the base film 2 by gravure printing, screen printing, offset printing, or the like.

In FIG. 1, the Y layer (Y region) 11, the M layer (M region) 12, the C layer (C region) 13, and the OP layer (OP region) 14 of the identification mark 10 are arranged in a row without overlapping each other. The lengths of the Y to OP layers 11 to 14 in the width direction of the base film are the same.

The identification mark 10 displays the head position of the Y layer 3 of the dye layer, and the arrangement of the Y, M, C, and OP layers 11 to 14 of the identification mark 10 displays information.

The Y, M, C, OP layers 11 to 14 of the identification mark 10 are formed together when the Y, M, C, OP layers 3 to 6 of the dye layer are formed.

Although not shown, the black (BK) layer may be formed next to the C layer 13 by superimposing Y, M, and C instead of the OP layer 14.

In FIG. 2, the M layer 12 is shifted to the left in the figure. The shift amount of the M layer 12 is ½ of the length in the width direction of the base film of the Y to OP layers 11 to 14. As a result, in the identification mark 10, the right half portion of the Y layer 11 and the left half portion of the M layer 12 overlap each other to form a red layer (R layer) 15, and the identification mark 10 is Y, R, M. , C and OP layers 11, 15, 12, 13, 14 are arranged in a row in the width direction of the base film.

In FIG. 3, the M layer 12 is shifted to the right of the figure. The shift amount of the M layer 12 is ½ of the length in the width direction of the base film of the Y to OP layers 11 to 14. As a result, in the identification mark 10, the right half portion of the M layer 12 and the left half portion of the C layer 13 overlap each other to form a blue layer (B layer) 16, and the identification mark 10 is Y, M, B. , C and OP layers 11, 12, 16, 13, 14 are arranged in a row in the width direction of the base film.

Although not shown, the Y layer 11 or the C layer 13 may be similarly shifted to the left side or the right side of the figure.

As described above, since the identification mark 10 is composed of four or more regions having different colors, various information can be displayed by changing the number and arrangement of the regions having different colors.

In FIG. 3, the M layer 12 overlaps the Y layer 11 or the C layer 13 by half, but the overlapping ratio is not limited to this. For example, the M layer 12 and the Y layer 11 or the C layer 13 may completely overlap. Various information may be displayed by using the area of the overlap ratio (R layer 15 or B layer 16) between the M layer 12 and the Y layer 11 or the C layer 13.

In the above description, the identification marks 10 have regions having different colors arranged in one row in the width direction of the base film 2, but may be arranged in two rows or three or more rows. FIG. 4 shows an example in the case of two columns. In this identification mark 10A, the first column is an array of regions Y, M, and C from the left, and the second column name is an array of regions M, C, Y from the left. By forming an array with a plurality of columns in this way, the amount of information that can be displayed increases.

In the present invention, an information display unit may be provided in addition to the identification mark 10. For example, in one or all of the Y, M, and C layers 3 to 5 constituting the dye layer as shown in FIG. 5, ink (dye) is applied to at least one of the front end side and the rear end side of the base film 2 in the feed direction. ) May be provided, and the information display units 23 and 24 including a set of minute non-coated areas 21 and 22 to which the coating is not applied may be provided. By making the shapes and numbers of the non-coated areas 21 and 22 different, various patterns can be created depending on the presence or absence of ink, and various information can be displayed. The information display units 23 and 24 including the set of the non-coated areas 21 and 22 are areas that are not used for image formation.

The information display units 23 and 24 have a normal ink area ratio (halftone dot ratio) as compared with a dye layer other than the information display units 23 and 24 (Y layer 3, M layer 4, or C layer 5). It is preferably 5% or more and 90% or less, and more preferably 20% or more and 80% or less. By setting the ink area ratio within this numerical range, the information display units 23 and 24 can be satisfactorily detected by the sensor. The width of the non-coated area is preferably 2 cm or less. The non-coated region may be provided as a line in the width direction of the base film 2, or may be provided in a part such as a checkered pattern, halftone dots, a star mark, a polygon, or a regular polygon. The identification mark 10 may be provided with a plurality of non-applied areas in a rectangular pattern.

In the above description, the base film 2 has the same width as the thermal transfer sheet 1, and each layer of Y, M, C, and OP is formed on the base film 2. As shown in FIG. In addition, the base film prime 2'having the width of a plurality of thermal transfer sheets (5 in FIG. 9) is laid from one side in the width direction (hereinafter referred to as the left side) to the other side (hereinafter referred to as the right side). The OP layer is formed with the Y, M, C of the dyed layer continuously up to), and the Y to OP layers of the identification mark 10 are formed, and then the a row, the b row, the c row, the d row and the e row are formed. It can also be applied to the case where the thermal transfer sheet 1 is formed by cutting the base film element 2'along the boundary of the above.

By using the above identification marks 10 and 10A and the information display units 23 and 24, in addition to the position information for cueing the print, the type identification of the thermal transfer sheet, the remaining number management, the size identification, the manufacturer and the date of manufacture It is possible to read various information for determining the date and manufacturing factory.

Information can be read from the identification marks 10 and 10A and the information display units 23 and 24 by a color sensor provided in the thermal transfer printing device (printer). In addition, at least one of the Y to OP layers may contain an invisible light absorbing material, for example, an infrared ray or an ultraviolet ray absorber, and may be read by an infrared sensor or an ultraviolet sensor. Further, at least one of the Y to OP layers contains a wavelength conversion material (for example, a fluorescent whitening agent) that emits visible light by being irradiated with infrared rays or ultraviolet rays, and an infrared or ultraviolet light emitting element and a visible light receiving element. The information may be read using and.

A heat-meltable black ink layer may be provided following the C layer 5, and the identification marks 10 and 10A may include a black layer made of the heat-meltable black ink. The black layer may contain an invisible light absorbing material.

In the above description, the heat-resistant slippery layer is provided on one surface of the base film, and the dye layer is provided on the other surface of the base film. However, another layer may be further provided. For example, a heat-resistant primer layer, a dye primer layer, or the like may be provided.

The materials of each layer constituting the thermal transfer sheet of the present invention will be described in detail below.

<Base film>
The base film constituting the thermal transfer sheet of the present invention may be any film having a certain degree of heat resistance and strength known in the past, and is, for example, 0.5 μm or more and 50 μm or less, preferably 3 μm or more and 10 μm or less. Thickness of 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, In addition to cellulose derivatives such as cellulose acetate, polyethylene films, polyvinyl chloride films, nylon films, polyimide films, and resin films such as ionomer films, papers such as condenser paper and paraffin paper, non-woven fabrics, etc., or paper, non-woven fabrics and resins. It may be a complex with.

<Heat-resistant primer layer>
The heat-resistant primer layer is mainly formed of a binder having good adhesiveness to both the base film and the heat-resistant slippery layer. Examples of the binder include polyester resin, polyurethane resin, polyacrylic resin, polyvinyl formal resin, epoxy resin, polyvinyl butyral resin, polyamide resin, polyether resin, polystyrene resin, and styrene-acrylic. Examples thereof include a copolymerization system resin.

As a method for forming the heat-resistant primer layer, a coating liquid is prepared by dissolving or dispersing the above materials in a solvent such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, toluene, xylene or the like selected to suit the coating suitability, or in water. Examples thereof include a method in which this coating liquid is applied by a conventional coating means such as a gravure coater, a roll coater, and a wire bar, dried, and formed into a film. The coating amount, that is, the thickness of the heat-resistant primer layer is preferably 2.0 μm or less, more preferably 0.1 μm or more and 2.0 μm or less. When the thickness is 0.1 μm or more, the effect as a heat-resistant primer layer can be sufficiently exhibited. On the other hand, when the thickness is 2.0 μm or less, heat transfer from the thermal head is good, and high-concentration printing is possible.

<Heat-resistant slip layer>
The heat-resistant slipping layer is formed for the purpose of improving the running performance, heat resistance, etc. of the thermal head at the time of printing. Examples of the binder resin forming the heat-resistant slipping layer include polyester resin, polyacrylic acid ester resin, polyvinyl acetate resin, styrene acrylate resin, polyurethane resin, polyolefin resin, polystyrene resin, and polyvinyl chloride resin. Resin, polyether resin, polyamide resin, polyimide resin, polyamideimide resin, polycarbonate resin, polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, polyacrylate resin, polyacrylamide resin, polyvinyl chloride resin, polyvinyl butyral resin, polyvinyl acet Acetal resin or the like can be used. Further, various cross-linking agents may be used for the purpose of improving the heat resistance, coating film property, adhesion and the like of these resins. In addition, for the purpose of improving running performance, it contains wax, higher fatty acid amide, ester, mold release agent such as surfactant, organic powder such as fluororesin, and inorganic particles such as silica, clay, talc, mica, and calcium carbonate. You may.

Examples of the method for forming the heat-resistant slipping layer include the same methods as those described for the heat-resistant primer layer. When the heat-resistant slipping layer is provided on the base film, it is preferable to heat it in order to promote the reaction between the binder resin and the polyisocyanate. In order to prevent the influence of heat on the dye layer, it is preferable to provide the heat-resistant slipping layer on the base film and then provide the dye layer. The thickness of the heat-resistant slipping layer is preferably 3 μm or less after drying, and more preferably 0.1 μm or more and 2 μm or less, from the viewpoint of improving heat resistance and the like.

<Dye layer>
The dye layer is formed as a layer containing a sublimable dye.

As the dye, any of the dyes conventionally used in known thermal transfer sheets can be used in the present invention and is not particularly limited. These dyes include diarylmethane, triarylmethane, thiazole, methine such as merocyanin, indoaniline, acetophenone azomethin, pyrazoloazomethin, imidazole azomethin, pyridone azomethine and other azomethine, xanthene and oxadin. , Dicyanostyrene, cyanomethylene typified by tricyanostyrene, thiazine, azine, aclysine, benzeneazo, pyridone azo, thiophena azo, isothiazole azo, pyrrol azo, pyrazole azo, imidazole azo, thiazyl azo, triazole azo, Examples thereof include azo type such as disazo, spiropyran type, indolinospiropirane type, styrene type, rhodamine lactam type, naphthoquinone type, anthraquinone type and quinophthalone type.

In the dye layer coating liquid, the above dye is used as an essential component in the binder, and at least one of a pigment and a conductive agent can be added as needed. Examples of the binder resin for supporting the above dyes include ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose resins such as acetic acid and butyrate cellulose, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl acetacetal, and the like. Examples thereof include vinyl resins such as polyvinylpyrrolidone, acrylic resins such as poly (meth) acrylate and poly (meth) acrylamide, polyurethane resins, polyamide resins, polyester resins, etc. Among these, cellulose and polyurethane. Based, vinyl-based, acrylic-based and polyester-based resins are preferably used in terms of heat resistance, dye transferability and the like.

In the dye layer, at least one of these dyes, a binder resin, a pigment, and a conductive agent is added to one surface of the base film, and toluene, methyl ethyl ketone, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, cyclohexanone, and DMF are added. It can be formed by dissolving it in an appropriate organic solvent such as, or dispersing it in an organic solvent, water, or the like, and applying and drying it by means of, for example, a gravure printing method, a screen printing method, a reverse roll coating printing method, or the like. The thickness of the dye layer after drying is 0.2 μm or more and 6.0 μm or less, preferably 0.2 μm or more and 3.0 μm or less.

<Dye primer layer>
The dye primer layer is mainly formed of a binder having good adhesiveness to both the base film and the dye layer. As the binder, the same binders used in the heat-resistant primer layer can be used. For example, polyester resin, polyurethane resin, polyacrylic resin, polyvinyl formal resin, epoxy resin, polyvinyl butyral resin, polyamide can be used. Examples thereof include based resins, polyether resins, polystyrene resins, styrene-acrylic copolymer resins and the like.

Examples of the method for forming the dye primer layer include the same methods as those described for the heat resistant primer layer.

<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, for example, by a gravure printing method. The thickness of the protective layer is preferably 0.1 μm or more and 2.0 μm or less after drying.

The protective (OP) layer 6 may be a laminate of a plurality of layers including a peeling layer and a heat seal layer. In that case, the OP layer 14 of the identification mark 10 does not have to have a laminated structure, and may be formed of the same material as at least one of the layers constituting the OP layer 6.

<Thermal transfer printing device>
The thermal transfer printing apparatus (printer) of the present invention uses the thermal transfer sheet described above to detect marks and the like on a thermal transfer sheet having an identification mark and further an information display unit by a printer detecting means. Thermal transfer recording. In this thermal transfer printing device, a thermal transfer sheet and a thermal transfer image receiving sheet having a function of receiving and fixing a dye from a dye layer are superposed between the thermal head and a platen, and the thermal head is heated according to an image signal. The dye is transferred to the image receiving sheet to form a thermal transfer image. The detecting means may detect the hue of the identification mark and the dye layer, and detect whether or not they match. Further, when the information display portion formed at the front end or the rear end of the identification mark or the dye layer is composed of a set of minute non-coated regions, the detection means detects the ink area ratio of the identification mark or the information display portion. You may.

In the detection means such as a mark of a printer, the light emitted from the light emitting portion passes through the mark or the like of the thermal transfer sheet, is received by the light receiving portion, and information is read from the transmitted light intensity (or absorption amount). As the detection means, an image sensor / camera (CMOS image sensor, CIS, CCD image sensor, etc.) may be used.

The thermal transfer printing apparatus of the present invention controls a sensor that detects the transmitted light intensity and the absorption amount corresponding to the ink content of the thermal transfer sheet, and the energy applied to the thermal head at the time of image formation based on the detection result of this sensor. It may be provided with a control unit.

In the present invention, it is possible to attach an encoder to the core portion of the thermal transfer sheet, the molded product, or the printer, and the screen count (remaining amount detection) may be possible.

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

In the above embodiment, the identification mark for displaying various information is provided by changing the number and arrangement of regions having different colors such as the Y layer 11, the M layer 12, the C layer 13, the R layer 15, and the B layer 16. However, as shown in FIG. 7, the Y layer 11, the M layer 12, and the C layer 13 are arranged so as to be detection marks indicating the head positions of the Y layer 3, the M layer 4, and the C layer 5, respectively. , Y layer 11 (yellow mark) and Y layer 3, M layer 12 (magenta mark) and M layer 4, or C layer 13 (cyan mark) and C layer 5 and the transmittance of light emitted from the light emitting portion ( Alternatively, the reflectance) may be different, and the information may be displayed according to the pattern of whether or not the light transmittance (or reflectance) is different.

For example, the same ink is used for the Y layer 11 and the Y layer 3, and the thickness of the dye layer is changed by changing the depth of the gravure printing plate so that the light transmittance (or reflectance) is different. can. Similarly, in the M layer 12 and the M layer 4, and in the C layer 13 and the C layer 5, the thickness of the dye layer is changed by changing the depth of the gravure printing plate, and the light transmittance (or reflectance) is different. Become.

In the example shown in FIG. 8A, the Y layer 11 and the Y layer 3, the M layer 12 and the M layer 4, and the C layer 13 and the C layer 5 have no difference in light transmittance or reflectance, respectively (ΔD). = 0). Therefore, the information "000" can be represented.

In the example shown in FIG. 8B, the Y layer 11 has a thicker dye layer than the Y layer 3, and there is a difference in light transmittance or reflectance (ΔD = 1), and the M layer 12 and the M layer 4, C. There is no difference in light transmittance or reflectance between the layer 13 and the C layer 5 (ΔD = 0). Therefore, the information "100" can be represented.

In the example shown in FIG. 8 (c), the M layer 12 has a thicker dye layer than the M layer 4, and there is a difference in light transmittance or reflectance (ΔD = 1), and the Y layer 11 and the Y layer 3, C. There is no difference in light transmittance or reflectance between the layer 13 and the C layer 5 (ΔD = 0). Therefore, the information "010" can be represented.

In the example shown in FIG. 8D, the Y layer 11 has a thicker dye layer than the Y layer 3, and there is a difference in light transmittance or reflectance (ΔD = 1), and the M layer 12 and the M layer 4 are light. There is no difference in transmittance or reflectance (ΔD = 0), the dye layer of C layer 13 is thicker than that of C layer 3, and there is a difference in light transmittance or reflectance (ΔD = 1). Therefore, the information "101" can be represented.

The thermal transfer printing device irradiates the Y layer 11, the Y layer 3, the M layer 12, the M layer 4, the C layer 13, and the C layer 5 with light using a detection means such as a sensor, and the transmittance in each region. Or measure the reflectance. The detection means is whether or not the transmittance or reflectance is the same between the Y layer 11 and the Y layer 3, whether or not the transmittance or the reflectance is the same between the M layer 12 and the M layer 4, and the C layer. It is determined whether or not the transmittance or the reflectance is the same between the 13 and the C layer 5, and the information is detected. Based on the detection result of the sensor, the energy applied to the thermal head at the time of image formation is controlled.

Since the Y layer 11, the M layer 12, and the C layer 13 are not used for image formation, the degree of freedom in changing the thickness of the dye layer is large.

1 Thermal transfer sheet 2 Base film 3 Y layer 4 M layer 5 C layer 6 OP layer 10,10A Identification mark 11 Y layer (Y region)
12 M layer (M area)
13 C layer (C area)
14 OP layer (OP area)

Claims (11)

In a thermal transfer sheet having a base film and a dye layer and an identification mark provided on the base film.
The identification mark is formed of the same material as the dye layer ,
The identification mark is a thermal transfer sheet characterized by having a plurality of ink application regions having different colors arranged in the width direction of the base film . As the dye layer, a yellow dye layer, a magenta dye layer, and a cyan dye layer are provided.
The thermal transfer sheet according to claim 1, wherein the identification mark has at least one colored region of a yellow region, a magenta region, and a cyan region. The identification mark is further characterized by having at least one mixed color region of yellow and magenta, a mixed color region of magenta and cyan, and a mixed color region of cyan and yellow. Item 2. The thermal transfer sheet according to Item 1 or 2 . The thermal transfer sheet according to claim 3 , wherein the mixed color region is composed of a laminate of two layers of a yellow layer, a magenta layer, and a cyan layer. The thermal transfer sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the identification mark further has a black region. The thermal transfer sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the identification mark further has a region containing an invisible light absorbing material. 13. The thermal transfer sheet according to any one of the following items . The thermal transfer sheet according to claim 7 , wherein the ink area ratio of the information display unit is 5% or more and 90% or less of the regular dye layer other than the information display unit. In the thermal transfer printing apparatus that forms an image using the thermal transfer sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 8 .
A detection means for detecting the identification mark and
A thermal transfer printing apparatus including a control means for controlling an image forming condition based on a detection result of the detection means. The thermal transfer printing apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the detection means detects the identification mark and the hue of the dye layer. The thermal transfer sheet according to claim 7 or 8 is used.
The thermal transfer printing device according to claim 9, wherein the detection means further detects the information display unit.

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