JPH04135792A - Thermal transfer recording material and thermal recording sheet for thermal printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To ensure the prevention of qualitative deterioration of a recorded image due to white mottles and blanking, and also the protection of a thermal printing head against scratches on the surface by providing a cover film on a surface which comes in contact with the thermal printing head and a surface which comes in contact with a recording sheet. CONSTITUTION:A cover film 20 for protecting a surface, which comes in contact with the thermal printing head 1, of a thermal transfer recording material 4 against dust, is attached and then is peeled off immediately before the film comes in contact with the surface of the head. After that, the cover film is taken up by a film winding roller 21. Although polyester is used as a material for the cover film 20, a material such as does not generate dust or does not allow dust settlement or does but to a minimum extent is recommended. As another structural design, cover films 20, 23 are attached to a surface, which comes in contact with the thermal printing head 1, of the thermal transfer recording material 4 and a surface, which comes in contact with a recording sheet, of the material 4. Then these two films are taken up by film winding rollers 21, 24 which are rotated in synchronization with a sheet feed action immediately before the thermal printing head 1. Thus the thermal printing head can be made more durable.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to a thermal transfer recording material for a thermal printer and a thermal recording paper.

[Prior Art] A thermal printer records a desired image (including lines, characters, figures, etc.) by selectively generating heat from heating resistors arranged regularly on a thermal print head using a drive circuit. There are two types: a thermal transfer type and a thermal type.The former transfers the ink applied to the thermal transfer recording material to the recording paper by heating and melting or sublimating it, and the latter heats the thermal recording paper to develop color. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the recording section of a conventional thermal transfer printer, in which 1 is a thermal print head, 2 is a platen roller disposed opposite to the thermal print head 1, and 3 is a thermal print head that is connected to the platen roller 2. A recording paper 1 is pressed into contact with a thermal transfer recording material 4 , a feeding pulley 5 feeds out the thermal transfer recording material 4 , and a take-up pulley 6 winding up the thermal transfer recording material 4 . As shown in FIG. 6, a common electrode 7 is provided on the surface of the thermal print head 1 that comes into contact with the platen roller 2 for power supply.
and a heating resistor heating section 9 having individual electrodes 8 are arranged regularly and separately. Each of these heating resistor heating parts 9 is selectively energized and heated via a drive circuit (not shown) to generate Joule heat, which causes the ink on the thermal transfer recording material 4 to melt or sublimate. , recording paper 3
Next, the recording paper 3 and the thermal transfer recording material 4 are shifted by a specified amount by a paper feeding operation, and the heating resistor heating section 9 is selectively energized and heated in the same way, and recording is performed. I do. By repeating these operations, a desired image can be obtained.

Note that when thermal recording paper is used, the thermal transfer recording material 4 is not necessary, and the thermal recording paper is directly pressed against the thermal print head 1 by the platen roller 2.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, such conventional thermal printers have the following problems.

■ If dust adheres to the surface of the thermal transfer recording material 4 or thermal recording paper that comes into contact with the thermal print head 1 during paper feeding operation by a specified amount, this dust will be transferred to the thermal print head 1.
Scratches occur due to rubbing of the surface.

(2) If dust adheres to the surface of the thermal transfer recording material 4 that comes into contact with the recording paper 3, white spots, color removal, scratches, etc. will occur in the recorded image.

According to analysis by the inventors, most of the dust floating or flying up in the air is relatively soft, such as fibrous dust emitted from cloth such as clothing, but some of it is aluminum oxide and silicon oxide. It was found that some materials had high hardness. The size of these dust particles is 5
Some of them exceeded 0 μm, and their shapes were sharp.

Fibrous dust can cause white spots and color fading in item (2) above. Furthermore, aluminum oxide and silicon oxide can cause the scratches shown in (1) and (2) above.

Each heating resistor heating section 9 of the thermal print head 1
The size of the image depends on its density (resolution), but it is approximately 50
It has a width of 150 μm.

As mentioned above, some of the dust particles exceed 50 μm in size, and the width of the scratches caused by these dust particles is comparable to the width of the heating portion 9 of the heating resistor. Scratches generated on the surface of the rad 1 in the thermal print always form grooves. This results in insufficient contact between the thermal printing pad 1 and the thermal transfer recording material 4, resulting in deterioration in image quality such as insufficient density. Moreover, the constituent members of the thermal print head 1 that are gouged out due to the occurrence of scratches further turn into dust, which promotes the occurrence of scratches.

When a so-called thin film type thermal print head 1 is used, the occurrence of such scratches becomes an even more serious problem. That is, FIG. 7 shows the configuration of a general thin film type thermal print head, in which a deep protective film 10 is formed on the head surface to prevent thermal oxidation and wear resistance of the heat generating part 9 of the heating resistor. When a groove is carved, oxygen easily permeates into the heat-generating portion 9 of the heat-generating resistor located directly under the groove due to cracks generated when the scratch occurs, and thermal oxidation of the heat-generating portion 9 in the heat-generating resistor film 12 becomes rapid. When an increase in value and a disconnection occur within a short period of time and five images are recorded, a so-called white spot occurs in which no line is recorded at all. These defects are
Considering that the subject is recording images, it can be said that the quality of recorded images has deteriorated irreparably. Furthermore, when a thermal printer is left unused for a long time and then images are recorded, defects in the recorded images and scratches on the thermal print head 1 increase in proportion to the time the printer is left unused. I understand. The main cause of this is that dust floating or flying up in the air adheres and accumulates on the thermal transfer recording material 4 and the like.

In addition, in FIG. 7, 13 is an alumina substrate, and 14 is a glaze layer.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and its purpose is to prevent scratches on the surface of the thermal print head and to prevent the recorded images from being damaged by white spots, color removal, etc. It is an object of the present invention to provide a thermal transfer recording material and a thermal recording paper for a thermal printer, which are designed to prevent quality deterioration with a relatively simple structure.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention has been made to achieve the above object, and a first aspect of the present invention is that the recording paper is overlapped with a recording paper and a thermal print head is pressed against the recording paper. In a thermal transfer recording material for a thermal printer that records an image on a surface, a cover film is provided on the surface that comes into contact with the thermal print head.

A second invention is the first invention, in which a cover film is provided on the surface that contacts the recording paper.

A third aspect of the present invention is a thermal recording paper for a thermal printer on which an image is recorded when a thermal print head is pressed against the paper, in which a cover film is provided on the surface that comes into contact with the thermal print head.

A fourth aspect of the invention is that in the first or second aspect, the thermal transfer recording material is housed in a cassette equipped with a cover film winding mechanism.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, the thermal recording paper is housed in a cassette equipped with a cover film winding mechanism.

[Function] In the present invention, the cover film covers the surface of the thermal transfer recording material that comes into contact with the thermal print head, the surface that comes into contact with the recording paper, or both of these surfaces to prevent dust from adhering to the material. The cover film of the thermal recording paper protects the surface that comes into contact with the thermal print head from dust. The cassette houses a cover film winding mechanism and a thermal transfer recording material or thermal recording paper.

[Example] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on an example shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a recording section of a thermal printer using a thermal transfer recording material according to the present invention. Components that are the same as those in FIGS. 5 to 7 are designated by the same reference numerals, and their explanations will be omitted. In this embodiment, the surface of the thermal transfer recording material 4 that comes into contact with the thermal print head 1 is A cover film 20 is attached to protect from dust,
The film is peeled off just before contacting the head surface and wound up by a film winding roller 21.

Various materials such as polyester can be used as the material for the cover film 20, but in view of the film's original purpose, it is desirable to use a material that generates little or no dust due to static electricity or the like.

Further, when using a sublimation thermal transfer recording material 4, etc., the ink in the thermal transfer recording material 4 may be transferred to the cover film 20 by the exfoliating agent, so care must be taken in selecting the film material.

The thickness of the cover film 20 was approximately the same as that of the thermal transfer recording material 4 (approximately 6 μm).

The film take-up roller 21 has the same diameter as the take-up pulley 6 for the thermal transfer recording material 4, and is connected to the pulley 6 by a gear (not shown) inside the printer, so that it can maintain the same speed during paper feeding operation. It is rotated at.

A recording signal is applied to the thermal print head 1, and when the recording corresponding to the recording signal is completed, the recording paper 3 and the thermal transfer recording material 4 are transferred in a prescribed amount, for example, if the thermal print head has a resolution of 8 dots per 11, Approximately 100-15
During this paper feeding operation, the cover film 20 attached to the surface of the thermal transfer recording material 4 is wound by the film winding roller 21 at a speed synchronized with the paper feeding. taken.

In the thermal transfer recording material 4 having such a structure, since the surface that comes into contact with the thermal print head 1 is protected by the cover film 20, the adhesion of dust, etc. can be reduced and prevented, and the rethermal printing caused by the dust can be prevented. head 1
can prevent scratches from occurring.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a recording section of a thermal printer showing another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, cover films 20 and 23 are pasted on both sides of the thermal transfer recording material 4, the surface that contacts the thermal print head 1 and the surface that contacts the recording paper 3, and the paper feed operation is performed immediately before the thermal print head 1. The film is wound up by film winding rollers 21 and 24, which are rotated in synchronization with the film winding rollers 21 and 24, respectively. The film take-up rollers 21 and 24 have the same diameter and are rotated at the same speed as the take-up pulley 6.

In such a configuration, in addition to the effects of the above embodiment,
Since the surface of the thermal transfer recording material 4 that comes into contact with the recording paper 3 is protected from dust, white spots, color loss, or scratches on the recording paper 3 can be prevented, and the quality of recorded images can be improved. It has the advantage of being able to

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a recording section of a thermal printer showing an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to thermal recording paper.

In the figure, 26 is a thermal recording paper, and the platen roller 2
The thermal print head 1 is directly pressed against the thermal print head 1 by the following. 27 is the thermal print head 1 of the thermal recording paper 26
28 is a film take-up roller. The film take-up roller 28 is disposed immediately in front of the thermal alint head 1, and is rotated in synchronization with the paper feeding operation of the thermal recording paper 26, thereby winding up the cover film 27.

In the thermal recording paper 26 having such a structure, the surface that comes into contact with the thermal print head 1 is protected from dust by the cover film 27, so that the thermal transfer recording material 4 shown in FIGS. As in the above case, it is possible to prevent scratches from occurring on the surface of the thermal print head 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cassette showing still another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a thermal transfer recording material 4, a feed pulley 5, a take-up pulley 6, a cover film 20, 23 attached to both the front and back sides, and a film winding roller 21, 24 are used as a thermal transfer recording material. cassette 30
This shows an example of how the device is stored and stored.

Such a configuration has the advantage that the thermal transfer recording material 4 can be easily and quickly mounted on the printer.

Note that the film take-up roller 24 is not necessary in the case of a thermal transfer recording material 4 with a cover film 20 pasted only on the surface that contacts the thermal alint head 1 or a thermal recording paper 26 shown in FIG. be done. However, in the case of a thermal recording paper cassette that stores the thermal recording paper 26,
A feed-out pulley and a take-up pulley for the thermal recording paper 26 are incorporated.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, the thermal transfer recording material for thermal printers according to the present invention has a cover film attached to the surface that comes into contact with the thermal print/rad to prevent the adhesion of dust, etc. Therefore, the occurrence of scratches on the surface of the thermal print head due to dust can be reliably prevented, and the durability of the thermal print head can be improved. Furthermore, when a cover film is attached to the surface that comes into contact with the recording paper, image defects such as white spots and color loss do not occur on the recording paper, and the quality of single image recording can be improved. In addition, the thermal recording paper according to the present invention has a cover film attached to the surface that contacts the thermal print head to prevent the adhesion of dust, etc., so that it can be used in the same manner as when using the thermal transfer recording material described above. It is possible to reliably prevent scratches on the surface of the thermal lint head caused by dust.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for winding a thermal transfer recording material or a thermal recording paper into a film! Since the cassette and the sides are incorporated into the cassette and fixed together, the work of installing the thermal transfer recording material and the thermal recording paper into the printer is simple and easy, and the work efficiency of replacement can be improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the recording section of a thermal printer using the thermal transfer recording material according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the recording section of a thermal printer according to another embodiment of the present invention. , FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a recording section of a thermal printer showing an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to thermal recording paper, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cassette showing still another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of the recording section of a conventional thermal printer using thermal transfer recording material, Figure 6 is a conceptual diagram of the vicinity of the heat generating part of the thermal print head, and Figure 7 is a typical conventional thin film printer. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of a cross section of a thermal print head. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Thermal print head, 2... Platen roller, 3... Recording paper, 4... Thermal transfer recording material, 20.
23...Cover film, 21.24...Film winding roller, 26...Thermosensitive recording paper, 27...Cover film, 30...Cassette.

Claims (5)

[Claims] (1) In a thermal transfer recording material for a thermal printer that records an image on the recording paper by being overlapped with a recording paper and a thermal print head is pressed against the recording paper, a cover film is provided on the surface that contacts the thermal print head. A thermal transfer recording material for thermal printers characterized by the following. (2) The thermal transfer recording material for thermal printers according to claim (1), characterized in that a cover film is provided on the surface that contacts the recording paper. (3) A thermal recording paper for a thermal printer on which an image is recorded when a thermal print head is pressed against the thermal printer, characterized in that a cover film is provided on the surface that comes into contact with the thermal print head. Recording paper. (4) The thermal transfer recording material for a thermal printer according to claim (1) or (2), characterized in that the thermal transfer recording material for a thermal printer is housed in a cassette equipped with a cover film winding mechanism. . (5) The thermal recording paper for a thermal printer according to claim (3), wherein the thermal recording paper for a thermal printer is housed in a cassette equipped with a cover film winding mechanism.