JPH08216473A - Card type ink sheet, manufacture thereof and thermal transfer recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To improve the function by providing means for identifying an ink sheet used for any of an n-fold mode for conveying a card type ink sheet by 1/n times of the conveying speed of an image reception sheet, an n-times mode for using the sheet n times, and a combination mode of both the n-fold mode and the n-times mode. CONSTITUTION: In a thermal transfer recorder for transferring to an image reception sheet in the state that a card type ink sheet 3 and the reception sheet 4 are sandwiched between a thermal head (recording head) and a platen roller, the card type ink sheet 3 is formed by holding an ink sheet 5 by a frame 6. A mode mark 8 for indicating the using mode of the ink sheet 5, i.e., an n-fold mode, an n-times mode or a combination mode of both the n-fold mode and the n-times mode is attached to the side of the frame 6 in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the frame 6. The mark 8 is detected by a photosensor 10 together with marks 9, 10 at the print start position and the print end position to control a motor 8, thereby moving the ink sheet 3.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a card type ink sheet, a method for manufacturing the same, and a thermal transfer recording apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a thermal transfer recording apparatus, a roll-shaped ink sheet is used, and the ink sheet wound in a roll shape on a supply roll is pressed against an image receiving paper between a recording head and a platen roller and then wound. I try to print while taking up with a take-up roll. However, since such a roll-shaped ink sheet is inconvenient to upsize and handle the apparatus, a card-shaped ink sheet in which the ink sheet is held by a frame to form a card and a thermal transfer recording using the card-shaped ink sheet. An apparatus has been proposed (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-166371).

The thermal transfer recording apparatus using the card type ink sheet uses (scans) the card type ink sheet in an n-times mode in which the ink sheet is conveyed at 1 / n times the conveying speed of the image receiving paper, or This is a device that uses a so-called one-time type ink sheet.

[0004]

However, the above-mentioned conventional card type ink sheet and the thermal transfer recording apparatus using the same are limited to the ink sheet and the one-time ink sheet which can be used in the n-fold mode. However, the functions of the card type ink sheet and the thermal transfer recording apparatus using the same are insufficient.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to improve the functions of a card type ink sheet and a thermal transfer recording apparatus using the same.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the card type ink sheet according to claim 1 is a card type ink sheet in which the ink sheet is held by a frame to form a card, and the image receiving paper is conveyed. A combination of an n-times mode in which a card-type ink sheet is conveyed at 1 / n times the speed, an n-times mode in which the same card-type ink sheet is used n times, and a combination of the n-times mode and the n-times mode. A mode identifying means is provided to indicate in which mode the ink sheet is used.

A thermal transfer recording apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is a thermal transfer recording apparatus which uses a card type ink sheet in which an ink sheet is held by a frame and is formed into a card shape. The card is used as a drive system for moving the card type ink sheet. The frame bodies of the mold ink sheet were connected.

A card-type ink sheet according to a third aspect of the present invention is a card-type ink sheet in which the ink sheet is held by a frame body to form a card shape, and the frame body is provided with color identification means for indicating the color of the ink.

The card-type ink sheet of claim 4 is a card-type ink sheet in which the ink sheet is held by a frame body to form a card, and the frame body is provided with position identifying means for indicating a print start position and a print end position. It was

The card-type ink sheet of claim 5 is a card-type ink sheet in which the ink sheet is held by a frame into a card shape, and protective means is provided for protecting both surfaces of the unused ink sheet.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a card type ink sheet which is formed into a card shape by holding the ink sheet with a frame, and the peripheral edge of the ink sheet is sandwiched from both sides by the frame. It is formed by adhering frame rolls to both sides of a continuous ink sheet roll and then cutting into individual ink sheets.

[0012]

The card type ink sheet according to claim 1 is provided with a mode identifying means for indicating whether the ink sheet is used in the n-fold mode, the n-time mode or a combination mode of the both modes. The ink sheet can be selected according to the cost, and the function of the card type ink sheet is improved.

In the thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention, since the frame of the card type ink sheet is connected to the drive system for moving the card type ink sheet, the occurrence of image jitter or the ink sheet due to the variation of the moving operation due to expansion and contraction. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of wrinkles due to elongation of the card, minimize the card area and secure the maximum printing area, and improve the performance of the thermal transfer recording apparatus.

In the card type ink sheet of claim 3, since the color identifying means for indicating the color is provided in the frame body of the ink sheet, it is possible to easily discriminate the used color and the function of the card type ink sheet is improved. improves.

According to the card type ink sheet of the fourth aspect, since the position identification means for indicating the print start position and the print end position is provided on the frame body of the ink sheet, control in the n-time mode and the combination mode is facilitated. Thus, the function of the thermal transfer recording device is improved.

Since the card type ink sheet of claim 5 is provided with the protection means for protecting both surfaces of the unused ink sheet, it is possible to prevent dust and the like from adhering to the ink sheet surface and improve the image quality. can do.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a card type ink sheet manufacturing method, wherein a frame roll is adhered to both sides of a continuous ink sheet roll, and then the ink sheet is cut into individual ink sheets and the ink sheet is held by the frame body. Since the card-shaped ink sheet in the shape of a card is manufactured, the card-shaped ink sheet can be easily manufactured.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a thermal transfer recording apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a drive system of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a plan view of a card type ink sheet, and FIG. 4 is a card of FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state before using the mold type ink sheet, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another card type ink sheet similar to FIG.

In this thermal transfer recording apparatus, a card type ink sheet 3 and an image receiving paper 4 are sandwiched between a thermal transfer recording head 1 which is a thermal head and a platen roller 2, and the card type is used by the recording head 1. The ink of the ink sheet 3 is transferred to the image receiving paper 4 to print an image.

The card type ink sheet 3 is obtained by holding a melt type or sublimation type ink sheet 5 with a frame 6 made of a highly rigid material such as plastic, paper or aluminum.
The frame 6 is provided with a wide engaging portion 6a, and the engaging portion 6a
The engaging holes 6b, 6b are formed as elongated holes in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the card type ink sheet 2. Also,
The width L2 in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the ink sheet 5 is formed longer than the width L1 of the recording head 1.

The frame body 6 of the card type ink sheet 3 is provided with a mode mark 8 indicating a usage mode of the ink sheet 5 on a side portion in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction. That is,
The mode mark 8 has the same card type ink sheet 3 n times as the n-fold mode in which the ink sheet 5 conveys (moves) the card type ink sheet 3 at 1 / n times the conveyance speed of the image receiving paper 4. A combination of the n-time mode for repeated use and the n-times mode and the n-times mode, that is, one frame is printed while moving the card-type ink sheet 3 at 1 / n times, and then the ink sheet 3 is pulled back again for n times. It is a mode identification unit that indicates which of the combination modes in which the printing is performed once is the ink sheet used.

Further, on the frame 6 of the card type ink sheet 3 in the same row as the mode mark 8, as position identifying means,
A print start position mark 9 indicating a print start position and a print end position mark 10 indicating a print end position are attached. These marks 9 and 10 are
The card type ink sheet 3 is attached when the card type ink sheet 3 is an ink sheet used in the n-time mode or an ink sheet used in the combination mode. That is, since the card type ink sheet 3 reciprocates in n times or in the combination mode, the print start position and print end position are required.

Further, the frame 6 of the card type ink sheet 3
As shown in FIG. 3, the ink sheet 5 is formed on a part of the surface of the ink sheet 5.
By printing a color corresponding to the retained color, the color identification means indicating the retained color is obtained, and the color display character 11 indicating the retained color is displayed.
("Y" indicating yellow in FIG. 4) is printed as the color identification means. Of course, only one of these two color identification means (color printing and character) may be provided.

Before use, the card-type ink sheet 3 is stored in a bag 13 made of a film, paper or the like that can store the entire card-type ink sheet 3 as shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a protective sheet 14 made of a plastic film or paper is detachably attached to the frame body 6 so as to cover both sides of the ink sheet 5. The bag 13 and the protective sheet 14 are protective means.

Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, the drive system for moving the card-type ink sheet 3 can engage with the engagement holes 6a, 6a formed in the frame 6 of the card-type ink sheet 3. Connecting plate 16 in which engaging pins 15 and 15 are planted
And a lead screw 17 to which the connecting plate 16 is screwed, and a motor 18 including a pulse motor for rotating the lead screw 17.

In order to control the drive system, a detection signal of a photo sensor 20 for detecting the mode mark 8, print start position mark 9 and print end position mark 10 of the card type ink sheet 3 is passed through an amplifier circuit 21. A control unit 22 including a microcomputer or the like for inputting the information and a drive circuit 23 that rotationally drives the motor 18 according to a control signal from the control unit 22 are provided, and the motor 18 is driven according to the detection result of the mode mark 8. The card type ink sheet 3 is rotated and moved according to the mode in which it is used. The image receiving paper 4 is sent by the sending roller 24.

The operation of the thermal transfer recording device and the card type ink sheet configured as described above will be described. First,
When this thermal transfer recording apparatus is used, the card type ink sheet 3 is attached to the engaging holes 6b, 6b of the connecting plate 16
It is set in the device by engaging with the engaging pins 15, 15.

At this time, the card type ink sheet 3 is housed in the bag 13 or protected by the protective sheet 14 as shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5, and dust or the like is attached to the ink sheet 5 in an unused state. As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of white stripes on the non-printing portion due to dust or the like during printing, which deteriorates the image quality. In particular, in the case of a multi-ink sheet, since the amount of movement of the ink sheet is short, even a small amount of dust causes large white stripes on the print screen. Therefore, use a dust-proof sheet or bag as described above. As a result, it is possible to effectively prevent deterioration of image quality due to dust or the like.

Further, since the card type ink sheet 3 is provided with the color display characters 11 and the like indicating the retained color, it is possible to prevent the ink sheet 3 from being set in the wrong color when being set in the apparatus. In particular, in the case of multi-ink sheets, the ink coating thickness is thick and the colors cannot be distinguished simply by looking at the sheet surface, so there is a great risk of making a mistake in setting the colors. Can be effectively prevented.

Next, the scanning control of the card type ink sheet 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, and the control unit 22 is mounted based on the detection signal from the photo sensor 20 as shown in FIG. The mode mark 8 of the card type ink sheet 3 is read, and the use mode of the card type ink sheet 3 is determined based on the reading result of the mode mark 8. If the ink sheet 5 is the n-fold mode, the mode is the n-fold mode. If the ink sheet 5 is in the n-time mode, the mode is set to the n-time mode, and if the ink sheet is in the combination mode, the mode is set to the combination mode of n times and n times.

Then, the control unit 22 drives and controls the motor 18 via the drive circuit 23 according to the use mode set as described above to move the lead screw 17 forward and backward to move the card type ink sheet 3. .

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, in the case of the card type ink sheet 3 in the triple mode, as shown in FIG. The moving speed is set to 1/3, one screen is printed in the area 5a of the ink sheet 5, and the next one is printed in the next area 5b.
The screen is printed, and the next one screen is printed in the next area 5c.

In the case of the card type ink sheet 3 in the three-time mode, the card type ink sheet 3 is moved and one screen is printed using the entire ink sheet 5, as shown in FIG. After copying, the card type ink sheet 3 is returned to the original position, and the next one screen is printed using the entire ink sheet 5 in the same manner, and then the card type ink sheet 3 is similarly moved to the original position. Then, the next one screen is printed by using the entire ink sheet 5. Here, the number of times the card type ink sheet 3 is used can be counted by punching holes in the frame body 6. The print start position and print end position of the ink sheet 5 can be detected by detecting the marks 9 and 10, respectively.

Further, in the case of the card type ink sheet 3 in the triple mode of the double-duration mode, the image receiving paper 4 as shown in FIG.
The moving speed of the card type ink sheet 3 is set to 1/3 with respect to the conveying speed of 1), one screen is printed in the area 5a of the ink sheet 5, and then the card type ink sheet 3 is returned to its original position. , The same area 5a is used to print the next one screen.
Printing is performed by repeating steps b and 5c.

In this way, the card type ink sheet 3
The use mode of the card type ink sheet 3 can be obtained by detecting and discriminating the mode mark 8 attached to the card type ink sheet 3, and the card type ink sheet 3 can be moved (scanned) in an appropriate use mode. The functions of the mold ink sheet 3 and the thermal transfer recording device are improved. In addition, the drive system of the thermal transfer recording apparatus is connected to the frame 6 of the card type ink sheet 3.
By connecting and moving the card, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of image jitter due to movement fluctuation due to expansion and contraction, and the generation of wrinkles due to the elongation of the sheet at the time of printing, and minimize the card area to maximize You will be able to get the print area.

Next, a method of manufacturing the card type ink sheet 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. As shown in FIG. 8, an ink sheet roll 31 formed by winding the ink sheet 5 in a roll shape, and an ink sheet 31 a drawn from the ink sheet roll 31 are vertically sandwiched between the frame body 6 and the ink sheet roll 31.
Upper frame roll 32 formed by winding the upper frame material inside
And a lower frame roll 33 formed by winding the lower frame member in a roll shape, while sandwiching the ink sheet roll 31a, the upper frame member 32a, and the lower frame member 33a between the pressure roll 34 and the transport roll 35. The upper frame member 32a and the lower frame member 33 are transported.
The upper frame member 3 is formed by the adhesive 36, 36 attached to the facing surface side of a.
Ink sheet roll 31a is provided between 2a and lower frame member 33a.
Are stuck together in a sandwich.

In this way, as shown in FIG. 9, after forming a sheet 37 in which a large number of card type ink sheets 3 are integrated, a cutter receiver 38 and a cutter 39 are used to form a vertical cut line A shown in FIG. And, a large number of card type ink sheets 3 are formed by cutting along the horizontal cut line B. As described above, by forming a large number of card-type ink sheets 3, mass production can be easily achieved.

Next, another dustproof method for the card type ink sheet 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 10. In this dustproof case 41, a dustproof cover 43 is attached to a case body 42 and a shaft 44.
And a case main body 42, in which the unused card type ink sheet 3 for storing an unused card type ink sheet 3 and a used card storing section 46 for storing a used card type ink sheet 3 The image receiving paper storage portion 47 for storing the image receiving paper 4 is defined by partition walls 48, 48.

By using such a dust-proof case 41, it is possible to prevent dust and the like from adhering to the card-type ink sheet 3 and to deteriorate the image quality.
It is also possible to form a unitized automatic supply / discharge mechanism by providing the dust-proof case 41 with a transfer mechanism for the card type ink sheet 3 and the image receiving paper 4.

[0040]

As described above, according to the card type ink sheet of the first aspect, the mode identification indicating which of the n-times mode, the n-times mode and the combination mode of both modes is used. Since a means is provided, it is possible to select an ink sheet according to image quality and cost,
The function of the card type ink sheet is improved.

According to the thermal transfer recording apparatus of the second aspect, since the frame body of the card type ink sheet is connected to the drive system for moving the card type ink sheet, the occurrence of image jitter due to the movement change due to expansion and contraction. The occurrence of wrinkles due to the expansion of the ink sheet can be suppressed, the card area can be minimized to secure the maximum printing area, and the performance of the thermal transfer recording apparatus such as the improvement of image quality can be improved.

According to the card type ink sheet of claim 3, since the color discriminating means for indicating the color of the ink is provided on the frame body of the ink sheet, it is possible to easily discriminate the used color and the card type ink sheet. The function of the seat is improved.

According to the card type ink sheet of claim 4, since the position identification means for indicating the print start position and the print end position is provided in the frame of the ink sheet, n
Control in the rotation mode and the combination mode is facilitated, and the function of the thermal transfer recording apparatus is improved.

According to the card type ink sheet of the fifth aspect, since the protection means for protecting both surfaces of the unused ink sheet is provided, it is possible to prevent dust and the like from adhering to the ink sheet surface, and image quality. Can be improved.

According to the method of producing a card type ink sheet of claim 6, the frame roll is adhered to both sides of the continuous ink sheet roll, and then cut into individual ink sheets, and the ink sheet is held by the frame. Since a card-type ink sheet in the form of a card is manufactured, the card-type ink sheet can be easily manufactured.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a thermal transfer recording apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the drive system shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a card type ink sheet.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state before using the card type ink sheet of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another card type ink sheet similar to FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of mode determination processing performed by a control unit.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of scanning of an ink sheet performed by a control unit.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a card-type ink sheet.

9 is an explanatory view of a sheet-shaped card-type ink sheet formed by the manufacturing method of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a dustproof case.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Recording head, 2 ... Platen roller, 3 ... Card type ink sheet, 4 ... Image receiving paper, 5 ... Ink sheet, 6 ... Frame, 8 ... Mode mark, 9 ... Print start mark,
10 ... Print end mark, 11 ... Color display character, 13
... bag, 14 ... protective sheet, 17 ... lead screw, 1
8 ... Motor, 20 ... Photo sensor, 22 ... Control part, 23
… Drive circuit.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A card type ink sheet in which an ink sheet is held by a frame and formed into a card shape is the same as the n-fold mode in which the card type ink sheet is conveyed at 1 / n times the conveyance speed of the image receiving paper. A mode identifying means is provided to indicate whether the ink sheet is used in an n-times mode in which the card-type ink sheet is used n times or in a combination mode in which the n-times mode and the n-times mode are combined. Card type ink sheet. 2. A thermal transfer recording apparatus that uses a card-type ink sheet in which a card-shaped ink sheet is held by a frame body, and the frame body of the card-type ink sheet is used as a drive system for moving the card-type ink sheet. A thermal transfer recording device characterized by being connected. 3. A card-type ink sheet in which the ink sheet is held in a frame and formed into a card shape, wherein the frame is provided with color identification means for indicating the color of ink. 4. A card type ink sheet in which an ink sheet is held by a frame into a card shape, wherein the frame is provided with position identification means for indicating a print start position and a print end position. Ink sheet. 5. A card-type ink sheet in which a card-shaped ink sheet is held by a frame body, and protective means is provided for protecting both sides of the unused ink sheet. . 6. A card-type ink sheet in which an ink sheet is held by a frame body into a card shape, and the card-type ink sheet is formed by sandwiching the peripheral portion of the ink sheet from both sides by the frame body and is continuous. A method for producing a card-type ink sheet, which comprises forming frame rolls on both sides of an ink sheet roll and then cutting the individual ink sheets.