JPH0958131A - Method and apparatus for producing thermal transfer recording medium and method and apparatus for reproducing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reproduce a used thermal transfer recording medium by applying a recording material containing at least one of a photopolymerizable synthetic monomer and a photopolymerized synthetic polymer and a coloring agent on a substrate and cutting off the surface of the recording material from the atmosphere and irradiating the surface of the recording material with light to generate photopolymerization reaction. SOLUTION: A thermal transfer recording medium 1 is obtained by laminating an ink layer 1b on a substrate 1a and, if necessary, an ultraviolet absorber or a coloring agent is used in the thermal transfer recording material 3 constituting the ink layer 1b. Then, a plate material is closely bonded to the surface of the recording material 3 and the surface of the recording material 3 is irradiated with light to generate polymerization reaction in the recording material 3. For example, when a used ink ribbon is reproduced, the material 3 is applied to the recording medium 1 at first and the recording medium is irradiated with ultraviolet rays on the side of the substrate 1a to cure the recording material 3. Next, the excessive recording material 3 is removed and the ink of the boundary part 4 between the ink layers 1b is melted by heat annealing treatment to be eliminated.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a thermal transfer recording medium, which is a recording medium in a thermal transfer recording apparatus used as an output terminal device of an information processing apparatus such as a word processor and a facsimile, and in particular, used thermal transfer recording. The present invention relates to a method and a device for manufacturing a thermal transfer recording medium, and a method and a device for reproducing a thermal transfer recording medium, which enables the medium to be used a plurality of times.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, various printers are used as output terminal devices of information processing apparatuses such as word processors, facsimile machines, computers, and the like. Various methods have been proposed.

Among these, its quietness, low cost,
From the standpoints of miniaturization adaptability, easy operability, and high reliability, a thermal transfer method using a heating resistance element array called a thermal head has been widely used, and in recent years, its application has changed from commercial to home. It is expanding to youth and even hobby.

The thermal transfer system uses a thermal transfer paper for melting the ink of the thermal transfer recording medium by the heat of a thermal head and transferring it to recording paper made of plain paper. This thermal paper can be broadly classified into two types, a sublimation thermal transfer system that develops color by the heat of a thermal head. However, at present, the fusion thermal transfer recording system is mainly used in terms of cost.

FIG. 9 shows the basic principle of the above-mentioned fusion type thermal transfer system and the basic construction of a thermal transfer recording medium used in this fusion type thermal transfer system. As shown in FIG. The thermal transfer recording medium 1, which is also called an ink sheet, has a structure in which an ink layer 1b is laminated on a base material 1a.

A polymer resin film having a film thickness of 1 to 12 μm is usually used as the base material 1a of the thermal transfer recording medium 1, and the material of the base material 1a is polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyethylene naphthalate. General-purpose resins such as phthalate (PEN), polyimide (PI), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), and aramid are used.

Further, on the back surface of the base material 1a, the abrasion of the thermal head due to the sliding contact is reduced, the running of the ink ribbon as a thermal transfer recording medium is stabilized, and the fusion of the ink ribbon with the ink surface during winding is prevented. The lubricating layer 1c is generally applied for the purpose of

The ink layer 1b of the thermal transfer recording medium 1 is
The main component is a heat-melting resin with good adhesion between heat-melting substances such as low-melting wax and recording paper, and a small amount of various pigments and various plasticizers, dispersants, antioxidants, etc. are added as colorants. It is composed of This ink layer 1b
Examples of the low melting point wax used include carnauba wax, candelilla wax, rice wax, paraffin wax, microcrystalline wax, polyethylene wax, and the like, and these are used alone or as a mixture.

As the heat-meltable resin used for the ink layer 1b, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene-vinyl butyrate copolymers, ethylene-acrylic copolymers and other ethylene-based copolymers, and polylauryl are used. Examples thereof include poly (meth) acrylic acid esters such as methacrylate and polyhexyl acrylate, polyvinyl chloride, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers, vinyl chloride-based copolymers such as vinyl chloride-vinyl alcohol copolymers. You can
These resins are used alone or in combination.

The thermal transfer recording medium 1 configured as described above is first brought into close contact with the recording paper 11 by pressing the thermal head 10 from the back surface side of the base material 1a, that is, the lubricating layer 1c side. Then, by heating the heat generating resistance element 10a in the portion corresponding to the desired recording, the ink in the portion facing the heat generating element 2a that has generated heat is thermally melted or softened and transferred to the recording sheet, and transferred. The desired recording is obtained with the ink 2.

[0011]

However, in the thermal transfer recording medium of such a thermal transfer system, in principle, once the transfer recording is performed, the ink in the portion corresponding to the transferred image comes out and becomes defective. The thermal transfer recording medium used once for transfer recording must be discarded by one-time use, and there is a problem that the cost becomes remarkably high when considering the running cost required for printing.

As a means for solving such a problem, conventionally, a method of reproducing a thermal transfer recording medium that can be used a plurality of times or a thermal transfer recording medium that has been used once has been proposed.

For example, as the former thermal transfer recording medium (ink ribbon) which can be used plural times, a structure having a structure as shown in FIG. 10 has been proposed, and this ink ribbon is generally called a multi-time ribbon. , Has already been put to practical use.

As shown in FIG. 9, the structure of this multi-time ribbon has a structure in which the ink layer 1b, which is conventionally a single layer, is laminated as a plurality of layers, and the layers are sequentially transferred from the upper layer during printing. , Realizes recording a plurality of times.

In FIG. 10, the ink layer 1b is divided into two ink layers 1
b1 and 1b2. When such an ink ribbon is used, the ink layer 1b1 is used for printing in the first printing operation, and the ink layer 1b1 is used in the second printing operation in the first printing operation. The remaining portion of the ink layer 1b1 that has not been transferred and the ink layer 1b2 are used for printing.

However, as shown in FIG. 10, the surface of the thermal transfer recording medium 1 after the first transfer has a step corresponding to the ink layer 1b1 between the part where the ink is transferred and the part where the ink is not transferred. Since the surface of the layer 1b becomes uneven, the adhesiveness between the paper 3 and the ink layer 1b of the thermal transfer recording medium 1 decreases during the second printing operation, and the print quality gradually deteriorates as the number of printings increases. However, it has not been a fundamental solution from the viewpoint of reducing the running cost while maintaining the print quality.

Since the maximum number of printable times is determined by the number of layers of the ink layer 1b, there is a limit to the number of layers that can be tolerated unless the above-mentioned measures against the uneven shape of the surface are taken. There is also a problem in that repeated use a large number of times is substantially difficult.

An example of the latter method of reproducing a thermal transfer recording medium is proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-286333.

That is, the ink layer side of the used thermal transfer recording medium is subjected to corona charging treatment to adhere the toner to the ink deficient portion where the ink of the ink layer is desorbed by the transfer, and then the adhered toner is heated by heat. The thermal transfer recording medium is reusable so that it can be reused by melting and performing uniform planarization.

However, this reproducing method requires a high-voltage power source because it utilizes corona charging similar to that used in a normal electrophotographic apparatus, resulting in an increase in size of the apparatus and inevitable increase in cost. was there.

Further, since the toner used for regenerating the ink layer is a powder, it is difficult to make the particle diameter uniform, and in addition, since the charge amount of the toner has a great humidity dependency, There is also a problem that it is extremely difficult to control the adhesion amount.

Further, since the average particle diameter of the toner is about 10 μm, it is considered from a dimensional point of view to fill the ink defect portion of the ink layer of the order of several μm of a commonly used thermal transfer recording medium with high accuracy. However, there was a problem that it was difficult.

Japanese Patent Application No. 7-78874 filed by the applicant of the present invention has already been filed to overcome the above-mentioned conventional problems. And, according to the invention of this application, by irradiating ultraviolet rays to cure the ultraviolet curable resin,
Conventionally, a thermal transfer recording medium that has been disposable after being used once can be used a plurality of times with a simple structure, and it has become possible to significantly reduce running costs in printing. Various problems have been found to be related to this technique.

That is, although it depends on the type, shape, and surface condition of the pigment contained in the ink layer, generally, the ultraviolet curing when the opaque coloring pigment is mixed is opaque as compared with the case where the opaque coloring pigment is not mixed. When the coloring pigment absorbs ultraviolet rays, the behavior of ultraviolet rays changes,
There is a problem that the curing speed becomes slow.

Further, since the reaction is carried out in an oxygen atmosphere, a large amount of ozone is generated, and the reactive free radicals are converted into relatively stable free radicals, which hinders the radical polymerization reaction. However, since the surface of the ink layer is hardened in a state of being constantly in contact with oxygen, the reaction becomes slow, the surface hardening is delayed as compared with the inside of the ink layer, and the complete hardening time becomes long.

As a method of completely curing in a short time, it is necessary to increase the intensity of ultraviolet light, but for that purpose, a high-voltage power source and a high-power lamp are required, which is caused by a heat ray due to an increase in cost and an increase in size of the lamp. A fever problem arises.
In addition, as a method of completely curing in a short time, radical polymerization may be performed in an inert gas such as nitrogen. However, since it is necessary to seal the entire device in order to form an inert atmosphere, this leads to an increase in cost,
Its practical application is limited.

Further, when the surface curing speed is slow, the monomer remains in the uncured state on the surface of the ink layer, and the monomer having a high vapor pressure is volatilized when heated and annealed to generate a monomer vapor harmful to the human body. However, the uncured monomer at the time of printing may cause base stain.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and it is a thermal transfer recording which can not only be manufactured at a low cost but also can be shortened in the complete curing time, which is safe for the human body and enables clear printing. An object of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a medium, and a method and an apparatus for reproducing a thermal transfer recording medium.

[0029]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the method of manufacturing a thermal transfer recording medium according to claim 1 of the present invention is characterized in that the surface of the recording material at the portion irradiated with light is shielded from the atmosphere. The point is to irradiate with light. By adopting such a configuration, the surface of the recording material can be formed in an anaerobic atmosphere and light can be irradiated.

The formation of the anaerobic atmosphere is carried out by bringing a plate material into close contact with the surface of the recording material to irradiate light, or bringing a flexible film into contact with the surface of the recording material and irradiating with light.
Alternatively, it can be achieved by immersing the surface of the recording material in a liquid and irradiating with light.

Next, a feature of the apparatus for manufacturing a thermal transfer recording medium according to claim 6 of the present invention is that a shielding means is provided for shielding the surface of the recording material at the portion irradiated with light from the atmosphere. . By adopting such a configuration, the surface of the recording material can be formed into an anaerobic atmosphere by the blocking means and light can be irradiated.

Further, the characteristic of the method of reproducing the thermal transfer recording medium according to the seventh aspect of the present invention is that the surface of the thermal transfer recording medium at the portion where the recording material is applied is shielded from the atmosphere and irradiated with light. By adopting such a configuration, the surface of the recording material can be formed in an anaerobic atmosphere and light can be irradiated.

Furthermore, the reproducing apparatus for the thermal transfer recording medium according to the eighth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that a shielding means for shielding the surface of the recording material from the atmosphere is provided. By adopting such a configuration, the surface of the recording material can be formed in an anaerobic atmosphere and light can be irradiated.

[0034]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

First, the thermal transfer recording medium used in the thermal transfer recording medium reproducing method and reproducing apparatus of the present invention and the thermal transfer recording medium using the same will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the thermal transfer recording medium 1 of the present invention has a structure in which an ink layer 1b made of a thermal transfer recording material is laminated on a substrate 1a. The recording material for thermal transfer that constitutes the main component is a UV curable resin that is cured by irradiating ultraviolet rays as light, and contains an ultraviolet absorber, a colorant, and other minor additives in an amount of about 0 to 10% if necessary. It is considered to be a blended composition.

The UV-curable resin is mainly composed of three components of a photopolymerizable prepolymer, a photopolymerizable monomer and a photoinitiator, and the photopolymerizable prepolymer in this is usually 0 to 99 weight. It is an important component that is added in the range of parts and forms the skeleton of the resin.

This photopolymerizable polymer is a polymer which is further polymerized by a photochemical action, and is sometimes called a photopolymerizable unsaturated polymer or a photopolymerizable oligomer.

The photopolymerizable monomer plays a role of a diluent for the above-mentioned photopolymerizable prepolymer, and is usually added in an amount of 0 to 99 parts by weight to ensure practical workability of the ink. It is itself involved in the polymerization reaction due to the action of the terminal functional group upon irradiation with ultraviolet rays. The photopolymerizable monomer can be classified into a monofunctional monomer and a polyfunctional monomer according to the number of functional groups. Particularly, the polyfunctional monomer plays a role of a cross-linking agent that forms a bridge between polymers.

The photoinitiator absorbs ultraviolet rays to trigger the polymerization reaction.

Further, the ink layer 1 according to the present embodiment.
In addition to the above-mentioned three components, the recording material for thermal transfer constituting b further contains additives such as a sensitizer, a pigment, a filler, a leveling agent, and a viscoelasticity modifier, if necessary. It is a thing.

The photopolymerizable prepolymer used in the recording material for thermal transfer is polyester acrylate,
Suitable examples include epoxy acrylate, urethane acrylate, polyether acrylate, and polyacrylate.

Further, as the photopolymerizable monomer, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl acrylate, 2-
Monofunctional type such as hydroxyethyl acrylate, tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate, and derivative of tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate, dicyclopentenyl acrylate, dicyclopentenyloxyethyl acrylate, 1,3-butanediol acrylate, 1,4-butanediol Acrylate, 1,6-hexanediol acrylate, diethylene glycol diacrylate,
Neopentyl glycol diacrylate, polyethylene glycol 400 diacrylate, hydroxypivalate neopentyl glycol diacrylate, tripropylene glycol diacrylate, 1,3-bis (3-acryloxyethoxy-2-hydroxypropyl) -5,5- Preferred examples include dimethylhydantoin, hydroxypivalic acid ester, neopentyl glycol derivative diacrylate and other bifunctional types, and trimethylolpropane triacrylate, pentaerythritol triacrylate, and dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate. be able to.

Further, as the photoinitiator, biacetyl,
Acetophenone, benzophenone, Michler's ketone, benzyl, benzoin, benzoin isobutyl ether,
Benzyl dimethyl ketal, tetramethyl thiuram sulfide, azobisisobutyl nitrile, benzoyl peroxide, di-tert-butyl peroxide, 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone, 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-phenyl-propan-1-one ,
1- (4-isopropylphenyl) -2-hydroxy-
2-Methylpropan-1-one, 2-chlorothioxanthone, methylbenzoyl formate and the like can be mentioned as preferable ones.

Further, as the colorant, in addition to black pigments such as carbon black, acetylene black and oil black and white pigments such as titania and calcium carbonate, known dyes such as yellow, magenta and cyan can be cited. The color tone and the like can be adjusted to a desired state by appropriately changing the addition amount of these pigments or dyes.

Next, the reproducing method of the thermal transfer recording medium of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

In the method of reproducing the thermal transfer recording medium according to the present embodiment, the thermal transfer recording material 3 having the above-described structure is used to reproduce the used ink ribbon as shown in FIG. Is applied over the entire surface of the thermal transfer recording medium 1 including the ink deficient portion 1d (FIG. 1 (B)), and ultraviolet irradiation is performed on the back side of the thermal transfer recording medium 1, that is, the substrate 1a.
Step of curing the thermal transfer recording material 3 applied in the ink defect portion 1d by performing from the side (FIG. 1).
(C)), and thereafter, the cleaning step (FIG. 1D) for removing the excess thermal transfer recording material 3 applied to areas other than the ink deficient portion 1d. When the thermal transfer recording medium 1 for reproduction is reproduced, the reproduced ink layer 2a and the remaining ink layer 1
It is also possible to add a heating annealing step (FIG. 1 (E)) in which the boundary portion 4 with b is eliminated by melting the ink.

To further explain, referring to FIG.
The thermal transfer recording medium 1 such as a used ink ribbon or ink sheet has an ink layer 1b which is left on the substrate 1a and which has not been used for printing, and a substrate between the pair of ink layers 1b and 1b. Since the ink layer is transferred and recorded on the recording paper on the material 1a, the ink deficient portion 1d is formed.

In order to reproduce the thermal transfer recording medium 1 after being used once, in the step shown in FIG. 1 (B), first, in a step shown in FIG. 3 is applied to the entire surface of the thermal transfer recording medium 1 including the ink defect portion 1d, and then a knife,
The film thickness of the coating ink 3 is made uniform by moving the film thickness control member 12 such as a blade. Here, it is ideal that the film thickness of the applied ink 3 to be applied is the same as the film thickness of the ink defect portion 1d, but even if the applied amount is excessive as in the present embodiment, it remains on the substrate 1a. Even if the ink 3 comes to adhere to the surface of the untransferred ink layer 1b, there is no particular problem because there is a cleaning step described later.

Next, in the step shown in FIG.
The entire surface of the thermal transfer recording medium 1 coated with the coating ink 3 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the substrate 1a side, that is, the rear side, by the ultraviolet ray irradiator 13. As the light source of the ultraviolet irradiator 13, at least one that emits ultraviolet light such as a low pressure or high pressure mercury lamp, mercury xenon, or a metal halide lamp is used. The ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet irradiator 13 is a diffused light or a condensing lens ( Any of light collection via a not shown) may be used.

At this time, before the ultraviolet irradiation by the ultraviolet irradiator 13, in order to form the surface of the coating ink 3 in an anaerobic atmosphere in advance, the flat plate body 14 as a blocking means for blocking the atmosphere on the surface of the coating ink 3 is formed. To be closely attached. It is sufficient that the plate 14 covers at least the surface of the coating ink 3 in the range where the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiator 13 reach.

As the plate 14, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, nylon, polystyrene, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polyurethane, fluororesin, MMA, polyacrylonitrile, polybutene, polyimide, polyarylate, polyether monkey. It may be a plastic film such as phon, polyetheretherketone, polysulfone, polyetherimide, and aramid film, or a metal plate such as copper, iron, aluminum, stainless steel, chromate plating, nickel plating, and alumite. Further, a plate-shaped inorganic material such as glass or ceramic or a plate-shaped rubber material such as silicon rubber may be used as the plate body 14.

Then, the surface of the coating ink 3 is covered with the plate member 14 to make the surface of the coating ink 3 an anaerobic atmosphere, and the coating ink 3 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet ray irradiator 13 through the substrate 1a. Then, ultraviolet rays reach the coating ink 3 applied to the ink deficient portion 1d via the base material 1a, but since there is no air on the surface of the coating ink 3, radicals on the surface of the coating ink 3 are generated. The polymerization reaction is not hindered by oxygen in the atmosphere, and the applied ink 3 is almost uniformly cured on the surface and inside in a short time and regenerated as the ink layer 3a.

On the other hand, even with this ultraviolet irradiation, the untransferred residual ink layer 1b has already been solidified, so that no change occurs, and the coating ink 3b applied on the untransferred ink layer 1b is irradiated. Since the generated ultraviolet rays are blocked by the untransferred ink layer 1b and do not penetrate to the surface, the radical polymerization reaction by the ultraviolet rays does not occur and the liquid state is maintained.

As described above, according to the method of reproducing the thermal transfer recording medium of the present embodiment, it is possible to only cure the coating ink 2 existing in the ink defect portion 1c.

The thickness of the ink layer 3a to be reproduced is
It can be appropriately controlled depending on curing conditions such as ultraviolet irradiation time, power and wavelength, and characteristics of the material used.

Next, in the cleaning step of FIG. 1D, an excess amount of the coating ink 3b (FIG. 1C) which has not reacted and cured in the ultraviolet irradiation step shown in FIG.
(See (C)) is wiped off and removed by the cleaning roller 15, whereby the one cycle of the recycling process is completed.

When reproducing the thermal transfer recording medium 1 for high-definition printing, it is necessary to further restore the boundary portion 4 between the remaining ink layer 1b and the newly reproduced ink layer 3a. If there is any, an additional annealing step of performing a heating annealing process from the surface side of the ink layer 1b using a heating device 16 such as a halogen lamp as shown in FIG. The ink layer may be made compatible with each other so that the boundary portion 3 disappears.
As a means for performing the heat annealing treatment, in addition to the above-described non-contact heating method using a halogen lamp light source, a contact heating method using a thermal head can be used.

This annealing step is effective as a means to be used together when extremely high-definition printing of a photographic image or the like is required, and it can be omitted in the case of normal character printing.

Next, a thermal transfer recording medium reproducing apparatus of the present invention and a thermal transfer printer equipped with this reproducing apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, respectively.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing an embodiment of a reproducing apparatus for a thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention.

Usually, in the ribbon cassette 17 accommodating the thermal transfer recording medium 1 such as an ink ribbon, the thermal transfer recording medium 1 is guided by a plurality of guide rollers so that the thermal transfer recording medium 1 can be stably run in the ribbon cassette 17. The traveling is controlled, and the ribbon cassette 17 is provided with a concave portion 18 at a portion indicated by A in the drawing for positioning a thermal head (not shown) during a recording operation.

The reproducing apparatus 19 of the present embodiment is provided with a mounting portion 20 for mounting the ribbon cassette 17 containing the thermal transfer recording medium which has been used once and needs to be reproduced. , The ribbon cassette 17 is mounted on the mounting portion 20.
3 is placed, a tension head 21 is installed at a portion facing the recess 18 of the placed ribbon cassette 17, and the tension head 21 is moved up and down in FIG. 3 by a driving means (not shown). It has become. On the other hand, in FIG. 3, a recording material tank 22 is arranged immediately below the concave portion 18 of the ribbon cassette 17 placed on the placing portion 20, and in the recording material tank 22, the above-mentioned liquid thermal transfer recording is performed. The material is full. A recording material supply roller 23, which is rotationally driven by a driving unit (not shown), is arranged in the recording material tank 22. The recording material supply roller 23 is rotationally driven to cause the recording material tank 22 to be stored in the recording material tank 22. The thermal transfer recording material is attached to the outer peripheral surface and pumped up.

Then, the ribbon cassette 17 is placed on the mounting portion 20.
When the reproduction signal is input, the tension head 21 is separated from the inside of the recess 18 of the ribbon cassette 17 by several millimeters to several centimeters in the figure.
Moving to the ribbon cassette 17 while the thermal transfer recording medium 1 is hooked by the tension head 21.
From the recording material supply roller 23.
Is pressed against. At this time, the base material of the thermal transfer recording medium 1 contacts the tension head 21, and the ink layer formed by solidifying the recording material formed on the thermal transfer recording medium 1 contacts the recording material supply roller 23. In addition, in the vicinity of the recording material supply roller 23, the recording material supply roller 23
Thus, the film thickness control member 12 including a blade for uniformly controlling the film thickness of the thermal transfer recording material applied to the thermal transfer recording medium 1 is provided.

The tension heads 2 are provided on both sides of the intermediate portion of the moving path of the tension heads 21.
A guide roller 24 and a cleaning roller 15 are arranged at right and left intervals so as not to interfere with the thermal transfer recording medium 1 pulled out from the ribbon cassette 17 in a state of being caught by 1. Furthermore, these two rollers 2
A tension unit 25, which can be moved back and forth by moving in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface by a driving unit (not shown), is provided at a position where a virtual line segment connecting the lines 4 and 15 intersects with the movement path of the tension head 21. It is arranged. This tension unit 25 is used for both the rollers 2
It has a pair of tension rollers 26, 26 which are elastically pressed against one of the rollers 24, 15 when they are located at the advanced position on the same vertical plane as the rollers 4, 15.

The thermal transfer recording medium 1 is designed to run in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3. Therefore, the thermal transfer recording medium 1 contacts the recording material supply roller 23 and then contacts the cleaning roller 15. It has become.

Further, an ultraviolet irradiator 13 for solidifying the thermal transfer recording material applied to the thermal transfer recording medium 1.
Is disposed inside the thermal transfer recording medium 1 so as to face the base material of the thermal transfer recording medium 1 between the recording material supply roller 23 and the cleaning roller 15. Thermal transfer recording medium 1 irradiated with ultraviolet rays by this ultraviolet irradiation device 13
At the back of the sheet, a plate body 14 is provided for keeping the surface of the recording material for thermal transfer applied to the thermal transfer recording medium 1 in an anaerobic atmosphere to favorably perform radical polymerization reaction by ultraviolet rays. Further, on the downstream side of the cleaning roller 15 in the running direction of the thermal transfer recording medium 1, there is provided a heating device 16 for heating and annealing the thermal transfer recording material on the thermal transfer recording medium 1 on the thermal transfer recording medium 1. It is arranged so as to face.

Next, the operation of the reproducing apparatus of this embodiment will be described.

The ribbon cassette 17 is mounted on the mounting portion 20, the tension head 21 is moved from A to B in FIG. 3, and the thermal transfer recording medium 1 is moved to the tension head 21.
The ribbon cassette 17 is pulled out from the ribbon cassette 17, and the surface of the ribbon cassette 17 opposite to the substrate is pressed against the recording material supply roller 23. Then, the tension unit 2 in the retracted position
5 is moved in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing and stopped at the advanced position, and then the pair of tension rollers 26, 26 supported by the tension unit 25 are brought into pressure contact with the guide roller 24 and the cleaning roller 15. The preparation of the running system of the thermal transfer recording medium 1 is completed by sandwiching the thermal transfer medium 1 between the 26 and the guide roller 24 and the tension roller 26 and the cleaning roller 15, respectively. Then, in this state, the take-up bobbin 27 of the ribbon cassette 17 is rotationally driven by a driving means (not shown) provided in the reproducing device 19, so that the thermal transfer recording medium 1 is run in the direction indicated by an arrow C in FIG. . Then, as the thermal transfer recording medium 1 runs, the thermal transfer recording material is applied over the entire surface of the thermal transfer recording medium 1 by the recording material supply roller 23. Then, after the film thickness control member 12 uniformly controls the film thickness of the thermal transfer recording material applied on the thermal transfer recording medium 1,
The surface of the thermal transfer recording material applied on the thermal transfer recording medium 1 is covered with a plate 14 to make an anaerobic atmosphere, and then ultraviolet rays are irradiated from the rear side of the thermal transfer recording medium 1 by an ultraviolet irradiator 13 to cause ink loss. Only the thermal transfer recording material applied to the area can be uniformly cured on the surface and inside to regenerate the ink layer in the area where the ink defect has occurred.

After that, of the thermal transfer recording material applied to the surface of the thermal transfer recording medium 1, an extra portion which was applied to a portion other than the ink deficient portion, that is, a place where the ink layer remains and was not solidified by the above-mentioned ultraviolet irradiation. The thing is removed by the cleaning roller 15. Then, after that, the boundary portion between the ink layer on the thermal transfer recording medium 1 regenerated by the annealing process by the heating device 16 and the ink layer remaining on the thermal transfer recording medium 1 disappears, so that a series of thermal transfer recording medium 1 is removed. The regeneration process is complete.

In the present embodiment, the thermal transfer recording medium having a single ink layer has been described as an example. However, by adjusting the irradiation conditions of ultraviolet rays in the reproducing method of the present invention, a multi-time ribbon or the like can be obtained. It goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to reproduction of a thermal transfer recording medium having a laminated structure.

[0072]

EXAMPLE A specific example of the reproducing apparatus for the thermal transfer recording medium shown in FIG. 3 will be described below.

Example 1 Hydroxyalkyl methacrylate (75 parts by weight), acrylic acid (10 parts by weight) and polyurethane dimethacrylate (10 parts by weight) were used as an ultraviolet curable resin, and an acetophenone compound (5 parts by weight) was used as a photoreaction initiator. Part) was added to carbon black (20 parts by weight) as a coloring material to prepare an ink as a thermal transfer recording material.

The prepared ink was placed in a coating liquid pan and back-treated with a Cymac US350 / methyl ethyl ketone solution manufactured by Toagosei Co., Ltd., a thickness of 10 m manufactured by Teijin Ltd.
m plate-like fluororesin was adhered, and the entire surface was irradiated with ultraviolet rays having a central wavelength of 365 nm and 20 mw / cm ² for 30 seconds from the back surface of PET to cure the ink, thereby producing an ink ribbon as a thermal transfer recording medium. When this ink ribbon was mounted on a thermal transfer printer (resolution 400 dpi) manufactured by Star Seimitsu Co., Ltd. and printing was performed, an image with good edge reproducibility was obtained at an image density of 1.1.

Thereafter, this used ink ribbon is set in the reclaiming apparatus having the construction shown in FIG. 3, and the ink of the above-mentioned composition is applied and the ultraviolet rays are irradiated by the above-described method and procedure to remove the ink deficiency portion. Played back. Since the ink used in this example is insoluble in an organic solvent after being irradiated with ultraviolet rays, a felt cleaner composed of a cleaning roller having a felt surface is used as a cleaning device, and a small amount of an organic solvent is used in the felt cleaner. The unnecessary unreacted ink adhering to areas other than the ink deficient portion was cleaned by immersion, but in the case of the present embodiment, it is also possible to apply a dry cleaning method that does not use an organic solvent.

When the ink ribbon thus regenerated was attached to the printer and printing was carried out again, an image with good edge reproducibility was obtained with an image density of 1.1, which is comparable to the previous time. It was

Example 2 A hydroxyalkyl methacrylate (80 parts by weight), acrylic acid (15 parts by weight) and polyurethane dimethacrylate (2 parts by weight) were used as an ultraviolet curable resin, and an acetophenone compound (3 parts by weight) was used as a photoreaction initiator. Part)
Carbon black (20 parts by weight) was added as a colorant to the ultraviolet-curable ink added with to prepare an ink as a thermal transfer recording material.

The prepared ink was placed in a coating liquid pan, and was back-treated with Cymac US350 / methyl ethyl ketone solution manufactured by Toagosei Co., Ltd.
After gravure coating on the surface of μm polyethylene terephthalate film, a plate-like polypropylene resin with a thickness of 100 μm is attached to the coated surface, and the center wavelength is 36 from the back of PET.
The ink was cured by irradiating with ultraviolet rays of 5 nm and 100 mw / cm ² for 15 seconds to manufacture an ink ribbon as a thermal transfer recording medium.

When this ink ribbon was mounted on a thermal transfer printer (resolution: 400 dpi) manufactured by Star Seimitsu Co., Ltd. and printing was performed, an image with an image density of 1.1 and good edge reproducibility was obtained.

Thereafter, this used ink ribbon is set in the regenerating apparatus having the structure shown in FIG. 3, and the ink having the above-mentioned composition is applied and the ultraviolet rays are irradiated by the same method and procedure as in Example 1 to cause ink loss. The part was regenerated.
The surface of the regenerated ink ribbon was washed with a felt cleaner. When the ink ribbon regenerated in this way is attached to the printer and printing is performed again,
An image with good edge reproducibility was obtained with an image density of 1.1, which is comparable to the previous time.

Example 3 A material comprising an alkyl acrylate (70 parts by weight) as an ultraviolet curable resin, a thioxanthone compound (5 parts by weight) as a photoreaction initiator, an alcohol wax (30 parts by weight) and carbon (20 parts by weight). Was melt-mixed and kneaded with a roll mill to prepare an ink as a thermal transfer recording material.

The prepared ink was placed in a coating liquid pan and back-treated with Cymac US350 / methyl ethyl ketone solution manufactured by Toagosei Kagaku Co., Ltd.
After gravure coating on the surface of polyethylene terephthalate film having a thickness of 25 μm, a fluororesin film having a thickness of 25 μm is attached to the coated surface, and a central wavelength of 365 n is applied from the back of PET.
The ink was cured by irradiating ultraviolet rays of m and 100 mw / cm ² for 20 seconds to manufacture an ink ribbon as a thermal transfer recording medium.

When this ink ribbon was mounted on a thermal transfer printer (resolution 400 dpi) manufactured by Star Seimitsu Co., Ltd. and printing was carried out, an image with an image density of 1.3 and good edge reproducibility was obtained.

Thereafter, the used ink ribbon is set in the regenerating apparatus having the structure shown in FIG. 3, and the ink having the above-mentioned composition is applied and ultraviolet rays are irradiated by the same method and procedure as in Example 1 to cause ink loss. The part was regenerated.
The surface of the regenerated ink ribbon was washed with a felt cleaner. When the ink ribbon regenerated in this way is attached to the printer and printing is performed again,
An image with good edge reproducibility was obtained at an image density of 1.3, which is comparable to the previous time.

Example 4 Carbon black (15 parts by weight) was added as a colorant to an ultraviolet curable material containing an alkyl acrylate (80 parts by weight) as an ultraviolet curable resin and a thioxanthone compound (5 parts by weight) as a photoreaction initiator. An ink as a thermal transfer recording material was prepared by adding.

The prepared ink was placed in a coating liquid pan, and back-treated with Cymac US350 / methyl ethyl ketone solution manufactured by Toagosei Kagaku Co., Ltd.
After the gravure coating on the surface of the polyethylene terephthalate film having a thickness of 50 μm, a polyethylene film having a thickness of 50 μm is attached to the coated surface, and a center wavelength of 365 from the PET surface.
An ink ribbon as a thermal transfer recording medium was manufactured by irradiating the entire surface with ultraviolet rays of 100 mw / cm ² for 10 seconds to cure the ink.

When this ink ribbon was mounted on a thermal transfer printer (resolution of 400 dpi) manufactured by Star Seimitsu Co., Ltd., and printing was performed, an image having an image density of 1.0 and good edge reproducibility was obtained.

Then, the used ink ribbon is set in the reclaiming apparatus having the structure shown in FIG. 3, and the ink having the above-mentioned composition is applied and the ultraviolet ray is irradiated by the same method and procedure as in Example 1 to cause ink loss. The part was regenerated.
The surface of the regenerated ink ribbon was washed with a felt cleaner. When the ink ribbon thus regenerated was mounted on the printer and printing was performed again, an image with good edge reproducibility was obtained with an image density of 1.0, which is comparable to the previous time.

Example 5 A material comprising an alkyl acrylate (70 parts by weight) as an ultraviolet curable resin, a thioxanthone compound (5 parts by weight) as a photoreaction initiator, an alcohol wax (30 parts by weight) and carbon (20 parts by weight). Was melt-mixed and kneaded with a roll mill to prepare an ink as a thermal transfer recording material.

The prepared ink was placed in a coating liquid pan, and a back treatment was performed with Cymac US350 / methyl ethyl ketone solution manufactured by Toagosei Co., Ltd.
After gravure coating on the surface of polyethylene terephthalate film having a thickness of μm, a polyvinyl alcohol film having a thickness of 50 μm is attached to the coated surface, and the entire surface is irradiated with ultraviolet rays having a central wavelength of 365 nm and 100 mw / cm ² for 20 seconds from the PET surface to expose the ink. Cured to produce an ink ribbon as a thermal transfer recording medium.

When this ink ribbon was mounted on a thermal transfer printer (resolution 400 dpi) manufactured by Star Seimitsu Co., Ltd., and printing was performed, an image having an image density of 1.3 and good edge reproducibility was obtained.

Thereafter, this used ink ribbon is set in the reclaiming apparatus having the structure shown in FIG. 3, and the ink having the above-mentioned composition is applied and the ultraviolet ray is irradiated by the same method and procedure as in Example 1 to cause ink loss. The part was regenerated.
The surface of the regenerated ink ribbon was washed with a felt cleaner. When the ink ribbon thus regenerated was attached to the printer and printing was performed again, an image with good edge reproducibility was obtained with an image density of 1.3, which is comparable to the previous time.

Example 6 Alkyl acrylate (60 parts by weight) as a UV curable resin, thioxanthone compound (5 parts by weight) as a photoreaction initiator, Sazole wax (40 parts by weight) and carbon (2 parts).
0 parts by weight) was melt-mixed and kneaded with a roll mill to prepare an ink paste as a thermal transfer recording material.

The prepared ink paste was dissolved in toluene and 0.1 g / CC of ink was used as a coating liquid. Pour this ink into a coating liquid pan, and use Toa Gosei Kagaku Co., Ltd. Cymac U
Solvent coating was performed on the surface of a polyethylene terephthalate film with a thickness of 3.5 μm made by Teijin Limited, which had been back-treated with S350 / methyl ethyl ketone solution, with a gravure coater, and then a polyvinyl chloride film with a thickness of 50 μm was applied to the coated surface. Center wavelength 365nm from PET surface, 1
The ink was cured by irradiating with ultraviolet rays of 00 mw / cm ² for 20 seconds to manufacture an ink ribbon as a thermal transfer recording medium.

When this ink ribbon was mounted on a thermal transfer printer (resolution: 400 dpi) manufactured by Star Seimitsu Co., Ltd. and printing was performed, an image having an image density of 1.3 and good edge reproducibility was obtained.

Then, the used ink ribbon is set in the regenerating apparatus having the structure shown in FIG. 3, and the ink having the above-described composition is applied and the ultraviolet ray is irradiated by the same method and procedure as in Example 1 to cause ink deficiency. The part was regenerated.
The surface of the regenerated ink ribbon was washed with a felt cleaner. When the ink ribbon regenerated in this way is attached to the printer and printing is performed again,
An image with good edge reproducibility was obtained at an image density of 1.3, which is comparable to the previous time.

Example 7 An ultraviolet-curable resin alkyl acrylate (40 parts by weight), a photoreaction initiator thioxanthone compound (5 parts by weight), purified beeswax (40 parts by weight) and carbon (20 parts by weight). The materials were melt mixed and kneaded with a roll mill to prepare an ink as a thermal transfer recording material.

The prepared ink was put into a coating liquid pan, and the back surface treatment was performed with a Toyama Gosei Kagaku Co., Ltd. Cymac US350 / methyl ethyl ketone solution.
After gravure coating on the surface of polyethylene terephthalate film having a thickness of μm, the ink film was directly placed and fixed in a water bath made of stainless steel, and then the whole surface was irradiated with ultraviolet rays having a central wavelength of 365 nm and 8 mw / cm ² for 30 seconds from the PET surface. Was cured and dried to produce an ink ribbon as a thermal transfer recording medium.

When this ink ribbon was mounted on a thermal transfer printer (resolution 400 dpi) manufactured by Star Seimitsu Co., Ltd., and printing was performed, an image with an image density of 1.4 and good edge reproducibility was obtained.

Then, this used ink ribbon is set in the reclaiming apparatus having the structure shown in FIG. 3, and the ink having the above-mentioned composition is applied and ultraviolet rays are irradiated by the same method and procedure as in Example 1 to cause ink loss. The part was regenerated.
The surface of the regenerated ink ribbon was washed with a felt cleaner. When the ink ribbon thus regenerated was attached to the printer and printing was performed again, an image with good edge reproducibility was obtained with an image density of 1.4, which was comparable to the previous time.

[0101]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, FIG. 4 shows that a thermal transfer recording medium reproducing apparatus is provided inside the main body, so that printing recording and reproducing of the thermal transfer recording medium used for one-time recording operation are performed at the same time to replace an ink ribbon cassette. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a thermal transfer recording apparatus that can be used for a long period of time or continuously without performing. In the following description, the same components as those described in FIG. 3 will be assigned the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 4, inside the thermal transfer recording apparatus main body 28, on an endless base film having both ends connected,
Endless Ink Ribbon 1 as a thermal transfer recording medium on which ink layers made of the above-mentioned recording material for thermal transfer are laminated and applied.
′ Is held in a tensioned state by the pair of guide rollers 29, 29, the pressure contact roller 30 that is pressed against the ink supply roller 23 via the ink ribbon 1 ′, and the thermal head 10. And this ink ribbon 1 '
Is configured to be transferred at a constant speed by a drive mechanism (not shown). As the material of the base film, it is desirable to use polyimide or polyamide having high heat resistance and high mechanical abrasion so that it can withstand long-term use.

Further, a platen roller 31 for holding and conveying the recording paper 11 used for printing and recording is arranged in the main body 28, and the endless ink ribbon 1 ′ is provided by the thermal head 10 to the platen roller 31. The roller 31 is pressed against the roller 31 to perform desired print recording.

Next, the operation of the thermal transfer recording apparatus of this embodiment will be described.

First, the recording paper 11 is the thermal head 10.
Between the platen roller 31 and the platen roller 31, and the thermal head 10 thermally transfers the ink of the endless ink ribbon 1 ′ between the platen roller 31 and the thermal head 10 like a normal thermal transfer recording device, so that desired print recording is performed. Done.

Then, a partial ink deficiency portion generated on the ink ribbon 1'by the transfer of the ink is moved to a position facing the recording material supply roller 23 by the subsequent transfer of the ink ribbon 1 ', and at this position. After the thermal transfer recording material in the recording material tank 22 drawn up by the recording material supply roller 23 is applied and the film thickness of the thermal transfer recording material applied at the position facing the film thickness control member 12 is controlled to be constant, The surface of the thermal transfer recording material applied on the thermal transfer recording medium 1 is covered with a plate 14 to make an anaerobic atmosphere, and then ultraviolet rays are irradiated from the rear side of the thermal transfer recording medium 1 by an ultraviolet irradiator 13 to cause ink loss. Only the thermal transfer recording material applied to the area is solidified uniformly on the surface and inside to regenerate the ink layer in the area where the ink defect has occurred. be able to.

Then, of the thermal transfer recording material applied to the surface of the thermal transfer recording medium 1, it is applied to a portion other than the ink deficient portion, that is, a place where the ink layer remains, and is solidified by the ultraviolet irradiation from the ultraviolet irradiation device 13 described above. The excess that was not removed is removed by the cleaning roller 15, and thereafter, the boundary between the ink layer regenerated by the annealing process by the heating device 16 and the remaining ink layer is eliminated, whereby a series of thermal transfer recording media is removed. After the recycling process is completed, the recycled ink ribbon 1'is transferred to a position facing the thermal head 10 and used again for print recording.

As described above, according to the thermal transfer recording apparatus of the present embodiment, the ink ribbon 1'can be repeatedly used only by replenishing the thermal transfer recording material for the portion where the ink layer is lost due to the printing and recording. , The conventional troublesome work such as mounting, reversing, and replacing the ink ribbon cassette is not required at all, and the operability is remarkably improved, and the ink ribbon 1 ′ is repeated many times by simply replenishing only the used ink. Since it can be used over a long period of time, the running cost can be significantly reduced.

By the way, the above-mentioned FIG. 1, FIG. 3 and FIG.
In each of the above embodiments, the thermal transfer recording is performed by the plate body 14 made of various materials in order to shield the surface of the thermal transfer recording material applied to the thermal transfer recording medium from the atmosphere when the ultraviolet irradiation is performed by the ultraviolet irradiation device 13. Although described as coating the surface of the material, the invention is not limited to such an embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the above-mentioned step of FIG. 1 (C).

The blocking means shown in FIGS. 2 (C-1) and (C-2) are made of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester,
Nylon, polystyrene, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polyurethane, fluororesin, MMA, polyacrylonitrile, polybutene, polyimide, polyarylate, polyether sulfone,
The endless belt 32 is formed by a plastic film such as polyetheretherketone, polysulfone, polyetherimide, and aramid film, or a metal plate such as copper, iron, aluminum, stainless steel, chromate plating, nickel plating, and alumite. A pair of pulleys 33, 33 is arranged inside 32.

Therefore, the endless belt 32 covers the blocking means composed of the endless belt 32 and the pair of pulleys 33, 33 with the surface of the coating ink 3 as a surface, as shown in FIG. 2C-1. Thus, the two pulleys 33, 33 are positioned so as to be bonded to the surface of the coating ink 3 via the endless belt 32, and the thermal transfer recording medium 1 and the ultraviolet irradiator 13 are positioned.
It is arranged so as to always face the ultraviolet irradiator 13 during relative movement with respect to the thermal transfer recording medium 1, or, as shown in FIG. One pulley 33 so as to cover the surface as a wire
Is positioned so as to be bonded to the surface of the coating ink 3 via the endless belt 32, and the thermal transfer recording medium is always opposed to the ultraviolet irradiation device 13 when the thermal transfer recording medium 1 and the ultraviolet irradiation device 13 move relative to each other. It is arranged so as to move relative to 1. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2C-2, when the surface of the coating ink 3 is covered as a line, the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiator 13 should match the line covered by the endless belt 32. It is necessary to irradiate ultraviolet rays through the condenser lens 34.

According to such a configuration, the ultraviolet irradiator 1
3 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays, the surface of the coating ink 3 to which the ultraviolet rays are irradiated is in an anaerobic atmosphere. Therefore, the radical polymerization reaction on the surface of the coating ink 3 may be affected by oxygen and hindered. Instead, the applied ink 3 is cured uniformly and quickly.

The formation of the anaerobic atmosphere on the surface of the coating ink 3 is performed by polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, nylon, polystyrene, polyvinyl alcohol, which coats the outer periphery of the pulley 33, as shown in FIG. 2C-3. Plastic film such as polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polyurethane, fluororesin, MMA, polyacrylonitrile, polybutene, polyimide, polyarylate, polyether sulfone, polyether ether ketone, polysulfone, polyetherimide, aramid film, or copper , Iron, aluminum,
A sleeve 34 made of a metal plate such as stainless steel, chromate plating, nickel plating, and alumite may be rolled so as to face the ultraviolet irradiator 13. Since the sleeve 35 linearly covers the coating ink 3,
As in FIG. 2C-2, it is necessary to irradiate the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiator 13 through the condenser lens 34 so that the ultraviolet rays coincide with the line covered by the endless belt 32.

With such a structure of FIG. 2C-3, the same effect as that of the embodiment of FIGS. 2C-1 and 2C-2 can be obtained.

Further, the formation of the anaerobic atmosphere is shown in FIG.
As shown in -4), ultraviolet irradiation may be performed on the thermal transfer recording medium 1 located in the liquid.

In FIG. 2 (C-4), a container 36 made liquid-tight and made of a material capable of transmitting ultraviolet rays.
The container 36 is filled with a liquid 37 that does not contain oxygen, allows ultraviolet rays to pass therethrough, and is harmless to the thermal transfer recording medium 1 and the human body. The thermal transfer recording medium 1 in which the coating ink 3 is applied to the ink deficient portion or the like is transferred into the container 36 so as to pass the liquid 37. Further, inside the container 36, a pair of guide rollers 38, 38 for disposing the thermal transfer recording medium 1 in parallel with the bottom wall 36 a of the container 36 are disposed.

On the other hand, below the bottom wall 36 a of the container 36, the thermal transfer recording medium 1 located in the liquid 37 of the container 36.
An ultraviolet irradiator 13 that irradiates the coated ink 3 with ultraviolet rays is provided.

According to such a configuration, the ultraviolet irradiator 1
3 is performed on the coating ink 3 of the thermal transfer recording medium 1 which is immersed in the oxygen-free liquid 37, the radical polymerization reaction by ultraviolet irradiation is not affected by oxygen, and coating is performed. The ink 3 can be cured stably.

Next, FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the reproducing method of the thermal transfer recording medium described in the embodiment in FIG. 1 described above, and in the reproducing method of the thermal transfer recording medium of the present embodiment. Since the steps (A) and (B) are the same as those in FIGS. 1A and 1B described above, the description thereof will be omitted and only the subsequent steps will be described.

In the present embodiment, after the thermal transfer recording material (application ink) 3 having the same structure as that described above in FIG. 5B is applied over the entire surface of the thermal transfer recording medium 1 including the ink defect portion 1d. In particular, there is a step of curing all of the applied thermal transfer recording material by performing ultraviolet irradiation from the ultraviolet irradiation device 13 from the surface side of the thermal transfer recording medium 1, that is, the ink layer 1b side (FIG. 5C). are doing. At this time, before the ultraviolet irradiation by the ultraviolet irradiator 13, in order to form the surface of the coating ink 3 in an anaerobic atmosphere in advance, a flat plate-like plate body 39 as a blocking means for blocking the atmosphere is brought into close contact with the surface of the coating ink 3. To join. This plate 39 is at least the ultraviolet irradiator 13
It suffices that the surface of the coating ink 3 within the range where the ultraviolet rays from the above reach is covered. It should be noted that the material of the plate body 14 must be a material that allows ultraviolet rays to pass therethrough.

As described above, by irradiating the ultraviolet rays from the ink layer 1b side of the thermal transfer recording medium 1, a cleaning step for removing an excessive thermal transfer recording material is unnecessary, and the surface of the coating ink 3 is a plate. Since it is covered with the body 39, the applied ink 3 can be uniformly and rapidly cured.

Particularly when reproducing the thermal transfer recording medium 1 for high-definition printing, the reproduced ink layer 3a and the remaining ink layer 1b are the same as in FIG. 1 (E).
It is also possible to additionally add an annealing step (FIG. 5 (D)) in which the boundary portion 4 between and is erased by melting the ink.

As described above, by irradiating the ultraviolet rays from the surface side of the thermal transfer recording medium 1, that is, from the ink layer 1b side to cure all the applied thermal transfer recording material, the cleaning step can be omitted, and the thermal transfer can be omitted. Since the base material 1a of the recording medium 1 is not irradiated with ultraviolet rays, it is possible to avoid the possibility of repeated deterioration of the resin of the base material 1a due to repeated irradiation of ultraviolet rays.

Next, the thermal transfer recording medium reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment and the thermal transfer printer equipped with this reproducing apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, respectively.

First, since the present embodiment of FIG. 7 is a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 3 described above, the description of the same configuration as that of FIG. 3 will be omitted, and only the configuration different from that of FIG. 3 will be described.

In FIG. 7, the cleaning roller 1 shown in FIG.
A guide roller 24 that does not have a cleaning function is disposed at a portion corresponding to 5. This is because, according to the embodiment of FIG. 5 described above, cleaning is not necessary because the entire amount of the applied ink 3 is cured.

An ultraviolet irradiator 13 for solidifying the thermal transfer recording material applied to the thermal transfer recording medium 1 is
It is arranged outside the thermal transfer recording medium 1 so as to face the ink layer of the thermal transfer recording medium 1 between the guide roller 24 on the downstream side of the recording material supply roller 23 and the roller 23 in the running direction of the thermal transfer recording medium 1. There is. Further, between the ultraviolet irradiator 13 and the thermal transfer recording medium 1 is formed of a material that transmits the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet irradiator 13, and the applied ink on the thermal transfer recording medium 1 becomes an anaerobic atmosphere. A plate-like plate body 39 that can be covered is disposed.

Next, the operation of the reproducing apparatus of this embodiment will be described.

The ribbon cassette 17 is mounted on the mounting portion 20, the tension head 21 is moved from A to B in FIG. 7, and the thermal transfer recording medium 1 is moved to the tension head 21.
The ribbon cassette 17 is pulled out from the ribbon cassette 17, and the surface of the ribbon cassette 17 opposite to the substrate is pressed against the recording material supply roller 23. Then, the tension unit 2 in the retracted position
5 is moved in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing and stopped at the advanced position, and then the pair of tension rollers 26, 26 supported by the tension unit 25 are pressed against the guide rollers 24, 24, respectively. 26
The thermal transfer medium 1 is sandwiched between the guide roller 24 and the guide rollers 24, and the preparation of the running system of the thermal transfer recording medium 1 is completed. Then, in this state, the take-up bobbin 27 of the ribbon cassette 17 is rotationally driven by a driving means (not shown) provided in the reproducing device 19 ', so that the thermal transfer recording medium 1 is run in a direction indicated by an arrow C in the figure. .
As the thermal transfer recording medium 1 runs, the thermal transfer recording material is entirely applied to the surface of the thermal transfer recording medium 1 by the ink supply roller 12, and the thermal transfer recording applied to the thermal transfer recording medium 1 by the film thickness control member 12. After the film thickness of the material is controlled to be uniform, the plate 39 is passed from the ultraviolet irradiator 13 through the plate 39 which is in close contact with the thermal transfer recording material of the thermal transfer recording medium 1. By irradiating ultraviolet rays from the ink layer side of the surface, all of the ink defect portion and the thermal transfer recording material applied on the ink layer are stably cured in an anaerobic atmosphere, and the ink layer is formed on the ink defect portion. Is reproduced and a new ink layer is further thinly laminated on the ink layer.

After that, the boundary portion between the ink layer on the thermal transfer recording medium 1 regenerated by the annealing process by the heating device 10 and the ink layer remaining on the thermal transfer recording medium 1 is eliminated, so that a series of thermal transfer recording mediums is removed. The regeneration step 1 is completed.

Since the thermal transfer printer shown in FIG. 8 is a modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the description of the same configuration as that of FIG. 4 will be omitted and only the configuration different from that of FIG. 4 will be described.

In the embodiment of FIG. 8 as well, the cleaning roller as shown in FIG. 4 is not used, but instead, the guide roller 24 which comes into pressure contact with the guide roller 29 is provided. Further, an ultraviolet irradiator 13 for solidifying the thermal transfer recording material applied to the thermal transfer recording medium 1 is provided with a guide on the downstream side of the recording material supply roller 23 and the recording material supply roller 23 in the traveling direction of the thermal transfer recording medium 1. It is arranged outside the thermal transfer recording medium 1 so as to face the ink layer of the thermal transfer recording medium 1 between the rollers 24. Further, between the ultraviolet irradiator 13 and the thermal transfer recording medium 1 is formed of a material that transmits the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet irradiator 13, and the applied ink on the thermal transfer recording medium 1 becomes an anaerobic atmosphere. A plate-like plate body 39 that can be covered is disposed.

Next, the operation of the thermal transfer recording apparatus of this embodiment will be described.

First, the recording paper 11 is the thermal head 10.
Between the platen roller 31 and the platen roller 31, and the thermal head 10 thermally transfers the ink of the endless ink ribbon 1 ′ between the platen roller 31 and the thermal head 10 like a normal thermal transfer recording device, so that desired print recording is performed. Done.

Then, the ink deficiency portion generated in the ink ribbon 1'by the transfer of the ink is moved to a position facing the recording material supply roller 12 by the subsequent transfer of the ink ribbon 1 ', and at this position, the ink supply roller. Two
The thermal transfer recording material in the recording material tank 22 drawn up by 3 is applied over the entire surface, and the film thickness of the applied thermal transfer recording material is controlled to be constant at a position facing the film thickness control member 12, The ultraviolet ray irradiator 13 irradiates ultraviolet rays from the ink layer side so that the ultraviolet ray irradiator 13 passes through the plate body 39 through the plate body 39 that is in close contact with the thermal transfer recording material of the ribbon 1 ', and The thermal transfer recording material applied to the remaining ink layer is stably cured, so that the ink layer is reproduced.

Then, by eliminating the boundary between the ink layer regenerated by the annealing process by the heating device 16 and the remaining ink layer, a series of thermal transfer recording medium regeneration steps are completed, and the regenerated ink is regenerated. The ribbon 1'is moved to a position facing the thermal head 10 and used again for print recording.

According to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the cleaning means is not required, and the resin forming the substrate of the thermal transfer recording medium is not likely to be deteriorated in strength due to repeated irradiation of light.

Further, when ultraviolet rays are radiated from the surface of the ink layer of the thermal transfer recording medium through the plate 39 forming an anaerobic atmosphere as in the present embodiment, curing proceeds from the outermost surface of the ink layer. Therefore, oxygen is more effectively blocked in the uncured ink layer near the base material, and the polymerization proceeds to the inside of the layer with high efficiency.

In each of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5, 7 and 8 described above, the surface of the thermal transfer recording material applied to the thermal transfer recording medium is shielded from the atmosphere when the ultraviolet irradiation is performed by the ultraviolet irradiation device 13. Although the plate 39 covers the surface of the thermal transfer recording material, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the above-mentioned step of FIG. 5C.

The blocking means of FIG. 6 (C-1) forms a long endless belt 40 made of a material which is made of plastic or metal and which allows ultraviolet rays to pass therethrough. The pulleys 41, 41 are provided, and the ultraviolet irradiator 13 is moved inside the endless belt 40 in the extending direction of the endless belt 40 by a driving means (not shown) so as to separate the endless belt 40 from the thermal transfer recording medium 1. It is arranged as follows.

Further, the shutoff means of FIG. 6C-2 is the same as that of FIG.
Similarly to (C-1), a long endless belt 40 is formed of a material that is made of plastic or metal and can transmit ultraviolet rays. 6 (C-1), the ultraviolet irradiator 13 is extended outside the endless belt 40 so as to separate two identical endless belts 40 spaced apart from the thermal transfer recording medium 1. It is arranged so as to be moved in the present direction by a driving means (not shown).

Such FIG. 6 (C-1) and (C-
According to the configuration of 2), when the ultraviolet ray is irradiated from the ultraviolet ray irradiator 13, since the surface of the coating ink 3 to be irradiated with the ultraviolet ray is brought into close contact with the endless belt 40, an anaerobic atmosphere is created. The radical polymerization reaction on the surface of No. 3 is not affected by oxygen and hindered, and the applied ink 3 is uniformly and quickly cured.

The formation of the anaerobic atmosphere is shown in FIG.
As shown in 3), ultraviolet irradiation may be performed on the thermal transfer recording medium 1 located in the liquid.

In FIG. 6C-3, the container 36 is made liquid-tight and made of a material capable of transmitting ultraviolet rays.
The container 36 is filled with a liquid 37 that does not contain oxygen, allows ultraviolet rays to pass therethrough, and is harmless to the thermal transfer recording medium 1 and the human body. The thermal transfer recording medium 1 in which the coating ink 3 is applied to the ink deficient portion or the like is transferred into the container 36 so as to pass the liquid 37. Further, inside the container 36, a pair of guide rollers 38, 38 for disposing the thermal transfer recording medium 1 in parallel with the bottom wall 36 a of the container 36 are disposed.

On the other hand, above the liquid 37 in the container 36, an ultraviolet irradiator 13 for directly irradiating the coating ink 3 of the thermal transfer recording medium 1 located in the liquid 37 of the container 36 with ultraviolet rays is arranged. .

According to such a configuration, the ultraviolet irradiator 1
3 is performed on the coating ink 3 of the thermal transfer recording medium 1 which is immersed in the oxygen-free liquid 37, the radical polymerization reaction by ultraviolet irradiation is not affected by oxygen, and coating is performed. The ink 3 can be cured stably.

Next, the method and apparatus for manufacturing a thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention is the same as the method and apparatus for reproducing a thermal transfer recording medium described with reference to FIGS. The base material of the thermal transfer recording medium to which the thermal transfer recording material (coating ink) is applied is
The ink layer will not be described again because it may be a new one with no ink layer formed. The thermal transfer recording material coated on the base material of the thermal transfer recording medium is irradiated with ultraviolet rays in an anaerobic atmosphere to be cured, as in the above-described embodiments.

It is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the above-mentioned gist as needed. For example, the light used to cure the photocurable resin is not limited to ultraviolet rays, and various kinds of light can be used.

[0151]

As described above, according to the method of manufacturing a thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention, the thermal transfer recording material containing a resin material which is cured by light is applied to the substrate and then the application is performed. Since the ink layer is formed on the base material by shielding the recording material for thermal transfer from the atmosphere and irradiating it with light, it is not necessary to use an organic solvent that is harmful to the human body as in the past, and the organic solvent is volatilized. Since there is no need to use a hot air dryer, an attached duct, a recovery device, etc., it is possible to downsize the manufacturing device and save power, and to cure the thermal transfer recording material quickly and stably in an anaerobic atmosphere. be able to. This generation of gas harmful to the human body can be prevented, and clear printing can be performed without stains on the base.

Further, according to the reproducing method and reproducing apparatus of the thermal transfer recording apparatus of the present invention, after the thermal transfer recording material containing the resin material which is cured by light is applied to at least the ink defect portion of the used thermal transfer recording medium, Since the used thermal transfer recording medium is reproduced by irradiating light to the thermal transfer recording medium in a state of being shielded from the atmosphere, the thermal transfer recording medium is reproduced in a very good state with a simple structure and repeatedly used many times. This makes it possible to eliminate the troublesome work of mounting, reversing, and replacing the ink ribbon cassette, which has been conventionally performed, and the operability is remarkably improved.

Furthermore, since the thermal transfer recording medium can be repeatedly used many times by substantially replenishing only the ink used for printing and recording, the running cost can be remarkably reduced. Further, since the photo-curing reaction is instantaneously performed, it becomes possible to perform the reproduction at high speed.

[Brief description of drawings]

1A to 1E are schematic cross-sectional views for sequentially explaining a first embodiment of a reproducing method for a thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention.

2 (C1) to (C4) are schematic sectional views showing another embodiment of FIG. 1 (C).

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a reproducing apparatus for a thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a thermal transfer recording device to which a reproducing device for a thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention is applied.

5A to 5D are schematic cross-sectional views for sequentially explaining a second embodiment of a reproducing method for a thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention.

6 (C1) to (C3) are schematic cross-sectional views showing another embodiment of FIG. 5 (C).

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram showing another embodiment of the reproducing apparatus for the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram showing another embodiment of the thermal transfer recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining a configuration and a recording principle of a conventional heat melting type ink ribbon.

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the configuration and recording principle of a conventional multi-time ink ribbon.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Thermal Transfer Recording Medium 1'Endless Ink Ribbon 1a Base Film 1b Ink Layer 1c Lubricating Layer 1d Ink Defect 2 Ink on Paper 3 Thermal Transfer Recording Material (Coating Ink) 4 Border 10 Thermal Pad 11 Recording Paper 12 Film Thickness Control Member 13 UV Irradiator 14, 39 Plate 15 Cleaning Roller 16 Heating Device 17 Ink Ribbon Cassette 19, 19 'Reproducing Device 21 Tension Head 22 Recording Material Tank 23 Recording Material Supply Roller 24, 29, 38 Guide Roller 25 Tension Unit 26 Tension Roller 27 Winding bobbin 28 Thermal transfer recording apparatus main body 30 Pressure contact roller 31 Platen roller 32,40 Endless belt 33,41 Pulley 34 Condensing lens 35 Sleeve 36 Container 37 Liquid

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A recording material containing at least one of a photopolymerizable monomer and a photopolymerizable polymer and a colorant is applied onto a base material, and then the surface of the recording material at a portion irradiated with light is shielded from the atmosphere. Then, by irradiating with light, a polymerization reaction is caused in the recording material to form a solid ink layer, and a method for producing a thermal transfer recording medium. 2. The method of manufacturing a thermal transfer recording medium according to claim 1, wherein a plate is brought into close contact with the surface of the recording material at a portion where the light is irradiated, and the light is irradiated. 3. The method of manufacturing a thermal transfer recording medium according to claim 1, wherein a flexible film is brought into close contact with the surface of the recording material at a portion where the light is irradiated, and the light is irradiated. 4. A flexible film linearly adheres to the surface of the recording material in the area where the light is irradiated to irradiate the light, and the light is condensed on the surface of the recording material in the area where the film adheres. The method of manufacturing a thermal transfer recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the heat is converged by a lens. 5. The method of manufacturing a thermal transfer recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the recording material at the portion to be irradiated with light is immersed in a liquid to be irradiated with light. 6. A substrate transfer means for transferring a substrate of a thermal transfer recording medium, and recording for applying a recording material containing at least one of a photopolymerizable monomer and a photopolymerizable polymer and a colorant to the substrate. Thermal transfer recording comprising: a material coating means, a blocking means for blocking the surface of the recording material of a portion to be irradiated with light from the atmosphere, and a light irradiation means for irradiating the recording material with light. Media manufacturing equipment. 7. A recording material containing at least one of a photopolymerizable monomer and a photopolymerizable polymer and a colorant in an ink defect portion formed after a recording operation of a thermal transfer recording medium having a substrate and an ink layer. After the coating, the surface of the thermal transfer recording medium on which the recording material is coated is shielded from the atmosphere and irradiated with light to cause the recording material to undergo a polymerization reaction so that the recording material is in a solid state. A method for reproducing a thermal transfer recording medium, characterized in that it is put into a reusable state. 8. A transfer means for transferring a thermal transfer recording medium, and for applying a recording material containing at least one of a photopolymerizable monomer and a photopolymerizable polymer and a colorant to an ink defect portion of the thermal transfer recording medium. Recording material applying means of
A shielding means for shielding the surface of the recording material from the atmosphere, and a light irradiation means for irradiating the recording material with light.
And a cleaning unit for removing an excessive portion of the recording material applied on the recording medium.