JPH10181183A - Creation of braille by using thermal transfer sheet and printer for braille - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for creating braille by which it is possible to continuously and easily create a touch-readable braille of extremely high quality without noise on a plain sheet, with the use of a thermal transfer sheet, regardless of the difference in the technical level of a braille operator as well as a braille printer. SOLUTION: The thermal transfer sheet 8 consisting of at least, a mold parting layer and a thermally expandable layer containing a foaming resin, sequentially laminated and formed on one of the faces of a film-like transparent base, is made to travel together with a sheet 2 to which a thermally expandable ink is transferred. Further, a pixel 5a for a braille image is formed on the sheet 2 by transferring the ink to the sheet 2 from the thermally expandable ink layer, and the thermal transfer sheet 8 is peeled. Next, the pixel 5a of the braille image is caused to form by thermally treating 14 the sheet 2 on which the pixel 5a of the braille image is formed. After that, the braille 5 formed on the sheet 2 is cooled to obtain a stable touch-readable braille 7.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for producing Braille by using a thermal transfer sheet and a Braille printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional Braille creating method, for example, there is a mechanical method based on a dot impact method. That is, according to this mechanical method, braille is formed by piercing a needle-like object such as a metal pin from the back surface of the paper to be braille, and the paper on which the braille is formed is again used to confirm the braille quality. This required a troublesome operation such as returning to the surface. In addition, a printing tape in which a special paper (capsule paper) coated with heat-expandable microcapsules on the surface thereof is formed into a tape form by a letterpress method using a printing ink or, for example, as disclosed in JP-A-8-244286. In some cases, the paper is passed between a print head and a platen roller, and the heat-sensitive print head expands the heat-foamable microcapsules to form Braille on the surface of the print tape.

[0003]

However, in the mechanical method using the former dot impact method as described above,
Since a braid is formed by piercing a needle-like object such as a metal pin from the back surface of the paper to be braille and returning the paper on which the braille is formed to the front surface again, for example, braille is required. In order to check the braille quality of the finished product such as the shape, height dimension and outer diameter dimension, there was a problem in the work process, such as interrupting the work and reversing the front and back.

[0004] In addition, variations tend to occur due to the resulting Braille quality such as the shape of Braille, the height dimension and the outer diameter dimension, and the individual skills of Braille operators. In addition, there is a certain standard in the workmanship such as the height dimension and the outer diameter dimension of the “bulge” of the formed Braille, and an example of the height dimension is approximately 0.2 to 0.4 mm. An example of the diameter dimension is approximately 1.1 to 1.5 mm. Furthermore, even if the Braille workers have excellent skills, there is a limit to the physical strength and mental tension that can ensure the quality of Braille for a long time, and as a result, Braille materials that are difficult to read are produced. In addition, there is a problem that it takes considerable time and cost to educate these braille workers.

[0005] When forming Braille by a mechanical method, the noise due to mechanical embossing (around 80 dB) is intense, but if the embossing speed is increased, the noise becomes even greater. In order to solve this problem, sound-deadening boxes and the like have been devised, but no definitive effect has been achieved at present, which has hindered their spread in homes and offices. Also, in the latter type of printing using printing ink, there is a trouble that a manuscript for printing is required,
Further, according to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-244286, the sound is somewhat quiet, but special paper or the like coated with heat-expandable microcapsules is required. It was difficult to get for sure.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a method and a printer for producing Braille by using a thermal transfer sheet according to the present invention. The method comprises the steps of: moving a thermal transfer sheet, which is formed by sequentially laminating at least a release layer and a thermally expandable ink layer containing a foamed resin on one surface of a film-shaped transparent substrate, together with a transfer-receiving paper, After the thermal expansion ink of the expandable ink layer is transferred to the transfer paper by the thermal head to form the element of the Braille image on the transfer paper, the thermal transfer sheet is peeled off, and then the element of the Braille image is removed. By subjecting the formed transfer paper to a heat treatment, the element of the Braille image is foamed, and further, the Braille formed on the transfer paper is cooled to obtain stabilized readable readable Braille. Characterized in that was.

In addition, the method of producing Braille by using the thermal transfer sheet according to the present invention is characterized in that at least one release layer and a heat-expandable ink layer containing a foamed resin are sequentially laminated on one surface of a film-like transparent substrate. After moving the resulting thermal transfer sheet together with the transfer receiving paper, the thermal expansion ink of the heat-expandable ink layer is transferred to the transfer receiving paper by a thermal head, thereby forming a braille image element on the transfer receiving paper. The thermal transfer sheet is peeled off, and then the transfer paper on which the element of the Braille image is formed is heated at a temperature of about 80 ° C. to about 150 ° C. for several seconds to foam the element of the Braille image, The present invention is characterized in that Braille formed on a receiving paper is cooled to obtain stabilized tactile readable Braille.

Further, a Braille printer using the thermal transfer sheet of the present invention has a thermal head having a heat generating portion, and a thermal expansion having at least a release layer and a foamed resin on one surface of a film-like transparent base material. The thermal transfer sheet is formed by successively laminating the conductive ink layers, a transfer paper of any thickness and quality, and the thermal transfer sheet is moved in a certain direction between the transfer paper and the thermal head. Transferring the heat-expandable ink of the heat-expandable ink layer to the transfer paper by the thermal head to heat the transfer paper on which the element of the Braille image is formed, thereby foaming the element of the Braille image. It is characterized by comprising a heating device and a cooling device for cooling Braille formed by the heating device.

Further, a heating device for a Braille printer using the thermal transfer sheet of the present invention is characterized in that a heating process is performed at a temperature of approximately 80 ° C. to approximately 150 ° C. for several seconds.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a specific embodiment of a method for producing Braille using a thermal transfer sheet and a Braille printer according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view for explaining an embodiment of a braille producing method and a braille printer using a thermal transfer sheet according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the same Braille printer. FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the thermal transfer sheet. FIG.
Is a plan view of the completed Braille, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line Λ-A ′ in FIG.

First, the configuration of a Braille printer using the thermal transfer sheet according to the present invention will be described. 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a casing of a Braille printer,
Is a paper to be transferred. The transfer target paper 2 is not limited in thickness and quality of the paper, and may not be thick paper used for mechanically forming Braille, and may be special paper coated with heat-foamable microcapsules. Capsule paper)
It is not necessary. The transfer target paper 2 may be in a roll form as necessary, or may be plain paper as long as it can withstand heating. Reference numeral 3 denotes an insertion portion for the transfer paper 2 provided as appropriate on the housing 1 of the Braille printer.
Is a sending section of the transfer-receiving paper 2 on which the readable tactile braille 5 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is formed. Reference numeral 6 shown in FIG. 2 is an operation unit.

Reference numeral 7 shown in FIG. 1 denotes a guide roller which is disposed so as to sandwich the transfer paper 2 from above and below. 8, a release layer 8c, a thermally expandable ink layer 8d containing a foamed resin, and a heat-sensitive adhesive layer 8e are sequentially formed on one surface of a film-shaped transparent base material 8b as shown in FIG. This is a ribbon-shaped thermal transfer sheet formed by laminating and forming a heat-resistant lubricating layer 8a on the other surface of the film-shaped transparent substrate 8b so as to have heat resistance and slipperiness with a thermal head. The reason why the heat-sensitive adhesive layer 8e is formed is to particularly obtain sufficient adhesiveness to the paper 2 to be transferred.

Reference numeral 9 shown in FIG. 1 is a thermal head which has a heating section as a heating means disposed at an appropriate position so as to be capable of being pressed and contacted with the thermal transfer sheet 8 in a vertical direction. The thermal expansion ink of the thermal expansion ink layer 8d is transferred to the transfer paper 2 via the thermal transfer sheet 8 as the element 5a of the Braille image in accordance with the recording signal based on the digital recording data.

FIG. 1 shows the thermal head 9.
Is a pinch roller disposed opposite to the pinch roller. By appropriately incorporating a heater or the like inside the pinch roller 10, the transfer-receiving paper 2 can be uniformly and slowly heated. FIG.
Reference numeral 11 denotes the thermal head 9 or the pinch roller 1
A pair of drive rollers provided at the rear of the transfer paper 2 can move and transfer the transfer receiving paper 2 at a speed of about 15 to 25 mm / sec.

Reference numeral 12 shown in FIG. 1 is a supply reel for a thermal transfer sheet installed in a free state. The thermal transfer sheet 8 is wound in a roll shape in advance. Similarly, 13 shown in FIG. 2 is a take-up reel for a thermal transfer sheet on which the thermal transfer sheet 8 is taken up as it is printed.

Reference numeral 14 shown in FIG. 1 denotes a heating device provided behind the drive roller 11. The transfer device 2 is subjected to a heat treatment by the heating device 14, and is formed as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 by utilizing the foaming property of the element 5 a of the Braille image transferred onto the transfer device 2. The obtained tactile Braille 5 is obtained. The heating conditions are, for example, approximately 80 ° C. to approximately 15 ° C. using thermal energy such as near infrared rays.
It is necessary to heat-treat at a temperature of 0 ° C. for several seconds.
Reference numeral 15 shown in FIG. 1 is provided behind the heating device 14 in order to quickly stabilize the readable Braille 5 formed by heating the heating device 14 and to impart mechanical strength. It is a cooling device. The cooling device 15 may be provided inside the housing 1 of the Braille printer, or may be provided outside the housing 1 as necessary.

Next, a method for producing Braille by using the thermal transfer sheet according to the present invention will be described. First, as shown in FIG.
For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a release layer 8c is provided on one surface of a film-shaped transparent base material 8b between the thermal head 9 and the thermal head 9.
Thermal transfer in which a heat-expandable ink layer 8d containing a foamed resin and a heat-sensitive adhesive layer 8e are sequentially laminated and a heat-resistant lubricating layer 8a is formed on the other surface of the film-like transparent substrate 8b. Insert through the sheet 8.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, when the thermal transfer sheet 8 and the transfer receiving paper 2 are moved together and stopped at the bottom (heat generating portion) of the thermal head 9, the thermal head 9 The sheet 8 comes into pressure contact with the sheet 8. At the same time, the operation of the digital signal from the automatic control circuit and the operation of the peripheral circuit causes the thermally expandable ink layer 8d of the thermally expandable ink layer 8d to be inserted into the transfer receiving paper 2 via the thermal transfer sheet 8 in accordance with a preset program. Is transferred by the thermal head 9. By this transfer, the element 5a of the Braille image is formed on the transfer receiving paper 2 as shown in FIG. Thereafter, the transfer paper 2 is heated in the heating device 14 to foam the element 5a of the Braille image, and immediately the cooling device 1
By cooling with 5, the stabilized tactile Braille 5 (as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5) is created.

The heating device 14 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
So, for example, using thermal energy such as near infrared,
The heat treatment is performed at a temperature of about 80 ° C. to about 150 ° C. for several seconds. The cooling device 15 performs an appropriate cooling process for several seconds to several minutes, for example.

According to such a method, even if the skills of the Braille workers vary, it is possible to continuously and easily create extremely high quality readable tactile Braille 5. Further, since no dent is formed on the back surface of the transfer target paper 2,
Another ink printing effective for sighted persons can be performed on this back surface. Further, since the foamed braille image element has a dense sponge structure, it has a restoring force against "crushing" and has excellent durability against ordinary tactile reading and storage. If the transfer paper and the thermal transfer sheet are set in a roll, an extremely large amount of Braille materials can be easily created.

[0021]

According to the present invention, there is provided a method for producing Braille by using a thermal transfer sheet, wherein at least one release layer and a thermally expandable ink layer containing a foamed resin are sequentially laminated on one surface of a film-like transparent base material. After the formed thermal transfer sheet is run with the transfer receiving paper, the thermal expansion ink of the thermal expansion ink layer is transferred to the transfer receiving paper by a thermal head to form a braille image element on the transfer receiving paper. By peeling off the thermal transfer sheet, and then subjecting the transferred paper on which the braille image is formed to a heat treatment, the foam of the braille image is foamed, and further, the braille formed on the transferred paper is cooled. Stabilized and readable Braille is obtained, so that the shape, height and outer diameter of the Braille from the side where the Braille is formed can be obtained without turning the transfer paper upside down during the work process. Such Workmanship can be performed by easily visually braille quality check, such as, and even if there are variations in the skill of the braille worker, there is an effect that it is possible to perform Braille making work easier.

Further, the method for producing Braille by using the thermal transfer sheet of the present invention is characterized in that the transfer paper on which the element of the Braille image is formed is heated at a temperature of approximately 80 ° C. to approximately 150 ° C. for several seconds. Since the element of the Braille image is foamed to obtain tactile Braille, the element of the Braille image transferred to the transfer paper can be reliably foamed, and stable and reliable tactile reading is possible. There is an effect that Braille can be created.

A Braille printer using the thermal transfer sheet according to the present invention comprises a thermal head having a heat generating portion, and a thermally expandable ink comprising at least a release layer and a foamed resin on one surface of a transparent film substrate. And a thermal transfer sheet formed by sequentially laminating layers, a paper to be transferred having any thickness and quality, and the thermal transfer sheet running in a certain direction between the paper to be transferred and the thermal head. A heating device for heating the transfer paper on which the element of the Braille image is formed by transferring the thermal expansion ink of the thermal expansion ink layer to the transfer paper by the thermal head, and foaming the element of the Braille image And a cooling device for cooling the Braille formed by this heating device, so that even if the skills of the Braille workers vary, the extremely stable To facilitate high tactile reading Braille quality Te such an effect can be created continuously without noise.

Further, since no dents are formed on the back surface of the transfer paper, other ink printing for sighted persons can be performed on the back surface. In addition, since the foamed braille image element has a dense sponge structure, it has a restoring force against "crushing" and has an excellent durability against ordinary tactile reading and storage. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view for explaining an embodiment of a braille producing method and a braille printer using a thermal transfer sheet according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the braille printer.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a thermal transfer sheet.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the completed Braille.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line Λ-Λ ′ in FIG. 4;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 1 Braille printer housing 2 Transfer paper 3 Insertion section of transfer paper 2 4 Sending section of transfer paper 2 5 Braille 5a Braille image element 6 Operating section 7 Guide roller 8 Thermal transfer sheet 8a Heat-resistant lubricating layer 8b Film shape Transparent substrate 8c Release layer 8d Thermal expansion ink layer 8e Thermal adhesive layer 9 Thermal head 10 Pinch roller 11 Drive roller 12 Supply reel for thermal transfer sheet 13 Winding reel for thermal transfer sheet 14 Heating device 15 Cooling device

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A thermal transfer sheet comprising at least one release layer and a heat-expandable ink layer containing a foamed resin formed on one surface of a film-shaped transparent base material in order, and the thermal transfer sheet is run together with the transfer-receiving paper. After transferring the thermal expansion ink of the thermal expansion ink layer to the transfer paper by a thermal head to form a braille image element on the transfer paper, the thermal transfer sheet is peeled off, and then the braille image By subjecting the transfer paper having the element formed thereon to a heat treatment, the element of the Braille image is foamed, and the Braille formed on the transfer paper is cooled to obtain stabilized readable readable Braille. A method for producing Braille by using a thermal transfer sheet. 2. A thermal transfer sheet comprising at least one release layer and a heat-expandable ink layer containing a foamed resin formed on one surface of a film-shaped transparent base material in order, is run along with a transfer paper. After transferring the thermal expansion ink of the thermal expansion ink layer to the transfer paper by a thermal head to form a braille image element on the transfer paper, the thermal transfer sheet is peeled off, and then the braille image By heating the transferred paper on which the element is formed at a temperature of about 80 ° C. to about 150 ° C. for several seconds, the element of the Braille image is foamed, and the Braille formed on the transferred paper is cooled and stabilized. A method for producing Braille by using a thermal transfer sheet, characterized in that a converted readable Braille is obtained. 3. A thermal transfer sheet formed by sequentially laminating a thermal head having a heat generating portion and a thermal expansion ink layer containing at least a release layer and a foamed resin on one surface of a film-shaped transparent substrate. And a paper to be transferred of any thickness and quality, and between the paper to be transferred and the thermal head, the thermal transfer sheet is run in a certain direction to remove the thermally expandable ink of the thermally expandable ink layer. A heating device for foaming the braille image element by transferring the braille image element by transferring the braille image element to the transfer paper sheet by the thermal head, and cooling the braille element formed by the heating apparatus A braille printer using a thermal transfer sheet, characterized by comprising a cooling device for causing the image to be transferred. 4. A Braille printer using a thermal transfer sheet according to claim 3, wherein the heating is performed at a temperature of about 80 ° C. to about 150 ° C. for several seconds.