JPH10272849A - Method and equipment for forming image, and releasable ink ribbon - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To form easily, accurately and beautifully a non-transfer region wherein an intermediate transfer medium is not transferred onto a body to be transfer-printed, in a method for forming an image on the surface of the body to be transfer-printed, by using the intermediate transfer medium having adhesive properties enabling adhesion thereof onto the surface of the body to be transfer-printed, with heat and pressure. SOLUTION: An image is written in an intermediate transfer medium 12 on the basis of image data by a thermal transfer method using a thermal head 16. Releasable ink having releasability in respect to a body 11 to be transfer-printed is transferred onto a desired region of the intermediate transfer medium 12 wherein the image is written, by the thermal transfer method using the same thermal head 16, and thereby the adhesive properties of the intermediate transfer medium 12 in the desired region is made lost. The intermediate transfer medium 12 is made to adhere onto the surface of the body 11 by heating and pressing by a heat roller 17. The region in the intermediate transfer medium 12 from which the adhesive properties are removed does not adhere to the body 11 to be transfer-printed and thereby a non-transfer region is formed therein, being divided from other regions.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming method and apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming method using an intermediate transfer medium having an adhesive property which can be adhered to the surface of an object by heating and pressing. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an image forming method and apparatus for forming an image on a surface of a sheet, and a release ink ribbon.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Printing characters or various other images on the surface of an article is widely performed in various fields. However, it may be very difficult to print an image on the surface depending on the material and shape of the article. In particular, an image forming apparatus that forms (prints) an image on the surface of an article based on image data from a computer or the like using a thermal transfer method using an ink ribbon is suitable for small-scale production or single-item production, and is in great demand. However, there are great restrictions on the material and shape of an article on which an image can be formed by such an image forming apparatus. For example, in the thermal transfer method using an ink ribbon using a sublimable dye, materials that can be dyed with the sublimable dye are limited to materials such as polyester, acrylic resin, and vinyl chloride resin, so that there are many materials that cannot be used. . Further, it is not possible to cope with an article having a shape in which the ink ribbon cannot be brought into close contact or a shape in which the thermal head for thermal transfer cannot be properly brought into contact.

[0003] In order to form an image on the surface of an article of various materials and shapes, an intermediate transfer medium in the form of a film which can be adhered to the surface of the object by heating and pressing is used. A method of forming an image on the surface of a transfer body has been proposed.
No. 093 and the like. In the method disclosed in the publication, in an image writing unit using a transfer ribbon of a sublimable dye and a thermal head, first, an image is written on a film-like intermediate transfer medium having an adhesive layer, and then, in the transfer unit. The image on the intermediate transfer medium is heated and pressed together with the adhesive layer on the transfer object using a transfer roller to transfer the image to the transfer object. According to this method, it is possible to form an image on the surface of an article having a material that is difficult to print by a normal printing method or an article having an uneven surface, and is used as, for example, a credit card or an ID card. Magnetic cards and smart cards (IC cards)
It is also convenient to form an image on the surface of the film.

[0004]

However, on the surface of a magnetic card or IC card, such a part as an intermediate transfer medium such as a user's signature area, a magnetic stripe area, a transmission / reception terminal area, an antenna area, or the like. There is an inconvenient area if covered with. In addition, other articles also include areas that are inconvenient to be covered with the intermediate transfer medium, such as a writing section and a stamp section. The following two methods are conceivable as a method of securing a non-transfer area on the surface of the transfer object where the intermediate transfer medium does not need to be transferred in the bonding step by heating and pressing. One of the methods is a method in which heat and pressure are applied by a heat roller to transfer an intermediate transfer medium to a transfer target, and a plate-like mold is previously formed on the surface of the heat roller. A contact area and a non-contact area are defined, and only a portion of the intermediate transfer medium corresponding to the contact area of the heat roller is adhered to the transfer target and transferred. The other is a method in which heat and pressure are applied by a thermal head to transfer the intermediate transfer medium to the transfer target. This is to control the thermal head so as to keep it away from the transfer medium.

[0005] However, an image forming method using an intermediate transfer medium is often adopted when the surface of the transfer object has irregularities. In such a case, a heat roller having an elastomer layer on the surface is used. Since the elastomer layer is elastically deformed, the boundary between the contact area and the non-contact area of the heat roller becomes unclear, and there is a problem that the contour of the non-transfer area is not formed clearly. Further, in order to change the position and the shape of the non-transfer area, the heat roller has to be replaced. Therefore, it is impossible to arbitrarily set the position and the shape of the non-transfer area.
Needless to say, the method of transferring the intermediate transfer medium to the transfer target using the thermal head cannot be applied from the beginning when the transfer target has irregularities on its surface. The present invention has been devised in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to use an intermediate transfer medium having an adhesive property that can be adhered to the surface of a transfer target by applying heat and pressure. In the image forming method and apparatus for forming an image on the surface of the transfer body, a non-transfer area that prevents the intermediate transfer medium from being transferred to the transfer body, in any shape at any position on the surface of the transfer body, Accurately, easily, fast,
In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming method and apparatus, and a releasable ink ribbon, which can form a beautiful image and can cope with a transfer target having an uneven surface.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method for heating and pressurizing an intermediate transfer medium having an adhesive property on a medium to be transferred, and transferring an image written on the intermediate transfer medium to the surface of the medium to be transferred. In a method of forming an image on a transfer medium, a release ink having releasability from the transfer medium is transferred to a desired area of the intermediate transfer medium on which the image is written before transferring the image to the surface of the transfer medium. Is provided, a release ink transfer step is provided for losing the adhesiveness of the intermediate transfer medium in the desired area, and the area where the adhesiveness is lost when the image is transferred to the surface of the transfer receiving body. The non-transfer area is defined on the surface of the transfer object by not being adhered to the transfer object. Further, the invention is characterized in that the image on the intermediate transfer medium is formed in an intermediate transfer medium image writing step of writing an image on the intermediate transfer medium based on image data. Further, in the present invention, in the intermediate transfer medium image writing step, an image is written by a fusion type thermal transfer method or a sublimation type thermal transfer method using a multicolor ink ribbon and a thermal head, and the release ink is composed of a plurality of types. The releasable ink is assigned as one of the color ink ribbons, and in the releasable ink transfer step, the releasable ink is transferred by a fusion thermal transfer method or a sublimation thermal transfer method using the multicolor ink ribbon and a thermal head. It is characterized by being performed by. Further, in the present invention, in the intermediate transfer medium image writing step, an image is written by a fusion type thermal transfer method or a sublimation type thermal transfer method using a multicolor ink ribbon and a thermal head, and the releasing ink transfer step is performed. After the intermediate transfer medium image writing step, the releasable ink is transferred by a light beam writing type thermal transfer method of irradiating a light beam to a multicolor ink ribbon. Further, according to the present invention, the transfer of the image written on the intermediate transfer medium to the surface of the transfer medium is performed in an intermediate transfer medium bonding step, and after the intermediate transfer medium bonding step, the image is transferred to the surface of the transfer medium. The method further comprises the step of removing an unnecessary substance on the surface of the transfer-receiving member by contacting the light-adhesive material.

The present invention also relates to an image forming apparatus for forming an image on the surface of a transfer object using an intermediate transfer medium having an adhesive property which can be adhered to the surface of the transfer object by applying heat and pressure. An intermediate transfer medium image writing mechanism for writing an image on the intermediate transfer medium based on the image data; and a release ink having a release property for the transfer target body in a desired area of the intermediate transfer medium on which the image is written. It has a releasable ink transfer mechanism that loses the adhesiveness of the intermediate transfer medium in the desired area by transferring, and an intermediate transfer medium bonding mechanism that bonds the intermediate transfer medium to the surface of the transfer target body by applying heat and pressure. It is characterized by the following. Further, the invention is characterized in that the release ink transfer mechanism includes a thermal head for transferring the release ink by a thermal transfer method. Further, in the present invention, the intermediate transfer medium image writing mechanism includes a multicolor ink ribbon and a thermal head for writing an image by a fusion type thermal transfer method or a sublimation type thermal transfer method, and the release ink is The thermal head for transferring the releasable ink and the thermal head of the intermediate transfer medium image writing mechanism are shared as one of the multicolor ink ribbons. Further, in the invention, the intermediate transfer medium image writing mechanism includes a multicolor ink ribbon and a thermal head for writing an image by a fusion type thermal transfer method or a sublimation type thermal transfer method. The mechanism includes a light beam writing mechanism for transferring the releasable ink by a thermal transfer method of irradiating the multicolor ink ribbon with a light beam. Further, the present invention is characterized in that the multicolor ink ribbon has a release ink layer in which a photothermal conversion material is internally added and the release ink is melted by irradiation with a light beam. In addition, the present invention provides a photothermal conversion material layer formed on an ink ribbon substrate, wherein the multicolor ink ribbon is formed on the photothermal conversion material layer, and is released by heat generated in the photothermal conversion material layer. And a release ink layer in which the hydrophilic ink melts. The present invention is further characterized by further comprising an adhesion removing mechanism for removing unnecessary substances on the surface of the transfer object by bringing a light adhesive material into contact with the surface of the transfer object to which the intermediate transfer medium is adhered. The present invention also relates to a releasable ink ribbon used in an image forming apparatus, wherein the releasable ink layer comprises a releasable ink that can be transferred by thermal transfer on a heat-resistant ink ribbon substrate that withstands thermal transfer. Is formed. Further, the present invention is characterized in that the release ink is an epoxy resin-based ink. In addition, the present invention provides a method wherein the thermally transferred releasable ink is thermally softened or melted when the thermally transferred object is thermally transferred with the thermal transfer surface facing the surface of the transfer receiving body. The ink is characterized in that the magnitude of the tension is sufficiently larger than the magnitude of the surface tension of the surface of the transfer-receiving body. Further, the present invention is characterized in that a thermal transfer ink layer for color recording and the release ink layer are repeatedly arranged on the ink ribbon substrate.

According to the present invention, the non-transfer area is defined by transferring the release ink to the intermediate transfer medium so that the intermediate transfer medium is not transferred to the transfer target. Therefore, like a thermal head or a light beam writing mechanism,
Since the non-transferred area can be defined by a mechanism capable of high-speed and high-precision control, the non-transferred area can be accurately, easily, and quickly formed in any shape on the surface of the object to be transferred in any shape. In addition, it is possible to form a beautifully defined image, and it is possible to satisfactorily cope with an object to be transferred having an uneven surface.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
In the figure, 10 is an image forming apparatus, 11 is an object to be transferred,
Reference numeral 12 denotes an intermediate transfer medium, 14 denotes a multicolor ink ribbon, 15 denotes a platen roller, 16 denotes a thermal head, 17 denotes a heat roller, and 18 denotes a light adhesive tape. Image forming apparatus 10
Is an apparatus for forming an image on the surface of the transfer object 11 using an intermediate transfer medium 12 having an adhesive property that can be adhered to the surface of the transfer object 11 by applying heat and pressure. And an intermediate transfer medium image writing mechanism 100 for writing an image on the intermediate transfer medium 12 based on the image.
A release ink transfer mechanism 200 for transferring the release ink having releasability to the intermediate transfer medium 12 so that the adhesive property of the intermediate transfer medium 12 in the desired area is lost. An intermediate transfer medium bonding mechanism 300 for bonding to the surface of the transfer body 11 is provided, and a non-transfer area is defined by preventing the area of the intermediate transfer medium 12 that has lost adhesiveness from being bonded to the transferred body 11. That's what I did. The image forming apparatus 10 further includes an intermediate transfer medium 12
An adhesive removal mechanism 400 is provided to remove unnecessary substances from the surface of the transfer object 11 by bringing a light adhesive material such as a light adhesive tape 18 into contact with the surface of the transfer object 11 to which is adhered. However, the above four mechanisms (the intermediate transfer medium image writing mechanism 100, the releasable ink transfer mechanism 200, and the intermediate transfer medium bonding mechanism 30)
0, the adhesion removing mechanism 400) does not necessarily have to be configured as an independent mechanism. In particular, in the first embodiment, the intermediate transfer medium image writing mechanism 100 and the releasable ink transfer mechanism 200 are configured almost completely as the same mechanism. This is because the two mechanisms 100 and 200 are both configured to execute the thermal transfer method. Needless to say, a configuration in which the two mechanisms 100 and 200 are configured as separate mechanisms is also included in the scope of the present invention. Here, individual components of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described first, and thereafter, the above four mechanisms 100, 200, 300, and 400 will be described.
Correspond to what combination of components.

The transfer object 11 is an object on which an image is to be formed (printed) on the surface thereof, and here, a credit card is assumed. However, the articles on which an image can be formed using the present invention are not limited to those similar to a credit card, and include paper, PET sheets having been subjected to easy adhesion processing,
According to the present invention, images can be formed on the surface of articles of various materials and shapes, including vinyl chloride cards, ABS resin cards, and primer-coated polycarbonate sheets. The transfer object 11 is placed on a transport tray 20 supported on a rail 22 via wheels 21a and 21b. This transport tray 20
Can be moved on the rails 22 by a drive system including an actuator (not shown), whereby the transfer target 11 can be transported along the rails 22. The transfer target 11 and the transport tray 20 indicated by solid lines in the drawing are their running positions during the execution of the intermediate transfer medium bonding step of transferring the intermediate transfer medium 12 on which the image is formed to the transfer target 11, and are indicated by broken lines. Indicates the intermediate transfer medium 12
Are transferred to the transfer receiving body 11, the light-adhesive tape 18 is brought into contact with the surface of the transfer receiving body 11 to remove unnecessary substances on the surface of the transfer receiving body 11. is there.

The intermediate transfer medium 12 is supplied from a supply reel 24, passes between a pair of upstream transport rollers 26a and 26b, is guided by a guide roller 28, and extends around the platen roller 15 over substantially half its circumference. And is guided by guide rollers 30, 32, 34, and 36, passes between a pair of downstream-side transport rollers 38a, 38b, and is wound by a wind-up roller 40, so that the sheet is transported. is there.
The intermediate transfer medium 12 is formed by forming a multilayer film on a sheet-like substrate (backing paper) of paper or a plastic film. The configuration of the intermediate transfer medium 12 can be various, and specific examples thereof are disclosed in, for example, JP-A-63-81093. Calling). The intermediate transfer medium 12 used in the illustrated embodiment has an image receiving layer on which an image is written by a thermal transfer method, and this image receiving layer adheres the intermediate transfer medium 12 to the surface of the transfer object 11. Also serves as an adhesive layer. Furthermore, in addition to this image receiving layer and adhesive layer,
Includes a hologram layer on which a hologram image has been formed in advance, a protective layer that covers and protects the image receiving layer and the hologram layer after transfer to the transfer object 11, and a release layer that allows those layers to be easily peeled off from the mount. In. Only the part of the multilayer film of the intermediate transfer medium 12 excluding the mount is transferred to the transfer target 11. Therefore, in this specification, when the intermediate transfer medium 12 is conveyed or guided, it refers to the whole of the intermediate transfer medium including the mount, but the intermediate transfer medium 12 is transferred to the transfer target body 11. In that case, it refers only to the portion of the multilayer film excluding the mount. In particular, when it is desired to clearly indicate only the portion of the multilayer film excluding the mount, those layers are collectively referred to as an "image layer". Intermediate transfer medium 12
Examples of suitable materials for the image receiving layer and the adhesive layer include vinyl chloride / vinyl acetate / copolymer, vinyl chloride / vinyl acetate / copolymer + polyester, vinyl chloride / vinyl acetate / copolymer + acrylic resin, vinyl chloride / acetic acid Vinyl copolymer + vinyl chloride, polybutyral + wax,
In addition, polychlorinated polybutyral + wax and the like can be mentioned, and a preferable result can be obtained by using any of these materials.

The intermediate transfer medium 12 includes a clamp roller 46,
48 presses and holds the platen roller 15 on the surface thereof. The platen roller 15 has an elastomer layer formed on its outer peripheral surface, and the surface of the elastomer layer is covered with a fluorine-based polymer compound layer. Platen roller 15
The rotation of is controlled by a platen roller drive mechanism (not shown). Further, the thermal head 16 controls the movement of the platen roller 15 in the axial direction by a thermal head driving mechanism (not shown), and the first position of pressing the platen roller 15 and the platen roller 1.
The position is switched between the second position and the second position away from the position 5. For the intermediate transfer medium 12 held on the platen roller 15, the multicolor ink ribbon 14 and the thermal head 16
, Both the writing of an image and the transfer of the release ink are performed. Reference numeral 52 denotes a cleaning roller for removing dust attached to the outer periphery of the platen roller 15. Reference numeral 54 denotes a registration mark sensor for aligning the hologram image of the hologram layer of the intermediate transfer medium 12 on the platen roller 15. Reference numeral 56 denotes a cleaning pad, which has a function of removing dust adhering to the side of the intermediate transfer medium 12 on which an image is written, together with a neutralization brush (not shown).

The multicolor ink ribbon 14 is supplied to a supply reel 60.
And is guided by guide rollers 62 and 64 which also function as cleaning rollers.
Is passed through the area of the thermal head 16 and further guided by guide rollers 70 and 71, passes between a pair of transport rollers 72a and 72b, and is taken up by a take-up roller 74, thereby being conveyed. It is so. In this embodiment, writing of an image on the intermediate transfer medium 12 is performed by
It is possible to perform a color image by any of the thermal transfer methods of sublimation thermal transfer using a sublimable dye and melt thermal transfer using a fusible ink. Further, in this embodiment, both the step of writing an image on the intermediate transfer medium 12 and the step of transferring the release ink to the intermediate transfer medium 12 on which the image has been written are performed by the same multicolor ink ribbon 14. , A platen roller 15 and a thermal head 16. Therefore, the multicolor ink ribbon 1
Reference numeral 4 denotes a color region in which a sublimation dye corresponding to each of three colors of Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) is applied to the surface of a heat-resistant ink ribbon substrate that can withstand one thermal transfer. When,
In addition to the color regions where the molten ink corresponding to each of the four colors obtained by adding B (black) to Y, M and C is applied, and the color where the releasable ink having the releasability for the transfer receiving body 11 is applied. An area is formed. That is, the release ink is also assigned as one color of the multicolor ink ribbon 14. The color areas are repeatedly formed so as to be arranged in a plane on the surface of the ink ribbon substrate, and the color areas other than the release ink (color areas for color recording) are subjected to thermal transfer of the respective colors. An ink layer is provided, and a release ink layer is repeatedly provided on the ink ribbon substrate in the color region of the release ink. To give an example of a suitable specification of the multicolor ink ribbon 14, for example, an ink ribbon base material obtained by applying a silicon-based back coat to a PET film having a thickness of about 5 μm is used. If the epoxy resin-based ink is applied to a thickness of about 1.1 μm as the moldable ink, preferable results can be obtained. As the thermal transfer ink for color recording, an appropriate one generally used may be used. The release ink can be thermally transferred to a desired area on the intermediate transfer medium 12, and the heat-transferred surface is opposed to the transfer target, and the intermediate transfer medium 12 is transferred to the surface of the transfer target. It is preferable to use an ink in which the magnitude of the surface tension at the time of thermal softening or melting during thermal transfer is sufficiently larger than the magnitude of the surface tension of the surface of the transfer-receiving body. The multicolor ink ribbon 14 is superimposed on the intermediate transfer medium 12 held on the platen roller 15 by controlling the transport rollers 72 a and 72 b as needed, and the thermal head 16 Is driven to generate heat, thereby performing thermal transfer. Multicolor ink ribbon 14
Has a sensor mark for distinguishing each color (Y, M, C, B) and each printing method (sublimation thermal transfer, melt thermal transfer, thermal transfer of release ink). 7
6, 78 are mark reading sensors for reading the sensor marks. For example, when both of the mark reading sensors 76 and 78 detect the sensor mark, this is the origin of the cueing of the multicolor ink ribbon 14, and the color area corresponding to each color and each printing method is also read by reading the sensor mark. Is detected. As another embodiment, a multicolor ink ribbon used only for writing an image on the intermediate transfer medium 12 and the intermediate transfer medium 12
It is also possible to use a so-called double ink ribbon system in which a releasable ink ribbon used only in the step of transferring the releasable ink is used in combination. The releasable ink ribbon used in this case may be, for example, the above-described specific example of the multicolor ink ribbon 14 in which the entire area is a releasable ink area.

The heat roller 17 is used for bonding and transferring the intermediate transfer medium 12 to the transfer medium 11 by heating and pressing the superposed intermediate transfer medium 12 and transfer medium 11. The heat roller 17 is a hollow cylindrical body, the inner peripheral surface of which is blackened, and includes a halogen lamp heater 80 inside. Further, a conductive heat vulcanization type silicone rubber layer is formed on the outer peripheral surface, and the surface of the silicone rubber layer is formed of a fluorine-based polymer compound layer (for example,
(A layer of a copolymer of ethylene tetrafluoride and perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether). The outer peripheral shape of the heat roller 17 is an inverted crown shape in which the diameter slightly increases as approaching from the center to both ends. The rotation speed of the heat roller 17 is controlled so that the peripheral speed of the heat roller 17 is slightly higher than the transport speed of the intermediate transfer medium 12 and the transfer target 11. This is to prevent occurrence. The heat roller 17 has a temperature sensor 82 for detecting its surface temperature.
And the halogen lamp heater 80 based on the detected temperature.
To control the surface temperature of the heat roller 17 to a predetermined temperature (this temperature is, for example, 162 ° C .; however, when butyral resin is used for the intermediate transfer medium 12,
A temperature controller (not shown) for maintaining the temperature at 5 to 185 ° C.), and a cleaning roller 84 for keeping the outer peripheral surface of the heat roller 17 clean. A safety shutter 86 that can be opened and closed below the heat roller 17 is provided. When the intermediate transfer medium 12 is bonded to the transfer target 11 and transferred, the safety shutter 86 is opened, and the heat roller 17 is moved to the intermediate transfer medium 12.
The intermediate transfer medium 12 that has been lowered and superimposed on the transfer object 11 is heated and pressed.

The light pressure-sensitive adhesive tape 18 is a light pressure-sensitive adhesive material formed by applying a light pressure-sensitive adhesive having a slight tackiness to one surface of a tape base made of a plastic film. Examples of suitable tapes that can be used as the light adhesive tape 18 include drafting tape No. 230
And Scotch Mending Tape No. 81
0, etc., and various self-fusing tapes can also be used. The light adhesive tape 18
It is supplied from the supply reel 88, is wound around the outer periphery of the pressing roller 90 with the light pressure-sensitive adhesive applied surface downward substantially over half its circumference, and is taken up by the take-up roll 92 so as to be conveyed. It is. The transfer roller 20 on which the intermediate transfer medium 12 has been transferred is urged downward while running the transfer tray 20 on which the transfer member 11 is mounted at a speed equal to the transfer speed of the light adhesive tape 18. The surface of the light pressure-sensitive adhesive tape 18 comes in contact with the surface of the light pressure-sensitive adhesive tape 18, and unnecessary substances on the surface of the transferred body 11 are removed.

As described above, the image forming apparatus 10 writes an image on the intermediate transfer medium 12 based on image data. The image data necessary for this may be supplied from, for example, a computer connected to the image forming apparatus 10, or the image forming apparatus 10 may be provided with an input device such as a disk drive, and may be provided with a recording medium such as a disk. May be read. The operation control of the image forming apparatus 10 may be performed by installing an operation control driver in a computer connected to the image forming apparatus 10, for example, and controlling the operation by the driver. A set of software and a set of software may be built in the image forming apparatus 10. In an image forming method using the image forming apparatus 10 described below, image data is received from a computer connected to the image forming apparatus, and operation control of the image forming apparatus 10 is also performed by a driver installed in the computer. The case will be described as an example. A driver for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 is generally used for forming (printing) a color image created on a display screen of a computer or a color image read from the outside on paper using a color printer. This is similar to a simple printer driver, and a detailed description of such a driver is omitted because it is widely used at present. This driver has a function of calling an image to be formed on a display screen of a computer and designating a desired area of the image as a non-transfer area. This function is the same as the function of filling a specified area with a specified color in a general graphics creation tool.Specify a desired area with a mouse or the like, and specify the specified color of that area as "release ink color". do it. The driver also has the function of allowing the user to specify whether to form the image with a sublimable dye or a fusible ink.

According to the image forming method of the present invention, first, an intermediate transfer medium image writing step is executed. In this step, a platen roller drive mechanism, a thermal head drive mechanism, intermediate transfer medium transport rollers 26a and 26b,
38a, 38b, and multicolor ink ribbon transport roller 72
a, 72b, etc., the multi-color ink ribbon 14 and the thermal head 16 are appropriately aligned with respect to the intermediate transfer medium 12 on the platen roller 15, and the thermal head 1
6 by driving the intermediate transfer medium 1 based on the image data held in the computer by the thermal transfer method.
Write the image in 2. Subsequently, a releasable ink transfer step is performed. In this step, the intermediate transfer medium 12 on which the image has been written based on the data representing the non-transfer area of the image data stored in the computer, in exactly the same manner as in the intermediate transfer medium image writing step. The releasable ink on the multicolor ink ribbon 14 is transferred to the designated non-transfer area by the thermal transfer method. Subsequently, an intermediate transfer medium bonding step is performed. In this step,
The intermediate transfer medium 12 on which the image has been written and the release ink has been transferred to the non-transfer area is transported at a predetermined speed, and the image written on the intermediate transfer medium 12 is positioned at an appropriate position with respect to the transfer target body 11. , The transport tray 20 is driven to start transporting the transfer medium 11 at the same speed as the intermediate transfer medium 12, and the heat roller 17 is placed on the intermediate transfer medium 12 overlapping the transfer medium 11. Lower and heat and press. As a result, the image receiving layer / adhesive layer of the intermediate transfer medium 12 is adhered to the transfer object 11. From here, the intermediate transfer medium 12 and the transfer-receiving body 1
When the transfer roller 1 was conveyed, the image layer of the intermediate transfer medium 12 at the portion adhered by the heat and pressure of the heat roller 17 was peeled off from the backing paper and transferred to the transfer receiving body 11, but was not heated and pressed A part of the image layer is not peeled off from the backing paper, but is taken up by the take-up roller 40 together with the backing paper and collected. However,
Even in the portion heated and pressed by the heat roller 17, in the non-transfer area where the release ink has been previously transferred, since the image receiving layer and the adhesive layer are covered with the release ink, the transfer Not adhered to body 11.

Here, at the boundary between the portion of the intermediate transfer member 12 which is heated and pressurized and adhered to the transfer member 11 and the portion of the intermediate transfer member 12 which does not adhere, the mount of the intermediate transfer member 12 is attached to the transfer member 1.
Since the image layer is torn off as it moves away from the surface of the image transfer member 1, a part of the image layer that has not adhered may remain as burrs on the edge of the image layer that has adhered to and transferred to the transfer receiving body 11 in some cases. There is. Also, when the non-transfer area defined by the release ink is completely surrounded by the transfer area,
When the non-transfer area is a very narrow or thin area, the image layer of the intermediate transfer medium 12 in the non-transfer area does not adhere to the surface of the transfer object 11 even though It may peel off and transfer to the surface of the transfer object 11. The process is performed to remove such burrs, the image layer in the non-transferred area that has been transferred to the surface of the transfer object 11, and other unnecessary substances such as dust attached to the surface of the transfer object 11. What is done is the detackification step. In this step, the transport tray 22 is further transported, and the light adhesive applied surface of the light adhesive tape 18, which is the light adhesive material wound around the pressing roller 90, is brought into contact with the surface of the transfer object 11. These unnecessary substances are adhered and removed from the surface of the transfer object 11. According to the above-described image forming method, the intermediate transfer medium 1 of the surface of the
The transfer of the image is performed only to the other area except for the area where 2 is not desired to be transferred.

As apparent from the above description, of the four mechanisms mentioned above, the intermediate transfer medium image writing mechanism 1
00 is composed of the following components: the thermal head 16 and various components associated therewith; the platen roller 15 and various components associated therewith;
Various components related to conveyance and control of the intermediate transfer medium 12, and various components related to conveyance and control of the multicolor ink ribbon 14. In addition, the components that make up the releasable ink transfer mechanism 200 are the same as the components that make up the intermediate transfer medium image writing mechanism 100. The intermediate transfer medium bonding mechanism 300 is composed of the following components: the heating roller 17 and various components associated therewith; the transport tray 20 and various components associated therewith; Various components related to control. Also,
The detackifier 400 is made up of the following elements:
The pressing roller 90 and various components associated therewith, the transport tray 20 and various components associated therewith, and various components relating to the transport and control of the light adhesive tape 18.

Therefore, according to the embodiment described above, the non-transfer area is defined by transferring the release ink to the intermediate transfer medium 12 by the thermal transfer method using the thermal head 16. Therefore, for example, a magnetic card or IC
A non-transfer area that must not be covered with the intermediate transfer medium 12, such as a user's signature area or magnetic stripe area, or a transmitting / receiving terminal area or an antenna area, on the surface of the card, In shape, accurately, easily,
High-speed and beautiful definition can be achieved, and it is possible to satisfactorily cope with a transfer target having an uneven surface. Further, the writing of the image on the intermediate transfer medium 12 and the transfer of the release ink to the intermediate transfer medium 12 for defining the non-transfer area are performed by using the same ink ribbon 14, platen roller 15,
In addition, since the image formation is performed using the thermal head 16, the entire image forming apparatus 10 is configured to be very compact and simple.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a light beam writing mechanism. Many parts are the same between the image forming apparatus 10 ′ of FIG. 2 and the image forming apparatus 10 of FIG. 1, and the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted. The image forming apparatus 10 'of FIG. 2 differs from the image forming apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 only in the following three points. (1) In a desired area of the intermediate transfer medium 12 on which the image is written,
By transferring a release ink having a release property to the transfer receiving body 11, the intermediate transfer medium 12 in the desired area is transferred.
Release ink transfer mechanism 200 'to lose adhesiveness
To the thermal head 1 as in the image forming apparatus 10 of FIG.
6, the light beam writing mechanism 16 'is used, and (2) the light beam writing mechanism 1
6 ′, so that the multicolor ink ribbon 14 ′ is suitable for use.
, Using different release inks,
(3) The transport mechanism of the multicolor ink ribbon 14 'has been slightly changed so as to be suitable for use of the light beam writing mechanism 16'.

First, a description will be given of (2). The releasable ink of the multicolor ink ribbon 14 'is efficiently subjected to photothermal conversion when irradiated with a light beam, and the releasable ink is easily melted. In this case, a releasable ink internally containing a light-to-heat conversion material so as to be transferred to the intermediate transfer medium 12 is used. As an example of a suitable ink ribbon, for example, an epoxy resin-based ink in which carbon black or a phthalocyanine-based dye is internally added as a light-to-heat conversion material may be used.
Good results are obtained if the ink ribbon support is applied in the form of a layer having a thickness of about 1.0 .mu.m on the same ink ribbon support as described with respect to 0. Alternatively, instead of using a releasable ink internally containing a light-to-heat conversion material, a light-to-heat conversion material layer is formed on an ink ribbon support, and a release ink layer is formed thereon. Multicolor ink ribbon 1
A region corresponding to the 4 ′ release ink may be formed. Next, the transport mechanism of the multicolor ink ribbon 14 ′ of (3) will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the multicolor ink ribbon 14 ′ is placed on the outer periphery of the platen roller 15 over an angle of approximately 60 degrees. Guide rollers 70 ′, 71 ′ and a pair of transport rollers 72.
The positions of a ′, 72b ′ and the take-up roller 74 ′ are arranged at positions different from those corresponding to those of FIG.

Next, the light beam writing mechanism 16 ′ of (1) will be described. The light beam writing mechanism 16 ′ uses an infrared semiconductor laser. For example, a 200 mW infrared semiconductor laser (wavelength: 820 nm) manufactured by SDL can be used. As shown in FIG. 3, the light beam obtained from the infrared semiconductor laser is
The scanning light beam is indicated by an arrow L in FIG. The light beam scanning system 112 is a semiconductor laser collimator 114 containing an infrared semiconductor laser.
And an x-direction galvano scanner 1 having a mirror 116 for deflecting the light beam L emitted from the laser collimator 114 in the x direction (axial direction of the platen roller 15).
18 and a y-direction galvano scanner 122 having a mirror 120 for further deflecting the light beam L in the y-direction (the circumferential direction of the platen roller 15). The light beam scanning system 112 includes a laser driver 124 for controlling the amount of light emitted from the infrared semiconductor laser in the semiconductor laser collimator 114 and oscillation, and two galvano scanners 11.
And a galvano scanner controller 126 for controlling scanning by the scanners 8 and 122.

The difference between the image forming method using the image forming apparatus 10 'of FIG. 2 and the image forming method using the image forming apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 is that a desired area of the intermediate transfer medium 12 on which an image is written is provided. This is only a releasable ink transfer step of transferring the releasable ink having releasability to the transfer target body 11 to lose the adhesiveness of the intermediate transfer medium 12 in the desired area. That is, in the releasable ink transfer step when the image forming apparatus 10 'is used, the light beam scanning system 1
By appropriately controlling the twelve galvano scanners 118 and 122, the light beam L is irradiated onto the area of the release ink of the multicolor ink ribbon 14 'overlapping the intermediate transfer medium 12 on the platen roller 15. . Then, by appropriately controlling the rotation of the platen roller 15 and the conveyance of the multicolor ink ribbon 14 ′, the region to be the non-transfer region is scanned so as to be filled with the light beam L. The scanning of the light beam L in this case can be performed by any of the vector scan and the raster scan, but the raster scan seems to be more convenient for filling the area. However, even when the raster scan method is adopted, if only the boundary portion of the area is scanned by the vector scan method, the boundary portion can be smoothly and beautifully finished.

The semiconductor laser collimator 114 is composed of the above-described high-output infrared semiconductor laser, an achromatic lens and a meniscus lens. Adjusted to form an image above. Further, the length from the mirrors 116 and 120 to the image plane is set sufficiently long so that the f-θ error and the error of the focal position on the platen roller 15 can be ignored. As the light beam type writing mechanism 16 ′, in addition to those described above, those using a polygon scanner or a resonant scanner can be used.
Various methods such as a mask exposure method using various optical shutters including a T element can be used.

Many of the advantages provided by the image forming apparatus 10 'of FIG. 2 are the same as those provided by the image forming apparatus 10 of FIG. To avoid repetition of the description, only the differences between the two advantages will be described. First, in the image forming apparatus 10 in FIG. 1, writing of an image and transfer of the release ink for defining a non-transfer area are performed. Since the operation is performed using the same thermal head, a very compact and simple image forming apparatus can be realized, and the entire process can be speeded up. On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus 10 ′ of FIG. 2, the transfer of the release ink for defining the non-transfer area is performed by the light beam writing mechanism 1.
Since this is performed using 6 ′, a non-transfer region with higher precision and higher quality can be defined.

In addition, regarding the releasable ink when the light beam writing mechanism 16 'is used, if an ink ribbon having a releasable ink layer in which a photothermal conversion material is added is used, the irradiated light Since the energy of the beam is converted to heat very efficiently, the non-transfer area can be defined at high speed. On the other hand, when an ink ribbon having a photothermal conversion material layer formed on an ink ribbon support and a release ink layer formed thereon is used, the photothermal conversion is performed efficiently, Since a light-to-heat conversion material having poor dispersibility with respect to the moldable ink can be used, the range of usable light-to-heat conversion materials is expanded, and the release ink layer is formed by the amount that the light-to-heat conversion material is not internally added. Since the ink can be made thinner, the release ink can be cut more easily, and a non-transfer area having a beautiful boundary can be formed.

Although the image forming apparatuses 10 and 10 'according to the two embodiments described above write an image on the intermediate transfer medium 12 by thermal transfer using a thermal head, the The writing may be performed by the light beam writing mechanism. If both the writing of the image and the transfer of the releasable ink are performed by the light beam writing mechanism, the thermal head can be completely eliminated.

[0029]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, an intermediate transfer medium having adhesiveness is heated and pressurized on a transfer object, and an image written on the intermediate transfer medium is applied to the surface of the transfer object. In the image forming method for transferring, before transferring the image to the surface of the transfer object, a release ink having a release property for the transfer object is applied to a desired area of the intermediate transfer medium on which the image is written. By transferring, a release ink transfer step of losing the adhesiveness of the intermediate transfer medium in the desired area is provided, and when the image is transferred to the surface of the transfer target, the area where the adhesiveness is lost is A non-transfer area is defined on the surface of the transfer object by not being adhered to the transfer object. Further, the present invention is an image forming apparatus for forming an image on the surface of a transfer object by using an intermediate transfer medium having an adhesive property capable of being adhered to the surface of the transfer object by applying heat and pressure. An intermediate transfer medium image writing mechanism for writing an image on the intermediate transfer medium based on the data, and transferring a release ink having releasability to the object to be transferred to a desired area of the intermediate transfer medium on which the image is written A releasable ink transfer mechanism for losing the adhesiveness of the intermediate transfer medium in the desired area, and an intermediate transfer medium bonding mechanism for bonding the intermediate transfer medium to the surface of the transfer target body by heating and pressing. And Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a releasable ink ribbon used in an image forming apparatus, wherein the releasable ink layer comprises a releasable ink that can be transferred by thermal transfer on a heat-resistant ink ribbon base material that withstands thermal transfer. Is formed. That is, in the present invention, since the non-transfer area is defined by transferring the release ink to the intermediate transfer medium, the non-transfer area which must not be covered with the intermediate transfer medium on the surface of the object to be transferred. Can be precisely, easily, quickly, and beautifully defined in any position on the surface of the transferred object, in any shape, and can well handle transferred objects with uneven surfaces. can do.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a light beam writing mechanism.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 10 'Image forming apparatus 11 Transfer receiving body 12 Intermediate transfer medium 14 Multicolor ink ribbon 14' Multicolor ink ribbon 15 Platen roller 16 Thermal head 16 'Light beam writing mechanism 17 Heat roller 18 Light adhesive tape 100 Intermediate transfer Medium image writing mechanism 200 Release ink transfer mechanism 200 ′ Release ink transfer mechanism 300 Intermediate transfer medium adhesion mechanism 400 Adhesion removal mechanism

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification symbol FI B41M 5/26 B41J 3/20 117C 5/40 B41M 5/26 P 5/38 Q R CH 101J 101H 101B (72) Inventor Atsushi Kijima 1-5-1, Taito, Taito-ku, Tokyo Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kiyoshi Horie 1-5-1, Taito, Taito-ku, Tokyo Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. An image forming method in which an intermediate transfer medium having an adhesive property is heated and pressurized on an object to be transferred, and an image written on the intermediate transfer medium is transferred to a surface of the object to be transferred. Before transferring to the surface of the intermediate transfer medium, by transferring a release ink having releasability to the object to be transferred to a desired area of the intermediate transfer medium on which the image is written, the intermediate transfer medium in the desired area is transferred. A release ink transfer step for losing adhesiveness is provided. When the image is transferred to the surface of the transfer receiving body, the area where the adhesiveness is lost is not bonded to the transfer receiving body so that the surface of the transfer receiving body is not bonded. A non-transfer area is defined in the image forming method. 2. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the image on the intermediate transfer medium is formed in an intermediate transfer medium image writing step of writing an image on the intermediate transfer medium based on image data. 3. In the intermediate transfer medium image writing step, an image is written by a fusion type thermal transfer method or a sublimation type thermal transfer method using a multicolor ink ribbon and a thermal head, and the release ink is multicolored. The releasable ink is allocated as one color of the ink ribbon, and in the releasable ink transfer step, the releasable ink is transferred by a fusion thermal transfer method or a sublimation thermal transfer method using the multicolor ink ribbon and a thermal head. 3. The image forming method according to claim 2, wherein the method is performed. 4. In the intermediate transfer medium image writing step, an image is written by a fusion type thermal transfer method or a sublimation type thermal transfer method using a multi-color ink ribbon and a thermal head. 3. The image forming method according to claim 2, wherein, after the intermediate transfer medium image writing step, the release ink is transferred by a light beam writing type thermal transfer method of irradiating a light beam to a multicolor ink ribbon. . 5. The transfer of the image written on the intermediate transfer medium to the surface of the transfer medium is performed in an intermediate transfer medium bonding step, and after the intermediate transfer medium bonding step, the image is lightly applied to the surface of the transfer medium. The image forming method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a step of removing an unnecessary substance from the surface of the transfer-receiving member by contacting the adhesive. 6. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on the surface of a transfer object by using an intermediate transfer medium having an adhesive property capable of being adhered to the surface of the transfer object by applying heat and pressure, comprising: An intermediate transfer medium image writing mechanism for writing an image on the intermediate transfer medium based on the image, and transferring a release ink having releasability to the object to be transferred to a desired area of the intermediate transfer medium on which the image is written. ,
A releasable ink transfer mechanism for losing the adhesiveness of the intermediate transfer medium in the desired area; and an intermediate transfer medium bonding mechanism for bonding the intermediate transfer medium to the surface of the transfer target body by applying heat and pressure. Image forming apparatus. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said releasable ink transfer mechanism includes a thermal head for transferring releasable ink by a thermal transfer method. 8. The intermediate transfer medium image writing mechanism includes a multicolor ink ribbon and a thermal head for writing an image by a fusion type thermal transfer method or a sublimation type thermal transfer method, and the releasable ink comprises 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a thermal head for transferring the releasable ink and a thermal head of the intermediate transfer medium image writing mechanism are shared as one color of a multicolor ink ribbon. 9. The intermediate transfer medium image writing mechanism includes a multicolor ink ribbon and a thermal head for writing an image by a fusion type thermal transfer method or a sublimation type thermal transfer method, and the releasable ink transfer mechanism. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a light beam writing mechanism for transferring the releasable ink by a thermal transfer method of irradiating the multicolor ink ribbon with a light beam. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the multicolor ink ribbon has a releasable ink layer in which a photothermal conversion material is internally added and the releasable ink is melted by being irradiated with a light beam. 11. The multi-color ink ribbon has a light-to-heat conversion material layer formed on an ink ribbon base material and a releasable film formed on the light-to-heat conversion material layer by heat generated in the light-to-heat conversion material layer. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a release ink layer in which the ink melts. 12. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising an adhesion removing mechanism for bringing a light adhesive material into contact with the surface of the transfer object to which the intermediate transfer medium is adhered to remove unnecessary substances on the surface of the transfer object. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11. 13. A releasable ink ribbon for use in an image forming apparatus, wherein a releasable ink layer made of a releasable ink that can be transferred by thermal transfer is provided on a heat-resistant ink ribbon substrate that withstands thermal transfer. A releasable ink ribbon formed. 14. The release ink ribbon according to claim 13, wherein the release ink is an epoxy resin-based ink. 15. The heat-transferable release ink,
The magnitude of the surface tension when the material is thermally softened or melted when the thermal transfer surface is thermally transferred together with the thermally-transferred object toward the surface of the transfer-receiving material, is larger than the surface tension of the surface of the transfer-receiving material. 14. The release ink ribbon according to claim 13, wherein the ink is a sufficiently large ink. 16. The separation according to claim 13, wherein a thermal transfer ink layer for color recording and the release ink layer are repeatedly arranged on the ink ribbon base material. Type ink ribbon.