JPS62139540A - Thermal copying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain invariable excellent light transmissivity and to take a stable copy by bringing a transparent glass plate into contact with a platen roller across a mask sheet and a transferred sheet. CONSTITUTION:A feed roller 37 rotates and begins to feed the mask sheet 1 as shown by an arrow. At this time, the platen roller 32 rotates according to the motion of the sheet 1 and a form 25 to which an image is to be transferred is sent in and wound around the roller 32. Then when the form 25 reaches a discharge recording electrode 26, a recording signal source 28 operates and while an image is formed on the sheet 1 successively by destroying the light reflecting layer of the sheet 1 partially by electrostatic discharging, the sheet 1 and form 25 are sent to the position where the transparent glass plate 20 is pressed. When the form 25 almost reaches the right end of the glass plate 20, a xenon lamp 29 illuminates instantaneously and light is transmitted through the part of the light reflecting layer which is removed by the electrostattic discharging destruction to heat and fuse an ink layer, thereby transferring the image to the form 25. Consequently, the image of ink corresponding to the image formed on the sheet 1 is transferred to the form 25 at the part which is pressed by the glass plate 20 and projected with light.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a thermal copying apparatus that copies an image formed on a mask sheet onto a transfer sheet by photothermal conversion.

2. Description of the Related Art Many methods and apparatuses have been proposed in the past for using a mask sheet having a light-reflecting image formed by a predetermined method and using the mask sheet as an original image to transfer an image onto a transfer paper. (For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 54-17036 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 53-121637.) An example of these conventional devices will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a conventional thermal copying apparatus.

In Fig. 2, 1 is a mask sheet, which has a conductive light-reflecting layer 3 (e.g., an aluminum vapor-deposited layer) on which discharge recording can be performed on a transparent support 2, and a layer on the opposite side that absorbs heat rays and generates heat. The ink layer 4 has a thermoplastic ink layer 4 (for example, a wax containing carbon) that is melted. 6 is a discharge recording electrode, and 7 is a return electrode which is grounded. 8
9 is a recording signal source, 9 is a light source for transfer (for example, a xenon lamp), 1O is a transparent glass plate, 5 is a transfer paper, 11 is a transparent glass plate 1 by overlapping the mask sheet 1 and the transfer paper 5.
This pressure bonding pad 11 is movable in the direction of arrow A, and can press the transparent glass plate 10 or pull it away from the transparent glass plate 10. 12 is a feed roller for transporting the mask sheet l in the direction of arrow B.

In the mask sheet 1, a recording voltage is first applied to the discharge recording electrodes 6 in a discharge recording process, and the light reflection layer 3 is partially destroyed by discharge to form holes and an image is formed on the light reflection layer 3. During this time, discharge recording is continuously performed while the feed roller 12 rotates and feeds the mask sheet 1 sequentially in the direction of arrow B. Also, during discharge recording, the pressure bonding pad 11 is attached to the transparent glass plate 1.
0 so as not to impede the movement of the mask sheet l and copy paper 5. When a predetermined length of discharge is recorded, the feed roller 12 stops, and the pressure pad 11
moves to press the mask sheet 1 on which the image is formed and the recording paper 5 against the transparent glass plate IO in an overlapping state. At this time, when the light source 9 is turned on at the same time, this light melts the ink layer 4 corresponding to the image of the light reflection layer formed on the mask sheet l, and this ink layer 4 is transferred onto the copying paper 5. to finish copying. When one copy is completed, the pressure pad 11 is separated from the transparent glass plate 10 again, the feed roller 12 rotates, and the mask sheet l and the copy paper 5 are fed.

By repeating the above operations, a predetermined amount of printing is performed.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, in such a conventional device, dirt and dust adhering to the light reflecting layer 3 (particularly when forming an image on the mask sheet l by discharge recording, discharge scum etc. transparent glass plate 1)
0, and the light transmittance of the transparent glass plate 10 decreases.

Further, since the pressure pad 11 is intermittently pressed against and separated from the transparent glass plate 10 when irradiated with light, the operation and structure of the apparatus become complicated. Further, in the case of color copying in which ink of a plurality of colors is transferred onto a single sheet of transfer paper 5, there is a problem in that it is difficult to obtain image positioning accuracy in a plurality of transfers.

In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has developed a heat treatment system that prevents dirt and dust from adhering to or accumulating on the transparent glass plate even during long-term use. It provides a copying device.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the thermal copying apparatus of the present invention stacks a holding material that supports the transfer paper, a mask sheet having a light-reflective image pattern, and the transfer paper. A light-transmitting pressure bonding material is used to press the mask sheet against the holding material to bring the mask sheet and the transfer paper into close contact, and a light-transmitting pressure bonding material that is opposed to the light-transmissive pressure bonding material is transmitted through the light-transmissive pressure bonding material to the mask sheet. It is equipped with a transfer light source for irradiating the mask sheet and a sheet feeding means for transporting the mask sheet and the paper to be transferred, and the transfer light source is used to transfer the mask sheet to the mask sheet while the holding material and the translucent pressure bonding material are kept pressed together. The structure is such that the image is transferred by irradiating light, and the mask sheet is sequentially sent out while sliding the mask sheet over the transparent pressure bonding material by the sheet feeding means.

Function Since the thermal copying apparatus of the present invention has the above-described structure, the surface of the light-transmitting pressure bonding material is constantly rubbed by the mask sheet. As a result - even if dirt or dust on the mask sheet adheres to the translucent pressure bonding material, it is quickly rubbed off by the mask sheet itself, so foreign matter does not accumulate on the translucent pressure bonding material and is always stable. Copies can be made. Further, since there is no need to intermittently move the transparent pressure bonding material and the holding material relative to each other to transport the mask sheet or transfer paper, the structure and operation of the apparatus are greatly simplified. Furthermore, it is easy to realize a configuration in which the holding material is shaped like a cylindrical drum and the paper to be transferred is wound around it and fed, and multicolor copying with good positioning accuracy can be realized even when multicolor copying is performed multiple times.

EXAMPLE A thermal copying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a thermal copying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 1, numeral 1 is a mask sheet, which has a conductive light-reflecting layer (e.g., aluminum vapor-deposited Wi) on a transparent base material that allows discharge recording, and the opposite surface absorbs heat rays and generates heat and melts. 32 is a platen roller whose outer periphery is made of an elastic material such as rubber, which holds the transfer paper 25 and rotates. installation possible.

Numeral 26 is a multi-needle discharge recording electrode, which is pressed against the platen roller 32 with the mask sheet l in between so that all the electrode needles come into uniform contact with the light reflection layer of the mask sheet l. 2
8 is a recording signal source, which includes a return electrode roller 27 and a discharge recorder 11;
A predetermined recording signal can be applied between the 11 poles 26 and the 11 poles 26. Note that the return bridge roller 27 is in contact with the light reflective layer of the mask sheet 1 and is grounded. 29 is a xenon lamp for melting the ink layer on the mask sheet 1 and transferring it onto the transfer paper 25. 20 is a xenon lamp 29
Mask sheet 1 and transfer paper 25 of the part to be irradiated with light.
This is a transparent glass plate provided to bring the two into close contact with each other, and has a shape that uniformly follows the platen roller 32 and is pressed against the platen roller 32. Reference numeral 30 denotes a charger provided to make the adhesion between the mask sheet 1 and the transfer paper 25 even better than when using only mechanical pressure.
As a result, static electricity is applied to the mask sheet 1, and the mask sheet 1 and the transfer paper 25 are brought into close contact with each other due to the static electricity.

Further, by using this charger 30, the pressing force of the transparent glass plate 20 against the platen roller 32 can be reduced.

35 is a reflecting mirror, 34 is a peeling roller, and 37 is a feed roller for continuously feeding out the mask sheet 1.

Next, the operation of this device will be explained.

At the same time as the feeding roller 37 rotates and the mask sheet 1 begins to be fed in the direction of the arrow, the charger 30 operates to apply static electricity to the mask sheet 1.At this time, the platen roller 32 rotates as the mask sheet 1 moves. The transfer paper 25 is fed here and wound around the platen roller 32, where the mask sheet 1 and the transfer paper 25 are fed.
are overlapped at the position of the return electrode roller 27 and are successively conveyed in a state in which they are in close contact with each other due to static electricity. When the transfer paper 25 comes to the position of the discharge recording electrode 26, the recording signal source 2B starts to operate and the mask sheet! The light reflecting layer of the mask sheet 1 and the transfer paper 25 are partially destroyed by electrical discharge to form an image, and while the image is sequentially formed on the mask sheet 1, the mask sheet 1 and the transfer paper 25 are transferred to the transparent glass plate 2.
Transfer paper 2 is fed into the position where it is crimped to 0.
5 comes close to the right end of the transparent glass plate 2G, the xenon lamp 29 lights up instantaneously, and light passes through the portion of the light reflection layer that was removed by discharge destruction, heats and melts the ink layer, and transfers it to the transfer paper 25. Transfer to. As a result, an ink image corresponding to the image formed on the mask sheet l is formed on the transfer paper 2 in the area pressed by the transparent glass plate 20 and irradiated with light.
It will be transferred to 5. After the transfer, the mask sheet l and the transfer paper 25 subsequently reach the position #llll-ra 34, where the mask sheet l and the transfer paper 25 are peeled off and image formation is completed.

The charger 30 and the discharge recording electrode 26 operate continuously, and the xenon lamp 29 continuously performs the above-mentioned recording and transfer operation while intermittently lighting up each time the mask sheet 1 and transfer paper 25 are fed by a predetermined amount. After the transfer of the ink image to the entire surface of the transfer paper 25 is completed, the feed roller 37 stops. Thereafter, the transfer paper 25 that has been transferred is discharged to the outside.

The transparent glass plate 20 remains pressed against the platen 32 throughout the recording and transfer operation described above, and the mask sheet l moves while sliding on the surface of the transparent glass Fi20.

Further, when performing multicolor recording, the transfer paper 25 that has completed one recording transfer is rotated while being wound around the platen roller 32 and sent to the position of the return electrode roller 27 again. At this time, if the ink layer of mask sheet 1 is coated with a color different from the color used for the first recording, two-color recording becomes possible, and multi-color recording of three or four colors is possible at the same time. It is.

In this example, a mask sheet 1 consisting of a light reflecting layer, a transparent base, and an ink layer was used, but the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, a method using heat-sensitive recording paper as the transfer paper 25 may be used. Furthermore, although the image on the mask sheet is formed in the same device in this example, it is also possible to use a mask sheet that has already been created externally, and the image forming surface is not necessarily light reflective. The material is not limited to this material, but may be a black heat ray absorbing material or the like.

Effects of the Invention As described above, in the thermal copying apparatus of the present invention, a transparent glass plate is brought into close contact with the platen roller 32 with the mask sheet and the transfer sheet sandwiched therebetween. It is configured to move while rubbing the top surface of the plate and transfer the image while moving.

Dirt and airborne dust tend to adhere to the surface of the mask sheet, especially when discharge recording is performed just before copying as in this example, aluminum powder generated by discharge tends to adhere to the mask sheet. If such foreign matter adheres and accumulates on the temporary surface of the transparent glass, a good transferred image cannot be obtained. However, since the present invention has the above-described configuration, even if a small amount of foreign matter adheres to the glass surface, it will not be possible to obtain a good transferred image. Since the mask sheet is constantly moving by rubbing on the glass surface, no foreign matter is deposited on the glass surface, and a good light transmitting surface is always obtained, and there is no need for periodic cleaning.

Furthermore, there is no part that drives the device intermittently, making it possible to realize a simple configuration. Furthermore, the circumference of the platen roller is made longer than the length of the transfer paper, so that the transfer paper can be wrapped around the platen roller without overlap, and the transfer paper can be rotated multiple times while being wrapped around the platen roller. Good multicolor copying with good registration accuracy and no color shift is possible.

Furthermore, if a charger is used, the mask sheet and the transfer paper will be in good contact, and the pressing force of the transparent glass plate against the platen roller can be reduced, which has the effect of reducing the load of feeding the mask sheet.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a thermal copying apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a conventional thermal copying apparatus. l...Mask sheet, 20...Transparent glass plate, 25...Transfer paper, 26...
・Discharge recording electrode, 29...Xenon lamp, 3
2...Platen roller, 37...Feed roller.

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A holding material that supports a transfer paper, a mask sheet having a light-reflective image pattern, and a transfer paper are stacked and pressed against the holding material, and the mask sheet and the transfer paper are made to be in close contact with each other. a transfer light source that faces the translucent pressure bonding material and irradiates the mask sheet with light through the translucent pressure bonding material; and a sheet feeding means that transports the mask sheet and the transfer paper. The transfer light source irradiates the mask sheet with light to transfer an image while the holding material and the transparent pressure bonding material remain pressed together, and the mask sheet is transferred by the sheet feeding means to the transparent pressure bonding material. A thermal copying device that is characterized in that it sequentially sends out a photosensitive adhesive while sliding it on the adhesive. (2) The thermal copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the holding material that contacts the transfer paper is made of a flexible material. (3) The thermal copying apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the holding member is cylindrical and rotatable. (4) In order to improve the adhesion between the mask sheet and the transfer paper, static electricity is applied between the mask sheet and the transfer paper before the holding material and the translucent pressure bonding material are pressed into the transfer section. 4. A thermal copying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a charging means for applying an electric charge.