JP2930696B2 - Thermal transfer printer - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a thermal transfer printer for transferring hot-melt or thermal sublimation type ink to a printing paper.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, a thermal transfer printer has been configured such that an ink sheet roll wound up in a roll shape is mounted on a supply shaft and a winding shaft in the apparatus.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, in the above-described conventional apparatus, 1) a supply shaft and a take-up shaft are required, and the structure of the apparatus is complicated and large, so that it is difficult to reduce the size of the apparatus. 2) When replacing an ink sheet In addition, since the ink sheet is passed between the thermal head and the platen roller, it is necessary to expose the inside of the apparatus to the outside. There was such a problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, improve the operability such as an ink sheet replacement operation, and provide a small-sized thermal transfer printer.

[Means for solving the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, a thermal transfer printer according to a first means comprises: a first transfer means for transferring a printing paper; and a relative speed with respect to the printing paper of 1 / n times (n ≧ 1). An ink sheet unit in which a transfer-recordable hot-melt type or heat-sublimation type ink is applied onto an ink sheet and held and fixed by an outer frame having at least higher rigidity than the ink sheet, and rotatably supported The platen, the thermal head that presses the ink sheet unit against the platen via the ink sheet unit and the printing paper so that the ink sheet unit comes into contact with the printing paper, and one of the transfer speeds of the printing paper and the ink sheet unit. a second transfer means for transferring at a rate of / n times;
The third transfer means for discharging the used ink sheet unit and the information printed on the printing area which does not affect the printing of the ink sheet unit determine whether the printing is for one-time or multi-time use. It is characterized by comprising reading means for recognizing, and a speed control device for controlling the relative speed of the ink sheet unit with respect to the printing paper in accordance with the read information.

The thermal transfer printer according to the second means counts the number of times the ink sheet unit has been used when performing printing using a multi-time ink sheet unit instead of the reading means and the speed control means in the first means. The present invention is characterized by comprising a count control unit for performing the operation, marker means for marking a used position, and a detecting device for detecting the mark.

In the thermal transfer printer according to the third means, instead of the reading means and the speed control means in the first means, the ink sheet unit may be replaced by the information printed on an area which does not affect the printing of the ink sheet unit. A reading unit for recognizing whether the image is for color or multi-color, and for multi-color, further controls reading and receiving of the printing paper and the ink sheet unit according to the read information. Transport control means.

A thermal transfer printer according to a fourth means is a supply apparatus in which, instead of the reading means and the speed control means in the first means, an ink sheet unit capable of printing n times and a print receiving sheet are set at a ratio of 1: n. A supply cassette, an ejection unit for taking out the ink sheet unit and the n sheets of printing paper in this order, a conveyance path switching unit for switching a conveyance path between the ink sheet unit and the printing paper, and Switching control means for switching the transport path switching means based on information printed on the outer frame of the ink sheet unit.

The thermal transfer printer according to the fifth means is a means for mounting a plurality of cassettes instead of the reading means and the speed control means in the first means, and a supply from each cassette in response to an input from an operation unit. And a supply path switching means adapted to supply.

[Action]

According to the first means, the relative speed of the ink sheet unit with respect to the printing paper is controlled by recognizing whether it is for one-time use or multi-time use based on the printed information.

According to the second means, when printing is performed using the multi-time ink sheet unit, the next printing is performed from the used position.

According to the third means, the printing paper reception and the conveyance of the ink sheet unit are controlled in accordance with the printed information in an area which does not affect the printing of the ink sheet unit.

According to the fourth means, the transport path is switched based on the information printed on the outer frame of the ink sheet unit taken out of the cassette.

According to the fifth means, one of the plurality of cassettes is selected by an operation from the operation unit, and the ink sheet unit is supplied from the selected cassette.

〔Example〕

 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, an ink sheet unit used in this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, a card-type ink sheet unit is used instead of the conventional roll-shaped ink sheet.

5 and 6 are exploded perspective views showing examples of the ink sheet unit.

In FIG. 5, the ink sheet unit 1 includes an ink sheet 3 cut by an upper outer frame 2a and a lower outer frame 2b.
Is sandwiched between them. In this case, the outer frame 2 (2a, 2b) reinforces the ink sheet 3, and is made of a material having at least a higher rigidity than the ink sheet 3.
For example, it is made of a material such as a PET sheet or a moldable resin having a thickness of about 150 μm to 300 μm, or a paper on which PET is laminated.
By sandwiching the ink sheet 3, the ink sheet unit 1 integrated as a whole is formed. When a resin is used for the outer frame 2, fixing by long-wave welding is also possible. Then, this ink sheet unit 1
Has a certain degree of flexibility while maintaining flatness in a normal state.

In the case of the ink sheet unit 1 shown in FIG. 6, the outer frame 2 is formed in a hinge shape in advance, and the ink sheet 3 is sandwiched between the outer frames 2a and 2b, and the outer frames 2a and 2b are folded. Similarly, the ink sheet unit 1 is formed.

FIGS. 7 (a), (b) -1, (b) -2, and (c) show ink application forms of the ink sheet unit 1. FIG. The application forms include (a) mono-color, (b) N (multi) color division, (c) N (multi) color division repetition, and the like, and each is properly used depending on the transfer method in the apparatus. The ink sheet portion viewed in cross section has a melting or sublimation ink applied to one of base materials such as PET, polyimide, and polyamide of about 4 to 6 μm. A heat-resistant lubricating layer having heat resistance and slipperiness is applied.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the contents which are printed in advance as necessary printing information in an area which does not affect the printing of the outer frame 2 or the ink sheet 3 of the ink sheet unit 1 formed as described above. . Visual information for the operator includes an insertion direction display 5 and an insertion front and back display 6, and information for driving the apparatus includes mono-color or N-color, one-time or multi-use ink, and γ characteristics of ink. In the case of the N-color ink sheet unit 1, a color position information display 8 (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) for recognizing the position of each color is displayed on the bar code display 7. ) Is printed. These are not limited to printing, and any of optical, magnetic, and mechanical configurations can be used depending on the type of a sensor provided and detected on the apparatus side. In addition, this information is displayed on the operation panel,
Information on the ink sheet unit 1 currently used can be confirmed. Furthermore, in the case of a multi-time ink sheet, information such as how many times the ink sheet can be used can be displayed.

Next, an embodiment of a thermal sublimation type or a hot melt type printer using the ink sheet unit 1 configured as described above will be described.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of a thermal transfer printer used as a one-time type.

The print receiving sheet 10 is fed from a guide plate 11 in a form wound around a platen roller 13 by a roller 12. The roller 14 is a holding roller on the outer periphery of the platen. Receipt
The head position of 10 is detected by the reflection sensor 15, and the printing position is determined based on this. Platen roller 13
Is driven by the motor 16. On the other hand, the ink sheet unit 1 is set from the right side along the guide plate 17. The first paper feed roller 18 first moves until it reaches the barcode sensor 19, where it is determined whether it is N-color or mono-color, and then this information is sent to a controller (not shown). Thus, the subsequent operation is determined (here, an operation example of N colors will be described). Subsequently, the recording head 21 is moved to a print point by the second paper feed roller 20. At this time, the first sheet feeding roller 18 and the second
The driving of the paper feed roller 20 is performed by a motor 22 and an electromagnetic clutch 23. When the ink sheet unit 1 moves toward the printing point, the recording head 21 is waiting at a position separated from the platen roller 13 as indicated by a broken line. The sensor 24 detects the color position information display 8 of the ink sheet unit 1. First, after detecting the yellow (Y) color display 8a, the ink sheet unit 1 is stopped. Reference numeral 21 denotes a displacement between the cam 26 and the spring 27, and a predetermined amount of pressure is applied.

The printing of the Y color is performed by feeding the printing paper 10 in the sub-scanning direction by rotation of the platen roller 13 and applying a pulsed voltage to the recording head 21. At this time, since the movement of the ink sheet unit 1 is predominantly performed at the head pressing point as in the case of the printing paper 10, the roller driving system serving as a load is reduced by turning off the electromagnetic clutch 23.

When printing of the Y color is completed in this way, the recording head 21
Is released again, the printing receiving paper 10 is returned to the position detected by the reflection sensor 15 by the reverse rotation of the platen roller 13, and the printing head is initialized. At the same time, the ink sheet unit 1
Magenta (M) of the next color proceeds by the rotation of the paper feed roller 20
Is detected by the sensor 24 detecting the display 8b.
Thereafter, in the same manner, the ink sheet unit 1 that has finished printing in the M, cyan (C), and black (Bk) colors moves in the reverse direction and is discharged to the guide plate 17 side to complete the printing.

The mechanism for scanning the ink sheet unit 1 in one time has been described above. However, means (1/1) for controlling the ink sheet unit 1 at 1 / n times speed as shown in FIGS. 9, 10, and 11 will be described. (Means corresponding to the second paper feed roller 20 in the figure)
Is provided, 1 / n times transfer can be performed.

That is, in the example shown in FIG. 9, the capstan 28 is provided, in the example shown in FIG. 10, the sprocket 29 is provided, and in the example shown in FIG. 11, the ink sheet unit 1 is related to the clamper 30a. Stopping is provided, and rollers 30 are provided around the outer peripheral portion, and 1 / n-times transfer is realized by controlling the respective rollers at 1 / n-times speed.

Further, by injecting a mark indicating the used position into the ink sheet unit 1 corresponding to the frequency of use, the use is stopped once during use, and the mark is detected and used again when used again. 1 can be used without waste.

 Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

This figure shows the structure of a thermal transfer printer of the type in which a large number of ink sheet units 1 are stacked in a cassette and this is automatically supplied to a printing section (the same as the thermal transfer printer shown in FIG. 1). Alternatively, portions that can be regarded as the same are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.
The same applies to FIG. 4).

The ink sheet unit 1 stored in the cassette 31
After being separated one by one by the supply roller 32, the sheet is conveyed to a printing point by the transport roller 33 and printed. In the case of performing multi-printing, the transport roller 33 is provided with a function as a 1 / n-times speed control roller as described above. In addition,
Reference numeral 34 denotes a discharge roller, and reference numeral 35 denotes a transport roller for the print receiving sheet 10.

 Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

In this embodiment, one ink sheet unit 1 and n subsequent printing sheets 10 are alternately stacked in a single cassette 31, and the ink sheet unit 1 is first transported to a recording unit, and a standby state is established. After the printing, the printing receiving paper 10 is successively transferred from the cassette 31 to the same recording section in a superimposed manner to perform printing. FIG. 7A shows a state in which the switching claw 36 is depressed and the ink sheet unit 1 is conveyed, and FIG. 7B shows a state in which the switching claw 36 is swung slightly upward to convey the printing paper 10. It shows the state where it was done.

 Finally, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

In this embodiment, a plurality of cassettes 31 are prepared, ink sheet units 1 having different application specifications (monocolor sheet or N-color sheet) are accommodated in separate cassettes 31, and supplied to the printing units.

〔The invention's effect〕

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the relative speed of the ink sheet unit with respect to the print receiving paper is controlled by recognizing whether it is for one-time use or for multi-time use based on the printed information. Appropriate printing can be performed according to the state of the unit, and the versatility of the apparatus and the variety of supplies can be improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when performing printing using the multi-time ink sheet unit, the next printing is performed from the used position, so that the card type ink sheet is used. The unit can be specified without waste, and the running cost can be reduced.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the transfer of the print receiving sheet and the ink sheet unit is controlled in an area that does not affect the printing of the ink sheet unit according to the printed information. The same effect as that of the invention is achieved.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the transport path is switched based on the information printed on the outer frame of the ink sheet unit taken out of the cassette, so that the apparatus can be downsized and operations such as replacement of a supply can be performed. Can be done easily.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, one of the plurality of cassettes is selected by the operation from the operation unit, and the ink sheet unit is supplied from the selected cassette. It can be used, improving operability and increasing the variety of supplies.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4 are structural diagrams of a thermal transfer printer according to the first, second, third, and fourth embodiments of the present invention, respectively. FIGS. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of an ink sheet unit according to each embodiment, FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing an ink application form of the ink sheet unit, and FIG. 8 is an explanation of display contents formed in a non-printing area of the ink sheet unit. FIG. 9, FIG. 10, FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are perspective views showing respective examples of means for controlling the ink sheet unit at 1 / n speed. 1 ... Ink sheet unit, 2 ... Outer frame, 3 ... Ink sheet, 10 ... Reception paper, 13 ... Platen roller, 21
...... Recording head.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41J 17/12

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] A first transfer means for transferring a printing paper; a hot-melt type and a thermal sublimation type capable of transferring and recording by making the relative speed with respect to the printing paper 1 / n times (n ≧ 1); An ink sheet unit in which one of the inks is applied on an ink sheet and held and fixed by an outer frame having at least higher rigidity than the ink sheet; a platen rotatably supported; and a printing paper receiving the ink sheet unit A thermal head that presses against the platen via the ink sheet unit and the printing paper so as to be in contact with the printing paper; and a second transfer unit that transfers the ink sheet unit at 1 / n times the transfer speed of the printing paper. Third transfer means for discharging the used ink sheet unit, and information printed in a printing area which does not affect the printing of the ink sheet unit. Thermal transfer printer to a reading means for recognizing, a speed control device for controlling the relative speed of the ink sheet unit against indicia shooting 受紙 according to the read-out information, comprising the or. A first transfer means for transferring a printing paper; a hot-melt type and a thermal sublimation type capable of transferring and recording by making the relative speed with respect to the printing paper 1 / n times (n ≧ 1); An ink sheet unit in which one of the inks is applied on an ink sheet and held and fixed by an outer frame having at least higher rigidity than the ink sheet; a platen rotatably supported; A thermal head that presses against the platen via the ink sheet unit and the print receiving paper so as to be in contact with the paper, and a second transfer unit that transfers the ink sheet unit at 1 / n times the transfer speed of the print receiving paper; A third transfer unit for discharging the ink sheet unit used as the agent, and the number of times the ink sheet unit is used when printing is performed using the multi-time ink sheet unit. A counting control section for cement, the marker means for marking the position became spent, thermal transfer printer, wherein a detection device, further comprising detecting this mark. 3. A heat transfer type and a heat sublimation type which are capable of transferring and recording at a first speed of 1 / n times (n.gtoreq.1) relative to the printing paper. An ink sheet unit in which one of the inks is applied on an ink sheet and held and fixed by an outer frame having at least higher rigidity than the ink sheet; a platen rotatably supported; A thermal head that presses against the platen via the ink sheet unit and the print receiving paper so as to be in contact with the paper, and a second transfer unit that transfers the ink sheet unit at 1 / n times the transfer speed of the print receiving paper; The third transfer means for discharging the ink sheet unit that has become the used agent, and the information printed on the area of the ink sheet unit that does not affect the printing of the ink sheet unit, Read means for recognizing whether it is for no color or multi-color, and for multi-color, for reading the position information of each color, and controlling the transfer of the printing paper receiving sheet and the ink sheet unit according to the read information A thermal transfer printer, comprising: transport control means. 4. A transfer means for transferring a printing paper, a heat melting type and a thermal sublimation type capable of transferring and recording by making the relative speed with respect to the printing paper 1 / n times (n ≧ 1). An ink sheet unit in which one of the inks is applied on an ink sheet and held and fixed by an outer frame having at least higher rigidity than the ink sheet; a platen rotatably supported; A thermal head that presses against the platen via the ink sheet unit and the print receiving paper so as to be in contact with the paper, and a second transfer unit that transfers the ink sheet unit at 1 / n times the transfer speed of the print receiving paper; A third transfer means for discharging the used ink sheet unit, and a supply supply cassette in which an ink sheet unit capable of printing n times and a print receiving sheet are set at a ratio of 1: n. Take-out means for taking out the ink sheet unit and n sheets of printing and receiving in this order from the cassette; conveying path switching means for changing the conveying path between the ink sheet unit and the printing and receiving sheet; Switching control means for switching the transport path switching means based on information printed on a frame. 5. A heat transfer type and a thermal sublimation type capable of transferring and recording by making a relative speed with respect to the photocopy receiving paper 1 / n times (n ≧ 1). An ink sheet unit in which one of the inks is applied on an ink sheet and held and fixed by an outer frame having at least higher rigidity than the ink sheet; a platen rotatably supported; A thermal head that presses against the platen via the ink sheet unit and the print receiving paper so as to be in contact with the paper, and a second transfer unit that transfers the ink sheet unit at 1 / n times the transfer speed of the print receiving paper; A third transfer unit for discharging a used ink sheet unit, a unit for mounting a plurality of cassettes, and a supply from each cassette in response to an input from an operation unit And a supply path switching means adapted to perform the operation.