JPH1016260A - Recorder and recording method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recorder and a recording method compatible with small quantity variety printing in which an image data from a host can be printed, on demand, onto a work in the field of work printing without requiring any printing plate. SOLUTION: The recorder comprises a sheet-like intermediate transfer body 1 for forming an image, a thermal transfer imaging means for forming a monochromatic or color image onto the surface of the sheet-like intermediate transfer body 1 using an ink ribbon 3 by controlling a TTP head 2, and a flexible transfer means 9 for pressing the sheet-like intermediate transfer body 1 formed with an image against a cylindrical work 7 to transfer the image onto the cylindrical work 7. According to the arrangement, the image can be printed, on demand, onto the cylindrical work 7 without requiring any printing plate.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and a recording method suitable for printing an object to be printed having a three-dimensional shape or a rough surface (hereinafter referred to as a work).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The field of printing on three-dimensional objects (hereinafter referred to as "work printing") is in the fields of building materials, stationery, toys, daily necessities, home appliances, A
It is widely used in all industrial fields such as V equipment, automobile equipment, cosmetics, tableware, and tourism products.

[0005] Printing methods are roughly classified into direct printing and indirect printing. Direct printing involves printing ink directly on a work, and screen printing using a stencil, intaglio printing, and pad printing using a pad are mainly used.

[0004] Indirect printing refers to a method in which a transfer film printed in advance by gravure printing or the like is prepared and transferred and printed on a work, or as described in JP-A-58-217332. And a method of transferring an image on a transfer film to a work at the same time as molding. Taking advantage of each feature, it is used in various industrial fields.

[0005]

However, in pad printing, it is difficult to achieve full color in terms of color matching, and in screen printing, there are many steps since a drying step of ink is required for each color. Transfer films have problems such as high cost of gravure plates and transfer films. Further, the number of types of plates increases, and the type of ink also differs depending on the type of work and drying conditions, so that production management is difficult.

[0006] Each of these methods is suitable for mass production by a printing method using a printing plate, and is not suitable for small-quantity multi-product production.

Further, existing electronic recording devices such as thermal transfer printers, ink jet printers, laser beam printers, etc., are capable of printing various types in a small amount immediately, but directly print on a work having a three-dimensional shape or a rough surface shape. That was impossible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus and a recording method for small-quantity multi-product printing that can print on a work on demand by using image data from a host without using a printing plate in the field of work printing. Is to do.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a recording apparatus for printing an image on an object having a three-dimensional shape or a rough surface, and a sheet-like intermediate member on which the image is formed. A transfer member, image forming means for forming the monochrome or color image on the sheet surface of the intermediate transfer member, and pressing the intermediate transfer member on which the image is formed against the object to be printed, and converting the image to the object to be printed. It is characterized by having a flexible transfer means for transferring and printing on an object.

Another feature of the present invention is that in a recording method for printing an image on an object having a three-dimensional or rough surface, the monochrome or color image is formed on the sheet surface of a sheet-like intermediate transfer member. Then, the intermediate transfer body on which the image is formed is pressed against the object to be printed by a transfer means having flexibility, and the image is transferred to the object to be printed and printed.

According to the present invention, the intermediate transfer member has a sheet shape, and an image is formed on the sheet surface. The imaging means
The monochrome or color image is formed on the sheet surface of the intermediate transfer member. The flexible transfer unit presses the intermediate transfer member on which the image is formed against the printing object, transfers the image to the printing object, and prints the image.

[0012] Thus, an image can be printed on demand on an object having a rough three-dimensional shape or a rough surface shape without using a printing plate.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A recording apparatus and a recording method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a basic configuration of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a sheet-like intermediate transfer member, and 1a
Indicates a thin PET film, and 1b indicates an ink protective agent layer.
2 is a heating head (hereinafter referred to as a TTP head), 3 is an ink ribbon, 4 is a platen roller, 5 is an image pattern,
Reference numeral 6 denotes an adhesive layer. Reference numeral 7 denotes, for example, a columnar work, 8 denotes a work support, and 9 denotes a flexible transfer means such as a low-hardness silicon roller.

According to this configuration, for example, the sheet-like intermediate transfer body 1 is formed from the thin PET film 1a on which the ink protective agent layer 1b is formed in advance. The thin PET film 1a, which is a base material, is formed as thin as possible to reduce thermal resistance. However, mechanical strength as a transport means is required. The printability of the ink is also important, and the ink releasability from the thin PET film 1a and the ink protective agent layer 1b for protecting the ink after the transfer.
Is applied.

Next, a method for printing on a work using the sheet-like intermediate transfer member 1 will be described. An image pattern 5 is formed on the sheet-like intermediate transfer member 1 by a thermal transfer image forming unit including a TTP head 2, an ink ribbon 3, and a platen roller 4.

To form the image pattern 5, the ink ribbon 3 is provided with, for example, a yellow ink layer 3a, a magenta ink layer 3b, and a cyan ink layer 3c as shown in FIG. First, printing is performed with the yellow ink layer 3a while the TTP head 2 is pressed against the sheet-like intermediate transfer body 1.

Next, the TTP head 2 is separated from the sheet-like intermediate transfer member 1, and the sheet-like intermediate transfer member 1 is caused to run backward.
Again, the TTP head 2 is pressed against the sheet-like intermediate transfer body 1 and printing is performed on the image written with the yellow ink using the magenta ink layer 3b. Further, the sheet-like intermediate transfer body 1 is driven in reverse to print the cyan ink layer 3c, and an image pattern 5 is formed by superimposing three colors.

An adhesive layer 6 is provided after the cyan ink layer 33 of the ink ribbon 3 in order to enhance the adhesive strength between the columnar work 7 and the image pattern 5. The adhesive is TT
The cylindrical head 7 and the image pattern 5 are cut out from the ink ribbon 3 by the P head 2 corresponding to the image pattern 5.
To ensure adhesion.

In the next adjacent step, for example, a flexible transfer means 9 composed of a low-hardness silicon roller and a work support 8 are provided, and a cylindrical work 7 rotatably supported on the work support 8 is provided. Set. Sheet-shaped intermediate transfer body 1
The image pattern 5 formed thereon moves integrally with the sheet-shaped intermediate transfer body 1, and is transferred under pressure by the flexible transfer means 9 according to the surface shape of the cylindrical work 7. The flexible transfer means 9 follows the surface shape of the columnar work 7 and has sufficient flexibility to make close contact. Further, since the columnar work 7 is rotatably supported, printing can be performed on the entire circumference.

In this embodiment, a low-hardness silicon roller is used as the flexible transfer means 9 and the columnar work 7 is used as the work. A combination of a hardness silicon plate and a square work as a work, or a combination of a flexible low-hardness silicon roller as a transfer unit and a sheet-like work as a work may be used.

FIG. 2 shows the structure of the apparatus when performing thermal transfer printing on plain paper using the recording apparatus of FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, when printing on a sheet-like work 10 such as plain paper without using the sheet-like intermediate transfer body 1, the flexible transfer means 9 is separated from the sheet-like work 10, and By transporting the sheet-like work 10 instead of the transfer body 1, printing can be performed in a normal plain paper thermal transfer print mode. As described above, this function can be achieved by using the sheet-like intermediate transfer body 1 and forming a straight conveyance system.

FIG. 4 shows a configuration of a recording apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. 11 is a casing, 11a is an upper casing, 11b is a lower casing. The upper casing 11a and the lower casing 11b have a clamshell structure, so that the removal and insertion of the columnar work 7 and the replacement of the ribbon cassette 12 and the intermediate transfer body cassette 13 can be easily performed.

The flexible transfer means 9 composed of a low-hardness silicon roller or the like is provided with a surface heating means, for example, a heater 14. By heating the surface of the flexible transfer means 9, the transfer efficiency of the print is improved. As shown in FIG. 5, the flexible transfer means 9 is controlled up and down so as to be heated and pressurized during transfer and separated from the sheet-like intermediate transfer body 1 during non-transfer.

Parts A, B, and C in FIG. 4 show enlarged cross sections of the sheet-like intermediate transfer member 1 in each step. Part A is a cross section of the sheet-like intermediate transfer body 1 before the image forming step, and an ink protective agent layer 1b is provided on a thin PET film 1a. Further, the sheet-like intermediate transfer member 1 may be constituted only by the PET film 1a.
This can be achieved by setting the ink ribbon 3 with the ink protective agent layer 1b shown in FIG.

The ink protective agent layer 1b is provided in front of the yellow ink layer 3a of the ink ribbon 3, and the ink protective agent is cut out from the ink ribbon 3 by the TTP head 2 and transferred to the cylindrical work 7. To enhance surface strength and ensure image protection. In addition, the ink protective agent also serves as a release agent that makes it easy to separate a print or the like from the sheet-like intermediate transfer body 1.

Part B shows the cross-sectional state of the sheet-like intermediate transfer body 1 after the completion of image formation. An image pattern 5 is formed on the ink protective agent layer 1b, and an adhesive layer 6 is further formed thereon.

Part C shows the cross-sectional state at the time of transfer to the columnar work 7. The image pattern 5 is peeled between the thin PET film 1a having the weakest bonding strength and the ink protective layer 1b,
The image pattern 5 is transferred onto the columnar work 7 together with the ink protective agent layer 1b. After the completion of the transfer, the sheet-like intermediate transfer body 1 is wound around the intermediate transfer body cassette 13.

In this embodiment, the structure of the thermal transfer image forming means has been described using the single TTP head 2 and the multifunctional ink ribbon 3. However, in order to improve the use efficiency of the ink ribbon 3, a plurality of TTP heads 2 are used. And a plurality of ink ribbons 3 may be arranged in parallel.

The image forming means is not limited to the thermal transfer image forming means, but may be, for example, an ink jet printer system. In that case, if necessary, for example, a head for applying an ink protective layer or a head for applying an adhesive may be provided.

The recording apparatus according to the present embodiment can be used as an apparatus for producing an imaged transfer film by separating the transfer step from the main body.

FIG. 6 shows a control circuit configuration of the recording apparatus of FIG. 4, and FIG. 7 shows a control signal timing chart. Print data DA from host 15 such as a personal computer
TA is input, stored in the data buffer 16, and controls the head driver transistor 19 via the shift register 17 and the AND element 18.

A control section 20 comprising a shift register 17, an AND element 18, and a head driver transistor 19 is a means for selectively heating the TTP head 2 according to the DATA sent from the CPU 21.

The transistor 19 for the head driver has a T
The heating element array 2a corresponding to one dot array in the TP head 2 is energized to melt the ink of the ink ribbon 3 and adhere to the sheet-like intermediate transfer member 1 to form an image.

Print data signal DATA for one dot row
To the data buffer 16 in synchronization with the clock signal CLK.
To the shift register 17 and the latch signal LATC
A latch on H to the output terminal Q ₁ Qn.

Next, a print command signal STRB is output and input to each one input terminal of the AND element 18. As a result, the head driver transistor 19 is turned on,
The heating element array 2a is energized and heated.

When printing for one dot row is completed in this manner, the print data signal DATA for the next one dot row is obtained.
Then, printing is performed in the same manner. The cycle of printing each dot row is T
_{At 1} , the energization time for each dot row is T ₁ '. Period T ₁
Between the transfer sheet motor (TF) so that the sheet-like intermediate transfer member 1 moves rightward by the width of one dot row.
M) control 22; Also, according to the image forming operation, a ribbon feed motor (RFM) 2 for winding the ink ribbon 3
3 is controlled.

In the transfer step, the heater 14 for heating the surface of the flexible transfer means 9 is controlled to an appropriate temperature. The transfer means retractor solenoid (TSOL) 23 is controlled so as to be pressurized during transfer and released during non-transfer.

[0039]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a recording apparatus and a recording method suitable for printing on a work having a three-dimensional shape or a rough surface shape, and it is possible to cope with the production of a large number of products in small quantities.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a basic configuration diagram of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an apparatus configuration diagram when performing plain paper thermal transfer printing using the recording apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an ink ribbon.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a recording apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory view of a flexible transfer means in the transfer step of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a control circuit of the printing apparatus in FIG. 4;

7 is a control signal timing chart of the recording apparatus of FIG. 4;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Sheet-like intermediate transfer body, 1a ... Thin PET film,
1b: Ink protective agent layer, 2: TTP head, 2a: Heating element array, 3: Ink ribbon, 3a: Yellow ink layer,
3b: magenta ink layer, 3c: cyan ink layer, 4 ...
Platen roller, 5: image pattern, 6: adhesive layer, 7
... columnar work, 8 ... work support, 9 ... flexible transfer means, 10 ... sheet work, 11 ... casing, 11a
... upper casing, 11b ... lower casing, 12 ... ribbon cassette, 13 ... intermediate transfer body cassette, 14 ... heater,
15 Host, 16 Data buffer, 17 Shift register, 18 AND element, 19 Transistor for head driver, 20 Control unit, 21 CPU, 22 Transfer sheet motor (TFM), 23 Ribbon feed motor ( RFM), 24 ... Solenoid for transfer means retractor (TSOL)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Kazumi Takahashi 1-1-1, Higashitaga-cho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture Inside the Electric Appliances Division of Hitachi, Ltd. 6-chome, Hitachi, Ltd.Electrical Equipment Division (72) Inventor Yoshio Ouchi 1-1-1, Higashitaga-cho, Hitachi, Ibaraki Pref.Hitachi, Ltd.Electrical Equipment Division (72) Inventor Keiji Kamio Hitachi, Ibaraki 1-1-1, Higashitaga-cho, Hitachi-shi, Ltd.Electrical Equipment Division, Hitachi, Ltd. (72) Inventor Mitsuzu Suzuki 1-1-1, Higashitaga-cho, Hitachi, Ibaraki, JapanElectrical Equipment Division, Hitachi, Ltd.

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A recording apparatus for printing an image on an object to be printed having a three-dimensional shape or a rough surface shape, comprising: a sheet-like intermediate transfer member on which the image is formed; and a monochrome or color sheet on the sheet surface of the intermediate transfer member. Image forming means for forming the image, and flexible transfer means for pressing the intermediate transfer body on which the image is formed against the printing object, transferring the image to the printing object, and printing the image. Recording device. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an ink protective agent layer for protecting the image after the transfer is formed in advance on a sheet surface of the intermediate transfer body. 3. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image forming means has an adhesive layer forming means for enhancing an adhesive force between said image after transfer and said printing object, and is formed on said sheet surface. A recording apparatus, wherein the adhesive layer is formed on an image. 4. The ink protection device according to claim 1, wherein the image forming means has an adhesive layer forming means for enhancing an adhesive force between the transferred image and the object to be printed. A recording apparatus, wherein the adhesive layer is formed on the image formed on the agent layer. 5. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image forming means includes an ink protective agent layer forming means for protecting said image after said transfer, and before forming said image, a sheet surface of said intermediate transfer body. A recording device, wherein the ink protective agent layer is formed on the recording medium. 6. The ink protection device according to claim 1, wherein the image forming means has an adhesive layer forming means for enhancing an adhesive force between the transferred image and the object to be printed. A recording apparatus, wherein the adhesive layer is formed on the image formed on the agent layer. 7. The image forming means according to claim 1, wherein said image forming means is a thermal transfer image forming means for controlling a heating head using an ink ribbon for thermal transfer to form said image. The ink protective layer in an ink ribbon,
Alternatively, the recording apparatus is characterized in that the adhesive layer or both are formed integrally with the image forming ink. 8. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flexible transfer means presses the intermediate transfer body against the printing object, and the pressing surface of the flexible transfer means is the printing object. A recording apparatus having a softness that follows the surface shape of a printing screen. 9. A recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said flexible transfer means has a surface heating means for heating a surface of said flexible transfer means before said transfer. 10. A recording method for printing an image on an object to be printed having a three-dimensional shape or a rough surface shape, wherein the monochrome or color image is formed on the sheet surface of a sheet-like intermediate transfer body, and the transfer is flexible. Recording means, wherein the intermediate transfer body on which the image is formed is pressed against the object to be printed, and the image is transferred to the object to be printed. 11. The transfer device according to claim 10, wherein:
A recording method, wherein when the intermediate transfer body is pressed against the object to be printed, a pressing surface of the transfer means has a softness following the surface shape of a printing screen of the object to be printed.