JP4337582B2 - Retransfer printing apparatus and thermal transfer printing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a multicolor ink layer in which a belt-shaped ink ribbon and a belt-shaped intermediate transfer film or a belt-shaped transfer film are superposed between a thermal head and a platen roller, and applied to the ink ribbon by the heat of the thermal head. Intermediate transfer film transfer body or transfer that can reliably transfer the intermediate transfer film or transfer film without slipping when transferring each color to the transfer image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer film or the transfer image receiving layer of the transfer film repeatedly The present invention relates to a retransfer type printing apparatus and a thermal transfer printing apparatus in which a film transfer body is provided downstream of a platen roller.

An ink ribbon in which a plurality of ink layers (yellow, magenta, cyan, black added as necessary) are melted or sublimated on a ribbon-shaped ribbon base, and the ribbon-based film base. An intermediate transfer film on which a release layer and a transfer image-receiving layer are laminated and applied are overlapped between the thermal head and the platen roller, and each color is generated by the heat of the thermal head supplied according to the image signal of each color. The ink layer is repeatedly transferred for each color to a predetermined transfer area in the transfer image receiving layer to form a retransfer color image layer in the predetermined transfer area, and then the retransfer color image layer is formed by a retransfer heat roller. There are indirect transfer methods and retransfer type printing apparatuses that peel off from the release layer and retransfer onto a printed material such as a card (for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).
JP-A-7-266589, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-28397.

  By applying the technical idea of Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2 described above, for example, a color face image can be obtained on a printed material such as a card. Therefore, it has already been adopted for identification cards (ID cards), credit cards, and the like. ing.

  By the way, before re-transferring a color image onto a printed material such as a card by applying the technical idea of Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2 described above, one ink ribbon and an intermediate transfer film are used to form a single image on the intermediate transfer film. In forming the retransfer color image layer, a transfer position shift (registration) may occur after the second color in one retransfer color image layer due to repeated transfer of each color ink layer.

  12A to 12E are diagrams schematically showing a process of forming one retransfer color image layer on an intermediate transfer film by applying the conventional technique.

  First, as shown in FIG. 12A, the ink ribbon 101 is formed by combining a yellow ink layer Y, a magenta ink layer M, and a cyan ink layer C on a long belt-like ribbon base 101a in units of frames. The ink ribbon 101 is repeatedly applied, and is stretched between a supply reel and a take-up reel for an ink ribbon (not shown).

  On the other hand, the intermediate transfer film 102 is formed by laminating a release layer 102b and a transfer image receiving layer 102c in order on a long strip-shaped film base 102a. The intermediate transfer film 102 is also used for an intermediate transfer film (not shown). It is stretched between the supply reel and the take-up reel.

  When the yellow ink layer Y of the first color is transferred to the transfer image receiving layer 102c of the intermediate transfer film 102, the thermal head 103 is pressed toward the platen roller 104 via a rotating arm (not shown), The intermediate transfer film 102 is transferred by the yellow image signal supplied to the thermal head 103 while the yellow ink layer 101Y of the ink ribbon 101 and the transfer image receiving layer 102c of the intermediate transfer film 102 are overlapped with the platen roller 104. The yellow ink image layer 102Y is transferred to a predetermined transfer area in the image receiving layer 102c.

  At this time, since the platen roller 104 is connected to a drive source (not shown) and is driven to rotate, the ink ribbon 101 and the intermediate transfer film 102 are moved in the direction of the arrow by the rotational force of the platen roller 104, and each take-up reel. It is wound on.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 12B, when the transfer of the yellow ink layer Y of the first color is completed, the driving of the platen roller 104 is stopped, and the thermal head 103 is moved through the rotating arm (not shown). Separated from the roller 104 side. At this time, the ink ribbon 101 stops at the cueing position of the magenta ink layer M of the second color. On the other hand, the intermediate transfer film 102 is returned in the direction of the arrow (supply reel direction), the head of the yellow ink image layer 102Y is cued to the next color by a film sensor (not shown), and the ink image is formed below the thermal head 103. The head position of the layer 102Y is kept waiting.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 12C, when the magenta ink layer M of the second color is transferred, the magenta ink layer 101M of the ink ribbon 101 and the intermediate transfer film 102 are transferred between the thermal head 103 and the platen roller 104. The yellow image layer 102Y is superposed on the yellow ink image layer 102Y of the intermediate transfer film 102 by the magenta image signal supplied to the thermal head 103 while being superposed, thereby obtaining a yellow / magenta ink image layer 102YM.

  Next, although not shown in FIG. 12D, cueing to the next color of the yellow / magenta ink image layer 102YM of the intermediate transfer film 102 is performed by substantially the same operation as in FIG. 12B. .

  Next, although not shown in FIG. 12 (e), when transferring the cyan ink layer C of the third color, yellow and yellow are transferred onto the intermediate transfer film 102 by substantially the same operation as in FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (c). A magenta / cyan ink image layer (102YMC, not shown) is obtained. This yellow / magenta / cyan ink image layer (102YMC) becomes a color image layer for retransfer. A black ink layer BK may be added to improve the image quality of the retransfer color image layer. Thereafter, a re-transfer color image layer (102YMC) obtained in a predetermined transfer area in the intermediate transfer film 102 by a re-transfer heat roller (not shown) is peeled off from the release layer 102b to be printed (not shown) such as a card. ) Re-transfer on top.

  Here, when transferring the yellow ink layer Y, the magenta ink layer M, and the cyan ink layer C to a predetermined transfer area in the transfer image receiving layer 102c of the intermediate transfer film 102, the intermediate transfer film 102 is transferred during the transfer. Since the transfer is performed by the platen roller 104, if the frictional force is reduced due to contamination of the platen roller 104, the intermediate transfer film 102 slips and a shift (registration) occurs in the overlapping position of each color on the intermediate transfer film 102. Thus, a good transfer color image layer could not be obtained on the intermediate transfer film 102, and this transfer color image layer was obtained by retransferring it onto a substrate such as a card via a retransfer heat roller. The image performance of color images cannot be obtained well.

  Therefore, a belt-shaped ink ribbon and a belt-shaped intermediate transfer film are overlapped between the thermal head and the platen roller, and a plurality of color ink layers applied to the ink ribbon by the heat of the thermal head are used for transferring the intermediate transfer film. The platen roller is configured to rotate by being driven by the transfer of the intermediate transfer film without being connected to the rotation drive source when repeatedly transferring each color to a predetermined transfer region in the image receiving layer. At times, there is a demand for a retransfer-type printing apparatus including an intermediate transfer film transfer body that can reliably transfer an intermediate transfer film without slipping with a simple structure.

  In addition, a belt-shaped ink ribbon and a belt-shaped transfer film are overlapped between a thermal head and a platen roller, and a plurality of color ink layers applied to the ink ribbon by the heat of the thermal head are transferred onto the transfer film image-receiving layer. When repeatedly transferring each color to a predetermined transfer area, the platen roller is rotated by being driven by the transfer film without connecting the platen roller to a rotational drive source in the same manner as described above. Therefore, there is a demand for a thermal transfer printing apparatus including a transfer film transfer body that can reliably transfer a transfer film without slipping with a simple structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the invention according to claim 1 has a portion in which an ink ribbon having an ink layer and an intermediate transfer film having a transfer image receiving layer overlap each other. A re-transfer type printing apparatus that performs a transfer operation of heating the overlapping portion of the ink ribbon and transferring the ink of the ink layer to the transfer image-receiving layer ,
Transfer means for transferring the intermediate transfer film during the transfer operation;
A thermal head that heats the overlapping ink ribbon during the transfer operation;
A platen roller that contacts and separates the thermal head with the ink ribbon and the intermediate transfer film in between, and rotates following the transfer of the intermediate transfer film,
The transfer means includes
A rotational drive source;
A drive shaft coupled to the rotational drive source;
A first film roll having a first flat surface coupled to the drive shaft and facing the intermediate transfer film in a state where the intermediate transfer film is stretched;
It can be rotated around the drive shaft, and is opposed to the first flat surface at a predetermined rotation position with respect to the first film winding body with the intermediate transfer film interposed therebetween with a predetermined gap. A second film roll having a second flat surface to be
An urging means for urging the second film winding body in one rotational direction with respect to the first film winding body;
A rotation restricting means for restricting the rotation of the second film winding body with respect to the first film winding body in the one rotation direction with the predetermined rotation position as a rotation end; And
When the transfer operation is not performed, the first and second film winding bodies take an aspect in which the first flat surface and the second flat surface separate the predetermined gap,
When the transfer operation is performed, the first film winding body rotates in the one rotation direction, and the second film winding body is at a position where the maximum distance from the rotation center is R1. The intermediate transfer film is urged in the other rotation direction, and the first film winding body is urged between the second film winding body and the urging force in the other rotation direction. By holding the intermediate transfer film at a position of R2 whose distance from the rotation center is shorter than R1, the first and second film winding bodies hold the intermediate transfer film while holding the intermediate transfer film. It rotates the dynamic direction is a printing apparatus of the re-transfer system characterized that you have been configured to transport the intermediate transfer film.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the above-described retransfer printing apparatus according to the first aspect,
The second film winding body is directed toward the first flat surface of the first film winding body at a position where the distance from the rotation center of the second flat surface is R2. Has a protruding step,
The retransfer type printing apparatus is characterized in that the first film winding body is in contact with the stepped portion via the intermediate transfer film and sandwiches the intermediate transfer film .

The invention described in claim 3 is the retransfer printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
The first and second film winding bodies are configured such that the intermediate transfer film can be inserted into and removed from the predetermined gap by opening between both film winding bodies located on the front side of the printing apparatus. A re-transfer printing apparatus characterized by the above.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an ink ribbon having an ink layer and a transfer film having a transfer image receiving layer are stretched over each other, and the overlapping portion of the ink ribbon is heated to A thermal transfer printing apparatus that performs a transfer operation of transferring ink of an ink layer to the image receiving layer for transfer ,
Transfer means for transferring the transfer film during the transfer operation;
A thermal head that heats the overlapping ink ribbon during the transfer operation;
A platen roller that contacts and separates the thermal head with the ink ribbon and the transfer film in between, and rotates in accordance with the transfer of the transfer film,
The transfer means includes
A rotational drive source;
A drive shaft coupled to the rotational drive source;
A first film winding body having a first flat surface that is coupled to the drive shaft and faces the transfer film in a state where the transfer film is stretched;
It can be rotated about the drive shaft, and is opposed to the first flat surface with a predetermined gap between the first flat surface at a predetermined rotation position with respect to the first film winding body. A second film roll having a second flat surface;
An urging means for urging the second film winding body in one rotational direction with respect to the first film winding body;
A rotation restricting means for restricting the rotation of the second film winding body with respect to the first film winding body in the one rotation direction with the predetermined rotation position as a rotation end; And
When the transfer operation is not performed, the first and second film winding bodies take an aspect in which the first flat surface and the second flat surface separate the predetermined gap,
When the transfer operation is performed, the first film winding body rotates in the one rotation direction, and the second film winding body is at a position where the maximum distance from the rotation center is R1. The transfer film is biased in the other rotation direction, and the first film winding body is transferred to and from the second film winding body in accordance with the biasing in the other rotation direction. By sandwiching the film at a position of R2 whose distance from the pivot center is shorter than R1, the first and second film winding bodies sandwich the transfer film in the one pivot direction. a thermal transfer printing apparatus characterized that you have configured to transfer the transfer film to pivot.
Furthermore, the invention according to claim 5 is the thermal transfer printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
The second film winding body is directed toward the first flat surface of the first film winding body at a position where the distance from the rotation center of the second flat surface is R2. Has a protruding step,
In the thermal transfer printing apparatus, the first film winding body is in contact with the stepped portion via the transfer film and sandwiches the transfer film.

According to the retransfer type printing apparatus according to claim 1, the ink ribbon having the ink layer and the intermediate transfer film having the transfer image receiving layer are stretched over each other so as to overlap each other, and the ink ribbon in the overlapping portion is formed. The transfer means for transferring the intermediate transfer film during the transfer operation is connected to the drive shaft and faces the intermediate transfer film when the transfer operation for transferring the ink of the ink layer to the transfer image receiving layer is performed by heating A first film winding body having one flat surface, and an intermediate transfer film that is rotatable about a drive shaft and is at a predetermined rotation position with respect to the first film winding body with respect to the first flat surface. And a second film winding body having a second flat surface opposed to each other with a predetermined gap therebetween, and in particular, when the transfer operation is not performed, the first and second film windings Round body The first flat surface and the second flat surface take a mode of separating a predetermined gap, while the transfer operation is performed, the first film winding body is rotated in one rotation direction, The second film winding body is urged in the other rotation direction by the intermediate transfer film at the position where the maximum distance from the rotation center is R1, and the first film is energized in the other rotation direction. The film winding body sandwiches the intermediate transfer film with the second film winding body at a position of R2 where the distance from the rotation center is shorter than R1, thereby the first and second film winding bodies. Since the intermediate transfer film is configured to transfer the intermediate transfer film by rotating in one rotation direction while sandwiching the intermediate transfer film, the intermediate transfer film can be reliably prevented from slipping by a transfer means having a simple structure. Since it can be transferred, each color can be superimposed on the intermediate transfer film. A good color image layer for transfer can be obtained on the intermediate transfer film without causing misregistration (registration). Along with this, the color image layer for transfer is transferred to a substrate such as a card via a retransfer heat roller. The image performance of the color image obtained by retransferring the image on top can also be obtained well.

According to the retransfer printing apparatus of the second aspect, the second film winding body has the first film winding at a position where the distance from the rotation center on the second flat surface is R2. A step portion projecting toward the first flat surface of the roll, and the first film winding body is in contact with the step portion via the intermediate transfer film to sandwich the intermediate transfer film; The transfer film can be reliably transferred .

Further, according to the printing device of the re-transfer system of claim 3 wherein the first and second film winding body, by opening between both the film winding body which is located on the front side of the printing apparatus, both The intermediate transfer film can be inserted into and removed from a predetermined gap between the film rolls.

According to the thermal transfer printing apparatus of claim 4, the ink ribbon having the ink layer and the transfer film having the transfer image receiving layer are stretched over each other so as to heat the overlapping portions of the ink ribbon. When the transfer operation for transferring the ink in the ink layer to the transfer image receiving layer is performed, the transfer means for transferring the transfer film during the transfer operation is connected to the drive shaft and faces the transfer film. A first film winding body having a transfer film sandwiched between the first flat surface at a predetermined rotation position with respect to the first film winding body and rotatable about the drive shaft And a second film winding body having a second flat surface facing each other with a predetermined gap therebetween. In particular, when the transfer operation is not performed, the first and second film winding bodies are 1 flat surface The second flat surface is separated from the second flat surface while the first film winding body is rotated in one rotation direction when the transfer operation is performed. Is urged in the other rotation direction by the transfer film at the position where the maximum distance from the rotation center is R1, and the first film winding body becomes the second in accordance with the urging in the other rotation direction. By sandwiching the transfer film with the film winding body at the position of R2 whose distance from the rotation center is shorter than R1, the first and second film winding bodies hold the transfer film while holding the transfer film. since it is configured to transfer the transfer film rotated in the rotational direction, it is possible to reliably transfer without slip by retentivity copy film transport means with a simple structural form, each color on the transfer film There is no deviation (registration) in the overlapping position of For good transfer onto shot film color image layer is obtained.
Furthermore, according to the thermal transfer printing apparatus according to claim 5, the second film winding body has the first film winding body at a position where the distance from the center of rotation on the second flat surface is R2. It has a stepped part that protrudes toward the first flat surface, and the transfer film is reliably transferred so that the first film winding body contacts the stepped part via the transfer film and holds the transfer film. it can.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a retransfer printing apparatus and a thermal transfer printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a retransfer printing apparatus according to the present invention.
2A and 2B are a plan view, a longitudinal sectional view, and an enlarged view showing the ink ribbon shown in FIG.
3A and 3B are an enlarged plan view and a longitudinal sectional view of the intermediate transfer film shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the retransfer printing apparatus 10 according to the present invention, a plurality of strip-shaped ink ribbons 11 elongated to the right in the drawing are provided between an ink ribbon supply reel 12 and a take-up reel 13. It is stretched while being guided by the guide shaft 14. Also, an ink ribbon sensor 15 for cueing is installed in the vicinity of the outlet of the supply reel 12, and the ribbon base 11a (FIG. 2) side of the ink ribbon 11 to be described later is provided between the supply reel 12 and the take-up reel 13. The thermal head 16 is fixedly installed so as to face the head.

  On the left side of the figure, a long belt-like intermediate transfer film 21 is stretched between a supply reel 22 and a take-up reel 23 for the intermediate transfer film while being guided by a plurality of guide shafts 24. Further, a cueing film sensor 25 is installed in the vicinity of the outlet of the supply reel 22 for the intermediate transfer film, and a film base 21a of the intermediate transfer film 21 described later is provided between the supply reel 22 and the take-up reel 23. A platen roller 26 is provided so as to face the (FIG. 3) side so as to be able to contact and separate from the thermal head 16 via a rotating arm (not shown). The platen roller 26 is configured to rotate following the transfer of the intermediate transfer film 21 by an intermediate transfer film transfer body 30 described later.

  Here, the above-described ink ribbon 11 is formed by repeatedly combining a plurality of color ink layers 11b on a long strip-shaped ribbon base 11a as shown in FIGS. Specifically, as the ink layers 11b of a plurality of colors, for example, the three colors of the yellow ink layer Y, the magenta ink layer M, and the cyan ink layer C are set as a set in units of frames, or these three colors are used. A set of four colors to which a black ink layer (BK) is added as required is applied as a set by repeating this set a plurality of times along the longitudinal direction of the ink ribbon 11. The ink ribbon 11 is provided with a cue mark 11c at the head portion of the yellow ink layer Y when the ink layers 11b of a plurality of colors are repeatedly applied.

  On the other hand, the intermediate transfer film 21 is formed by laminating a release layer 21b and a transfer image receiving layer 21c in this order on a long strip-shaped film base 21a as shown in enlarged views in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b). It is applied. When the transfer image receiving layer 21c is applied to the intermediate transfer film 21, a frame cue mark 21d is provided for each frame that becomes a predetermined transfer area in the transfer image receiving layer 21c of the intermediate transfer film 21. Yes.

  Returning to FIG. 1 again, an intermediate transfer film transfer body 30 which is a main part of the present invention is arranged on the intermediate transfer film 21 side and downstream of the platen roller 26. The intermediate transfer film transfer body 30 is an intermediate transfer film. A function of transferring the film 21 to the take-up reel 23 side by the length of a predetermined transfer region in the transfer image receiving layer 21c (FIG. 3) is provided. The intermediate transfer film transfer body 30 will be described in detail later. To do.

  Also, below the take-up reel 13 for the ink ribbon, four card carry-in rollers 42 for supplying a card (printed material) 41 are provided so as to be rotatable up and down, and this card 41 is loaded into the card. It is conveyed by the roller 42 in the direction of the arrow.

  A retransfer heat roller 51 and a retransfer counter roller 52 are rotatably provided opposite to each other on the intermediate transfer film 21 side and downstream of the intermediate transfer film transfer body 30. At this time, the retransfer heat roller 51 is positioned on the film base 21a (FIG. 3) side of the intermediate transfer film 21, and can be brought into and out of contact with the retransfer counter roller 52 via a rotation arm (not shown). On the other hand, the retransfer facing roller 52 is positioned on the transfer image receiving layer 21c (FIG. 3) side of the intermediate transfer film 21. The card 41 sent from the card carry-in roller 42 is conveyed between the rollers 51 and 52.

  Further, a pair of card carry-out rollers 53 for discharging the card 41 is provided downstream of the retransfer heat roller 51 and the retransfer counter roller 52 so as to be rotatable.

  The operation of the retransfer printing apparatus 10 configured as described above is performed by the thermal head 16 provided on the ribbon base 11 a side of the ink ribbon 11 and the film base 21 a side of the intermediate transfer film 21. The ink layer 11 b of the ink ribbon 11 and the transfer image receiving layer 21 c of the intermediate transfer film 21 are overlapped with the platen roller 26 that rotates following the transfer of the transfer film 21, and is provided downstream of the platen roller 26. Each color ink layer 11b is transferred to a predetermined transfer region in the transfer image receiving layer 21c by the heat of the thermal head 16 supplied according to the image signal of each color while the intermediate transfer film 21 is transferred by the intermediate transfer film transfer body 30. Re-transfer heat roller after re-transferring and forming a re-transfer color image layer in a predetermined transfer area Peeling the retransfer color image layer on the intermediate transfer film 21 from the release layer is retransferred onto the card (the substrate) 41 by one and re-transfer opposing roller 52.

  Next, when the ink layer 11b (FIG. 2) of the ink ribbon 11 is transferred to a predetermined transfer area in the transfer image receiving layer 21c of the intermediate transfer film 21, the intermediate transfer film 21 is transferred by the length of the predetermined transfer area. An intermediate transfer film transfer body 30 having a function of transferring to the take-up reel 23 side will be described with reference to FIGS.

4 is an exploded perspective view showing the intermediate transfer film transporter in an exploded manner,
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the intermediate transfer film transfer body is assembled,
FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views showing a state in which the second film winding body is pulled out toward the first film winding body constituting the intermediate transfer film transfer body,
FIGS. 7A and 7B are perspective views showing insertion / removal of the intermediate transfer film to / from the intermediate transfer film transport body and attachment of the intermediate transfer film to the intermediate transfer film transport body,
FIGS. 8A to 8C are diagrams schematically illustrating the operation of the intermediate transfer film and the intermediate transfer film transfer body,
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the tension of the intermediate transfer film and the force for clamping the intermediate transfer film when the intermediate transfer film is wound around the first and second film winding bodies of the intermediate transfer film transfer body. .

  As shown in an exploded view in FIG. 4, the intermediate transfer film transfer body 30 includes a drive shaft 31 that is connected to a rotation drive source (not shown) and one end surface 31 a side, and a cylindrical portion 32 c that is integrated with the one end surface 31 a side of the drive shaft 31. A first film wound body 32 that is coupled to the cylindrical portion 32c and has a substantially crescent-shaped crescent-shaped arc portion 32d that is slightly longer than the width of the intermediate transfer film 21 along the axial direction. 31 is inserted from the other end surface 31b side of the first and second film winding bodies 32 and 35, and is inserted from the other end surface 31b side of the drive shaft 31, and the first film. A second film winding body 35 that rotates following the first film winding body 32 by forming an arc portion 35 c that faces the crescent-shaped arc portion 32 d of the winding body 32, and a second rotation with respect to the drive shaft 31. Film winding body 35 It is composed of an E ring 36 for regulating the Ri attached position. Therefore, the intermediate transfer film transfer body 30 can be easily manufactured using a known material and can take a simple structure.

  More specifically, first, the drive shaft 31 is formed in a long shape using a stainless steel round bar or the like, and a support plate (not shown) having one end surface 31a attached to the back side of the printing apparatus 10 (FIG. 1). And a support plate (not shown) attached to the front side of the printing apparatus 10 (FIG. 1) on the other end surface 31b opposite to the one end surface 31a. ) Is supported rotatably. At this time, the drive shaft 31 is formed with two screw holes 31c slightly inside the one end face 31a, and has an E-ring groove 31d slightly inside the other end face 31b.

  Next, the first film winding body 32 for winding the intermediate transfer film 21 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a predetermined radius between the one end surface 32a and the other end surface 32b using a metal material or a resin material. After being formed into a scale, it is slightly longer than the width of the intermediate transfer film 21 from the other end surface 32b side to the one end surface 32a side, and is milled along the axial direction beyond the central portion to thereby move to the one end surface 32a side. A cylindrical portion 32c is left with a short length, and a crescent-shaped arc portion 32d having a substantially crescent shape is formed in a milled section. An intermediate surface 32e perpendicular to the drive shaft 31 is formed opposite to the one end surface 31a at a portion on the cylindrical portion 32c side where the cylindrical portion 32c and the crescent arc portion 32d are joined, and a crescent-shaped arc portion 32d. A film-facing surface 32f is formed on the back side of the flat surface along the axial direction perpendicular to the intermediate surface 32e.

  The first film winding body 32 has a central hole 32g through which the drive shaft 31 is fitted in the central portion of the cylindrical portion 32c, and the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 32c is cut out flat. Two screw holes 32i are formed from the cutout 32h toward the center hole 32g.

  Further, a spring latch pin 32j for latching one end 34a of the torsion spring 34 and a convex pin 32k projecting in a convex shape are press-fitted into the intermediate surface 32e of the cylindrical portion 32c of the first film roll 32. ing.

  And after inserting the drive shaft 31 in the center hole 32g penetrated and drilled in the cylindrical part 32c of the 1st film winding body 32, the cylindrical part 32c is attached to the one end surface 31a side of the drive shaft 31 with two screws. 33 is integrally fixed.

  In addition, the method of integrating the drive shaft 31 and the 1st film winding body 32 can also integrate even if the 1st film winding body 32 is press-fitted or adhere | attached on the drive shaft 31 besides using the screw 33. .

  Next, the second film winding body 35 for winding the intermediate transfer film 21 has a circular arc portion 35c between the one end surface 35a and the other end surface 35b using a metal material or a resin material. The wound body 32 is formed in an arc shape with the same radius as the cylindrical portion 32c and the crescent arc portion 32d and approximately the same length as the crescent arc portion 32d. At this time, the radius value of the crescent arc portion 32d of the first film winding body 32 and the radius value of the arc portion 35c of the second film winding body 35, and the crescent arc portion 32d and the arc portion as will be described later. The amount of transfer when the intermediate transfer film 21 is transferred while winding the intermediate transfer film 21 is determined by the rotation angle when rotating together with 35c.

  Further, the second film winding body 35 has film width regulating portions 35d and 35e for regulating the width direction of the intermediate transfer film 21 on the inner side of the one end surface 35a and the inner side of the other end surface 35b. The film facing surface 35f is formed flat between the film width regulating portions 35d and 35e, and the stepped portion 35g projects slightly below the film facing surface 35f below the film facing surface 35f. Is formed.

  Then, as will be described later, the film facing surface 32f of the first film winding body 32 and the film facing surface 35f of the second film winding body 35 are opposed to each other with a predetermined gap S (FIG. 5). Sometimes, the shape of the arc portion 35c is set so that the crescent-arc portion 32d of the first film winding body 32 and the arc portion 35c of the second film winding body 35 have a cylindrical shape around the drive shaft 31. ing.

  The second film winding body 35 has a center hole 35h through which the drive shaft 31 is fitted in the center portion of the arc portion 35c.

  Further, a spring latch pin 35 i for latching the other end 34 b of the torsion spring 34 is press-fitted into one end surface 35 a of the second film roll 35 facing the intermediate surface 32 e of the first film roll 32. At the same time, an arcuate concave hole 35j is formed in which the convex pin 32k protruding from the intermediate surface 32e of the first film winding body 32 enters.

  And after integrating the drive shaft 31 and the 1st film winding body 32, the torsion spring 34 is inserted from the other end surface 31b side of the drive shaft 31, and the one end surface 35a of the 2nd film winding body 35 is 1st. The drive shaft 31 is fitted into the center hole 35 h of the second film winding body 35 so as to face the intermediate surface 32 e of the one film winding body 32. At this time, one end 34 a of the torsion spring 34 is engaged with a spring engaging pin 32 j press-fitted into the intermediate surface 32 e of the first film winding body 32, and the other end 34 b of the torsion spring 34 is engaged with the second film winding body 35. The projecting pin 32k press-fitted into the intermediate surface 32e of the first film winding body 32 is formed on the one end surface 35a of the second film winding body 35 while being latched by the spring latching pin 35i press-fitted into the one end face 35a. It is made to enter the arcuate concave hole 35j.

  That is, the torsion spring 34 is hooked between the surfaces 32e and 35a orthogonal to the drive shaft 31 in the first and second film winding bodies 32 and 35 and opposed to each other, and an uneven position restricting portion (convex shape). By providing the pins (arc-shaped concave holes) 32k and 35j, the driven range when the second film winding body 35 is driven with respect to the first film winding body 32 on the driving side is regulated and described later. Thus, a predetermined gap S (FIG. 5) is maintained between the first and second film winding bodies 32 and 35 during non-transfer.

  Further, after the second film winding body 35 is fitted to the drive shaft 31, the E-ring 36 is fitted into the E-ring groove 31 d formed on the drive shaft 31, so that the second film winding is performed on the drive shaft 31. The intermediate transfer film transfer body 30 is assembled as shown in FIG.

  And in the state which the intermediate transfer film transfer body 30 was assembled as shown in FIG. 5, the film opposing surface 32f of the 1st film winding body 32, and the film opposing surface 35f of the 2nd film winding body 35, Are formed so as to face each other along the axial direction of the drive shaft 31 and a predetermined gap S is formed between the film facing surfaces 32f and 35f so that the intermediate transfer film 21 can be freely transferred. The crescent-shaped arc portion 32d of the wound body 32 and the arc portion 35c of the second film wound body 35 have a cylindrical shape centered on the drive shaft 31 with a predetermined gap S therebetween. Further, at both ends in the predetermined gap S, film width restricting portions 35d and 35e of the second film winding body 35 slightly protrude in a triangular shape to restrict the width direction of the intermediate transfer film 21. And the 1st film winding body 32 connected with the drive shaft 31 becomes a drive side, and the 2nd film winding body 35 with respect to the 1st film winding body 32 is the torsion spring 34 and the uneven | corrugated position control part 32k. , 35j with a predetermined gap S maintained so as to be able to follow the drive shaft 31.

  Further, in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the second film winding body 35 is shown in a state of being pulled out to facilitate understanding of the structure of the intermediate transfer film transfer body 30, and the first film The opposing state of the intermediate surface 32e of the wound body 32 and the one end surface 35a of the 2nd film wound body 35 is shown. Under the present circumstances, the torsion spring 34 latched by the intermediate surface 32e of the 1st film winding body 32 and the one end surface 35a of the 2nd film winding body 35 is driven with respect to the 1st film winding body 32 by the side of a drive. The second film winding body 35 on the side is always urged so as to rotate clockwise around the drive shaft 31 in the drawing.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7A, the intermediate transfer film transfer body 30 is configured such that the one end face 31a side of the drive shaft 31 is located on the back side of the printing apparatus 10 (FIG. 1) as described above, and the drive shaft Since the other end surface 31b side of 31 is located in front of the printing apparatus 10 (FIG. 1), the other end surface 32b of the first film winding body 32 and the other end surface 35b of the second film winding body 35 are both printed. It is located on the near side of the device 10 (FIG. 1). When the film facing surfaces 32f and 35f of the first and second film winding bodies 32 and 35 are opposed to each other along the axial direction with a predetermined gap S therebetween, the first and second film winding bodies are provided. Since the other end surfaces 32b and 35b of the 32 and 35 are opened, the intermediate transfer film 21 is inserted into the predetermined gap S along the axial direction (arrow direction) from the opened portion, or the predetermined gap S You can leave from inside. Thereby, the intermediate transfer film 21 can be easily inserted and removed between the first and second film winding bodies 32 and 35 of the intermediate transfer film transfer body 30 from the front side of the printing apparatus 10 (FIG. 1).

  Then, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), the intermediate transfer film 21 is in a predetermined gap S formed by facing the film facing surfaces 32f, 35f of the first and second film winding bodies 32, 35. When it arrives, the mounting of the intermediate transfer film 21 to the intermediate transfer film transfer body 30 is completed.

  Here, the operation of the intermediate transfer film transfer body 30 will be described using FIG. 1, FIG. 4, and FIGS. 8 (a) to 8 (c) in combination.

  First, the state shown in FIG. 8A shows a state in which the intermediate transfer film transfer body 30 opens the intermediate transfer film 21 during non-transfer. In this state, the first and second film winding bodies 32, The intermediate transfer film 21 mounted in the predetermined gap S is maintained between the supply reel 22 and the take-up reel 23 while maintaining the predetermined gap S formed by the opposing surfaces of the film opposing surfaces 32f and 35f. Since it can move freely, the film sensor 25 can easily cue to a predetermined transfer area on the intermediate transfer film 21. Note that when the printing apparatus 10 is in the initial state, it is also during non-transfer, and since a predetermined gap S is maintained between the first and second film winding bodies 32 and 35 at this time, the intermediate transfer film transfer body 30, the intermediate transfer film 21 can be inserted and removed.

  At the time of non-transfer, since the first film winding body 32 integral with the drive shaft 31 is stopped, the second film winding body 35 is also stopped, but first, FIGS. ), The torsion spring 34 hooked between the intermediate surface 32e of the first film winding body 32 and the one end surface 35a of the second film winding body 35 is the first film winding on the driving side. Since the second film winding body 35 on the driven side with respect to the body 32 is constantly urged so as to rotate in the clockwise direction in the figure about the drive shaft 31, the intermediate surface of the first film winding body 32 The convex pin 32k press-fitted into 32e is in contact with the right end in the arc-shaped concave hole 35j formed in the one end surface 35a of the second film winding body 35.

  Accordingly, a predetermined gap S is formed between the film facing surfaces 32f and 35f of the first and second film winding bodies 32 and 35. Accordingly, the intermediate transfer film 21 is opened so as to be transportable within a predetermined gap S while being guided by a plurality of guide shafts 24, and transported so as to detect the frame cue mark 21d (FIG. 3) of the intermediate transfer film 21. Is done.

  Next, the state shown in FIG. 8B shows a state in which the intermediate transfer film transfer body 30 sandwiches the intermediate transfer film 21 when cueing of the intermediate transfer film 21 is completed.

  Here, at the stage where the intermediate transfer film 21 shifts from the state shown in FIG. 8A to the state shown in FIG. 8B, the intermediate transfer film 21 is the film width regulating portion 35 d of the second film winding body 35. , 35e (FIGS. 4 and 5), the state shown in FIG. Then, when the cueing to the intermediate transfer film 21 is completed, the first film winding body 32 is rotated slightly toward the second film winding body 35 (clockwise) integrally with the drive shaft 31. The lower end of the film facing surface 32f of the first film winding body 32 comes into contact with a step 35g formed below the film facing surface 35f of the second film winding body 35 via the intermediate transfer film 21, so that a predetermined The intermediate transfer film 21 mounted in the gap S is sandwiched between the first and second film winding bodies 32 and 35. At this time, since the step 35g of the second film winding body 35 is pushed by the lower end of the film facing surface 32f of the first film winding body 32, the second film winding body 35 resists the urging force of the torsion spring 34. Follow slightly clockwise. When the rotation of the first film winding body 32 is stopped when the intermediate transfer film 21 is sandwiched between the first and second film winding bodies 32 and 35, the intermediate transfer film 21 starts transfer at the cueing position. waiting.

  Next, the state shown in FIG. 8C shows a state in which the intermediate transfer film transport body 30 is transporting while holding the intermediate transfer film 21 during the transfer.

  Here, when transferring the ink layers 11b (FIG. 2) of a plurality of colors applied to the ink ribbon 11 to a predetermined transfer area in the transfer image receiving layer 21c (FIG. 3) of the intermediate transfer film 21, the intermediate transfer film transporter is transferred. 30 rotates the first film winding body 32 in a clockwise direction by a predetermined angle integrally with the drive shaft 31 while sandwiching the intermediate transfer film 21 between the first and second film winding bodies 32 and 35. Following this, the second film winding body 35 is also integrally rotated clockwise by a predetermined angle. At this time, the intermediate transfer film 21 mounted in the predetermined gap S is sandwiched between the first and second film winding bodies 32 and 35 and the first and second film winding bodies 32 and 35 are sandwiched. By rotating at a predetermined angle, the second film winding body 35 is wound while being sequentially attached to the arc portion 35c, the film facing surface 35f, and the step portion 35g, and the crescent-shaped arc portion of the first film winding body 32 is further wound. Since it is wound while adhering to 32d, the length of the predetermined transfer region (the length of one frame) in the transfer image receiving layer 21c (FIG. 3) of the intermediate transfer film 21 can be assured without slipping. Can be transported. The transfer speed of the intermediate transfer film 21 at this time is determined by the rotation speed of the first and second film winding bodies 32 and 35, and the rotation speed can be easily controlled, so that the intermediate transfer film 21 can be transferred accurately. .

  The rotation range of the first and second film winding bodies 32 and 35 is a predetermined angle of about 180 ° to 250 °, and this predetermined angle is a predetermined transfer region (one frame) of the intermediate transfer film 21. ). At this time, if it is desired to increase the length dimension of the predetermined transfer region (one frame) of the intermediate transfer film 21, the possible rotation angle is limited to the above-described range. What is necessary is just to enlarge the radius of the bodies 32 and 35. FIG.

  When the intermediate transfer film 21 is transferred by the intermediate transfer film transfer body 30, the intermediate transfer film 21 is sent to the intermediate transfer film transfer body 30 side from the supply reel 22 and the take-up reel 23 for the intermediate transfer film, respectively. The ink ribbon 11 that has passed through the thermal head 16 is taken up by the take-up reel 13 for the ink ribbon so as to be peeled off from the intermediate transfer film 21.

  Then, as described above, when one color has been transferred while the intermediate transfer film 21 is being transferred, the first and second film winding bodies 32 and 35 are rotated in the reverse direction, as shown in FIG. 8 to return to the state shown in FIG. 8A, cue the intermediate transfer film 21 to the next color, and repeat this over a plurality of colors.

  Next, when the intermediate transfer film 21 is wound around the first and second film winding bodies 32 and 35 of the transfer film transfer body 30, the tension of the intermediate transfer film 21 and the force for holding the intermediate transfer film 21 are held. FIG. 9 will be described.

In FIG. 9, the distance (radius) from the axial center of the portion that receives the tension T1 from the intermediate transfer film 21 on the arc portion 35c of the second film winding body 35 is R1, and the first film winding body 32 The lower end of the film facing surface 32f is brought into contact with a step 35g formed below the film facing surface 35f of the second film winding body 35 via the intermediate transfer film 21, and receives a force T2 for sandwiching the intermediate transfer film 21. When the distance (radius) from the axis center of the part is R2,
T1 × R1 = T2 × R2 (Expression 1) Then, by transforming (Equation 1), T2 = T1 × R1 / R2 (Equation 2) is obtained. Here, since the distance (radius) R2 can be set smaller than the distance (radius) R1, the holding force T2 from (Equation 2) can be set larger than the tension T1, and therefore the intermediate transfer film 21 is set to the first. The second film winding bodies 32 and 35 can be securely clamped, so that no slip occurs when the intermediate transfer film 21 is transferred by the intermediate transfer film transfer body 30.

  Next, a modified intermediate transfer film transfer body 30 ′ in which the intermediate transfer film transfer body 30 is partially deformed will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing an exploded intermediate transfer film transfer body according to a modification,
FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which the intermediate transfer film transfer body of the modification is assembled.

  In addition, in the intermediate transfer film transport body of the modification, the same shape portions shown above are denoted by the same reference numerals, detailed description is omitted, and portions different from the shapes shown above are omitted. A description will be given with new reference numerals attached.

  The intermediate transfer film transfer body 30 ′ of the modification shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 has the second film winding body 35 ′ side connected to a rotation drive source (not shown), and the first film winding body 32 ′ is connected to the first film winding body 32 ′. The two-film wound body 35 ′ is configured to be driven. The intermediate transfer film transfer body 30 ′ of this modification may be applied in place of the intermediate transfer film transfer body 30 in the retransfer type printing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1.

  In the intermediate transfer film transfer body 30 ′ of the modification shown in FIG. 10, the second film winding body 35 ′ has an arc shape between the one end surface 35 a and the other end surface 35 b that is slightly longer than the width of the intermediate transfer film 21. The drive shaft portions 35k and 35k are integrally formed from the central portions of the one end surface 35a and the other end surface 35b, and the drive shaft portion 35k on the one end surface 35a side is not shown. It is connected to a rotational drive source.

  On the other hand, the first film wound body 32 ′ is formed with the cylindrical portion 32c and the crescent-shaped arc portion 32d in substantially the same manner as described above, and the central hole 32g is formed through the cylindrical portion 32c. Has been.

  And after inserting the torsion spring 34 in the drive shaft part 35k formed in the one end surface 35a side of 2nd film winding body 35 ', this drive shaft part 35k is the intermediate surface 32e side of 1st film winding body 32'. The first film winding body 32 ′ is assembled by being regulated by the E washer 36 so as not to come off from the drive shaft portion 35 k. At this time, the first and second film winding bodies 32 'and 35' are described above in that the intermediate surface 32e and the one end surface 35a are provided with a spring latch pin and an uneven position restricting portion. That's right.

  By configuring as described above, as shown in FIG. 11, in the intermediate transfer film transfer body 30 ′ of the modification, the second film winding body 35 ′ side is the driving side, and the second film winding body 35 is provided. The first film roll 32 'side is the driven side with respect to'.

  The case where the intermediate transfer film transfer body 30 detailed above or the intermediate transfer film transfer body 30 ′ of the modified example is applied to the retransfer type printing apparatus 10 (FIG. 1) has been described. It is also applicable to the device.

  At this time, since it is not necessary to perform retransfer in the thermal transfer printing apparatus, a belt-shaped ink ribbon and a belt-shaped transfer film are used instead of the intermediate transfer film, so that the intermediate transfer film is transported to transport the transfer film. The transfer film transfer body (30 or 30 ') having the same structure as the body 30 or the intermediate transfer film transfer body 30' of the modified example is provided.

  That is, although the illustration of a thermal transfer printing apparatus to which the transfer film transfer body (30 or 30 ′) can be applied is omitted, in this case, since there is no need to retransfer, the retransfer printing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. The re-transfer card 41, the card carry-in roller 42, the re-transfer heat roller 51, the re-transfer counter roller 52, and the card carry-out roller 53 are deleted from the inside.

  In this case, the thermal transfer printing apparatus is described in parentheses with reference to the reference numerals described above, and this combination is repeated with a plurality of color ink layers (11b) set on the ribbon-like ribbon base (11a). A thermal film provided on the ribbon base side of the ink ribbon using the applied ink ribbon (11) and the transfer film (21) in which only the transfer image receiving layer (21c) is applied on the belt-like film base (21a). The ink layer and the image-receiving layer for transfer are superimposed between a head (16) and a platen roller (26) provided on the film base side of the transfer film and rotated by the transfer of the transfer film. And according to the image signal of each color while transferring the transfer film by a transfer film transfer body (30 or 30 ') provided downstream from the platen roller. The ink layer of each color is repeatedly transferred for each color to a predetermined transfer area in the image receiving layer for transfer by the heat of the supplied thermal head, and a color image layer is formed in the predetermined transfer area. ing.

  At this time, the transfer film transfer body (30 or 30 ′) may be formed in the same structure as the above-described intermediate transfer film transfer body 30 or the intermediate transfer film transfer body 30 ′ of the modified example, and may have the same operation. Is.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a retransfer printing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. (A), (b) is the top view and longitudinal cross-sectional view which expanded and showed the ink ribbon shown in FIG. (A), (b) is the top view and longitudinal cross-sectional view which expanded and showed the intermediate transfer film shown in FIG. It is the disassembled perspective view which decomposed | disassembled and showed the intermediate transfer film transfer body. It is the perspective view which showed the state which assembled the intermediate transfer film transport body. (A), (b) is the perspective view which showed the state which pulled out the 2nd film winding body near this with respect to the 1st film winding body which comprises an intermediate transfer film transfer body. (A), (b) is the perspective view which showed insertion and removal of the intermediate transfer film to the intermediate transfer film transport body, and attachment of the intermediate transfer film to the intermediate transfer film transport body. (A)-(c) is the figure typically shown in order to demonstrate operation | movement with an intermediate transfer film and an intermediate transfer film transport body. It is a figure for demonstrating the tension | tensile_strength of an intermediate transfer film, and the force which clamps an intermediate transfer film, when an intermediate transfer film is wound around the 1st, 2nd film winding body of an intermediate transfer film transport body. It is the disassembled perspective view which decomposed | disassembled and showed the intermediate transfer film transport body of the modification. It is the perspective view which showed the state which assembled the intermediate transfer film transport body of the modification. (A)-(e) is the figure which showed typically the process of forming the color image layer for one retransfer on an intermediate transfer film, applying a prior art.

Explanation of symbols

10: Re-transfer printing device,
11 ... Ink ribbon, 11a ... Ribbon base, 11b ... Ink layer,
12 ... Supply reel for ink ribbon, 13 ... Winding reel for ink ribbon,
15 ... Ink ribbon sensor, 16 ... Thermal head,
21 ... Intermediate transfer film, 21a ... Film base, 21b ... Release layer,
21c: Image-receiving layer for transfer,
22 ... Supply reel for intermediate transfer film, 23 ... Winding reel for intermediate transfer film,
25 ... Film sensor, 26 ... Platen roller,
30 ... Intermediate transfer film transfer body,
31 ... Drive shaft,
32 ... 1st film winding body, 32a ... One end surface, 32b ... Other end surface, 32c ... Cylindrical part,
32d: crescent arc portion, 32e: intermediate surface, 32f: film facing surface, 32g: center hole, 32j: spring latch pin, 32k: convex pin,
34 ... Torsion spring
35 ... 2nd film winding body, 35a ... One end surface, 35b ... Other end surface, 35c ... Arc part,
35d, 35e ... film width regulation part, 35f ... film facing surface, 35g ... step part,
35h ... Center hole, 35i ... Spring latch pin, 35j ... Arc-shaped concave hole,
30 '... intermediate transfer film transfer body of a modification,
32 '... 1st film winding body,
35 '... 2nd film winding body, 35k ... drive shaft part,
41 ... substrate (card), 42 ... card carry-in roller,
51. Retransfer heat roller, 52 ... Retransfer counter roller, 53 ... Card carry-out roller.

Claims (5)

An ink ribbon having an ink layer and an intermediate transfer film having a transfer image receiving layer are stretched over each other, and the overlapping ink ribbon is heated to transfer the ink in the ink layer to the image receiving image for transfer. A re-transfer type printing apparatus that performs a transfer operation to transfer to a layer ,
Transfer means for transferring the intermediate transfer film during the transfer operation;
A thermal head that heats the overlapping ink ribbon during the transfer operation;
A platen roller that contacts and separates the thermal head with the ink ribbon and the intermediate transfer film in between, and rotates following the transfer of the intermediate transfer film,
The transfer means includes
A rotational drive source;
A drive shaft coupled to the rotational drive source;
A first film roll having a first flat surface coupled to the drive shaft and facing the intermediate transfer film in a state where the intermediate transfer film is stretched;
It can be rotated around the drive shaft, and is opposed to the first flat surface at a predetermined rotation position with respect to the first film winding body with the intermediate transfer film interposed therebetween with a predetermined gap. A second film roll having a second flat surface to be
An urging means for urging the second film winding body in one rotational direction with respect to the first film winding body;
A rotation restricting means for restricting the rotation of the second film winding body with respect to the first film winding body in the one rotation direction with the predetermined rotation position as a rotation end; And
When the transfer operation is not performed, the first and second film winding bodies take an aspect in which the first flat surface and the second flat surface separate the predetermined gap,
When the transfer operation is performed, the first film winding body rotates in the one rotation direction, and the second film winding body is at a position where the maximum distance from the rotation center is R1. The intermediate transfer film is urged in the other rotation direction, and the first film winding body is urged between the second film winding body and the urging force in the other rotation direction. By holding the intermediate transfer film at a position of R2 whose distance from the rotation center is shorter than R1, the first and second film winding bodies hold the intermediate transfer film while holding the intermediate transfer film. printing device of the re-transfer method according to claim isosamples pivoted movement direction is configured for transferring the intermediate transfer film. The second film winding body is directed toward the first flat surface of the first film winding body at a position where the distance from the rotation center of the second flat surface is R2. Has a protruding step,
2. The retransfer type printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first film winding body is in contact with the stepped portion via the intermediate transfer film to sandwich the intermediate transfer film . 3. The first and second film winding bodies are configured such that the intermediate transfer film can be inserted into and removed from the predetermined gap by opening between both film winding bodies located on the front side of the printing apparatus. The retransfer type printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein An ink ribbon having an ink layer and a transfer film having a transfer image receiving layer are stretched over each other, and the overlapping ink ribbon is heated to transfer the ink of the ink layer to the transfer image receiving layer. A thermal transfer printing apparatus that performs a transfer operation to transfer to
Transfer means for transferring the transfer film during the transfer operation;
A thermal head that heats the overlapping ink ribbon during the transfer operation;
A platen roller that contacts and separates the thermal head with the ink ribbon and the transfer film in between, and rotates in accordance with the transfer of the transfer film,
The transfer means includes
A rotational drive source;
A drive shaft coupled to the rotational drive source;
A first film winding body having a first flat surface that is coupled to the drive shaft and faces the transfer film in a state where the transfer film is stretched;
It can be rotated about the drive shaft, and is opposed to the first flat surface with a predetermined gap between the first flat surface at a predetermined rotation position with respect to the first film winding body. A second film roll having a second flat surface;
An urging means for urging the second film winding body in one rotational direction with respect to the first film winding body;
A rotation restricting means for restricting the rotation of the second film winding body with respect to the first film winding body in the one rotation direction with the predetermined rotation position as a rotation end; And
When the transfer operation is not performed, the first and second film winding bodies take an aspect in which the first flat surface and the second flat surface separate the predetermined gap,
When the transfer operation is performed, the first film winding body rotates in the one rotation direction, and the second film winding body is at a position where the maximum distance from the rotation center is R1. The transfer film is biased in the other rotation direction, and the first film winding body is transferred to and from the second film winding body in accordance with the biasing in the other rotation direction. By sandwiching the film at a position of R2 whose distance from the pivot center is shorter than R1, the first and second film winding bodies sandwich the transfer film in the one pivot direction. thermal transfer printing device characterized that you have configured to transfer the transfer film to pivot. The second film winding body is directed toward the first flat surface of the first film winding body at a position where the distance from the rotation center of the second flat surface is R2. Has a protruding step,
5. The thermal transfer printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first film winding body is in contact with the stepped portion via the transfer film and sandwiches the transfer film.

Images