JP2012201018A - Image printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image printing system allowing efficient printing.SOLUTION: The image printing system 10 includes: a supply mechanism 20 for supplying a body 12 to be transferred; and a plurality of transfer mechanisms that are provided in parallel downstream of the supply mechanism 20 for transferring an image onto the body 12 to be transferred. The transfer mechanism is composed of a first transfer mechanism 30A, a second transfer mechanism 30B, and a third transfer mechanism 30C. A switching mechanism 40 for supplying the body 12 to be transferred of the supply mechanism 20 to any of the transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, 30C is provided between the supply mechanism 20 and each transfer mechanism 30A, 30B, 30C.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image printing system including a plurality of transfer mechanisms provided in parallel.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printers that include a transfer mechanism that forms an image on a transfer target using a thermal transfer method are known. In the thermal transfer type printer, the transfer target accommodated in the supply mechanism is sequentially supplied to the transfer mechanism. In the transfer mechanism, the thermal head is pressure-bonded to the platen roll via the ink ribbon and the transfer target, whereby the transfer layer of the ink ribbon is transferred onto the transfer target in a pattern corresponding to the image.

  In recent years, an image print system including a plurality of printers provided in parallel has been proposed in order to reduce the time required for printing. For example, Patent Document 2 includes a plurality of printers installed in parallel in the vertical direction, and a plurality of storage units that are provided corresponding to the plurality of printers and store transfer target materials that are discharged from the printers. An image printing system has been proposed.

JP 2004-268431 A JP 2005-111893 A

  The amount of printing performed at each printer in the image printing system is assigned according to a predetermined algorithm. For example, various algorithms are conceivable, such as an algorithm for maximizing the processing capability of the entire image printing system and an algorithm for using each printer according to the size of the transfer target. In this case, it is conceivable that the amount of printing executed in each printer during a certain time is not necessarily equal.

  As described above, each printer has a supply mechanism that accommodates a transfer medium before being sent to the transfer mechanism. Here, if the amount of printing executed in each printer is different during a certain period of time, it is conceivable that in one printer, the transfer target of the supply mechanism disappears before the other printers. In this case, the one printer cannot be used until the transfer medium is supplied to the supply mechanism, and as a result, the processing capability of the entire image printing system is reduced.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image printing system that can effectively solve such problems.

  The present invention includes a supply mechanism capable of supplying a transfer target, a plurality of transfer mechanisms provided in parallel on the downstream side of the supply mechanism, for transferring an image onto the transfer target, the supply mechanism, and the plurality of transfers And a switching mechanism that is provided between the transfer mechanism and supplies the transfer target of the supply mechanism to any of the transfer mechanisms.

  In the image printing system according to the present invention, the supply mechanism is provided on a downstream side of the sheet supply unit and a sheet supply unit that supplies a sheet-like transfer sheet, and cuts the transfer sheet to produce a transfer target And an upstream cutting portion.

  In the image printing system according to the present invention, the supply mechanism may include a sheet supply unit in which a plurality of transfer objects are accommodated.

  In the image printing system according to the present invention, the transfer object may include a plurality of frames. In this case, a downstream side cutting section that cuts the transfer object for each frame may be provided on the downstream side of the transfer mechanism.

  The image print system according to the present invention may further include a storage mechanism that is provided on the downstream side of the plurality of transfer mechanisms and that stores a transfer target body onto which an image has been transferred. In this case, the storage mechanism includes a plurality of storage units that are provided on the downstream side of the transfer mechanisms corresponding to the transfer mechanisms, and that respectively store the transferred objects onto which the images have been transferred by the transfer mechanisms. Also good.

  The image print system according to the present invention may further include a storage mechanism that is provided on the downstream side of the plurality of transfer mechanisms and that stores a transfer target body onto which an image has been transferred. In this case, the accommodation mechanism has movable movable accommodation means that is provided movably on the downstream side of the plurality of transfer mechanisms and that accommodates a transfer target body onto which an image has been transferred by the plurality of transfer mechanisms. May be.

  According to the present invention, an image print system includes a supply mechanism capable of supplying a transfer target, and a plurality of transfer mechanisms that are provided in parallel on the downstream side of the supply mechanism and transfer an image onto the transfer target. ing. In addition, a switching mechanism is provided between the supply mechanism and the plurality of transfer mechanisms to supply the transfer target body of the supply mechanism to any one of the transfer mechanisms. For this reason, the transfer target can be supplied to each transfer mechanism by a single supply mechanism. As a result, the image printing system can be operated more efficiently than when a supply mechanism is provided for each transfer mechanism.

FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an image printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a modification of the switching means. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a transfer target. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an ink ribbon. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an image printing system according to a comparative embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an image print system according to a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an image print system according to another modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an image print system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an image print system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an image print system according to a modification of the third embodiment of the present invention.

First Embodiment Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A to 3. First, referring to FIG. 1A, the entire image print system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

Image Print System FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an image print system 10 installed in, for example, a camera shop and printing image data brought in by a user as an L-size photo. The image printing system 10 includes a supply mechanism 20 that can supply the transfer target 12, a plurality of transfer mechanisms that are provided in parallel on the downstream side of the supply mechanism 20, and that transfers an image onto the transfer target 12. A switching mechanism 40 is provided between the mechanism 20 and the plurality of transfer mechanisms, and supplies the transfer target 12 of the supply mechanism 20 to any one of the transfer mechanisms. These transfer mechanism, supply mechanism 20 and switching mechanism 40 are controlled by a control mechanism 70. In addition, an accommodation mechanism 50 that accommodates the transfer target 12 onto which an image has been transferred is provided on the downstream side of the plurality of switching mechanisms. Note that “provided in parallel” means that each of a plurality of transfer mechanisms can simultaneously perform an equivalent transfer operation, and the transfer mechanisms do not necessarily have to be arranged in parallel to each other. .

  For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, the transfer mechanism includes a first transfer mechanism 30A, a second transfer mechanism 30B, and a third transfer mechanism 30C arranged in the vertical direction. By providing a plurality of transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C in this manner, it is possible to transfer an image onto the transfer target 12 in parallel on a plurality of lines, thereby printing a required number of photographs. In particular, the time required can be shortened.

  In the example shown in FIG. 1A, the transfer target 12 supplied to each of the transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C has a size larger than the L-size photograph that is finally provided. That is, the transferred body 12 includes a plurality of frames when the dimension corresponding to the L size is one frame. For example, the transfer target 12 includes dimensions corresponding to five L sizes, that is, five frame numbers.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1A, the image print system 10 is provided between the transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C and the storage mechanism 50, and includes a downstream side cutting unit 60 that cuts the transfer target 12 for each frame. It has more. The downstream-side cutting unit 60 cuts the transfer body 12 including five frame numbers for each frame. The transferred body 13 (photograph) that has been cut to an L size is accommodated in the accommodating means 51 of the accommodating mechanism 50 as shown in FIG. 1A. The accommodating means 51 is provided on the downstream side of the transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C so as to correspond to the transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C, respectively. The transferred material 13 accommodated in each accommodating means 51 is sent to the outlet 15 via a shooter (not shown).

  Next, the above-described supply mechanism 20, switching mechanism 40, and transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C will be described in detail. First, the supply mechanism 20 will be described.

(Supply mechanism)
As shown in FIG. 1A, the supply mechanism 20 is provided on the downstream side of the sheet supply unit 21 and the sheet supply unit 21 that supplies the sheet-like transfer sheet 11, and cuts the transfer sheet 11 to receive the transfer object. 12 and an upstream side cutting portion 22 for producing 12. The sheet supply unit 21 is composed of, for example, a roll body formed by winding the transfer sheet 11 around a shaft body (not shown). The shaft body (not shown) may be coupled to a drive mechanism (not shown) that rotationally drives the shaft body. The sheet-like transfer sheet 11 has such a length that the transfer object 12 can be supplied to the transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C over a predetermined time. As shown in FIG. 1A, a guide roll 23 for conveying the transfer sheet 11 may be provided as appropriate.

(Switching mechanism)
As shown in FIG. 1A, the switching mechanism 40 includes a feeding unit 44 into which the transfer target 12 supplied from the supply mechanism 20 is fed, and a first sending out of the transfer target 12 toward the first transfer mechanism 30A. Part 41, a second sending part 42 for sending the transfer object 12 toward the second transfer mechanism 30B, and a third sending part 43 for sending the transfer object 12 toward the third transfer mechanism 30C. Yes. The switching mechanism 40 is provided with a switching means 45 that selectively sends the transfer target 12 supplied to the feeding section 44 to any one of the feeding sections 41, 42, and 43 in accordance with control from the control mechanism 70. It has been. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, the transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C can move along the direction in which the transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C are arranged (the vertical direction in the example shown in FIG. 1A). The switching means 45 is configured by combining a guide portion 46 that guides the feed toward one of the delivery portions 41, 42, and 43 and a transport roll 47 that can move together with the guide portion 46. In this case, the transfer member 12 supplied from the supply mechanism 20 is guided to one of the sending units 41, 42, and 43 by moving the switching unit 45 to the vicinity of one of the sending units 41, 42, and 43. The

  Note that the configuration of the switching unit 45 is not limited to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1A, and for example, the switching unit 45 having the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1B may be used. FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a modification of the switching unit 45, and each component other than the switching unit 45 in FIG. 1B is the same as each component in FIG. 1A. In the example shown in FIG. 1B, the position is provided corresponding to each of the sending sections 41, 42, and 43, and is between a first position that contacts the transferred body 12 supplied from the supply mechanism 20 and a second position that does not contact. The switching means 45 is configured by combining a guide plate 48 that can be rotated by a transport roll 49 provided in the vicinity of each guide plate 48. In this case, the first position of each guide plate 48 is set so as to abut on the transfer target 12 supplied from the supply mechanism 20 and guide the transfer target 12 to the corresponding sending sections 41, 42, 43. . The means for rotating the guide plate 48 between the first position and the second position is not particularly limited, and for example, means using a magnetic field generated by a solenoid can be used.

  Further, the configuration of the switching unit 45 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 1A or 1B, and a known one can be used as appropriate. Moreover, each sending part 41,42,43 and sending in part 44 do not necessarily need to be actually comprised as a structure, and may be the area | region set virtually.

(Transfer material)
Next, referring to FIG. 2, the layer structure of the transfer target 12 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the transfer target 12 includes a base material layer 17 and an image receiving layer 16 provided on the base material layer 17. Among these, the image receiving layer 16 is for receiving a sublimation dye transferred from the transfer layer of the ink ribbon described later and maintaining the formed image.

  Examples of the resin for forming the image receiving layer 16 include polycarbonate resins, polyester resins, polyamide resins, acrylic resins, cellulose resins, polysulfone resins, polyvinyl chloride resins, polyvinyl acetate resins, and vinyl chlorides. Examples thereof include vinyl acetate copolymer resins, polyvinyl acetal resins, polyvinyl butyral resins, polyurethane resins, polystyrene resins, polypropylene resins, polyethylene resins, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resins, and epoxy resins.

(Transfer mechanism)
Next, a transfer mechanism for transferring an image onto the transfer target 12 will be described. Since the configuration of each transfer mechanism 30A, 30B, 30C is substantially the same, the configuration of the first transfer mechanism 30A among the transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, 30C will be described here.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the first transfer mechanism 30A includes an unwinding unit 31 that sends out the ink ribbon 33, a winding unit 32 that winds up the ink ribbon 33, and an unwinding unit 31 between the unwinding unit 31 and the winding unit 32. And a thermal head 34 that heats the ink ribbon 33 in a predetermined pattern. A platen roller 35 is provided in the vicinity of the thermal head 34 so as to face the thermal head 34 with the ink ribbon 33 and the transfer target 12 interposed therebetween. The transfer target 12 is supplied to the first transfer mechanism 30A so that the above-described image receiving layer 16 faces the thermal head 34 side. In addition, as shown to FIG. 1A, the conveyance rolls 36 and 37 for conveying the to-be-transferred body 12 may be provided suitably.

(ink ribbon)
Next, the layer configuration of the ink ribbon 33 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the ink ribbon 33 includes a transfer layer 39 that is heated by the thermal head 34 and transferred to the transfer target 12, and a support layer 38 that supports the transfer layer 39.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the transfer layer 39 includes a Y layer 39a made of a yellow dye, an M layer 39b made of a magenta dye, and a C layer 39c made of a cyan dye. As shown in FIG. 3, the transfer layer 39 may further include a protective layer 39d.

  The Y layer 39a, the M layer 39b, the C layer 39c, and the protective layer 39d are arranged in order along the transport direction of the ink ribbon 33. Therefore, as will be described later, the Y layer 39a, the M layer 39b, the C layer 39c, and the protective layer 39d can be sequentially transferred onto the transfer target 12 by one ink ribbon 33.

  As a material for the Y layer 39a, the M layer 39b, and the C layer 39c, a material obtained by melting or dispersing a sublimation dye in a binder resin is desirable. Further, the material of the protective layer 39d is preferably a transparent material having adhesiveness and light resistance. For example, an acrylic resin material is used.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment having such a configuration will be described. Here, first, a printing method will be described in which an image is transferred to the transfer target 12 by the image printing system 10 to obtain an L-size transfer target 13 to which the image is transferred. Next, a procedure for replacing the sheet supply unit 21 of the supply mechanism 20 will be described.

Printing method (Transfer material supply method)
First, a method for supplying the transfer target 12 to each of the transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C using the supply mechanism 20 and the switching mechanism 40 will be described.

  When there is a printing instruction from the user, the sheet supply unit 21 sends out the transfer sheet 11 toward the upstream cutting unit 22 based on the control from the control mechanism 70. The upstream cutting unit 22 sequentially cuts the transfer sheet 11 at a predetermined interval. As a result, a transfer body 12 having a length corresponding to a plurality of frame numbers, for example, five frame numbers, is produced.

  The transfer target 12 supplied from the supply mechanism 20 is fed into the feeding section 44 of the switching mechanism 40. Thereafter, the transfer target 12 is sent to any one of the sending units 41, 42, and 43 in accordance with control from the control mechanism 70. For example, it is sent to the second sending unit 42.

  The transferred object 12 sent to the second sending section 42 is sent to the second transfer mechanism 30B as shown in FIG. 1A, and then the image is transferred to the transferred object 12 in the second transfer mechanism 30B. The transfer method in the transfer mechanism will be described in detail later.

  After the transfer target 12 is supplied to the second transfer mechanism 30B, the transfer target 12 is further sent from the supply mechanism 20 to the switching mechanism 40. At this time, the control mechanism 70 controls the switching mechanism 40 to send the transfer target 12 to a transfer mechanism other than the second transfer mechanism 30B, for example, the third transfer mechanism 30C. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1A, the transfer target 12 is sent to the third transfer mechanism 30C, and then the image is transferred to the transfer target 12 by the third transfer mechanism 30C.

  Similarly, thereafter, the transfer target 12 is sent to the first transfer mechanism 30A, and the image is transferred to the transfer target 12 in the first transfer mechanism 30A. In this way, the transfer operation is performed simultaneously in each of the transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C. As described above, the processing capability of the image printing system 10 can be improved by operating a plurality of transfer devices simultaneously.

  The time required to supply the transfer target 12 to each transfer mechanism 30A, 30B, 30C using the supply mechanism 20 and the switching mechanism 40 is such that an image is transferred to the transfer target 12 in each transfer mechanism 30A, 30B, 30C. The time required for the transfer is sufficiently shorter. For example, the interval at which the transfer target 12 is supplied to any one of the transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C using the supply mechanism 20 and the switching mechanism 40 is about 5 seconds, while each transfer mechanism 30A, 30B, The time required for the image to be transferred to the transfer target 12 at 30C is about 40 seconds. Therefore, the processing capability of the image printing system 10 is not based on the speed at which the supply mechanism 20 and the switching mechanism 40 supply the transfer target 12, but on the speed at which each transfer mechanism 30 A, 30 B, 30 C transfers the image to the transfer target 12. Mainly determined.

(Transfer method)
Next, a method for transferring an image to the transfer target 12 using a transfer mechanism will be described. Since the transfer methods in the transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C are substantially the same, here, a method of transferring an image to the transfer target 12 using the first transfer mechanism 30A of the transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C. explain.

  First, the ink ribbon 33 is pressed by the thermal head 34 while being heated from the support layer 38 side. As a result, the Y layer 39 a of the ink ribbon 33 is brought into contact with the image receiving layer 16 of the transfer target 12. Here, the temperature of the thermal head 34 is controlled so that the transfer mode of the Y layer 39a from the ink ribbon 33 to the transfer target 12 is sublimation transfer.

Next, the M layer 39 b is transferred to the image receiving layer 16 of the transfer target 12. Here, the ink ribbon 33 is transported in one direction as indicated by the arrow D _2, whereas, the transfer member 12, by reversing the direction of rotation of the transport rolls 36, 37 periodically, arrow D _As shown by ₁ , it is conveyed in both directions. For example, when the Y layer 39a is transferred onto a predetermined area of the image receiving layer 16 of the transfer target 12, the rotation direction of the transport rollers 36 and 37 is reversed and the transfer target 12 is returned to the switching mechanism 40 side. Thereafter, the rotation direction of the transport rollers 36 and 37 is reversed again, and the M layer 39 b is transferred onto a predetermined region of the image receiving layer 16 of the transfer target 12. Similarly, the C layer 39 c is then transferred onto a predetermined area of the image receiving layer 16 of the transfer target 12. In this manner, an image composed of the Y layer 39a, the M layer 39b, and the C layer 39c transferred in a predetermined pattern is formed on the transfer target 12.

  Next, similarly to the case of the Y layer 39a, the M layer 39b, and the C layer 39c, the protective layer 39d is transferred onto the region where the image composed of the Y layer 39a, the M layer 39b, and the C layer 39c is formed. At this time, the temperature of the thermal head 34 is controlled such that the transfer mode of the protective layer 39d from the ink ribbon 33 to the transfer target 12 is melt transfer. In this way, an image protected by the protective layer 39d is formed on the transfer object 12.

  Note that the step of sequentially forming the Y layer 39a, the M layer 39b, the C layer 39c, and the protective layer 39d as described above may be performed for each frame of the transfer target 12, or for each of a plurality of frames. May be. For example, the Y layer 39a for one frame may be transferred to the transfer target 12 by one transfer, or the Y layer 39a for five frames may be transferred to the transfer target 12 by one transfer. Good.

(Cutting and containment method)
The transfer target 12 on which images are formed by the transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C is sent to the downstream cutting unit 60, respectively. In the downstream side cutting section 60, the transfer body 12 is cut for each frame, whereby the L-size transfer body 13 is produced. The produced transfer target 13 is accommodated in the accommodating means 51 of the accommodating mechanism 50 and then sent to the outlet 15 through the shooter.

Sheet Supply Unit Replacement Procedure Next, the sheet supply unit 21 replacement procedure will be described.

  As an example, let us consider a case where the processing capacities of the transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C when converted to an L-size transfer target 13 are all 10 sheets / min on average and 12 sheets / min at maximum. The difference between the average and the maximum processing capability is caused by considering the time for handling troubles such as paper jams that may occur in each of the transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C. Note that these transfer speed values are merely exemplary values for specifically explaining the operation of the present embodiment.

  At the beginning of replacement, for example, the sheet supply unit 21 accommodates, for example, 1800 sheets of the transfer sheet 11 having a length corresponding to the L-size transfer body 13. As described above, the transferred sheet 11 is cut by the upstream cutting portion 22 to become the transferred body 12, and the obtained transferred body 12 is transferred to the transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C via the switching mechanism 40. Supplied.

  When the processing capability is individually observed for each of the transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C, it can be considered that the processing capability within a predetermined period deviates from the average value of 10 sheets / minute. However, when looking at the processing capacity of the total of the three transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C, it is considered that the processing capacity within a predetermined period is approximately 30 sheets / minute, which is the total of the average values. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the sheet supply unit 21 is replaced at an interval of about 60 minutes.

(Comparison form)
Next, referring to FIG. 4, the effect of the present embodiment will be described in comparison with a comparative embodiment. 4 differs only in that a sheet supply unit and an upstream cutting unit are provided on the upstream side of each transfer mechanism corresponding to each transfer mechanism. The other configurations are the same as those described above. This is substantially the same as the present embodiment. In the comparison form shown in FIG. 4, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those of the above-described embodiment, and the detailed description is omitted.

  In the comparative image printing system 100, as shown in FIG. 4, the first sheet supply that supplies the sheet-like transfer sheet 11 toward the first transfer mechanism 30A upstream of the first transfer mechanism 30A. 121A and a first upstream cutting unit 122A that cuts the transfer sheet 11 of the first sheet supply unit 121A and produces the transfer body 12 are provided. Similarly, a second sheet supply unit 121B and a second upstream cutting unit 122B are provided on the upstream side of the second transfer mechanism 30B, and the third sheet supply unit 121C and the second sheet cutting unit 122B are provided on the upstream side of the third transfer mechanism 30C. A third upstream cutting section 122C is provided.

  At the beginning of replacement, it is assumed that the sheet supply units 121A, 121B, and 121C contain, for example, 600 sheets of the transfer sheet 11 having a length corresponding to the L-size transfer body 13. Consider the replacement cycle of each sheet supply unit 121A, 121B, 121C in this case.

  As described above, when the processing capabilities of the respective transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C are individually viewed, it can be considered that the processing capability within a predetermined period deviates from the average value of 10 sheets / minute. For example, troubles such as a paper jam frequently occur in the second transfer mechanism 30B, and thereby the processing capacity of the second transfer mechanism 30B is reduced to 8 sheets / min. In order to compensate for this, the first transfer mechanism 30A Assume that the system is operating at a maximum processing capacity of 12 sheets / minute. Further, it is assumed that the third transfer mechanism 30C is operated at 10 sheets / minute including troubles. In this case, the first sheet supply unit 121A runs out of paper 50 minutes after the replacement. On the other hand, the second sheet supply unit 121B runs out of paper 75 minutes after the replacement, and the third sheet supply unit 121C runs out of paper 60 minutes after the replacement.

  As a replacement procedure in the comparison mode, first, consider a case where each sheet supply unit 121A, 121B, 121C is replaced with a new one each time the sheet supply unit 121A, 121B, 121C runs out of paper. In this case, as described above, the replacement periods of the sheet supply units 121A, 121B, and 121C are different, and therefore, the sheet supply units 121A, 121B, and 121C are replaced at different timings. For example, the first sheet supply unit 121A is replaced 50 minutes after the start, the third sheet supply unit 121C is replaced 60 minutes after the start, and the second sheet supply unit 121B is replaced 75 minutes after the start. In this way, as many as three exchanges are performed in 75 minutes. For this reason, the labor of an exchange operator will become very big.

  Secondly, in order to reduce the labor of the replacement operator, consider a case where the sheets are replaced after all the sheet supply units 121A, 121B, and 121C are out of paper. In this case, a period during which the first transfer mechanism 30A and the third transfer mechanism 30C are not operated occurs until the second sheet supply unit 121B runs out of paper 75 minutes after the start. For this reason, the processing capability of the entire image printing system 10 is reduced.

  Thirdly, when any of the sheet supply units 121A, 121B, and 121C is out of paper, in order to reduce the labor of the replacement operator and prevent the overall processing capacity of the image printing system 10 from being reduced. Consider a case where the sheet supply unit that is not out of paper is also replaced. In this case, when the first sheet supply unit 121A runs out of paper 50 minutes after the start, not only the first sheet supply unit 121A but also the second sheet supply unit 121B and the third sheet supply unit 121C are replaced. However, the transfer sheet 11 still remains in the second sheet supply unit 121B and the third sheet supply unit 121C, and thus the remaining transfer sheet 11 is wasted.

  On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, as described above, the supply mechanism 20 that can supply the transfer target 12 is provided between the supply mechanism 20 and each of the transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C. There is provided a switching mechanism 40 that supplies 20 transferred bodies 12 to any one of the transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C. For this reason, each transfer mechanism 30 </ b> A, 30 </ b> B, 30 </ b> C can use the transfer target 12 supplied from the sheet supply unit 21 of the supply mechanism 20 in common. As a result, it is possible to improve the processing capability of the image printing system 10 without making the labor of the replacement operator of the sheet supply unit 21 excessive and without generating a useless transfer target sheet 11.

Modification In addition, in this Embodiment, the example in which the one outlet 15 was provided was shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of outlets 15 may be provided corresponding to the transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C and the storage means 51 as shown in FIG. In addition, each of the plurality of outlets 15 may be assigned for each user. This makes it possible to simultaneously process print instructions from a plurality of users.

Other Modifications In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the downstream cutting section 60 and the accommodating means 51 are individually provided corresponding to the transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C. That is, an example is shown in which the transfer target 12 onto which an image has been transferred by each of the transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C is cut and stored by the corresponding downstream-side cutting unit 60 and storage unit 51, respectively. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the transfer target 12 onto which the image has been transferred by each of the transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C may be cut and stored by the set of the downstream cutting unit 60 and the storing unit 51. . In order to make such a configuration possible, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, by providing guide rolls 61, 62, 63, etc., the transport paths on the exit side of each transfer mechanism 30A, 30B, 30C are combined into one. May be. At this time, the order of the transfer bodies 12 sent from the transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C is appropriately controlled by the control mechanism 70 so that the stacking order of the transfer bodies 13 stored in the storage means 51 becomes a desired order. The

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The second embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is different from the second embodiment only in that movable movable accommodating means for accommodating a transfer target onto which an image has been transferred by a plurality of transfer mechanisms is provided. This is substantially the same as the above-described first embodiment. In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

(Containment mechanism)
As shown in FIG. 7, the accommodation mechanism 50 is provided movably downstream of the plurality of transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C, and the transfer target 13 onto which the image is transferred by the plurality of transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C. It has one movable movable accommodating means 54 which accommodates. Thus, by making the accommodation means movable, the number of accommodation means installed can be reduced to one.

  A specific configuration for realizing such a movable housing means 54 is not particularly limited, and various configurations can be used. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the movable accommodating means 54 may be realized by attaching the movable accommodating means 54 to the movable portion 56 that is movable in the vertical direction along the support body 55.

  Alternatively, the transfer target 13 accommodated by the movable accommodating means 54 may be conveyed to the outlet 15 by the movable accommodating means 54. As a result, the transfer body 13 can be sent to the outlet 15 without providing the above-described shooter (not shown).

Other Modifications In the first and second embodiments described above, the transfer sheet 11 is cut by the upstream cutting unit 22 of the supply mechanism 20, whereby the transfer object 12 including a plurality of frames is obtained. An example of manufacturing is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an L-sized photograph that is finally provided to the user is the transferred object 12 obtained by cutting the transferred sheet 11 by the upstream cutting unit 22 of the supply mechanism 20. May have the same dimensions.

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The third embodiment shown in FIG. 8 is different only in that the supply mechanism has a single-wafer supply unit in which a plurality of transfer objects are accommodated, and other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment described above. It is almost the same as the form. In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

(Supply mechanism)
As shown in FIG. 8, the supply mechanism 20 includes a single-wafer supply unit 24 in which a large number of transfer target bodies 12 including a plurality of frames are accommodated, and the transfer target body 12 of the single-sheet supply unit 24 facing the switching mechanism 40. And a plurality of guide rolls 25 to be sent. As described above, in the present embodiment, the transfer target 12 that can be supplied as it is to the transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C without being cut is housed in the sheet supply section 24 of the supply mechanism 20 as a single sheet. . For this reason, the transfer target 12 can be supplied to the switching mechanism 40 and the transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C without providing the upstream cutting section 22 described above.

  Also in the present embodiment, as in the case of the above-described embodiment, the supply mechanism 20 having the sheet supply unit 24 transfers the transfer target 12 to each of the transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C via the switching mechanism 40. Can be supplied. Therefore, compared with the case where a plurality of sheet supply units are provided on the upstream side of the transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C corresponding to the transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C, replacement of the sheet supply unit is performed. The frequency can be reduced.

In the present embodiment, an example in which the transfer target 12 including a plurality of frames is accommodated in the sheet supply unit 24 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 9, the transfer target 13 having the same dimensions as the L-size photograph finally provided to the user is accommodated in the sheet supply unit 24. May be. As a result, it is possible to obtain the transfer target 13 to which the image has been transferred without providing the above-described downstream-side cutting portion 60.

Other Modifications In the above-described embodiments, the image printing system 10 is provided with three transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and two transfer mechanisms may be provided in the image print system 10, or four or more transfer mechanisms may be provided in the image print system 10.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, an example is obtained in which an image transferred image 13 having a size corresponding to the L size is obtained by a combination of each transfer mechanism 30A, 30B, 30C and the downstream cutting unit 60. showed that. However, the size of the transferred object to be obtained is not limited to the L size, and transferred objects with various dimensions may be manufactured. For example, in the line including the first transfer mechanism 30A, the first transfer mechanism 30A and the corresponding downstream cutting unit 60 may be controlled by the control mechanism 70 so that a 2L-sized transfer target is obtained. This makes it possible to quickly provide photographs of various sizes according to the user's request.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, an example in which an image is transferred to the transfer target 12 by the sublimation transfer method has been described. However, the transfer method used in each of the transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C is not limited to the sublimation transfer method, and other transfer methods may be used depending on the application. For example, each of the transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C may transfer an image to the transfer target 12 by a melt transfer method.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, each time the sheet supply unit 21 or the sheet supply unit 24 of the supply mechanism 20 that supplies the transfer target 12 to the transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C runs out of paper, the sheet supply unit 21 or An example in which the sheet supply unit 24 is replaced has been shown. In this case, the ink ribbons 33 of the transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C may be simultaneously replaced in accordance with the replacement timing of the sheet supply unit 21 or the sheet supply unit 24. Thereby, the labor of the replacement operator can be reduced as compared with the case where the ink ribbon 33 of each transfer mechanism 30A, 30B, 30C is replaced at a timing different from that of the sheet supply unit 21 or the sheet supply unit 24. . In this case, the length of the ink ribbon 33 is set so that the time required for the ink ribbon 33 to be consumed is longer than the time required for the transfer medium of the sheet supply unit 21 or the sheet supply unit 24 to be consumed. Is set.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, an example has been shown in which the transfer target 13 accommodated in the accommodating means 51 is sent to the outlet 15 via a shooter (not shown). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the arrangement of the accommodating means 51 may be set so that the user can obtain the transfer target 13 of the accommodating means 51 directly through the outlet 15. Thereby, installation of a shooter can be omitted.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, an example in which an image is transferred to one surface of the transfer target 12 by the transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the transfer mechanisms 30A, 30B, and 30C may be configured so that images are transferred to both surfaces of the transfer target 12. In this case, image receiving layers may be provided on both surfaces of the base material layer 17 of the transfer target 12.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the example in which the image print system 10 prints the image data brought in by the user as an L-size photo has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a printed material such as a photo book may be produced by the image printing system. In this case, a bookbinding mechanism for bookbinding the transfer target 13 onto which an image has been transferred may be provided as appropriate on the downstream side of the accommodation mechanism 50.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image printing system 11 Transfer sheet 12 Transfer object 13 L size transfer object 15 Taking out port 16 Image receiving layer 17 Base material layer 20 Supply mechanism 21 Sheet supply part 22 Upstream cutting part 23 Guide roll 24 Single wafer supply part 25 Guide rolls 30A, 30B, 30C Transfer mechanism 31 Unwinding section 32 Winding section 33 Ink ribbon 34 Thermal head 35 Platen roller 36, 37 Transport roll 38 Support layer 39 Transfer layer 40 Switching mechanism 41, 42, 43 Sending section 44 Incoming Unit 45 switching unit 46 guide unit 47 conveyance roll 48 guide plate 49 conveyance roll 50 accommodation mechanism 51 accommodation unit 54 movable accommodation unit 55 support 56 movable unit 60 downstream side cutting unit 61, 62, 63 guide roll

Claims (6)

A supply mechanism capable of supplying a transfer target;
A plurality of transfer mechanisms that are provided in parallel on the downstream side of the supply mechanism and transfer an image onto a transfer target;
An image printing system comprising: a switching mechanism that is provided between the supply mechanism and the plurality of transfer mechanisms and supplies a transfer target of the supply mechanism to any one of the transfer mechanisms.   The supply mechanism includes a sheet supply unit that supplies a sheet-like transfer sheet, and an upstream cut unit that is provided on the downstream side of the sheet supply unit and cuts the transfer sheet to produce a transfer object. The image printing system according to claim 1, further comprising:   The image printing system according to claim 1, wherein the supply mechanism includes a sheet supply unit in which a plurality of transfer objects are accommodated. The transfer object includes a plurality of frames,
The image printing system according to claim 1, further comprising a downstream cutting unit that cuts the transfer object for each frame on the downstream side of the transfer mechanism. A storage mechanism that is provided on the downstream side of the plurality of transfer mechanisms, and that stores a transfer object onto which an image has been transferred;
The storage mechanism includes a plurality of storage units that are provided on the downstream side of the transfer mechanisms corresponding to the transfer mechanisms, and respectively store the transfer target body onto which an image has been transferred by the transfer mechanisms. Item 5. The image print system according to any one of Items 1 to 4. A storage mechanism that is provided on the downstream side of the plurality of transfer mechanisms, and that stores a transfer object onto which an image has been transferred;
The accommodation mechanism is provided movably on the downstream side of the plurality of transfer mechanisms, and has movable movable accommodation means for accommodating a transfer object onto which an image has been transferred by the plurality of transfer mechanisms. The image print system according to claim 1.

Images