JP2024118974A - Printing device, conveying device, pinch roller, and printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

To achieve proper transfer printing.SOLUTION: A conveyance roller 61 rotates in contact with a film layer of a transfer sheet 500 comprising a receiving layer that receives an ink for transfer, a release layer that releasably bonds the receiving layer and the film layer, and the film layer that supports the receiving layer via the release layer. A pinch roller 62 pinches the transfer sheet 500 together with the conveyance roller 61 and rotates in contact with the receiving layer of the transfer sheet 500. The pinch roller 62 has a site that comes into contact with the receiving layer formed of a hard-to-adhere material that is less likely to adhere to the receiving layer than the release layer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

This disclosure relates to a printing device, a conveying device, a pinch roller, and a printing system.

Currently, a technique for printing on fabric using transfer printing is known. Transfer printing is a printing method in which an image is drawn on a transfer sheet with transfer ink, and the image on the transfer sheet is then transferred to the fabric.

For example, Patent Document 1 describes a printing device that prints a transfer image on a transfer film, which is a transfer sheet, and then affixes the transfer film to the object by overlapping the object and the transfer film on which the transfer image is printed. In such a printing device, for example, the transfer sheet is sandwiched between a transport roller and a pinch roller, and the transfer sheet is transported by rotating the transport roller.

JP 2022-130110 A

However, the surface of the transfer sheet used in transfer printing is provided with an adhesive receptive layer for receiving the transfer ink. For this reason, for example, when the transfer sheet is transported, the receptive layer of the transfer sheet may adhere to the surface of the pinch roller, causing unevenness on the surface of the transfer sheet, which may prevent proper transfer printing. Patent Document 1 does not disclose a method for solving such problems. For this reason, a technology that realizes proper transfer printing is desired.

This disclosure has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide a printing device, a conveying device, a pinch roller, and a printing system that achieve appropriate transfer printing.

In order to achieve the above object, a printing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present disclosure comprises:
A printing device for printing an image with transfer ink on a transfer sheet including a receiving layer for receiving transfer ink, a release layer for releasably joining the receiving layer and a film layer, and the film layer for supporting the receiving layer via the release layer, comprising:
A conveying roller that rotates in contact with the film layer of the transfer sheet;
a pinch roller that pinches the transfer sheet together with the conveying roller and rotates in contact with the receiving layer of the transfer sheet;
a printing unit that prints an image with the transfer ink on the transfer sheet transported by the transport roller and the pinch roller,
The pinch roller has a portion that comes into contact with the receiving layer and is made of a hard-to-adhere material that is less likely to adhere to the receiving layer than the release layer.

The hard-to-adhere substance may be at least one selected from a fluorine-containing compound, a silicon-containing compound, and an oil-containing POM.

The printing unit may include an inkjet head.

In order to achieve the above object, a conveying device according to a second aspect of the present disclosure includes:
A conveying device for conveying a transfer sheet including a receiving layer for receiving transfer ink, a release layer for releasably joining the receiving layer and a film layer, and the film layer for supporting the receiving layer via the release layer,
A conveying roller that rotates in contact with the film layer of the transfer sheet;
a pinch roller that pinches the transfer sheet together with the conveying roller and rotates in contact with the receiving layer of the transfer sheet,
The pinch roller has a portion that comes into contact with the receiving layer and is made of a hard-to-adhere material that is less likely to adhere to the receiving layer than the release layer.

In order to achieve the above object, a pinch roller according to a third aspect of the present disclosure comprises:
A pinch roller used in a conveying device for conveying a transfer sheet, the pinch roller comprising: a receiving layer for receiving transfer ink; a release layer for releasably joining the receiving layer and a film layer; and the film layer for supporting the receiving layer via the release layer,
The transfer sheet is sandwiched between the conveying roller and the conveying device, and rotated in contact with the receiving layer of the transfer sheet;
The portion in contact with the receiving layer is formed of a hard-to-adhere substance that adheres less to the receiving layer than the release layer.

In order to achieve the above object, a printing system according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure comprises:
A printing system for performing transfer printing using a transfer sheet including a receiving layer that receives transfer ink, a release layer that releasably bonds the receiving layer and a film layer, and the film layer that supports the receiving layer via the release layer,
a printing device that prints an image on the transfer sheet with the transfer ink;
a powder coating device that coats the transfer sheet on which the image has been printed by the printing device with adhesive powder;
a transfer device that transfers the image drawn on the transfer sheet to which the adhesive powder has been applied by the powder application device, onto a transfer medium;
The printing device includes:
A conveying roller that rotates in contact with the film layer of the transfer sheet;
a pinch roller that pinches the transfer sheet together with the conveying roller and rotates in contact with the receiving layer of the transfer sheet,
The pinch roller has a portion that comes into contact with the receiving layer and is made of a hard-to-adhere material that is less likely to adhere to the receiving layer than the release layer.

This disclosure makes it possible to achieve proper transfer printing.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Illustration of transfer printing FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a printing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is an external view of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a side view of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a side view of a sheet clamping unit of a printing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sheet clamping unit of a printing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A diagram showing how the receiving layer of the transfer sheet is peeled off.

(Embodiment)
First, a configuration of a printing system 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The printing system 1000 is a system that forms an image on a transfer medium by transfer printing using a transfer sheet. Transfer printing is a printing method in which an image is applied to a transfer medium by transfer using a transfer sheet, rather than directly printing an image on the transfer medium, which is the medium to be printed. In transfer printing, an image is printed in advance on a transfer sheet with transfer ink, and heat and pressure are applied to the transfer sheet that is overlaid on the transfer medium, so that the image is attached to the transfer medium.

The transfer sheet is a sheet-like medium on which an image to be affixed to a transfer medium is printed with transfer ink. In this embodiment, before printing the image, the transfer sheet is wound in a roll, and when printing the image, the image is printed on the stretched transfer sheet. The transfer medium is the medium to be printed, and is the medium on which the image is finally formed by transfer printing. The transfer medium is a medium on which it is difficult to print directly by normal printing. The transfer medium is, for example, clothing including nylon clothing, towels, enamel bags, umbrellas, etc. In this embodiment, the transfer medium is a T-shirt. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 1000 includes a printing device 100, a powder coating device 200, a transfer device 300, and a control device 400.

The printing device 100 prints an image on a transfer sheet with transfer ink according to the control of the control device 400. For example, the printing device 100 acquires image data from the control device 400, and identifies an image printing area on the transfer sheet where the image is to be printed based on the image data. The printing device 100 ejects transfer color ink corresponding to the image indicated by the image data onto the image printing area on the transfer sheet. The printing device 100 then ejects transfer white ink onto the image printing area on the transfer sheet.

The reason for overlaying the transfer white ink on the transfer color ink is to suppress the influence of the color of the substrate of the transfer medium. Hereinafter, the transfer color ink and the transfer white ink will be collectively referred to as the transfer ink. As the transfer ink, pigment ink, UV (Ultraviolet) ink, solvent ink, etc. can be used. In this embodiment, the transfer ink is pigment ink. The printing device 100 has a function of transporting the transfer sheet. Therefore, the printing device 100 is an example of a transport device.

The powder application device 200 applies powder to a transfer sheet on which an image has been printed by the printing device 100. Specifically, the powder application device 200 applies powder to the areas on the transfer sheet where the white ink has been applied before the white ink applied to the transfer sheet dries. This powder is an adhesive powder that exhibits adhesive properties when melted. For example, the powder application device 200 may sprinkle powder over the entire surface of the transfer sheet and allow the powder to be adsorbed only to the areas on the transfer sheet where the white ink has been applied.

The transfer device 300 transfers the image drawn on the transfer sheet, which has been coated with powder by the powder coating device 200, to the transfer medium. The transfer device 300 transfers the image drawn on the transfer sheet to the transfer medium by thermal transfer. In other words, the transfer device 300 applies heat and pressure to the transfer sheet, which is placed on the transfer medium so that the powder-coated surface overlaps the transfer medium. This melts the powder, bonding the transfer sheet and the transfer medium together. After the transfer sheet and the transfer medium have cooled, the transfer sheet is peeled off from the transfer medium, leaving the image drawn in transfer ink on the transfer medium.

The control device 400 is a device that controls the printing device 100. For example, the control device 400 transmits image data indicating an image to be drawn on a transfer sheet to the printing device 100, and instructs the printing device 100 to print the image. The control device 400 may also transmit information to the printing device 100 that specifies the number of images to be printed, the size of the images to be printed, etc. The control device 400 is equipped with a communication interface (not shown) for communicating with the printing device 100. The control device 400 is a personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, etc.

In the printing system 1000, while the rolled transfer sheet is being stretched and then wound up into a roll again, the printing device 100 applies transfer ink and the powder application device 200 applies powder in sequence. In the printing system 1000, the transfer sheet to which the powder has been applied by the powder application device 200 is cut to a desired size, and the transfer device 300 performs thermal transfer onto the cut transfer sheet and the transfer medium.

The printing device 100 and the powder coating device 200 may be installed in the same facility, and the printing device 100 and the transfer device 300 may be installed in a different facility. For example, the printing device 100 and the powder coating device 200 may be installed in a factory that manufactures transfer sheets coated with powder, and the transfer device 300 may be installed in a factory that manufactures transfer media to which an image is applied by transfer printing. Note that the printing device 100 and the powder coating device 200 do not need to be synchronized, and do not need to communicate with each other.

Next, we will explain the transfer printing performed by the printing system 1000 with reference to Figure 2.

First, the printing device 100 prints an image on the transfer sheet 500 with transfer ink. The transfer sheet 500 is the transfer sheet before processing by the printing device 100. The transfer sheet 500 includes a film layer 501, a release layer 502, and a receiving layer 503.

The film layer 501 is a layer that supports the receiving layer 503 via the release layer 502. The film layer 501 is a layer that serves as the base for the receiving layer 503. The film layer 501 is a layer that is made of, for example, various types of resin.

The peeling layer 502 is a layer that peelably bonds the film layer 501 and the receiving layer 503. The peeling layer 502 is a layer that separates the film layer 501 and the receiving layer 503 when the transfer sheet 500 adhered to the transfer medium is peeled off from the transfer medium. The peeling layer 502 is a layer that is composed of, for example, a fluorine-based release agent or a silicone-based release agent.

The receiving layer 503 is a layer that receives the transfer ink. It is preferable that the receiving layer 503 is made of a material and structure that easily absorbs the transfer ink. For example, it is preferable that the receiving layer 503 is made of a porous material. It is also preferable that the receiving layer 503 is made of at least one of PVA (Poly Vinyl Alcohol) and PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride).

The printing device 100 prints an image on the receiving layer 503 of the transfer sheet 500 with color inks for transfer. The printing device 100 then applies white ink for transfer to the area of the transfer sheet 500 where the image has been printed with the color inks for transfer. The printing device 100 generates the transfer sheet 510 by printing the image on the transfer sheet 500 with the transfer inks.

The transfer sheet 510 includes a film layer 501, a peeling layer 502, a receiving layer 503, and an ink layer 504. The ink layer 504 is a layer that contains an ink for transfer. The ink layer 504 is a layer that is formed on the surface or inside of the receiving layer 503 by sequentially layering a color ink for transfer and a white ink for transfer on the receiving layer 503.

In FIG. 2, the layer of color ink for transfer and the layer of white ink for transfer are not distinguished from each other, and the layer of color ink for transfer and the layer of white ink for transfer are shown collectively as one layer of ink for transfer. Also, in FIG. 2, the receiving layer 503 and the ink layer 504 are shown stacked, but the receiving layer 503 and the ink layer 504 may be integrated.

The powder coating device 200 applies adhesive powder to the ink layer 504 of the transfer sheet 510. The powder coating device 200 applies adhesive powder to the transfer sheet 510 to produce the transfer sheet 520. The transfer sheet 520 includes a film layer 501, a peeling layer 502, a receiving layer 503, an ink layer 504, and a powder layer 505. The powder layer 505 is a layer formed from adhesive powder.

The transfer device 300 thermally transfers an image drawn on the transfer sheet 520 to the fabric 600. Specifically, the transfer device 300 applies heat and pressure to the transfer sheet 520, which is placed on the fabric 600 so that the powder layer 505 is in contact with the fabric 600. This melts the adhesive powder in the powder layer 505. When the melted adhesive powder cools and hardens, the transfer sheet 520 and the fabric 600 are adhered to each other. The fabric 600 is, for example, a T-shirt fabric.

Here, when the transfer sheet 520 adhered to the fabric 600 is peeled off from the fabric 600, the film layer 501, which is the layer on the outer side of the release layer 502 in the transfer sheet 520, peels off from the fabric 600. Meanwhile, the receiving layer 503, the ink layer 504, and the powder layer 505, which are the layers on the inner side of the release layer 502 in the transfer sheet 520, remain on the surface of the fabric 600. The printed fabric 610 in FIG. 2 is a fabric on which an image has been applied by stacking these layers on the surface of the fabric 600.

Next, the configuration of the printing device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the printing device 100 includes a control unit 10, a memory unit 21, a display unit 22, an operation reception unit 23, a communication unit 24, a viscosity adjustment mechanism 30, an ejection head 40, a head movement mechanism 50, a sheet transport mechanism 60, and a heating mechanism 70.

The control unit 10 controls the operation of the entire printing device 100. The control unit 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an RTC (Real Time Clock). The CPU is also called a central processing unit, a processor, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and functions as a central processing unit that executes processing and calculations related to the control of the printing device 100. In the control unit 10, the CPU reads out programs and data stored in the ROM and uses the RAM as a work area to control the printing device 100. The RTC is, for example, an integrated circuit with a clock function. The CPU can identify the current date and time from the time information read from the RTC. The control unit 10 is an example of a printing unit that prints an image on the transfer sheet 500 with transfer ink.

The storage unit 21 is equipped with non-volatile semiconductor memory such as flash memory, EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), or EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), and serves as a so-called secondary storage device or auxiliary storage device. The storage unit 21 stores programs and data used by the control unit 10 to execute various processes. The storage unit 21 also stores data generated or acquired by the control unit 10 executing various processes. For example, the storage unit 21 stores image data received by the printing device 100 from the control device 400.

The display unit 22 displays various images according to the control of the control unit 10. The display unit 22 includes a touch screen, a liquid crystal display, etc. The operation reception unit 23 receives various operations from the user and supplies information indicating the contents of the received operations to the control unit 10. The operation reception unit 23 includes a touch screen, a button, a lever, etc.

The communication unit 24 communicates with various devices according to the control of the control unit 10. The communication unit 24 communicates with various devices in accordance with various wireless communication standards or various wired communication standards. Examples of various wireless communication standards include Wi-Fi (registered trademark), LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), 5G (5th Generation), Bluetooth (registered trademark), Zigbee (registered trademark), etc. Examples of various wired communication standards include USB (Universal Serial Bus, registered trademark), Thunderbolt (registered trademark), etc. The communication unit 24 has a communication interface that complies with various communication standards.

The viscosity adjustment mechanism 30 is a mechanism for adjusting the viscosity of the ink to be ejected according to the control by the control unit 10. The ink to be ejected includes color ink for transfer and white ink for transfer. The viscosity of the ink changes according to the temperature of the ink. Specifically, the higher the temperature of the ink, the lower the viscosity of the ink, and the lower the temperature of the ink, the higher the viscosity of the ink. The viscosity adjustment mechanism 30 adjusts the temperature of the ink to be ejected, thereby adjusting the viscosity of the ink to be ejected. The viscosity adjustment mechanism 30 includes an ink flow path (not shown) through which the ink flows, a heater (not shown) that heats the ink flow path according to the control by the control unit 10, a cooler (not shown) that cools the ink flow path according to the control by the control unit 10, and a temperature sensor (not shown) that measures the temperature of the ink or the ink flow path.

The ejection head 40 ejects ink according to the control by the control unit 10. The printing device 100 is provided with an ejection head 40 for each type of ink. That is, the printing device 100 is provided with an ejection head 40 that ejects color ink for transfer, and an ejection head 40 that ejects white ink for transfer. The ejection head 40 ejects ink by an inkjet method such as a piezoelectric method or a thermal head method. The ejection head 40 is an example of an inkjet head.

The head moving mechanism 50 is a mechanism that moves the ejection head 40 according to the control by the control unit 10. The head moving mechanism 50 moves the ejection head 40 in the main scanning direction. The main scanning direction is the X-axis direction in Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7. Note that Figure 4 is an external view of the printing device 100, and is a perspective view of the printing device 100. Also, Figure 5 is a side view of the printing device 100, and is a view of the printing device 100 as viewed from the positive direction of the X-axis. Figure 6 is a side view of the sheet clamping unit 65 of the printing device 100. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the sheet clamping unit 65 of the printing device 100.

In Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7, the Z axis extends vertically, the X axis is perpendicular to the Z axis, and the Y axis is perpendicular to the X and Z axes. The direction in which the X axis arrow extends is the positive direction of the X axis, and the opposite direction to the direction in which the X axis arrow extends is the negative direction of the X axis. The direction in which the Y axis arrow extends is the positive direction of the Y axis, and the opposite direction to the direction in which the Y axis arrow extends is the negative direction of the Y axis. The direction in which the Z axis arrow extends is the positive direction of the Z axis, and the opposite direction to the direction in which the Z axis arrow extends is the negative direction of the Z axis.

The head movement mechanism 50 includes, for example, a carriage (not shown), a guide rail (not shown), a drive belt (not shown), a drive pulley (not shown), a driven pulley (not shown), and a drive motor (not shown). The ejection head 40, which is the object to be moved, is mounted on the carriage. The guide rail guides the movement of the carriage in a specified direction. The drive belt is fixed to the carriage. The drive belt is wound around the drive pulley and the driven pulley. The drive motor rotates the drive belt via the drive pulley to move the carriage in the X-axis direction.

The sheet transport mechanism 60 is a mechanism that transports the transfer sheet 500 according to the control of the control unit 10. The sheet transport mechanism 60 stretches the transfer sheet 500 wound in a roll shape and transports the transfer sheet 500 in the transport direction. The transport direction is basically the positive direction of the Y axis. The sheet transport mechanism 60 includes a transport roller 61, a pinch roller 62, a roller support unit 63, and a motor 64. The sheet clamping unit 65 in Figures 6 and 7 is the part of the sheet transport mechanism 60 that clamps the transfer sheet 500, and includes the transport roller 61 and the pinch roller 62.

The transport roller 61 is a roller that rotates in contact with the film layer 501 of the transfer sheet 500. The transport roller 61 has a rotation axis extending in the X-axis direction. The transport roller 61 rotates around the rotation axis according to the driving force of the motor 64. The transport roller 61 rotates so that the transfer sheet 500 placed on the transport roller 61 is transported in the positive direction of the X-axis. The surface of the transport roller 61 is provided with lattice-shaped protrusions. The transport roller 61 is made of various resins, rubbers, etc.

The pinch roller 62 is a roller that rotates in contact with the receiving layer 503 of the transfer sheet 500. The pinch roller 62 has a rotation axis that extends in the X-axis direction. The pinch roller 62 pinches the transfer sheet 500 together with the transport roller 61. In other words, the transport roller 61 and the pinch roller 62 pinch the transfer sheet 500, which is the medium, from both sides with great force, and the transfer sheet 500 is transported in the transport direction as the transport roller 61 rotates.

In this embodiment, the portion of the pinch roller 62 that comes into contact with the receiving layer 503 is less likely to adhere to the receiving layer 503 than the peeling layer 502. Therefore, when the transfer sheet 500 is sandwiched between the transport roller 61 and the pinch roller 62, the bonding force between the receiving layer 503 and the surface of the pinch roller 62 is weaker than the bonding force between the receiving layer 503 and the peeling layer 502. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the transfer sheet 500 is transported, the receiving layer 503 is prevented from peeling off from the peeling layer 502 and adhering to the surface of the pinch roller 62. The pinch roller 62 is formed of a hard-to-adhere material that makes the portion of the pinch roller 62 that comes into contact with the receiving layer 503 less likely to adhere to the receiving layer 503 than the peeling layer 502.

The roller support portion 63 is a member that rotatably supports the pinch roller 62. The motor 64 rotates the conveying roller 61 according to the control of the control portion 10. The motor 64 converts, for example, electrical energy supplied from a power source (not shown) into mechanical energy that rotates the conveying roller 61.

The heating mechanism 70 is a mechanism that heats the transfer sheet 500 according to the control of the control unit 10. The heating mechanism 70 includes a rear heater 71 and an after-heater 72. The rear heater 71 is a heater that heats the transfer sheet 500, which is the transfer sheet before an image is printed. The after-heater 72 is a heater that heats the transfer sheet 510, which is the transfer sheet after an image is printed. The rear heater 71 is disposed upstream of the after-heater 72 on the transport path of the transfer sheet 500.

The rear heater 71 includes, for example, a heater 711, a heated member 712, and a temperature sensor (not shown). The heater 711 is a heater that heats the heated member 712 according to the control of the control unit 10. The heated member 712 is a member that is heated by the heater 711. The transfer sheet 500 is transported on the heated member 712, and the transfer sheet 500 is heated by the heat of the heated member 712. The temperature sensor is a sensor that measures the temperature of the heated member 712.

The afterheater 72 includes, for example, a heater 721, a heated member 722, and a temperature sensor (not shown). The heater 721 is a heater that heats the heated member 722 according to the control of the control unit 10. The heated member 722 is a member that is heated by the heater 721. The transfer sheet 510 is transported on the heated member 722, and the transfer sheet 510 is heated by the heat of the heated member 722. The temperature sensor is a sensor that measures the temperature of the heated member 722.

Next, the main functions of the control unit 10 will be described in detail. Functionally, the control unit 10 includes a data generation unit 11, a viscosity control unit 12, a discharge control unit 13, a movement control unit 14, a transport control unit 15, and a heating control unit 16. Each of these functions is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software and firmware are written as programs and stored in the ROM or memory unit 21. The CPU then executes the programs stored in the ROM or memory unit 21 to realize each of these functions.

The data generation unit 11 generates print control data necessary for printing an image. For example, the data generation unit 11 generates print control data indicating the type of ink to be ejected, the amount of ink ejected, the amount of movement of the ejection head 40, etc., based on image data stored in the storage unit 21. The data generation unit 11 stores the generated print control data in the storage unit 21.

The ejection control unit 13 controls the ejection of ink by the ejection head 40. The ejection control unit 13 controls the ejection head 40 to cause the ejection head 40 to eject ink. The ejection control unit 13 causes the ejection head 40 to eject ink based on the print control data generated by the data generation unit 11.

The movement control unit 14 controls the movement of the ejection head 40. Specifically, the movement control unit 14 controls the head movement mechanism 50 to move the ejection head 40 in the main scanning direction. For example, the movement control unit 14 changes the position of the ejection head 40 in the main scanning direction each time the ejection head 40 completes ejecting ink.

The transport control unit 15 controls the transport of the transfer sheet 500. Specifically, the transport control unit 15 controls the sheet transport mechanism 60 to transport the transfer sheet 500 in the transport direction. For example, each time printing of an image at a specific position in the transport direction of the transfer sheet 500 is completed, the transport control unit 15 rotates the motor 64 by a specified angle to transport the transfer sheet 500 in the transport direction a specified distance.

The heating control unit 16 controls the heating of the transfer sheet 500 and the transfer sheet 510. Specifically, the heating control unit 16 controls the heating mechanism 70 to heat the transfer sheet 500 and the transfer sheet 510. For example, the heating control unit 16 controls the rear heater 71 to heat the transfer sheet 500. The heating control unit 16 also controls the after heater 72 to heat the transfer sheet 510.

Next, with reference to Figures 4 and 5, we will explain how the printing device 100 prints an image on the transfer sheet 500 while transporting the transfer sheet 500.

First, before printing, the operator sets the transfer sheet 500 wound in a roll on a paper tube 550 in the roll holder 80 provided in the printing device 100, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. The roll holder 80 has a protrusion 81 into which one end of the paper tube 550 is fitted, a support part 82 that supports the protrusion 81, a protrusion 83 into which the other end of the paper tube 550 is fitted, and a support part 84 that supports the protrusion 83. The operator fits one end of the paper tube 550 into the protrusion 81 and the other end of the paper tube 550 into the protrusion 83. As a result, the roll holder 80 clamps the paper tube 550 from both ends of the paper tube 550 and holds the transfer sheet 500.

Next, the worker stretches the rolled transfer sheet 500 held by the roll holder 80 along the transport path. Specifically, the worker stretches the transfer sheet 500 over the heated member 712 of the rear heater 71, over the platen 90, and over the heated member 722 of the after heater 72. The worker then operates the control device 400 to start printing by the printing device 100. The printing device 100 prints an image on the area of the transfer sheet 500 above the platen 90.

Prior to printing, the printing device 100 starts heating using the rear heater 71 and the after heater 72. The printing device 100 rotates the transport roller 61 to transport the transfer sheet 500 heated by the rear heater 71 in the transport direction. The printing device 100 prints an image with transfer color inks in the area of the heated transfer sheet 500 placed on the platen 90.

The printing device 100 also applies white ink to the areas of the transfer sheet 500 where an image has been printed with color ink. The printing device 100 rotates the transport roller 61 to transport the transfer sheet 510, on which the white ink has been applied, onto the heated member 722 provided in the after-heater 72. The printing device 100 supplies the transfer sheet 510 heated by the after-heater 72 to the powder coating device 200.

Next, with reference to Figures 6 and 7, the method by which the printing device 100 transports the transfer sheet 500 will be described in detail.

As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the printing device 100 conveys the transfer sheet 500 in the conveying direction by rotating the conveying roller 61 while sandwiching the transfer sheet 500 between the conveying roller 61 and the pinch roller 62. At this time, the surface of the conveying roller 61 is pressed against the surface of the film layer 501 of the transfer sheet 500, and the surface of the pinch roller 62 is pressed against the surface of the receiving layer 503 of the transfer sheet 500.

Here, in order to stretch and transport the roll-shaped transfer sheet 500 attached to the roll holder 80, it is necessary to pinch the transfer sheet 500 with strong force. In other words, if the force with which the transfer sheet 500 is pinched is weak, slippage occurs between the surface of the transport roller 61 and the surface of the film layer 501 of the transfer sheet 500. In this case, the transport roller 61 spins freely and the transfer sheet 500 cannot be transported properly. For this reason, when transporting the transfer sheet 500, the printing device 100 pinches the transfer sheet 500 with strong force between the transport roller 61 and the pinch roller 62.

The receiving layer 503 of the transfer sheet 500 is designed to have strong adhesive power because it needs to receive the transfer ink. For example, a material with strong adhesive power is used as the material for the receiving layer 503, and a porous structure with strong adhesive power is used as the structure for the receiving layer 503. For this reason, if the transfer sheet 500 is pinched between the transport roller 61 and the pinch roller 62 with a strong force, the receiving layer 503 may peel off from the transfer sheet 500 and adhere to the surface of the pinch roller 62.

Below, referring to FIG. 8, we will explain how the receiving layer 503 peels off from the transfer sheet 500 when the pinch roller 62A according to the comparative example is used. The surface of the pinch roller 62A is made of ordinary rubber, and the adhesive strength of the surface of the pinch roller 62A is high. In this case, the part of the pinch roller 62A that comes into contact with the receiving layer 503 may be more likely to adhere to the receiving layer than the peeling layer 502.

The top part of Figure 8 shows how the transfer sheet 500, which is a medium, is pinched by the transport roller 61 and the pinch roller 62 with strong force on both sides, and how the transfer sheet 500 is transported in the transport direction by rotating the transport roller 61. The middle part of Figure 8 shows how a part of the receiving layer 503 has peeled off from the peeling layer 502 and adhered to the surface of the pinch roller 62A. Note that region 503A is a region where the receiving layer 503 has not peeled off from the peeling layer 502, and region 503B is a region where the receiving layer 503 has peeled off from the peeling layer 502.

The lower part of Figure 8 shows how a portion of the receiving layer 503 adhering to the surface of the pinch roller 62A peels off from the surface of the pinch roller 62A and adheres to the surface of the receiving layer 503. Note that area 503C is an area where a portion of the receiving layer 503 adhering to the surface of the pinch roller 62A has adhered to the surface of the receiving layer 503.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the pinch roller 62A according to the comparative example is used, unevenness may occur on the surface of the transfer sheet 500 due to differences in the thickness of the receiving layer 503. For example, the area 503B where the receiving layer 503 has peeled off is recessed from the surrounding areas, and the area 503C where the receiving layer 503 is attached is protruding from the surrounding areas.

Note that while FIG. 8 shows an example in which the entire receiving layer 503 has peeled off from the transfer sheet 500, it is also possible that a portion of the receiving layer 503 may peel off from the transfer sheet 500. For example, it is also possible that only the upper layer of the receiving layer 503 may peel off from the transfer sheet 500, and the lower layer of the receiving layer 503 may remain on the transfer sheet 500.

If unevenness occurs on the surface of the transfer sheet 500, there is a high possibility that proper printing, proper powder application, proper thermal transfer, etc. cannot be achieved. In other words, if unevenness occurs on the surface of the transfer sheet 500, there is a high possibility that proper transfer printing cannot be achieved. Therefore, in this embodiment, a pinch roller 62 that is less likely to adhere to the receiving layer 503 than the pinch roller 62A in the comparative example is used.

The pinch roller 62 is configured to be less likely to adhere to the receiving layer 503. Typically, the pinch roller 62 is formed of a poorly adhesive material that is less likely to adhere to the receiving layer 503 than the peeling layer 502 at the portion that contacts the receiving layer 503. Possible poorly adhesive materials include fluorine-containing compounds, silicon-containing compounds, and oil-containing POM (Polyoxymethylene). In other words, the portion of the pinch roller 62 that contacts the receiving layer 503 is formed of at least one poorly adhesive material selected from fluorine-containing compounds, silicon-containing compounds, and oil-containing POM. The portion of the pinch roller 62 that does not contact the receiving layer 503 may be formed of a poorly adhesive material or a material that is not poorly adhesive. Possible poorly adhesive materials include rubber, sponge, and the like.

In this way, by making the surface of the pinch roller 62 less likely to adhere to the receiving layer 503 than to the peeling layer 502, the receiving layer 503 is prevented from peeling off from the peeling layer 502. If the adhesive strength between the surface of the pinch roller 62 and the receiving layer 503 is weaker than the adhesive strength between the peeling layer 502 and the receiving layer 503, it is considered unlikely that only the upper layer of the receiving layer 503 will peel off from the transfer sheet 500 and adhere to the surface of the pinch roller 62.

In this embodiment, the portion of the pinch roller 62 that comes into contact with the receiving layer 503 is less likely to adhere to the receiving layer 503 than the peeling layer 502. Therefore, in this embodiment, peeling of the receiving layer 503 from the peeling layer 502 is suppressed when the transfer sheet 500 is transported. Therefore, according to this embodiment, appropriate transfer printing can be expected.

In addition, in this embodiment, the pinch roller 62 is formed of a low-adhesion material in the area that comes into contact with the receiving layer 503, which is less likely to adhere to the receiving layer than the peeling layer 502. Therefore, in this embodiment, the receiving layer 503 is appropriately prevented from peeling off from the peeling layer 502 when the transfer sheet 500 is transported.

(Modification)
Although the embodiments have been described above, various modifications and applications are possible. It is up to the discretion of which parts of the configurations, functions, and operations described in the above embodiments are adopted. In addition to the above-mentioned configurations, functions, and operations, further configurations, functions, and operations may be adopted. The configurations, functions, and operations described in the above embodiments can be freely combined.

In the embodiment, an example has been described in which the transfer sheet 500 wound in a roll is stretched and transported during printing. The transfer sheet 500 does not have to be wound in a roll. Even in this case, the effect of preventing the receiving layer 503 from peeling off the peeling layer 502 can be expected.

In the embodiment, an example has been described in which the transfer color ink is overlaid with the transfer white ink in order to suppress the influence of the color of the substrate on which the transfer is made. It is not necessary to overlay the transfer color ink with the transfer white ink.

In the embodiment, the control unit 10 functions as each unit shown in FIG. 3 by the CPU executing a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 21. However, in the present disclosure, the control unit 10 may be dedicated hardware. Dedicated hardware is, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination of these. When the control unit 10 is dedicated hardware, the functions of each unit may be realized by individual hardware, or the functions of each unit may be realized together by a single piece of hardware. In addition, some of the functions of each unit may be realized by dedicated hardware, and the other parts may be realized by software or firmware. In this way, the control unit 10 can realize each of the above-mentioned functions by hardware, software, firmware, or a combination of these.

By applying an operating program that specifies the operation of the printing device 100 according to the present disclosure to a computer such as an existing personal computer or information terminal device, it is possible to cause the computer to function as the printing device 100 according to the present disclosure. In addition, the method of distribution of such a program is arbitrary, and for example, the program may be stored on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk ROM), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), an MO (Magneto Optical Disk), or a memory card and distributed, or may be distributed via a communication network such as the Internet.

Various embodiments and modifications of the present disclosure are possible without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are intended to explain the present disclosure and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, the scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the claims, not the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the scope of the disclosure equivalent thereto are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

10 Control unit 11 Data generation unit 12 Viscosity control unit 13 Discharge control unit 14 Movement control unit 15 Transport control unit 16 Heating control unit 21 Memory unit 22 Display unit 23 Operation reception unit 24 Communication unit 30 Viscosity adjustment mechanism 40 Discharge head 50 Head movement mechanism 60 Sheet transport mechanism 61 Transport roller 62, 62A Pinch roller 63 Roller support unit 64 Motor 65 Sheet clamping unit 70 Heating mechanism 71 Rear heater 72 After heater 80 Roll holder 81, 83 Protrusions 82, 84 Support unit 90 Platen 100 Printing device 200 Powder coating device 300 Transfer device 400 Control device 500, 510, 520 Transfer sheet 501 Film layer 502 Peeling layer 503 Receiving layer 503A, 503B, 503C Region 504 Ink layer 505 Powder layer 600 Fabric 610 Printed fabric 711, 721 Heater 712, 722 Heated member 1000 Printing system

Claims (6)

A printing device for printing an image with transfer ink on a transfer sheet including a receiving layer for receiving transfer ink, a release layer for releasably joining the receiving layer and a film layer, and the film layer for supporting the receiving layer via the release layer, comprising:
A conveying roller that rotates in contact with the film layer of the transfer sheet;
a pinch roller that pinches the transfer sheet together with the conveying roller and rotates in contact with the receiving layer of the transfer sheet;
a printing unit that prints an image with the transfer ink on the transfer sheet transported by the transport roller and the pinch roller,
a portion of the pinch roller that comes into contact with the receiving layer is made of a hard-to-adhere material that is less likely to adhere to the receiving layer than the release layer;
Printing device. The hard-to-adhere substance is at least one selected from a fluorine-containing compound, a silicon-containing compound, and an oil-containing POM.
The printing device of claim 1 . The printing unit includes an inkjet head.
3. The printing device according to claim 1 or 2. A conveying device for conveying a transfer sheet including a receiving layer for receiving transfer ink, a release layer for releasably joining the receiving layer and a film layer, and the film layer for supporting the receiving layer via the release layer,
A conveying roller that rotates in contact with the film layer of the transfer sheet;
a pinch roller that pinches the transfer sheet together with the conveying roller and rotates in contact with the receiving layer of the transfer sheet,
a portion of the pinch roller that comes into contact with the receiving layer is made of a hard-to-adhere material that is less likely to adhere to the receiving layer than the release layer;
Conveying device. A pinch roller used in a conveying device for conveying a transfer sheet, the pinch roller comprising: a receiving layer for receiving transfer ink; a release layer for releasably joining the receiving layer and a film layer; and the film layer for supporting the receiving layer via the release layer,
The transfer sheet is sandwiched between the conveying roller and the conveying device, and rotated in contact with the receiving layer of the transfer sheet;
a portion in contact with the receiving layer is formed of a hard-to-adhere substance that is less likely to adhere to the receiving layer than the release layer;
Pinch roller. A printing system for performing transfer printing using a transfer sheet including a receiving layer that receives transfer ink, a release layer that releasably bonds the receiving layer and a film layer, and the film layer that supports the receiving layer via the release layer,
a printing device that prints an image on the transfer sheet with the transfer ink;
a powder coating device that coats the transfer sheet on which the image has been printed by the printing device with adhesive powder;
a transfer device that transfers the image drawn on the transfer sheet to which the adhesive powder has been applied by the powder application device, onto a transfer medium;
The printing device includes:
A conveying roller that rotates in contact with the film layer of the transfer sheet;
a pinch roller that pinches the transfer sheet together with the conveying roller and rotates in contact with the receiving layer of the transfer sheet,
a portion of the pinch roller that comes into contact with the receiving layer is made of a hard-to-adhere material that is less likely to adhere to the receiving layer than the release layer;
Printing system.

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