JPS62144982A - Thermal printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make the titled device simple and inexpensive, by providing an ink sheet in a loop form an coating the outer side of the sheet with a plurality of different color inks at a fixed pitch. CONSTITUTION:An ink sheet 30 is disposed in a loop form, and is coated with different color inks at such a pitch as to equally divide the ink sheet in the circumferential direction. The ink sheet 30 can be repeatedly used by simply moving the ink sheet 30 in a circulating manner by a take-up side reel 7 without need to rewind it by driving a payout-side reel 8. It is unnecessary to provide the ink sheet 30 with marks for detecting the position of each color and controlling the position of the ink sheet 30 upon recording in each color ink, and it is unnecessary to provide the device with a means for detecting such marks. It is necessary only to provide the ink sheet 30 with a mark for setting an initial position and to provide the device with a means for detecting the mark.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention involves repeatedly transferring heat-sublimable or heat-melting ink onto recording paper using a thermal head to obtain a multicolor image.
Related to a thermal printer using ink that can be used multiple times and which is repeatedly transferred to recording paper in the same manner using the same ink again to obtain a multicolor image. An outline of the main parts of a thermal printer using an ink sheet is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In FIG. 4, 1 is a platen, 2 is a thermal feeder, 3 is an ink sheet, and 4 is a recording paper. The platen 1 is in pressure contact with the printing part of the thermal head 2, and the thermal head 2
In the printing section of , a large number of heating elements are provided in a straight line in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface. When printing, the platen 1 is rotated in the clockwise direction indicated by the arrow (the drive system is not shown), the recording paper 4 is transported in the direction of the arrow, and a predetermined heating element is energized at a predetermined time to heat the opposite ink sheet 3. Printing is performed by sublimating or melting ink. At this time, the ink sheet 3 is also transported in the direction of the arrow at the same speed as the recording paper 4. The ink sheet 3 is coated with a plurality of sets of inks of different colors (for example, yellow, magenta, cyan) (sixth set).
), when the first color (for example, yellow 31) is recorded on the recording paper 4, the thermal head 2 is separated from the platen 1, the platen 1 rotates counterclockwise (in the direction opposite to the arrow), and the recording is performed. The paper 4 is transported in the direction opposite to the arrow and returned to the initial position. At the same time, the ink sheet 3 is wound up in the direction of the arrow by the take-up reel 5 (the drive system is not shown) and the second color (magenta 32) is transported to the recording position. Then, the thermal head 2 is again brought into pressure contact with the platen 1 via the ink sheet 3 and the recording paper 4 to perform recording and transfer. In this way, yellow 31 degrees magenta 32 degrees. Cyan 33 ink is sequentially recorded to record a multicolor image. In this way, the ink of group I on ink sheet 3 is used, and the ink of group ■ (yellow 34, magenta 36) is used.
．． After cyan 36) and group 3 are used to the end, they are rewound to the initial position by the supply reel 6 (the drive system is not shown) and are transferred and recorded again as group I, group 2, and group 3. or 1
When the ink of the group 2 is finished being recorded, the supply reel is rewound to the yellow 31 of the group 1, and the ink of the group l is recorded again, and the ink of the group 2 is recorded after repeating the transfer recording a predetermined number of times. (For example, JP-A-60-132796).

Problems to be Solved by the Invention In such a conventional thermal printer, it is necessary to rewind the ink sheet 3 with a supply reel, and therefore a drive mechanism for the supply reel must be provided, making the device complicated and expensive. He lived a long life. Another problem is that it takes time to rewind the ink sheet 3. Furthermore, as a means of stopping the ink sheet 3 at a predetermined position when rewinding the ink sheet 3, marks corresponding to each color ink are provided on the ink sheet 3, and mark detection means is provided in the device (marks, detection means). (Means are not shown), and similar means are required for recording, making the device complex and expensive.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the present invention forms an ink sheet in an annular shape, and rotates and transfers it in the circumferential direction, thereby repeating the same ink on the ink sheet a predetermined number of times on the recording paper. It is designed so that it can be transcribed and recorded. Furthermore, by setting the pitch of the applied ink to a pitch that equally divides the ink sheet in the circumferential direction, the positioning of the ink sheet during recording can be performed only by initial positioning.

Function: Since the ink sheet of the present invention is configured in an annular shape as described above, the ink sheet can be repeatedly transferred and recorded on the recording paper a predetermined number of times by simply rotating and transporting the ink sheet in the circumferential direction.
Therefore, there is no need to rewind the ink sheet, there is no need for a mechanism for rewinding the ink sheet, and there is no need for time for rewinding the ink sheet. In addition, since the ink sheets of different colors are applied at equal pitches in the circumferential direction, the ink sheets can be positioned simply by setting the ink sheets at predetermined positions and transporting a certain amount. Furthermore, a detection means for detecting the position of the ink sheet is not required, and therefore the apparatus becomes simple and inexpensive.

Example FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the main part of the present invention and shows the recording state.

In Figure 1, 1 is the platen, 2 is the thermal 9 door,
3o is an ink sheet, 4 is a recording paper, 7 and 8 are a take-up reel on which the ink sheet 3o is stretched, a supply reel, 9
．． 10 is a guide roller rotatably pressed against the platen 1 via the recording paper 4 (the suppression mechanism is not shown), 11 is always in pressure contact with the ink sheet 30 (the pressure contact mechanism is not shown),
The 0 platen 1, which is a tension roller rotatably provided to keep the ink sheet 30 stretched, is attached to the recording paper 4.
The ink sheet 30 is in pressure contact with the printing section of the thermal head 2, and the printing section of the thermal lid 2 has a large number of heating elements arranged in a straight line in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface. At the time, the platen 1 is rotated in the clockwise direction indicated by the arrow (the drive system is not shown), the recording paper 4 is transported in the direction of the arrow, and at a predetermined time, a predetermined heating element is energized to discharge the ink on the opposing ink sheet 30. Printing is done by thermal sublimation or thermal melting. At this time, the ink sheet) 30 also moves the recording paper 4 in the direction of the arrow.
is transported at the same speed. A set of inks of a plurality of different colors (for example, yellow, magenta, and cyan) are coated on the outer periphery of the ink sheet 3° (as shown in FIG. 3), and when the ink sheet 30 is set in the device, The mark 12 applied to the ink sheet 30 is detected by a detection section composed of a light emitting section 16 and a light receiving section 16, and the first color (for example, yellow 3o1) is transferred to the position where recording starts on the recording paper 4. There is. As mentioned above, when the first color is recorded on the recording paper 4, the thermal head 2 is separated from the platen 1 (the suppression and separation mechanism of the thermal head 2 is not shown) as shown in FIG. 1 rotates counterclockwise (in the direction of the arrow), and the recording paper 4 is transported in the direction of the arrow and returned to the initial position. At the same time, the ink sheet 3o is wound up in the direction of the arrow by a predetermined amount by the take-up reel 7 (the drive system is not shown),
02) is transported to the recording position and the ink sheet 30 stops. Return to thermal mode - The printing press 2 is pressed against the platen 1 via the ink sheet 3o and the recording paper 4, and the ink sheet 30
The ink is recorded and transferred onto the recording paper 4. In this way, yellow 301° magenta 3o2. Cyan 303 ink is sequentially recorded to record a multicolor image. When the multicolor image has been recorded, the ink sheet 30 is wound up again in the direction of the arrow by the take-up reel 7, and the mark 12 is placed on the light emitting section 1.
5. The first color yellow 301 detected by the detection section composed of the light receiving section 16 comes to the recording position, stops, and is recorded in the same manner as described above, and then magenta 302 . Cyan 303
is recorded. In this way, recording and transfer are repeated a predetermined number of times, and a multicolor image is recorded. In order to use the ink sheet 30 repeatedly in this way, there is no need to drive the supply reel 8 and rewind the ink sheet 3o, and it is sufficient to simply rotate the annular ink sheet 30 with the take-up reel 7. The configuration is simple and inexpensive.

Further, there is no need for time to rewind the ink sheet 3o, and continuous recording can be performed at high speed. Since the ink is applied at equal pitches, marks are provided on the ink sheet 30 to detect the position of each color and control the position of the ink sheet 3o each time each color of ink is recorded, or a mark detection means is installed in the apparatus. It is not necessary to provide an initial position setting mark on the ink sheet 30 and a detection means for detecting this mark in the apparatus. In this embodiment, the ink sheet 30 is made up of one set of inks (black, magenta, and cyan), but the effect will change even if the ink sheet 30 is made up of multiple sets of inks. Needless to say, there is no.

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a parallel opening 2o is provided in the circumferential direction of at least one end of the ink sheet 3o, and the opening 20 is fitted to the outer periphery of the take-up reel 7. As in, the opening 20
A plurality of protrusions 21 are provided in the circumferential direction at the same pitch. Further, marks 13 are provided on the ink sheet 30, and marks 14 are provided on the outer periphery of the take-up reel 7.
By aligning the marks 13 and 14, yellow 301, which is the first color ink applied to the ink sheet 30, is brought to the recording start position. Therefore, if ink is applied to the ink sheet 30 at equal pitches, the opening 20 provided in the ink sheet 30 and the protrusion 21 of the take-up reel 7 are fitted, so that the take-up reel 7 The ink sheet 30 is rotated to form a predetermined binote.
can be transferred reliably. Therefore, Figures 1 and 2
Same as shown in the figure (however, light emitting part 15, light receiving part 1
6 is not required) After recording the first color yellow 301, the recording paper 4 is rewound, and at the same time, the ink sheet 30 is rotated and transferred by a predetermined amount with the take-up reel 7, so that recording of the second color magenta 302 is started. Magenta 302 continues to be recorded, and then cyan 303 is recorded. In this way, a multicolor image is recorded. In order to use the ink sheet 3o repeatedly in this way, there is no need to drive the supply reel 8 and rewind the ink sheet 30, but simply rotate the annular ink sheet 3o by a predetermined amount with the take-up reel 7. Since the ink sheet 3o and the take-up reel 7 are often fitted together at the opening 2o and the protrusion 21, there is no need for a detection means to detect the position of the ink sheet 3o, and each color of the ink sheet 30 starts recording. It is reliably transported to the desired location and is therefore reliable, simple and inexpensive to construct. Further, there is no need for time to rewind the ink sheet 30, and continuous recording can be performed at high speed.

Effects of the Invention In the present invention, since the ink sheet is formed in an annular shape, the ink sheet is rotated and transported in one circumferential direction by the take-up reel, and the thermal head is pressed against the platen via the ink sheet and the recording paper to a predetermined position. The ink sheet can be transferred and recorded repeatedly on the recording paper as many times as the ink sheet, so there is no need to rewind the ink sheet.

Further, there is no need for a mechanism for rewinding the ink sheet. or,
Since the ink is applied evenly, there is no need to detect the position where the ink is applied and transport the ink sheet to the recording start position, just rotate the take-up reel a predetermined amount. The apparatus becomes simple and inexpensive, as the ink of each color on the ink sheet can be set at the recording start position. At the same time, the effects are significant, such as eliminating the need for time to rewind the ink sheet.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of the main part of a thermal link in an embodiment of the present invention, showing the recording state, and Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the main part, showing the side where the recording paper is rewound and the ink sheet is wound up to the next ink. It shows the ink sheet being rotated by a reel, and Figure 3 is a perspective view of the ink sheet used in the thermal printer.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the main parts of a conventional thermal printer showing the recording state, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a conventional ink sheet, and FIG. 6 is a diagram of an ink sheet that can be used in the thermal printer of the present invention. 0 which is a perspective view of another embodiment 1... platen, 2... thermal...
Sod, 3°...Ink sheet, 4...
Recording paper, 7... Take-up reel, 8...
...Supply side reel, 20 towns...Opening, 21...
・Protrusion. Name of agent: Patent attorney Toshio Nakao (1st person)
riA Figure 3 303'/Fan Figure 4 Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu Figure 6 Cyan

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A platen that winds and rotates recording paper; an ink sheet coated with ink that can be used multiple times; The ink sheet is arranged in an annular shape, and at least one set of ink is applied in the circumferential direction. While rotating the ink sheet in the circumferential direction, different inks are sequentially thermally transferred onto the recording paper using the thermal head, and then the ink sheet is rotated again to ink the next ink. A thermal printer in which a set of inks is thermally transfer-recorded on the recording paper, and the same set of inks is repeatedly thermally transfer-recorded on the recording paper. (2) A plurality of openings corresponding to the pitch of the ink applied to the ink sheet are provided in at least one end of the ink sheet in the circumferential direction, and the openings correspond to and fit with the openings, etc. A plurality of protrusions having a pitch are provided on the outer periphery of at least one of a take-up reel and a supply reel on which the ink sheet is stretched and rotated, and the opening is fitted into the protrusion. A thermal printer according to claim 1, wherein an ink sheet is transported.