JPH03281A - Ink sheet for both recording device and cleaning - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform recording of good quality by a method wherein an ink sheet used for recording is used for cleaning of an intermediate transfer medium and brought into contact with the intermediate transfer medium and separated from said intermediate transfer medium after heat-meltable ink is cooled and solidified. CONSTITUTION:An intermediate transfer medium 6 is brought into contact with an ink sheet 3 and the heat-meltable ink 4 melted by a thermal recording head 1 is cooled and solidified during the close contact period and, when the ink sheet 3 is released from the intermediate transfer medium 6 by a timing change-over roller 7, the heat-meltable ink becomes a cooled and solidified state. The material of the intermediate transfer medium 6 is selected so that the adhesive strength of the heat-meltable ink 4 of the ink sheet 3 and the base material coated with the heat-meltable ink 4 is larger than that of the heat-meltable ink 4 and the intermediate transfer medium 6 and, therefore, when the ink sheet 3 is separated from the intermediate transfer medium 6 in such a state that the heat-meltable ink 4 is solidified, the deposit 14 adhered to the intermediate transfer medium 6 is adsorbed along with the heat-meltable ink 4 on the ink sheet 3 by the ink sheet 3 to be removed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording device used in a printer, a copying machine, etc. that records characters, images, etc. on recording paper, and an ink sheet used for cleaning and used in these recording devices. It is something.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, recording apparatuses that record by melting thermofusible ink using heat and transferring the ink to a recording paper or the like have been widely used.

An example of the recording apparatus described above will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional recording device. In the figure, 31 is a thermal head, 32 is a heating element, 33 is a belt-shaped intermediate transfer medium, 34 is a magnet roller, 35 is toner, 36, 37 is a heating roller, and 38 is recording on the intermediate transfer medium 33. 39 is a recording sheet, and 40 is a cleaning belt.

In the above configuration, the toner 35 supported on the circumference of the roller by the magnet roller 34 is melted by the heat of the heating element 32 of the thermal heater 31 and is transferred onto the intermediate transfer medium 33 to form a toner image 38. . Toner image 38 is supported on intermediate transfer medium 33 and conveyed to heating roller 36 . Here, the toner image 38 is remelted by the heat from the heating roller 36, and then joined to the recording paper 39 and transferred onto the recording paper 39. Thereafter, the toner image 38 remaining on the intermediate transfer medium 33 after being transferred to the recording paper 39
is heated by a heating roller 37 and then rubbed and removed by a cleaning belt 40. (For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 127334/1982) Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, according to the above-mentioned recording device, a special sheet for leaning is required, which makes the configuration of the device complicated. It also became expensive. Further, since the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer medium is only removed by being heated and then rubbed against the cleaning sheet, the toner on the intermediate transfer medium is not completely removed. As a result, toner remains on the intermediate transfer medium even after cleaning, and this toner is transferred to the recording paper during the next recording, thereby degrading the quality of recording.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems and provides a recording device that is simple in construction and inexpensive, eliminating the need for a special sheet dedicated to leaning.

Further, the present invention provides a recording apparatus that completely cleans the intermediate transfer medium and provides high recording quality.

Further, the present invention provides an ink sheet that can be used for both recording and cleaning, and can be used for both recording and cleaning.

Further, the heat-melting ink on the ink medium is melted, and in the melted state of the heat-melting ink, the ink medium and the intermediate transfer medium are separated to record an ink image on the intermediate transfer medium,
In a recording device that retransfers this ink image onto image-receiving paper, if the melting state of the heat-melting ink changes when the ink medium and intermediate transfer medium are separated during recording, the size of the recorded pixels may change. The density of the sheath fluctuates, causing phenomena such as unstable operation and deterioration of recording quality. For example, if the ink is cooled and the viscosity of the hot-melt ink increases during the period from when the hot-melt ink is melted until the ink medium and the intermediate transfer medium are separated, the mechanical strength of the ink increases and the ink is It becomes difficult to break. Therefore, the recording operation of ink on the intermediate transfer medium becomes unstable, and the amount of ink adhering to the intermediate transfer medium becomes unstable. Therefore, if the time between melting the hot melt ink and separating the ink medium and intermediate transfer medium is long, the cooling of the ink during this period will be more sensitive to surrounding environmental conditions, and the ink during separation will The melting state of the material tends to fluctuate, resulting in poor recording quality. Similarly, if the time from when the heat-fusible ink melts until the ink medium and the intermediate transfer medium are separated differs, the cooling time of the ink until the separation changes, and the melted area of the ink changes. Therefore, the size of the recorded pixels changes. Therefore, if the time from when the heat-melting ink melts to when the ink medium and the intermediate transfer medium are separated differs, the recording quality will deteriorate.

Therefore, the present invention stabilizes the recording operation of the ink image on the intermediate transfer medium in a recording device that forms an ink image on the intermediate transfer medium and then retransfers the ink image onto a receiving paper, thereby improving reliability. The present invention provides a recording device with high print quality.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the recording apparatus of the present invention is configured to clean the intermediate transfer medium by removing deposits on the intermediate transfer medium onto an ink sheet also used for recording. It is something.

Further, the recording apparatus of the present invention heat-melts the heat-melting ink on the ink sheet used for recording, brings the intermediate transfer medium into contact with the ink sheet in the molten state of the heat-melted heat-melt ink, and By separating the intermediate transfer medium and the ink sheet after the ink has cooled and solidified,
This apparatus is configured to clean the intermediate transfer medium by removing deposits on the intermediate transfer medium onto the ink sheet.

In addition, the cleaning ink sheet of the present invention has an integrated ink area used for recording to form an image and a cleaning area used for cleaning to remove and deposit deposits on an intermediate transfer medium. It is.

Further, in recording an ink image on an intermediate transfer medium, the recording apparatus of the present invention transfers the ink medium within one pixel behind the heat-generating pixel row in the molten state of the ink after melting the heat-melting ink on the ink medium. It is configured to be separated from the medium.

Further, in recording an ink image on an intermediate transfer medium, the recording apparatus of the present invention divides a plurality of recording elements for melting heat-fusible ink into a plurality of blocks and drives them in a time-division manner. It is configured to record a single pixel row by repeating it multiple times.

Effect of the Invention According to the present invention, the ink sheet used for recording is also used for cleaning the intermediate transfer medium due to the above-described configuration, so that a special sheet for cleaning is not required, and a recording device with a simple configuration and low cost can be provided. It is something.

Further, the recording apparatus of the present invention heats and melts the hot-melt ink on the ink sheet, contacts the intermediate transfer medium and the ink sheet in the molten state of the hot-melt ink, and after the hot-melt ink cools and solidifies, The structure is such that the intermediate transfer medium and the ink sheet are separated from each other, so that the remaining ink and dirt on the intermediate transfer medium are adsorbed to the heat-melt ink on the ink sheet, and then the heat-melt By cooling and solidifying the ink, the intermediate transfer medium and the ink sheet can be separated from each other while the heat-melting ink has high mechanical strength. For this reason, hot-melt ink can be peeled off onto an ink sheet without breaking in the thickness direction, and deposits on the intermediate transfer medium can be removed together with the ink, making it easier for subsequent recording and transfer. Recording can be performed without any negative effects. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a recording apparatus that can perform good cleaning of an intermediate transfer medium and perform recording of good quality.

Further, the cleaning ink sheet of the present invention has an ink area used for recording and a cleaning area used for cleaning integrated. Therefore, according to the present invention, recording and cleaning operations can be performed reliably using - ink sheets, making it possible to make the recording device simple and inexpensive, and to have high reliability. This makes it possible to provide an ink sheet that can be used for both cleaning and cleaning.

Further, the recording apparatus of the present invention is configured such that when recording an ink image on the intermediate transfer medium, the ink medium is separated from the intermediate transfer medium within one pixel behind the heat-generating pixel row. The time from melting of the ink medium to separation of the ink medium from the intermediate transfer medium can be shortened, making it less susceptible to the influence of the surrounding environment. Therefore, the melted state of the heat-melting ink when the ink medium is separated from the intermediate transfer medium can always be kept stable, and the operation can be stabilized. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to stabilize the recording operation of an ink image on an intermediate transfer medium, and to provide a recording device with high reliability and good print quality.

Further, in recording an ink image on an intermediate transfer medium, the recording device of the present invention performs time-division driving multiple times when dividing a plurality of recording elements into blocks to time-divisionally drive the plurality of recording elements for melting the thermofusible ink. The configuration is such that a single pixel row is recorded by repeating the process, so that the time from melting of the thermofusible ink to separation of the ink medium from the intermediate transfer medium is approximately uniform for all recording elements. I can do it. Therefore, according to the present invention, the melting state of the heat-melting ink when the ink medium is separated from the intermediate transfer medium can be made substantially uniform in all recording elements. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the non-uniformity of the recorded pixels due to the difference in the melting state of the thermofusible ink, and it is possible to provide a recording device with good print quality by making the recorded pixels uniform. It is something.

Embodiment Hereinafter, a recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1 and 2 are diagrams showing a schematic configuration of a recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a thermal recording head, and at its tip end heating elements 2, which are made of resistors and generate heat when energized, are arranged in a row. 3 is an ink sheet, and the surface of the ink sheet 3 is coated with heat-melting ink 4 that melts due to heat. Reference numeral 5 denotes an intermediate transfer drum, on the surface of which is provided an intermediate transfer medium 6 made of a material such as silicone rubber or Teflon, which has a weak adhesive strength with the heat-melting ink 4. Reference numeral 7 denotes a timing switching roller, and the timing switching roller 7 can change its position between recording and cleaning, and during cleaning, the ink sheet 3 is sent in a state where the ink sheet 3 and the intermediate transfer medium 6 are brought into close contact with each other by a predetermined amount. It is possible. Reference numeral 8 denotes a heating roller, and a heater 9 made of a halogen lamp or the like is provided inside the heating roller 8 to heat the heating roller 8 by generating heat when energized. 10 is a pressure belt, 11 is a pressure roller,
The pressure belt IO is hung between the heating roller 8 and the pressure roller 11, and the pressure belt 10 is attached to the recording paper 12 during ink transfer.
The structure is such that the intermediate transfer medium 6 and the intermediate transfer medium 6 are fed in a state in which they are brought into close contact with each other by a predetermined amount. FIG. 3 shows the circuit configuration of the thermal recording head 1 used in the recording apparatus of this embodiment.

2 is a heating element made of the above-mentioned resistor, and one end thereof is connected to a power source 20. Further, 21 is a switching element that is connected in series with each heating element 2 and controls on/off of the current flowing through the heating element 2 in response to a signal from the drive control circuit 22. The heating element 2 and the switching element 21 described above are divided into three groups represented by aSb and c in the figure, and are configured to be driven for each group.

Next, the operation of the recording apparatus of this embodiment will be explained.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the state of the recording apparatus of this embodiment during recording. In FIG. 2, the thermal recording head 1 is pressed against the intermediate transfer drum 5 with the ink sheet 3 in between. There is. In this state, the intermediate transfer drum 5 is rotated in the direction of arrow A shown in the figure, and the ink sheet 3 is rotated in the direction of arrow B shown in the figure so that the relative speed with respect to the intermediate transfer medium 6 becomes zero.
move in the direction. Here, a drive signal corresponding to image information to be output to the thermal recording head 1 is given by a control device (not shown). At this time, this signal is given to the drive control circuit 22 of the thermal recording head 1, and the drive control circuit 22 drives the switching element 21 according to the above signal. As a result, the heating element 2 at the tip of the thermal recording head 1 generates heat in accordance with the driving of the switching element 21, and melts the heat-melting ink 4 coated on the ink sheet 3 in accordance with the signal pattern. The switching elements 21 are driven in groups of three, a and bSc, as described above, and the switching elements in each group are driven by signals having the drive waveform shown in FIG. 4.

That is, time-division driving is performed with the timings shifted so that only one group of switching elements is driven at each time. Time-division driving is performed because there are a large number of heat generating elements to be driven, so if all the heat generating elements are driven at the same time, the voltage drop in the wiring section will be large. This is because the energy becomes non-uniform and the pixel density becomes non-uniform. By performing time-sharing driving, it is possible to reduce the number of heat generating elements that are simultaneously driven and to alleviate this effect. Further, T in the figure is a printing cycle for printing one pixel, and time-division driving is repeated four times for one pixel, and each pixel is configured to be printed using four pulses. During the recording operation, the timing switching roller 7 is placed in the position shown in FIG. 2 by means not shown. Therefore, the ink sheet 3 is configured to be peeled off from the intermediate transfer medium 6 immediately after recording by the thermal recording head 1. As a result, the ink sheet 3 is peeled off from the intermediate transfer medium 6 while the hot-melt ink 4 melted by the thermal recording head 1 remains in a molten state, and the hot-melt ink 4 is transferred to the intermediate transfer medium 6.

FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view showing the state in which the heat-melting ink 4 is transferred to the intermediate transfer medium 6. Here, the intermediate transfer medium 6
is made of a material such as silicone rubber, which has a weak adhesive strength with the heat-melt ink 4. However, in the melted state of the heat-melt ink 4, the mechanical strength of the heat-melt ink 4 is lower than the above-mentioned intermediate transfer. The adhesive strength becomes weaker than the adhesive strength between the medium 6 and the hot melt ink 4 and the adhesive strength between the hot melt ink 4 and the base material of the ink sheet 3, and in the solidified state of the hot melt ink 4, The adhesive strength between the intermediate transfer medium 6 and the hot-melt ink is weaker than the mechanical strength of the hot-melt ink 4, and is also weaker than the adhesive strength between the hot-melt ink 4 and the base material of the ink sheet 3. Each material is selected to have a similar relationship. Therefore, since the heat-melting ink 4 is in a molten state when the intermediate transfer medium 6 and the ink sheet 3 are separated, the heat-melting part of the heat-melting ink 4 is divided in the thickness direction, as shown in FIG. The image is transferred to the intermediate transfer medium 6 and the ink sheet 3 separately. Here, the ink sheet 3 needs to be peeled off while the heat-melting ink 4 is in a molten state, but it is also necessary to peel the ink sheet 3 while the melted state of the heat-melting ink 4 in each pixel is as uniform as possible. desirable. At this time, if the heating element 2 is driven in a normal time-division manner in which each pixel is driven by one pulse, the time from melting the heat-fusible ink 4 to peeling off the ink sheet 3 is driven. Since the temperature of the hot-melt ink 4 decreases during this time, the melting state of the hot-melt ink 4 in each pixel becomes uneven for each group, and each recorded Pixel sizes etc. become non-uniform. On the other hand, in this embodiment, since printing is performed by repeating the time division driving four times for one pixel, the ink sheet 3 is printed after the heat-melting ink 4 is melted.
It is possible to make the time taken until the film is peeled off substantially uniform for each pixel, and therefore, each pixel can be formed uniformly. The ink image 13 recorded on the intermediate transfer medium 6 is sequentially moved in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 2 while being held on the intermediate transfer medium 6. The operation of recording an ink image on the intermediate transfer medium 6 is performed by the above-described operation.

Next, the operation of transferring the ink image 13 formed as described above onto the recording paper will be explained. The ink image 13 recorded on the intermediate transfer medium 6 is naturally cooled after recording, and the ink is cooled and solidified. After this, the ink image 13 is
When moved to a position where it contacts the heating roller 8 heated by the heater 9, it is joined to the recording paper 12 fed by a paper feeding means (not shown). The recording paper 12 is sent wrapped around the heating roller 8 by a predetermined amount with the pressure belt 10 in between, and then joined to the ink image 13. The heat-melting ink 4 of the ink image 13 is heated to a temperature sufficient to melt the thermofusible ink 4 of the ink image 13 when joining the ink image 13. Here, when the recording paper 12 and the ink image 13 are joined, the heat from the recording paper 12 remelts the heat-melting ink 4 of the ink image 13. After the ink image 13 remelted on the intermediate transfer medium 6 is conveyed by the pressure belt 10 in close contact with the recording paper 12 by a predetermined amount, the recording paper 12 is separated from the intermediate transfer medium 6. At this time, almost the entire amount of the ink image 13 on the intermediate transfer medium 6 is transferred onto the recording paper 12 side. That is, since the ink image 13 that has been remelted on the intermediate transfer medium 6 is sent in close contact with the recording paper 12 by a predetermined amount, the heat-melting ink 4 of the ink image 13 is cooled and solidified again. When the hot-fusible ink 4 is cooled and solidified, it becomes in a state of high mechanical strength, and the mechanical strength of the hot-fusible ink 4 becomes greater than the adhesive strength between the hot-fusible ink 4 and the intermediate transfer medium 6. On the other hand, since the intermediate transfer medium 6 is made of a material that has a weak adhesive strength with the heat-fusible ink 4, the adhesive strength between the hot-fusible ink 4 and the recording paper 12 is intermediate to that of the hot-fusible ink 4. The adhesive strength is greater than the adhesive strength with the transfer medium 6, and for these reasons, the heat-melting ink 4 is peeled off from the surface of the intermediate transfer medium 60 and transferred onto the recording paper 12 without being separated in the ink thickness direction. Here, the intermediate transfer medium 6 is preferably made of an elastic material so that the heat-melting ink 4 of the ink image 13 follows the irregularities of the recording paper. As described above, the ink image 13 formed on the intermediate transfer medium 6 on the recording paper 12
The transcription is performed.

As mentioned above, the heat-melting ink 4 of the ink image 13 basically does not remain on the intermediate transfer medium 6 after transfer, but if the surface roughness of the recording paper 12 is very rough, the ink image 13 The heat-melting ink 4 may not be able to sufficiently follow the irregularities on the surface of the recording paper 12, and an ink image of particularly small pixels may not be transferred to the recording paper 12 and may remain on the intermediate transfer medium 6. Further, even if a recording paper 12 that is smaller than the image range of the ink image 13 is used by mistake, the ink of the ink image 13 outside the range transferred to the recording paper 12 will remain on the intermediate transfer medium 6. Further, even if the recording paper 12 has a hole or an edge of the recording paper 12 is chipped, the ink of the ink image 13 will remain on the intermediate transfer medium 6 in the same way. Furthermore, other than ink, deposits such as paper powder may also adhere to the intermediate transfer medium 6. If there is ink, paper powder, or other deposits on the intermediate transfer medium 6 in this way, it is necessary to clean the intermediate transfer medium 6.The cleaning operation for cleaning the intermediate transfer medium 6 will be explained below in FIG. Explain using. As the intermediate transfer medium 6 rotates in the direction A shown in the figure, the deposits 14 such as ink and paper powder adhering to the intermediate transfer medium 6 reach the position facing the ink sheet 3 used as the recording paper and the thermal recording head 1. carried. Here, the intermediate transfer medium 6 is joined to the ink sheet 3, and a signal for recording a solid image is sent to the thermal recording pad 1 by a control device (not shown), and by recording this solid image, the ink sheet 3 is thermally melted. The ink 4 is melted. By melting this heat-fusible ink 4, deposits 14 such as ink and paper powder remaining on the intermediate transfer medium 6 are made to adhere to the heat-fusible ink 4 or are dissolved in the heat-fusible ink 4. It is structured like this. The timing switching roller rough moves to the operating position shown in the figure during cleaning, and the thermal recording head 1
After recording, the ink sheet 3 is sent in a state where the ink sheet 3 and the intermediate transfer medium 6 are brought into close contact with each other by a predetermined amount.

Therefore, the heat-melting ink 4 melted by the heat recording head l is cooled and solidified during this contact period, and the ink sheet 3 is transferred to the intermediate transfer medium 6 at the timing switching roller rough.
When peeled off from the ink, the hot-melt ink 4 is in a cooled and solidified state. At this time, the heat-melt ink 4 has a high mechanical strength, and the mechanical strength of the heat-melt ink 4 at this time is greater than the adhesive strength between the heat-melt ink 4 and the intermediate transfer medium 6. It has become. Further, the adhesive strength between the heat-melting ink 4 on the ink sheet 3 and the base material coated with the heat-melting ink 4 is greater than the adhesive strength between the heat-melting ink 4 and the intermediate transfer medium 6. , the material of the intermediate transfer medium 6 is selected, and therefore:
When the ink sheet 3 is separated from the intermediate transfer medium 6 with the heat-melting ink 4 solidified, the deposits 14 adhering to the intermediate transfer medium 6 are removed together with the heat-melting ink 4 on the ink sheet 3. It is adsorbed onto the ink sheet 3 and removed. In the above manner, the intermediate transfer medium 6
A cleaning operation is performed. This cleaning operation may be performed every time one recording sheet is recorded or transferred, or may be performed only when necessary.

In the recording device configured as described above, the intermediate transfer medium 6 is made of a material such as silicone rubber, which has a weak adhesive strength with the heat-melting ink compared to the recording paper and the base material of the ink sheet. , the transfer of the ink image onto the recording paper and the cleaning of the intermediate transfer medium can be performed satisfactorily.

In the above embodiments, silicone rubber is used as the material for the intermediate transfer medium, but other materials may be used as long as they have a solubility factor (SP) value of 7 or less.

As described above, according to the present invention, when cleaning the intermediate transfer medium, after the hot-melt ink on the ink sheet is melted, the ink sheet and the intermediate transfer medium are not cleaned until the hot-melt ink on the ink sheet is cooled and solidified. The ink sheet is sent in close contact with the ink sheet, and after the heat-fusible ink is cooled and solidified, the ink sheet is separated from the intermediate transfer medium, thereby facilitating cleaning of the intermediate transfer medium. In addition, since it is possible to remove the residue on the intermediate transfer medium from the ink sheet used for recording, there is no need for any special members dedicated to leaning, which simplifies the configuration of the device and makes it inexpensive. It is something that can be done. Furthermore, since the intermediate transfer medium is made of a material such as silicone rubber that has a weak adhesive strength with heat-melting ink, cleaning of the intermediate transfer medium can be made more reliable.

Further, according to the configuration of this embodiment, the recording head used for ink image recording is also used as the ink heating and melting means for the heat-melting ink on the ink sheet during cleaning, and the ink is melted during recording. Since the ink sheet is peeled off when the ink sheet is in a solidified state and the ink sheet is peeled off during cleaning, especially when the ink is in a solidified state, the structure of the apparatus can be simplified and the apparatus can be made inexpensive.

Furthermore, according to the configuration of this embodiment, the timing of peeling off the ink sheet after melting the heat-melting ink by the recording head must be changed between recording and cleaning (because the configuration is such that the traveling path of the ink sheet is changed). ,
It is possible to ensure reliable switching between recording operation and cleaning operation, and to perform stable operation.

Furthermore, according to the configuration of this embodiment, time-division driving is repeated multiple times to drive the heat generating elements of the print head, so the time from melting of the ink to peeling off of the ink sheet is different for each pixel. 6. It is possible to make the ink more or less uniform, thereby making the melting state of the ink uniform, making the image uniform, and improving the print quality.

Furthermore, in the configuration of this embodiment, it is also possible to remove the timing switching roller 7 and switch the operation between recording and cleaning by switching the feeding speeds of the ink sheet 3 and the intermediate transfer medium 6. .

That is, the ink sheet 3 is configured to be peeled off immediately after passing through the thermal recording head 1, and during recording, the feeding speed of the ink sheet 3 and the intermediate transfer medium 6 is increased so that the thermal melting property of the thermal recording head 1 is increased. Immediately after the ink is melted, the ink sheet 3 is peeled off from the intermediate transfer medium 6 in a state in which the hot-melt ink is molten, and the hot-fusible ink is transferred to the intermediate transfer medium 6. At the time of cleaning, the ink sheet 3 and The feeding speed of the intermediate transfer medium 6 is slowed down, and after the heat-melting ink is melted by the thermal recording head 1, the ink sheet 3 is transferred to the intermediate transfer medium 6 in a cooled and solidified state.
The hot-melt ink is peeled off from the ink sheet 3 and the hot-melt ink is attached to the ink sheet 3 side. According to the above configuration, in order to switch between recording operation and cleaning operation, it is only necessary to change the feeding speed of the intermediate transfer medium and the ink sheet (
, the structure of the device can be simplified and the device can be made inexpensive.

In the first embodiment, the thermal recording head 2 of FIG.
The case where an ink image is written on an intermediate transfer medium using an energized recording head as shown in 3 and an energized recording sheet as shown in 27 in FIG. 7 as an ink sheet will be described below. .

The difference from the above embodiment is that the ink image is partially written on the intermediate transfer medium, so only this part will be explained. The other parts are the same as in the above embodiment. In the energized recording head 23 of FIG.
is a return path electrode, and 25 is a plurality of return path electrodes 2.
4 is a recording electrode to which a voltage is applied between. 26 is a holding member made of an insulator for holding the return electrode 24 and the recording electrode 25.

The current-carrying recording sheet 27 shown in FIG. 7 is composed of a current-carrying layer 28 made of a resistor and an ink layer 29 formed by coating a heat-melting ink on the current-carrying layer 28. Recording electrode 25
are a, b,, so that every fourth electrode becomes one block.
It is divided into four blocks c and d, and each block is time-dividedly driven as shown in the drive waveform shown in FIG. In the figure, T is the printing cycle for printing one pixel.As shown in the figure, time division driving is repeated four times for one pixel, so that each pixel is printed with four pulses. It is configured. The reason why the recording electrodes 25 are time-divisionally driven in each block, with every four electrodes forming one block, is as follows. When performing energization recording using the energization recording sheet 27 and the energization recording head 23 as described above, if all electrodes are driven simultaneously, the energy applied to each pixel and the current density distribution will vary depending on the driving state of neighboring electrodes. Varies significantly. For this reason, each pixel has a different size or a different shape. That is, when neighboring electrodes are driven, the current paths are mutually restricted during the current supply ji28, so the value of the current flowing through the recording electrode is reduced compared to when the neighboring electrodes are not driven. Therefore, the energy input to the pixel is reduced when neighboring electrodes are driven. Further, the current path changes in the same way. Therefore, time-division driving is performed by not driving adjacent electrodes at the same time, but driving electrodes that are separated from each other and have less influence at the same time. As a result, the energy applied to each pixel can be made uniform, and printing quality can be improved. In addition, the reason why time-division driving is repeated four times to print one pixel is because the time from melting the ink to peeling off the energized recording sheet is made almost uniform as described above. This is to make the pixels uniform and improve the print quality. During recording, the return electrode 24 and the recording electrode 25 are pressed against the current-carrying layer 28 as shown in FIG. Layer 28 generates heat depending on the current distribution. The heat generated by the current-carrying layer 28 melts the heat-melting ink of the ink Ji 29 and transfers it to the intermediate transfer medium 6. At this time, the current density becomes high in the portion of the current-carrying layer 28 sandwiched between the return electrode 24 and the recording electrode 25, and pixels are formed in this portion. Here, the energization recording sheet 27 is the energization recording head 2
The heat-melting ink is peeled off from the intermediate transfer medium 6 immediately after melting according to No. 3, and is configured so that it is peeled off during printing of the next pixel after pixel printing. Therefore, the time from melting the heat-melting ink to peeling off the current-carrying recording sheet can be shortened, and the heat-melting ink can be reliably peeled off in a molten state, thereby stabilizing the recording operation of the ink on the intermediate transfer medium 6. This can improve the print quality.

As described above, the above-mentioned apparatus has a configuration in which time-division driving is repeated a plurality of times when carrying out energization recording, and thus the printing quality can be improved.

In addition, the above-mentioned apparatus is configured to peel off the current-carrying recording sheet within a pixel after printing a pixel, so that the time from melting the heat-melting ink to peeling off the current-carrying recording sheet can be shortened. This makes it possible to stabilize the recording operation in response to changes in the surrounding environment and improve print quality.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the configuration is such that heat is applied by the current-carrying recording head and the current-carrying recording sheet to melt the heat-melting ink, but other heating sources such as a laser may be used as a recording means to melt the ink. A configuration may also be adopted in which the heat-melting ink on the medium is melted, and the ink medium and the intermediate transfer medium are separated within a pixel after pixel printing. In this case as well, the effect of stabilizing the recording operation and improving the print quality can be obtained in the same manner as described above.

Next, a recording apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The configuration of the recording apparatus of the second embodiment is almost the same as the configuration of the recording apparatus of the first embodiment, and the difference from the first embodiment is that the heating roller 8 and the pressure belt are as shown in FIG. 10. The pressure roller 11 can be moved to a position separated from the intermediate transfer medium 6, and as shown in FIG. The point is that a provided ink sheet is used.

In FIG. 10, 15 is a yellow hot-melt ink coated area, 16 is a magenta hot-fusible ink coated area, 17 is a cyan hot-fusible ink coated area, and 18 is a non-ink coated area. The length of the application section is the intermediate transfer drum 5.
The circumference is set to be the same as or longer than the circumference of. The states of the recording apparatus of this embodiment during the transfer operation and during the cleaning operation are the same as those of the recording apparatus of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 1, respectively. Further, the state of the recording apparatus of this embodiment during the recording operation is the ninth
The situation is as shown in the figure.

Next, the operation of the recording apparatus of this embodiment will be explained.

During recording, as shown in FIG.
, the pressure belt 10, and the pressure roller 11 are in a state separated from the intermediate transfer medium 6. In this state, in the same way as the recording operation of the recording apparatus of the first embodiment, the yellow heat-melting ink on the ink sheet 3 is first transferred onto the intermediate transfer medium 6 in accordance with the signal. When the yellow ink recording is completed, the intermediate transfer medium 6 and the intermediate transfer drum 5
The rotated portion recorded with the yellow ink is again moved to a position facing the thermal recording head 1 and the ink sheet 3. At this time, the ink sheet 3 is sent so that the magenta heat-melting ink faces the intermediate transfer medium 6. Next, magenta ink is recorded in the same manner as described above, and is recorded in a superimposed manner on the already recorded yellow ink image. When magenta ink recording is performed, the intermediate transfer medium 6 rotates together with the intermediate transfer drum 5 again and is moved to a position facing the thermal recording head 1 and the ink sheet 3. At this time, ink sheet 3
The cyan ink has been sent to a position facing the intermediate transfer medium 6. Here, cyan ink is recorded on the intermediate transfer medium 6 in the same manner as described above, and the intermediate transfer medium 6 is in a state where inks of three colors are recorded in a superimposed manner. Here, the heating roller 8, the pressing belt 10, and the pressing roller 11 move to the positions shown in FIG. 2, and heating of the heating roller 8 by the heater 9 is started. Thereafter, the ink image 13 recorded on the intermediate transfer medium 6 is transferred to the recording paper 2 in the same manner as in the recording apparatus of the first embodiment.

Next, a description will be given of an operation for cleaning the heat-fusible ink remaining on the intermediate transfer medium 6 after the ink movement 13 is transferred to the recording paper 12. In the cleaning operation, as shown in FIG. 1, the timing switching roller 7 is switched to a position that allows the ink sheet 3 to be conveyed in a state in which it is brought into close contact with the intermediate transfer medium 6 by a predetermined amount. In addition, during the cleaning operation, the ink sheet 3 is
8 is sent to a position facing the hot-melt ink remaining on the intermediate transfer medium 6. Here, the intermediate transfer medium 6 is joined to the ink-unapplied area 18 of the ink sheet 3, and a signal for recording a solid image is sent to the thermal recording head 1 by a control device (not shown). Heat conduction through the intermediate transfer medium 3 remelts the remaining hot melt ink on the intermediate transfer medium 6. The heat-melting ink remaining on the intermediate transfer medium 6 is melted by the heat of the thermal recording head 1, and then cooled and solidified while the ink sheet 3 and the intermediate transfer medium 6 are conveyed in close contact with each other. Therefore, when the ink sheet 3 is peeled off from the intermediate transfer medium 6, the heat-melting ink is solidified and has high mechanical strength. The mechanical strength of the hot-melt ink at this time is greater than the adhesive strength between the hot-melt ink and the intermediate transfer medium 6, and the adhesive strength of the hot-melt ink base material in the ink sheet 3 is greater than the adhesive strength between the hot-melt ink and the intermediate transfer medium 6. Since the adhesive strength is set to be greater than the adhesive strength between the fusible ink and the intermediate transfer medium 6, all of the hot fusible ink is transferred onto the ink sheet 3 when the ink sheet 3 is peeled off. The cleaning operation of the intermediate transfer medium 6 is performed by the above-described operation.

As described above, according to the recording apparatus of this embodiment, during cleaning of the intermediate transfer medium, after the hot-melt ink remaining on the intermediate transfer medium is melted, the remaining hot-melt ink is cooled and solidified. The ink sheet and the intermediate transfer medium are sent in close contact with each other, and the ink sheet is separated from the intermediate transfer medium after the hot-melt ink has cooled and solidified, so that the intermediate transfer medium can be cleaned well. It is something. In addition, since the remaining ink on the intermediate transfer medium can be transferred and removed onto the ink sheet used for recording, no special member dedicated to leaning is required, which simplifies the configuration of the device and makes it inexpensive. It is something that can be done.

Further, according to the ink sheet used in the recording apparatus of this embodiment, an ink section for forming an image and a cleaning section for removing ink remaining on the intermediate transfer medium are alternately and repeatedly provided on one ink sheet. Therefore, the device is simple. Further, since the cleaning portion of the ink sheet is formed by providing an area where no ink is applied, the ink sheet that also serves as a cleaning can be easily formed and can be made inexpensive.

In the second embodiment described above, an ink sheet is provided which is integrally provided with an ink area for forming an image and a cleaning area coated with an adhesive material to remove deposits remaining on the intermediate transfer medium. It is also possible to use

In this case, by peeling off the ink sheet after joining the cleaning area to the intermediate transfer medium during cleaning, the deposits remaining on the intermediate transfer medium can be attached to the cleaning area and removed. . Therefore, the apparatus can be made simple and the cleaning operation can be made highly reliable.

Next, a device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a recording apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the recording device of this embodiment is as follows:
The configuration of the recording apparatus in the embodiment is almost the same as that in the first embodiment, and the difference from the first embodiment is that there is no timing switching roller in the first embodiment, and instead, the ink sheet is always placed in a predetermined amount on the intermediate transfer medium. An ink sheet guide roller 19 is provided so that the ink sheet and the intermediate transfer medium can be fed in close contact with each other, and the feeding direction of the ink sheet and the intermediate transfer medium can be switched.

Next, the operation of the recording apparatus of this embodiment will be explained.

During recording, the ink sheet 3 and the intermediate transfer drum 5 are fed in the A direction and the B direction, respectively, indicated by arrows in the figure. The recording operation is performed in the same manner as in the recording apparatus of the first embodiment. During recording, as shown in the figure, immediately after the heat-melting ink 4 is melted by recording with the thermal recording head 1, the ink sheet 3 is
The structure is such that the intermediate transfer medium 6 is peeled off from the intermediate transfer medium 6 by the above-mentioned action.
This makes it possible to transfer the heat-melting ink 4 to.

The operation of transferring the ink image 13 onto the recording paper 12 is performed in exactly the same manner as in the recording apparatus of the first embodiment.

Next, the cleaning operation of this device will be explained. During cleaning, the ink sheet 3 and the intermediate transfer drum 5 are sent in the C direction and the D direction, respectively, as indicated by arrows in the figure. At this time, the ink sheet 3 is sent so that the portion after recording has been used is in contact with the intermediate transfer medium 6, and the portion after recording has been used for cleaning. When the ink sheet 3 and the intermediate transfer medium 6 are joined together and a signal to record a solid image is sent to the thermal recording head 1 used for recording by a control device (not shown), 20 solid images are recorded on the ink sheet 3. After the transfer together with the heat-melting ink 4 that remains after recording,
The heat-melting ink 4 remaining on the intermediate transfer medium 6 is also melted. Thereafter, the ink sheet 3 is transferred to the intermediate transfer medium 6
After the ink sheet is fed a predetermined amount while being in close contact with the ink sheet, it is peeled off from the intermediate transfer medium 6 at the ink sheet guide roller 19. By feeding a predetermined amount of ink sheet 3 and intermediate transfer medium 6 in close contact with each other, the heat-melting ink 4 melted by the thermal recording head 1 is cooled and solidified. The structure is such that the sheet 3 is peeled off from the intermediate transfer medium 6. At this time, all of the heat-melting ink 4 adheres to the ink sheet 3 side due to the action described above. Here, switching of the feeding direction of the ink sheet 3 and the intermediate transfer drum 5 is performed by a conventionally commonly used means. That is, for example, this is performed by switching the rotation direction of a motor (not shown) that drives the ink sheet 3 and the intermediate transfer drum 5 by a drive control device (not shown).

According to this embodiment, switching between the recording operation of an ink image on the intermediate transfer medium and the cleaning operation of the intermediate transfer medium can be performed by switching the feeding direction of the ink sheet and the intermediate transfer medium, and the configuration of the apparatus can be changed. This makes it possible to simplify the process and make the device inexpensive.

In addition, in the apparatus of this embodiment, cleaning is performed using the part of the ink sheet that has been used for recording.
The ink sheet is not wasted even during cleaning, the amount of ink sheet used can be reduced, the ink sheet can be used efficiently, and the cost of use can be reduced.

Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the present invention, in a recording apparatus that forms an ink image on an intermediate transfer medium and then retransfers this ink image to an image receiving paper, the ink sheet used for recording is cleaned by cleaning the intermediate transfer medium. Therefore, a recording device with a simple configuration and low cost can be provided without the need for a special or dedicated sheet for leaning.

Further, according to the present invention, the hot-melt ink on the ink sheet is heated and melted, the intermediate transfer medium and the ink sheet are brought into contact in the molten state of the hot-melt ink, and after the hot-melt ink is cooled and solidified, the intermediate transfer is performed. The medium and the ink sheet are separated from each other, so that the heat-melting ink can be stably adhered to the ink sheet along with the deposits that had adhered to the intermediate transfer medium, and cleaning of the intermediate transfer medium is facilitated. Therefore, it is possible to provide a recording device that can perform good quality recording.

Further, according to the present invention, an ink area for recording and a cleaning area for cleaning are formed on one ink sheet, which makes the recording device simple and inexpensive, and improves reliability. It is possible to make the ink sheet expensive, and it is possible to provide an ink sheet that can be used for both cleaning and cleaning.

Further, according to the present invention, in recording an ink image on the intermediate transfer medium, the ink medium is separated from the intermediate transfer medium within a pixel behind the heat-generating pixel row. The melted state of the thermofusible ink when separated from the medium can be kept stable regardless of the surrounding environment, which stabilizes the recording operation of the ink image on the intermediate transfer medium, resulting in high reliability and print quality. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a recording device with excellent performance.

Further, according to the present invention, when recording an ink image on an intermediate transfer medium, the recording element is divided into blocks and time-divisionally driven, and a single pixel row is recorded by repeating this time-divisionally driving a plurality of times. Therefore, when the ink medium is separated from the intermediate transfer medium, the melting state of the heat-melting ink can be made almost uniform in all the recording elements, so that the recorded pixels are uniform and the print quality is good. It is possible to provide a recording device.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the cleaning operation of a recording device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the recording operation of the same device, and FIG. 3 is a recording head used in the same device. 4 is a signal waveform diagram for driving the recording head of the same device, FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view showing the recording section of the same device, and FIG. 6 is a energized recording as the recording section of the same device. FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged view showing the configuration of the head when the head is used; FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged view showing the recording section when recording is performed using the head; FIG. 8 is a signal waveform diagram showing drive waveforms; 9th
10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a recording device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a cleaning ink sheet that is used in the same device and is an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. A schematic configuration diagram of a recording apparatus according to a third embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of a conventional recording apparatus. 1...Thermal recording head, 3...Ink sheet, 4...Thermofusible ink, 5...
Intermediate transfer drum, 6...Intermediate transfer medium, 7...
...Timing switching roller, 8...Heating roller, 12...Recording paper, 13...
Ink image, 14... Deposit, 15...
Ink sheet guide roller, 23... energized recording head, 27... energized recording sheet. Name of agent: Patent attorney Shigetaka Awano and 1 other person / --- Recording head 3 - Ink sheet 4 - 11 Intermediate transfer mechanism 7 - Timing cutting roller 8 - 71 Heat loaf / --- 4 End W, this season's head 3 - Ink sheet Otsu - Intermediate transfer medium 7 - Daiminzu switching loan 8 - Voice I battle low! ? -Niba 1 Mr. I3--Ing wound 14--4? Kimono L - Kiyoshi 4 Izumi Head 3° - Ink Sheet 6 - - Intermediate I! 2. Shape 13- Sunkubu Makka 10 Figure 11! ”-Kan head to enemy 3-Ink sheet 3-Koma transfer plot 7°-Timing switching roller 8--μm Hirowo/3-J Nguizo l ---Heat v1 squad head 3--Ink For inter-city transfer of sheet 8° voice rubbing roller!+3・-ink roller 19・-ink cutting roller

Claims (14)

[Claims] (1) an intermediate transfer medium, an ink sheet provided with a heat-melt ink layer, and a recording means for forming an image on the intermediate transfer medium with the heat-melt ink of the ink sheet;
a transfer device that transfers the heat-fusible ink image formed on the intermediate transfer medium to an image receiving paper; and a cleaning device that removes deposits on the intermediate transfer medium onto the ink sheet and cleans the intermediate transfer medium. A recording device comprising: (2) an intermediate transfer medium, an ink sheet provided with a heat-melt ink layer, and a recording means for forming an image on the intermediate transfer medium with the heat-melt ink of the ink sheet;
a transfer means for transferring an image of the heat-fusible ink formed on the intermediate transfer medium to an image receiving paper; and an ink heat-melting means for heating and melting the heat-fusible ink on the ink sheet, the ink heat-melting means The thermofusible ink on the ink sheet is heated and melted, and the intermediate transfer medium and the ink sheet are brought into contact with each other in the molten state of the thermofusible ink on the ink sheet, and the thermofusible ink on the ink sheet is melted by heating. After the intermediate transfer medium and the ink sheet are cooled and solidified, the intermediate transfer medium and the ink sheet are separated, and the deposits on the intermediate transfer medium are removed onto the ink sheet, thereby cleaning the intermediate transfer medium. recording device. (3) an intermediate transfer medium, an ink sheet provided with a heat-melt ink layer, and a recording means for forming an image on the intermediate transfer medium with the heat-melt ink of the ink sheet;
a transfer unit that transfers the image of the heat-fusible ink formed on the intermediate transfer medium to the image receiving paper; and an ink heating unit that heats and melts the heat-fusible ink remaining on the intermediate transfer medium after the transfer operation by the transfer unit. a melting means, the heat-melting ink on the intermediate transfer medium is heated and melted by the ink heating and melting means, and the intermediate transfer medium and the ink sheet are combined in a molten state of the hot-melt ink on the intermediate transfer medium. After the hot-melt ink on the intermediate transfer medium is cooled and solidified, the intermediate transfer medium and the ink sheet are separated to remove the remaining ink on the intermediate transfer medium onto the ink sheet, and the ink remaining on the intermediate transfer medium is removed onto the ink sheet. A recording device configured to clean an intermediate transfer medium. (4) The recording means and the ink heating melting means are constituted by the same recording head capable of generating a thermal pattern, and during recording, after the recording head melts the thermofusible ink on the ink sheet, the thermofusible ink is 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the recording apparatus is configured to separate the intermediate transfer medium and the ink sheet when the ink sheet is in a molten state. (5) During recording, the ink sheet is peeled off from the intermediate transfer medium immediately after the heat-fusible ink is melted by the recording head, and during cleaning, after the heat-fusible ink is melted by the recording head, the ink sheet is removed from the intermediate transfer medium. The ink sheet is provided with a travel path switching mechanism capable of switching the travel path of the ink sheet so as to travel with the medium in a predetermined fit and contact state, and is configured to switch between the recording operation and the cleaning operation by switching the travel path of the ink sheet. 5. The recording device according to claim 4, further comprising: (6) Equipped with a running speed switching means capable of switching the running speed of the ink sheet so that the running speed of the ink sheet during cleaning is smaller than the running speed of the ink sheet during recording, and recording by switching the running speed of the ink sheet. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the recording apparatus is configured to switch between operation and cleaning operation. (7) A moving direction switching means capable of switching the moving direction of the ink sheet and the intermediate transfer medium, and when the ink sheet and the intermediate transfer medium move in the first direction, the ink sheet is moved between the ink sheet and the intermediate transfer medium immediately after passing the recording head. The ink sheet is peeled off from the transfer medium, and when the ink sheet and the intermediate transfer medium are moved in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the ink sheet and the intermediate transfer medium are brought into contact by a predetermined amount after passing through a recording head. an ink sheet running mechanism configured to peel the ink sheet from the intermediate transfer medium after running the ink sheet in a state where the ink sheet moves in the first direction during recording; Further, during cleaning, the recording operation and the cleaning operation are switched by moving the ink sheet and the intermediate transfer medium in the second direction. Recording device. (8) Claim (1) characterized in that the intermediate transfer medium is configured to be cleaned by removing the heat-melting ink remaining on the intermediate transfer medium from the ink sheet portion after recording has been used. The recording device according to any one of (7) to (7). (9) The recording apparatus according to any one of claims (1) to (8), wherein the intermediate transfer medium is made of silicone rubber. (10) An ink area for transferring onto an intermediate transfer medium to form an image and a cleaning area for removing and adhering deposits on the intermediate transfer medium, which includes an adhesive material, are integrated. A cleaning ink sheet for use in a recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink sheet is provided as a cleaning ink sheet. (11) An ink area provided with ink for forming an image on the base material and a cleaning area for removing deposits on the intermediate transfer medium without being coated on the base material are integrated. Claim (3) characterized in that:
) A cleaning ink sheet used for the recording device described in (1). (12) an intermediate transfer medium, an ink medium configured to contain heat-melting ink, and heat being applied to the ink medium sequentially in a row in order to form an ink image on the intermediate transfer medium; a recording means configured to melt the thermofusible ink and separate the ink medium from the intermediate transfer medium in a molten state of the thermofusible ink, and to receive an image of the thermofusible ink formed on the intermediate transfer medium; 1. A recording apparatus comprising a transfer means for transferring onto paper, and wherein the recording means is configured to separate the ink medium from the intermediate transfer medium within one pixel behind a heat generating pixel row. (13) comprising an intermediate transfer medium, an ink medium including a heat-melting ink, and a plurality of recording elements arranged in a row, for forming an ink image on the intermediate transfer medium; a recording means configured to apply heat to the ink medium and separate the ink medium from the intermediate transfer medium in a state in which the heat-melt ink is melted; and a heat-melt ink formed on the intermediate transfer medium. , and the recording means divides the recording element into a plurality of blocks and repeats time-division driving multiple times to produce a single pixel column corresponding to the column of the recording element. A recording device characterized in that it is configured to record. (14) The recording means includes a current-carrying recording material including a current-carrying layer made of a resistor and an ink layer including a heat-melting ink, and a plurality of recording electrodes in contact with the current-carrying recording material;
Claim (12) characterized in that it is configured to include a return electrode that contacts the energized recording material, and a drive circuit that selectively applies a voltage between the recording electrode and the return electrode.
) or (13).