JPH0825660A - Thermal transfer recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] A recording material on which a receiving layer is not formed is recorded plural times by overlapping the receiving layer, and recording of a coloring material is stably performed. [Structure] A system controller 301 records and transfers a plurality of receiving layers provided on an ink sheet 701 to a recording sheet 801 having no receiving layer formed thereon. After recording a plurality of receiving layers, the color material of the ink paper 701 is recorded and transferred, and halftone recording is performed. [Effect] Since the pinholes generated during recording and transfer of the receiving layer are reduced and the surface is smoothed, the coloring material of the ink paper can be stably recorded and transferred onto the recording paper.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a thermal transfer recording apparatus, such as a video printer or a thermal printer, which records an image having an intermediate gradation density on a recording sheet having no receptive layer by using a sublimable dye ink.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a thermal transfer recording apparatus using a sublimable dye ink, it is necessary to use a dedicated recording paper on which a receiving layer is formed in advance. On the other hand, to record on a general recording paper on which a receiving layer is not formed,
For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-69568 is disclosed.
In the present invention, in the ink paper provided with the receiving layer for fixing the sublimable dye ink, it has a carrying density control means for increasing the paper carrying density at the time of transferring the receiving layer, It records at high density. Further, it has a thermal energy variable means for controlling the thermal head, and records with transfer thermal energy larger when transferring the receiving layer than when transferring the ink layer.

[0003]

In the above-mentioned prior art, since the ink layer provided with the receiving layer is used, the receiving layer is first recorded and transferred to the recording sheet on which the receiving layer is not formed. The sublimation dye ink can be recorded and transferred. In addition, since the recording and transfer of the receiving layer is performed at a higher density than that of the recording and transfer of the ink layer or with a large transfer heat energy, the surface smoothness of the receiving layer is improved. No consideration is given to a smaller transfer dropout (hereinafter referred to as a pinhole). Therefore, when the ink layer is recorded and transferred, the ink is not transferred in the pinhole portion and the image quality is deteriorated. There was a problem.

The object of the present invention is to solve the above problems,
An object of the present invention is to provide a thermal transfer recording apparatus that optimizes recording and transfer of a receiving layer to a recording paper on which a receiving layer is not formed, suppresses pinholes, smoothes the surface, and always enables good recording. .

[0005]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is provided with a repetitive recording means for recording and transferring a plurality of receptive layers as a recording means of the receptive layer, and the receptive layer is provided. A plurality of receiving layers are superposed and recorded and transferred on substantially the same portion of a non-printed recording paper.

Further, a transparent receiving layer is provided on the upstream side of each ink of the ink paper, recording means for recording and transferring the transparent receiving layer prior to recording of each ink is provided, and the transparent receiving layers are overlapped for recording, Transfer it.

Further, a transparent portion of only the base film is provided next to the receiving layer, and after the recording and transfer of the receiving layer, a reheating means for heating and pressing the receiving layer at the transparent portion is provided.
Furthermore, receptive layer recording, rewinding the ink paper after transfer,
The receptive layer is heated and pressure-contacted with the base film of the ink paper on which the receptive layer has been removed. Alternatively, a heat-pressing means such as a heat roller is provided on the downstream side of the ink recording paper after the recording and transfer of the receiving layer,
The receptive layer is heated and pressure-contacted with the base film of the ink paper on which the receptive layer has been removed.

Furthermore, a smoothing means for smoothing the recording surface of the recording paper is provided before recording on the recording paper having a low surface smoothness, and after the recording surface is smoothed, the receiving layer is recorded and transferred.

[0009]

Since a plurality of receiving layers are superposed and recorded and transferred before recording on the ink surface, pinholes generated in the first layer can be reduced and the surface can be smoothed.

Further, since the transparent receiving layer is superposed and recorded and transferred prior to the recording of each ink on the ink paper, the pinholes generated in the first layer can be reduced and the surface can be further smoothed.

Further, since the recording layer is heated and pressed again immediately after the recording and transfer of the receiving layer, the receiving layer transferred to the recording paper is remelted so that the recording sheet is made to fit to the recording paper, pinholes are reduced, and the surface is smoothed. You can

Further, even for a recording paper having a low surface smoothness, the recording surface of the recording paper is smoothed before recording.
Since the recording of the receiving layer is performed stably, it is possible to reduce pinholes and smooth the receiving layer.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of a thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the present invention, in which 101 is an image source, 201 is an image memory, 301 is a system controller, 401 is a halftone control unit, and 501 is a halftone controller. Is an energization data storage unit, 601 is a thermal head, 701 is ink paper, 80
Reference numeral 1 is a recording sheet, 901 is a drum, and 1001 is a switching means for switching to a receiving layer overlapping recording mode. The receptive layer overlap recording operation will be described below.

The image source 201 is recorded in the image memory 201 before recording.
The image data taken in from 1 is written. When the receptive layer overlapping recording mode is designated by the switching means 1001 and a recording command is issued, the system controller 301 receives energization time data to the thermal head 601 for recording the receptive layer from the energization data storage unit 501. The halftone control unit 401 receives the energization time data from the system controller 301, and sends a strobe signal having a time width corresponding to the energization time to the thermal head 601. The thermal head 601 applies current to the heating element for the time width of the input strobe signal, and the heating element generates heat accordingly.

On the peripheral surface of the drum 901, a recording paper 801 having no receiving layer formed is wound and conveyed to a predetermined recording start position, and then an ink paper 701 is overlaid and pressed by a thermal head 601. The heating element generates heat according to the energization time designated by the halftone control unit 401, and the receiving layer is recorded and transferred from the ink paper 701 to the recording paper 801 according to the amount of heat generation. In this embodiment, the number of recording lines for recording in the receiving layer is set to about half the normal number of recording lines, that is, about half of the normal recording image size, and the entire recording range is recorded with uniform gradation (hereinafter, referred to as solid area). (Recorded).

After recording the first receiving layer, the system controller 301 separates the thermal head 601 and the recording paper 8
After 01 is again conveyed to a predetermined recording start position, the thermal head 601 is pressed to perform solid recording on the second receiving layer as in the first layer. As described above, two receiving layers are recorded on the recording paper 801 on which the receiving layer is not formed.

Subsequent to the receptive layer recording, before recording the first color ink, the system controller 301 conveys the ink paper 701 to the position of the first color ink, and at the same time,
The energization time data for the first color is received from the energization data storage unit 501 and output to the halftone control unit 401. The halftone control unit 401 reads out image data from the image memory 201 and, at the same time, sends a strobe signal having a time width corresponding to the energization time to the thermal head 601. The amount of heat generated by the heating element changes in accordance with the energization time designated by the halftone control unit 401, and ink corresponding to the amount of heat is recorded from the ink paper 701 onto the receiving layer recorded and transferred to the recording paper 801, and the halftone is transferred. Recording is done. Thereafter, recording is similarly performed for the second and subsequent colors.

FIG. 2A shows an example of an ink paper 701 having a receiving layer portion in the first embodiment. 701R is a receiving layer, 701Y is Ye, 701M is Mg, and 701C is Cy.
In the recording, the receiving layers 701R, Ye701Y, Mg
701M and Cy701C are performed in this order. Note that FIG.
Although the case of three colors of Ye, Mg, and Cy is shown in (a), four-color ink in which black is added to this may be used.

FIG. 2B shows the ink paper 701 after recording the first layer of the receiving layer, and the portion A of the receiving layer 701R is a recording trace of the first layer. As described above, the size of the portion A is about half the normal recorded image size.

FIG. 2C shows the ink paper 701 after the recording of the second layer of the receiving layer, and the portion B of the receiving layer 701R is the recording trace of the second layer. The size of the B portion is approximately half the normal recorded image size, as in the A portion.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a recording paper 801 in which two layers of receiving layers are recorded and transferred, where C is the first receiving layer and D is the second receiving layer.

FIG. 4 is an example of a recorded image realized in the present embodiment, in which the portion E is a portion in which two layers of the receiving layer are recorded and transferred, and the size is about half the normal recorded image size. ing. In the configuration of this embodiment, the receptive layer is not recorded in a portion other than the recording range, so writing is possible, and the recording position can be set to any position on the recording paper 801 by the system controller 301. Is.

As described above, according to this embodiment, since two receiving layers are superposed and recorded and transferred, pinholes generated during the recording and transfer of the first receiving layer are reduced, and
The surface can be smoothed. In this embodiment, the case where two receiving layers are superposed and recorded and transferred is described, but three or more superposed layers may be superposed by changing the recording image size. Further, the size of the receiving layer 701R portion of the ink paper 701 may be increased, and a plurality of receiving layers may be superposed and recorded and transferred at a normal recording image size.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the present invention, in which 102 is an image source, 202 is an image memory, 302 is a system controller, 402 is a halftone controller, 502. Is an energization data storage unit, 602 is a thermal head, 702 is ink paper, 80
Reference numeral 2 is a recording sheet, 902 is a drum, and 1002 is a switching means for switching to a recording mode of each color receiving layer. The recording operation will be described below.

In the image memory 202, the image source 10 is recorded before recording.
The image data taken in from No. 2 is written. When the switching unit 1002 designates each color receiving layer recording mode and issues a recording command, the system controller 302 receives energization time data from the energization data storage unit 502 to the thermal head 602 for recording the first receiving layer. In the halftone control unit 402, the system controller 30
2 receives the energization time data and the thermal head 60
A strobe signal having a time width corresponding to this energization time is sent to 2. The thermal head 602 applies current to the heating element for the time width of the input strobe signal, and the heating element generates heat accordingly.

On the peripheral surface of the drum 902, a recording paper 802 having no receiving layer formed is wound and conveyed to a predetermined recording start position, and then an ink paper 702 is overlaid and pressed by a thermal head 602. The heating element generates heat according to the energization time designated by the halftone control unit 402, and the first receiving layer causes the ink paper 702 to be generated according to the amount of heat generation.
Is recorded on the recording paper 802.

After recording and transferring the first receiving layer and before recording the first color ink, the system controller 302 conveys the ink paper 702 to the position of the first color ink, and at the same time, from the energization data storage section 502 to the first color ink. The energization time data of is received and output to the halftone control unit 402. The halftone control unit 402 reads the image data from the image memory 202 and, at the same time, sends a strobe signal having a time width corresponding to the energization time to the thermal head 602. The heat generation amount of the heating element changes according to the energization time designated by the halftone control unit 402, and ink corresponding to the heat generation amount is transferred from the ink paper 702 to the first ink sheet.
The recording layer 802 is recorded and transferred onto the recording sheet 802, and the halftone recording is performed.

Next, the system controller 302 conveys the ink paper 702 to the second receiving layer position, and presses the thermal head 602 under pressure. The heating element generates heat according to the energization time for recording the second receiving layer designated by the halftone control unit 402, and the second receiving layer is solidly recorded from the ink paper 702 to the recording paper 802 according to the amount of heat generation. It

After recording and transferring the second receiving layer and before recording the second color ink, the system controller 302 conveys the ink paper 702 to the position of the second color ink, and at the same time, from the energization data storage unit 502 to the second color ink. The energization time data of is received and output to the halftone control unit 402. The halftone control unit 402 reads the image data from the image memory 202 and, at the same time, sends a strobe signal having a time width corresponding to the energization time to the thermal head 602. The heat generation amount of the heating element changes according to the energization time designated by the halftone control unit 402, and the ink corresponding to the heat generation amount is transferred from the ink paper 702 to the second ink sheet.
The recording layer 802 is recorded and transferred onto the recording sheet 802, and the halftone recording is performed. Hereinafter, the third receiving layer, 3
Recording is performed in the same manner for the inks of different colors.

FIG. 6 shows an example of an ink paper 702 having a receiving layer portion in the second embodiment. 702R1 is the first receiving layer, 702Y is Ye, 702R2 is the second receiving layer, and 7B.
02M is Mg, 702R3 is the third receiving layer, 702C is Cy, and the recording is the first receiving layers 702R1 and Ye7.
01Y, second receiving layer 702R2, Mg701M, third
The receiving layers 702R3 and Cy701C are sequentially formed. Second
The receiving layer 702R2 and the third receiving layer 702R3 are composed of transparent receiving layers. First receiving layer 702R1
May be transparent or opaque. Note that in FIG. 6, Y
Although the case of three colors of e, Mg, and Cy is shown, four-color ink in which black is added may be used.

As described above, according to this embodiment, since the receiving layer is recorded and transferred for each ink of the ink paper 702, the pinholes generated during the recording and transfer of the first receiving layer are reduced. , The surface can be smoothed.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the present invention, in which 103 is an image source, 203 is an image memory, 303 is a system controller, 403 is a halftone control section, and 503. Is an energization data storage unit, 603 is a thermal head, 703 is ink paper, and 80
3 is a recording paper, 903 is a drum, 1003 is a receiving layer heating,
It is a means for switching to the pressure contact mode. Hereinafter, the recording of the receiving layer, the heating of the receiving layer, and the pressure contact operation will be described.

The image source 203 is stored in the image memory 203 before recording.
The image data taken in from No. 3 is written. When the receptive layer heating and pressure contact modes are designated by the switching means 1003 and a recording command is issued, the system controller 303
Receives the energization time data to the thermal head 603 for recording the receptive layer portion from the energization data storage unit 503. In the halftone control unit 403, the system controller 30
3 receives the energization time data from the thermal head 60
A strobe signal having a time width corresponding to this energization time is sent to 3. The thermal head 603 applies current to the heating element for the time width of the input strobe signal, and the heating element generates heat accordingly.

A recording paper 803 having no receiving layer formed is wound around the peripheral surface of the drum 903, conveyed to a predetermined recording start position, and then an ink paper 703 is overlaid and pressed by the thermal head 603. The heating element generates heat according to the energization time designated by the halftone control unit 403, and the receiving layer is solidly printed on the recording paper 803 from the ink paper 703 according to the amount of heat generation.

After recording the receiving layer, the system controller 3
Reference numeral 03 separates the thermal head 603 and conveys the recording paper 803 to a predetermined recording start position again, and at the same time, conveys the ink paper 703 to a portion of the base film only. The system controller 303 uses the thermal head 6 for recording the base film portion from the energization data storage unit 503.
03 receives power-on time data. Halftone control unit 40
In No. 3, the energization time data is received from the system controller 303, a strobe signal having a time width corresponding to this energization time is sent to the thermal head 603, and solid recording is performed using the ink paper 703 of only the base film. In the solid recording of the base film, the recording size is set to be substantially the same as the recording size of the receiving layer or larger than the recording size of the receiving layer.

Subsequent to the receiving layer recording, before recording the first color ink, the system controller 303 conveys the ink paper 703 to the position of the first color ink, and at the same time,
The energization time data for the first color is received from the energization data storage unit 503 and output to the halftone control unit 403. The halftone control unit 403 reads the image data from the image memory 203 and, at the same time, sends a strobe signal having a time width corresponding to the energization time to the thermal head 603. The calorific value of the heating element changes according to the energization time designated by the halftone control unit 403, and ink corresponding to the calorific value is recorded and transferred from the ink paper 703 to the recording layer 803 on which the receiving layer is recorded and transferred. Recording is done. Thereafter, recording is similarly performed for the second and subsequent colors.

FIG. 8 shows an example of an ink paper 703 having a receiving layer portion and a base film only portion in the third embodiment. 703R is a receiving layer, 703B is a base film only portion, 703Y is Ye and 703M. Is Mg, 703
C is Cy, and the recording is the receiving layer 703R, the base film 703B, Ye703Y, Mg703M, Cy70.
Perform in order of 3C.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the receptive layer recorded and transferred on the recording paper 803 is heated again.
It can be pressed to remelt the receptive layer and adapt it to the recording paper 803 to reduce pinholes and smooth the surface.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the present invention, in which 104 is an image source, 204 is an image memory, 304 is a system controller, 404 is a halftone control section, and 504. Is an energization data storage unit, 604 is a thermal head, 704 is ink paper, 80
4 is a recording paper, 904 is a drum, 1004 is a receiving layer heating,
It is a means for switching to the pressure contact mode. Hereinafter, the recording of the receiving layer, the heating of the receiving layer, and the pressure contact operation will be described.

The image memory 204 stores the image source 10 before recording.
The image data taken in from No. 4 is written. When the switching means 1004 designates the receptive layer heating and pressure contact modes and issues a recording command, the system controller 304
Receives the energization time data to the thermal head 604 for recording the receptive layer portion from the energization data storage unit 504. In the halftone control unit 404, the system controller 30
4 receives the energization time data from the thermal head 60
A strobe signal having a time width corresponding to this energization time is sent to the circuit 4. The thermal head 604 applies current to the heating element for the time width of the input strobe signal, and the heating element generates heat accordingly.

On the peripheral surface of the drum 904, a recording paper 804 having no receiving layer is wound and conveyed to a predetermined recording start position, and then an ink paper 704 is overlaid and pressed by the thermal head 604. The heating element generates heat according to the energization time designated by the halftone control unit 404, and the receiving layer is solidly printed on the recording paper 804 from the ink paper 704 according to the amount of heat generation.

After recording the receiving layer, the system controller 3
Reference numeral 04 separates the thermal head 604, conveys the recording paper 804 again to a predetermined recording start position, and at the same time, rewinds the ink paper 704 to a portion where the receiving layer is removed and only the base film is formed. The system controller 304 receives the energization time data to the thermal head 604 for recording the base film portion from the energization data storage unit 504. In the halftone control unit 404, the system controller 30
4 receives the energization time data from the thermal head 60
A strobe signal having a time width corresponding to the energization time is sent to the recording medium 4, and solid recording is performed with the ink paper 704 that has become the base film only with the receiving layer removed. In addition, in the solid recording on the base film where the trace of the receiving layer has been removed, the recording size is set to be substantially the same as the recording size of the receiving layer or smaller than the recording size of the receiving layer.

Subsequent to the receiving layer recording and before recording the first color ink, the system controller 304 conveys the ink paper 704 to the position of the first color ink, and at the same time,
The energization time data for the first color is received from the energization data storage unit 504 and output to the halftone control unit 404. The halftone control unit 404 reads the image data from the image memory 204 and, at the same time, sends a strobe signal having a time width corresponding to the energization time to the thermal head 604. The heat generation amount of the heating element changes according to the energization time designated by the halftone control unit 404, and ink corresponding to the heat generation amount is recorded on the recording sheet 804 on which the receiving layer is recorded and transferred from the ink paper 704, and the halftone is generated. Recording is done. Thereafter, recording is similarly performed for the second and subsequent colors.

FIG. 10A shows an example of an ink paper 704 having a receiving layer portion according to the fourth embodiment.
R is a receiving layer, 704Y is Ye, 704M is Mg, 704
C is Cy.

FIG. 10B shows the ink paper 704 after recording the receiving layer, and the F portion of the receiving layer 704R is a recording trace of the receiving layer and is only the base film.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the receiving layer recorded and transferred on the recording paper 804 is heated again,
By pressing, the receiving layer is re-melted and conformed to the recording paper 804 to reduce pinholes, and the surface can be smoothed.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the present invention, in which 105 is an image source, 205 is an image memory, 305 is a system controller, 405 is a halftone control unit, and 505. Is an energization data storage unit, 605 is a thermal head, 705 is ink paper, 80
Reference numeral 5 is a recording sheet, 905 is a drum, and 1005 is a heat roller. Hereinafter, the recording operation of the receiving layer and the heat treatment operation by the heat roller 1005 will be described.

The image source 205 is stored in the image memory 205 before recording.
The image data taken in from No. 5 is written. When the receptive layer recording mode is designated and a recording command is issued, the system controller 305 receives energization time data to the thermal head 605 for recording the receptive layer portion from the energization data storage unit 505. The halftone control unit 405 receives the energization time data from the system controller 305, and sends a strobe signal having a time width corresponding to the energization time to the thermal head 605. The thermal head 605 applies a current to the heating element for the time width of the input strobe signal, and the heating element generates heat accordingly.

A recording paper 805 having no receiving layer formed is wound around the peripheral surface of the drum 905, conveyed to a predetermined recording start position, and then an ink paper 705 is overlaid and pressed by a thermal head 605. The heating element generates heat according to the energization time designated by the halftone control unit 405, and the receiving layer is solidly recorded on the recording paper 805 from the ink paper 705 according to the amount of heat generation.

Subsequent to the receiving layer recording, when the recording paper 805 is conveyed to a position of the heat roller 1005 downstream of the thermal head 605, the heated heat roller 10 is heated.
05 is pressed against the recording paper 805. In synchronization with the rotation of the drum 905, the heat roller 1005 also rotates while heating and press-contacting the recording paper 805 on which the receiving layer has recorded and transferred. When the heating of the receptive layer and the pressure contact process by the heat roller 1005 are completed, the system controller 305 causes the heat roller 1005 to
Is separated from the recording paper 805, and the heat roller 10
The heating control of 05 is stopped. The heat roller 1005
Is controlled to have a substantially uniform temperature during heating and pressure contact, and has a length substantially the same as the width of the recording paper 805.

Subsequent to the recording of the receiving layer and the heat treatment by the heat roller 1005, before recording the ink of the first color,
The system controller 305 conveys the ink paper 705 to the position of the ink of the first color, and at the same time, receives the energization time data of the first color from the energization data storage unit 505 and outputs it to the halftone control unit 405. The halftone control unit 405 reads the image data from the image memory 205 and at the same time outputs a strobe signal having a time width corresponding to the energization time to the thermal head 6.
Send to 05. The heat generation amount of the heating element changes according to the energization time designated by the halftone control unit 405, and the ink corresponding to the heat generation amount is recorded and transferred from the ink paper 705 to the recording layer 805 on which the receiving layer is recorded and transferred, and the halftone is generated. Recording is done. Thereafter, recording is similarly performed for the second and subsequent colors.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the receiving layer recorded and transferred on the recording paper 805 is heated and pressed again by the heat roller 1005 to remelt the receiving layer, and the recording paper 805 is remelted. It can be applied to reduce pinholes and smooth the surface.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a sixth embodiment of the thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the present invention, in which 106 is an image source, 206 is an image memory, 306 is a system controller, 406 is a halftone control section, and 506. Is an energization data storage unit, 606 is a thermal head, 706 is ink paper, 80
Reference numeral 6 is a recording paper, 906 is a drum, and 1006 is a smoothing means for smoothing the surface of the recording paper. Hereinafter, the receiving layer recording will be described.

The image source 206 is stored in the image memory 206 before recording.
The image data taken in from No. 6 is written. When a recording command is issued, the smoothing means 1006 smoothes the recording surface side of the recording paper 806 as described later, and the paper is fed. The system controller 306 is the energization data storage unit 5.
Thermal head 6 for recording the receptive layer portion from 06
Data of energization time to 06 is received. Halftone control unit 40
In step 6, the energization time data is received from the system controller 306, and a strobe signal having a time width corresponding to the energization time is sent to the thermal head 606. Thermal head 6
At 06, a current flows through the heating element for the time width of the input strobe signal, and the heating element generates heat in response to this.

On the peripheral surface of the drum 906, a recording paper 806 having a surface which has not been formed with a receptive layer and whose surface is smoothed is wound and conveyed to a predetermined recording start position, and then an ink paper 706 is superposed thereon. It is pressed by the thermal head 606. The heating element generates heat according to the energization time designated by the halftone control unit 406, and the receiving layer is solidly recorded on the recording paper 806 from the ink paper 706 according to the amount of heat generation. Following the receiving layer recording, the ink portion of the ink paper 706 is recorded and transferred, and halftone recording is performed.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of the smoothing processing section in the sixth embodiment.
08 is a rear feed roller, 1009 is a smooth roller, 10
Reference numeral 10 is a holding roller, 1011 is a front sensor for detecting the front end of the recording paper 806, and 1012 is a rear sensor for detecting the rear end of the recording paper 806. The smoothing process of the recording paper surface in the smoothing processing section will be described below.

The recording paper 806 conveyed from a paper feed tray (not shown) is first held by the forward feed roller 1007,
It is conveyed, and further held and conveyed by the post-feed roller.
When the front sensor 1011 detects the leading edge of the recording paper 806, the system controller 306 stops the rotation of the front feed roller 1007 and the rear feed roller 1008.
Next, the system controller 306 sets the smoothing roller 100.
9 is moved to press the recording paper 806 from the recording surface side toward the holding roller 1010. After press-contacting the smoothing roller 1009, the forward feed roller 1007 and the holding roller 1
010 and the rear feed roller 1008 rotate to convey the recording paper 806 to the recording unit, and at the same time, the smoothing roller 10
09 starts rotating in the direction opposite to the conveying direction of the recording paper 806. The smoothing roller 1009 is used to convey the recording paper 80.
The recording surface of 6 is pressed and rotated while rubbing. When the rear edge of the recording paper 806 is detected by the rear sensor 1012,
The system controller 306 separates the smoothing roller 1009 and ends the smoothing process. After that, the recording paper 806 is conveyed to the recording unit, and the receiving layer recording and each ink portion are recorded and transferred, and the halftone recording is performed. The smooth roller 1009 is made of a metal, an elastic body (for example, chloroprene rubber), or a metal file.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the recording surface of the recording paper 806 is smoothed before recording even for the recording paper 806 having a low recording surface smoothness, so that the receiving layer recording is stable. Then, the pinholes can be reduced and the surface can be smoothed.

[0060]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It has the following effects.

Since a plurality of receiving layers for fixing the color material are superposed and recorded and transferred onto the recording paper on which the receiving layer is not formed, the pinholes generated in the first layer can be reduced. The surface can be further smoothed.

Further, since the transparent receiving layer is superposed and recorded and recorded prior to the recording of the color material of the ink paper, the pinholes generated in the first layer can be reduced and the surface can be further smoothed. .

Further, recording on the receiving layer, heating again after transfer,
Since it is pressed, the receiving layer transferred to the recording paper is re-melted to fit the recording paper and reduce pinholes.
The surface can be smoothed.

Further, since the recording surface of the recording paper is smoothed before recording even on the recording paper having a low smoothness of the recording surface, the receiving layer recording can be stably performed, so that the pinhole is reduced. , The receiving layer can be smoothed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an example of the ink paper according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the recording paper according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a recording example in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an example of an ink paper according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an example of an ink paper according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a fourth embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an example of an ink paper according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a fifth embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a sixth embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of a smoothing processing portion in the sixth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

301 ... System controller, 401 ... Halftone control unit, 601, Thermal head, 701 ... Ink paper, 80
1 ... Recording paper, 1001 ... Switching means, 1005 ... Heat roller.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Office reference number FI technical display location B41J 3/20 115 D 117 C

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A recording paper on which a receiving layer is not formed, an ink paper in which a receiving layer for fixing a coloring material and the coloring material are formed in a frame-sequential manner, and a thermal head having a plurality of heating elements, In a thermal transfer recording apparatus configured to heat a heating element of the thermal head by energization and change an amount of applied heat to transfer the receiving layer and the color material of the ink paper to the recording paper to perform gradation recording, A thermal transfer recording apparatus, characterized in that, prior to recording of a coloring material of ink paper, the receiving layer of the ink paper is recorded at the same position so as to be overlapped plural times. 2. The ink sheet according to claim 1, comprising an ink paper in which a receiving layer for fixing the color material and the color material are alternately arranged in a frame-sequential manner, and prior to recording each color material of the ink paper. A thermal transfer recording apparatus characterized by recording the receptive layer. 3. A thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiving layer recorded and transferred on the recording paper is heated and pressed again before the recording of the color material of the ink paper. 4. The recording medium according to claim 3, wherein the receiving layer recorded and transferred on the recording paper is heated and pressed again through the base film of the ink paper prior to recording the color material of the ink paper. Characteristic thermal transfer recording device. 5. The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the receiving layer recorded and transferred on the recording paper is heated and pressed again by the thermal head. 6. The heat treatment means according to claim 3, further comprising, prior to the recording of the color material of the ink paper, a heat treatment means for reheating and pressure-contacting the receiving layer recorded and transferred on the recording paper, in addition to the thermal head. Characteristic thermal transfer recording device. 7. A thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiving layer for fixing the color material is transparent. 8. The smoothing means for smoothing the recording surface of the recording paper according to claim 1, wherein the recording surface of the recording paper is smoothed before recording on the receiving layer, and then the receiving layer is recorded and transferred. A thermal transfer recording device characterized by the above.