JP2008230095A - Image forming method, image forming apparatus, and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming method, an image forming apparatus and an image forming system capable of forming an image at high speed at low cost.
SOLUTION: The color separation data of n images (n is an integer of 2 or more) are aggregated for each of the three primary colors, and at least yellow is provided on one surface of the base sheet based on the aggregated color separation data. Magenta and cyan three primary color layers are provided in order, and each color layer is formed by a thermal transfer recording method using a thermal transfer sheet having an area capable of forming n (n is an integer of 2 or more) images. By printing together on the image receiving sheet every time, a print product in which n images are continuous is formed, and then the print product is cut into each image to form a full color image.
[Selection] Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to image formation using a thermal transfer recording method, and more particularly to an image forming method, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming system for forming a full-color image.

  Conventionally, a full-color image is formed using a heat-sensitive sublimation transfer method or a heat-sensitive melt transfer method. Among these, the heat-sensitive sublimation transfer method is a method in which a thermal transfer sheet in which a dye layer in which a sublimation dye used as a coloring material is dissolved or dispersed in a binder resin is supported on a base sheet is superimposed on the image receiving sheet, and the dye on the thermal transfer sheet is used. In this method, a sublimation dye contained in a layer is transferred to an image receiving sheet to form an image. In addition, the heat-sensitive melt transfer system is a heat-meltable ink layer component in which a heat-transfer sheet provided with a heat-meltable ink layer containing a colorant such as a pigment and a vehicle such as wax is superimposed on the image-receiving sheet and softened. Is transferred to an image receiving sheet to form an image.

In a conventional full-color image forming method, for example, a thermal transfer sheet on which three primary colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) are formed in a surface sequential manner is superposed on an image receiving sheet and used as a heating device such as a thermal head. By applying energy according to the color separation data of the image, each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) is printed and formed for each image (Patent Documents 1 and 2). ).
JP-A-7-304272 JP-A-8-300778

However, in the conventional full-color image formation, detection marks are provided between the yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) regions of the thermal transfer sheet to be used, the dye layers of each color, A blank area for preventing overlapping of the meltable ink layers is provided, and therefore, a useless area that cannot be used for image formation occurs, and there is a limit to the cost reduction of full-color image formation. Further, the conventional image forming method and image forming apparatus that form full color images one by one have a low formation speed and have a problem in processing capability.
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming method, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming system capable of forming an image at high speed at a low cost.

  In order to achieve such an object, the image forming method of the present invention is an image forming method for forming a full color image by a thermal transfer recording method, and the color separation data of n images (n is an integer of 2 or more) is 3 Aggregating for each primary color, and using the thermal transfer sheet based on the aggregated color separation data, printing on the image receiving sheet collectively for each color to form a print product in which n images are continuous, A step of cutting a printed material into each image, and the thermal transfer sheet is provided with at least three primary color layers of yellow, magenta, and cyan on one side of a base sheet in a surface sequential manner, and n colored layers of each color (N is an integer greater than or equal to 2) It was set as the structure which has an area which can form an image.

As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the thermal transfer sheet comprises the colored layer and the transferable protective layer on the base sheet in a surface sequence, and the transferable protective layer has n images (n is an integer of 2 or more). It was set as the structure which has an area which can form.
As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the colored layer is configured to contain at least a dye and a binder resin.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus that forms a full-color image by a thermal transfer recording method, and color-separates n (n is an integer of 2 or more) images and uses the color separation data for each of the three primary colors. An image processing unit to be integrated and a thermal transfer sheet based on the color separation data for each color received from the image processing unit to print each color together on the image receiving sheet to form a print product in which n images are continuous The thermal transfer sheet has at least three primary color layers of yellow, magenta, and cyan on one side of the base sheet in a surface sequential manner. And each colored layer has an area capable of forming n (n is an integer of 2 or more) images.
As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the thermal transfer sheet comprises the colored layer and the transferable protective layer on the base sheet in a surface sequence, and the transferable protective layer has n images (n is an integer of 2 or more). It was set as the structure which has an area which can form.
As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the colored layer is configured to contain at least a dye and a binder resin.

The image forming system of the present invention is an image forming system for forming a full-color image by a thermal transfer recording method. The thermal transfer sheet A is provided with a colored layer of at least three primary colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan on one surface of a base sheet. The colored layers of each color are provided in a surface sequence, and each color layer has an area capable of forming n (n is an integer of 2 or more) images, and the thermal transfer sheet B is at least yellow on one surface of the base sheet. The three primary colors of magenta and cyan are provided in a surface sequential manner, and each colored layer has an area capable of forming one image, and is based on the color separation data for each color of n images. Using the thermal transfer sheet A, the printing apparatus A that prints on the image receiving sheet for each color together to form a print product in which n images are continuous, and color separation data for each color of one image And the printing apparatus B that prints on the image receiving sheet for each color by using the thermal transfer sheet B to form one printed image, and outputs an image corresponding to a multiple of the n of all the images to be formed. The printing apparatus A is configured to form the fractional image with the printing apparatus B.
As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the thermal transfer sheet A is provided with the colored layer and the transferable protective layer on the base sheet in the surface order, and the transferable protective layer has n images (n is an integer of 2 or more). The thermal transfer sheet B has a configuration in which the colored layer and the transferable protective layer are provided in the surface order on the base sheet.

  The image forming system of the present invention is an image forming system for forming a full-color image by a thermal transfer recording method. The thermal transfer sheet A is colored on at least three primary colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan on one surface of a base sheet. The layers are provided in a surface sequence, and each colored layer has an area capable of forming two images, and the thermal transfer sheet B is provided on at least one primary surface of yellow, magenta, and cyan on one side of the base sheet. The colored layers of each color have an area capable of forming three images, and the thermal transfer sheet A is used based on the color separation data for each color of the two images. The printing apparatus A that prints the image for each color together on the image receiving sheet to form a print product in which two images are continuous, and the thermal transfer based on the color separation data for each color of the three images. The printing apparatus B that prints on the image receiving sheet for each color by using the sheet B and forms three prints is combined, and the printing apparatus A and the printing apparatus B are configured so that no fraction is generated in all the images to be formed. The configuration is such that the number of prints is distributed.

As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the thermal transfer sheet A includes the colored layer and the transferable protective layer on the base sheet in a surface sequential manner, and the transferable protective layer has an area capable of forming two images. The thermal transfer sheet B is provided with the colored layer and the transferable protective layer on the base sheet in a surface sequential manner, and the transferable protective layer has an area capable of forming three images. It was set as the structure which has.
As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the colored layer is configured to contain at least a dye and a binder resin.

  According to the image forming method and the image forming apparatus of the present invention, since a plurality of sheets are formed together as compared with the case of forming a full-color image one by one, the operation necessary for printing, the mechanism is simplified, Positioning control can be facilitated, the time required for image formation can be shortened, and wasteful areas that cannot be used for image formation of the thermal transfer sheet are reduced, so that the thermal transfer sheet per image can be reduced. The amount used can be reduced and the cost can be reduced. Furthermore, according to the image forming system of the present invention, since the printing apparatus A using the thermal transfer sheet A and the printing apparatus B using the thermal transfer sheet B are used in combination, an image to be formed in addition to the above-described effects. Without being affected by the number, it is possible to prevent the thermal transfer sheet from being wasted (preventing the generation of unused areas).

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
First, the thermal transfer sheet used in the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of a thermal transfer sheet used in the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the thermal transfer sheet shown in FIG. 1 and 2, the thermal transfer sheet 11 includes a colored layer 13 (13Y, 13M, 13C) of three primary colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) on one surface of a base sheet 12. The transferable protective layer 14 is provided in the surface order, and the back surface layer 17 is provided on the other surface of the base sheet 12. Further, a detection mark 15 for positioning (shown with a chain line in FIG. 1) is provided for each of the colored layers 13Y, 13M, 13C and the transferable protective layer 14 of each color.

  The thermal transfer sheet used in the present invention has an area where the colored layers of each color can form n images (n is an integer of 2 or more). In the thermal transfer sheet 11 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the colored layers 13Y, 13M, and 13C of each color have two images, that is, two images Y1 and Y2 in the colored layer 13Y, and M1 in the colored layer 13M. And M2 and the colored layer 13C have an area where two images C1 and C2 can be formed. The transferable protective layer 14 has areas (OP1 and OP2) that cover two images.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view showing another example of the thermal transfer sheet used in the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the thermal transfer sheet shown in FIG. 3 and 4, the thermal transfer sheet 21 includes a colored layer 23 (23Y, 23M, 23C) of three primary colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) on one surface of a base sheet 22. The transferable protective layer 24 is provided in the surface order, and the back surface layer 27 is provided on the other surface of the base sheet 22. Further, a detection mark 25 for positioning (shown with a chain line in FIG. 3) is provided for each of the colored layers 23Y, 23M, and 23C of each color and the transferable protective layer 24.

In the thermal transfer sheet 21 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the colored layers 23Y, 23M, and 23C of each color have three images, that is, three images of Y1, Y2, and Y3 in the colored layer 23Y, and the colored layer 23M. Has an area capable of forming three images of M1, M2, and M3, and the colored layer 23C has an area capable of forming three images of C1, C2, and C3. The transferable protective layer 24 has regions (OP1, OP2, and OP3) that cover three images.
In such thermal transfer sheets 11 and 21, useless areas that cannot be used for image formation of the thermal transfer sheet are reduced, and the amount of thermal transfer sheet used per image is reduced.
In the above-described example, the color layers 13Y, 13M, and 13C for each color have an area capable of forming two images, and the color layers 23Y, 23M, and 23C for each color have an area capable of forming three images. The thermal transfer sheet used in 1 may have an area where the colored layers of each color can form four or more images.

Next, components of the above-described thermal transfer sheets 11 and 21 will be described.
(Substrate sheet)
As the base material sheets 12 and 22 constituting the thermal transfer sheets 11 and 21, a base material sheet used for a conventional thermal transfer sheet can be used. Specific examples of preferred substrate sheets include heat-resistant materials such as glassine paper, condenser paper, thin paper such as paraffin paper, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyphenylene sulfide, polyether ketone, and polyether sulfone. Highly stretched or unstretched films of plastics such as polyester, polypropylene, fluororesin, polycarbonate, cellulose acetate, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polystyrene, polyamide, polyimide, polymethylpentene, ionomer, and these materials Can be mentioned. The thickness of the substrate sheets 12 and 22 can be appropriately selected according to the material so that the strength, heat resistance and the like are appropriate, but usually a thickness of about 2 to 100 μm is preferably used.

(Colored layer)
The colored layers 13 (13Y, 13M, 13C) and the colored layers 23 (23Y, 23M, 23C) constituting the thermal transfer sheets 11, 21 may be heat sublimable color material layers in which a dye is supported on a binder resin, Moreover, a heat-meltable ink layer may be sufficient.
When the colored layer 13 (13Y, 13M, 13C) and the colored layer 23 (23Y, 23M, 23C) are heat sublimable colorant layers, the dye used is a conventionally known thermal sublimation transfer type thermal transfer sheet. The dyes to be used can be used and are not particularly limited. Moreover, as binder resin to be used, the binder resin used for the heat transfer sheet of a conventionally well-known heat-sensitive sublimation transfer system can be used, and there is no restriction | limiting in particular. Furthermore, as the hue of the dye, not only cyan, magenta and yellow, but also dyes of various hues such as black can be used.

Such colored layers 13 and 23 can contain various known additives as required in addition to the above-described dye and binder resin. The colored layers (thermal sublimation colorant layers) 13 and 23 are formed by, for example, using a gravure coating method or the like by preparing an ink prepared by dissolving or dispersing the above dye, binder resin or other additive in an appropriate solvent. It can be performed by applying and drying by a known means. The thickness of the colored layers 13 and 23 can be about 0.1 to 3.0 μm, preferably about 0.2 to 1.0 μm.
Further, when the colored layer 13 (13Y, 13M, 13C) and the colored layer 23 (23Y, 23M, 23C) are heat-meltable ink layers, they are composed of conventionally known colorants and binders, and various additions may be made as necessary. What added the agent is used.

Examples of the wax component used as the binder include microcrystalline wax, carnauba wax, and paraffin wax. In addition, Fischer-Tropsch wax, various low molecular weight polyethylene, wood wax, beeswax, whale wax, ibota wax, wool wax, shellac wax, candelilla wax, petrolactam, polyester wax, partially modified wax, fatty acid ester, fatty acid amide, etc. The wax is used. Among these, those having a melting point of 50 to 85 ° C. are particularly preferable. When it is 50 ° C. or lower, a problem occurs in storage stability, and when it is 85 ° C. or higher, sensitivity is insufficient.
Examples of the resin component used as the binder include ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene-acrylic acid ester copolymer, polyethylene, polystyrene, polypropylene, polybudene, petroleum resin, vinyl chloride resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate. Copolymer, polyvinyl alcohol, vinylidene chloride resin, methacrylic resin, polyamide, polycarbonate, fluororesin, polyvinyl formal, polyvinyl butyral, acetyl cellulose, nitrocellulose, polyvinyl acetate, polyisobutylene, ethyl cellulose or polyacetal, etc. In particular, those having a relatively low softening point, for example, a softening point of 50 to 80 ° C., conventionally used as a heat-sensitive adhesive are preferable.

The colorant can be appropriately selected from known organic or inorganic pigments or dyes. For example, a colorant having a sufficient color density and not discolored or discolored by light, heat or the like is preferable. Further, as the color of the colorant, not only cyan, magenta, and yellow, but also black and other various colorants can be used.
The colored layers (heat-meltable ink layers) 13 and 23 are formed by the above-described colorant component and binder component, and further, if necessary, higher fatty acids such as mineral oil, vegetable oil, stearic acid, plastic Add various additives such as additives, antioxidants, fillers, etc., and mix and adjust the solvent components such as water and organic solvents to make the coating solution for forming the colored layer, conventionally known hot melt coat, hot lacquer coat, gravure It is performed by a method such as coating, gravure reverse coating or roll coating. There is also a method of forming using an aqueous or non-aqueous emulsion coating solution.

  The detection mark 15 is formed of a material containing a conductive material such as metal or carbon and is detected electrically. The detection mark 15 is formed of a material containing a magnetic material and is detected magnetically. Any of those that can be optically detected by a mark containing a pigment or dye that can be formed may be used. The shape of the detection mark 15 is not limited to the illustrated example.

(Transferable protective layer)
The transferable protective layers 14 and 24 constituting the thermal transfer sheets 11 and 21 are transferred onto the printing screen and impart various resistances such as scratch resistance and scratch resistance to the printing screen, as well as chemical resistance and solvent resistance. The purpose is to do. Such transferable protective layers 14 and 24 may have a single-layer structure, or may be a single-layered protective layer provided on the base sheet 12 or 22 via a release layer. A protective layer having a multilayer structure in which a release layer, a functional layer, and an adhesive layer are laminated in this order from the material sheets 12 and 22 side, or a release layer and a functional layer provided on the base sheet 12 and 22 via a release layer A protective layer having a multilayer structure composed of an adhesive layer can be used. Each of the release layer, the functional layer, and the adhesive layer constituting the multilayer protective layer may be a plurality of layers, and the functions such as the security layer, the hologram layer, the barrier layer, etc. may be combined with the functional layer or the adhesive layer and the release layer. A layer may be sufficient and conventionally well-known various structures can be used.

  Such transferable protective layers 14 and 24 can be formed using a conventionally known protective layer forming resin. Examples of the resin for forming the protective layer include, as thermoplastic resins, polyester resins, polycarbonate resins, polyacrylic esters, polystyrene, polyacrylstyrene, polyacrylonitrile styrene, polyvinyl acetoacetal, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl chloride acetic acid. Polyvinyl homopolymers and copolymer resins such as vinyl, polyurethane resins, acrylic urethane resins, epoxy resins, phenoxy resins, silicone-modified resins of these resins, alicyclic-containing polyolefin resins, cellulose esters, cellulose ethers, etc. Examples thereof include cellulose derivative resins. Examples of the mixture and cross-linkable resin of these various resins include ionizing radiation cross-linkable resins, ultraviolet blocking resins, thermal cross-linking resins with cross-linking agents such as isocyanate compounds and chelate compounds of the above thermoplastic resins, and the like. A mixture of these can also be used.

Further, the transferable protective layers 14 and 24 can contain substantially transparent inorganic or organic fine particles. By containing such fine particles, film breakage at the time of transfer can be improved, and further, the scratch resistance of the protective layer can be improved, and the surface gloss of the protective layer is suppressed to obtain a matte surface. It is also possible to impart writing properties. Examples of the fine particles include those having relatively high transparency such as silica, Teflon powder, nylon powder, powdered silica, and colloidal silica.
Further, the transferable protective layers 14 and 24 are covered with a protective layer after being transferred by adding additives such as an ultraviolet blocking resin, an ultraviolet absorber, an antioxidant, a fluorescent brightening agent, and an antistatic agent. It is possible to improve gloss, light resistance, weather resistance, whiteness, antistatic properties and the like of images.

  As a method for forming the transferable protective layers 14 and 24 on the substrate sheets 12 and 22, an ink in which an additive such as an antistatic agent or wax is added to the synthetic resin as necessary is prepared. The method of apply | coating and drying on a material sheet | seat or the already formed release layer using well-known means, such as a gravure coat, a gravure reverse coat, a roll coat, is mentioned. The thickness of the transferable protective layers 14 and 24 can be about 0.1 to 10 μm, preferably about 0.5 to 5.0 μm.

(Back layer)
The back layers 17 and 27 constituting the thermal transfer sheets 11 and 21 are provided for the purpose of preventing thermal fusion between the heating means such as a thermal head and the base sheet 12 or 22 and smooth running. Examples of the resin used for the back layers 17 and 27 include cellulose resins such as ethyl cellulose, hydroxy cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, and nitrocellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl butyral, Vinyl resins such as polyvinyl acetal and polyvinyl pyrrolidone, acrylic resins such as polymethyl methacrylate, polyethyl acrylate, polyacrylamide, and acrylonitrile-styrene copolymers, polyamide resins, polyvinyl toluene resins, coumarone indene resins, polyester resins A simple substance or a mixture of natural or synthetic resins such as resin, polyurethane resin, silicone-modified or fluorine-modified urethane is used. In order to further improve the heat resistance of the back layers 17 and 27, among the resins described above, a resin having a hydroxyl group-based reactive group is used, and a polyisocyanate or the like is used in combination as a crosslinking agent. It is preferable to do.

Further, in order to impart slidability with the thermal head, a solid or liquid release agent or lubricant may be added to the back layers 17 and 27 to provide heat-resistant slip. Examples of release agents or lubricants include various waxes such as polyethylene wax and paraffin wax, higher aliphatic alcohols, organopolysiloxanes, anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, and nonionic interfaces. Activators, fluorosurfactants, organic carboxylic acids and derivatives thereof, fluororesins, silicone resins, fine particles of inorganic compounds such as talc, silica, and the like can be used. The amount of lubricant contained in the back layers 17 and 27 is about 5 to 50% by weight, preferably about 10 to 30% by weight.
The thickness of the back layers 17 and 27 can be about 0.1 to 5.0 μm, preferably about 0.2 to 2.0 μm.

In addition, when the heat resistance and slip property of the base material sheets 12 and 22 are favorable, the back surface layers 17 and 27 are unnecessary.
The thermal transfer sheet is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the thermal transfer sheet is not provided with a transferable protective layer, the colored layer includes black, other colored layers in addition to cyan, magenta, and yellow. There may be. Further, the detection marks 15 and 25 may not be provided.

[Image forming method]
Next, the image forming method of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 5 is a process diagram for explaining an embodiment of the image forming method of the present invention, and will be described as an example using the above-described thermal transfer sheet 11.

In the image forming method of the present invention, color separation data of n images (n is an integer of 2 or more) are aggregated for each of the three primary colors, and each color is used using the thermal transfer sheet 11 based on the aggregated color separation data. By printing together on the image receiving sheet every time, a print product in which n images are continuous is formed, and then the print product is cut into each image. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the color separation data of two images are divided into three primary colors, that is, yellow color separation data (y ₁ , y ₂ ), magenta color separation data (m ₁ , m ₂ ). And cyan color separation data (c ₁ , c ₂ ). From the aggregated color separation data, first, based on the yellow color separation data (y ₁ , y ₂ ), the thermal transfer sheet 11 is used to print the yellow image Y1 and the image Y2 on the image receiving sheet 2 (FIG. 5 (A)). In this printing process, energy corresponding to yellow color separation data (y ₁ , y ₂ ) is applied by the heating means 1 using the colored layer 13Y having an area for forming the two images Y1 and Y2 as described above. By applying this, a yellow image Y1 and an image Y2 are printed on the image receiving sheet 2. In this case, the heating unit 1 is moved in the arrow direction in a state where the colored layer 13Y of the thermal transfer sheet 11 is overlapped with a predetermined image forming region of the image receiving sheet 2.

Next, the image receiving sheet 2 is returned to the printing start position (indicated by a broken line arrow in FIG. 5B), and then the thermal transfer sheet 11 is used based on the magenta color separation data (m ₁ , m ₂ ). A magenta image M1 and an image M2 are printed on the image receiving sheet 2 on which the yellow image Y1 and the image Y2 are already formed (FIG. 5B). In this printing process, the energy corresponding to the color separation data (m ₁ , m ₂ ) of magenta by the heating means 1 using the colored layer 13M having the area for forming the two images M1 and M2 as described above. Is applied, the magenta image M1 and the image M2 are printed on the image receiving sheet 2. Also in this case, the heating unit 1 is moved in the direction of the arrow in a state where the colored layer 13M of the thermal transfer sheet 11 is overlapped with the area where the yellow image Y1 and the image Y2 are already formed on the image receiving sheet 2.

Further, the image receiving sheet 2 is returned to the printing start position (indicated by broken line arrows in FIG. 5C), and the thermal transfer sheet 11 is used based on the cyan color separation data (c ₁ , c ₂ ). A cyan image C1 and an image C2 are printed on the image receiving sheet 2 on which the magenta image YM1 and the image YM2 are formed (FIG. 5C). In this printing process, the energy corresponding to the color separation data (c ₁ , c ₂ ) of cyan by the heating means 1 using the colored layer 13C having the area for forming the two images C1 and C2 as described above. Is applied, a cyan image C1 and an image C2 are printed on the image receiving sheet 2. Also in this case, the heating unit 1 is moved in the direction of the arrow in a state where the colored layer 13C of the thermal transfer sheet 11 is overlaid on the area of the image receiving sheet 2 where the yellow and magenta images YM1 and YM2 are already formed. As a result, a print product in which two images YMC1 and YMC2 are continuous is formed on the image receiving sheet 2.
Next, in the same manner, the transferable protective layer is transferred to form the protective layer so as to cover the two images YMC1 and YMC2, and then the print is cut into each image to form the image YMC1. The printed product P1 and P2 on which the image YMC2 is formed are obtained.

  In such an image forming method of the present invention, a plurality of sheets are formed together as compared with the case of forming a full-color image one by one. Therefore, the operations necessary for printing are simplified, the mechanism is simplified, and the alignment control is performed. The time required for image formation can be shortened, and a useless area that cannot be used for image formation of the thermal transfer sheet is reduced, so that the amount of thermal transfer sheet used per image can be reduced. .

Here, for comparison, an example in which the above-described thermal transfer sheet 11 is used but a conventional image forming method is used will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.
First, based on the yellow color separation data (y ₁ ) of _one image, the thermal transfer sheet 11 is used to print the yellow image Y1 on the image receiving sheet 2 (FIG. 6A). In this printing process, as described above, one region (Y1) of the colored layer 13Y having an area for forming the two images Y1 and Y2 is used to convert the yellow color separation data (y ₁ ) by the heating unit 1. The yellow image Y1 is printed on the image receiving sheet 2 by applying the corresponding energy. In this case, the heating unit 1 is moved in the direction of the arrow in a state where the colored layer 13Y of the thermal transfer sheet 11 is overlapped with a predetermined image forming region of the image receiving sheet 2.

Next, the image receiving sheet 2 is returned to the printing start position (indicated by a broken line arrow in FIG. 6B), and the thermal transfer sheet 11 is advanced to a printing position using one region (M1) of the colored layer 13M. Thereafter, based on the magenta color separation data (m ₁ ), the thermal transfer sheet 11 is used to print the magenta image M1 on the image receiving sheet 2 on which the yellow image Y1 has already been formed (FIG. 6B). )). In this printing process, as described above, one region (M1) of the colored layer 13M having an area for forming the two images M1 and M2 is used to generate magenta color separation data (m ₁ ) by the heating means 1. A magenta image M1 is printed on the image receiving sheet 2 by applying the corresponding energy. Also in this case, the heating means 1 is moved in the direction of the arrow in a state where the colored layer 13M of the thermal transfer sheet 11 is overlapped with the area of the image receiving sheet 2 where the yellow image Y1 is already formed.

Further, the image receiving sheet 2 is returned to the printing start position (indicated by a broken line arrow in FIG. 6C), and the thermal transfer sheet 11 is advanced to a printing position using one region (C1) of the colored layer 13C. Based on the cyan color separation data (c ₁ ), the thermal transfer sheet 11 is used to print the cyan image C1 on the image receiving sheet 2 on which the yellow and magenta image YM1 has already been formed (FIG. 6C). ). In this printing process, as described above, one region (C1) of the colored layer 13C having an area for forming the two images C1 and C2 is used to convert the cyan color separation data (c ₁ ) by the heating unit 1. By applying a corresponding energy, a cyan image C1 is printed on the image receiving sheet 2. Also in this case, the heating means 1 is moved in the direction of the arrow in a state where the colored layer 13C of the thermal transfer sheet 11 is overlapped with the area of the image receiving sheet 2 where the yellow and magenta images YM1 are already formed. As a result, an image YMC1 is formed on the image receiving sheet 2.
Next, similarly, the transferable protective layer is transferred to form the protective layer so as to cover the image YMC1.

Next, the image receiving sheet 2 is set at the printing start position for the next area, and the thermal transfer sheet 11 is largely returned to the printing position using the other area (Y2) of the colored layer 13Y (FIG. 7A). (Shown with dashed arrows). Based on the yellow color separation data (y ₂ ) of one image, the thermal transfer sheet 11 is used to print the yellow image Y2 on the image receiving sheet 2 (FIG. 7A). In this printing step, as described above, the other color region 13Y having the area for forming the two images Y1 and Y2 (Y2) is used to produce yellow color separation data (y ₂ ) by the heating means 1. A yellow image Y2 is printed on the image receiving sheet 2 by applying the corresponding energy.
Thereafter, similarly to the formation of the image M1, the yellow image Y2 has already been formed using the other region (M2) of the colored layer 13M of the thermal transfer sheet 11 based on the magenta color separation data (m ₂ ). A magenta image M2 is printed on the image receiving sheet 2 (FIG. 7B).

Further, similarly to the formation of the image C1, the yellow and magenta image YM1 has already been obtained using the other region (C2) of the colored layer 13C of the thermal transfer sheet 11 based on the cyan color separation data (C ₂ ). A cyan image C2 is printed on the formed image receiving sheet 2 (FIG. 7C). As a result, an image YMC2 is formed on the image receiving sheet 2.
Next, in the same manner as described above, the protective protective layer is formed by transferring the transferable protective layer so as to cover the image YMC2.
Next, the printed material is cut into images, and a printed material P1 on which the image YMC1 is formed and a P2 on which the image YMC2 is formed are obtained.

  In such an image forming method, the thermal transfer sheet 11 in which one region of the colored layers 13Y, 13M, and 13C and the transferable protective layer 14 is provided for the formation of the image YMC1 is enlarged for the formation of the next image YMC2. An action to return is necessary. However, the thermal transfer sheet 11 has already been damaged by heat, and wrinkles are likely to occur due to the returning operation as described above, which may hinder image formation. Further, the conveyance operation and alignment control of the thermal transfer sheet 11 are complicated.

  The above-described embodiment of the image forming method is an example, and the image forming method of the present invention is not limited to this. Therefore, for example, the above-described thermal transfer sheet 21 or a thermal transfer sheet having an area where the colored layer of each color can form four or more images is used, and three or four or more images are formed on the image receiving sheet. A continuous print product may be formed, and then the print product may be cut into each image. Moreover, you may not form a protective layer. Furthermore, as color separation data of an image, in addition to cyan, magenta, and yellow, color separation data of black and other colors may be used for printing for each color, or the order of the printing colors may be changed.

  The image receiving sheet 2 is not particularly limited, and is an image receiving sheet or card substrate made of a plastic sheet such as polyester resin, vinyl chloride resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin, polycarbonate, or a resin layer having dye receptivity. It may be a thermal transfer image-receiving sheet provided with a (image-receiving layer) on a base sheet, or a film, sheet, molded product or the like made of these resins. Examples of the resin having dye acceptability include polyolefin resins such as polypropylene, halogenated resins such as polyvinyl chloride and polyvinylidene chloride, vinyl resins such as polyvinyl acetate and various polyacrylates, polyethylene terephthalate, and polybutylene terephthalate. Polyester resins, polystyrene resins such as polystyrene or copolymers thereof, polyamide resins, copolymer resins of olefins such as ethylene and propylene and other vinyl monomers, celluloses such as ionomers, cellulose diacetate, and cellulose triacetate Resins, polycarbonates and the like can be mentioned, and a release agent such as silicone oil for preventing fusion with the thermal transfer sheet may be contained in these resin layers.

  As the sheet base material used for the image receiving sheet 2, synthetic paper (polyolefin type, polystyrene type); fine paper, art paper, coated paper, cast coated paper, wallpaper, backing paper, synthetic resin solution or emulsion impregnated paper, synthetic rubber Latex impregnated paper, synthetic resin internal paper, paperboard, other natural fiber paper such as cellulose fiber paper; various plastic films and sheets such as polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, polymethyl methacrylate, polycarbonate can be used. Any of these complexes can also be used. Among the above, the synthetic paper preferably has a microvoid layer having a low thermal conductivity (high heat insulating property) on its surface.

Further, the dye receiving surface of the image receiving sheet 2 optionally contains coloring pigments, white pigments, extender pigments, fillers, ultraviolet absorbers, antistatic agents, thermal stabilizers, antioxidants, fluorescent whitening agents, and the like. be able to.
As the heating means 1 used in the image forming method of the present invention, any conventionally known one that can control the heating amount according to image information can be used. For example, a thermal head used for a thermal transfer printer, a laser head used for a laser printing printer, or the like can be used.

[Image forming apparatus]
Next, the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 31 of the present invention is an apparatus that forms a full-color image by the above-described image forming method of the present invention, and includes an image processing unit 32, a printing unit 33, and a cutting unit 34.
The image processing unit 32 uses the image information from the recording medium 41 or a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) 42 as the color separation data of the three primary colors yellow, magenta, and cyan, and n pieces of the color separation data (n is the number n). (Integer greater than or equal to 2) images are aggregated for each of the three primary colors. The image processing unit 32 includes a memory that performs data processing, a CPU, and the like. The recording medium 41 is, for example, an information recording medium such as an SD card, a CF card, a PC card, a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, a magnetic disk, or a magneto-optical disk. The image processing unit 32 may include an image selection unit for selecting an image to be formed from image information from the recording medium 41.

The printing unit 33 prints on the image receiving sheet for each color collectively based on the color separation data of the n images sent from the image processing unit 32 to form a printed material in which the n images are continuous. is there. The printing unit 33 forms a full-color image by the above-described image forming method of the present invention. There may be a plurality of printing sections 33, whereby a print product in which n images are continuous as described above can be simultaneously formed in a plurality of printing sections.
The cutting unit 34 cuts a print product in which n images formed in the print unit 33 are continuous into each image to obtain individual full-color images.
In such an image forming apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of sheets are formed at a time as compared with the case of forming a full-color image one by one. Therefore, the operations necessary for printing, the mechanism, and the alignment control are simplified. The time required for image formation can be shortened, and the useless area that cannot be used for image formation of the thermal transfer sheet is reduced, so the amount of thermal transfer sheet used per image can be reduced. Reduced.

[Image forming system]
Next, the image forming system of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an embodiment of the image forming system of the present invention. In FIG. 9, in step S1, all image information is read. In step S2, image information to be printed is selected from all the image information. Next, in step S3, it is determined whether or not there is a fraction by dividing all selected images by n (n is an integer of 2 or more). If there is a fraction, the process proceeds to step S4. If there is no fraction, the process proceeds to step S5.
In step S4, an image corresponding to a multiple of n among all the selected images is formed by the printing apparatus A, and an image corresponding to a fraction is formed by the printing apparatus B.
On the other hand, in step S5, all the selected images are formed by the printing apparatus A.

Here, the printing apparatus A is an apparatus that forms a full-color image by the image forming method of the present invention. Based on the color separation data for each color of n images, the thermal transfer sheet A is used for collecting each color. The image is printed on an image receiving sheet to form a printed material in which n images are continuous. The thermal transfer sheet A to be used is provided with at least three primary color layers of yellow, magenta, and cyan on one side of the base sheet in a surface sequential manner, and each color layer has n colored layers (n is an integer of 2 or more). It has the area which can form. Specifically, it is a thermal transfer sheet such as the thermal transfer sheets 11 and 21 described above.
In addition, the printing apparatus B forms a printed image of one image by printing on the image receiving sheet for each color using the thermal transfer sheet B based on the color separation data for each color of one image. The thermal transfer sheet B to be used is provided with at least three primary color layers of yellow, magenta, and cyan on one side of the base sheet in a surface sequential manner, and each color layer has an area capable of forming one image. It is what you have.

In such an image forming system of the present invention, the printing apparatus A that uses the thermal transfer sheet A and the printing apparatus B that uses the thermal transfer sheet B are used in combination. Simplification and easy alignment control are possible, and the time required for image formation can be shortened.
Further, waste of the thermal transfer sheet due to the number of images to be formed can be eliminated. That is, the above-described thermal transfer sheet A capable of forming a print product in which n images are continuous forms an image in the range of 1 to (n-1) without forming n images. When the series of operations is completed, the remaining (n−1) to one unused area is not used in the next image formation and is wasted. However, in the present invention, as described above, when all the images are divided by n and there are fractions, the images corresponding to the fractions are formed by the printing apparatus B, so that waste of the thermal transfer sheet can be prevented. .

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining another embodiment of the image forming system of the present invention. In FIG. 10, in step S1, all image information is read. In step S2, image information to be printed is selected from all the image information. Next, in step S3, all the selected images (two or more images) are divided into two images and three images so that no fractions are generated. For example, when all the selected images are 15 images, sorting is performed so that 2 images are 3 (6 screens in total) and 3 images are 3 (9 screens in total), and all the selected images are 48 images. In this case, the sorting can be performed so that there are 9 2 images (18 screens in total) and 10 3 images (30 screens in total). In addition, when there is not one sort of all the selected images into two images and three images, sorting can be performed as appropriate. For example, sorting is performed so that the formation time of all the selected images is the shortest. Is preferred.
Next, in step 4, among all the selected images, an image assigned to two images is formed by the printing apparatus A, and an image assigned to the three images is formed by the printing apparatus B.

Here, the printing apparatus A is an apparatus that forms a full-color image by the image forming method of the present invention. Based on the color separation data for each color of the two images, the printing apparatus A is combined for each color using the thermal transfer sheet A. The image is printed on an image receiving sheet to form a print product in which two images are continuous. The thermal transfer sheet A to be used is provided with at least three primary color layers of yellow, magenta, and cyan on one side of the base sheet in the surface order, and each color layer has an area capable of forming two images. It is what you have. Specifically, it is a thermal transfer sheet such as the thermal transfer sheet 11 described above.
In addition, the printing apparatus B uses the thermal transfer sheet B to print on the image receiving sheet for each color based on the color separation data for each color of the three images to form a three-image printed matter. The thermal transfer sheet B to be used is provided with at least three primary color layers of yellow, magenta, and cyan on one side of the base sheet in a surface sequential manner, and each color layer has an area capable of forming three images. It is what you have. Specifically, it is a thermal transfer sheet such as the thermal transfer sheet 21 described above.

  In such an image forming system of the present invention, the printing apparatus A that uses the thermal transfer sheet A and the printing apparatus B that uses the thermal transfer sheet B are used in combination. Simplification and easy alignment control are possible, and the time required for image formation can be shortened. In particular, the time required for image formation can be further shortened by assigning all selected images to two images and three images so that the formation time of all images is minimized.

  Further, waste of the thermal transfer sheet due to the number of images to be formed can be eliminated. For example, the above-described thermal transfer sheet B capable of forming a print product in which three images are continuous forms an image in a range of 1 to 2 without forming three images, and a series of operations are performed. When the process is completed, the remaining two to one unused areas are not used in the next image formation and are wasted. The same applies to the above-described thermal transfer sheet A that can form a print product in which two images are continuous. However, in the present invention, as described above, since the printing apparatus A using the thermal transfer sheet A and the printing apparatus B using the thermal transfer sheet B are used in combination, the thermal transfer sheet A is in a stage where a series of operations is completed. , B does not cause an unused area, and waste of the thermal transfer sheet can be prevented.

  It can be used in full color image formation by a thermal transfer recording method.

It is a top view which shows an example of the thermal transfer sheet used by this invention. It is AA arrow sectional drawing of the thermal transfer sheet shown by FIG. It is a top view which shows the other example of the thermal transfer sheet used by this invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the thermal transfer sheet shown in FIG. It is process drawing for demonstrating one Embodiment of the image forming method of this invention. It is process drawing for demonstrating an example of the comparative image forming method. It is process drawing for demonstrating an example of the comparative image forming method. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an embodiment of the image forming system of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart for explaining another embodiment of the image forming system of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11, 21 ... Thermal transfer sheet 12, 22 ... Base material sheet 13 (13Y, 13M, 13C), 23 (23Y, 23M, 23C) ... Colored layer 14, 24 ... Transferable protective layer 17, 27 ... Back layer 31 ... Image Forming device 32 ... Image processing unit 33 ... Print unit 34 ... Cutting unit

Claims (11)

In an image forming method for forming a full color image by a thermal transfer recording method,
Color separation data of n images (n is an integer of 2 or more) are aggregated for each of the three primary colors, and each color is collectively printed on the image receiving sheet using a thermal transfer sheet based on the aggregated color separation data. Forming a print product in which n images are continuous, and then cutting the print product into each image. The thermal transfer sheet has at least one of yellow, magenta, and cyan on one side of the base sheet. An image forming method, comprising three primary color layers in surface order, wherein each color layer has an area capable of forming n (n is an integer of 2 or more) images.   The thermal transfer sheet is provided with the colored layer and the transferable protective layer on the base sheet in a surface sequential manner, and the transferable protective layer has an area where n (n is an integer of 2 or more) images can be formed. The image forming method according to claim 1, further comprising:   The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the colored layer contains at least a dye and a binder resin. In an image forming apparatus that forms a full-color image by a thermal transfer recording method,
An image processing unit that color-separates n (n is an integer of 2 or more) images and aggregates the color separation data for each of the three primary colors, and color separation data for each color received from the image processing unit A printing unit that prints on each image receiving sheet using a thermal transfer sheet to form a printed material in which n images are continuous; and a cutting unit that cuts the printed material into each image. The thermal transfer sheet is provided with at least three primary color layers of yellow, magenta, and cyan on one side of a base sheet in a surface sequential manner, and each color layer forms n images (n is an integer of 2 or more). An image forming apparatus having an area that can be used.   The thermal transfer sheet is provided with the colored layer and the transferable protective layer on the base sheet in a surface sequential manner, and the transferable protective layer has an area where n (n is an integer of 2 or more) images can be formed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image forming apparatus includes:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the colored layer contains at least a dye and a binder resin. In an image forming system for forming a full color image by a thermal transfer recording method,
The thermal transfer sheet A is provided with at least three primary color layers of yellow, magenta, and cyan on one side of the base sheet in a surface sequence, and each color layer forms n images (n is an integer of 2 or more). The thermal transfer sheet B is provided with at least three primary color layers of yellow, magenta, and cyan on one side of the base sheet in a surface sequence, and each color layer has one image. Having an area capable of forming
a printing apparatus A that forms a print product in which n images are continuously formed by printing on an image receiving sheet collectively for each color using the thermal transfer sheet A based on color separation data for each color of n images; A printing apparatus B that prints on the image receiving sheet for each color using the thermal transfer sheet B based on the color separation data for each color of each image to form a printed image of one image;
An image forming system characterized in that an image corresponding to a multiple of n is formed by the printing apparatus A among all the images to be formed, and an image corresponding to a fraction is formed by the printing apparatus B.   The thermal transfer sheet A is provided with the colored layer and the transferable protective layer on the base sheet in a surface sequential manner, and the transferable protective layer can form n images (n is an integer of 2 or more). 8. The image forming system according to claim 7, wherein the image forming system has an area, and the thermal transfer sheet B includes the coloring layer and the transferable protective layer on the base sheet in a surface sequential manner. In an image forming system for forming a full color image by a thermal transfer recording method,
The thermal transfer sheet A is provided with at least three primary color layers of yellow, magenta, and cyan on one side of the base sheet in the order of surfaces, and each color layer has an area capable of forming two images. The thermal transfer sheet B is provided with at least three primary color layers of yellow, magenta, and cyan on one side of the base sheet in a surface sequential manner, and each color layer has an area capable of forming three images. Shall have
A printing apparatus A that forms a print product in which two images are continuously formed by printing on the image receiving sheet collectively for each color using the thermal transfer sheet A based on color separation data for each color of two images, and 3 In combination with a printing apparatus B that prints on the image receiving sheet for each color using the thermal transfer sheet B based on the color separation data for each color of the individual images to form a printed image of three images,
An image forming system, wherein images are formed by distributing the number of prints of the printing apparatus A and the printing apparatus B so that fractions do not occur in all the images to be formed.   The thermal transfer sheet A is provided with the colored layer and the transferable protective layer on the base sheet in a surface sequential manner, and the transferable protective layer has an area capable of forming two images. The thermal transfer sheet B is provided with the colored layer and the transferable protective layer on the base sheet in a surface sequential manner, and the transferable protective layer has an area capable of forming three images. The image forming system according to claim 9.   The image forming system according to claim 7, wherein the colored layer contains at least a dye and a binder resin.

Images