Printing system

Abstract

The present application provides a printing system that can be easily manufactured by easily assembling a plurality of modules. The printing system (1) includes a plurality of modules (10, 30, 20) that are connected to each other. Each of the modules (10, 30, 20) has a frame (11, 31, 21) and a connecting body (15, 35, 25). One of the frame (11, 31, 21) and the connecting body (15, 35, 25) is provided with an insertion hole (16, 36, 26), and the other is provided with an insertion pin (13, 33, 23).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a printing system that is easily and simply assembled by combining a plurality of modules. BACKGROUND

[0002] As a sublimation-type printer, a printing system that is assembled by combining a plurality of modules is known.

[0003] PRIOR ART DOCUMENT

[0004] PATENT DOCUMENT

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-53858 SUMMARY

[0006] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0007] However, a printing system that can easily and simply assemble a plurality of modules and can simplify the structure has not been developed.

[0008] The present disclosure was completed in consideration of such a point, and aims to provide a printing system that has a simple structure and can be easily and simply assembled.

[0009] MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0010] The present disclosure is a first printing system in which the printing system has three or more modules that are continuously arranged and connected to each other, an upstream module has a printing paper supply function of supplying a printing paper, a downstream module has a printing paper take-up function of taking up the printing paper, and the other modules include a printing module that performs printing on the printing paper, the module has a frame, and a connection body that is smaller than the frame and is provided on one face of the frame so as to protrude from the one face.

[0011] The present disclosure is a second printing system in which, in the first printing system, an insertion hole is formed in one of an outer surface of the connection body and another face of the frame that is opposite to the one face, and an insertion pin is provided in the other one, the insertion pin being inserted into the insertion hole of an adjacent module.

[0012] The present disclosure is a third printing system in which, in the first or the second printing system, an area other than the connection body in an area between the frames of the modules forms a traveling area of the printing paper.

[0013] The present disclosure is a fourth printing system in which, in the first to third printing systems, the height of the connection body of the module is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 of the height of the frame.

[0014] The present disclosure is a 5th printing system, in which the module is connected to the frame body in the 1st to 4th printing systems.

[0015] The present disclosure is a 6th printing system, in which a guide path for the printing paper is provided in the travel region between the frame bodies in the 1st to 5th printing systems.

[0016] The present disclosure is a 7th printing system, in which a plurality of the other modules are provided in the 1st to 6th printing systems, and a cover sheet attaching module is provided on the downstream side of the printing module and attaches a cover sheet to the printing paper.

[0017] The present disclosure is an 8th printing system, in which a plurality of the printing modules are provided in the 1st to 7th printing systems.

[0018] The present disclosure is a 9th printing system, in which a plurality of the insertion pins and the insertion holes of the modules are provided side by side in the horizontal direction in the 1st to 8th printing systems.

[0019] The present disclosure is a 10th printing system, in which openings are formed in the one face and the other face of the frame body of the module for the printing paper to pass through in the 1st to 9th printing systems.

[0020] The present disclosure is an 11th printing system, in which a 1st contact is provided in one of the outer surface of the connecting body and the other face of the frame body, and a 2nd contact that can be electrically connected to the 1st contact of an adjacent module is provided in the other in the 1st to 10th printing systems.

[0021] Effects of the Invention

[0022] As described above, according to the present disclosure, a printing system can be obtained in which assembly can be easily performed, and the overall structure can be simplified by combining a plurality of modules. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a printing system according to a first embodiment.

[0024] Figure 2 FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the printing system according to the first embodiment.

[0025] Figure 3 FIG. 3 is a side view showing a printing module of the printing system according to the first embodiment.

[0026] Figure 4 FIG. 4 is a side view showing the printing system according to the first embodiment before assembly.

[0027] Figure 5is a side view showing the assembled printing system of the first embodiment.

[0028] Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view showing the printing system of the second embodiment.

[0029] Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the printing system of the second embodiment.

[0030] Figure 8 is a side view showing the printing system of the second embodiment before assembly.

[0031] Figure 9 is a side view showing the assembled printing system of the second embodiment.

[0032] Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view showing the printing system of the third embodiment.

[0033] Figure 11 is a side view showing the printing system of the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] <First Embodiment>

[0035] Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0036] Figures 1 to 5 is a view showing the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] First, by Figures 1 to 5 The printing system 1 of the first embodiment will be described.

[0038] As Figures 1 to 5 shown, the printing system 1 is provided with three modules 10, 30, 20 which are continuously arranged and connected to each other. Among them, the module 10 on the upstream side becomes a printing paper supply module 10 having a function of supplying a roll-shaped printing paper W, and the module 20 on the downstream side becomes a printing paper take-up module 20 having a function of taking up the printing paper W after printing.

[0039] In addition, between the printing paper supply module 10 and the printing paper take-up module 20, a printing module 30 which performs printing on the printing paper W is provided.

[0040] Among them, the printing paper supply module 10 has a frame 11 and a printing paper supply part 17 built in the frame 11. The printing paper W supplied from the printing paper supply part 17 is guided by a guide roller 18a and a pinch roller 18b and is transported to the printing module 30 through the opening 12b of the other face 11b described later.

[0041] Further, the printing paper take-up module 20 has a frame 21 and a printing paper take-up section 27 built in the frame 21. The printing paper W on which printing is performed by the printing module 30 enters the printing paper take-up module 20 through the opening 22a of the one face 21a described later, and is guided by pinch rollers 28a and guide rollers 28b and taken up by the printing paper take-up section 27.

[0042] Further, the printing module 30 has a frame 31, an ink ribbon supply section 37 provided in the frame 31 for supplying an ink ribbon 39, and an ink ribbon take-up section 38 provided in the frame 31 for taking up the ink ribbon 39. Further, a thermal head 90 and a platen roller 91 that hold the printing paper W and the ink ribbon 39 and perform printing on the printing paper W are provided in the frame 31.

[0043] Further, pinch rollers 92a and guide rollers 92b that guide the printing paper W fed from the printing paper supply module 10 to the thermal head 90 side are provided in the frame 31. Further, the printing paper W on which printing is performed by the thermal head 90 is discharged to the printing paper take-up module 20 side through pinch rollers 93a and 93b and through the opening 32b provided on the other face 31b of the frame 31.

[0044] Further, in the frame 31 of the printing module 30, a guide path 95 for guiding the printing paper W fed from the printing paper supply module 10 is provided on the one face 31a of the frame 31 (see Figure 2 and Figure 3 ).

[0045] Further, in the frame 31, the guide path 95 that guides the printing paper W is provided between the pinch rollers 92a and the guide rollers 92b, between the guide rollers 92b and the platen roller 91, and between the pinch rollers 93a and 93b.

[0046] These guide paths 95 are supported in the frame 31 by a support mechanism not shown.

[0047] Further, the ink ribbon 39 supplied from the ink ribbon supply section 37 built in the printing module 30 contains three colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan, and an overcoat layer. The printing paper W can be printed with the three colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan and the OP layer by the ink ribbon 39 alone.

[0048] Next, the structure of the printing paper supply module 10, the printing module 30, and the printing paper take-up module 20 will be further described.

[0049] As described above, the printing paper supply module 10 has a frame body 11 in a cuboid shape, and a coupling body 15 in a cuboid shape which is provided so as to protrude from one face 11a of the frame body 11. Further, in one of an outer surface 15a of the coupling body 15 and another face 11b which is opposite to the one face 11a, for example, two insertion holes 16 are formed side by side in the horizontal direction on the outer surface 15a of the coupling body 15. On the other hand, for example, two insertion pins 13 are provided side by side in the horizontal direction on the other face 11b, which are inserted into insertion holes 36 provided on a coupling body 35 of an adjacent printing module 30 to be described later.

[0050] Further, as described above, the printing paper take-up module 20 has a frame body 21 in a cuboid shape, and a coupling body 25 in a cuboid shape which is provided so as to protrude from one face 21a of the frame body 21. Further, in one of an outer surface 25a of the coupling body 25 and another face 21b which is opposite to the one face 21a, for example, two insertion holes 26 are formed side by side in the horizontal direction on the outer surface 25a of the coupling body 25. On the other hand, for example, two insertion pins 23 are provided side by side in the horizontal direction on the other face 21b.

[0051] Further, as described above, the printing module 30 has a frame body 31 in a cuboid shape, and a coupling body 35 in a cuboid shape which is provided so as to protrude from one face 31a of the frame body 31. Further, in one of an outer surface 35a of the coupling body 35 and another face 35b which is opposite to the one face 31a, for example, two insertion holes 36 are formed side by side in the horizontal direction on the outer surface 35a of the coupling body 35. On the other hand, for example, two insertion pins 33 are provided side by side in the horizontal direction on the other face 31b, which are inserted into insertion holes 26 provided on a coupling body 25 of an adjacent printing paper take-up module 20.

[0052] In the present embodiment, the frame body 11 of the printing paper supply module 10 is in a cuboid shape, and is larger in size than the coupling body 15 which is also in a cuboid shape. Further, the coupling body 15 has substantially the same width as the frame body 11, and has a height of about ¼ to ½ of the height of the frame body 11. Here, the width of the coupling body 15 and the frame body 11 refers to the width in a direction orthogonal to the direction of travel of the printing paper W.

[0053] The frame body 21 of the printing paper take-up module 20 is in a cuboid shape, and is larger in size than the coupling body 25 which is also in a cuboid shape. Further, the coupling body 25 has substantially the same width as the frame body 21, and has a height of about ¼ to ½ of the height of the frame body 21. Here, the width of the coupling body 25 and the frame body 21 refers to the width in a direction orthogonal to the direction of travel of the printing paper W.

[0054] The frame 31 of the printing module 30 is rectangular, and is larger than the connecting body 35, which is also rectangular. Furthermore, the connecting body 35 has approximately the same width as the frame 31, and its height is about 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 of the height of the frame 31. Here, the width of the connecting body 35 and the frame 31 refers to the width along a direction orthogonal to the travel direction of the printing paper W.

[0055] Furthermore, on one side 11a and the other side 11b of the frame 11 of the printing paper supply module 10, openings 12a and 12b are respectively provided above the connector 15 for the printing paper W to pass through. A first contact 81a is provided on the other side 11b of the frame 11, and a second contact 81b is provided on the outer surface 15a of the connector 15.

[0056] Additionally, on one side 21a and the other side 21b of the frame 21 of the printing paper take-up module 20, openings 22a and 22b are respectively provided above the connector 25 for the printing paper W to pass through. A first contact 81a is provided on the other side 21b of the frame 21, and a second contact 81b electrically connected to the first contact 81a of the adjacent printing module 30 is provided on the outer surface 25a of the connector 25.

[0057] Furthermore, on one side 31a and the other side 31b of the frame 31 of the printing module 30, openings 32a and 32b are respectively provided above the connector 35 for the printing paper W to pass through. A first contact 81a is provided on the other side 31b of the frame 31. A second contact 81b, which is electrically connected to the first contact 81a of the adjacent printing paper supply module 10, is provided on the outer surface 35a of the connector 35.

[0058] Furthermore, preferably, the frame 11 and connector 15 of the printing paper supply module 10, the frame 21 and connector 25 of the printing paper winding module 20, and the frame 31 and connector 35 of the printing module 30 all have the same shape and structure. Thus, by using frames and connectors with the same shape and structure, and arranging the corresponding internal structures within the frames, modules 10, 20, and 30 can be easily manufactured.

[0059] Next, the function of this embodiment, which is constructed in this way, will be explained.

[0060] First, such as Figure 4 As shown, there are a paper supply module 10, a paper winding module 20, and a printing module 30.

[0061] In Figure 4 the frame 11 of the print paper supply module 10 is not yet provided with the print paper supply section 17, and the frame 21 of the print paper take-up module 20 is not yet provided with the print paper take-up section 27.

[0062] Next, as shown in Figure 5 the other face lib of the frame 11 of the print paper supply module 10 is joined to the outer surface 35a of the connecting body 35 of the print module 30. At this time, the insertion pin 13 provided on the frame 11 of the print paper supply module 10 is inserted into the insertion hole 36 provided on the connecting body 35 of the print module 30.

[0063] In addition, the first contact 81a provided on the frame 11 of the print paper supply module 10 is electrically connected to the second contact 81b provided on the connecting body 35 of the print module 30. Information connected between the first contact 81a and the second contact 81b is transmitted to the external control circuit 9.

[0064] In this way, the frame 11 of the print paper supply module 10 and the connecting body 35 of the print module 30 can be positioned and joined with high precision.

[0065] Likewise, the other face 3 lb of the frame 31 of the print module 30 is joined to the outer surface 25a of the connecting body 25 of the print paper take-up module 20. At this time, the insertion pin 33 provided on the frame 31 of the print module 30 is inserted into the insertion hole 26 provided on the connecting body 25 of the print paper take-up module 20.

[0066] In addition, the first contact 81a provided on the frame 31 of the print module 30 is electrically connected to the second contact 81b provided on the connecting body 25 of the print paper take-up module 20, and information connected between the first contact 81a and the second contact 81b is transmitted to the external control circuit 9.

[0067] In this way, the frame 31 of the print module 30 and the connecting body 25 of the print paper take-up module 20 can be positioned and joined with high precision.

[0068] After that, the print paper supply section 17 is provided in the frame 11 of the print paper supply module 10, and the print paper take-up section 27 is provided in the frame 21 of the print paper take-up module 20. In this way, the print system 1 (see Figure 5 ) can be obtained.

[0069] Next, as shown in Figure 1As shown, the printing paper W is supplied from the printing paper supply section 17 disposed in the frame 11 of the printing paper supply module 10. The printing paper W is discharged from the opening 12b of the frame 11, passes through the guide rollers 18a and 18b in the frame 11, and is guided to the guide path 95 of the printing module 30, and enters the frame 31 of the printing module 30 from the opening 32a.

[0070] The printing paper W that is transported into the frame 31 of the printing module 30 is transported to between the thermal head 90 and the platen roller 91 in order through the nip rollers 92a, the guide rollers 92b, and the guide path 95.

[0071] Likewise, the ink ribbon 39 is transported from the ink ribbon supply section 37 to between the thermal head 90 and the platen roller 91. In this case, the ink ribbon 39 has each of yellow, magenta, and cyan colors and an overcoat layer.

[0072] Then, the printing paper W and the ink ribbon 39 are sandwiched between the thermal head 90 and the platen roller 91, and the ink ribbon 39 is heated and pressed against the printing paper W by the thermal head 90. In this way, by the thermal head 90, each of the yellow, magenta, and cyan colors provided to the ink ribbon 39 is thermally transferred to the printing paper W in a sublimation manner. Further, the overcoat layer is thermally transferred to the printing paper W on which each color is thermally transferred, and printing is performed.

[0073] By heating and pressing the ink ribbon 39 by the thermal head 90 in this way, each of the yellow, magenta, and cyan colors and the overcoat layer is thermally transferred to the upper surface of the printing paper W, and printing is performed.

[0074] The printing paper W on which printing is performed on the upper surface by the thermal head 90 in this way is transported from the opening 32b to the outside of the frame 31 of the printing module 30 via the nip rollers 93a, 93b, and the guide path 95.

[0075] After that, the printing paper W that is transported to the outside from the frame 31 of the printing module 30 passes through the opening 22a into the frame 21 from the guide path 95 provided to the frame 21 of the printing paper take-up module 20.

[0076] Next, in the frame 21 of the printing paper take-up module 20, the printing paper W is taken up to the printing paper take-up section 27 in order through the nip rollers 28a and the guide rollers 28b.

[0077] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the other face 11b of the frame 11 of the printing paper supply module 10 is joined to the outer surface 35a of the connecting body 35 of the printing module 30, and the insertion pin 13 provided to the frame 11 is inserted into the insertion hole 36 provided to the connecting body 35. Thus, the printing paper supply module 10 and the printing module 30 can be easily and highly accurately assembled.

[0078] In addition, the other surface 31b of the frame 31 of the printing module 30 is engaged with the outer surface 25a of the connecting body 25 of the printed paper take-up module 20, and the insertion pin 33 provided to the frame 31 is inserted into the insertion hole 26 provided to the connecting body 25. Thus, the printing module 30 and the printed paper take-up module 20 can be easily and accurately assembled.

[0079] In addition, the connecting bodies 35, 25, which are smaller than the frames 11, 31, 21, are interposed between the frames 11, 31, 21 of the respective modules 10, 30, 20, and the heights of the connecting bodies 15, 35, 25 are suppressed to be lower than those of the frames 11, 31, 21. In addition, the openings 12a, 12b, 32a, 32b, 22a, 22b of the frames 11, 31, 21 are disposed at positions above the connecting bodies 15, 35, 25. Thus, the upper regions of the connecting bodies 35, 25 can be used as the travel regions of the printed paper W between the frames 11, 31, 21. In addition, by making the widths of the frames 11, 31, 21 the same as the widths of the connecting bodies 15, 35, 25, the widths in the directions orthogonal to the travel direction of the printed paper W are uniformly identical as a whole of the printing system 10.

[0080] <2nd Embodiment>

[0081] Next, a 2nd embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0082] Figures 6 to 9 is a view illustrating the 2nd embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0083] In Figures 6 to 9 In the 2nd embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 is substantially the same as the 1st embodiment illustrated in

[0084] In Figures 6 to 9 In the 2nd embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 is substantially the same as the 1st embodiment illustrated in

[0085] First, the printing system 1 of the 2nd embodiment will be described. Figures 6 to 9

[0086] As Figures 6 to 9 ​As shown, the printing system 1 is provided with five modules 10, 30A, 40, 50, 20 which are continuously arranged and connected to each other. Among them, the module 10 on the upstream side is a printing paper supply module 10 having a printing paper supply function of supplying a roll-shaped printing paper W, and the module 20 on the downstream side is a printing paper take-up module 20 having a function of taking up the printing paper W on which printing has been completed.

[0087] Further, between the printing paper supply module 10 and the printing paper take-up module 20, there are provided a YMC printing module 30A, a special color printing module 40, and an OP layer printing module 50 which perform printing on the printing paper W.

[0088] Among them, the printing paper supply module 10 has a frame 11 and a printing paper supply part 17 which is built in the frame 11. The printing paper W supplied from the printing paper supply part 17 is guided by a pinch roller 18a and a guide roller 18b and is transported to the YMC printing module 30A through an opening 12b of the other face 11b described later.

[0089] Further, the printing paper take-up module 20 has a frame 21 and a printing paper take-up part 27 which is built in the frame 21. The printing paper W on which printing has been performed by the YMC printing module 30A, the special color printing module 40, and the OP layer printing module 50 enters the printing paper take-up module 20 through an opening 22a of the one face 21a described later. The printing paper W is taken up by the printing paper take-up part 27 after being guided by a pinch roller 28a and a guide roller 28b.

[0090] Further, the YMC printing module 30A has a frame 31, an ink ribbon supply part 37A which is provided in the frame 31 to supply an ink ribbon 39A, and an ink ribbon take-up part 38A which is provided in the frame 31 to take up the ink ribbon 39A. Further, there are provided in the frame 31 a thermal head 90 and a platen roller 91 which pinch the printing paper W and the ink ribbon 39A to perform printing on the printing paper W.

[0091] Further, there are provided in the frame 31 a pinch roller 92a and a guide roller 92b which guide the printing paper W sent from the printing paper supply module 10 to the thermal head 90 side. Further, the printing paper W on which printing has been performed by the thermal head 90 is discharged to the special color printing module 40 side through a pinch roller 93a and a pinch roller 93b and through an opening 32b provided in the other face 31b of the frame 31.

[0092] Further, in the frame 31 of the YMC printing module 30A, there is provided a guide path 95 (see FIG. 2) for guiding the printing paper W transported from the printing paper supply module 10 on the one face 31a of the frame 31. Figure 6 ).

[0093] Further, in the frame 31, a guide path 95 that guides the print paper W is provided between the pinch roller 92a and the guide roller 92b, between the guide roller 92b and the platen roller 91, and between the pinch roller 93a and the pinch roller 93b.

[0094] These guide paths 95 are supported in the frame 31 by a support mechanism not shown.

[0095] Further, the ink ribbon 39A supplied from the ink ribbon supply section 37A built in the YMC print module 30A contains three colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C).

[0096] Further, the special color print module 40 has a frame 41, an ink ribbon supply section 47 provided in the frame 41 for supplying an ink ribbon 49, and an ink ribbon take-up section 48 provided in the frame 41 for taking up the ink ribbon 49. Further, in the frame 41, a thermal head 90 and a platen roller 91 that pinch the print paper W and the ink ribbon 49 to perform printing on the print paper W are provided.

[0097] Further, in the frame 41, a pinch roller 92a and a guide roller 92b that guide the print paper W conveyed from the YMC print module 30A toward the thermal head 90 are provided. Further, the print paper W on which printing has been performed by the thermal head 90 is discharged toward the OP layer print module 50 side through the pinch roller 93a and the pinch roller 93b and through an opening 42b provided in the other face 41b of the frame 41.

[0098] Further, in the frame 41 of the special color print module 40, a guide path 95 that guides the print paper W conveyed from the YMC print module 30A is provided in the face 41a of the frame 41 (see Figure 6 ).

[0099] Further, in the frame 41, a guide path 95 that guides the print paper W is provided between the pinch roller 92a and the guide roller 92b, between the guide roller 92b and the platen roller 91, and between the pinch roller 93a and the pinch roller 93b.

[0100] These guide paths 95 are supported in the frame 41 by a support mechanism not shown.

[0101] Further, the ink ribbon 49 supplied from the ink ribbon supply section 47 built in the special color print module 40 contains special colors other than yellow, magenta, and cyan.

[0102] Further, the OP layer print module 50 has a frame 51, an ink ribbon supply section 57 provided in the frame 51 for supplying an ink ribbon 59, and an ink ribbon take-up section 58 provided in the frame 51 for taking up the ink ribbon 59. Further, in the frame 51, a thermal head 90 and a platen roller 91 that pinch the print paper W and the ink ribbon 59 to perform printing on the print paper W are provided.

[0103] In addition, in the frame 51, a pinch roller 92a and a guide roller 92b are provided to guide the print paper W sent from the special color printing module 40 toward the thermal head 90. Further, the print paper W on which printing has been performed by the thermal head 90 is discharged toward the print paper take-up module 20 side through a pinch roller 93a and a pinch roller 93b via an opening 52b provided on the other face 51b of the frame 51.

[0104] In addition, in the frame 51 of the OP layer printing module 50, a guide path 95 (see FIG. 2) is provided on the one face 51a of the frame 51 to guide the print paper W sent from the special color printing module 40. Figure 6 ).

[0105] Further, in the frame 51, the guide path 95 is provided between the pinch roller 92a and the guide roller 92b, between the guide roller 92b and the platen roller 91, and between the pinch roller 93a and the pinch roller 93b to guide the print paper W.

[0106] These guide paths 95 are supported in the frame 51 by a support mechanism not shown.

[0107] In addition, the ink ribbon 59 supplied from the ink ribbon supply section 57 built in the OP layer printing module 50 includes an outer coating layer (OP layer).

[0108] Next, the structure of the print paper supply module 10, the YMC printing module 30A, the special color printing module 40, the OP layer printing module 50, and the print paper take-up module 20 will be further described.

[0109] As described above, the print paper supply module 10 has a frame 11 in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a connecting body 15 in a rectangular parallelepiped shape provided to protrude from the one face 11a of the frame 11. In one of the outer face 15a of the connecting body 15 and the other face 11b opposite to the one face 11a, for example, two insertion holes 16 are formed side by side in the horizontal direction on the outer face 15a of the connecting body 15. On the other hand, for example, two insertion pins 13 are provided side by side in the horizontal direction on the other face 11b, and the insertion pins 13 are inserted into the insertion holes 36 provided on the connecting body 35 of the adjacent YMC printing module 30A to be described later.

[0110] Further, as described above, the printing paper take-up module 20 has a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped frame 21, and a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped coupling body 25 provided so as to protrude from one face 21a of the frame 21. Further, two insertion holes 26 are formed side by side in the horizontal direction on the outer surface 25a of the coupling body 25, for example. On the other hand, two insertion pins 23 are provided side by side in the horizontal direction on the other face 21b, for example, which is opposite the one face 21a.

[0111] Further, as described above, the YMC print module 30A has a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped frame 31, and a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped coupling body 35 provided so as to protrude from one face 31a of the frame 31. Further, two insertion holes 36 are formed side by side in the horizontal direction on the outer surface 35a of the coupling body 35, for example. On the other hand, two insertion pins 33 are provided side by side in the horizontal direction on the other face 31b, for example, which is opposite the one face 31a, the insertion pins 33 being inserted into insertion holes 46 provided on the coupling body 45 of an adjacent special color print module 40.

[0112] Further, as described above, the special color print module 40 has a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped frame 41, and a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped coupling body 45 provided so as to protrude from one face 41a of the frame 41. Further, two insertion holes 46 are formed side by side in the horizontal direction on the outer surface 45a of the coupling body 45, for example. On the other hand, two insertion pins 43 are provided side by side in the horizontal direction on the other face 41b, for example, which is opposite the one face 41a, the insertion pins 43 being inserted into insertion holes 56 provided on the coupling body 55 of an adjacent OP layer print module 50.

[0113] Further, as described above, the OP layer print module 50 has a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped frame 51, and a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped coupling body 55 provided so as to protrude from one face 51a of the frame 51. Further, two insertion holes 56 are formed side by side in the horizontal direction on the outer surface 55a of the coupling body 55, for example. On the other hand, two insertion pins 53 are provided side by side in the horizontal direction on the other face 51b, for example, which is opposite the one face 51a, the insertion pins 53 being inserted into insertion holes 26 provided on the coupling body 25 of an adjacent printing paper take-up module 20.

[0114] In the present embodiment, the frame 11 of the printing paper supply module 10 is in a cuboid shape, and is larger in size than the link body 15 which is also in a cuboid shape. In addition, the link body 15 has substantially the same width as the frame 11, and has a height of about 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 of the height of the frame 11. Here, the width of the link body 15 and the frame 11 refers to the width in the direction orthogonal to the advancing direction of the printing paper W.

[0115] The frame 21 of the printing paper take-up module 20 is in a cuboid shape, and is larger in size than the link body 25 which is also in a cuboid shape. In addition, the link body 25 has substantially the same width as the frame 21, and has a height of about 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 of the height of the frame 21. Here, the width of the link body 25 and the frame 21 refers to the width in the direction orthogonal to the advancing direction of the printing paper W.

[0116] The frame 31 of the YMC print module 30A is in a cuboid shape, and is larger in size than the link body 35 which is also in a cuboid shape. In addition, the link body 35 has substantially the same width as the frame 31, and has a height of about 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 of the height of the frame 31. Here, the width of the link body 35 and the frame 31 refers to the width in the direction orthogonal to the advancing direction of the printing paper W.

[0117] In addition, the frame 41 of the special color print module 40 is in a cuboid shape, and is larger in size than the link body 45 which is also in a cuboid shape. In addition, the link body 45 has substantially the same width as the frame 41, and has a height of about 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 of the height of the frame 41. Here, the width of the link body 45 and the frame 41 refers to the width in the direction orthogonal to the advancing direction of the printing paper W.

[0118] Further, the frame 51 of the OP layer print module 50 is in a cuboid shape, and is larger in size than the link body 55 which is also in a cuboid shape. In addition, the link body 55 has substantially the same width as the frame 51, and has a height of about 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 of the height of the frame 51. Here, the width of the link body 55 and the frame 51 refers to the width in the direction orthogonal to the advancing direction of the printing paper W.

[0119] Further, on one face 11a and the other face 11b of the frame 11 of the printing paper supply module 10, openings 12a, 12b for the printing paper W to pass through are provided at positions above the link body 15. A first contact 81a is provided on the other face 11b of the frame 11, and a second contact 81b is provided on the outer surface 15a of the link body 15.

[0120] In addition, on one side 21a and the other side 21b of the frame 21 of the printing paper take-up module 20, openings 22a, 22b for the printing paper W to pass through are provided at the upper position of the connecting body 25, respectively. A first contact 81a is provided on the other side 21b of the frame 21, and a second contact 81b electrically connected to the first contact 81a of the adjacent OP layer printing module 50 is provided on the outer surface 25a of the connecting body 25.

[0121] Further, on one side and the other side 31b of the frame 31 of the YMC printing module 30A, openings 32a, 32b for the printing paper W to pass through are provided at the upper position of the connecting body 35, respectively. A first contact 81a is provided on the other side 31b of the frame 31. A second contact 81b electrically connected to the first contact 81a of the adjacent printing paper supply module is provided on the outer surface 35a of the connecting body 35.

[0122] Further, on one side 41a and the other side 41b of the frame 41 of the special color printing module 40, openings 42a, 42b for the printing paper W to pass through are provided at the upper position of the connecting body 45, respectively. A first contact 81a is provided on the other side 41b of the frame 41. A second contact 81b electrically connected to the first contact 81a of the adjacent YMC printing module 30A is provided on the outer surface 45a of the connecting body 45.

[0123] Further, on one side 51a and the other side 51b of the frame 51 of the OP layer printing module 50, openings 52a, 52b for the printing paper W to pass through are provided at the upper position of the connecting body 55, respectively. A first contact 81a is provided on the other side 51b of the frame 51. A second contact 81b electrically connected to the first contact 81a of the adjacent special color printing module 40 is provided on the outer surface 55a of the connecting body 55.

[0124] Further, it is preferable that the frame 11 and the connecting body 15 of the printing paper supply module 10, the frame 21 and the connecting body 25 of the printing paper take-up module 20, the frame 31 and the connecting body 35 of the YMC printing module 30A, the frame 41 and the connecting body 45 of the special color printing module 40, and the frame 51 and the connecting body 55 of the OP layer printing module 50 all have the same outer shape and the same structure. In this way, the frame 11 and the connecting body 15 of the printing paper supply module 10, the frame 21 and the connecting body 25 of the printing paper take-up module 20, the frame 31 and the connecting body 35 of the YMC printing module 30A, the frame 41 and the connecting body 45 of the special color printing module 40, and the frame 51 and the connecting body 55 of the OP layer printing module 50 have the same outer shape and the same structure, and thus, by using the frames and the connecting bodies having the same outer shape and the same structure, and by arranging the internal structures corresponding to the respective modules inside the frames, the modules 10, 20, 30A, 40, 50 can be easily manufactured.

[0125] Next, the operation of the present embodiment configured by such a structure will be described.

[0126] First, as shown in Figure 7 and Figure 8 , a printing paper supply module 10, a printing paper take-up module 20, a YMC printing module 30A, a special color printing module 40, an OP layer printing module 50, and a printing module 30 are prepared.

[0127] In Figure 7 and Figure 8 , the printing paper supply part 17 is not yet disposed in the frame 11 of the printing paper supply module 10, and the printing paper take-up part 27 is not yet disposed in the frame 21 of the printing paper take-up module 20.

[0128] Next, as shown in Figure 9 , the other face lib of the frame 11 of the printing paper supply module 10 is joined to the outer surface 35a of the connecting body 35 of the YMC printing module 30A. At this time, the insertion pin 13 provided on the frame 11 of the printing paper supply module 10 is inserted into the insertion hole 36 provided on the connecting body 35 of the YMC printing module 30A.

[0129] Further, the first contact 81a provided on the frame 11 of the printing paper supply module 10 is electrically connected to the second contact 81b provided on the connecting body 35 of the YMC printing module 30A. Information connected between the first contact 81a and the second contact 81b is transmitted to the external control circuit 9.

[0130] In this way, the frame 11 of the printing paper supply module 10 and the connecting body 35 of the YMC printing module 30A can be positioned and joined with high precision.

[0131] Similarly, the YMC printing module 30A and the special color printing module 40 are joined together, and the special color printing module 40 and the OP layer printing module 50 are joined together.

[0132] Finally, the other face 51b of the frame 51 of the OP layer printing module 50 is joined to the outer surface 25a of the connecting body 25 of the printing paper take-up module 20. At this time, the insertion pin 53 provided on the frame 51 of the OP layer printing module 50 is inserted into the insertion hole 26 provided on the connecting body 25 of the printing paper take-up module 20.

[0133] Further, the first contact 81a provided on the frame 51 of the OP layer printing module 50 is electrically connected to the second contact 81b provided on the frame 21 of the printing paper take-up module 20. Information connected between the first contact 81a and the second contact 81b is transmitted to the external control circuit 9.

[0134] Thus, the frame 51 of the OP layer printing module 50 and the coupling body 25 of the printing paper take-up module 20 can be positioned and joined with high precision.

[0135] Then, the printing paper supply section 17 is provided in the frame 11 of the printing paper supply module 10. The printing paper take-up section 27 is provided in the frame 21 of the printing paper take-up module 20. Thus, the printing system 1 (see Figure 9 ) can be obtained.

[0136] Next, as shown in Figure 6 , the printing paper W is supplied from the printing paper supply section 17 provided in the frame 11 of the printing paper supply module 10. The printing paper W is discharged from the opening 12b of the frame 11 via the guide rollers 18a and the pinch rollers 18b in the frame 11, guided to the guide path 95 of the YMC printing module 30A, and enters the frame 31 of the YMC printing module 30A from the opening 32a.

[0137] The printing paper W transported into the frame 31 of the YMC printing module 30A is transported to between the thermal head 90 and the platen roller 91 in order through the pinch rollers 92a, the guide rollers 92b, and the guide path 95.

[0138] Similarly, the ink ribbon 39A is transported from the ink ribbon supply section 37A to between the thermal head 90 and the platen roller 91. In this case, the ink ribbon 39A has each of yellow, magenta, and cyan colors.

[0139] Further, the printing paper W and the ink ribbon 39A are sandwiched between the thermal head 90 and the platen roller 91, and the ink ribbon 39 is heated and pressed against the printing paper W by the thermal head 90. Thus, by the thermal head 90, each of the yellow, magenta, and cyan colors provided to the ink ribbon 39A is thermally transferred to the printing paper W in a sublimation manner.

[0140] Next, the printing paper W is discharged from the frame 31 of the YMC printing module 30A via the opening 32b, guided to the guide path 95, and enters the frame 41 of the special color printing module 40 from the opening 42a.

[0141] The printing paper W transported into the frame 41 of the special color printing module 40 is transported to between the thermal head 90 and the platen roller 91 in order through the pinch rollers 92a, the guide rollers 92b, and the guide path 95.

[0142] Similarly, the ink ribbon 49 is transported from the ink ribbon supply section 47 to between the thermal head 90 and the platen roller 91. In this case, the ink ribbon 49 has a special color other than YMC.

[0143] Then, the print paper W and the ink ribbon 49 are sandwiched between the thermal head 90 and the platen roller 91, and the ink ribbon 49 is heated and pressed against the print paper W by the thermal head 90. In this way, the special color provided on the ink ribbon 49 is thermally transferred to the print paper W by the thermal head 90.

[0144] Next, the print paper W is discharged from the frame 41 of the special color printing module 40 through the opening 42b, guided by the guide path 95 into the frame 51 of the OP layer printing module 50 from the opening 52a.

[0145] The print paper W fed into the frame 51 of the OP layer printing module 50 passes through the pinch roller 92a, the guide roller 92b, and the guide path 95 in order, and is fed between the thermal head 90 and the platen roller 91.

[0146] Likewise, the ink ribbon 59 is fed from the ink ribbon supply 57 to between the thermal head 90 and the platen roller 91. In this case, the ink ribbon 59 has an outer coating layer.

[0147] Then, the print paper W and the ink ribbon 59 are sandwiched between the thermal head 90 and the platen roller 91, and the ink ribbon 59 is heated and pressed against the print paper W by the thermal head 90. In this way, the outer coating layer (OP layer) provided on the ink ribbon 59 is thermally transferred to the print paper W by the thermal head 90.

[0148] In this way, the yellow, magenta, cyan, special color, and outer coating layer are thermally transferred to the upper surface of the print paper W.

[0149] The print paper W on which printing has been performed on the upper surface by the thermal head 90 is fed from the opening 52b to the outside of the frame 51 of the OP layer printing module 50 via the pinch roller 93a, the pinch roller 93b, and the guide path 95.

[0150] After that, the print paper W fed from the frame 51 of the OP layer printing module 50 to the outside is guided into the frame 21 from the guide path 95 provided on the frame 21 of the print paper take-up module 20 through the opening 22a.

[0151] Next, in the frame 21 of the print paper take-up module 20, the print paper W passes through the pinch roller 28a and the guide roller 28b in order, and is taken up at the print paper take-up 27.

[0152] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the other face 11b of the frame 11 of the print paper supply module 10 is joined to the outer surface 35a of the connecting body 35 of the YMC printing module 30A, and the insertion pin 13 provided on the frame 11 is inserted into the insertion hole 36 provided on the connecting body 35. Thus, the print paper supply module 10 and the YMC printing module 30A can be easily and highly accurately assembled.

[0153] Likewise, the YMC printing module 30A and the special color printing module 40 can be easily and highly accurately assembled, and the special color printing module 40 and the OP layer printing module 50 can be easily and highly accurately assembled.

[0154] Finally, the other face 51b of the frame 51 of the OP layer printing module 50 is joined to the outer face 25a of the connecting body 25 of the printed paper take-up module 20, and the insertion pin 53 provided to the frame 51 is inserted into the insertion hole 26 provided to the connecting body 25. Thereby, the OP layer printing module 50 and the printed paper take-up module 20 can be easily and highly accurately assembled.

[0155] Further, the connecting bodies 35, 45, 55, 25, which are smaller than the frames 11, 31, 41, 51, 21, are interposed between the frames 11, 31, 41, 51, 21 of the respective modules 10, 30A, 40, 50, 20, and the heights of the connecting bodies 15, 35, 45, 55, 25 are suppressed to be lower than the frames 11, 31, 41, 51, 21. Further, the openings 12a, 12b, 32a, 32b, 42a, 42b, 52a, 52b, 22a, 22b of the frames 11, 31, 41, 51, 21 are disposed at positions above the connecting bodies 15, 35, 45, 55, 25. Thereby, in the frames 11, 31, 41, 51, 21, the upper regions of the connecting bodies 35, 45, 55, 25 can be used as travel regions of the printed paper W. Further, by making the widths of the frames 11, 31, 41, 51, 21 the same as the widths of the connecting bodies 15, 35, 45, 55, 25, the widths in the directions orthogonal to the advancing direction of the printed paper W are uniformly made uniform as a whole of the printing system 10.

[0156] <3rd Embodiment>

[0157] Next, a 3rd embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0158] Figure 10 And Figure 11 is a view showing the 3rd embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0159] In Figure 10 And Figure 11 the 3rd embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5 is substantially the same as the 1st embodiment shown in Figures 6 to 9 and the 2nd embodiment shown in

[0160] InFigure 10 and Figure 11 In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the first printing module 30B is used for printing yellow (Y), the second printing module 30C is used for printing magenta (M), and the third printing module 30D is used for printing cyan (C). Figures 1 to 5 Figures 6 to 9 The same parts as those of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and the second embodiment shown in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0161] In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the first printing module 30B is used for printing yellow (Y), the second printing module 30C is used for printing magenta (M), and the third printing module 30D is used for printing cyan (C). Figure 10 Figure 11 Thus, YMC (yellow, magenta, and cyan) can be printed on the printing paper W by the first printing module 30B, the second printing module 30C, and the third printing module 30D.

[0162] Thus, YMC (yellow, magenta, and cyan) can be printed on the printing paper W by the first printing module 30B, the second printing module 30C, and the third printing module 30D.

[0163] First, the printing system 1 of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3. Figure 10 Figure 11 As shown in FIG. 3, the printing system 1 is provided with eight modules 10, 30B, 30C, 30D, 40, 50, 60, 20 which are continuously arranged and connected to each other. Among them, the module 10 on the upstream side becomes a printing paper supply module 10 having a function of supplying a roll-shaped printing paper W, and the module 20 on the downstream side becomes a printing paper take-up module 20 having a function of taking up the printing paper W on which printing has been completed.

[0164] As shown in FIG. 3, the printing system 1 is provided with eight modules 10, 30B, 30C, 30D, 40, 50, 60, 20 which are continuously arranged and connected to each other. Among them, the module 10 on the upstream side becomes a printing paper supply module 10 having a function of supplying a roll-shaped printing paper W, and the module 20 on the downstream side becomes a printing paper take-up module 20 having a function of taking up the printing paper W on which printing has been completed. Figure 10 Figure 11 Further, between the printing paper supply module 10 and the printing paper take-up module 20, the first printing module 30B, the second printing module 30C, the third printing module 30D, the special color printing module 40, the OP layer printing module 50, and the cover sheet attaching module 60 which perform printing on the printing paper W are provided.

[0165] Among them, the printing paper supply module 10 has a frame 11 and a printing paper supply portion 17 which is built in the frame 11, and the printing paper W supplied from the printing paper supply portion 17 is guided by guide rollers 18a and pinch rollers 18b and is transported to the first printing module 30B through the opening 12b of the other face 11b described later.

[0166] Among them, the printing paper supply module 10 has a frame 11 and a printing paper supply portion 17 which is built in the frame 11, and the printing paper W supplied from the printing paper supply portion 17 is guided by guide rollers 18a and pinch rollers 18b and is transported to the first printing module 30B through the opening 12b of the other face 11b described later.

[0167] ​​​​Further, the printing paper take-up module 20 has a frame 21 and a printing paper take-up section 27 built in the frame 21, and the printing paper W to which a cover sheet is attached by the cover sheet attachment module 60 enters the printing paper take-up module 20 through the opening 22a of the one face 21a described later, and is guided by nip rollers 28a and guide rollers 28b and is taken up by the printing paper take-up section 27.

[0168] Further, the first print module 30B, the second print module 30C and the third print module 30D have substantially the same structure as each other, and have a frame 31, ink ribbon supply sections 37B, 37C, 37D which are provided in the frame 31 and supply ink ribbons 39B, 39C, 39D, and ink ribbon take-up sections 38B, 38C, 38D which are provided in the frame 31 and take up the ink ribbons 39B, 39C, 39D. Further, a thermal head 90 which presses the printing paper W and the ink ribbons 39B, 39C, 39D to print the printing paper W and a platen roller 91 are provided in the frame 31.

[0169] Further, nip rollers 92a and guide rollers 92b which guide the printing paper W sent from the printing paper supply module 10 to the thermal head 90 side are provided in each frame 31. Further, the printing paper W on which printing has been performed by the thermal head 90 is discharged through nip rollers 93a and 93b and through the opening 32b provided on the other face 31b of the frame 31.

[0170] Further, in each of the frames 31 of the first print module 30B, the second print module 30C and the third print module 30D, a guide path 95 for guiding the printing paper W is provided on the one face 31a of the frame 31 (see Figure 10 ).

[0171] Further, in the frame 31, a guide path 95 for guiding the printing paper W is provided between the nip rollers 92a and the guide rollers 92b, between the guide rollers 92b and the platen roller 91, and between the nip rollers 93a and the nip rollers 93b.

[0172] These guide paths 95 are supported in the frame 31 by a support mechanism not shown.

[0173] Further, the ink ribbon 39B supplied from the ink ribbon supply section 37B built in the first print module 30B contains yellow.

[0174] Further, the ink ribbon 39C supplied from the ink ribbon supply section 37C built in the second print module 30C contains magenta.

[0175] Further, the ink ribbon 39D supplied from the ink ribbon supply section 37D built in the third print module 30D contains cyan.

[0176] Further, the special color printing module 40 has a frame 41, an ink ribbon supply section 47 provided in the frame 41 for supplying an ink ribbon 49, and an ink ribbon take-up section 48 provided in the frame 41 for taking up the ink ribbon 49. Further, a thermal head 90 and a platen roller 91 for sandwiching the print paper W and the ink ribbon 49 to print the print paper W are provided in the frame 41.

[0177] Further, a pinch roller 92a and a guide roller 92b for guiding the print paper W sent from the third printing module 30D toward the thermal head 90 are provided in the frame 41. Further, the print paper W on which printing has been performed by the thermal head 90 is discharged to the OP layer printing module 50 side through the pinch roller 93a and the pinch roller 93b and through an opening 42b provided in the other face 41b of the frame 41.

[0178] Further, in the frame 41 of the special color printing module 40, a guide path 95 for guiding the print paper W sent from the third printing module 30D is provided in the face 41a of the frame 41 (see Figure 11 ).

[0179] Further, in the frame 41, the guide path 95 for guiding the print paper W is provided between the pinch roller 92a and the guide roller 92b, between the guide roller 92b and the platen roller 91, and between the pinch roller 93a and the pinch roller 93b.

[0180] These guide paths 95 are supported in the frame 41 by a support mechanism not shown.

[0181] Further, the ink ribbon 49 supplied from the ink ribbon supply section 47 built in the special color printing module 40 contains a special color other than yellow, magenta, and cyan.

[0182] Further, the OP layer printing module 50 has a frame 51, an ink ribbon supply section 57 provided in the frame 51 for supplying an ink ribbon 59, and an ink ribbon take-up section 58 provided in the frame 51 for taking up the ink ribbon 59. Further, a thermal head 90 and a platen roller 91 for sandwiching the print paper W and the ink ribbon 59 to print the print paper W are provided in the frame 51.

[0183] Further, a pinch roller 92a and a guide roller 92b for guiding the print paper W sent from the special color printing module 40 toward the thermal head 90 are provided in the frame 51.

[0184] Further, the print paper W on which printing has been performed by the thermal head 90 is discharged to the cover sheet attaching module 60 side through the pinch roller 93a and the pinch roller 93b and through an opening 52b provided in the other face 51b of the frame 51.

[0185] Further, in the frame 51 of the OP layer printing module 50, a guide path 95 for guiding the print paper W conveyed from the special color printing module 40 is provided on one face 51a of the frame 51 (refer to Figure 10 and Figure 11 ).

[0186] Further, in the frame 51, the guide paths 95 are provided between the pinch roller 92a and the guide roller 92b, between the guide roller 92b and the platen roller 91, and between the pinch roller 93a and the pinch roller 93b.

[0187] These guide paths 95 are supported in the frame 51 by a support mechanism not shown.

[0188] Further, the ink ribbon 59 supplied from the ink ribbon supply section 57 built in the OP layer printing module 50 includes an outer coating layer (OP layer).

[0189] Further, the cover sheet attaching module 60 has a frame 61 and a cover sheet supply section 67 provided in the frame 61 for supplying the cover sheet 99 to the print paper W.

[0190] The cover sheet 99 supplied from the cover sheet supply section 67 is sandwiched with the print paper W between the heating plate 98 and the platen roller 91. Further, the cover sheet 99 is heated while being pressed by the heating plate 98 to be attached to the print paper W. The cover sheet 99 attached to the print paper W is attached in a slightly tacky state with respect to the print paper W to function as a protective sheet. Moreover, for example, in the case where the print paper W is used as a transfer sheet, the cover sheet is peeled from the print paper W in a subsequent process to transfer the print paper W to a not-shown transfer body. Further, in the frame 61 of the cover sheet attaching module 60, the pinch roller 92a and the guide roller 92b for guiding the print paper W conveyed from the OP layer printing module 50 to the heating plate 98 and the platen roller 91 side, and the pinch roller 93a and the pinch roller 93b for guiding the print paper W to which the cover sheet 99 is attached by the heating plate 98 and the platen roller 91 are arranged.

[0191] The print paper W to which the cover sheet 99 is attached by the heating plate 98 is discharged to the print paper take-up module 20 side through the pinch roller 93a and the pinch roller 93b and through the opening 62b provided on the other face 61b of the frame 61.

[0192] Further, in the frame 61 of the cover sheet attaching module 60, a guide path 95 for guiding the print paper W conveyed from the OP layer printing module 50 is provided on one face 61a of the frame 61 (refer to Figure 10 and Figure 11 ).

[0193] Further, in the frame body 61, a guide path 95 that guides the print paper W is provided between the pinch roller 92a and the guide roller 92b, between the guide roller 92b and the platen roller 91, and between the pinch roller 93a and the pinch roller 93b.

[0194] These guide paths 95 are supported in the frame body 61 by a support mechanism not shown.

[0195] Next, the structures of the print paper supply module 10, the first print module 30B, the second print module 30C, the third print module 30D, the special color print module 40, the OP layer print module 50, the cover sheet attaching module 60, and the print paper take-up module 20 will be further described.

[0196] As described above, the print paper supply module 10 has a frame body 11 in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, and a coupling body 15 in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped that is provided so as to protrude from one face 11a of the frame body 11. Further, in one of an outer face 15a of the coupling body 15 and another face 11b that is opposite the one face 11a, for example, two insertion holes 16 are formed side by side in the horizontal direction on the outer face 15a of the coupling body 15. On the other hand, for example, two insertion pins 13 are provided side by side in the horizontal direction on the other face 11b, and the insertion pins 13 are inserted into insertion holes 36 provided on a coupling body 35 of an adjacent first print module 30B, which will be described later.

[0197] Further, as described above, the print paper take-up module 20 has a frame body 21 in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, and a coupling body 25 in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped that is provided so as to protrude from one face 21a of the frame body 21. Further, in one of an outer face 25a of the coupling body 25 and another face 21b that is opposite the one face 21a, for example, two insertion holes 26 are formed side by side in the horizontal direction on the outer face 25a of the coupling body 25. On the other hand, for example, two insertion pins 23 are provided side by side in the horizontal direction on the other face 21b.

[0198] Further, the first print module 30B, the second print module 30C, and the third print module 30D have substantially the same structure as each other, and each has a frame body 31 in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, and a coupling body 35 in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped that is provided so as to protrude from one face 31a of the frame body 31. Further, in one of an outer face 35a of the coupling body 35 and another face 35b that is opposite the one face 31a, for example, two insertion holes 36 are formed side by side in the horizontal direction on the outer face 35a of the coupling body 35. On the other hand, for example, two insertion pins 33 are provided side by side in the horizontal direction on the other face 31b, and the insertion pins 33 are inserted into insertion holes of an adjacent module.

[0199] Further, the special color printing module 40 has a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped frame body 41 and a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped coupling body 45 which is provided to protrude from one face 41a of the frame body 41. Further, two insertion holes 46 are formed side by side in the horizontal direction on the outer surface 45a of the coupling body 45, for example. On the other hand, two insertion pins 43 are provided side by side in the horizontal direction on the other face 41b which is opposite to the one face 41a, for example, and are inserted into insertion holes 56 provided on a coupling body 55 of an adjacent OP layer printing module 50.

[0200] Further, as described above, the OP layer printing module 50 has a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped frame body 51 and a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped coupling body 55 which is provided to protrude from one face 51a of the frame body 51. Further, two insertion holes 56 are formed side by side in the horizontal direction on the outer surface 55a of the coupling body 55, for example. On the other hand, two insertion pins 53 are provided side by side in the horizontal direction on the other face 51b which is opposite to the one face 51a, for example, and are inserted into insertion holes 66 provided on a coupling body 65 of an adjacent cover sheet attaching module 60.

[0201] Further, the cover sheet attaching module 60 has a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped frame body 61 and a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped coupling body 65 which is provided to protrude from one face 61a of the frame body 61. Further, two insertion holes 66 are formed side by side in the horizontal direction on the outer surface 65a of the coupling body 65, for example. On the other hand, two insertion pins 63 are provided side by side in the horizontal direction on the other face 61b which is opposite to the one face 61a, for example, and are inserted into insertion holes 26 provided on a coupling body 25 of an adjacent printed paper take-up module 20.

[0202] In the present embodiment, the frame body 11 of the printed paper supply module 10 is rectangular parallelepiped-shaped and is larger in size than the coupling body 15 which is also rectangular parallelepiped-shaped. Further, the coupling body 15 has substantially the same width as the frame body 11 and has a height of about ¼ to ½ of the height of the frame body 11. Here, the width of the coupling body 15 and the frame body 11 refers to the width in the direction orthogonal to the advancing direction of the printed paper W.

[0203] The frame body 21 of the printed paper take-up module 20 is rectangular parallelepiped-shaped and is larger in size than the coupling body 25 which is also rectangular parallelepiped-shaped. Further, the coupling body 25 has substantially the same width as the frame body 21 and has a height of about ¼ to ½ of the height of the frame body 21. Here, the width of the coupling body 25 and the frame body 21 refers to the width in the direction orthogonal to the advancing direction of the printed paper W.

[0204] The frame 31 of the first print module 30B, the second print module 30C, and the third print module 30D is a cuboid, and is larger than the link body 35 which is also a cuboid. In addition, the link body 35 has substantially the same width as the frame 31, and the height thereof is about 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 of the height of the frame 31. Here, the width of the link body 35 and the frame 31 refers to the width in the direction orthogonal to the advancing direction of the print paper W.

[0205] In addition, the frame 41 of the special color print module 40 is a cuboid, and is larger than the link body 45 which is also a cuboid. In addition, the link body 45 has substantially the same width as the frame 41, and the height thereof is about 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 of the height of the frame 41. Here, the width of the link body 45 and the frame 41 refers to the width in the direction orthogonal to the advancing direction of the print paper W.

[0206] In addition, the frame 41 of the special color print module 40 is a cuboid, and is larger than the link body 45 which is also a cuboid. In addition, the link body 45 has substantially the same width as the frame 41, and the height thereof is about 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 of the height of the frame 41. Here, the width of the link body 45 and the frame 41 refers to the width in the direction orthogonal to the advancing direction of the print paper W.

[0207] In addition, the frame 41 of the special color print module 40 is a cuboid, and is larger than the link body 45 which is also a cuboid. In addition, the link body 45 has substantially the same width as the frame 41, and the height thereof is about 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 of the height of the frame 41. Here, the width of the link body 45 and the frame 41 refers to the width in the direction orthogonal to the advancing direction of the print paper W.

[0208] Further, on one face 11a and the other face 11b of the frame 11 of the print paper supply module 10, above the link body 15, openings 12a, 12b for the print paper W to pass through are provided, respectively. On the other face 11b of the frame 11, a first contact 81a is provided, and on the outer surface 15a of the link body 15, a second contact 81b is provided.

[0209] In addition, on one face 21a and the other face 21b of the frame 21 of the print paper take-up module 20, above the link body 25, openings 22a, 22b for the print paper W to pass through are provided, respectively. On the other face 21b of the frame 21, a first contact 81a is provided, and on the outer surface 25a of the link body 25, a second contact 81b is provided which is electrically connected to the first contact 81a of the adjacent cover sheet attaching module 60.

[0210] Further, on one face 31a and the other face 31b of the frame 31 of the first, second and third print modules 30B, 30C and 30D, above the connecting body 35, openings 32a, 32b for the passage of the print paper W are provided, respectively. On the other face 31b of the frame 31, a first contact 81a is provided. On the outer surface 35a of the connecting body 35, a second contact 81b is provided which is electrically connected to the first contact 81a of the adjacent module.

[0211] Further, on one face 41a and the other face 41b of the frame 41 of the special color print module 40, above the connecting body 45, openings 42a, 42b for the passage of the print paper W are provided, respectively. On the other face 41b of the frame 41, a first contact 81a is provided. On the outer surface 45a of the connecting body 45, a second contact 81b is provided which is electrically connected to the first contact 81a of the adjacent third print module 30D.

[0212] Further, on one face 51a and the other face 51b of the frame 51 of the OP layer print module 50, above the connecting body 55, openings 52a, 52b for the passage of the print paper W are provided, respectively. On the other face 51b of the frame 51, a first contact 81a is provided. On the outer surface 55a of the connecting body 55, a second contact 81b is provided which is electrically connected to the first contact 81a of the adjacent special color print module 40.

[0213] Further, on one face 61a and the other face 61b of the frame 61 of the cover sheet attaching module 60, above the connecting body 65, openings 62a, 62b for the passage of the print paper W are provided, respectively. On the other face 61b of the frame 61, a first contact 81a is provided. On the outer surface 65a of the connecting body 65, a second contact 81b is provided which is electrically connected to the first contact 81a of the adjacent OP layer print module 50.

[0214] Furthermore, preferably, the frame 11 and connector 15 of the printing paper supply module 10, the frame 21 and connector 25 of the printing paper winding module 20, the frame 31 and connector 35 of the first printing module 30B, the second printing module 30C and the third printing module 30D, the frame 41 and connector 45 of the special color printing module 40, the frame 51 and connector 55 of the OP layer printing module 50, and the frame 61 and connector 65 of the cover attachment module 60 all have the same shape and the same structure. In this way, the frame 11 and connector 15 of the printing paper supply module 10, the frame 21 and connector 25 of the printing paper winding module 20, the frame 31 and connector 35 of the first printing module 30B, the second printing module 30C and the third printing module 30D, the frame 41 and connector 45 of the special color printing module 40, the frame 51 and connector 55 of the OP layer printing module 50, and the frame 61 and connector 65 of the cover attachment module 60 have the same shape and the same structure. Therefore, by using frames and connectors with the same shape and the same structure, and by arranging the internal structure corresponding to that in each module within the frame, it is easy to manufacture each module 10, 20, 30B, 30C, 30D, 40, 50, and 60.

[0215] Next, the function of this embodiment, which is constructed in this way, will be explained.

[0216] First, such as Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown, the printing paper supply module 10, the printing paper winding module 20, the first printing module 30B, the second printing module 30C, the third printing module 30D, the special color printing module 40, the OP layer printing module 50, and the cover attachment module 60 are prepared.

[0217] Next, as Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown, the other side 11b of the frame 11 of the printing paper supply module 10 is joined to the outer surface 35a of the connector 35 of the first printing module 30B. At this time, the insertion pin 13 provided on the frame 11 of the printing paper supply module 10 is inserted into the insertion hole 36 provided on the connector 35 of the first printing module 30B.

[0218] Furthermore, the first contact 81a, located on the frame 11 of the printing paper supply module 10, is electrically connected to the second contact 81b, located on the frame 31 of the first printing module 30B. Information regarding the connection between the first contact 81a and the second contact 81b is transmitted to the external control circuit 9.

[0219] In this way, the frame 11 of the printing paper supply module 10 and the connector 35 of the first printing module 30B can be positioned and joined with high precision.

[0220] Similarly, the first printing module 30B, the second printing module 30C, the third printing module 30D, the special color printing module 40, the OP layer printing module 50, and the cover sheet attaching module 60 are sequentially caused to be engaged.

[0221] Finally, the other face 61b of the frame 61 of the cover sheet attaching module 60 is caused to be engaged with the outer surface 25a of the connecting body 25 of the printed paper take-up module 20. At this time, the insertion pin 63 provided on the frame 61 of the cover sheet attaching module 60 is inserted into the insertion hole 26 provided on the connecting body 25 of the printed paper take-up module 20.

[0222] In addition, the first contact 81a provided on the frame 61 of the cover sheet attaching module 60 is electrically connected with the second contact provided on the frame 21 of the printed paper take-up module 20, and information connected with the first contact 81a and the second contact 81b is transmitted to the external control circuit 9.

[0223] In this way, the frame 51 of the cover sheet attaching module 60 and the connecting body 25 of the printed paper take-up module 20 can be positioned and engaged with high precision.

[0224] In this way, the printing system 1 (see Figure 10 and Figure 11 ) can be obtained.

[0225] Next, as shown in Figure 10 and Figure 11 , the printed paper W is supplied from the printed paper supply part 17 provided in the frame 11 of the printed paper supply module 10. The printed paper W is discharged from the opening 12b of the frame 11 via the guide roller 18a and the pinch roller 18b in the frame 11, guided to the guide path 95 of the first printing module 30B, and enters the frame 31 of the first printing module 30B from the opening 32a.

[0226] The printed paper W sent into the frame 31 of the first printing module 30B is sent between the thermal head 90 and the platen roller 91 in sequence through the pinch roller 92a, the guide roller 92b, and the guide path 95.

[0227] Similarly, the ink ribbon 39B is transported from the ink ribbon supply part 37B to between the thermal head 90 and the platen roller 91. In this case, the ink ribbon 39B has a yellow color.

[0228] Further, the printed paper W and the ink ribbon 39B are sandwiched between the thermal head 90 and the platen roller 91, and the ink ribbon 39 is heated and pressed against the printed paper W by the thermal head 90. In this way, by the thermal head 90, the yellow color provided on the ink ribbon 39B is thermally transferred to the printed paper W in a sublimation manner.

[0229] Then, the print paper W enters the 2nd print module 30C, and a magenta color is printed on the print paper W in the 2nd print module 30C via the same procedure as the 1st print module 30B.

[0230] Next, the print paper W enters the 3rd print module 30D, and a cyan color is printed on the print paper W in the 3rd print module 30D via the same procedure as the 1st print module 30B.

[0231] Next, the print paper W is discharged from the frame 31 of the 3rd print module 30D via the opening 32b, guided toward the guide path 95, and enters the frame 41 of the special color print module 40 from the opening 42a.

[0232] The print paper W transported into the frame 41 of the special color print module 40 is transported toward the thermal head 90 and the platen roller 91 in order through the pinch roller 92a, the guide roller 92b, and the guide path 95.

[0233] Likewise, the ink ribbon 49 is transported from the ink ribbon supply 47 toward the thermal head 90 and the platen roller 91. In this case, the ink ribbon 49 has a special color other than YMC.

[0234] Then, the print paper W and the ink ribbon 49 are pinched between the thermal head 90 and the platen roller 91, and the ink ribbon 49 is heated and pressed against the print paper W by the thermal head 90. In this way, the special color provided to the ink ribbon 49 is thermally transferred to the print paper W by the thermal head 90.

[0235] Next, the print paper W is discharged from the frame 41 of the special color print module 40 via the opening 42b, guided by the guide path 95, and enters the frame 51 of the OP layer print module 50 from the opening 52a.

[0236] The print paper W transported into the frame 51 of the OP layer print module 50 is transported toward the thermal head 90 and the platen roller 91 in order through the pinch roller 92a, the guide roller 92b, and the guide path 95.

[0237] Likewise, the ink ribbon 59 is transported from the ink ribbon supply 57 toward the thermal head 90 and the platen roller 91. In this case, the ink ribbon 59 has an overcoat layer.

[0238] Then, the print paper W and the ink ribbon 59 are pinched between the thermal head 90 and the platen roller 91, and the ink ribbon 59 is heated and pressed against the print paper W by the thermal head 90. In this way, the overcoat layer (OP layer) provided to the ink ribbon 59 is thermally transferred to the print paper W by the thermal head 90.

[0239] In this way, printing is performed in which the yellow, magenta, cyan, special color, and overcoat layer are thermally transferred to the upper surface of the print paper W.

[0240] Next, the printing paper W is discharged from the frame 51 of the OP layer printing module 50 via the opening 52b, enters the frame 61 of the cover sheet attaching module 60 via the guide path 95 from the opening 62a. The printing paper W conveyed into the frame 61 of the cover sheet attaching module 60 is conveyed toward the side of the heating plate 98. At the same time, the cover sheet 99 is supplied to the printing paper W from the cover sheet supply section 67, and the printing paper W and the cover sheet 99 are sandwiched between the heating plate 98 and the platen roller 91. Next, the cover sheet 99 is heated while being pressed by the heating plate 98 and is attached to the printing paper W.

[0241] The cover sheet 99 protects the printing paper W, and in the case where the printing paper W is used as a transfer sheet, the cover sheet 99 is peeled from the printing paper W in a subsequent process. The printing paper W from which the cover sheet 99 is peeled is transferred to a non-illustrated transfer body.

[0242] The printing paper W to which the cover sheet 99 is attached as such is conveyed to the outside from the frame 61 of the cover sheet attaching module 60.

[0243] After that, the printing paper W conveyed to the outside from the frame 61 of the cover sheet attaching module 60 enters the frame 21 from the guide path 95 provided on the frame 21 of the printing paper take-up module 20 through the opening 20a.

[0244] Next, in the frame 21 of the printing paper take-up module 20, the printing paper W passes through the nip roller 28a and the guide roller 28b in this order and is taken up at the printing paper take-up section 27.

[0245] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the other face 1 lb of the frame 11 of the printing paper supply module 10 is joined to the outer surface 35a of the connecting body 35 of the first printing module 30B, and the insertion pin 13 provided to the frame 11 is inserted into the insertion hole 36 provided to the connecting body 35. Thereby, the printing paper supply module 10 and the first printing module 30B can be easily and highly accurately assembled.

[0246] Similarly, the second printing module 30C, the third printing module 30D, the special color printing module 40, the OP layer printing module 50, and the cover sheet attaching module 60 can be easily and highly accurately assembled in this order with respect to the first printing module 30B.

[0247] Finally, the other face 61b of the frame 61 of the cover sheet attaching module 60 is joined to the outer surface 25a of the connecting body 25 of the printing paper take-up module 20, and the insertion pin 33 provided to the frame 61 is inserted into the insertion hole 26 provided to the connecting body 25. Thereby, the cover sheet attaching module 60 and the printing paper take-up module 20 can be easily and highly accurately assembled.

[0248] Further, between the frame bodies 11, 31, 41, 51, 61, 21 of the modules 10, 30, 40, 50, 60, 20, the link bodies 35, 45, 55, 65, 25, which are smaller than the frame bodies 11, 31, 41, 51, 61, 21, are interposed, and the heights of the link bodies 15, 35, 45, 55, 65, 25 are suppressed to be lower than those of the frame bodies 11, 31, 41, 51, 61, 21. In addition, the openings 12a, 12b, 32a, 32b, 42a, 42b, 52a, 52b, 62a, 22a, 22b of the frame bodies 11, 31, 41, 51, 61, 21 are disposed at positions above the link bodies 15, 35, 45, 55, 65, 25. Thus, between the frame bodies 11, 31, 41, 51, 61, 21, the upper regions of the link bodies 35, 45, 55, 65, 25 can be used as the travel regions of the paper W. In addition, by making the widths of the frame bodies 11, 31, 41, 51, 61, 21 the same as the widths of the link bodies 15, 35, 45, 65, 25, the widths in the directions orthogonal to the advancing direction of the paper W are made uniform as a whole of the printing system 10.

[0249] REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0250] 1: printing system;

[0251] 9: control circuit;

[0252] 10: paper supply module;

[0253] 11: frame body;

[0254] 11a: one surface;

[0255] 11b: other surface;

[0256] 12a: opening;

[0257] 12b: opening;

[0258] 13: insertion pin;

[0259] 15: link body;

[0260] 16: insertion hole;

[0261] 17: paper supply portion;

[0262] 18a: guide roller;

[0263] 18b: pinch roller;

[0264] 20: paper take-up module;

[0265] 21: frame body;

[0266] 21a: one surface;

[0267] 21b: the other surface;

[0268] 22a: an opening;

[0269] 22b: an opening;

[0270] 23: an insertion pin;

[0271] 25: a connecting body;

[0272] 26: an insertion hole;

[0273] 27: a printing paper take-up section;

[0274] 28a: a pinch roller;

[0275] 28b: a guide roller;

[0276] 30: a printing module;

[0277] 30A: a YMC printing module;

[0278] 30B: a first printing module;

[0279] 30C: a second printing module;

[0280] 30D: a third printing module;

[0281] 31: a frame;

[0282] 31a: one surface;

[0283] 31b: the other surface;

[0284] 32a: an opening;

[0285] 32b: an opening;

[0286] 33: an insertion pin;

[0287] 35: a connecting body;

[0288] 36: an insertion hole;

[0289] 40: a special color printing module;

[0290] 41: a frame;

[0291] 41a: one surface;

[0292] 41b: the other surface;

[0293] 42a: an opening;

[0294] 42b: an opening;

[0295] 43: an insertion pin;

[0296] 45: connecting body

[0297] 46: insertion hole

[0298] 50: OP layer printing module

[0299] 51: frame

[0300] 51a: one side

[0301] 51b: the other side

[0302] 52a: opening

[0303] 52b: opening

[0304] 53: insertion pin

[0305] 55: connecting body

[0306] 56: insertion hole

[0307] 60: cover sheet attaching module

[0308] 61: frame

[0309] 61a: one side

[0310] 61b: the other side

[0311] 62a: opening

[0312] 62b: opening

[0313] 63: insertion pin

[0314] 65: connecting body

[0315] 66: insertion hole

[0316] 90: thermal head

[0317] 91: platen roller

[0318] 92a: pinch roller

[0319] 92b: guide roller

[0320] 93a: pinch roller

[0321] 93b: pinch roller

[0322] 95: guide path

Claims

1. A printing system, wherein, The printing system comprises three or more modules that are configured sequentially and interconnected. The upstream module has a paper supply function for printing. The downstream module has a printing paper winding function for winding the printing paper. Other modules include a printing module for printing on the printing paper. Each of the modules has: a frame; and a connector smaller than the frame, which is provided protruding from one side of the frame. Between adjacent interconnected modules, the other side of the frame of one module is connected to the outer surface of the connector of another module. Each module includes a connector on only one side of the module, and an insertion pin on the frame on the opposite side of the module. Each of the connectors faces the same direction, and each of the insertion pins faces the same direction but opposite to that of the connector.

2. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein, One outer surface of the connector has an insertion hole, and the other outer surface of the frame has an insertion pin, which is inserted into the insertion hole of an adjacent module.

3. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein, The area between the frames of the module, excluding the connecting body, forms the travel area for the printing paper.

4. The printing system according to claim 3, wherein, The height of the connector of the module is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 of the height of the frame.

5. The printing system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein, The width of the connector of the module is the same as the width of the frame.

6. The printing system according to claim 3, wherein, A guide path for the printing paper is provided in the travel area between the frames.

7. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein, The other modules are provided in multiple ways, including a cover attachment module, which is located downstream of the printing module and provides a cover for the printing paper.

8. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein, The printing module is configured in multiple ways.

9. The printing system according to claim 2, wherein, The module has multiple insertion pins and insertion holes arranged side by side in the horizontal direction.

10. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein, The module has openings on one side and the other side of its frame for the printing paper to pass through.

11. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein, A first contact is provided on one of the outer surface of the connector and the other side of the frame, and a second contact is provided on the other side of the outer surface of the connector and the other side of the frame, which is capable of electrically connecting with the first contact of the adjacent module.

12. A printing system, wherein, The printing system comprises three or more modules that are configured sequentially and interconnected. The upstream module has a paper supply function for printing. The downstream module has a printing paper winding function for winding the printing paper. Other modules include a printing module for printing on the printing paper. Each of the modules has: a frame; and a connector smaller than the frame, which is provided protruding from one side of the frame. Between adjacent interconnected modules, the other side of the frame of one module is connected to the outer surface of the connector of another module. Openings for the printing paper to pass through are formed on one and the other sides of the frame of each module, and... Between adjacent interconnected modules, the downstream module has a guide path extending from the opening on one side of the frame to the upstream module, the guide path including a pair of plates for guiding the printing paper. Each module includes a connector on only one side of the module, and an insertion pin on the frame on the opposite side of the module. Each of the connectors faces the same direction, and each of the insertion pins faces the same direction but opposite to that of the connector.

Images