Sublimation transfer device and method of manufacturing a band

Abstract

A belt (50) used for a sublimation transfer apparatus (10) is a fabric (56) formed in a manner that a plurality of gaps (57) as portions surrounded by two mutually adjacent warp yarns (54) and two mutually adjacent weft yarns (55) regularly appear. A coating film (53) is formed on a surface of the belt (50). The belt (50) has a plurality of through-holes (58). The through-holes (58) are portions where the belt (50) is perforated in portions corresponding to the plurality of gaps (57) and the coating film (57) is not present.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a sublimation transfer apparatus and a method for manufacturing the tape. Background Technology

[0002] For example, in the case of transferring sublimation dye printed on transfer paper to fabric, the sublimation transfer apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is used. The sublimation transfer apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes a heated drive roller, driven rollers, and an annular belt. The heated drive roller includes a heat source for sublimating the sublimation dye printed on the transfer paper and is capable of rotation by a motor. The annular belt is mounted on the heated drive roller and a plurality of driven rollers. The annular belt has a conveying surface that conveys the transfer paper and fabric in an overlapping manner, and a back surface opposite to the conveying surface. The conveying surface faces the roller face of the heated drive roller. The back surface faces the roller face of the driven rollers. The driven rollers are configured such that the conveying surface of the annular belt can apply pressure to the roller face of the heated drive roller.

[0003] In the sublimation transfer apparatus described above, the fabric is overlapped with its non-printing side facing the conveyor surface of the annular belt. The transfer paper is overlapped with its printed side, which is coated with sublimation dye, facing the printed side of the fabric opposite to its non-printing side. The annular belt is allowed to rotate integrally with the heating drive roller via the rotation of the driven roller. Thus, the fabric and transfer paper, overlapping the conveyor surface of the annular belt, are drawn between the conveyor surface and the roller surface of the heating drive roller. In this case, the fabric and transfer paper are pressurized relative to the heating drive roller by the annular belt and heated by the heating drive roller. The sublimated dye, through pressure and heating, moves towards the fabric, and the sublimated dye component is transferred to and fixed onto the fabric.

[0004] In the case of the annular belt described in Patent Document 1, a silicone rubber substrate is used to ensure heat resistance. Furthermore, non-stretchable components made of yarn, silk, or similar materials are embedded within the silicone rubber substrate. These non-stretchable components are arranged to extend parallel to the rotation direction of the annular belt. When conveying fabric and transfer paper, the non-stretchable components prevent the rotating annular belt from deforming due to the forces acting on it. Existing technical documents Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-321056 Summary of the Invention The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0006] Regarding the vaporized components of the sublimated dye, other than the transferred dye component, which are sublimated through the aforementioned heating process, it is necessary to allow them to pass through from the conveyor side of the annular belt to the back side to prevent them from remaining on the fabric. This is because if these vaporized components remain on the fabric, the dye component cannot be properly fixed to the fabric, resulting in insufficient transfer and indistinct outlines. The aforementioned countermeasures are to suppress this situation. In other words, the annular belt used in the sublimation transfer device must ensure heat resistance and suppress deformation that occurs during rotation. Furthermore, the annular belt must allow the vaporized components to pass through from the conveyor side to the back side. Solution for solving the problem

[0007] One aspect of this disclosure provides a sublimation transfer apparatus configured to transfer sublimation dye printed on transfer paper onto fabric. The sublimation transfer apparatus includes: at least one drive roller configured to include a heat source for sublimating the sublimation dye; at least one driven roller; and a belt that is mounted on the drive roller and the driven roller and is allowed to rotate integrally with the drive roller via the rotation of the driven roller. The belt is a fabric formed by weaving the warp and weft yarns in a manner that regularly appears as a plurality of gaps surrounding two adjacent warp yarns and two adjacent weft yarns. The belt has a conveying surface that conveys the transfer paper and the fabric in an overlapping state and faces the roller face of the drive roller. The driven roller is configured such that the conveying surface can apply pressure to the roller face. A resin coating for ensuring heat resistance is formed on the surface of the belt including the conveying surface. The belt has a plurality of through-holes that penetrate the belt at portions corresponding to the plurality of gaps and where the coating is absent.

[0008] In other aspects of this disclosure, a method is provided for manufacturing a tape used in a sublimation transfer apparatus configured to transfer sublimation dye printed on transfer paper onto fabric. The sublimation dye, which sublimates due to heat, comprises a dye component to be transferred to the fabric and a vaporized component other than the dye component. The manufacturing method includes the following steps: forming a woven tape by weaving the warp and weft yarns in a manner that regularly appears as multiple gaps in portions surrounded by two adjacent warp yarns and two adjacent weft yarns; forming a resin coating on the surface of the tape to ensure heat resistance; and adjusting the thickness of the coating based on a first index and a second index, the first index indicating the ease with which the tape deforms relative to a force acting on the tape, and the second index indicating the degree to which the vaporized component permeates the tape, to form multiple through-holes in portions corresponding to the multiple gaps through the tape where the coating is absent. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a sublimation transfer device. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the conveyor belt of the sublimation transfer device. Figure 3 yes Figure 2 An enlarged view of the surface of the conveyor belt. Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the surface of the conveyor belt. Figure 5 It is along Figure 4 A sectional view along line 5-5. Figure 6 This is to explain the... Figure 2 A graph showing the relationship between the film thickness and rigidity of the resin coating applied to the conveyor belt. Figure 7 This is to explain the... Figure 2 A graph showing the relationship between the film thickness and transmittance of the resin coating applied to the conveyor belt. Figure 8 This is to explain the... Figure 2 A graph showing the relationship between the rigidity and permeability of the resin coating applied to the conveyor belt. Detailed Implementation

[0010] A sublimation transfer apparatus 10 according to one embodiment will be described. like Figure 1 As shown, the sublimation transfer apparatus 10 is a continuous or rotary sublimation transfer apparatus, and is also sometimes referred to as a continuous sublimation transfer stamping apparatus. The sublimation transfer apparatus 10 transfers sublimation dye N printed on transfer paper 11 onto the surface of fabric, which is a raw material roll 12. The transfer paper 11 is, for example, a strip of paper or film prepared using the function of another printing apparatus capable of printing sublimation dye N. The sublimation dye N is, for example, a dye that has the characteristic of sublimating at high temperatures such as 200°C. The raw material roll 12 is, for example, a strip of fabric containing chemical fibers such as polyester fibers.

[0011] <Sublimation Transfer Device 10> The sublimation transfer device 10 includes a frame 20, a drive roller 30, multiple driven rollers 40, and a conveyor belt 50. The frame 20 is positioned as follows: Figure 1 The paper has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with depth on both sides. The frame 20 is configured to be able to be driven by wheels 21 relative to... Figure 1 The ground 13 on the lower side of the paper moves. In the following description, the directions indicated by terms such as "up" and "down" are defined with respect to the direction of gravity. The direction orthogonal to the "up and down direction" is... Figure 1The front and back directions of the paper in the image refer to the "width direction" of the frame 20. The frame 20 is a base for assembling various structures that include various structures for realizing the sublimation transfer device 10, such as the drive roller 30, the driven roller 40, and the conveyor belt 50.

[0012] A drive roller 30 is assembled on the upper part of the frame 20. The drive roller 30 extends along the width direction of the frame 20. Both ends of the drive roller 30 are supported so that it can rotate relative to the frame 20. A drive source such as a motor (not shown) is connected to the drive roller 30. The drive roller 30 can rotate by the driving force generated by the drive source. The drive roller 30 includes a heater section 31 inside it. The heater section 31 is disposed inside the drive roller 30, i.e., inside the roller surface 32. The roller surface 32 is heated to a high temperature by the heat generated by the heater section 31. The heater section 31 is an example of a heat source for generating heat to sublimate the sublimated dye N.

[0013] For example, there are four driven rollers 40. The driven rollers 40 are assembled in the frame 20 surrounding the drive roller 30. The driven rollers 40 extend along the width of the frame 20. The two ends of the driven rollers 40 are supported so that they can rotate relative to the frame 20. The driven rollers 40 can rotate by the rotational force transmitted from the drive roller 30. The diameter of the driven rollers 40 is smaller than the diameter of the drive roller 30.

[0014] The driven rollers 40 are configured to surround the drive roller 30. Of the four driven rollers 40, driven roller 40a is positioned at the top. They are arranged clockwise around the drive roller 30 in the order of driven roller 40a, driven roller 40b, driven roller 40c, and driven roller 40d. Two driven rollers 40a and 40b are positioned above the rotation center of the drive roller 30. Driven roller 40c is positioned at the bottom of the four driven rollers 40. Driven roller 40d is configured such that its rotation center is approximately aligned vertically with the rotation center of the drive roller 30. The driven rollers 40 are configured such that the drive roller 30 is located within the area enclosed by the virtual line L connecting adjacent driven rollers. The first end of driven roller 40c is connected to a tension spring 41. The position of the end of driven roller 40c in the vertical direction is variable depending on the tension or position of the tension spring 41.

[0015] A conveyor belt 50 is mounted on the drive roller 30 and the driven roller 40. For example, the width of the conveyor belt 50 is large enough to cover most of the roller surfaces 32, 42 that are the outer peripheral surfaces of each roller 30, 40. That is, the width of the conveyor belt 50 is smaller than the length of each roller 30, 40 extending along the width direction of the frame 20. The surface of the conveyor belt 50 includes a conveying surface 51 as a first surface and a back surface 52 as the opposite side of the conveying surface 51. The conveying surface 51 faces the roller surface 32 of the drive roller 30, and the back surface 52 faces the roller surface 42 of the driven roller 40. That is, the two surfaces 51, 52 of the conveyor belt 50 face different roller surfaces 32, 42 respectively.

[0016] The conveyor belt 50 extends from the driven roller 40a via two driven rollers 40b and 40c to the driven roller 40d. The conveyor belt 50 also extends from the driven roller 40d to the drive roller 30, and extends along the roller surface 32 of the drive roller 30 to the driven roller 40a. Thus, the portion of the conveyor belt 50 positioned between the driven rollers 40a and 40d of the drive roller 30 enters the area enclosed by the aforementioned virtual line L. Therefore, the conveyor belt 50 is configured such that the conveying surface 51 can apply pressure to the drive roller 30, i.e., the roller surface 32. The driven roller 40 is configured to press the conveying surface 51 against the roller surface 32.

[0017] The frame 20 has a worktable 22. The worktable 22 is a flat plate that extends horizontally from the inlet 20a, which is located between the drive roller 30 and the driven roller 40a, and is separated from the driven roller 40a. The worktable 22 extends from the inlet 20a to a position beyond the driven roller 40d. For example, the width of the worktable 22 is equal to the length of each roller 30, 40 extending in the width direction of the frame 20.

[0018] like Figure 1 The enlarged view shows that transfer paper 11 and raw material roll 12 are arranged overlappingly on the setting surface 22a, which serves as the upper surface of the worktable 22. The transfer paper 11 has a printing surface 11a printed with sublimation dye N and a non-printing surface 11b opposite to the printing surface 11a. The raw material roll 12 has a printing surface 12a, which is the transfer target of sublimation dye N, and a non-printing surface 12b opposite to the printing surface 12a. The transfer paper 11 is overlapped on the setting surface 22a such that the non-printing surfaces 11b are opposite each other. The raw material roll 12 is overlapped on the printing surface 11a of the transfer paper 11 such that the printing surfaces 12a are opposite each other. Release paper 14 is overlapped on the non-printing surface 12b of the raw material roll 12.

[0019] The transfer paper 11 is wound in a roller shape relative to the transfer paper roller 23a assembled on the frame 20. The transfer paper roller 23a extends along the width direction of the frame 20. The transfer paper roller 23a is positioned opposite the end of the worktable 22 on the side opposite to the transfer inlet 20a. The raw material roll 12 is wound in a roller shape relative to the raw material roll roller 24a assembled on the frame 20. The raw material roll roller 24a extends along the width direction of the frame 20. The raw material roll roller 24a is positioned above the end of the worktable 22 on the side opposite to the transfer inlet 20a. The release paper 14 is wound in a roller shape relative to the release paper roller 25a assembled on the frame 20. The release paper roller 25a extends along the width direction of the frame 20. The release paper roller 25a is positioned above the driven roller 40b in the frame 20.

[0020] <Sublimation Transfer Process> Figure 1 In order to feed the transfer paper 11 so that it overlaps with the setting surface 22a of the worktable 22, the transfer paper roller 23a rotates, for example, counterclockwise. To feed the raw material roll 12 so that it overlaps with the transfer paper 11 overlapping the setting surface 22a of the worktable 22, the raw material roll roller 24a rotates, for example, counterclockwise. To feed the release paper 14 so that it overlaps with the raw material roll 12 overlapping the transfer paper 11, the release paper roller 25a rotates, for example, clockwise. Thus, the transfer paper 11, the raw material roll 12, and the release paper 14, sequentially overlapping with the setting surface 22a, forming a single conveyor 18, are transported into the inlet 20a. The conveyor 18 is transported through the inlet 20a into the interior of the frame 20 and into the space between the drive roller 30 and the conveyor belt 50. In this case, the non-printing surface 12b of the raw material roll 12 is opposed to the conveyor belt 50, i.e., the conveyor surface 51, via the release paper 14. The non-printing surface 11b of the transfer paper 11 is opposed to the drive roller 30, i.e., the roller surface 32.

[0021] like Figure 1As shown, the drive roller 30 rotates, for example, clockwise. In this case, the conveyor belt 50 is allowed to rotate integrally with the drive roller 30 via the rotation of the driven roller 40. That is, the driven roller 40 rotates counterclockwise by the rotational force of the drive roller 30 transmitted via the conveyor belt 50. Accompanying the rotation of the conveyor belt 50, the conveyor 18 is conveyed clockwise between the roller surface 32 and the conveyor surface 51. The conveyor 18 is pressed against the roller surface 32 via the conveyor surface 51 and heated via the roller surface 32. In this case, the sublimation of the sublimated dye N is promoted in the conveyor 18 by the aforementioned heating, and the pressure generated by the aforementioned heating and pressurization is used to promote the movement of the sublimated dye N toward the raw material roll 12, i.e., transfer. The sublimated dye N moves toward the raw material roll 12, and the dye component in the sublimated dye N is transferred onto the raw material roll 12 and fixed. The transfer and fixation of sublimated dye N to raw material roll 12 is accomplished by allowing vaporized components of the sublimated dye N, excluding the transferred dye components, to pass through the conveying surface 51 of the conveyor belt 50 to the back surface 52.

[0022] After the sublimation transfer is completed, the conveyor 18 is moved out between the drive roller 30 and the conveyor belt 50 by the rotation of the drive roller 30. That is, the transfer paper 11 of the conveyor 18 separates from the roller surface 32. Then, the conveyor 18 is moved out of the frame 20 through the conveyor surface 51 from the outlet 20b, which is the part corresponding to the driven roller 40d, and the release paper 14 separates from the conveyor surface 51. During the process of the transfer paper 11 being rolled in a roller shape by the transfer paper take-up roller 23b assembled in the frame 20, the transfer paper 11 is peeled off from the conveyor 18. The conveyor 18 after the transfer paper 11 is peeled off is conveyed toward the release paper take-up roller 25b assembled in the frame 20. During the process of the release paper 14 being rolled in a roller shape by the release paper take-up roller 25b, the release paper 14 is peeled off from the conveyor 18. The conveyor 18 after the transfer paper 11 and release paper 14 are peeled off is a sublimation-transferred raw material roll 12 with sublimation dye N transferred on it. The sublimation-transferred raw material roll 12 is rolled up in a roller shape by the raw material roll take-up roller 24b assembled on the frame 20. By continuously performing the above actions, sublimation transfer is continuously performed on the raw material roll 12.

[0023] <Snake correction function> like Figure 1 As shown, a detection sensor 26 is assembled in the frame 20 to detect the serpentine movement of the conveyor belt 50 during rotation. The detection sensor 26 is assembled inside the frame 20 at a position around the periphery of the conveyor belt 50. The detection sensor 26 detects the position of the end of the conveyor belt 50 in the width direction. The detection result of the detection sensor 26 is sent to the controller 60 of the sublimation transfer device 10.

[0024] The controller 60 is disposed, for example, outside the frame 20. The controller 60 is electrically connected to the detection sensor 26, for example, in a manner capable of receiving the detection result from the detection sensor 26 via a wire (not shown). If the controller 60 receives the detection result from the detection sensor 26, it determines the serpentine direction of the conveyor belt 50 based on that result. For example, the controller 60 determines the serpentine direction based on the direction in which the position of the end of the conveyor belt 50 in the width direction deviates from a predetermined reference position. Furthermore, the controller 60 controls the operation of the adjustment mechanism 27, which is used to adjust the tension or position of the tension spring 41, based on the determined serpentine direction. The adjustment mechanism 27 is assembled inside the frame 20 at a position around the periphery of the tension spring 41. The controller 60 is electrically connected to the adjustment mechanism 27, for example, in a manner capable of controlling the operation of the adjustment mechanism 27 via a wire (not shown). By controlling the adjustment mechanism 27, the controller 60 performs a serpentine correction process that displaces the first end of the driven roller 40c in the vertical direction. For example, when the first end of the driven roller 40c is displaced upward, the serpentine movement of the conveyor belt 50 is corrected towards the second end of the driven roller 40c. Similarly, when the first end of the driven roller 40c is displaced downward, the serpentine movement of the conveyor belt 50 is corrected towards the first end of the driven roller 40c. In other words, the sublimation transfer apparatus 10 has a serpentine correction function that corrects the serpentine movement of the conveyor belt 50 during rotation.

[0025] The controller 60 includes a microcomputer 60a as a processing circuit. Various processes related to the operation of the sublimation transfer apparatus 10 are implemented by the CPU (Central Processing Unit) of the microcomputer 60a executing control programs. These processes include, for example, snake-like correction processing, processing related to the switching on and off of the power supply to the sublimation transfer apparatus 10, processing related to the operation of the heater section 31 of the drive roller 30, and processing related to the driving of the drive source used to rotate the drive roller 30. The microcomputer 60a includes a memory storing the control programs. The memory includes computer-readable media such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). While various processes are implemented in software, at least some of the processes may also be implemented by hardware circuits such as logic circuits.

[0026] <Conveyor Belt 50> like Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the conveyor belt 50 is an endless strip-shaped component with a predetermined thickness. The surfaces of the conveyor belt 50, namely the conveying surface 51 and the back surface 52, are smooth and glossy. This is because both surfaces 51 and 52 are coated with a resin film 53 formed by a resin coating. The coating film 53 ensures the heat resistance of the conveyor belt 50 and adjusts the rigidity Rg and transmittance Br of the conveyor belt 50 to optimal values. Rigidity Rg is an example of a first indicator that measures the ease with which the conveyor belt 50 deforms relative to the force acting on it during rotation. Transmittance Br is an example of a second indicator that measures the degree to which vaporized components of the sublimated dye N, excluding the dye components after transfer, pass through between the two surfaces 51 and 52 of the conveyor belt 50.

[0027] Specifically, such as Figure 4 As shown, the conveyor belt 50 is made of a fabric 56 coated with a coating film 53. The fabric 56 is formed by weaving warp yarns 54 and weft yarns 55. The fabric 56 is, for example, a canvas woven by a plain weave in which the warp yarns 54 and weft yarns 55 are alternately crossed one by one. The warp yarns 54 and weft yarns 55 are, for example, synthetic fibers such as aromatic polyamide, carbon fibers such as carbon, or glass fibers such as long glass fibers. In this case, the fabric 56 has the characteristic of being difficult to stretch or contract in the directions in which the warp yarns 54 and weft yarns 55 extend. In addition, the fabric 56 has a plurality of gaps 57 surrounded by two adjacent warp yarns 54 and two adjacent weft yarns 55. The gaps 57 are the parts that penetrate the fabric 56. For example, the direction in which the warp yarns 54 extend is the same as the direction in which the conveyor belt 50 extends, that is, the direction in which the conveyor surface 51 extends. That is, the direction in which the warp yarns 54 extend is the same as the direction in which the transfer paper 11 and the raw material roll 12 are conveyed. In this case, the direction in which the weft yarn 55 extends is the same as the direction in which the conveyor belt 50 extends, i.e., the direction in which the conveyor surface 51 extends. That is to say, the direction in which the weft yarn 55 extends is the same as the direction in which the transfer paper 11 and the raw material roll 12 are conveyed.

[0028] The coating 53 is formed by a well-known coating process, in which the fabric 56 is passed through or immersed in a fluorinated resin-based solution for an entire circumference. The number of operations used to form the coating 53 is defined, for example, as one operation of passing the fabric 56 through or immersing it in the solution for an entire circumference. The fluorinated resin is, for example, a fluorinated resin-based solution. A heat-resistant coating 53 is formed on the fabric 56.

[0029] like Figure 5As shown, a coating 53 to enhance rigidity is formed on the conveyor belt 50 to prevent deformation in the directions in which the warp yarns 54 and weft yarns 55 extend. The warp yarns 54 and weft yarns 55 are themselves coated with the coating 53. On the other hand, in the state where the coating 53 is formed, the conveyor belt 50 also has multiple through-holes 58 at portions corresponding to the multiple gaps 57, which are areas where the coating 53 is absent. In other words, when performing resin coating, the composition of the raw material and the number of operations are adjusted so that the gaps 57 are not blocked even when the coating 53 is formed on the conveyor belt 50. The through-holes 58 are adjusted so that the gaps 57 are not blocked even when pressure is applied between the conveyor surface 51 and the roller surface 32. That is, the through-holes 58 are locations where the coating 53 is absent when pressure is applied between the conveyor surface 51 and the roller surface 32.

[0030] <Making Method of the Belt> like Figure 5 As shown, in the resin coating, the film thickness D, which is the thickness of the coating 53 formed on the conveyor belt 50, can be adjusted by adjusting the composition of the original solution and the number of operations, in order to increase or decrease the film thickness D.

[0031] For example, in resin coating, if components that easily form a coating film 53 are mixed into the stock solution, the film thickness D can be increased while maintaining the same number of operations. In other words, the coating film 53 can be made thicker. Conversely, in resin coating, if the number of operations is reduced, the film thickness D can be reduced while maintaining the same composition of the stock solution. In other words, the coating film 53 can be made thinner.

[0032] <Regarding the relationship between film thickness D and rigidity Rg in resin coatings> For example, such as Figure 6 As shown, the relationship between film thickness D and the rigidity Rg of conveyor belt 50 is proportional, as illustrated schematically. The larger the film thickness D, the larger the rigidity Rg. This is assumed to be because a larger film thickness D results in a thicker coating 53 and a stronger bond between the warp yarns 54 and weft yarns 55. Figure 6 The following situation is illustrated: when the film thickness D is zero, the rigidity Rg of the conveyor belt 50 becomes a value corresponding to the inherent rigidity of the fabric 56 itself. Furthermore, Figure 6 The above is merely an illustrative example of the relationship between film thickness D and rigidity Rg; the relationship does not necessarily change linearly and can also be non-linear. Furthermore, the relationship between film thickness D and rigidity Rg varies depending on the weaving method of the fabric 56, i.e., the size or number of gaps 57 formed, and also depends on the composition of the original solution.

[0033] <Regarding the relationship between resin coating thickness D and transmittance Br> For example, such as Figure 7As shown, the relationship between film thickness D and the transmittance Br of conveyor belt 50 is schematically represented as a proportional relationship between a film thickness D of zero and a specified value dth. The larger the film thickness D, the smaller the transmittance Br. This is believed to be because a larger film thickness D results in a thicker coating 53, thus a smaller gap 57. Furthermore, when the film thickness D is above the specified value dth, the transmittance Br is zero. This is believed to be because, as the film thickness D increases, the coating 53 blocks the gap 57. In other words, when the film thickness D is above the specified value dth, the vaporized components of the sublimated dye N, excluding the transferred dye components, cannot pass through conveyor belt 50. The specified value dth is a value within a range obtained experimentally when the gap 57 is blocked by the coating 53. Figure 7 The following situation is illustrated: when the film thickness D is zero, the transmittance Br of the conveyor belt 50 becomes a value corresponding to the original transmittance of the fabric 56. Furthermore, Figure 7 The above is merely an illustrative example of the relationship between film thickness D and transmittance Br; the relationship does not necessarily change linearly and can also be non-linear. Furthermore, the relationship between film thickness D and transmittance Br varies depending on the weaving method of the fabric 56, i.e., the size or number of the gaps 57 formed, and also depends on the composition of the original solution.

[0034] <Regarding the relationship between rigidity Rg and transmittance Br in resin coatings> like Figure 8 As shown, the relationship between the rigidity Rg and the transmittance Br changes continuously between coordinates A and B depending on the value of the film thickness D. Figure 8 In coordinate A, the film thickness D is zero, meaning it is the minimum value m. In coordinate B, the film thickness D is the maximum conceivable value M. In coordinate S, the film thickness D is the specified value dth. Between coordinates A and S, a compromise is made: the larger the value of rigidity Rg, the smaller the value of transmittance Br; that is, the smaller the value of rigidity Rg, the larger the value of transmittance Br. Between coordinates A and S, the film thickness D is adjusted, for example, to a value smaller than the specified value dth, corresponding to coordinate C. By adjusting the film thickness D in this way, both rigidity Rg and transmittance Br can be adjusted. In this embodiment, coordinate C is adjusted to be closer to coordinate A than coordinate S, so that transmittance Br is valued in both rigidity Rg and transmittance Br, and a certain degree of rigidity Rg is ensured. This certain degree of rigidity Rg is an adjusted value from the viewpoint of reflecting the serpentine correction function. That is, in this embodiment, the film thickness D is adjusted to a value closer to zero than the specified value dth.

[0035] <The function of this implementation method> In the conveyor belt 50 of this embodiment, heat resistance is ensured by forming a coating film 53. Furthermore, by forming the coating film 53, the performance of suppressing deformation in the directions in which the warp yarns 54 and weft yarns 55 extend is improved in the conveyor belt 50. Additionally, by having a plurality of through holes 58, the vaporized components of the sublimated dye N, excluding the transferred dye components, can pass through from the conveying surface 51 to the back surface 52.

[0036] <Effects of the Implementation Method> (1) In the conveyor belt 50 of this embodiment, heat resistance can be ensured. Furthermore, in the conveyor belt 50, deformation of the conveyor belt 50 relative to the force acting on it during rotation can be suppressed. Additionally, in the conveyor belt 50, vaporized components of the sublimated dye N, excluding the dye component after transfer, can pass through from the conveying surface 51 to the back surface 52. Therefore, an optimal conveyor belt 50 can be used in the sublimation transfer apparatus 10.

[0037] (2) In the conveyor belt 50 using this embodiment, even when pressure is applied to the roller surface 32 by the conveyor surface 51, the through hole 58 is not blocked. As a result, the ability to allow vaporized components of the sublimated dye N, other than the dye component after transfer, to pass through from the conveyor surface 51 to the back surface 52 during the pressurization applied to the conveyor belt 50 during the transfer of sublimated dye N can be appropriately achieved.

[0038] (3) For example, such as Figure 8 As shown, a resin coating can be applied to the conveyor belt 50 in such a way that the film thickness D corresponds to the value of coordinate C between coordinates A and S. In this case, the warp yarns 54 and weft yarns 55 are coated with the coating film 53 to improve the performance of suppressing deformation of the conveyor belt 50 in the directions in which the warp yarns 54 and weft yarns 55 extend, respectively. On the other hand, the gaps 57 are not blocked by the coating film 53, thereby forming through holes 58 in the conveyor belt 50. Thus, a conveyor belt 50 with heat resistance can be manufactured. Furthermore, a conveyor belt 50 that satisfies the desired requirement of suppressing deformation of the conveyor belt 50 relative to the force acting on it during rotation can be manufactured. Furthermore, a conveyor belt 50 that satisfies the desired requirement of allowing vaporized components in the sublimated dye N, excluding the dye components after transfer, to pass through from the conveying surface 51 to the back surface 52 can be manufactured. Therefore, an optimal conveyor belt 50 can be used in the sublimation transfer apparatus 10.

[0039] (4) According to this embodiment, the film thickness D can be adjusted in such a way that multiple through holes 58 can be formed. Thus, it is possible to manufacture a conveyor belt 50 that is appropriately equipped with the ability to allow vaporized components in the sublimated dye N, excluding the dye components after transfer, to pass through from the conveying surface 51 to the back surface 52.

[0040] (5) For example, such as Figure 7 As shown, if the film thickness D is too large, the gap 57 will be blocked by the coating 53. In contrast, in this embodiment, the film thickness D is adjusted to a value within a range smaller than the specified value dth. This is effective for the performance of adding vaporized components of the sublimated dye N to the conveyor belt 50, excluding the dye components after transfer, to permeate from the conveyor surface 51 to the back surface 52.

[0041] (6) As described in this embodiment, when the sublimation transfer apparatus 10 has a serpentine correction function, a certain level of performance is required as a rigidity Rg in order to correct the serpentine movement of the conveyor belt 50. In contrast, from the viewpoint of being able to reflect the serpentine correction function, the film thickness D can be adjusted based on the rigidity Rg. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to ensure the serpentine correction function and to enable the vaporized components in the sublimated dye N, excluding the dye components after transfer, to pass through from the conveyor surface 51 to the back surface 52.

[0042] (7) In this embodiment, when adjusting the film thickness D, from the viewpoint of shifting the coordinate C between coordinates A and S, the characteristics of the raw material of the raw material roll 12 or the transfer object defined by the thickness, the type of sublimation dye N, the place where the sublimation transfer apparatus 10 is used, and other usage environments can be considered. Therefore, the sublimation transfer apparatus 10 can adopt the optimal conveyor belt 50 according to the usage environment.

[0043] <Other Implementation Methods> The above-described embodiments can also be modified as follows. Furthermore, the following other embodiments can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not create technical contradictions.

[0044] The serpentine correction function corrects the serpentine movement of the conveyor belt 50 during rotation, and the method of implementation can be appropriately modified. Regarding the serpentine correction function, the serpentine direction can be detected, for example, based on the inclination of the conveyor surface 51 of the conveyor belt 50, or based on the tension of the conveyor belt 50. Regarding the serpentine correction function, the correction of serpentine movement can, for example, be implemented by a mechanism that causes the driven roller 40 or the conveyor belt 50 to slide along the width direction of the frame 20, instead of the adjustment mechanism 27.

[0045] • In the sublimation transfer apparatus 10, the serpentine correction function can also be removed. In this case, the film thickness D can be adjusted, for example, with regard to rigidity Rg and transmittance Br, with emphasis on transmittance Br.

[0046] The film thickness D, which corresponds to the value of coordinate C between coordinates A and S, can also be adjusted to a value smaller than the value adjusted in the above embodiment. In this case, the occurrence of a situation where the through hole 58 cannot be secured can be appropriately suppressed in the conveyor belt 50.

[0047] If the characteristic that serves as an indicator of the ease with which the conveyor belt 50 deforms relative to a force acting on it during rotation is a characteristic related to rigidity Rg, then it is possible to consider replacing it with another characteristic. For example, flexibility, which indicates the ease with which the conveyor belt 50 deforms relative to a force acting on it during rotation, can also be used as such an alternative characteristic. In this case, Figure 6 The relationship between film thickness D and flexibility shown indicates a tendency that the larger the film thickness D is, the smaller the flexibility is.

[0048] If the characteristic that serves as an indicator of the extent to which the vaporized components of the sublimated dye N, excluding the transferred dye component, pass through the conveyor belt 50 is a characteristic related to transmittance Br, then it can be considered to replace it with other characteristics. As such other characteristics, for example, the blocking rate, which indicates the degree to which the vaporized components of the sublimated dye N, excluding the transferred dye component, are blocked between the two sides 51 and 52 of the conveyor belt 50, can also be used. In this case, Figure 7 The relationship between film thickness D and occlusion rate shown indicates a tendency that the larger the film thickness D is, the larger the occlusion rate is.

[0049] • The weaving method of fabric 56 can be appropriately changed, for example, to a twill weave where the part where the warp yarns 54 and weft yarns 55 intersect is a diagonal line, or a satin weave where either the warp yarns 54 or the weft yarns 55 are more exposed.

[0050] • The warp yarn 54 and weft yarn 55 can be appropriately changed, for example, to synthetic fibers, carbon fibers, or chemical fibers other than glass fibers. Alternatively, the warp yarn 54 and weft yarn 55 can be natural fibers. Furthermore, the warp yarn 54 and weft yarn 55 can also be made from different materials.

[0051] The direction in which the warp yarn 54 extends may intersect the direction in which the conveyor belt 50 extends, i.e., the direction in which the conveyor surface 51 extends. In other words, the direction in which the warp yarn 54 extends intersects the direction in which the transfer paper 11 and the raw material roll 12 are conveyed. For example, the direction in which the warp yarn 54 extends may also be perpendicular to the direction in which the conveyor belt 50 extends, i.e., the direction in which the conveyor surface 51 extends. In this case, the direction in which the weft yarn 55 extends is consistent with the direction in which the conveyor belt 50 extends, i.e., the direction in which the conveyor surface 51 extends.

[0052] • In the original solution of the resin coating, regarding the conveyor belt 50, if the desired properties are obtained in terms of heat resistance, rigidity Rg, and transmittance Br, other resins can be used as the main components instead of fluororesin.

[0053] • In the conveyor belt 50, there may also be through holes 58 blocked by the coating 53 when pressure is applied between the conveyor surface 51 and the roller surface 32. In this case, the desired requirement is met by allowing the vaporized components of the sublimated dye N, excluding the dye components after transfer, to pass through the unblocked through holes 58 from the conveyor surface 51 to the back surface 52.

[0054] • Apply a resin coating to at least the portions of the conveyor belt 50 that overlap with the conveyed material 18 on its surfaces 51 and 52. • The drive roller 30 may also include multiple drive rollers. For example, in the above embodiment, multiple drive rollers with a diameter smaller than that of the drive roller 30 may be arranged in the area opposite the drive roller 30 and the conveyor belt 50.

[0055] • The number of driven rollers 40 can be appropriately changed, such as three or less, or five or more. Alternatively, if the conveyor belt 50 is configured to apply pressure to the drive roller 30, the number of driven rollers 40 can also be one.

[0056] Next, the technical ideas that can be grasped from the above-described embodiments and variations will be described in the following text. (Note 1) The method for manufacturing the belt, wherein the coating is formed by passing or impregnating the woven belt in a stock solution mainly composed of fluororesin, and the thickness of the film is adjusted by the composition of the stock solution and the number of times the operation is performed.

[0057] (Note 2) The method for manufacturing the belt, wherein the film thickness is adjusted from the viewpoint of a serpentine correction function that can reflect the correction of the serpentine movement of the belt during rotation.

Claims

1. A sublimation transfer apparatus configured to transfer a sublimation dye printed on a transfer paper to a cloth, wherein, The sublimation transfer device includes: At least one drive roller is configured to include a heat source for sublimating the sublimation dye; At least one driven roller; and The belt, mounted on the drive roller and the driven roller, allows it to rotate integrally with the drive roller via the rotation of the driven roller. The tape is a fabric formed by weaving the warp and weft yarns in a regular manner, with multiple gaps appearing as portions surrounded by two adjacent warp yarns and two adjacent weft yarns. The belt has a conveying surface that conveys the transfer paper and the fabric in an overlapping state and faces the roller face of the drive roller. The driven roller is configured such that the conveying surface can apply pressure to the roller surface. A resin coating is formed on the surface of the belt including the conveyor surface to ensure heat resistance. The belt has multiple through holes. The through-hole is a portion of the strip that penetrates the plurality of gaps and where the coating is not present. The through-hole is configured to not be blocked when the conveying surface is under pressure applied to the roller surface. The coating thickness is set such that the perforations are not blocked when the conveying surface applies pressure to the roller surface.

2. A method for manufacturing a belt, the belt being used in a sublimation transfer apparatus configured to transfer sublimation dye printed on transfer paper onto fabric, the sublimation dye, which sublimates due to heat, comprising a dye component to be transferred to the fabric and a vaporized component other than the dye component, the method comprising the following steps: The step of forming a woven belt is to weave the warp and weft yarns in a manner that regularly appears as multiple gaps in the portion surrounded by two adjacent warp yarns and two adjacent weft yarns. The step of forming a resin coating on the surface of the strip to ensure heat resistance; and The step of adjusting the film thickness based on the first and second indicators. The first indicator shows how easily the belt deforms relative to the force acting on it. The second indicator shows the degree to which the vaporized component permeates through the band. The film thickness is adjusted by forming a plurality of through-holes that penetrate the strip in portions corresponding to the plurality of gaps and where the coating is not present. The belt has a conveying surface that conveys the transfer paper and the fabric in an overlapping state and faces the roller face of the drive roller of the sublimation transfer device. The through-hole is configured to not be blocked when the conveying surface is under pressure applied to the roller surface. The coating thickness is set such that the perforations are not blocked when the conveying surface applies pressure to the roller surface.

3. The method for manufacturing a belt according to claim 2, wherein, The first index has the characteristic that the larger the film thickness, the larger the value it displays. The second index has the characteristic that the larger the film thickness, the smaller the value it shows.

4. The method for manufacturing the belt according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein, The second indicator includes the property that the vaporized components cannot permeate the strip when the film thickness is above a specified value. The film thickness is adjusted to a value within a range smaller than the specified value.

5. The method of manufacturing a belt according to claim 2, wherein the coating film is formed by performing a process of passing or immersing the fabric-made belt in a dope in which a fluorine resin is a main component, the film thickness is adjusted by the components of the dope and the number of times of the process.

6. The method of manufacturing a belt according to claim 2, wherein the film thickness is adjusted in accordance with a snake correction function capable of reflecting correction of a snake of the belt in rotation of the belt.

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