Image application system for applying image to at least part of region in width direction of transfer target

Abstract

To provide an image application system that efficiently applies an image to fabric having a large width.SOLUTION: An image application system 100 applies an image to at least a part of a region in a width direction of a transfer target 20 having a width of at least 500 mm, and comprises: a printer 110 that prints an image on a transfer layer 10 by the inkjet method in a transfer body 10, which comprises a base layer and the transfer layer formed on one surface of the base layer; and a transfer device 120 that, by superposing the transfer body on the transfer target and applying heat and pressure, effects thermal transfer to the transfer target 20 of the image printed on the transfer layer. The transfer layer contains a thermoplastic resin that softens when reaching the glass transition temperature or melting point.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image applying system that applies an image to at least a partial area in the width direction of a transfer medium. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional techniques for printing images such as patterns on fabric include sublimation transfer printing, direct sublimation printing, DTG (Direct To Garment), DTF (Direct To Film) printing, and rubber transfer printing.

[0003] In dye-sublimation printing, a reverse image is printed on transfer paper using disperse dyes, and the transfer paper is then placed over polyester fabric and the image is transferred from the transfer paper to the fabric by applying heat and pressure.

[0004] In direct sublimation printing, instead of using transfer paper, an image is printed directly onto polyester fabric that has been coated with an adhesive to prevent ink bleeding, and then the image is heated to develop the color.

[0005] In the DTG printing method, an image is printed directly onto the fabric of a garment or the like using pigment ink, and the color is developed and the ink is fixed using a heat press or similar machine. Depending on the type or color of the fabric, a pretreatment agent may be applied, and the image may be fixed using a heat press before printing with pigment ink.

[0006] In the DTF printing method, a reverse image is printed on a plastic film transfer body with color inks, a concealing layer is formed on the image layer with white ink, hot melt resin powder is sprinkled on the concealing layer as an adhesive, and then this transfer body is placed on a leaf medium such as a T-shirt and heat and pressure are applied to transfer the image from the transfer body to the fabric. The transfer body is then peeled off from the fabric.

[0007] In rubber transfer printing, an image is printed on one side of a rubber sheet that has an adhesive layer applied to it and is attached to a backing paper, the other side of the rubber sheet is then cut together with the backing paper to a size slightly larger than the image, the backing paper is then peeled off, and the rubber sheet is placed over the fabric such as leaf media so that the adhesive layer is in contact with the fabric, and the rubber sheet is then bonded to the fabric by applying heat and a small amount of pressure. A finishing press is then performed to completely attach the rubber sheet to the fabric.

[0008] Furthermore, Patent Document 1 discloses a transfer sheet which, unlike the sublimation transfer printing method and the direct sublimation printing method, can print an image on a transfer body using an ink containing a coloring material other than a disperse dye, and which, unlike the DTF printing method and the rubber transfer printing method, can print an image on the surface to be adhered to the fabric. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2022 / 0169068 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] In the dye-sublimation transfer printing method and the direct sublimation printing method, the coloring material is limited to disperse dyes and other coloring materials cannot be used, and the fabric to which the image is applied is limited to polyester fabric. In addition, various pre- and post-treatments are required to develop the color of the dye and fix the dye to the fabric, which is inefficient. In addition, such treatments generate a large amount of waste liquid and may have a negative impact on the environment and human body. In particular, in the case of the direct sublimation printing method, in a device that uses a belt conveyor, the ink bleeds through (seeps out to the back of the fabric) when printed on the fabric, so a belt cleaning mechanism is required. In addition, in this case, a chemical called a substrate adhesive must be periodically applied to the belt and washed to make the fabric adhere to the belt, and the generation of a solvent odor from the chemicals and a large amount of polluted water due to washing are unavoidable.

[0011] In DTG printing, a pretreatment agent must be applied depending on the type and color of the fabric, and if the pretreatment agent is not applied evenly to the fabric, the finish may be affected. In addition, traces of the pretreatment agent may remain on the fabric, or the fabric may have an odor. As with direct dye sublimation printing, the platen must be cleaned due to ink bleed-through, generating contaminated water. For this reason, DTG printing is also inefficient and may have a negative impact on the environment and human health.

[0012] In the DTF printing method, in addition to printing an image on the transfer material, it is necessary to form a concealing layer and sprinkle hot melt resin powder as an adhesive, which makes the work process complicated and inefficient. Furthermore, the powder may cause dust during printing, which may have a negative impact on the environment and human body.

[0013] In the rubber transfer printing method, in addition to printing an image on a rubber sheet, excess rubber sheet must be cut off and a finishing press must be performed, making the work process complicated and inefficient.

[0014] The transfer sheet described in Patent Document 1, unlike the sublimation transfer printing method and the direct sublimation printing method, can use a colorant other than disperse dyes, and unlike the DTF printing method and the rubber transfer printing method, can easily provide a transfer sheet with an image printed thereon. However, an image application system that uses such a transfer sheet to efficiently apply an image to a wide cloth has not been known.

[0015] In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide an image applying system that efficiently applies an image to at least a partial area in the width direction of a transfer target material such as a wide piece of cloth. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] An image applying system for applying an image to at least a partial area of ​​a transfer target in a width direction of the transfer target according to a first aspect of the present invention, An image applying system that applies an image to at least a partial area in a width direction of a transfer target having a width of 500 mm or more, a printing device that prints the image on a transfer body including a base layer and a transfer layer formed on one surface of the base layer by an ink jet method using an ink containing a coloring material; a transfer device that overlaps the transfer body with the transferee and applies heat and pressure to the transferee, thereby transferring the image printed on the transfer layer to the transferee; Equipped with The transfer layer includes a thermoplastic resin that softens when it reaches a glass transition temperature or a melting point. It is characterized by:

[0017] According to the above configuration, for example, it is possible to omit some or all of the complicated processes that were previously required when transferring an image to a receiving material such as cloth, thereby making it possible to efficiently apply an image to the receiving material.

[0018] The ink further comprises a solvent, The printing apparatus may further include a drying mechanism that evaporates the solvent to dry the transfer body on which the image is printed.

[0019] According to the above configuration, for example, after the ink lands on the transfer body, the ink solvent is volatilized to suppress ink bleeding in the image printed on the transfer body. This reduces the defective product rate, allowing the image to be efficiently applied to the transfer body.

[0020] The drying mechanism may include a heater section that heats at least a portion of the area on the transport path of the transfer body by contacting the underside of the transfer body during printing of the image, or an air drying section that dries at least a portion of the area of ​​the transfer body by blowing air from the upper surface of the transfer body.

[0021] According to the above-mentioned configuration, for example, since an image can be efficiently dried with a simple configuration, an image can be efficiently applied to a transfer-receiving body.

[0022] The drying mechanism may dry the image to such an extent that the ink constituting the image does not adhere to another surface between the time when the printing device prints the image on the transfer body and the time when the transfer body comes into contact with the other surface.

[0023] According to the above configuration, for example, the image is suitably dried when the transfer body is wound into a roll after printing by the printing device or when the transfer body is transported to the transfer device, so that it is possible to suppress or prevent ink offset on the transfer body roll and color transfer from the transfer body to the transport mechanism during transport. In addition, since the ink is suitably dried before winding or transport, there is no need to provide a separate time for the ink to dry naturally, which saves time and allows the image to be efficiently applied to the transfer body.

[0024] At least a partial area on the transport path of the transfer body may be an area where the ink is landed on the surface of the transfer body.

[0025] According to the above configuration, for example, the image is suitably dried when the transfer body is wound into a roll after printing by the printing device or when the transfer body is transported to the transfer device, so that it is possible to suppress or prevent ink offset on the transfer body roll and color transfer from the transfer body to the transport mechanism during transport. In addition, since the ink is suitably dried before winding or transport, there is no need to provide a separate time for the ink to dry naturally, which saves time and allows the image to be efficiently applied to the transfer body.

[0026] At least a portion of the area on the transport path of the transfer body may be dried at the same time as the ink lands on the surface of the transfer body.

[0027] According to the above-mentioned configuration, for example, bleeding of ink in an image printed on a transfer medium can be suppressed or prevented, which reduces the rate of defective products and allows an image to be efficiently applied to a transfer medium.

[0028] At least a portion of the area on the transport path of the transfer body may be an area before the ink is ejected onto the surface of the transfer body.

[0029] According to the above-mentioned configuration, for example, drying of the subsequent transfer body can be accelerated, and therefore drying efficiency can be improved, resulting in time savings and enabling an image to be efficiently applied to the transfer body.

[0030] The substrate may be a sheet of natural or synthetic fibers.

[0031] According to the above-mentioned configuration, for example, the reactive group contained in the natural or synthetic fiber reacts with the reactive polymer contained in the transfer layer, so that the transferred image adheres or adheres more firmly to the transfer-receiving body, thereby reducing the defective product rate and allowing the image to be efficiently applied to the transfer-receiving body.

[0032] The ink is a water-based ink, The colorant may be an inorganic or organic pigment.

[0033] According to the above-described configuration, it is possible to omit some or all of the complicated processes that have conventionally been required when using conventional textile printing inks such as sublimation inks, and therefore it is possible to efficiently apply an image to a transfer medium.

[0034] The transfer device may perform transfer by applying a temperature higher than the glass transition temperature or the melting point of the thermoplastic resin of the transfer layer.

[0035] According to the above-mentioned configuration, for example, since transfer can be performed reliably, the rate of defective products can be reduced and an image can be efficiently applied to the transfer target. Effect of the Invention

[0036] According to the present invention, an image can be efficiently applied to a receiving material such as cloth. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0037] [Figure 1]Schematic cross-sectional views of a transfer body and a transferee body, where (a) shows the transfer body before an image is printed, (b) shows the transfer body after an image is printed, (c) shows the transfer body and transferee body during thermal transfer, and (d) shows the transfer body and transferee body after peeling after thermal transfer is completed. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image applying system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of an image applying system according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0038] An image applying system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figs. 1(a) to (d), the image applying system 100 is a system for applying an image to at least a partial area of ​​a transfer recipient 20 by thermally transferring a reverse image printed on a transfer body 10 by an inkjet method onto the transfer recipient 20. Note that in this specification, the image is not limited to a photographic or intricate design, and includes a simple design, a solid pattern in one color, a character pattern, and the like.

[0039] (Configuration of Transcript 10) The transfer body 10 is a sheet-like transfer medium, and can be wound up in a roll for storage and transportation. In this specification, the sheet includes a film. The width of the transfer body 10 when wound up in a roll is preferably equal to or less than the width of the transferee 20 when wound up in a roll, and is preferably 500 mm or more, 900 mm or more, or 1100 mm or more, and 1400 mm or more, and / or 920 mm or less, 1200 mm or less, or 1800 mm or less. As shown in FIG. 1(a), the transfer body 1 includes a base layer 11 and a transfer layer 12 formed on one surface of the base layer 11.

[0040] The base layer 11 is a sheet made of any material. For example, the material of the base layer 11 may be paper, cloth, plastic, etc. It is preferable that the substrate 11 has breathability, in particular to aid in drying of the ink printed on the transfer layer 12. Examples of such a base layer 11 include cellulose-based paper, a nonwoven fabric sheet, a fleece sheet, a porous film, etc.

[0041] The transfer layer 12 is a layer on which an image can be printed with ink as shown in FIG. 1(b), and which can be adhered to a transferee 20 together with the image as shown in FIG. 1(d). Hereinafter, the portion of the transfer layer 12 that absorbs ink and forms an image is called an image layer 13. The transfer layer 12 can be said to be an ink-receiving layer used in inkjet printing media that has been given the ability to adhere to the transferee 20. For this reason, the transfer layer 12 contains a thermoplastic resin that softens when it reaches its glass transition temperature or melting point. Examples of such thermoplastic resins include polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyamide. The transfer layer 12 may also contain a reactive polymer that is reactive with fabric, more preferably a crosslinkable polymer, particularly a self-crosslinkable polymer. Examples of such reactive polymers include polyethyleneamine, isocyanate, carbodiimide, and ammonium zirconium carbonate.

[0042] Natural fibers contain reactive groups, such as hydroxyl groups and ammonium groups, that react with such reactive polymers. These reactive groups are believed to originate from protein components and / or polysaccharide components, such as cellulose, hemicellulose, and keratin, contained in natural fibers. The reaction between these reactive groups and reactive polymers improves the adhesion or bonding of the coloring material contained in the ink to the natural fibers. In particular, cotton has good reactivity with reactive polymers, such as isocyanates, carbodiimides, and ammonium zirconium carbonate, because the cellulose that constitutes cotton contains hydroxyl groups.

[0043] In addition, the transfer layer 12 may further include binders, rheology modifiers, pigments, defoamers, wetting agents, and the like.

[0044] When an image is thermally transferred from a transfer body 10 to a transferee 20, first, as shown in Fig. 1(c), the transfer body 10 is pressed against the transferee 20 while being heated and pressured in a state where the transfer layer 12 on which the image layer 13 has been formed is in contact with the transferee 20. Thereafter, when the transfer body 10 is peeled off from the transferee 20, a part or all of the transfer layer 12 and the image layer 13 adhered on the transferee 20 are peeled off from the base layer 11 and remain on the transferee 20, as shown in Fig. 1(d), and the image is transferred onto the transferee 20. The thickness of the transfer layer 12 or the ink permeability of the transfer layer 12 is set so that the image can be well viewed from the exposed surface of the transfer layer 12 remaining on the transferee 20, particularly so that the ink permeates up to the exposed surface or just below the exposed surface.

[0045] For example, the transfer body 10 may be TEXCOL (trademark) (manufactured by Neenah Coldenhove).

[0046] (Ink composition for printing images) The ink for printing the image is any inkjet ink that can be used for inkjet printing by the printing device 110 described later. For example, such inks include general inkjet ink, latex ink, ultraviolet curable ink, sublimation ink, etc. The coloring material contained in the ink is arbitrary and may be a pigment such as an inorganic pigment or an organic pigment, or may be a dye. The ink may be an aqueous ink whose solvent is water, particularly an aqueous pigment ink. The aqueous ink has no effect on the environment or the human body and is highly safe. The ink may contain a resin. Examples of such resins include an aqueous urethane resin and an aqueous acrylic resin. These resins help the coloring material, particularly the pigment, to adhere or bond to the transfer layer 12 or the transfer target 20.

[0047] (Configuration of the transferred body 20) The transferee 20 is a fabric such as a woven fabric, knitted fabric, or nonwoven fabric, and can be wound up in a roll for storage or transportation. Examples of the fabric of the transferee 20 include natural fibers such as cotton, silk, and hemp, and synthetic fibers such as polyester, nylon, and wool. The width of the transferee 20 when wound up in a roll is preferably 500 mm or more, 900 mm or more, or 1100 mm or more, and 1400 mm or more and / or 920 mm or less, 1200 mm or less, or 1800 mm or less.

[0048] (Configuration of image applying system 100) 2, the image applying system 100 includes a printing device 110 and a transfer device 120. The image applying system 100 also includes a control unit that controls the printing device 110 and the transfer device 120. The operations of the printing device 110 and the transfer device 120 described below are performed under the control of the control unit. Note that instead of or in addition to the control unit that controls the entire image applying system 100, a control unit for controlling the operation of each of the printing device 110 and the transfer device 120 may be provided.

[0049] (Configuration of the Printing Device 110) The printing device 110 is an inkjet printer that prints an image on the transfer body 10 using the ink described above by an inkjet method. The printing device 110 includes a transport mechanism 30, a printing unit 40, and a heating unit 50, as shown in FIG.

[0050] The transport mechanism 30 transports the transfer body 10 in a roll-to-roll manner along the transport direction (sub-scanning direction) and passes it through the printing unit 40. The transport mechanism 30 includes a pay-out roller 31 that pays out the sheet of the transfer body 10 from the roll of the transfer body 10, a platen 32 that transports the paid-out transfer body 10 through the printing unit 40, and a take-up roller 33 that winds up the sheet of the transfer body 10 on which the image layer 13 has been formed and which has been transported by the platen 32 into a roll. The transport mechanism 30 also includes one or more pinch rollers (not shown) for preventing the transfer body 10 from lifting up from one or more of the rollers and the platen, as necessary.

[0051] The printing unit 40 prints an image by ejecting ink onto the transfer body 10 being transported by the transport mechanism 30. The printing unit 40 includes an ink storage unit (not shown), an ink supply mechanism (not shown), a print head 41, and a drive device 42 for the print head 41.

[0052] The ink storage section is composed of a plurality of tanks or bottles for storing ink, and supplies the ink to the print head 41 via an ink supply mechanism.

[0053] The print head 41 ejects ink onto the transfer body 10 using an inkjet system. Any inkjet system may be used for the print head 41, for example, a piezo system or a thermal system. The print head 41 usually has a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink, but may have only a single nozzle for each color of ink. The print head 41 may be a single print head, or may be composed of a plurality of print heads.

[0054] A driving device 42 for the print head 41 moves the print head 41 in a direction (main scanning direction) perpendicular to the transport direction of the transfer body 10. The driving device 42 includes, for example, a carriage 42a on which the print head 41 is mounted, a guide rail 42b that supports the carriage 42a so that the carriage 42a can move in the main scanning direction, and a set of a towing rope for the carriage 42a and a winding mechanism for winding up the towing rope, which are arranged at each end of the guide rail 42b.

[0055] The heating unit 50 heats the transfer body 10 in parallel with printing on the transfer body 10 by the printing unit 40. When the portion of the platen 32 facing the area where the print head 41 is scanned and ink is discharged is defined as the platen center portion 32b, the portion of the platen 32 upstream of the platen center portion 32b in the transport direction is defined as the platen front portion 32a, and the portion of the platen 32 downstream of the platen center portion 32b in the transport direction is defined as the platen rear portion 32c, the heating unit 50 includes a pre-heater 51 that heats the platen front portion 32a, a print heater 52 that heats the platen center portion 32b, and an after-heater 53 that heats the platen rear portion 32c. The pre-heater 51, the print heater 52, and the after-heater 53 are platen heaters that heat the transfer body 10 sliding on the surface of the platen 32 to a predetermined temperature via the heating of the platen 32. For example, an electric heater using ceramic or nichrome wire can be used as such a platen heater.

[0056] The preheater 51 heats the transfer body 10 to a predetermined temperature, for example, 40 to 60° C., in order to shorten the time required for heating and drying by the print heater 52 and the after heater 53. The preheater 51 adjusts the moisture content of the transfer body 10 in a high humidity environment, thereby helping the ink to fix. In addition, the ink bleeding can be further suppressed by using the preheater 51 in combination with the print heater 52 or the after heater 53, rather than by using the preheater 51 alone. However, the predetermined temperature for heating the transfer body 10 is not limited to these temperatures, and can be set appropriately depending on the purpose or the amount of ink to be deposited.

[0057] The print heater 52 heats the transfer body 10 to a predetermined temperature, for example, 40 to 60°C, depending on the purpose or the amount of ink deposited. For example, the temperature is 40 to 60°C to prevent ink bleeding, and 50 to 60°C to prevent ink strike-through or offset. By drying the ink printed on the transfer body 10 in this manner, bleeding of the printed ink and transfer of the ink to overlapping portions when the transfer body 10 is wound into a roll are suppressed or prevented. However, the predetermined temperature to which the transfer body 10 is heated is not limited to these temperatures and can be set appropriately depending on the purpose or the amount of ink deposited.

[0058] The after-heater 53 heats the transfer body 10 to a predetermined temperature, for example, 40 to 60°C, depending on the purpose or the amount of ink deposited. For example, the temperature is 40 to 60°C to prevent ink bleeding, and 50 to 60°C to prevent ink strike-through or offset. By drying the ink printed on the transfer body 10 in this manner, bleeding of the printed ink and transfer of the ink to overlapping portions when the transfer body 10 is wound into a roll are further suppressed or prevented. However, the predetermined temperature to which the transfer body 10 is heated is not limited to these temperatures and can be set appropriately depending on the purpose or the amount of ink deposited.

[0059] (Configuration of transfer device 120) The transfer device 120 is a thermal transfer roller machine that thermally transfers an image on the transfer body 10 to the transfer-receiving body 20. The transfer device 120 includes a transport mechanism 60 and a heating and pressurizing unit 70, as shown in FIG.

[0060] The transport mechanism 60 transports the transfer body 10 on which the image layer 13 has been formed and the transferee body 20 in a roll-to-roll manner. During this process, the transport mechanism 60 sends the transfer body 10 and the transferee body 20, which are overlapped such that the transfer layer 12 and the image layer 13 of the transfer body 10 are in contact with the intended transfer surface of the transferee body 20, into a heating and pressing section 70, and then peels the transfer body 10 and the transferee body 20 that have come out of the heating and pressing section 70 from each other. The transport mechanism 60 includes a feed roller 61 that feeds out the sheet of the transfer body 10 from the roll of the transfer body 10 on which the image layer 13 is formed, a feed roller 62 that feeds out the sheet of the transfer body 20 from the roll of the transferee 20, one or more guide rollers 63 and a platen 64 that transport the transfer body 10 and the transferee 20 thus fed out in an overlapping state to the heating and pressing section 70, one or more guide rollers 65 that transport the transfer body and the transferee 20 coming out of the heating and pressing section 70 in different directions to separate them, a take-up roller 66 that winds up the sheet of the transferee 20 on which the image layer 13 is transferred into a roll, and a take-up roller 67 that winds up the used transfer body 10 into a roll. The transport mechanism 60 also includes one or more pinch rollers (not shown) for preventing the transfer body 10 and the transferee 20 from lifting off one or more of the rollers and the platen, as necessary.

[0061] In order to thermally transfer an image from the transfer body 10 to the transferee 20, the heating and pressing section 70 applies a predetermined pressure (for example, 4 to 8 bar) to the transfer body 10 and the transferee 20, which are overlapped so that the transfer layer 12 and the image layer 13 of the transfer body 10 are in contact with the transfer target surface of the transferee 20, and heats the transfer layer 12 and the image layer 13 of the transfer body 10 to a predetermined temperature (for example, 100 to 200°C, more preferably 160 to 200°C, although it varies depending on the temperature (glass transition point or melting point) at which the thermoplastic resin of the transfer layer 12 of the transfer body 10 softens and the heat resistance of the transferee 20). The pressure and temperature are adjusted according to the thickness and heat resistance of the fabric of the transferee 20. For example, this suppresses wasted energy. The predetermined temperature may be, for example, a temperature higher than the glass transition temperature or melting point of the thermoplastic resin of the transfer layer 12 of the transfer body 10. The heating and pressing section 70 includes a heating roller 71 and a pressing device 72.

[0062] The heating roller 71 rotates while sandwiching the transfer body 10 and the transferred body 20 between itself and a belt 72a of a heating device 72 described later, and heats the transfer layer 12 from the back surface of the transfer body 10 opposite the transfer layer 12 during the rotation. The heating roller 71 includes, for example, a thermally conductive roller such as a metal roller, and an electric heater that indirectly heats the transfer body 10 in contact with the thermally conductive roller by heating the thermally conductive roller.

[0063] The pressure device 72 conveys the transfer body 10 and the transferee 20 in cooperation with the heating roller 71 while sandwiching them between the heating roller 71 and the transferee 20, and applies pressure to the transfer body 10 and the transferee 20 from the transferee 20 side during the conveyance process. The pressure device 72 includes a belt 72a wrapped around the heating roller 71, a driving roller 72b that drives the belt 72a at a speed that matches the rotation speed of the heating roller 71, a driven roller 72c that supports the belt 72a so as to surround the heating roller 71, and a pressure roller 72d that adjusts the pressure that the belt 72a applies to the heating roller 71 and the transfer body 10 and the transferee 20 thereon. The pressure roller 72d increases or decreases the distance between the belt 72a and the pressure roller 71 by increasing or decreasing the slack of the belt 72a by shifting the position of the pressure roller 72d, thereby increasing or decreasing the pressure that the belt 72a applies to the pressure roller 71.

[0064] The distance from when the transfer body 10 and the transferee 20 leave the heating and pressing section 70 until they are peeled off from each other is set to a length such that the transfer body 10 and the transferee 20 are peeled off while the temperature of the transfer body 10, particularly the temperature of the transfer layer 12 and the image layer 13, is a temperature suitable for peeling (so-called hot peeling) at a temperature higher than room temperature (e.g., 25°C), for example, a temperature not lower than the temperature at which the thermoplastic resin of the transfer layer 12 of the transfer body 10 softens, that is, a temperature at which the thermoplastic resin does not harden. For example, the distance and the conveying speed of the transfer body 10 and the transferee 20 are preferably such that the transfer body 10 and the transferee 20 are peeled off immediately after leaving the heating and pressing section 70, and preferably at least while the temperature is still low enough that the thermoplastic resin of the transfer layer 12 does not harden.

[0065] (Control unit) The control unit controls each device so that the printing device 110 and the transfer device 120 perform the above operations.

[0066] The control unit includes a storage device (hard disk, flash memory, etc.) that stores programs and various data, a processor (CPU (Central Processing Unit), etc.) that executes the programs stored in the storage device and actually executes the printing process by using various data, a main memory for the processor, and various interfaces. The control unit may be configured by various types of computers such as a personal computer, for example.

[0067] (Image application process to a transfer target) The control unit causes the conveying device 30 to convey the transfer body 10 along the conveying path, and in the process, causes the printing unit 40 to print on the transfer body 10. After that, the transfer body 10 wound around the winding roller 33 is placed on the payout roller 61 of the conveying device 60 by, for example, a user. After that, the control unit causes the conveying device 60 to convey the transfer body 10 and the transferee 20 along the conveying path, overlap each other, and send them into the heating and pressing unit 70, peel the transfer body 10 and the transferee 20 that have left the heating and pressing unit 70, and finally wind the transfer body 10 onto the winding roller 67 and the transferee 20 onto the winding roller 66. During this process, the control unit causes the heating and pressing unit 70 to transfer an image from the transfer body 10 to the transferee 20.

[0068] (Effects of this embodiment) In the conventional textile printing methods, sublimation textile printing requires various processes for color development and fixation of disperse dyes, and DTF printing and rubber transfer printing require various processes for forming a transfer body on which an image is printed, which are cumbersome. Furthermore, an image application system that efficiently applies an image to a wide cloth using the transfer sheet described in Patent Document 1 has not been known.

[0069] On the other hand, according to the image applying system 100 of the present embodiment, the coloring material can be attached or adhered to the fabric by the thermoplastic resin contained in the transfer layer 12 of the transfer body 10, regardless of the properties of the coloring material, so that it is possible to omit some or all of the troublesome processes that have been conventionally required when transferring an image to fabric. As a result, an image can be applied to the fabric efficiently.

[0070] (Variation 1) In the embodiment described above, the transfer material 10 with the image printed thereon is wound into a roll by the take-up roller 33 for the printing device 110 and then placed back on the supply roller 61 for the transfer device 120, however, instead, the transfer material 10 with the image printed thereon may be fed directly from the printing device 110 to the transfer device 120 in a roll-to-roll manner.

[0071] A printing device 200 according to this modified example will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The printing device 200 includes a printing device 210 and a transfer device 220. The printing device 210 and the transfer device 220 are the same as the printing device 110 and the transfer device 120, except that the printing device 210 and the transfer device 220 share a transport mechanism 80 in which the transport mechanisms 30 and 60 are integrated together, instead of each other. The transport mechanism 80 is an integrated version of the transport mechanisms 30 and 60, and includes one or more guide rollers 81 in place of the take-up roller 33 and the pay-out roller 61. The transport mechanism 80 transports the transfer body 10 in a roll-to-roll manner and passes it through the printing device 210 and the transfer device 220.

[0072] (Variation 2) In the above-described embodiment, the transfer body 10 and the transferee 20 are supplied from their rolls to the printing device 110 and the transfer device 220, but instead, one or both of the transfer body 10 and the transferee 20 may be supplied in a form other than a roll. For example, the transferee 20 may be supplied to the printing device 110 and the transfer device 220 in the form of a fabric, cloth product, or the like cut to a predetermined size. In addition, the transfer body 10 may be supplied to the printing device 110 and the transfer device 220 in a form cut to match the shape of the transferee 20, into a shape similar to the shape, or into a rectangle or square that fits within the shape.

[0073] Any conveying mechanism can be used for the conveying mechanisms 30, 60, 80 as long as it can convey the transfer body 10 and the transferee 20 through the printing unit 40 and the heating and pressing unit 70. For example, a belt conveyer can be used for part or all of the conveying mechanism. The belt conveyer is suitable for conveying the transferee 20, such as a fabric or cloth product cut to a predetermined size.

[0074] (Variation 3) For the printing devices 110 and 210, particularly the printing section 40, any inkjet printer can be used as long as it is capable of printing an image on the transfer body 10 by the inkjet method.

[0075] (Variation 4) In the above embodiment, the heating unit 50 including the pre-heater 51, the print heater 52, and the after-heater 53 is used, but either one of the print heater 52 and the after-heater 53 is sufficient. In order to obtain good drying results while preventing excessive drying of the image, the heating temperature of either one or both of the print heater 52 and the after-heater 53, particularly the heating temperature of the print heater 52, may be adjusted according to the amount of ink ejected to print the image, so that the temperature is higher if the amount of ink is large and the temperature is lower if the amount of ink is small. The heating temperature may be adjusted based on the amount of ink actually ejected, or may be adjusted based on the amount of ink consumption estimated from the data of the image to be printed, or may be adjusted based on the amount of ink consumption roughly calculated from the print density and / or the number of passes.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the heating unit 50 is composed of a platen heater. However, any drying mechanism can be used as long as it can dry the transfer body 10 on which an image is printed. For example, such a drying mechanism can be an air blower. In addition, such a drying mechanism can be a heater unit that heats at least a partial area on the transport path of the transfer body 10 by contacting the lower surface of the transfer body during printing of an image by the printing device 110, or an air blower that dries at least a partial area of ​​the transfer body by blowing air from the upper surface of the transfer body. The heating unit can include, for example, a platen heater. The air blower can include, for example, an air blower that blows air at a predetermined temperature. Here, the region to be dried may be a region where ink has landed on the surface of the transfer body 10 (e.g., a region corresponding to the platen center part 32b or the platen rear part 32c), a region where ink lands on the surface of the transfer body 10 and is dried at the same time (e.g., a region corresponding to the platen center part 32b), or a region before ink is ejected onto the surface of the transfer body 10 (e.g., a region corresponding to the platen front part 32a). Such a drying mechanism also functions in the same way as the above-mentioned heating unit 50, in particular the pre-heater 51, the print heater 52, and the after-heater 53.

[0077] To reduce or prevent ink bleeding in the image, a drying mechanism is disposed on or near the transport path so as to perform a drying process during or immediately after printing by the printing device 110 .

[0078] In order to suppress or prevent the transfer of ink, the drying mechanism may dry the image to such an extent that the ink constituting the image does not adhere to the surface between when the printing device 110 prints the image on the transfer body 10 and when the transfer body 10 comes into contact with another surface. Examples of the other surface include the surface of the transfer body 10 opposite to the surface on which the transfer layer 12 is formed when the transfer body 10 after printing is wound up by the winding roller 33, and the surface of the first guide roller 81 that comes into contact with the transfer layer 12 of the transfer body 10 after printing when the transfer body 10 after printing is transported by the transport mechanism 80. In this case, the drying mechanism is disposed on or near the transport path so that a drying process can be performed during printing by the printing device 110 and before contact with such other surfaces. According to this modification, since the ink is suitably dried before winding or transport, there is no need to provide a separate time for the ink to dry naturally, which saves time and allows the image to be efficiently applied to the fabric.

[0079] (Variation 5) In the above-described embodiment, a thermal transfer roller machine consisting of a heating roller 71 and a pressure device 72 is used as the transfer device 120, 220, but any transfer device can be used as the transfer device 120, 220 as long as it can transfer the image printed on the transfer layer 10 to the transfer recipient 20.

[0080] For example, the pressure device 72 may be a pressure roller.

[0081] Moreover, the transfer devices 120 and 220 may be heat press machines.

[0082] (Variation 6) In the above-described embodiment, in the transfer device 120, 220, the transfer body 10 and the transferred body 20 that come out of the heating and pressing section 70 in an overlapping state are transported in different directions by the guide roller 65 to be peeled off from each other, but instead of such a peeling mechanism, any peeling mechanism that peels the transfer body 10 and the transferred body 20 from each other can be adopted.

[0083] This peeling mechanism is particularly suitable when the transfer receiver 20 is discontinuous in the transport direction, for example, when the transfer receiver 20 is a fabric or fabric product cut to a predetermined size.

[0084] (Variation 7) In the above embodiment, the transfer layer 12 is formed directly on the base layer 11. Instead, a release layer may be provided between the base layer 11 and the transfer layer 12 to facilitate peeling of the transfer layer 12 from the base layer 11. For example, when peeling the transfer body 10, which is at a temperature (e.g., 100 to 160°C) higher than room temperature (e.g., 25°C) from the transferee 20 (so-called hot peeling), the material of the release layer may be a material that melts at the heating temperature when the image is thermally transferred to the transferee 20 as described above. For example, such a melting material may be, for example, silicone, acrylate, wax, etc., and more preferably, polyolefin wax such as polypropylene wax or polyethylene wax. The release layer may further contain additional polymers or silicones, rheology adjusters, surfactants, binders, pigments, etc.

[0085] The features described in the above-mentioned embodiments and modifications can be combined in any combination unless they are inconsistent. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 100, 200 Image Addition System 110, 210 Printing device 120, 220 Transfer device 10 Transcripts 11 Base layer 12 Transfer layer 13 Image Layer 20 Transferred object 30 Transport mechanism for printing device 31 Delivery roller for transfer body 10 before printing 32 Platen 32a Platen front 32b Center of platen 32c Rear platen 33 Take-up roller for the printed transfer body 10 40 Printing Department 41 Print Head 42 Drive unit 42a Carriage 42b Guide rail 50 Heating section 51 Preheater 52 Print heater 53 After Heater 60 Transfer mechanism for transfer device 61 Delivery roller for transfer body 10 before transfer 62 Delivery roller for the transfer target 20 before transfer 63 Guide roller 64 Platen 65 Guide roller 66 Take-up roller for the transferred material 20 after transfer 67 Take-up roller for transfer body 10 after transfer 70 Heating and pressure section 71 Heating roller 72 Pressurizing device 72a Belt 72b Drive roller 72c Driven roller 72d Pressure Roller 80 Conveying mechanism for both printing device and transfer device

Claims

1. An image applying system that applies an image to at least a partial area of ​​a transfer target having a width of 500 mm or more in a width direction of the transfer target, comprising: a printing device that prints the image on a transfer body including a base layer and a transfer layer formed on one surface of the base layer by an ink jet method using an ink containing a coloring material; a transfer device that overlaps the transfer body with the transferee and applies heat and pressure to the transferee, thereby transferring the image printed on the transfer layer to the transferee; Equipped with The transfer layer includes a thermoplastic resin that softens when it reaches a glass transition temperature or a melting point. Image assignment system.

2. The ink further comprises a solvent, The printing apparatus further includes a drying mechanism that evaporates the solvent to dry the transfer body on which the image is printed. The imaging system of claim 1 .

3. The drying mechanism includes a heater unit that heats at least a partial area on a transport path of the transfer body by contacting the lower surface of the transfer body during printing of the image, or an air blowing dryer unit that dries at least a partial area of ​​the transfer body by blowing air from the upper surface of the transfer body.

3. The imaging system of claim 2.

4. the drying mechanism dries the image to such an extent that ink constituting the image does not adhere to another surface during the period from when the printing device prints the image on the transfer body until when the transfer body comes into contact with the other surface; 3. The imaging system of claim 2.

5. At least a part of the area on the transport path of the transfer body is an area where the ink is landed on the surface of the transfer body.

3. The imaging system of claim 2.

6. At least a part of the area on the transport path of the transfer body is dried at the same time as the ink lands on the surface of the transfer body.

6. The imaging system of claim 5.

7. At least a part of the area on the transport path of the transfer body is an area before the ink is ejected onto the surface of the transfer body.

3. The imaging system of claim 2.

8. The substrate is a sheet of natural or synthetic fibers. The imaging system of claim 1 .

9. The ink is a water-based ink, The colorant is an inorganic pigment or an organic pigment. The imaging system of claim 1 .

10. The transfer device performs transfer by applying a temperature higher than the glass transition temperature or the melting point of the thermoplastic resin of the transfer layer. The imaging system of claim 1 .

Images