Processing apparatus, control method, and transfer medium

Abstract

The present invention provides a processing apparatus, a control method, and a transfer medium that contribute to suppressing the transfer of additional information from the transfer medium to the transfer medium during the transfer process. [Solution] The processing apparatus comprises a processing unit and a CPU. The processing unit performs media processing on the transfer medium 51 after the ink has been ejected or before the ink is ejected. The ink forms an image L0 that is transferred from the transfer medium 51 to the transfer medium 61. The CPU causes the processing unit to perform media processing to form additional information L2 on the transfer medium 51 in a non-transfer mode. The non-transfer mode is a mode in which, in the transfer process in which the image L0 is transferred from the transfer medium 52 to the transfer medium 61, the additional information L2 is not transferred from the transfer medium 52 to the transfer medium 61.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a processing apparatus, a control method, and a transfer medium.

Background Art

[0002] The image forming method described in Patent Document 1 includes an image forming step and a transfer step. In the image forming method, the image forming step and the transfer step are performed in the order of the image forming step and the transfer step. In the image forming step, an image is formed on a transfer medium. In the transfer step, the transfer medium on which the image is formed is pressed against a transfer target medium. As a result, in the transfer step, the image is transferred from the transfer medium to the transfer target medium.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above image forming method, it is conceivable that additional information is formed on the transfer medium separately from the image.

[0005] As an example, the additional information is considered to be used for one or more purposes different from the purpose of using the image. For example, the additional information may be used to identify one transfer medium from another transfer medium. For example, the additional information may be used to identify an image formed on the transfer medium from other images. For example, the additional information may be used to specify the position of the image with respect to the transfer medium. For example, the additional information may be used to specify the position where the transfer medium is cut.

[0006] If additional information is formed on the transfer medium separately from the image during the image formation process, there is a possibility that both the image and the additional information will be transferred to the transfer medium during the transfer process.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a processing apparatus, a control method, and a transfer medium that contribute to suppressing the transfer of additional information from the transfer medium to the transfer medium during the transfer process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a processing apparatus comprising a processing unit that performs media processing on a transfer medium after ink forming an image to be transferred from a transfer medium is ejected, or before the ink is ejected, wherein the control unit causes the processing unit to perform media processing to form additional information on the transfer medium in a non-transfer manner, or to perform media processing to apply regulating processing to the additional information formed on the transfer medium, or to perform media processing to apply image transfer processing to the image formed on the transfer medium and not to apply information transfer processing to the additional information formed on the transfer medium. The processing unit is to perform the above-mentioned processing, and the non-transfer mode is a mode in which, in a transfer step in which the image is transferred from the transfer medium to the transfer medium, the additional information is not transferred from the transfer medium to the transfer medium; the restricting processing is a processing that restricts the application of the information transfer processing to the additional information formed on the transfer medium; the information transfer processing is a processing that causes the additional information to be transferred from the transfer medium to the transfer medium in the transfer step; and the image transfer processing is a processing that causes the image to be transferred from the transfer medium to the transfer medium in the transfer step.

[0009] According to the first embodiment, in a non-transfer manner, additional information is formed on the transfer medium, or the additional information is subjected to restrictive processing, or the additional information is not subjected to information transfer processing. Therefore, the processing device contributes to suppressing the transfer of additional information from the transfer medium to the transfer medium during the transfer process.

[0010] In the first embodiment, the image is transferred from the transfer medium to the medium to be transferred by pressing the transfer medium against the medium to be transferred during the transfer process, the transfer medium includes a facing surface that faces the medium to be transferred during the transfer process, the facing surface includes a press area that is pressed against the medium to be transferred during the transfer process, and the control unit may cause the processing unit to perform the media processing, which forms the additional information in a region of the transfer medium different from the press area, as the non-transfer mode.

[0011] In this case, additional information is formed in a region of the transfer medium different from the pressing region. Therefore, the processing device contributes to further suppressing the transfer of additional information from the transfer medium to the transfer medium during the transfer process.

[0012] In the first embodiment, the image is transferred from the transfer medium to the medium to be transferred by pressing the transfer medium onto the medium to be transferred by a press machine, and the control unit may cause the processing unit to perform the media processing in which the additional information, including the position information of the transfer medium relative to the press machine, is formed in a non-transferable state in a region of the medium to be transferred that is different from the pressing region.

[0013] In this case, the additional information includes positional information of the transfer medium relative to the press. For example, if the transfer medium is positioned on the press based on its positional information relative to the press, deviation of the transfer medium from its intended position relative to the press is suppressed. Therefore, the additional information is suppressed from being pressed by the press during the transfer process. Thus, the processing device contributes to further suppressing the transfer of additional information from the transfer medium to the transfer medium during the transfer process.

[0014] In the first embodiment, the control unit may cause the processing unit to perform the media processing, which involves forming the additional information, including the positional information of the image on the transfer medium, in a region of the transfer medium different from the pressing region, as the non-transfer configuration.

[0015] In this case, for example, if the transfer medium is positioned in the press machine based on the positional information of the image relative to the transfer medium, the failure of the image to be pressed by the press machine is suppressed. Therefore, the processing device contributes to suppressing image transfer defects from the transfer medium to the transfer medium in the transfer process.

[0016] In the first embodiment, the additional information other than the additional information includes positional information of the image on the transfer medium, and the control unit may cause the processing unit to perform the media processing to form the additional information in the non-transfer manner at a position on the transfer medium different from the position on the transfer medium where the additional information is formed, or to perform the media processing to apply the restrictive processing to the additional information formed at a position on the transfer medium different from the position on the transfer medium where the additional information is formed, or to cause the processing unit to perform the media processing to apply the image transfer processing to the image formed on the transfer medium, and not to apply the information transfer processing to the additional information formed at a position on the transfer medium different from the position on the transfer medium where the additional information is formed.

[0017] In this case, the processing device contributes to the use of additional information and other additional information depending on the transfer process or other factors.

[0018] In the first embodiment, the transfer medium is divided into an image region and an information region after the media processing is performed by the processing unit, the image region includes the image, and the information region includes the additional information. The control unit may cause the processing unit to perform the media processing to form the additional information in the image region of the transfer medium in the non-transfer manner, or to perform the media processing to apply the regulating processing to the additional information formed in the image region of the transfer medium, or to perform the media processing to apply the image transfer processing to the image formed in the image region of the transfer medium, and not to apply the information transfer processing to the additional information formed in the image region of the transfer medium.

[0019] In this case, when the transfer medium is divided into an image region and an information region, the transfer medium containing the information region is either sent to the transfer process or selected. For example, if the transfer medium containing the information region is not sent to the transfer process, other additional information will not be transferred to the transfer medium. Furthermore, since additional information is formed on the transfer medium containing the image region, for example, this additional information is used in a subsequent process. Therefore, the processing device contributes to suppressing the transfer of both the additional information and other additional information from the transfer medium to the transfer medium during the transfer process.

[0020] In the first embodiment, the control unit may cause the processing unit to perform the media processing to form the additional information in the non-transfer manner based on the additional information, when the additional information has been formed on the transfer medium.

[0021] In this case, the processing unit utilizes other additional information to contribute to the formation of additional information during media processing.

[0022] In the first embodiment, the control unit may, as the non-transfer configuration, cause the processing unit to perform the media processing in which the seal on which the additional information is formed is attached to the transfer medium in an orientation in which the additional information is positioned between the surface of the seal and the transfer medium, or, as the restrictive processing, cause the processing unit to perform the media processing in which the additional information formed on the transfer medium is covered with a seal.

[0023] In this case, a seal is interposed between the additional information and the transfer medium during the transfer process. Therefore, the processing device contributes to further suppressing the transfer of additional information from the transfer medium to the transfer medium during the transfer process.

[0024] The control method according to the second aspect of the present invention is a method for controlling a processing unit that performs media processing on a transfer medium after ink for forming an image transferred from the transfer medium to the transfer medium to be transferred is ejected, or before the ink is ejected, the method comprising causing the processing unit to execute the media processing for forming additional information on the transfer medium in a non-transfer mode, causing the processing unit to execute the media processing for performing restricted processing on the additional information formed on the transfer medium, or causing the processing unit to execute the media processing for performing image transfer processing on the image formed on the transfer medium and not performing information transfer processing on the additional information formed on the transfer medium, wherein the non-transfer mode is a mode in which the additional information is not transferred from the transfer medium to the transfer medium to be transferred in a transfer step in which the image is transferred from the transfer medium to the transfer medium to be transferred, the restricted processing is processing for restricting the additional information formed on the transfer medium from being subjected to the information transfer processing, the information transfer processing is processing for causing the additional information to be transferred from the transfer medium to the transfer medium to be transferred in the transfer step, and the image transfer processing is processing for causing the image to be transferred from the transfer medium to the transfer medium to be transferred in the transfer step.

[0025] Similar to the first aspect, the second aspect contributes to suppressing the transfer of additional information from the transfer medium to the transfer medium to be transferred in the transfer step.

[0026] The transfer medium according to the third aspect of the present invention includes a base material, a layer disposed on the base material, a receiving layer after ink for forming an image to be transferred to a transfer target medium is ejected or before the ink is ejected, and additional information, wherein the additional information is formed on the transfer medium in a non-transfer mode, or the additional information is subjected to a restriction process, or image transfer processing is performed on the image formed by the ink received by the receiving layer, and information transfer processing is not performed on the additional information, the non-transfer mode is a mode in which the additional information is not transferred from the transfer medium to the transfer target medium in a transfer process in which the image formed by the ink received by the receiving layer is transferred from the transfer medium to the transfer target medium, the restriction process is a process for restricting the information transfer processing from being performed on the additional information, the information transfer processing is a process for transferring the additional information from the transfer medium to the transfer target medium in the transfer process, and the image transfer processing is a process for transferring the image from the transfer medium to the transfer target medium in the transfer process.

[0027] Similar to the first aspect, the third aspect contributes to suppressing the transfer of additional information from the transfer medium to the transfer target medium in the transfer process.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0028] [Figure 1] It is a schematic plan view of the printing system 100. [Figure 2] It is a schematic perspective view of the sheet cutter 13 and the reversing tray 14. [Figure 3] It is a schematic perspective view of the transfer film 51. [Figure 4] It is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printing system 100. [Figure 5] It is a flowchart of the main process. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing the transition of the state of the medium when the main process is performed. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing corresponding data. [Figure 8] This is a schematic plan view of the sheet cutter 113. [Figure 9] This is a schematic left side view of the sheet cutter 113. [Figure 10] This is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration between the control board 10 and the sheet cutter 113. [Figure 11] This is a schematic side view of the transfer film piece 52. [Figure 12] This is a schematic side view of the transfer film piece 52. [Figure 13] This is a schematic side view of the transfer film piece 52. [Figure 14] This is a schematic perspective view of the heat press machine 21. [Figure 15] This is a schematic side view of the heat press machine 21 during heat press operation. [Figure 16] This is a schematic side view of the transfer film piece 52. [Figure 17] This is a schematic plan view of the transfer film piece 52. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0029] A printing system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The printing system 100 shown in Figure 1 is a system that performs Direct To Film printing. Hereinafter, Direct To Film printing will be referred to as "DTF printing".

[0030] DTF printing is a type of printing method for images onto a transfer medium. In DTF printing, the image formation process, the adhesive layer formation process, and the transfer process are performed in the order of image formation, adhesive layer formation, and transfer.

[0031] In the image formation process, an image is formed on the transfer medium. In the adhesive layer formation process, an adhesive layer is formed on the formed image on the transfer medium. In the transfer process, the image is transferred from the transfer medium to the transfer target medium. This creates a transfer target medium with the image printed on it.

[0032] Referring to Figure 1, the configuration of the printing system 100 will be described. In Figure 1, the left, right, top, bottom, back of the paper, and front of the paper are defined as the rear, front, right, left, bottom, and top of the printing system 100.

[0033] Hereafter, the area behind the printing system 100 will also be referred to as the "upstream in the sheet transport direction." The area in front of the printing system 100 will be referred to as the "downstream in the sheet transport direction." The sheet transport direction is the direction in which the transfer film 51, described later, is transported by the sheet cutter 13.

[0034] Hereafter, the area behind the printing system 100 will also be referred to as the "upstream in the pallet transport direction." The area in front of the printing system 100 will be referred to as the "downstream in the pallet transport direction." The pallet transport direction is the direction in which the pallet 31, described later, is transported by the main transport path 221.

[0035] In Figure 1, for the sake of clarity, the upstream direction in the sheet transport direction and the upstream direction in the pallet transport direction are in the same direction in a plan view. In contrast, the downstream direction in the sheet transport direction and the upstream direction in the pallet transport direction may also be in the same direction in a plan view. The sheet transport direction and the pallet transport direction may also intersect each other in a plan view.

[0036] The printing system 100 includes a printer 11, a powder shaker 12, a sheet cutter 13, a reversing tray 14, and a sheet support base 15.

[0037] The printer 11, powder shaker 12, sheet cutter 13, and inversion tray 14 are arranged in the order of printer 11, powder shaker 12, sheet cutter 13, and inversion tray 14 from upstream to downstream in the sheet transport direction.

[0038] The sheet support base 15 extends from upstream in the sheet transport direction to downstream in the sheet transport direction. The sheet support base 15 passes through the printer 11 and the powder shaker 12. After passing through the powder shaker 12, the sheet support base 15 extends to the sheet cutter 13.

[0039] A film roll 50 is positioned at the upstream end of the sheet support base 15 in the sheet transport direction. The film roll 50 is the source of the transfer film 51. The film roll 50 is constructed by winding the transfer film 51 around it. The transfer film 51 is a type of transfer medium.

[0040] The transfer film 51, pulled from the film roll 50, is placed on the sheet support base 15. In other words, the sheet support base 15 supports the transfer film 51 pulled from the film roll 50.

[0041] The transfer film 51 is transported on the sheet support base 15 from upstream in the sheet transport direction to downstream in the sheet transport direction. Therefore, the transfer film 51 passes through the printer 11, powder shaker 12, and sheet cutter 13 in that order.

[0042] The printer 11 is used in the image forming process. The printer 11 is an inkjet printer. The printer 11 is equipped with an inkjet head 111.

[0043] The inkjet head 111 is a plate. The inkjet head 111 has nozzles. The nozzles are openings. The inkjet head 111 ejects ink from the nozzles.

[0044] In this embodiment, the printer 11 ejects ink from the nozzles of the inkjet head 111 onto the transfer film 51 on the sheet support base 15, forming an ink layer on the transfer film 51. The ink layer forms the image L0 shown in Figure 2. Therefore, the printer 11 forms the image L0 on the transfer film 51 on the sheet support base 15. In the example in Figure 2, the image L0 has a star shape.

[0045] In this embodiment, the printer 11 forms not only the image L0 but also the primary additional information L1 shown in Figure 2 on the transfer film 51 using an ink layer. The primary additional information L1 is additional information formed on the transfer film 51 by the printer 11.

[0046] In this embodiment, the additional information represents one or more types of displays that a computer or user can recognize as having a specific meaning. The user includes operators, administrators, etc., at the printing system 100. For example, the additional information may be a display that a computer can recognize as having a specific meaning. The additional information may be a display that a user can recognize as having a specific meaning. The additional information may be a combination of a display that a computer can recognize as having a specific meaning and a display that a user can recognize as having a specific meaning.

[0047] One example of a display that a computer can recognize as having a specific meaning is coded information. Coded information is encoded information, such as one-dimensional code information or two-dimensional code information. An example of a one-dimensional code is a barcode. An example of a two-dimensional code is a QR code (registered trademark).

[0048] Character information is an example of a display that a computer can recognize as having a specific meaning, and another example of a display that a user can recognize as having a specific meaning. Character information is information that has meaning or a concept in itself, such as strings of characters or images. Examples of strings of characters include dates, lot numbers, and image IDs.

[0049] The additional information includes information used by the printing system 100 or the user when an image is transferred from a transfer medium to a transfer medium. The additional information includes, for example, identification information. In this embodiment, the additional information indicates an image ID.

[0050] Image IDs are used to distinguish the image to which an image ID is associated from other images. For example, an image ID may be used to identify an image being transferred from a transfer medium to a transfer target medium. An image ID may be used to identify an image that has been transferred from a transfer medium to a transfer target medium. An image ID may be used to identify a transfer target medium from which an image is transferred.

[0051] The powder shaker 12 is used in the adhesive layer formation process. The powder shaker 12 is an adhesive layer forming device. The powder shaker 12 comprises a coating spray 121 and a heater 122.

[0052] The coating spray 121 has a nozzle. The nozzle is open. The coating spray 121 ejects powder from the nozzle. The powder contains an adhesive component.

[0053] The heater 122 heats the air inside the powder shaker 12. The heater 122 melts the powder by generating heat.

[0054] In this embodiment, when the solenoid valve 123 shown in Figure 4 opens, compressed air is supplied to the coating spray 121, causing powder to be ejected from the nozzle of the coating spray 121. When the solenoid valve 123 shown in Figure 4 closes, the supply of compressed air to the coating spray 121 stops, and the ejection of powder from the coating spray 121 stops.

[0055] In this embodiment, the powder shaker 12 sprays powder from the nozzle of the coating spray 121 onto the transfer film 51 on the sheet support base 15, thereby coating the transfer film 51 with powder. On the transfer film 51, the coated powder adheres to the image L0 and the primary additional information L1. The coated powder does not adhere easily to parts of the transfer film 51 where the image L0 or primary additional information L1 is not formed.

[0056] With the powder applied to the image L0 and primary additional information L1, the powder shaker 12 generates heat using the heater 122, dissolving the powder applied to the transfer film 51. On the transfer film 51, the dissolved powder forms an adhesive layer L3, as shown in Figure 6, on the image L0 and primary additional information L1.

[0057] The sheet cutter 13 is a laser device. The sheet cutter 13 comprises a laser head 73 and a winding roller 774. The laser head 73 emits laser light 73L. The winding roller 774 winds up the transfer film 51.

[0058] In this embodiment, the sheet cutter 13 processes the transfer film 51 on the sheet support base 15 by irradiating it with laser light 73L from the laser head 73. For example, the laser head 73 cuts the transfer film 51 into transfer film pieces 52 and waste film 53 using the laser light 73L. For example, the laser head 73 forms secondary additional information L2 shown in Figure 2 on the transfer film 51 using the laser light 73L.

[0059] The secondary additional information L2 is additional information formed on the transfer film 51 by the sheet cutter 13.

[0060] The sheet cutter 13 winds the transfer film 51 using the winding roller 774 and transports the transfer film 51. This transports the transfer film 51 from the film roll 50 towards the winding roller 774. Details of the sheet cutter 13 will be described later.

[0061] The inversion tray 14 receives the transfer film piece 52 from the sheet cutter 13. The inversion tray 14 inverts the transfer film piece 52 received from the sheet cutter 13. Details of the inversion tray 14 will be described later.

[0062] The printing system 100 includes a transport device 22, a reader 19, a reader 17, and a heat press machine 21.

[0063] The conveying device 22 is a belt conveyor. Pallets 31 are placed on the conveying device 22. In other words, the conveying device 22 supports the pallets 31. The conveying device 22 transports the pallets 31.

[0064] The conveying device 22 includes a main conveying path 221 and a pallet stocker 222.

[0065] The main transport path 221 extends from upstream in the pallet transport direction to downstream in the pallet transport direction. The main transport path 221 passes through the heat press machine 21.

[0066] The main transport path 221 transports pallets 31 on the main transport path 221 from upstream in the pallet transport direction to downstream in the pallet transport direction.

[0067] The pallet stocker 222 is positioned upstream of the heat press machine 21 in the pallet transport direction. The pallet stocker 222 branches off from the main transport path 221. The pallet stocker 222 acts as a buffer until the pallet 31 is transported to the heat press machine 21.

[0068] The pallet 31 is a board. The transfer shirt 61 is placed on the pallet 31. In other words, the pallet 31 supports the transfer shirt 61.

[0069] The transfer target shirt 61 is a type of transfer target medium. The transfer target medium may be a different medium from the transfer target shirt 61. The transfer target medium may be cloth, paper, plastic film, metal, glass, etc.

[0070] A tag 62 is attached to the transfer shirt 61. The tag 62 may be sewn onto the transfer shirt 61 or attached to it. The tag 62 may also be attached to the palette 31. Target additional information L6 is formed on the tag 62. Target additional information L6 is additional information formed on the tag 62.

[0071] The main transport path 221 has a set position P11, a handover position P12, and a discharge position P13.

[0072] The set position P11 is located upstream of the heat press machine 21 in the pallet transport direction. For example, the set position P11 is located upstream of the branching point between the main transport path 221 and the pallet stocker 222 in the pallet transport direction. In this embodiment, the set position P11 is located at the upstream end of the main transport path 221 in the pallet transport direction.

[0073] The handover position P12 is located upstream of the heat press machine 21 in the pallet transport direction. In this embodiment, the handover position P12 is located between the branching point of the main transport path 221 and the pallet stocker 222 and the heat press machine 21 in the pallet transport direction.

[0074] The discharge position P13 is located downstream of the heat press machine 21 in the pallet transport direction. In this embodiment, the discharge position P13 is located at the downstream end of the main transport path 221 in the pallet transport direction.

[0075] The reading device 19 is positioned upstream of the pallet stocker 222 in the pallet transport direction. In this embodiment, the reading device 19 is positioned near the set position P11.

[0076] In this embodiment, the reading device 19 is a code reader. The reading device 19 is, for example, a camera. The reading device 19 reads the target additional information L6 when the pallet 31 is placed at the set position P11.

[0077] The reading device 17 is positioned between the pallet stocker 222 and the heat press machine 21 in the pallet transport direction. In this embodiment, the reading device 17 is positioned near the handover position P12.

[0078] In this embodiment, the reading device 17 is a code reader. The reading device 17 is, for example, a camera.

[0079] In this embodiment, with the pallet 31 positioned at the transfer position P12, the transfer robot 41 described above places the transfer film piece 52 onto the shirt to be transferred 61 on the pallet 31. In this state, the target additional information L6 attached to the tag 62 of the shirt to be transferred 61 and the secondary additional information L2 formed on the transfer film piece 52 are present on the pallet 31. The reading device 17 reads the target additional information L6 and the secondary additional information L2 with the pallet 31 positioned at the transfer position P12 and the transfer film piece 52 placed on the shirt to be transferred 61.

[0080] The heat press machine 21 is used in the transfer process. The heat press machine 21 is a transfer device. The heat press machine 21 comprises a fixed plate 211, a movable plate 212, and a heater 213.

[0081] The fixed plate 211 extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. The movable plate 212 is positioned above or below the fixed plate 211. In this embodiment, the movable plate 212 is positioned above the fixed plate 211. The movable plate 212 faces the fixed plate 211 in the vertical direction.

[0082] The movable plate 212 is positioned to move vertically. The movable plate 212 moves vertically by opening and closing the solenoid valve 214 shown in Figure 4. Specifically, when compressed air is supplied to the movable plate 212 by opening and closing the solenoid valve 214 shown in Figure 4, the movable plate 212 moves closer to the fixed plate 211 in the vertical direction. When compressed air is exhausted from the movable plate 212 by opening and closing the solenoid valve 214 shown in Figure 4, the movable plate 212 moves away from the fixed plate 211 in the vertical direction.

[0083] The heater 213 is positioned on one or both of the fixed plate 211 and the movable plate 212. The heater 213 heats one or both of the fixed plate 211 and the movable plate 212.

[0084] The heat press operation using the heat press machine 21 will now be explained. The heat press operation is the operation in which the heat press machine 21 presses the transfer film piece 52 onto the transfer shirt 61 using the fixed plate 211 and the movable plate 212.

[0085] In this embodiment, a pallet 31 is placed between the fixed plate 211 and the movable plate 212. The shirt to be transferred 61 is placed on the pallet 31. A transfer film piece 52 is placed on the shirt to be transferred 61. In this state, the heat press machine 21 moves the movable plate 212 closer to the fixed plate 211 in the vertical direction. As a result, the transfer film piece 52 is pressed onto the shirt to be transferred 61 between the fixed plate 211 and the movable plate 212.

[0086] As described above, the heat press machine 21 performs a heat press operation. When the heat press operation is performed, the image L0 is transferred from the transfer film piece 52 to the shirt 61 to be transferred.

[0087] The printing system 100 includes a transfer robot 41. The transfer robot 41 is an industrial robot. The transfer robot 41 has a base 411, an arm 412, and a gripper 413.

[0088] The base 411 is positioned below the transfer robot 41. One end of the arm 412 is supported by the base 411. The gripper 413 is supported at the other end of the arm 412.

[0089] The gripper 413 grasps the transfer film piece 52, or releases the grasped transfer film piece 52. In this embodiment, the gripper 413 is a suction gripper.

[0090] The transfer robot 41 operates the arm 412 and gripper 413 with the pallet 31 positioned at the transfer position P12. This allows the transfer robot 41 to transfer the transfer film piece 52 from the inversion tray 14 to the transfer shirt 61 on the pallet 31.

[0091] Referring to Figure 2, the sheet cutter 13 and the reversing tray 14 will be described. The sheet cutter 13 comprises a base 711 and a housing 712.

[0092] The base 711 is positioned below the sheet cutter 13. The base 711 supports the housing 712 from below.

[0093] The housing 712 is fixed to the upper end of the base 711. In Figure 2, the housing 712 is shown by a dashed line to illustrate its internal structure.

[0094] The housing 712 includes a cover and a main frame. The housing 712 has a rectangular cylindrical shape. The housing opens in the front-to-back direction.

[0095] The housing 712 has a connection port 712A. The connection port 712A is located on the right side of the housing 712. The connection port 712A is an opening.

[0096] A dust collection duct is connected to the connection port 712A from outside the housing. For example, dust may be generated when the laser beam 73L is irradiated onto the transfer film 51. The dust collection duct discharges the generated dust to the outside of the housing 712.

[0097] The sheet cutter 13 includes a pair of guide rails 721 and 722 and a laser head 73.

[0098] A pair of guide rails 721 and 722 are fixed to the housing 712. The pair of guide rails 721 and 722 extend in the left-right direction. The pair of guide rails 721 and 722 support the laser head 73 so that it can move in the left-right direction.

[0099] The laser head 73 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The laser head 73 includes a nozzle surface 73A. The nozzle surface 73A is the lower surface of the laser head 73.

[0100] The nozzle surface 73A has a nozzle. The nozzle is an opening. The laser head 73 emits laser light 73L downward from the nozzle.

[0101] The laser head 73 is connected to the head transport motor 720 shown in Figure 4. As indicated by arrow A21, the head transport motor 720 drives the laser head 73 along a pair of guide rails 721 and 722 in the left-right direction.

[0102] The sheet cutter 13 is equipped with a support plate 74. The support plate 74 is positioned below the laser head 73. The support plate 74 is fixed to the lower part of the housing 712. The support plate 74 extends in the front-to-back direction and the left-to-right direction.

[0103] The support plate 74 includes a support surface 74A. The support surface 74A is the upper surface of the support plate 74. The support surface 74A faces the nozzle surface 73A in the vertical direction. The support surface 74A supports the transfer film 51.

[0104] The support surface 74A has a specific color. The support surface 74A serves as the background for the primary additional information L1 when the reading device 78, described later, reads the primary additional information L1. Therefore, it is preferable that the specific color is one that makes it easy for the reading device 78 to read the primary additional information L1. The material of the support plate 74 and the color of the support surface 74A are preferably determined considering the amount of reflected light on the support surface 74A.

[0105] The sheet cutter 13 includes a pair of tension rollers 751 and 752. The tension rollers 751 and 752 are each positioned upstream of the laser head 73 in the sheet transport direction. In this embodiment, the tension rollers 751 and 752 are each positioned near the upstream end of the support plate 74 in the sheet transport direction.

[0106] The tension roller 752 is positioned near the top of the tension roller 751. The pair of tension rollers 751 and 752 face each other in the vertical direction.

[0107] The tension rollers 751 and 752 each extend in the left-right direction. The tension rollers 751 and 752 are each rotatably supported by the main frame of the housing 712.

[0108] The pair of tension rollers 751 and 752 apply tension to the transfer film 51 in the upstream direction of the sheet conveying between them. This suppresses the occurrence of wrinkles and sagging in the transfer film 51. The pair of tension rollers 751 and 752 guide the transfer film 51 to the support plate 74. When the transfer film 51 is conveyed from upstream to downstream in the sheet conveying direction, the tension rollers 751 and 752 each rotate in accordance with the conveying of the transfer film 51.

[0109] The sheet cutter 13 is equipped with a slack detection sensor 76. The slack detection sensor 76 is positioned upstream of the tension rollers 751 and 752 in the sheet transport direction. The slack detection sensor 76 detects whether or not there is slack in the transfer film 51. The type of slack detection sensor 76 is not limited to a specific type. In this embodiment, the slack detection sensor 76 is an optical sensor.

[0110] The sheet cutter 13 includes a pair of conveying rollers 771 and 772, a tension roller 773, and a winding roller 774.

[0111] The transport rollers 771 and 772 are each positioned downstream of the laser head 73 in the sheet transport direction. In this embodiment, the transport rollers 771 and 772 are each positioned near the downstream end of the support plate 74 in the sheet transport direction.

[0112] The conveyor roller 772 is positioned near the top of the conveyor roller 771. The pair of conveyor rollers 771 and 772 face each other in the vertical direction.

[0113] The transport rollers 771 and 772 each extend in the left-right direction. The transport rollers 771 and 772 are each rotatably supported by the main frame of the housing 712.

[0114] The pair of transport rollers 771 and 772 sandwich the transfer film 51 between them. In this way, the pair of transport rollers 771 and 772 define the transport path of the transfer film 51.

[0115] The tension roller 773 is positioned diagonally behind and below the conveyor roller 771. The tension roller 773 extends in the left-right direction. The tension roller 773 is rotatably supported by the main frame of the housing 712.

[0116] The tension roller 773 contacts the waste film 53. This allows the tension roller 773 to define the transport path of the waste film 53. In this embodiment, the tension roller 773 defines the transport path of the transfer film 51 such that the waste film 53, having passed in front of the transport roller 771, moves away from the transport roller 771 towards the rear. The tension roller 773 applies tension to the waste film 53. The tension roller 773 guides the waste film 53 to the winding roller 774.

[0117] The winding roller 774 is positioned downstream of the conveying rollers 771 and 772 in the sheet conveying direction. In this embodiment, the winding roller 774 is positioned diagonally downward in front of the conveying rollers 771 and 772.

[0118] The winding roller 774 extends in the left-right direction. The winding roller 774 is rotatably supported by the main frame of the housing 712.

[0119] The downstream end of the waste film 53 is connected to the outer circumferential surface of the winding roller 774 in the sheet conveying direction. In other words, the downstream end of the transfer film 51 is connected to the outer circumferential surface of the winding roller 774 in the sheet conveying direction.

[0120] The conveying roller 771 and the winding roller 774 are each connected to the sheet conveying motor 770 shown in Figure 4 via a power transmission mechanism. The power transmission mechanism includes gears, pulleys, belts, etc.

[0121] A pair of transport rollers 771 and a winding roller 774 are rotated by the drive of a sheet transport motor 770. The rotation of the pair of transport rollers 771 feeds the waste film 53 to the winding roller 774 via the tension roller 773 and feeds the transfer film piece 52 to the inversion tray 14. The transport roller 772 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the transport roller 772.

[0122] The winding roller 774 rotates to wind up the transfer film piece 52. As a result, the pair of conveying rollers 771 and winding roller 774 convey the transfer film 51 from upstream to downstream in the sheet conveying direction.

[0123] The sheet cutter 13 is equipped with a reading device 78. The reading device 78 is positioned above the support plate 74. The reading device 78 is positioned upstream of the laser head 73 in the sheet transport direction. The reading device 78 is positioned downstream of the pair of tension rollers 751 and 752 in the sheet transport direction. The reading device 78 is fixed to the housing 712.

[0124] In this embodiment, the reading device 78 is a code reader. The reading device 78 is, for example, a camera. The reading device 78 reads the primary additional information L1 when the primary additional information L1 is placed within the reading range 78S.

[0125] The reading range 78S is formed between the pair of tension rollers 751 and 752 and the laser head 73 in the sheet transport direction. The reading range 78S of the reading device 78 is formed on the support plate 74. In other words, the reading range 78S of the reading device 78 is formed within the sheet cutter 13.

[0126] The sheet cutter 13 includes a control box 79. The control box 79 is located below the housing 712. The control box 79 is fixed to the bottom surface of the housing 712. The control box 79 houses the control board 10 shown in Figure 4.

[0127] The sheet cutter 13 is equipped with a supply roller 775. The supply roller 775 is positioned upstream of the pair of tension rollers 751 and 752 in the sheet conveying direction.

[0128] The supply roller 775 extends in the left-right direction. The supply roller 775 is rotatably supported by the main frame of the housing 712. In this embodiment, the supply roller 775 is not used.

[0129] The inverting tray 14 is positioned downstream of the pair of conveying rollers 771 and 772 in the sheet conveying direction.

[0130] The inverting tray 14 comprises a base 81, a fixed plate 82, a shaft 83, and a movable plate 84.

[0131] The base 81 is positioned below the inverting tray 14. The base 81 supports the fixing plate 82 from below.

[0132] The fixing plate 82 is fixed to the upper end of the base 81. The fixing plate 82 extends in the front-rear and left-right directions.

[0133] The shaft 83 is positioned at the rear end of the fixing plate 82. The shaft 83 extends in the left-right direction. The shaft 83 is rotatably supported by the fixing plate 82.

[0134] Axle 83 is connected to the reversing motor 830 shown in Figure 4. Axle 83 rotates when driven by the reversing motor 830.

[0135] One end of the movable plate 84 is fixed to the shaft 83. The movable plate 84 moves between the receiving position and the reversing position as the shaft 83 rotates. In Figure 2, the movable plate 84 positioned in the receiving position is shown by a solid line. In Figure 2, the movable plate 84 positioned in the reversing position is shown by a dashed line.

[0136] In this embodiment, when the shaft 83 rotates clockwise in a left-side view, the movable plate 84 moves from the receiving position to the inverted position. When the shaft 83 rotates counterclockwise in a left-side view, the movable plate 84 moves from the inverted position to the receiving position.

[0137] When the movable plate 84 is positioned in the receiving position, the other end of the movable plate 84 is positioned behind the one end of the movable plate 84. When the movable plate 84 is positioned in the receiving position, the other end of the movable plate 84 is positioned above the one end of the movable plate 84. Therefore, when the movable plate 84 is positioned in the receiving position, the other end of the movable plate 84 is both the rear end and the upper end of the movable plate 84. As a result, when the movable plate 84 is positioned in the receiving position, in a side view, the movable plate 84 extends from top to bottom as it moves from rear to front.

[0138] When the movable plate 84 is positioned at the receiving position, the other end of the movable plate 84 is positioned near the front and slightly below the conveyor roller 771.

[0139] When the movable plate 84 is positioned in the receiving position, the movable plate 84 receives the transfer film piece 52 from the pair of transport rollers 771 and 772.

[0140] When the movable plate 84 is positioned in the reversed position, the other end of the movable plate 84 is positioned near the top of the front end of the fixed plate 82. In other words, when the movable plate 84 is positioned in the reversed position, the movable plate 84 overlaps the fixed plate 82 from above.

[0141] The inversion tray 14 moves the movable plate 84 from the receiving position to the inversion position, and inverts the orientation of the transfer film piece 52 vertically.

[0142] The cutting process using the sheet cutter 13 will now be explained. The cutting process is the operation in which the sheet cutter 13 cuts the transfer film 51 with a laser beam 73L.

[0143] In the cutting process, the sheet cutter 13 emits a high-power laser beam 73L to the laser transmitter 730 shown in Figure 4. The laser transmitter 730 emits the laser beam 73L. The laser head 73 is supplied with the laser beam 73L emitted by the laser transmitter 730.

[0144] The laser head 73 emits a high-power laser beam 73L and irradiates the transfer film 51 from the nozzle. As a result, the sheet cutter 13 cuts the transfer film 51 by cutting.

[0145] The laser transmitter 730 is not limited to a specific type. In this embodiment, the laser transmitter 730 emits laser light 73L using a gas. The gas used in the laser transmitter 730 is not limited to a specific type. In this embodiment, the type of gas used in the laser transmitter 730 is carbon dioxide.

[0146] In this embodiment, the high power is such that when the laser beam 73L from the laser head 73 irradiates the transfer film 51, a hole is made in the transfer film 51. In other words, the high power is such that when the laser beam 73L from the laser head 73 irradiates the transfer film 51, the transfer film 51 is cut.

[0147] The sheet cutter 13 performs cutting while relatively transporting the transfer film 51 in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions relative to the laser head 73. In this embodiment, the sheet cutter 13 transports the laser head 73 back and forth in the left-to-right direction and performs cutting while transporting the transfer film 51 from upstream to downstream in the sheet transport direction.

[0148] In this embodiment, the sheet cutter 13 cuts the transfer film 51 into transfer film pieces 52 and waste film 53 by cutting.

[0149] The transfer film piece 52 includes a region of the transfer film 51 containing the image L0 and secondary additional information L2. The transfer film piece 52 does not include the primary additional information L1.

[0150] The waste film 53 is the portion of the transfer film 51 that was not cut out as a transfer film piece 52. The waste film 53 contains primary additional information L1. The waste film 53 may be discarded thereafter.

[0151] In this embodiment, the sheet cutter 13 cuts out the transfer film piece 52 from the transfer film 51. Therefore, the waste film 53 is the portion of the transfer film 51 that was not cut out by the sheet cutter 13. The waste film 53 remains connected to the portion of the transfer film 51 upstream of the laser head 73 in the sheet transport direction.

[0152] The forming process using the sheet cutter 13 will now be explained. The forming process is the operation in which the sheet cutter 13 forms laser marks on the transfer film 51 using a laser beam 73L. In this embodiment, the sheet cutter 13 forms secondary additional information L2 on the transfer film 51 through the forming process.

[0153] In the forming process, the sheet cutter 13 emits a laser beam 73L at a low power to the laser transmitter 730. The magnitude of the low power is lower than the magnitude of the high power.

[0154] The laser head 73 emits low-power laser light 73L and irradiates the transfer film 51 from the nozzle. As a result, the sheet cutter 13 forms laser marks on the transfer film 51 through a forming process.

[0155] In this embodiment, the low power is such that when the laser beam 73L from the laser head 73 irradiates the transfer film 51, it does not create a hole in the transfer film 51. In other words, the low power is such that when the laser beam 73L from the laser head 73 irradiates the transfer film 51, it does not cause a dent in the transfer film 51. In other words, the low power is such that when the laser beam 73L from the laser head 73 irradiates the transfer film 51, it does not cut the transfer film 51. The low power is such that when the laser beam 73L from the laser head 73 irradiates the transfer film 51, it does not cause discoloration of the transfer film 51.

[0156] The sheet cutter 13 performs the forming process while transporting the transfer film 51 relative to the laser head 73 in the front-back and left-right directions. In this embodiment, the sheet cutter 13 transports the laser head 73 back and forth in the left-right direction and performs the forming process while transporting the transfer film 51 from upstream to downstream in the sheet transport direction.

[0157] As described above, in this embodiment, the cutting process and the forming process are performed by a common laser head 73.

[0158] The transport path of the transfer film 51 in the sheet cutter 13 will be described. The transfer film 51 is transported by the rotation of the transport rollers 771, 772 and the winding roller 774. In this case, the transfer film 51 passes over the slack detection sensor 76 from rear to front.

[0159] The transfer film 51, having passed through the slack detection sensor 76, passes between a pair of tension rollers 751 and 752 from rear to front. The transfer film 51, having passed between the pair of tension rollers 751 and 752, passes over the support plate 74 from rear to front.

[0160] The transfer film 51, having passed over the support plate 74, passes between a pair of transport rollers 771 and 772 from rear to front. Once the transfer film 51 has passed between the pair of transport rollers 771 and 772, the transfer film pieces 52 that have been separated from the transfer film 51 are transferred from the transport rollers 771 and 772 to the movable plate 84.

[0161] Meanwhile, the transfer film 51 that has passed between the pair of transport rollers 771 and 772 moves from front to back as it moves from top to bottom along the outer circumferential surface of the transport rollers 771 and 772. The transfer film 51 that has passed between the pair of transport rollers 771 and 772 is the waste film 53.

[0162] The waste film 53, transported along the conveyor roller 771, passes over the tension roller 773 from front to back. After passing over the tension roller 773, the waste film 53 moves downward along the outer surface of the tension roller 773. The waste film 53 transported along the tension roller 773 is then wound up by the winding roller 774.

[0163] The inversion operation by the inversion tray 14 will now be explained. As described above, when the transfer film 51 passes between the pair of transport rollers 771 and 772, the transfer film pieces 52 separated from the transfer film 51 are transferred from the transport rollers 771 and 772 to the movable plate 84. In this case, the transfer film pieces 52 are placed on the movable plate 84.

[0164] When the movable plate 84 moves from the receiving position to the reversal position while the transfer film piece 52 is placed on the movable plate 84, the transfer film piece 52 is transferred from the movable plate 84 to the fixed plate 82. In this case, the orientation of the transfer film piece 52 is reversed vertically. In this embodiment, the reversal of the orientation of the transfer film piece 52 vertically is referred to as "the transfer film piece 52 being reversed."

[0165] Referring to Figure 3, the transfer film 51 will be described. The transfer film 51 has a long shape. The transfer film 51 has a thin film shape. The transfer film 51 has a base material 511 and a receiving layer 512.

[0166] The base material 511 is thin paper or plastic film. The base material 511 may also be a composite film of thin paper and plastic film.

[0167] The receiving layer 512 is laminated on the substrate 511. The receiving layer 512 contains components for agglomerating the ink. The components for agglomerating the ink are, for example, polyvalent metal salts. The receiving layer 512 may further contain, for example, a cationic urethane resin, a cationic fixative, and a filler.

[0168] The receiving layer 512 is transparent to visible light. Furthermore, the receiving layer 512 causes the ink applied to it to aggregate. As a result, the ink layer is fixed to the receiving layer 512.

[0169] In the transfer film 51, a release layer may be laminated between the substrate 511 and the receiving layer 512.

[0170] In the following, the side of the transfer film 51 that is made up of the base material 511 will be referred to as the "front side," and the side of the transfer film 51 that is made up of the receiving layer 512 will be referred to as the "back side."

[0171] In this embodiment, the transfer film 51 is placed on the sheet support base 15 with the substrate 511 facing downwards and the receiving layer 512 facing upwards. In other words, the transfer film 51 is placed on the sheet support base 15 with its front surface facing downwards and its back surface facing upwards. As a result, in the printer 11, the receiving layer 512 faces the inkjet head 111. Therefore, the ink ejected from the nozzles of the inkjet head 111 lands on the receiving layer 512 in the transfer film 51.

[0172] The receiving layer 512 receives the ink that lands on it. In other words, the ink that lands on it becomes fixed to the receiving layer 512. As a result, an ink layer is formed on the receiving layer 512 in the transfer film 51. In other words, an image L0 is formed on the receiving layer 512 in the transfer film 51.

[0173] In this embodiment, the transfer film 51 is transparent. However, the transfer film 51 may be semi-transparent or opaque. Semi-transparent means that the light transmittance is such that the reading device 78 can read the primary additional information L1 or secondary additional information L2 formed on one side of the transfer film 51 from the other side of the transfer film 51.

[0174] The electrical configuration of the printing system 100 will now be described. The control board 10 includes a CPU 91, a flash memory 92, and a RAM 93. The CPU 91, flash memory 92, and RAM 93 are electrically connected to each other. The CPU 91 controls the printing system 100.

[0175] Flash memory 92 is a non-volatile memory. Flash memory 92 stores various types of data. For example, programs are stored in flash memory 92.

[0176] The program consists of computer-readable instructions. The program is executed by the CPU 91. When the program is executed by the CPU 91, it instructs the CPU 91 to perform various processes. The program includes a control program for executing the main process, which is shown in Figure 5 and described later.

[0177] RAM93 temporarily stores various types of data. These types of data include flags used in the main process, and data acquired, identified, calculated, or determined during the main process.

[0178] In this embodiment, the interface is denoted as "IF". The CPU 91 is electrically connected to the drive circuits 970, 971, 972, 973, 974, 975, 976, 977, 978, and 979 via the input / output IF 96.

[0179] The inkjet head 111 is electrically connected to the drive circuit 970. The drive circuit 970 ejects ink from the nozzles of the inkjet head 111 according to the control of the CPU 91.

[0180] The solenoid valve 123 is electrically connected to the drive circuit 971. The drive circuit 971 opens and closes the solenoid valve 123 according to the control of the CPU 91.

[0181] The heater 122 is electrically connected to the drive circuit 972. The drive circuit 972 generates heat in the heater 122 according to the control of the CPU 91.

[0182] The head transport motor 720 is electrically connected to the drive circuit 973. The drive circuit 973 drives the head transport motor 720 according to the control of the CPU 91.

[0183] The drive circuit 974 is electrically connected to the laser oscillator 730. The drive circuit 974 emits laser light 73L from the laser oscillator 730 at high or low power according to the control of the CPU 91.

[0184] The sheet transport motor 770 is electrically connected to the drive circuit 975. The drive circuit 975 drives the sheet transport motor 770 according to the control of the CPU 91.

[0185] The solenoid valve 214 is electrically connected to the drive circuit 976. The drive circuit 976 opens and closes the solenoid valve 214 according to the control of the CPU 91.

[0186] The heater 213 is electrically connected to the drive circuit 977. The drive circuit 977 generates heat in the heater 213 according to the control of the CPU 91.

[0187] The pallet transport motor 220 is electrically connected to the drive circuit 978. The drive circuit 978 drives the pallet transport motor 220 according to the control of the CPU 91.

[0188] The reversing motor 830 is electrically connected to the drive circuit 979. The drive circuit 979 drives the reversing motor 830 according to the control of the CPU 91.

[0189] The CPU 91 is electrically connected to the sagging detection sensor 76, the reading device 78, the encoder 223, the robot controller 40, the user IF 18, the reading device 19, the reading device 17, and the communication IF 95 via the input / output interface 96.

[0190] The sagging detection sensor 76 outputs a signal to the CPU 91 indicating whether or not there is sagging in the transfer film 51. The CPU 91 performs various controls based on the signal from the sagging detection sensor 76. For example, if the CPU 91 detects that there is sagging in the transfer film 51 based on the signal from the sagging detection sensor 76, it notifies an error.

[0191] The reader 78 reads the information. The reader 78 outputs a signal to the CPU 91 indicating the information it has read. The CPU 91 analyzes the information based on the signal from the reader 78.

[0192] The encoder 223 is fixed to the pallet transport motor 220. The encoder 223 detects the rotation angle of the pallet transport motor 220. The encoder 223 outputs a signal indicating the detected rotation angle to the CPU 91. Based on the signal from the encoder 223, the CPU 91 determines the position of the pallet 31 on the transport device 22.

[0193] The robot controller 40 is mounted on the transfer robot 41. The robot controller 40 includes a CPU, flash memory, RAM, etc. The robot controller 40 controls the transfer robot 41 according to the control of the CPU 91. The robot controller 40 outputs the control results to the CPU 91.

[0194] The user interface (IF18) receives user input. The user interface (IF18) outputs a signal to the CPU (CPU91) corresponding to the received input. The CPU (CPU91) performs various controls based on the signals from the user interface (IF18).

[0195] The reader 19 reads the information. The reader 19 outputs a signal to the CPU 91 indicating the information it has read. The CPU 91 analyzes the information based on the signal from the reader 19.

[0196] The reader 17 reads the information. The reader 17 outputs a signal to the CPU 91 indicating the information it has read. The CPU 91 analyzes the information based on the signal from the reader 17.

[0197] The communication interface 95 is connected to the external server 99 via the network 98. The CPU 91 communicates with the external server 99 via the communication interface 95.

[0198] Referring to Figure 5, the main process will be explained. When power is turned on to the control board 10, the CPU 91 starts the main process by reading the control program from the flash memory 92 and executing it.

[0199] The CPU 91 controls DTF printing by executing the main process. In this embodiment, the CPU 91 automatically performs the image formation process, the adhesive layer formation process, and the transfer process in the order of image formation process, adhesive layer formation process, and transfer process by executing the main process.

[0200] As shown in state ST1 in Figure 6, at the start of the main process, no image L0 or the like has been formed on the transfer film 51.

[0201] In this embodiment, the main process is started with the pallet 31 positioned at the set position P11 shown in Figure 1. The user places the shirt to be transferred 61 onto the pallet 31 at the set position P11.

[0202] As shown in Figure 5, when the main processing starts, the CPU 91 reads the target additional information L6 shown in Figure 1 via the reader 19 shown in Figure 1 (S11). In the process of S11, the CPU 91 identifies the image ID from the read target additional information L6.

[0203] CPU 91 obtains the corresponding data shown in Figure 7 from the external server 99 shown in Figure 4 (S12).

[0204] As shown in Figure 7, the external server 99 shown in Figure 4 stores corresponding data for each image ID. In the example in Figure 7, the external server 99 stores corresponding data ABC1 for image ID "ABC1", corresponding data ABC2 for image ID "ABC2", and so on.

[0205] The corresponding data includes image data, data indicating the printing position of image L0, data indicating the formation position of secondary additional information L2, and data indicating the cutting position.

[0206] The image data shows the image L0 and primary additional information L1 that are printed on the transfer film 51 by the printer 11. In other words, the image data shows the image L0 to which the image ID is associated, and the primary additional information L1 that indicates the image ID.

[0207] The printing position of image L0 is the position on the transfer film 51 where image L0 is printed. The data indicating the printing position of image L0 shows the printing position of image L0 in the front, back, left, and right directions in the coordinate system of the printer 11.

[0208] For example, a print area is extracted. The print area includes the area of ​​image L0 and the area of ​​primary additional information L1. The print area may be, for example, a square or a rectangle. One of the four corners of the extracted print area is set as the print start position for image L0. Furthermore, the print start position of primary additional information L1 can also be determined based on the print start position of image L0.

[0209] The formation position of the secondary additional information L2 is the position where the sheet cutter 13 forms the secondary additional information L2 on the transfer film 51 by the forming process. The data indicating the formation position of the secondary additional information L2 shows the formation position of the secondary additional information L2 in the front, back, left, and right directions in the coordinate system of the sheet cutter 13. The formation position of the secondary additional information L2 is determined based on the formation position of the primary additional information L1. In this embodiment, when the corresponding data is generated, the formation position of the secondary additional information L2 is determined in advance based on the formation position of the primary additional information L1.

[0210] For example, the range of secondary additional information L2 is extracted. The range of secondary additional information L2 may be, for example, a square or a rectangle. One of the four corners of the extracted range of secondary additional information L2 is set as the starting position for the formation of secondary additional information L2. The extracted range of secondary additional information L2 is determined so as not to overlap with the range of image L0 and the range of primary additional information L1.

[0211] The cut position is the trajectory of the laser beam 73L when the sheet cutter 13 cuts the transfer film 51 by cutting. The data indicating the cut position shows the cut position in the front, back, left, and right directions in the coordinate system of the sheet cutter 13. The cut position is set so that the transfer film piece 52 contains the image L0 and secondary additional information L2.

[0212] In the S12 process shown in Figure 5, the CPU 91 notifies the external server 99 of the image ID identified in the S11 process. Upon receiving the image ID from the CPU 91, the external server 99 sends the corresponding data to the printing system 100. The CPU 91 receives the corresponding data sent from the external server 99. For example, if the image ID identified in the S11 process is "ABC1", the CPU 91 obtains the corresponding data ABC1 for the image ID "ABC1" in the S12 process.

[0213] After the user confirms that the corresponding data has been acquired by the CPU 91 in the S12 process, the user inputs an instruction to start DTF printing to the printing system 100 via the user IF18 shown in Figure 4. In this case, the CPU 91 acquires the instruction to start DTF printing via the user IF18 (S21).

[0214] The CPU 91 transports the pallet 31 from the set position P11 shown in Figure 1 to the pallet stocker 222 shown in Figure 1 (S22). In this case, the pallet 31 is transported along the arrow A11 shown in Figure 1.

[0215] The CPU 91 performs image formation processing (S31). In image formation processing (S31), the CPU 91 controls the inkjet head 111 based on the image data acquired in processing S12 and data indicating the printing position of image L0. The inkjet head 111 ejects ink from the nozzles onto the transfer film 51.

[0216] The ejected ink prints the image L0, indicated by the image data, onto the transfer film 51 at the position indicated by the printing position of image L0. The primary additional information L1, indicated by the image data, is printed onto the transfer film 51 at a predetermined position. The predetermined position is a position where, in a plan view, the primary additional information L1 does not overlap with the image L0.

[0217] As shown in state ST2 in Figure 6, when the image forming process (S31) is performed, an image L0 and primary additional information L1 are formed on the receiving layer 512 of the transfer film 51. The process in which the image forming process (S31) is performed is the image forming process.

[0218] Furthermore, an adhesive layer L3 is formed on the primary additional information L1 during the adhesive layer formation process. Therefore, the reading accuracy of the primary additional information L1 by the reading device 78 may decrease due to the adhesive layer L3. In this embodiment, the primary additional information L1 is of a size that allows the reading device 78 to read the primary additional information L1 even when the adhesive layer L3 is formed on it.

[0219] As shown in Figure 5, after the processing in S31, the CPU 91 performs an adhesive layer formation process (S41). In the adhesive layer formation process (S41), the CPU 91 transports the transfer film 51 shown in Figure 1 and places the image L0 and primary additional information L1 formed in the image formation process (S31) into the powder shaker 12 shown in Figure 1. In this state, the CPU 91 controls the solenoid valve 123 and heater 122 shown in Figure 4.

[0220] As the solenoid valve 123 opens and closes, the coating spray 121 shown in Figure 1 sprays powder onto the transfer film 51. The heater 122 shown in Figure 1 generates heat, melting the powder. As a result, an adhesive layer L3 is formed on the image L0 and the primary additional information L1, as shown in state ST3 in Figure 6.

[0221] The receiving layer 512, image L0, and adhesive layer L3 are arranged from bottom to top in the order of receiving layer 512, image L0, and adhesive layer L3. The receiving layer 512, primary additional information L1, and adhesive layer L3 are arranged from bottom to top in the order of receiving layer 512, primary additional information L1, and adhesive layer L3. The process in which the adhesive layer formation process (S41) is performed is the adhesive layer formation process.

[0222] As shown in Figure 5, after the adhesive layer formation process (S41), the CPU 91 reads the primary additional information L1 via the reading device 78 shown in Figure 2 while transporting the transfer film 51 shown in Figure 1 (S51). In this case, the reading device 78 reads the primary additional information L1 via the adhesive layer L3. The CPU 91 identifies the image ID from the read primary additional information L1.

[0223] In the S51 process, after the adhesive layer formation process (S41) and before the cutting process in the S54 process described later, the CPU 91 reads the primary additional information L1. Based on the read primary additional information L1, the CPU 91 can identify the formation location of the primary additional information L1. Based on the identified formation location of the primary additional information L1, the CPU 91 can identify the formation location of the secondary additional information L2, which is associated with the image ID. The primary additional information L1 is used to generate the secondary additional information L2.

[0224] The CPU 91 generates secondary additional information L2 indicating the image ID identified in the processing of S51 (S52).

[0225] The CPU 91 forms secondary additional information L2 on the transfer film 51 shown in Figure 2 by forming it with the sheet cutter 13 shown in Figure 2 (S53).

[0226] In this embodiment, the CPU 91 controls the laser head 73 shown in Figure 2 based on data indicating the formation position of the secondary additional information L2 acquired in the processing of S12. The CPU 91 causes the laser transmitter 730 shown in Figure 4 to emit low-power laser light 73L. The laser head 73 irradiates the transfer film 51 with low-power laser light 73L from the nozzle.

[0227] As a result, as shown in state ST4 in Figure 6, the irradiated low-power laser light 73L causes the secondary additional information L2 generated in the S52 process to be formed on the transfer film 51 at the location where the secondary additional information L2 is formed.

[0228] In this embodiment, the formation position of the secondary additional information L2 is different from the position on the transfer film 51 where the primary additional information L1 is formed. In other words, the secondary additional information L2 is formed on the transfer film 51 at a position that does not overlap with the primary additional information L1 in a plan view.

[0229] In this embodiment, the formation position of the secondary additional information L2 is different from the position on the transfer film 51 where the image L0 is formed. In other words, the secondary additional information L2 is formed on the transfer film 51 at a position that does not overlap with the image L0 in a plan view.

[0230] In this embodiment, the process in S53 is performed on the transfer film 51 after the ink has been ejected by the inkjet head 111.

[0231] As shown in Figure 5, after the process in S53, the CPU 91 cuts the transfer film 51 shown in Figure 2 by cutting with the sheet cutter 13 shown in Figure 2 (S54).

[0232] In this embodiment, the CPU 91 controls the laser head 73 shown in Figure 2 based on the data indicating the cut position acquired in the processing of S12. The CPU 91 causes the laser transmitter 730 shown in Figure 4 to emit laser light 73L at high power.

[0233] The laser head 73 irradiates the transfer film 51 with high-power laser light 73L from the nozzle. As a result, as shown in state ST4 in Figure 6, the irradiated high-power laser light 73L cuts the transfer film 51 into transfer film pieces 52 and waste film 53.

[0234] As shown in Figure 5, after the processing in S54, the CPU 91 inverts the transfer film piece 52 shown in Figure 2 by an inversion operation using the inversion tray 14 shown in Figure 2 (S61).

[0235] In this embodiment, the CPU 91 transports the transfer film 51 and transfers the transfer film piece 52 from the sheet cutter 13 to the inversion tray 14. In this case, the transfer film piece 52 is placed on the movable plate 84. In this state, the CPU 91 performs an inversion operation. As a result, the transfer film piece 52 is inverted, as shown in state ST5 in Figure 6.

[0236] As shown in Figure 5, after processing in S61, the CPU 91 transports the pallet 31 from the pallet stocker 222 shown in Figure 1 to the transfer position P12 shown in Figure 1 (S62). In this case, the pallet 31 is transported along arrow A12 shown in Figure 1.

[0237] The CPU 91 outputs an instruction to the robot controller 40 shown in Figure 4 to place the transfer film piece 52 shown in Figure 1 onto the transfer shirt 61 shown in Figure 1 (S63).

[0238] When the robot controller 40 receives instructions from the CPU 91, it controls the transfer robot 41 shown in Figure 1 to transfer the transfer film piece 52 from the inversion tray 14 to the shirt 61 to be transferred. In process S62, the pallet 31 is positioned at the transfer position P12 shown in Figure 1. As a result, the transfer film piece 52 is placed on the shirt 61 to be transferred, as shown in state ST6 in Figure 6.

[0239] As shown in Figure 5, after the processing in S63, the CPU 91 performs a determination process (S64). In the determination process (S64), the CPU 91 reads the target additional information L6 and secondary additional information L2 on the pallet 31 via the reading device 17 shown in Figure 1. The CPU 91 determines whether the image ID indicated by the target additional information L6 and the image ID indicated by the secondary additional information L2 are the same.

[0240] For example, if the image ID indicated by target additional information L6 is different from the image ID indicated by secondary additional information L2, the CPU 91 stops the main processing. In this case, the CPU 91 may report an error. If the image ID indicated by target additional information L6 is the same from the image ID indicated by secondary additional information L2, the CPU 91 proceeds to processing S71.

[0241] The CPU 91 transports the pallet 31 from the transfer position P12 shown in Figure 1 to the heat press machine 21 shown in Figure 1, and performs a heat press operation using the heat press machine 21 (S71). In this case, the pallet 31 is transported along the arrow A13 shown in Figure 1.

[0242] As a result of the S71 process, the transfer film piece 52 is pressed onto the shirt to be transferred 61 between the fixed plate 211 and the movable plate 212, as shown in state ST7 in Figure 6. This transfers the image L0 from the transfer film piece 52 to the shirt to be transferred 61. The process in which the S71 process is performed is the transfer process. In the transfer process, the image L0 is transferred from the transfer film 51 to the shirt to be transferred 61 by the heat press machine 21 pressing the transfer film 51 onto the shirt to be transferred 61.

[0243] The secondary additional information L2 is formed by a processing method using a sheet cutter 13 and is not formed by ink. Therefore, the secondary additional information L2 is not transferred from the transfer film piece 52 to the transfer shirt 61.

[0244] As shown in Figure 5, the CPU 91 discharges the pallet 31 from the heat press machine 21 shown in Figure 1 to the discharge position P13 shown in Figure 1 (S72). In this case, the pallet 31 is transported along the arrow A14 shown in Figure 1. The CPU 91 returns to the process of S11.

[0245] As shown in state ST8 in Figure 6, when the transfer film piece 52 is removed from the transfer shirt 61, an image L0 is formed on the transfer shirt 61. Neither primary additional information L1 nor secondary additional information L2 is formed on the transfer shirt 61.

[0246] The main effects and advantages of the above embodiment will be explained.

[0247] In the above embodiment, the CPU 91 controls the laser head 73 to form secondary additional information L2 on the transfer film 51 in a non-transfer manner (S53). The non-transfer manner is a manner in which the secondary additional information L2 is not transferred from the transfer film piece 52 to the transfer shirt 61 during the transfer process. In the above embodiment, the non-transfer manner is a formation process using laser light 73L. That is, a manner in which no ink is used. Therefore, the sheet cutter 13 contributes to suppressing the transfer of secondary additional information L2 from the transfer film piece 52 to the transfer shirt 61 during the transfer process.

[0248] After the transfer film 51 is processed by the laser head 73 in S53, it is cut into a transfer film piece 52 and a waste film 53 (S54). The transfer film piece 52 contains the image L0. The waste film 53 contains primary additional information L1. The CPU 91 forms secondary additional information L2 on the transfer film piece 52 of the transfer film 51 in a non-transfer manner (S53).

[0249] When the transfer film 51 is cut into a transfer film piece 52 and a waste film 53, the waste film 53 is selected to be sent to the transfer process. In the above embodiment, the waste film 53 is wound onto the winding roller 774. In other words, the waste film 53 is not sent to the transfer process. Therefore, the primary additional information L1 is not transferred to the transfer shirt 61.

[0250] Meanwhile, secondary additional information L2 is formed on the transfer film piece 52. The transfer film piece 52 is sent to the transfer process. For example, the secondary additional information L2 is used in a subsequent process. Since the secondary additional information L2 is formed on the transfer film piece 52 in a non-transfer manner, it is not transferred from the transfer film piece 52 to the transfer shirt 61 in the transfer process. Therefore, the sheet cutter 13 contributes to suppressing the transfer of both the secondary additional information L2 and the primary additional information L1 from the transfer film 51 to the transfer shirt 61 in the transfer process.

[0251] In the above embodiment, secondary additional information L2 is generated based on the image ID identified from the primary additional information L1 (S52). Furthermore, the generated secondary additional information L2 is formed on the transfer film 51. Therefore, it can be said that the secondary additional information L2 is formed based on the primary additional information L1.

[0252] Thus, when the primary additional information L1 is formed on the transfer film 51, the CPU 91 forms the secondary additional information L2 on the transfer film 51 in a non-transfer manner based on the primary additional information L1 (S53). For this reason, the sheet cutter 13 contributes to forming the secondary additional information L2 in the process of S53 by utilizing the primary additional information L1.

[0253] In the above embodiment, the transfer film 51 is transparent. Furthermore, the secondary additional information L2 is formed directly on the transfer film 51. In other words, there is no opaque seal between the secondary additional information L2 and the transfer film 51. Therefore, the reading device 78 can read the secondary additional information L2 from both sides of the transfer film piece 52.

[0254] For example, consider a case where multiple transfer film pieces 52 exist, each with its front and back facing outwards. Even in this case, the CPU 91 can easily find the target transfer film piece 52 from among the multiple transfer film pieces 52 based on the reading results from the reader 78.

[0255] Furthermore, the CPU 91 can determine whether the transfer film piece 52 is facing up or down based on the reading result from the reader 78. Therefore, the sheet cutter 13 helps to prevent the transfer film piece 52 from being placed on the transfer shirt 61 in an inappropriate orientation.

[0256] In the above embodiment, secondary additional information L2 corresponds to the "additional information" of the present invention. The processing in S53 corresponds to the "media processing" of the present invention. The sheet cutter 13 corresponds to the "processing unit" of the present invention. The CPU 91 corresponds to the "control unit" of the present invention.

[0257] The heat press machine 21 corresponds to the "press machine" of the present invention. The primary additional information L1 corresponds to the "other additional information" of the present invention. The area contained in the transfer film piece 52 corresponds to the "image area" of the present invention. The area contained in the waste film 53 corresponds to the "information area" of the present invention.

[0258] The present invention may be modified in various ways from the above embodiments. Various modifications are described below. These modifications may be combined with each other as long as they do not create inconsistencies.

[0259] In the above embodiment, a supply roller 755 may be used. The case in which the supply roller 755 is used will be described below.

[0260] Once the adhesive layer formation process is complete, the transfer film 51 is wound into a roll. This forms a film roll 50. The film roll 50 is then mounted on the supply roller 755. In other words, with the image L0 and primary additional information L1 formed on the transfer film 51, and the adhesive layer L3 formed on the image L0 and primary additional information L1, the film roll 50 is mounted on the supply roller 755.

[0261] The transport path of the transfer film 51 when the supply roller 755 is used is described below. The transfer film 51 is transported by the rotation of the transport roller 771 and the winding roller 774. In this case, the transfer film 51 is drawn out from the film roll 50 mounted on the supply roller 755. The transfer film 51 drawn out from the film roll 50 passes upward behind the slack detection sensor 76.

[0262] The transfer film 51, having passed through the slack detection sensor 76, moves forward along the slack detection sensor 76 and is supplied between the tension rollers 751 and 752. The transfer film 51, having passed between the tension rollers 751 and 752, is supported by the support surface 74A, as in the above embodiment. The subsequent transport path of the transfer film 51 is the same as in the above embodiment. Therefore, the description of the subsequent transport path of the transfer film 51 is omitted.

[0263] The transfer film 51 may be transported on the support plate 74 with the support surface 74A and the receiving layer 512 facing each other in the vertical direction. In other words, the transfer film 51 may be transported with its front surface facing upwards and its back surface facing downwards. In this case, the primary additional information L1 is read by the reading device 78 while the transfer film 51 is inverted. Furthermore, the cutting process is performed while the transfer film 51 is inverted.

[0264] When the transfer film 51 is cut while it is inverted, an inverted transfer film piece 52 is created. For this reason, the inversion operation by the inversion tray 14 may be omitted. In this case, the inversion tray 14 may omit the function of inverting the transfer film piece 52.

[0265] In the above embodiment, the sheet cutter 113 shown in Figures 8 and 9 may be used instead of the sheet cutter 13 shown in Figure 2. The sheet cutter 113 will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. In the following, components of the sheet cutter 113 that have the same function or shape as those of the sheet cutter 13 will be given the same reference numerals as those of the sheet cutter 13, and their descriptions will be omitted or simplified.

[0266] The sheet cutter 113, like the sheet cutter 13, comprises a base 711, a support plate 74, a pair of transport rollers 771 and 772, a tension roller 773, a winding roller 774, a reading device 78, a control box 79, and a supply roller 775. Unlike the sheet cutter 13, the sheet cutter 113 omits the laser head 73. Other components of the sheet cutter 13 may be omitted in the sheet cutter 113, or they may be provided in the same way as the sheet cutter 13.

[0267] The sheet cutter 113 comprises a standard plate 171 and a support column 172.

[0268] The standard plate 171 is positioned at the upstream end of the support plate 74 in the sheet transport direction. The standard plate 171 extends in the left-right direction.

[0269] The standard plate 171 has a slit. The slit penetrates the space between the standard plate 171 and the support plate 74 in the front-to-back direction. As shown in Figure 9, the transfer film 51 passes through the slit in the standard plate 171 from rear to front.

[0270] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the support column 172 is positioned in the center of the standard plate 171 in the left-right direction. The support column 172 extends upward from the standard plate 171.

[0271] The reading device 78 is fixed to the upper end of the support column 172.

[0272] The sheet cutter 113 is equipped with a label printer 173. The label printer 173 is located at the right end of the support plate 74.

[0273] The label printer 173 is, for example, a thermal printer. The label printer 173 is equipped with a thermal head 173A as shown in Figure 10. The label printer 173 creates a label sticker 173B by driving the thermal head 173A.

[0274] The label seal 173B may be transparent, semi-transparent, or opaque. In this embodiment, semi-transparent refers to a light transmittance such that the reading device 78 can read the secondary additional information L2 formed on the lower surface of the label seal 173B from above.

[0275] If the label sticker 173B is opaque, the thermal head 173A prints secondary additional information L2 on the top surface of the label sticker 173B. In this case, the secondary additional information L2 may indicate that it is the back surface. If the label sticker 173B is transparent or semi-transparent, the thermal head 173A prints secondary additional information L2 on the top or bottom surface of the label sticker 173B.

[0276] The label sticker 173B has an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer is located on the underside of the label sticker 173B.

[0277] The sheet cutter 113 includes a guide rail 174 and a support block 170. The guide rail 174 is positioned downstream of the reading device 78 in the sheet transport direction. The guide rail 174 extends in the left-right direction. The guide rail 174 is positioned above the support plate 74.

[0278] The support block 170 is supported by the guide rail 174. Driven by the label left / right motor 174A shown in Figure 10, the support block 170 moves left and right along the guide rail 174, as indicated by arrow A31 in Figure 8.

[0279] The support block 170 has a gripper 170A. The gripper 170A is supported by the support block 170. The gripper 170A moves vertically with respect to the support block 170 as shown by the arrow A32 in FIG. 9 by the drive of the label vertical motor 170B shown in FIG. 10.

[0280] The gripper 170A is, for example, a suction gripper. The gripper 170A grasps or releases the label seal 173B by the drive of the suction motor 170C shown in FIG. 10.

[0281] The sheet cutter 113 includes a pair of guide rails 175A, 175B, a pair of support columns 176A, 176B, a guide rail 177, a support block 178, and a cutter shaft 179.

[0282] The pair of guide rails 175A, 175B are arranged downstream of the guide rail 174 in the sheet conveyance direction. The guide rail 175A is fixed to the right end of the support plate 74. The guide rail 175B is fixed to the left end of the support plate 74. The pair of guide rails 175A, 175B extend in the front - rear direction.

[0283] The pair of support columns 176A, 176B extend in the vertical direction. The support column 176A is supported by the guide rail 175A. The support column 176B is supported by the guide rail 175B. The pair of support columns 176A, 176B move in the front - rear direction along the pair of guide rails 175A, 175B as shown by the arrow A33 by the drive of the cutter front - rear motor 175C shown in FIG. 10.

[0284] The guide rail 177 extends in the left - right direction. The right end of the guide rail 177 is fixed to the upper end of the support column 176A. The left end of the guide rail 177 is fixed to the upper end of the support column 176B.

[0285] The support block 178 is supported by the guide rail 177. The support block 178 moves in the left - right direction along the guide rail 177 as shown by the arrow A34 in FIG. 8 by the drive of the cutter left - right motor 177A shown in FIG. 10.

[0286] The cutter shaft 179 is supported by the support block 178. Driven by the cutter vertical motor 178A shown in Figure 10, the cutter shaft 179 moves vertically relative to the support block 178, as indicated by arrow A35 in Figure 9. Driven by the cutter rotation motor 178B shown in Figure 10, the cutter shaft 179 rotates relative to the support block 178 in a plan view, as indicated by arrow A36 in Figure 8.

[0287] The cutter shaft 179 has a cutter blade 179A. The cutter blade 179A is positioned at the lower end of the cutter shaft 179. When the cutter blade 179A contacts the transfer film 51, the transfer film 51 is cut.

[0288] Referring to Figure 10, the electrical configuration between the sheet cutter 113 and the control board 10 when the sheet cutter 113 is used will be explained. In Figure 10, the diagrams of the configuration other than the part showing the electrical relationship between the CPU 91 and the sheet cutter 13 are omitted.

[0289] The control board 10 shown in Figure 10 differs from the control board 10 shown in Figure 4 in that it includes drive circuits 981, 982, 983, 984, 985, 986, 987, and 988 instead of drive circuits 973 and 974 shown in Figure 4. Drive circuits 981 to 988 are connected to the CPU 91 via input / output IF 96.

[0290] The drive circuit 981 drives the label left / right motor 174A under the control of the CPU 91. The drive circuit 982 drives the label up / down motor 170B under the control of the CPU 91. The drive circuit 983 drives the suction motor 170C under the control of the CPU 91.

[0291] Drive circuit 984 drives the cutter front and rear motors 175C under the control of CPU 91. Drive circuit 985 drives the cutter left and right motors 177A under the control of CPU 91. Drive circuit 986 drives the cutter up and down motor 178A under the control of CPU 91. Drive circuit 987 drives the cutter rotation motor 178B under the control of CPU 91.

[0292] The drive circuit 988 selectively heats the thermal head 173A under the control of the CPU 91.

[0293] The main processing when the sheet cutter 113 is used will be described. In the main processing when the sheet cutter 113 is used, the processes S53 and S54 shown in Figure 5 differ from the main processing shown in Figure 5. Therefore, for example, the process of S31 shown in Figure 5 in which the image L0 and primary additional information L1 are formed on the transfer film 51 is the same as in the above embodiment.

[0294] In the S53 process, the CPU 91 controls the thermal head 173A to create a label sticker 173B on which the secondary additional information L2 is printed.

[0295] In the S53 process, the CPU 91 transports the gripper 170A in the left-right and up-down directions, and the gripper 170A performs suction. As a result, the gripper 170A grasps the label seal 173B from the label printer 173.

[0296] In the S53 process, the CPU 91 transports the gripper 170A in the left-right and up-down directions, and stops the suction by the gripper 170A. As a result, the gripper 170A attaches the grasped label seal 173B to the transfer film 51. The label seal 173B is attached to the transfer film 51 at the formation position of the secondary additional information L2.

[0297] In the S54 process, the CPU 91 rotates the cutter shaft 179 to orient the cutter blade 179A in the cutting direction. The CPU 91 moves the cutter shaft 179 in the forward / backward, left / right, and up / down directions to cut the transfer film 51 into transfer film pieces 52 and waste film 53.

[0298] When the main processing is performed using the sheet cutter 113, a transfer film piece 52 as shown in Figure 11 is created. That is, as shown in Figure 11, a transfer film piece 52 is created with the label seal 173B attached in a direction that covers the secondary additional information L2 with the label seal 173B. In other words, the secondary additional information L2 is placed between the surface of the label seal 173B and the transfer film piece 52. In this case, the secondary additional information L2 is not exposed. The receiving layer 512, the secondary additional information L2, and the label seal 173B are arranged in the order of receiving layer 512, secondary additional information L2, and label seal 173B from bottom to top.

[0299] Subsequently, the transfer film piece 52 shown in Figure 11 is sent to the transfer process. Note that the discard film 53 on which the primary additional information L1 has been formed is not sent to the transfer process. In the transfer process, a label seal 173B is interposed between the secondary additional information L2 and the shirt to be transferred 61. Therefore, the sheet cutter 113 contributes to suppressing the transfer of the secondary additional information L2 from the transfer film piece 52 to the shirt to be transferred 61 during the transfer process.

[0300] Note that the CPU 91 does not need to print the secondary additional information L2 on the label seal 173B during processing S53. In this case, the CPU 91 may attach the label seal 173B onto the primary additional information L1 during processing S53. In other words, the CPU 91 may attach a seal without any additional information on it onto the primary additional information L1. In this case, the CPU 91 may identify the data identified based on the secondary additional information L2 in the above embodiment based on the primary additional information L1.

[0301] Furthermore, if a seal without additional information is attached to the primary additional information L1, the CPU 91 may cut the transfer film 51 in the S54 process so as to surround the primary additional information L1 and the image L0. In this case, as shown in Figure 12, a transfer film piece 52 is created that includes the image L0 and the primary additional information L1 to which the label seal 173B is attached. The adhesive layer L3 on the image L0 is exposed. The adhesive layer L3 on the primary additional information L1 is not exposed.

[0302] As described above, the CPU 91 controls the gripper 170A in the process of S53 and performs regulated processing on the primary additional information L1 formed on the transfer film 51. For this reason, the sheet cutter 113 contributes to suppressing the transfer of the secondary additional information L2 from the transfer film piece 52 to the transfer target shirt 61 in the transfer process.

[0303] The regulated processing is a processing for regulating the code transfer processing on the secondary additional information L2 formed on the transfer film 51. For example, the regulated processing is a processing for attaching the label seal 173B on the primary additional information L1.

[0304] Note that the sheet cutter 113 may not include the label printer 173. In this case, a plurality of unprinted label seals 173B may be stacked at the position where the label printer 173 is arranged.

[0305] The timing at which the unprinted label seal 173B is attached to the primary additional information L1 may be changed. For example, the label seal 173B may be attached to the primary additional information L1 before the adhesive layer forming process. In this case, in the adhesive layer forming process, the formation of the adhesive layer L3 on the primary additional information L1 is suppressed.

[0306] For example, the label seal 173B may be attached to the primary additional information L1 after the primary additional information L1 becomes unnecessary and before the transfer process. In this case, the label seal 173B may be opaque.

[0307] In the above embodiment, the CPU 91 may change the adhesive layer formation process (S41). For example, the CPU 91 may control the coating spray 121 and the heater 122 to form an adhesive layer L3 on the image L0, but not on the primary additional information L1. Furthermore, in the process of S54, the CPU 91 may cut the transfer film 51 so as to surround the primary additional information L1 and the image L0. In this case, as shown in Figure 13, a transfer film piece 52 is created that includes the image L0 on which the adhesive layer L3 is formed and the primary additional information L1 on which the adhesive layer L3 is not formed.

[0308] The secondary additional information L2 may or may not be formed on the transfer film 51.

[0309] As described above, the CPU 91 performs image transfer processing on the image L0 formed on the transfer film 51, but does not perform information transfer processing on the primary additional information L1 formed on the transfer film 51. Therefore, the sheet cutter 113 contributes to suppressing the transfer of primary additional information L1 from the transfer film piece 52 to the transfer shirt 61 during the transfer process.

[0310] Image transfer processing is a process in which an image L0 is transferred from a transfer film 51 to a transfer shirt 61 during the transfer process. For example, image transfer processing is a process in which an adhesive layer L3 is formed on the image L0.

[0311] Information transfer processing is a process for transferring primary additional information L1 from a transfer film 51 to a transfer shirt 61 during the transfer process. For example, image transfer processing is a process for forming an adhesive layer L3 on the primary additional information L1.

[0312] In the above embodiment, the printer 11 may form the adhesive layer L3 on the transfer film 51 instead of the powder shaker 12. For example, in the process of S41, the printer 11 may eject the adhesive liquid from the inkjet head 111 onto the image L0. In this case, the printer 11 does not need to eject the adhesive liquid from the inkjet head 111 onto the primary additional information L1. The adhesive liquid forms an adhesive layer on the image L0. In this case, powder may not be used.

[0313] Referring to Figures 14 and 15, the press area 21R is defined. The transfer film piece 52 includes an opposing surface 52A. The opposing surface 52A faces the transfer shirt 61 in the vertical direction during the transfer process. The opposing surface 52A is composed of a receiving layer 512.

[0314] The press area 21R is included in the opposing surface 52A. The press area 21R is the area of ​​the opposing surface 52A that is pressed onto the transfer shirt 61 by the heat press machine 21 during the transfer process.

[0315] In the image forming process (S31), the CPU 91 may, as a non-transfer method, form primary additional information L1 in a region of the transfer film piece 52 different from the press region 21R.

[0316] The portion of the transfer film piece 52 that is different from the press region 21R includes, for example, the portion of the opposing surface 52A that is outside the press region 21R. Furthermore, the portion of the transfer film piece 52 that is different from the press region 21R includes, for example, the surface of the transfer film piece 52 that is opposite to the opposing surface 52A in the vertical direction. The surface of the transfer film piece 52 that is opposite to the opposing surface 52A in the vertical direction is the back surface of the transfer film piece 52. The back surface of the transfer film piece 52 does not come into contact with the shirt 61 to be transferred during the transfer process.

[0317] In this case, the primary additional information L1 is formed in a region of the transfer film piece 52 that is different from the press region 21R. Therefore, the sheet cutter 13 contributes to suppressing the transfer of the primary additional information L1 from the transfer film piece 52 to the transfer shirt 61 during the transfer process.

[0318] Furthermore, the primary additional information L1 may include positional information of the transfer film piece 52 relative to the heat press machine 21 during the transfer process. The positional information of the transfer film piece 52 relative to the heat press machine 21 during the transfer process indicates the position where the pallet 31 stops when the heat press operation is performed in the pallet transport direction.

[0319] In the process of S71, the CPU 91 controls the stopping position of the pallet 31 in the pallet transport direction based on the position information of the transfer film piece 52 relative to the heat press machine 21. Thus, the primary additional information L1 may be used to position the transfer film piece 52 relative to the heat press machine 21 when the transfer film piece 52 is set in the heat press machine 21.

[0320] For example, if the transfer film piece 52 is positioned on the heat press machine 21 based on the positional information of the transfer film piece 52 relative to the heat press machine 21, displacement of the transfer film piece 52 from the target position relative to the heat press machine 21 is suppressed. Therefore, the primary additional information L1 is suppressed from being pressed by the heat press machine 21 during the transfer process. Thus, the sheet cutter 13 contributes to suppressing the transfer of the primary additional information L1 from the transfer film piece 52 to the transfer shirt 61 during the transfer process.

[0321] Furthermore, the primary additional information L1 may include positional information of the image L0 relative to the transfer film piece 52. In this case, for example, when the transfer film piece 52 is placed in the heat press machine 21 based on the positional information of the image L0 relative to the transfer film piece 52, it is suppressed that the image L0 is not pressed by the heat press machine 21. Thus, the sheet cutter 13 contributes to suppressing transfer defects of the image L0 from the transfer film 51 to the transfer shirt 61 in the transfer process.

[0322] In addition, secondary additional information L2 may be formed in a region of the transfer film piece 52 that is different from the press region 21R.

[0323] As shown in Figure 16, a label sticker 173B with secondary additional information L2 printed on it may be attached to the back side of the transfer film piece 52, which is the side opposite to the opposing surface 52A in the vertical direction. In this case, it is preferable that the label sticker 173B be attached in a position that overlaps with the image L0 when viewed from the vertical direction, because this reduces the margin of the transfer film piece 52.

[0324] When a label seal 173B with secondary additional information L2 printed on it is attached to the back of the transfer film piece 52, it is preferable that either the label seal 173B or the base material 511, or both, be opaque. This is to suppress reading problems caused by the background of the secondary additional information L2 being read by the reader device 78. If the label seal 173B is opaque, the base material 511, the label seal 173B, and the secondary additional information L2 should be arranged in the order of base material 511, label seal 173B, and secondary additional information L2 from top to bottom.

[0325] In the above embodiment, the transfer film piece 52 may include primary additional information L1. For example, as shown in Figure 17, in the process of S54, the CPU 91 cuts the transfer film 51 so that the transfer film piece 52 includes the image L0 and the primary additional information L1.

[0326] The transfer film piece 52 includes region 52C and region 52D. Region 52C includes image L0. Region 52D includes primary additional information L1. When the transfer film piece 52 shown in Figure 17 is created, the CPU 91 may cut the transfer film 51 such that region 52D protrudes from region 52C in the transfer film piece 52.

[0327] In addition, during the process in S54, the transfer film 51 does not need to be cut so that the transfer film piece 52 contains the image L0 and the primary additional information L1. In this case, it is preferable that the press region 21R does not include region 52D, and that the press region 21R includes region 52C.

[0328] When the transfer film piece 52 shown in Figure 17 is produced, the printing system 100 may include a sheet cutter other than the sheet cutter 13. The other sheet cutter is located near the transfer robot 41.

[0329] After the transfer robot 41 receives the transfer film piece 52 from the inversion tray 14, it sets the transfer film piece 52 in another sheet cutter before placing the transfer film piece 52 on the shirt to be transferred 61.

[0330] Another sheet cutter cuts the transfer film piece 52 into region 52D and region 52C. The transfer robot 41 grasps the film of region 52C and places it on the transfer shirt 61.

[0331] The secondary additional information L2 may be included in either the region containing the primary additional information L1 or the region containing the image L0. The secondary additional information L2 does not necessarily have to be formed on the transfer film piece 52.

[0332] In the above embodiment, the CPU 91 may be connected to some of the devices of the printer 11, powder shaker 12, sheet cutter 13, inversion tray 14, heat press machine 21, conveying device 22, robot controller 40, and external server 99. For example, the CPU 91 does not need to be connected to the printer 11, powder shaker 12, inversion tray 14, heat press machine 21, conveying device 22, robot controller 40, and external server 99. In this case, the sheet cutter 13 operates independently.

[0333] When the sheet cutter 13 operates independently, the CPU 91 may omit processes S11-S41 and S61-S72 in the main processing.

[0334] The CPU 91 does not need to be connected to the printer 11, powder shaker 12, inversion tray 14, heat press machine 21, conveyor 22, and robot controller 40. In this case, the sheet cutter 13 operates while communicating with an external server 99.

[0335] When the sheet cutter 13 operates while communicating with an external server 99, the CPU 91 may omit processes S11 to S41 and S61 to S72 in the main processing. Furthermore, after reading the primary additional information L1 in process S51, the CPU 91 may obtain corresponding data from the external server 99. In process S52, the CPU 91 may generate secondary additional information L2 based on the obtained corresponding data. In this case as well, it can be said that the CPU 91 generates secondary additional information L2 based on the primary additional information L1.

[0336] In the above embodiment, the main transport path 221 may have a plurality of transfer positions P12. In this case, the transfer robot 41 may be equipped with a reading device. The secondary additional information L2 may include data for identifying any of the plurality of transfer positions P12.

[0337] The robot controller 40 may identify one of a plurality of transfer positions P12 based on the secondary additional information L2 read by the reading device. The robot controller 40 may control the transfer robot 41 and transfer the transfer film piece 52 from the inversion tray 14 to the transfer shirt 61 on the pallet 31 located at the identified transfer position P12.

[0338] In the above embodiment, the printing system 100 may include a dryer. The dryer may be positioned between the printer 11 and the powder shaker 12 in the sheet transport direction. In this case, DTF printing may include a drying step. The drying step may be performed between the image formation step and the adhesive layer formation step. In the drying step, the CPU 91 may control the dryer so as not to dry the ink forming the image L0, but to dry the primary additional information L1.

[0339] The dryer may have a heating surface. The area of ​​the heating surface may be larger than the area of ​​the primary additional information L1. For example, the area of ​​the heating surface may not exceed 1.2 times the area of ​​the primary additional information L1. The heating surface may have a shape such that, when viewed from above, the entirety of the primary additional information L1 overlaps with the heating surface. In other words, when the heating surface faces the primary additional information L1 in the vertical direction, the primary additional information L1 does not need to extend beyond the heating surface when viewed from above.

[0340] If the dryer has a heating surface, during the drying process, the dryer may bring the heating surface close to the primary additional information L1. In this state, the dryer may heat the heating surface and dry the ink that forms the primary additional information L1. During the drying process, the dryer may bring the heating surface into contact with the primary additional information L1.

[0341] In the above embodiment, the printer 11 may print the primary additional information L1 onto the transfer film 51 in a horizontally inverted state. For example, if the primary additional information L1 before horizontal inversion is the string "iipi", the string after horizontal inversion will be "iqii". For example, if the primary additional information L1 is a QR code (registered trademark), whether or not it has been horizontally inverted can be determined by the position of the finder pattern.

[0342] In the above embodiment, the printer 11 may print the white portion of the primary additional information L1 and the margin surrounding the primary additional information L1 using ink. Furthermore, the printer 11 does not need to print the black portion of the primary additional information L1 using ink.

[0343] In the above embodiment, the printer 11 may print the portion of the primary additional information L1 that represents black using ink. Furthermore, the printer 11 does not need to print the portion of the primary additional information L1 that represents white using ink.

[0344] In the above embodiment, the printer 11 may print the portion of the primary additional information L1 that indicates black using black ink as the first black ink print. Subsequently, the printer 11 may print the entire primary additional information L1, including the margins around it, using white ink as the white ink print. Subsequently, the printer 11 may print the portion of the primary additional information L1 that indicates black using black ink as the second black ink print.

[0345] In the first black ink print, the primary additional information L1 may be reversed horizontally. In the second black ink print, the primary additional information L1 does not need to be reversed horizontally.

[0346] The data indicated by the primary additional information L1 printed in the first black ink print and the data indicated by the primary additional information L1 printed in the second black ink print may be different from each other. For example, the primary additional information L1 printed in the second black ink print includes data indicating that the reader 78 is reading the primary additional information L1 from the back side. The primary additional information L1 printed in the first black ink print does not include data indicating that the reader 78 is reading the primary additional information L1 from the back side.

[0347] If the black areas of the primary additional information L1 printed in the first black ink print and the primary additional information L1 printed in the second black ink print overlap, the following processing may be performed. Hereinafter, the overlapping area of ​​the black areas of the primary additional information L1 printed in the first black ink print and the primary additional information L1 printed in the second black ink print will simply be referred to as the "overlapping area".

[0348] In the white ink printing, printer 11 prints the areas excluding the overlapping parts. In the second black ink printing, printer 11 also prints the areas excluding the overlapping parts. In this case, printer 11 contributes to reducing the consumption of both black and white ink.

[0349] In the above embodiment, the printer 11 may be equipped with five inks: white, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. In this case, the printer 11 may print the primary additional information L1 onto the transfer film 51 using any of the inks other than white. The ink other than white is, for example, black ink. In this case, the printer 11 contributes to reducing the consumption of white ink.

[0350] In the following, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black inks will be referred to as "color inks."

[0351] For example, a background layer may be formed on image L0 using white ink. That is, image L0 may be formed by ejecting color ink onto the transfer film 51, and then ejecting white ink on top of the color ink layer. On the other hand, a background layer of white ink is not required for primary additional information L1. Thus, the printer 11 may have different print settings for image L0 and primary additional information L1.

[0352] The printer 11 may also use white ink to print the primary additional information L1 onto the transfer film 51, including the parts of the primary additional information L1 that indicate colors other than white.

[0353] The printer 11 may print the image L0 onto the transfer film 51 at a first resolution. The printer 11 may also print the primary additional information L1 onto the transfer film 51 at a second resolution. The second resolution is lower than the first resolution. In this case, the printer 11 contributes to shortening the time required for the image formation process.

[0354] The printer 11 may print the image L0 onto the transfer film 51 with a first ink amount. The printer 11 may also print the primary additional information L1 onto the transfer film 51 with a second ink amount. If the area of ​​the part of the image L0 that uses ink is the same as the area of ​​the part of the primary additional information L1 that uses ink, the second ink amount is less than the first ink amount. In this case, the printer 11 contributes to reducing ink consumption without degrading the image quality of the image L0.

[0355] In the above embodiment, the printer 11 may print the primary additional information L1 onto the transfer film 51 by stippling. The size of a single dot formed by stippling may be such that the powder does not substantially adhere to the ink forming the dot.

[0356] In the above embodiment, the reading device 78 may read the primary additional information L1 from the front surface. The reading device 78 may read the primary additional information L1 from the back surface. The reading device 78 may read the primary additional information L1 from both the front surface and the back surface.

[0357] The reading device 17 may read the secondary additional information L2 from the front surface. The reading device 17 may read the secondary additional information L2 from the back surface. The reading device 17 may read the secondary additional information L2 from both the front surface and the back surface.

[0358] The CPU 91 may identify the image ID based on the additional information it reads, regardless of whether it reads the primary additional information L1 or the secondary additional information L2 from either the front or back surface. The CPU 91 may also obtain the corresponding data from the external server 99 based on the identified ID.

[0359] For example, if the CPU 91 determines that the reading device 17 has read the secondary additional information L2 from the back side, it may notify the robot controller 40 of a request to invert the transfer film piece 52.

[0360] The inversion tray 14 may be equipped with an inversion confirmation device. The inversion confirmation device is, for example, a device equivalent to the reading device 78. The reading range may be on the fixed plate 82. The inversion confirmation device may read the secondary additional information L2 from the transfer film piece 52 placed on the fixed plate 82. The CPU 91 may determine whether the transfer film piece 52 has been inverted by the inversion operation based on the reading result from the inversion confirmation device.

[0361] In the above embodiment, the printing system 100 may include a peeling device. The peeling device may be located downstream of the heat press machine 21 in the pallet transport direction. The peeling device may include a gripper.

[0362] The peeling device may peel the transfer film piece 52 from the transfer shirt 61 on the pallet 31 with the pallet 31 positioned at the discharge position P13. In this case, the peeling device may grasp the portion containing the secondary additional information L2 with a gripper. If primary additional information L1 is formed on the transfer film piece 52, the peeling device may grasp the portion containing the primary additional information L1 with a gripper.

[0363] In the above embodiment, the reading device 78 reads the primary additional information L1 from the transfer film 51 after the adhesive layer formation process. Alternatively, the reading device 78 may read the primary additional information L1 from the transfer film 51 before the adhesive layer formation process.

[0364] In the above embodiment, the powder shaker 12 may be equipped with a reader 78. The printer 11 may be equipped with a reader 78. The sheet cutter 13 may be positioned between the printer 11 and the powder shaker 12 in the sheet transport direction. Another inkjet printer, described later, may be equipped with a reader 78. In these cases, the sheet cutter 13 may be equipped with a reader 78, or it may be omitted.

[0365] In the above embodiment, the transfer robot 41 may position the transfer film piece 52 on the shirt 61 to be transferred such that a portion of the transfer film piece 52 protrudes from the shirt 61 when viewed from above. Hereinafter, when the transfer film piece 52 is positioned on the shirt 61 by the transfer robot 41, the portion of the transfer film piece 52 that protrudes from the shirt 61 when viewed from above will simply be referred to as the "protruding portion." In this case, the laser head 73 may form secondary additional information L2 on the protruding portion. The printer 11 may print primary additional information L1 on the protruding portion.

[0366] If the printing system 100 is equipped with the above-mentioned peeling device, the peeling device may use a gripper to grasp the protruding portion.

[0367] In the above embodiment, some of the corresponding data stored by the external server 99 may be stored in the flash memory 92. The primary additional information L1 may include some or all of the data relating to the corresponding image ID. Similarly to the primary additional information L1, the secondary additional information L2 may also include some or all of the data relating to the corresponding image ID.

[0368] In the above embodiment, the CPU 91 does not need to communicate with the external server 99. In this case, the corresponding data may be stored in the flash memory 92. The primary additional information L1 may include some or all of the corresponding data for the corresponding image ID. For example, the primary additional information L1 may include position information of image L0 relative to the transfer film 51. In this case, the sheet cutter 13 contributes to the use of the primary additional information L1 and secondary additional information L2 according to the transfer process or other processes.

[0369] Similar to the primary supplementary information L1, the secondary supplementary information L2 may also include some or all of the corresponding data for the corresponding image ID.

[0370] The data indicated by primary supplementary information L1 and the data indicated by secondary supplementary information L2 may be different from each other.

[0371] The primary additional information L1 and secondary additional information L2 may include data for identifying the relative relationship between the printing position and angle of the primary additional information L1 and the printing position and angle of the image L0.

[0372] The primary additional information L1 and the secondary additional information L2 may include data for identifying the transfer position and angle of the image L0 on the transfer shirt 61.

[0373] In the above embodiment, the additional information may include information for distinguishing one transfer film 51 from other transfer films 51. The additional information may include information for distinguishing one transfer film piece 52 from other transfer film pieces 52. The additional information may include information for distinguishing one shirt to be transferred 61 from other shirts to be transferred 61.

[0374] In the above embodiment, the reading device 78 may be positioned below the transport path of the transfer film 51.

[0375] In the above embodiment, the sheet cutter 13 may be equipped with multiple laser heads 73. In this case, cutting and forming may be performed by separate laser heads 73. The laser head 73 for forming may be located in a separate device from the sheet cutter 13.

[0376] In the above embodiment, the secondary additional information L2 may be formed by a method other than the formation process using the laser beam 73L. For example, the sheet cutter 13 may be equipped with a scraping rod. In this case, the sheet cutter 13 may scrape the surface of the transfer film 51 with the scraping rod along the shape of the secondary additional information L2.

[0377] For example, the sheet cutter 13 may be equipped with dot pins. In this case, the sheet cutter 13 may use the dot pins to strike the transfer film 51, thereby creating a depression on the surface of the transfer film 51 in accordance with the shape of the secondary additional information L2.

[0378] The printer 11 may eject multiple types of ink from the inkjet head 111. These multiple types of ink may include, for example, quick-drying ink and slow-drying ink. The drying speed of the quick-drying ink is greater than the drying speed of the slow-drying ink. For example, the drying speed of the quick-drying ink is such that it dries between the end of the image formation process and the start of the adhesive layer formation process.

[0379] In this case, the printer 11 may print the image L0 onto the transfer film 51 using slow-drying ink. The printer 11 may also print the primary additional information L1 onto the transfer film 51 using quick-drying ink. Alternatively, another inkjet printer may print the primary additional information L1 onto the transfer film 51 using quick-drying ink instead of the printer 11.

[0380] In the above embodiment, the printing system 100 may include an inkjet printer separate from the printer 11. The separate inkjet printer may be located inside the powder shaker 12. The separate inkjet printer may be located downstream of the powder shaker 12 in the sheet transport direction. Preferably, the separate inkjet printer is located upstream of the laser head 73 in the sheet transport direction.

[0381] Another inkjet printer may print the primary additional information L1 onto the transfer film 51 instead of printer 11. For example, another inkjet printer may print the primary additional information L1 onto the transfer film 51 after the powder has been applied to the transfer film 51 during the adhesive layer formation process.

[0382] After the powder is applied to the transfer film 51, it may be before, for example, the adhesive layer L3 is formed. Before the adhesive layer L3 is formed, the applied powder has not yet been dissolved by the heater 122. In this case, the powder shaker 12 can dry the ink that forms the primary additional information L1 by the heat generated by the heater 122.

[0383] After the powder is applied to the transfer film 51, for example, the adhesive layer L3 may be in the process of being formed. During the formation of the adhesive layer L3, the applied powder is being dissolved by the heater 122. The period during which the applied powder is being dissolved by the heater 122 is from the start to the stop of heating by the heater 122. In this case, the powder shaker 12 can dry the ink forming the primary additional information L1 by the heat generated by the heater 122, while suppressing the powder from adhering to the primary additional information L1.

[0384] After the powder is applied to the transfer film 51, for example, an adhesive layer L3 may be formed. In this case, the possibility of the powder adhering to the primary added information L1 is further suppressed.

[0385] The printer 11 may perform double-sided printing. In this case, it is preferable that pre-cut transfer film pieces 52 are set in the printer 11 instead of the transfer film 51. The printer 11 may print the image L0 on the receiving layer 512 of the transfer film piece 52 and print primary additional information L1 on the substrate 511. In other words, the printer 11 may print the image L0 on the back side of the transfer film piece 52 and print the primary additional information L1 on the front side.

[0386] The shirt to be transferred, 61, may be assigned an RF tag instead of the target additional information L6.

[0387] In the above embodiment, the CPU 91 may share the cut position and the formation position of the secondary additional information L2.

[0388] In the above embodiment, the process in S53 may be performed on the transfer film 51 before the ink is ejected by the inkjet head 111.

[0389] In the above embodiment, the CPU 91 may, in the process of S53, form secondary additional information L2 on the transfer film 51 without relying on primary additional information L1. In other words, the CPU 91 may, in the process of S52, generate secondary additional information L2 without relying on primary additional information L1.

[0390] In the above embodiment, the heat press machine 21 does not necessarily need to be equipped with a heater 213.

[0391] In the above embodiment, the powder shaker 12 may have the coating spray 121 and the heater 122 arranged in separate devices.

[0392] In the above embodiment, the method of applying powder to the transfer film piece 52 using the powder shaker 12 may be modified. For example, a spatula may be used instead of the application spray 121, or a powder head may be used.

[0393] In the above embodiment, the method of dissolving the powder using the powder shaker 12 may be modified. For example, a laser head may be used instead of the heater 122.

[0394] Primary additional information L1 and secondary additional information L2 may be of different types. For example, primary additional information L1 may be code information and secondary additional information L2 may be character information. Primary additional information L1 may be one-dimensional code information and secondary additional information L2 may be two-dimensional code information. Similarly, target additional information L6 may be different from primary additional information L1 and secondary additional information L2.

[0395] In the above embodiment, the laser head 73 cuts out the transfer film piece 52 from the transfer film 51 during the process in S54. In other words, the laser head 73 does not cut the transfer film 51 from one end to the other in the width direction. The width direction is the left-right direction. Alternatively, the laser head 73 may cut the transfer film 51 from one end to the other in the width direction. In this case, for example, the sheet transport motor 770 may drive one or both of the tension rollers 751 and 752 to transport the transfer film 51.

[0396] The method for transporting the transfer film 51 may be changed from the above embodiment. The transfer film 51 may be transported by a belt conveyor. The transfer film 51 may be placed on a platen. In this case, the printing system 100 may transport the platen. The platen is a board.

[0397] In the above embodiment, the printing system 100 may further include one or more CPUs in addition to the CPU 91. For example, the printer 11, powder shaker 12, and heat press machine 21 may each have their own CPU. In this case, the CPU 91 may communicate with the CPUs of each device and perform the main processing.

[0398] The order of each process during the main process may be changed from the above embodiment. For example, the CPU 91 may perform process S53 after process S54. The CPU 91 may perform process S63 after process S64.

[0399] Instead of the CPU91, a microcomputer, ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), etc., may be used as the processor. The main processing may be distributed among multiple processors.

[0400] Non-temporary storage media such as flash memory 92 can be any storage medium capable of retaining information regardless of the storage period. Non-temporary storage media do not necessarily include temporary storage media. Temporary storage media are, for example, transmitted signals. The control program may be downloaded, for example, from a server connected to a network (not shown), i.e., transmitted as a transmission signal, and stored in flash memory 92. In this case, the control program only needs to be stored on a non-temporary storage medium such as an HDD provided in the server. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0401] 13 Sheet Cutter 21 Heat press machine 51 Transfer film 52 Transfer film pieces 61 Transfer-covered shirt 91 CPU 511 Base material 512 Receptor layer L1 Primary Additional Information L2 Secondary Additional Information

Claims

1. A processing unit that performs media processing on the transfer medium after the ink forming the image to be transferred from the transfer medium is ejected, or before the ink is ejected, Control unit and Equipped with, The control unit, The processing unit is instructed to perform the media processing, which forms additional information on the transfer medium in a non-transfer manner. The processing unit is instructed to perform the media processing, which involves applying regulatory processing to the additional information formed on the transfer medium. Alternatively, the processing unit is instructed to perform the media processing, which involves applying image transfer processing to the image formed on the transfer medium, and not applying information transfer processing to the additional information formed on the transfer medium. The non-transfer mode is a mode in which, in a transfer step in which the image is transferred from the transfer medium to the medium to be transferred, the additional information is not transferred from the transfer medium to the medium to be transferred. The aforementioned restrictive processing is a process that restricts the application of the information transfer processing to the additional information formed on the transfer medium, The information transfer process is a process that transfers the additional information from the transfer medium to the transfer medium in the transfer step, The image transfer process is a process that transfers the image from the transfer medium to the transfer medium in the transfer step. A processing device characterized by the following.

2. The image is transferred from the transfer medium to the medium to be transferred by pressing the transfer medium onto the medium to be transferred during the transfer process. The transfer medium includes a facing surface that faces the medium to be transferred in the transfer step, The opposing surface includes a press area that is pressed against the transfer medium in the transfer step, The control unit, As the non-transfer configuration, the processing unit is instructed to perform the media processing to form the additional information in a region of the transfer medium different from the press region. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that

3. The above image shows the transfer from the transfer medium to the transfer medium by pressing the transfer medium onto the transfer medium using a press machine. The control unit, In the transfer step, the processing unit is instructed to perform the media processing, which involves forming the additional information, including the positional information of the transfer medium relative to the press, in a non-transferable state in a region of the transfer medium different from the pressing region. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that

4. The control unit, The processing unit is instructed to perform the media processing, which involves forming the additional information, including the positional information of the image on the transfer medium, in a non-transferred state in a region of the transfer medium different from the press region. The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that

5. Additional information, separate from the aforementioned additional information, includes positional information of the image relative to the transfer medium. The control unit, The processing unit is instructed to perform the medium processing to form the additional information in the non-transfer manner at a position on the transfer medium different from the position where the other additional information is formed, The processing unit is instructed to perform the media processing, which involves applying the restrictive processing to the additional information formed in the transfer medium at a position different from the position where the other additional information is formed, Alternatively, the processing unit may be instructed to perform the media processing, which involves applying the image transfer process to the image formed on the transfer medium, and not applying the information transfer process to the additional information formed on the transfer medium at a location different from the location where the other additional information is formed. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that

6. After the transfer medium has been processed by the processing unit, it is divided into an image region and an information region. The aforementioned image region includes the aforementioned image, The information area includes the other additional information, The control unit, The processing unit is instructed to perform the media processing in which the additional information is formed in the image region of the transfer medium in the non-transfer mode. The processing unit is instructed to perform the media processing, which involves applying the restrictive processing to the additional information formed in the image region of the transfer medium. Alternatively, the processing unit may perform the media processing, which involves applying the image transfer processing to the image formed in the image region of the transfer medium, and not applying the information transfer processing to the additional information formed in the image region of the transfer medium. The apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that

7. The control unit, With the aforementioned additional information formed on the transfer medium, the processing unit is instructed to perform the medium processing to form the additional information in the non-transfer manner based on the aforementioned additional information. The apparatus according to claim 5 or 6.

8. The control unit, As the non-transfer configuration, the processing unit is instructed to perform the media processing, which involves attaching the seal on which the additional information is formed to the transfer medium in a manner that the additional information is positioned between the surface of the seal and the transfer medium. Alternatively, as the restrictive processing, the processing unit may perform the media processing, which involves covering the additional information formed on the transfer medium with a seal. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that

9. A method for controlling a processing unit that performs media processing on a transfer medium after ink forming an image to be transferred from a transfer medium is ejected, or before the ink is ejected, The processing unit is instructed to perform the media processing, which forms additional information on the transfer medium in a non-transfer manner. The processing unit is instructed to perform the media processing, which involves applying regulatory processing to the additional information formed on the transfer medium. Alternatively, the processing unit is instructed to perform the media processing, which involves applying image transfer processing to the image formed on the transfer medium, and not applying information transfer processing to the additional information formed on the transfer medium. The non-transfer mode is a mode in which, in a transfer step in which the image is transferred from the transfer medium to the medium to be transferred, the additional information is not transferred from the transfer medium to the medium to be transferred. The aforementioned restrictive processing is a process that restricts the application of the information transfer processing to the additional information formed on the transfer medium, The information transfer process is a process that transfers the additional information from the transfer medium to the transfer medium in the transfer step, The image transfer process is a process that transfers the image from the transfer medium to the transfer medium in the transfer step. A control method characterized by the following.

10. Substrate and A layer disposed on the substrate, comprising a receiving layer after the ink forming the image to be transferred to the transfer medium has been ejected, or before the ink has been ejected, Additional information and A transfer medium equipped with, The additional information is formed on the transfer medium in a non-transfer manner, Whether the aforementioned additional information has been subjected to regulatory processing, Alternatively, the image formed by the ink received by the receiving layer is subjected to image transfer processing, and the additional information is not subjected to information transfer processing. The non-transfer mode is a mode in which, in a transfer step in which the image formed by the ink received by the receiving layer is transferred from the transfer medium to the transfer medium, the additional information is not transferred from the transfer medium to the transfer medium. The aforementioned restrictive processing is a process that restricts the application of the information transfer processing to the additional information, The information transfer process is a process that transfers the additional information from the transfer medium to the transfer medium in the transfer step, The image transfer process is a process that transfers the image from the transfer medium to the transfer medium in the transfer step. A transfer medium characterized by the following.

Images