Printing methods

Abstract

The present invention provides a printing method for a medium having an adhesive layer and release sheets arranged on both sides of the adhesive layer, in which printing is performed on one side of the adhesive layer using an inkjet method, and a transfer sheet is attached to the printed side of the adhesive layer using a printing device, wherein the transfer sheet can be easily set in an appropriate state. [Solution] This printing method includes: a release sheet cutting step in which the release sheet is cut upstream of the transfer sheet attachment section 13 in the transport direction of the medium 3 after the medium 3 has been peeled off and placed in the printing device 1 so that a part of the medium 3 is placed in the transfer sheet attachment section 13; a release sheet fixing step in which the portion of the release sheet upstream of the cut portion in the release sheet cutting step in the transport direction is fixed upstream of the printing mechanism 11 in the transport direction; and a transfer sheet placement step in which the transfer sheet 4 is brought into contact with the release sheet of the medium 3 in the transfer sheet attachment section 13.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing method for performing printing by a printing apparatus that performs printing by an inkjet method on one surface of an adhesive layer of a medium having the adhesive layer and a release sheet, and affixes a transfer sheet to the printed surface of the adhesive layer.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an image transfer sheet for transferring an arbitrary image to a transfer target object is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The image transfer sheet described in Patent Document 1 includes an upper transfer film, a release sheet, an adhesive layer formed on the upper surface of the release sheet, and an image layer disposed between the adhesive layer and the transfer film. The image layer is directly printed on the upper surface of the adhesive layer by an inkjet printer or the like.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The inventors of the present application have been developing a printing apparatus that performs printing by an inkjet method on one surface of an adhesive layer of a medium having the adhesive layer and a release sheet, and affixes a transfer sheet to the printed surface of the adhesive layer. In the printing apparatus under development, a medium having a release sheet disposed on one side of the adhesive layer and a second release sheet disposed on the other side of the adhesive layer may be handled. In this case, the second release sheet is peeled off before printing on the adhesive layer. The printing apparatus under development includes a printing mechanism for performing printing by an inkjet method on the adhesive layer of the medium in a state where the second release sheet is peeled off, and a medium transport mechanism for transporting the medium. In the printing apparatus under development, it is preferable that the transfer sheet in an appropriate state can be easily set.

[0005] Therefore, the first object of the present invention is to provide a printing method for which printing is performed using an inkjet method on one side of the adhesive layer of a medium having an adhesive layer and release sheets arranged on both sides of the adhesive layer, and a transfer sheet is attached to the printed side of the adhesive layer, and which allows for easy setting of a transfer sheet in an appropriate state.

[0006] Furthermore, the inventors of the present invention are considering, in a printing apparatus under development, transporting the medium using a drive roller that contacts a release sheet positioned on one side of the adhesive layer, and a plurality of pinch rollers positioned opposite the drive roller and in contact with the adhesive layer, in order to improve the printing accuracy on the medium. The drive roller is, for example, a metal roller. Numerous fine protrusions are formed on the surface of the drive roller to increase the transport force of the medium. The plurality of pinch rollers are arranged in the width direction of the medium, perpendicular to the transport direction of the medium. The pinch rollers are, for example, made of resin or rubber. In the printing apparatus under development, it is necessary to transport the medium without problems using the drive roller and the plurality of pinch rollers.

[0007] Therefore, the second object of the present invention is to provide a printing method for printing on one side of the adhesive layer of a medium having an adhesive layer and a release sheet using an inkjet method, and for printing on the printed side of the adhesive layer using a printing apparatus, wherein the medium can be transported without hindrance using a drive roller and a plurality of pinch rollers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the first problem described above, the present invention provides a printing method for printing on one side of the adhesive layer of a medium having an adhesive layer, a first release sheet disposed on one side of the adhesive layer, and a second release sheet disposed on the other side of the adhesive layer, using an inkjet printing method, and for printing with a printing device that attaches a transfer sheet to the printed side of the adhesive layer, wherein the printing device comprises a printing mechanism for printing on the adhesive layer of the medium using an inkjet method, a medium transport mechanism for transporting the medium, and a transfer sheet attachment section for attaching a transfer sheet to the medium after printing, and the transport direction of the medium transported from the printing mechanism toward the transfer sheet attachment section Assuming the downstream side in the transport direction is defined as the upstream side in the transport direction, the printing method is characterized by comprising: a media setup step of setting the medium in the printing device before the second release sheet is peeled off so that a portion of the medium is placed in the transfer sheet attachment area; a release sheet cutting step of cutting the second release sheet upstream of the transfer sheet attachment area after the media setup step; a release sheet fixing step of fixing the portion of the second release sheet upstream of the printing mechanism in the transport direction, beyond the portion cut in the release sheet cutting step; and a transfer sheet placement step of bringing the transfer sheet into contact with the second release sheet of the medium in the transfer sheet attachment area.

[0009] In the printing method of the present invention, in the transfer sheet placement step, the transfer sheet is not brought into contact with the adhesive layer of the medium, but rather into contact with the second release sheet of the medium. Therefore, in the present invention, in the transfer sheet placement step, it is possible to easily reposition the transfer sheet so that it is placed in an appropriate state in which misalignment of the transfer sheet relative to the medium, wrinkles, and distortions of the transfer sheet are suppressed. Thus, by performing printing with the printing method of the present invention, it is possible to easily set the transfer sheet in an appropriate state. Furthermore, in the printing apparatus after preparation is complete, if the medium and the transfer sheet are transported together by a predetermined amount downstream in the transport direction, the transfer sheet will be attached to the adhesive layer.

[0010] In the present invention, for example, the medium is formed in an elongated shape with the medium transported by the medium transport mechanism in the longitudinal direction, the printing apparatus comprises a medium dispensing section to which a roll of pre-printing medium is attached, a medium winding section to which a roll of medium with a transfer sheet attached is attached, and a release sheet winding section to which a roll of second release sheet is attached, the printing mechanism comprises a platen on which the medium is placed during printing, the transfer sheet attachment section comprises a fixed side member that contacts the first release sheet and a movable side member that contacts the transfer sheet, the movable side member is movable between an attachment position in which the movable side member presses the transfer sheet onto the adhesive layer and a retracted position in which the movable side member retracts away from the medium, and the medium winding section The transfer sheet attachment section is located downstream in the transport direction from the transfer sheet attachment section, and the release sheet winding section is located upstream in the transport direction from the printing mechanism. The media setup process includes a media setup process in which a roll-shaped media is attached to the media dispensing section, and a media end fixing process in which, after the media setup process, the downstream end of the media in the transport direction is fixed to a winding core member installed in the media winding section. In the release sheet cutting process, a second release sheet is cut on a platen in the width direction of the media perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the media. In the release sheet fixing process, the end of the second release sheet is fixed to a winding core member installed in the release sheet winding section. In the transfer sheet placement process, the transfer sheet is placed between the moving side member and the media with the moving side member positioned in the retracted position, and then the moving side member is moved to the attachment position.

[0011] In the present invention, the platen is formed with a linear cutting groove for cutting the second release sheet linearly in the width direction of the medium, and in the release sheet cutting process, it is preferable to move the cutter blade along the cutting groove to cut the second release sheet. With this configuration, it becomes possible to cut the second release sheet easily and cleanly in the release sheet cutting process.

[0012] In the present invention, it is preferable to cut the second release sheet using a cutter having a cutter blade and a spring member for maintaining a constant pressure on the tip of the cutter blade in the release sheet cutting step. With this configuration, it becomes possible to easily cut only the second release sheet in the release sheet cutting step.

[0013] Furthermore, in order to solve the second problem described above, the present invention provides a printing method for printing using a printing apparatus that prints on one side of the adhesive layer of a medium having an adhesive layer and a release sheet disposed on one side of the adhesive layer using an inkjet method, and also attaches a transfer sheet to the printed side of the adhesive layer, wherein the printing apparatus comprises a printing mechanism for printing on the adhesive layer of the medium using an inkjet method, and a medium transport mechanism for transporting the medium, the medium transport mechanism comprising a drive roller that contacts the release sheet, a plurality of pinch rollers disposed opposite to the drive roller and capable of contacting the adhesive layer, and a mechanism that rotatably holds one or more pinch rollers and is arranged in the width direction of the medium perpendicular to the transport direction of the medium The printing method comprises a plurality of roller holding parts arranged in a row, the roller holding parts being movable between a transportable position in which the pinch rollers are in contact with the adhesive layer and a retracted position in which the pinch rollers are retracted away from the adhesive layer, and the printing method comprising: a first roller holding part movement step of moving the roller holding part to the transportable position after placing a portion of the medium between the drive roller and the plurality of pinch rollers with the roller holding part in the retracted position; and a second roller holding part movement step of moving the roller holding part to the retracted position if, after the first roller holding part movement step, there is a pinch roller among the plurality of pinch rollers that includes a portion that does not overlap with the adhesive layer.

[0014] In the printing method of the present invention, after the first roller holder movement step, if there is a pinch roller among the multiple pinch rollers that includes a portion that does not overlap with the adhesive layer, in the second roller holder movement step, the roller holder to which the pinch roller including the portion that does not overlap with the adhesive layer is attached is moved to a retracted position. Therefore, in the present invention, when printing with a printing device, it is possible to prevent the pinch rollers from being positioned on both sides of the edge of the adhesive layer so that the pinch rollers contact the edge of the adhesive layer in the width direction of the medium.

[0015] According to the inventors' research, if a portion of the pinch rollers is positioned on both sides of the edge of the adhesive layer so that the pinch roller contacts the edge of the adhesive layer in the width direction of the medium, there is a risk that the adhesive layer may be wound up on the pinch rollers that are in contact with the edge of the adhesive layer when the medium is transported using a drive roller and multiple pinch rollers, which may hinder the transport of the medium. In contrast, the present invention makes it possible to prevent a portion of the pinch rollers from being positioned on both sides of the edge of the adhesive layer so that the pinch roller contacts the edge of the adhesive layer in the width direction of the medium. Therefore, when printing is performed using the printing method of the present invention, it becomes possible to transport the medium without any problems using a drive roller and multiple pinch rollers.

[0016] Furthermore, in the present invention, if, after the first roller holding part movement step, there is a pinch roller among the multiple pinch rollers that includes a portion that does not overlap with the adhesive layer, the roller holding part to which the pinch roller including the portion that does not overlap with the adhesive layer is attached is moved to a retracted position in the second roller holding part movement step, thereby preventing the pinch roller from directly contacting the drive roller. Therefore, by performing printing using the printing method of the present invention, for example, even if a large number of fine protrusions are formed on the surface of a metal drive roller, it is possible to prevent damage to the pinch roller caused by the resin or rubber pinch roller directly contacting the drive roller.

[0017] In the present invention, for example, the medium includes a second release sheet disposed on the other side of the adhesive layer, and in the first roller holding portion moving step, a part of the medium before the second release sheet is peeled off is placed between the drive roller and the plurality of pinch rollers. In this case, it is possible to prevent the pinch roller from coming into contact with the adhesive layer during the preparation stage of the printing apparatus. Effects of the Invention

[0018] As described above, when printing is performed by the printing method of the present invention, it becomes possible to easily set the transfer sheet in an appropriate state. Further, when printing is performed by the printing method of the present invention, it becomes possible to convey the medium without trouble using the drive roller and the plurality of pinch rollers. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] It is a side view for explaining the configuration of a printing apparatus that performs printing by the printing method according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a schematic view for explaining the configuration of the medium shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] It is a diagram for explaining processing performed on the medium in the printing apparatus shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] It is a side view of the platen shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5] It is an enlarged view of part E in Figure 4. [Figure 6] It is an enlarged view for explaining the configuration of the platen from the F-F direction in Figure 4. [Figure 7] It is a rear view showing a part of the printing apparatus from the G-G direction in Figure 1. [Figure 8] It is a front view for explaining the configuration of part H in Figure 7 from the front side. [Figure 9] It is a side view for explaining the configuration of a roller elevating mechanism that collectively elevates the plurality of pinch rollers shown in Figure 7. [Figure 10] It is a side view for explaining the configuration of a roller elevating mechanism that collectively elevates the plurality of pinch rollers shown in Figure 7. [Figure 11] This is an enlarged side view for explaining the configuration of the roller lifting mechanism shown in FIG. 9. [Figure 12] This is an enlarged perspective view showing the connecting portion between the lever member shown in FIG. 9 and the rotating shaft shown in FIG. 11. [Figure 13] This is an enlarged side view for explaining the configuration of the slide member for individually rotating the roller holding portions shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 14] This is an enlarged view for explaining the configuration of the transfer sheet sticking unit shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 15] This is a side view for explaining the configuration of the pressure roller holding mechanism for holding the pressure roller shown in FIG. 14 at the retracted position. [Figure 16] This is a side view for explaining the configuration and operation of the pressure roller holding mechanism shown in FIG. 15. [Figure 17] This is a side view for explaining the configuration and operation of the pressure roller holding mechanism shown in FIG. 15. [Figure 18] This is a side view for explaining the configuration and operation of the pressure roller holding mechanism shown in FIG. 15. [Figure 19] This is a process diagram for explaining the printing method for performing printing with the printing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 20] This is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the pinch roller and the medium after the first roller holding portion moving step shown in FIG. 19. [Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0021] (Overall Configuration of Printing Apparatus) FIG. 1 is a side view for explaining the configuration of a printing apparatus 1 that performs printing by the printing method according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the medium 3 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the processing performed on the medium 3 in the printing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1.

[0022] The printing method in this embodiment involves printing on one side of the adhesive layer 2 of a medium 3 having an adhesive layer 2 using an inkjet method, and simultaneously attaching a transfer sheet (application sheet) 4 to the printed side of the adhesive layer 2 using a printing device 1. The medium 3 and the transfer sheet 4 are formed in a long, narrow strip shape. The medium 3 before printing, and the medium 3 after the transfer sheet 4 has been attached, are wound into a roll. The transfer sheet 4 before being attached to the medium 3 is also wound into a roll.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2(A), the medium 3 comprises a release sheet 6 as a first release sheet positioned on one side of the adhesive layer 2, and a release sheet 5 as a second release sheet positioned on the other side of the adhesive layer 2. The adhesive layer 2 is formed, for example, by a pressure-sensitive adhesive. The release sheets 5 and 6 are, for example, resin release films. The medium 3 is composed of, for example, the adhesive layer 2 and the release sheets 5 and 6. Release sheet 5 is in contact with one side of the adhesive layer 2, and release sheet 6 is in contact with the other side of the adhesive layer 2. Note that the release sheets 5 and 6 may be paper release paper.

[0024] The widths of release sheets 5 and 6 are equal in the width direction of medium 3, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of medium 3. In medium 3, release sheets 5 and 6 are positioned at the same location in the width direction of medium 3. The widths of release sheets 5 and 6 in the width direction of medium 3 are wider than the width of the adhesive layer 2 in the width direction of medium 3. In medium 3, the edge 2a of the adhesive layer 2 in the width direction of medium 3 is positioned inward in the width direction of medium 3 than the edge 5a of release sheet 5 and the edge 6a of release sheet 6 in the width direction of medium 3 (see Figure 2(B)).

[0025] Printing device 1 is, for example, a commercial inkjet printer. Printing device 1 continuously prints on medium 3 and continuously attaches transfer sheets 4 to medium 3. Printing device 1 prints on the adhesive layer 2 of medium 3 after the release sheet 5 has been peeled off. After printing, a printed layer 7 is formed on one side of the adhesive layer 2 of medium 3 (see Figure 3(A)). The release sheet 5 peeled off from medium 3 is wound into a roll. Printing device 1 also attaches the transfer sheet 4 so as to cover the entire surface of one side of the adhesive layer 2 where the printed layer 7 is formed (see Figure 3(B)).

[0026] The medium 3, on which the printed layer 7 is formed and the transfer sheet 4 is attached, is used to attach the printed layer 7 to the surface of a predetermined object to be transferred. When attaching the printed layer 7 to the surface of the object to be transferred, first, the release sheet 6 is peeled off. In that state, the adhesive layer 2 is pressed against the surface of the object to be transferred. After that, when the transfer sheet 4 is peeled off, the attachment of the printed layer 7 to the surface of the object to be transferred is completed.

[0027] The printing apparatus 1 includes a printing mechanism 11 for printing on the adhesive layer 2 of the medium 3 with the release sheet 5 removed using an inkjet method, and a medium transport mechanism 12 for transporting the medium 3. The printing apparatus 1 also includes a transfer sheet attachment section 13 for attaching the transfer sheet 4 to the printed medium 3, a medium feed section 14 to which the unprinted medium 3 wound in a roll is attached, a medium winding section 15 to which the medium 3 with the transfer sheet 4 attached and wound in a roll is attached, a release sheet winding section 16 to which the release sheet 5 wound in a roll is attached, a transfer sheet feed section 17 to which the transfer sheet 4 wound in a roll is attached, and an ionizer (static eliminator) 18 for suppressing static charge on the medium 3 with the release sheet 5 removed.

[0028] The media transport mechanism 12 transports the media 3 in the longitudinal direction of the media 3. That is, the media 3 is formed in a long shape with the transport direction of the media 3 by the media transport mechanism 12 being the longitudinal direction. The width direction of the media 3 handled by the printing device 1 is parallel to the horizontal direction. In the following description, the Y direction in Figure 1, which is the width direction of the media 3, will be referred to as the "left-right direction," and the X direction in Figure 1, which is perpendicular to the left-right direction and the up-down direction (vertical direction, Z direction in Figure 1, etc.), will be referred to as the "front-back direction." Furthermore, in the following description, the side in the X1 direction in Figure 1, etc., which is one side of the front-back direction, will be referred to as the "front," and the opposite side in the X2 direction in Figure 1, etc., will be referred to as the "back."

[0029] The media feeding unit 14, the printing mechanism 11, the transfer sheet application unit 13, and the media winding unit 15 are arranged in this order in the media transport direction of the media 3. In the following description, the transport direction of the media 3 transported from the media feeding unit 14 toward the media winding unit 15 (i.e., the transport direction of the media 3 transported from the printing mechanism 11 toward the transfer sheet application unit 13) will be referred to as the "downstream side in the transport direction," and the opposite side of the downstream side in the transport direction will be referred to as the "upstream side in the transport direction." The media winding unit 15 is located downstream of the transfer sheet application unit 13 in the transport direction. The release sheet winding unit 16 is located upstream of the printing mechanism 11 in the transport direction.

[0030] The transfer sheet application section 13 is located in front of the printing mechanism 11. The media winding section 15 is located below the transfer sheet application section 13. The transfer sheet feeding section 17 is located in front of the crimping roller 83, which is part of the transfer sheet application section 13 and will be described later. The media feeding section 14 is located behind and below the printing mechanism 11. The release sheet winding section 16 is located below the media feeding section 14. The ionizer 18 is located behind the printing mechanism 11. The ionizer 18 is also located above the media 3 that is being transported toward the printing mechanism 11. The ionizer 18 blows ions toward the upper surface of the media 3.

[0031] (Configuration of the printing mechanism) Figure 4 is a side view of the platen 36 shown in Figure 1. Figure 5 is an enlarged view of section E in Figure 4. Figure 6 is an enlarged view of Figure 4 to illustrate the configuration of the platen 36 from the FF direction.

[0032] The printing mechanism 11 includes an inkjet head 22 (hereinafter referred to as "head 22") that ejects ink onto the adhesive layer 2, a carriage 23 on which the head 22 is mounted, a carriage drive mechanism 24 that moves the carriage 23 back and forth in the left-right direction, which is the main scanning direction, and a guide rail 25 that guides the carriage 23 in the left-right direction. The carriage drive mechanism 24 includes, for example, a belt to which a portion is fixed to the carriage 23, a pulley through which the belt is stretched, and a motor for rotating the pulley.

[0033] The print head 22 ejects ink downwards. Multiple nozzles for ejecting ink are formed on the underside of the print head 22. The print head 22 is equipped with piezoelectric elements (piezo elements) for ejecting ink from the nozzles. In this embodiment, the ink ejected by the print head 22 is UV-curable ink. The carriage 23 is equipped with an ultraviolet irradiator (not shown) that irradiates ultraviolet light toward the medium 3 in order to cure the UV ink ejected from the print head 22. The ultraviolet irradiator is equipped with an ultraviolet LED chip. In this embodiment, the print head 22 ejects white ink, color ink, and clear ink. The printed layer 7 is composed of a white ink layer, a color ink layer, and a clear ink layer that are stacked in order from the bottom relative to the adhesive layer 2.

[0034] The printing mechanism 11 includes a platen 36 on which the printing medium 3 is placed, a platen frame 37 that supports the platen 36 from below, and a suction mechanism 38 for drawing the medium 3 placed on the platen 36 into the platen 36. The platen 36 is located below the head 22 and carriage 23. The upper surface of the platen 36 is the medium-supporting surface on which the medium 3 is placed. When printing is performed by the printing mechanism 11, the thickness direction of the medium 3 (i.e., the thickness direction of the medium 3 placed on the platen 36) coincides with the vertical direction. When printing is performed by the printing mechanism 11, the adhesive layer 2 constitutes the upper surface of the medium 3. Before printing, the medium 3 is transported from the rear to the upper surface of the platen 36, and after printing, the medium 3 is transported from the upper surface of the platen 36 to the front.

[0035] The platen 36 is formed in an elongated shape in the left-right direction. The platen 36 has suction holes 36a (see Figure 6) for drawing in the medium 3 placed on the platen 36. The suction holes 36a penetrate the platen 36 in the vertical direction. Numerous suction holes 36a are formed over almost the entire surface of the platen 36. In addition, the platen 36 has a group of suction holes 36b consisting of numerous suction holes 36a arranged in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, four groups of suction holes 36b are formed on the platen 36, spaced apart in the front-back direction (sub-scanning direction).

[0036] In the portion of the platen 36 where the suction hole group 36b is formed, a straight groove 36c is formed that is recessed from the upper surface of the platen 36 downwards and extends in the left-right direction. That is, the suction hole group 36b is formed within the straight groove 36c. The platen 36 has four straight grooves 36c that are spaced apart in the front-rear direction. The straight grooves 36c are formed from the left end to the right end of the platen 36. That is, the straight grooves 36c are formed over the entire area of ​​the platen 36 in the left-right direction. The straight grooves 36c are formed in a shallow, square groove shape. The suction hole 36a is formed, for example, at the center position of the straight groove 36c in the front-rear direction. The depth of the straight grooves 36c is, for example, 0.3 mm or less.

[0037] Furthermore, the platen 36 has a cutting groove 36d formed therein for cutting the release sheet 5 in a straight line in the left-right direction. As shown in Figure 4, the cutting groove 36d is formed at the front end of the platen 36. The cutting groove 36d is formed in a straight line that is recessed downwards from the top surface of the platen 36 and extends in the left-right direction. The depth of the cutting groove 36d is greater than the depth of the straight groove 36c.

[0038] The platen frame 37 is formed in a long, narrow rectangular groove shape (square groove shape) in the left-right direction. The top surface of the platen frame 37 is open. The platen 36 is fixed to the upper end of the platen frame 37, and the top surface of the platen frame 37 is closed by the platen 36. Inside the platen frame 37, a space is formed defined by the platen frame 37 and the platen 36. The suction hole 36a leads to this space.

[0039] The suction mechanism 38 includes multiple suction fans positioned on the underside of the platen frame 37. The suction fans are fixed to the bottom surface of the platen frame 37. The suction fans draw air in and expel it from the space defined by the platen frame 37 and the platen 36. Once the air inside the space defined by the platen frame 37 and the platen 36 is expelled, the medium 3 is drawn to the top surface of the platen 36 and held in place by the platen 36. The suction fans operate when printing on the medium 3.

[0040] (Configuration of the media transport mechanism) Figure 7 is a rear view showing a part of the printing apparatus 1 from the GG direction in Figure 1. Figure 8 is a front view illustrating the configuration of section H in Figure 7 from the front. Figures 9 and 10 are side views illustrating the configuration of the roller lifting mechanism 48 that raises and lowers multiple pinch rollers 46 shown in Figure 7 all at once. Figure 11 is an enlarged side view illustrating the configuration of the roller lifting mechanism 48 shown in Figure 9. Figure 12 is an enlarged perspective view showing the connection between the lever member 54 shown in Figure 9 and the pivot shaft 52 shown in Figure 11. Figure 13 is an enlarged side view illustrating the configuration of the slide member 49 that rotates the roller holding section 47 shown in Figure 8 individually.

[0041] The media transport mechanism 12 includes a first media transport mechanism 42 that transports the media 3 from the media dispensing section 14 toward the platen 36, and a media winding mechanism 43 installed in the media winding section 15. In this embodiment, the media transport mechanism 12 is composed of the first media transport mechanism 42 and the media winding mechanism 43. In the media winding section 15, the media 3 after the transfer sheet 4 has been attached is wound around a cylindrical winding core member 44. The winding core member 44 is positioned so that its axial direction coincides with its left-right direction. The media winding mechanism 43 is equipped with a motor as a drive source. The media winding mechanism 43 winds up the media 3 after the transfer sheet 4 has been attached by rotating the winding core member 44 with the left-right direction as the axis of rotation. The media winding mechanism 43 also transports the media 3 by winding it up.

[0042] The first media transport mechanism 42 includes a drive roller 45 that contacts the release sheet 6, a roller drive mechanism that drives the drive roller 45, and a plurality of pinch rollers 46 that are positioned opposite the drive roller 45 and capable of contacting the adhesive layer 2. The roller drive mechanism is equipped with a motor as a drive source. In this embodiment, the first media transport mechanism 42 includes one drive roller 45 and fourteen pinch rollers 46. The drive roller 45 and pinch rollers 46 are rotatable with the left-right direction as the axis of rotation. The drive roller 45 and the plurality of pinch rollers 46 are positioned behind the platen 36 and upstream of the platen 36 in the transport direction. The drive roller 45 and the plurality of pinch rollers 46 transport the media 3 with the release sheet 5 removed, sandwiched between the drive roller 45 and the plurality of pinch rollers 46.

[0043] Furthermore, the first media transport mechanism 42 is equipped with multiple roller holding parts 47 that rotatably hold multiple pinch rollers 46. In this embodiment, each roller holding part 47 holds two pinch rollers 46, and the first media transport mechanism 42 is equipped with seven roller holding parts 47. The two pinch rollers 46 held by the roller holding parts 47 are arranged with a gap between them in the left-right direction. The seven roller holding parts 47 are arranged in the left-right direction. That is, 14 pinch rollers 46 are arranged in the left-right direction. The pinch rollers 46 are rotatably held at the front end of the roller holding part 47.

[0044] The drive roller 45 is a metal roller. The surface of the drive roller 45 has numerous fine protrusions formed on it to increase the conveying force of the medium 3. Specifically, numerous fine protrusions are formed on the surface of the drive roller 45 on the portion facing the pinch roller 46. In other words, the drive roller 45 is a grid roller. The pinch roller 46 is a roller made of resin or rubber. In this embodiment, the pinch roller 46 is made of silicone rubber. The pinch roller 46 is positioned above the drive roller 45 and is biased downward toward the drive roller 45.

[0045] The roller holding section 47 is movable between a transportable position 47A (see Figures 8, 11(A), and 13(A)) where the pinch roller 46 is in contact with the adhesive layer 2, and a retracted position 47B (see Figures 11(B) and 13(B)) where the pinch roller 46 is retracted away from the adhesive layer 2 (i.e., retracted upward). Specifically, the roller holding section 47 is rotatable with respect to the frame (not shown) with the left-right direction as the axis of rotation between the transportable position 47A and the retracted position 47B.

[0046] The first media transport mechanism 42 includes a roller lifting mechanism 48 that rotates all roller holding parts 47 together between the transportable position 47A and the retracted position 47B, thereby raising and lowering all of the multiple pinch rollers 46 together. The first media transport mechanism 42 also includes a sliding member 49 that rotates each of the seven roller holding parts 47 individually between the transportable position 47A and the retracted position 47B, thereby raising and lowering two of the pinch rollers 46. In other words, the first media transport mechanism 42 includes seven sliding members 49. Note that the sliding members 49 are not shown in Figure 11.

[0047] The roller lifting mechanism 48 includes an eccentric cam 51 that contacts the roller holding portion 47 and rotates the roller holding portion 47, a pivot shaft 52 to which the eccentric cam 51 is fixed, and a tension coil spring 53 that biases the roller holding portion 47 toward the transportable position 47A. The pivot shaft 52 is rotatably held on the frame of the printing device 1. The pivot shaft 52 is rotatable with the left-right direction as the axis of rotation, and the eccentric cam 51 is also rotatable with the left-right direction as the axis of rotation. The eccentric cam 51 can contact the rear end of the roller holding portion 47 from above. The pinch roller 46 is biased toward the drive roller 45 by the biasing force of the tension coil spring 53.

[0048] The roller lifting mechanism 48 also includes two lever members 54 and 55 for rotating the pivot shaft 52, a connecting member 56 for connecting lever member 54 and lever member 55, a tension coil spring 57 for biasing lever member 54, and a detection mechanism 58 for detecting the position of lever member 55. The lever members 54 and 55 are rotatably held on the frame of the printing device 1. The lever members 54 and 55 are rotatable with the left-right direction as the axis of rotation. Lever member 54 is located on the rear side (rear surface side) of the printing device 1. Lever member 55 is located on the front side of the printing device 1.

[0049] As shown in Figure 12, the end of the pivot shaft 52 is fixed to the lever member 54. The lever member 54 is rotatable around the pivot shaft 52 as its pivot point. The rear end of the connecting member 56 is rotatably connected to the lever member 54. The front end of the connecting member 56 is rotatably connected to the lever member 55. When either the lever member 54 or the lever member 55 rotates, the other lever member 54 or the lever member 55 also rotates. In this embodiment, the operator of the printing device 1 manually rotates the lever members 54 and 55. A gripping portion 54a for the operator is formed at the rear end of the lever member 54. A gripping portion 55a for the operator is formed at the front lower end of the lever member 55.

[0050] When lever member 54 or lever member 55 is rotated, the eccentric cam 51 and pivot shaft 52 also rotate. When the roller holding portion 47 is positioned in the transportable position 47A, the eccentric cam 51 is not in contact with the roller holding portion 47 (see Figure 11(A)). Also, at this time, the gripping portions 54a and 55a are lowered (see Figure 9). When gripping portion 54a or gripping portion 55a is lifted upward and lever members 54 and 55 are rotated, the eccentric cam 51 and pivot shaft 52 rotate, the eccentric cam 51 comes into contact with the roller holding portion 47, and the roller holding portion 47 moves to the retracted position 47B (see Figures 10 and 11(B)).

[0051] The detection mechanism 58 is, for example, a transmissive optical sensor having a light-emitting part and a light-receiving part. The lever member 55 has a light-shielding part 55b that blocks the space between the light-emitting part and the light-receiving part. When the roller holding part 47 is positioned in the transportable position 47A, the light-shielding part 55b is separated from the space between the light-emitting part and the light-receiving part of the detection mechanism 58. When the roller holding part 47 is positioned in the retracted position 47B, the light-shielding part 55b blocks the space between the light-emitting part and the light-receiving part of the detection mechanism 58. The detection mechanism 58 detects that the roller holding part 47 is positioned in the retracted position 47B by detecting the position of the lever member 55.

[0052] The slide member 49 is held by a frame that rotatably holds the roller holding portion 47. The slide member 49 is movable in the front-rear direction relative to the roller holding portion 47. The roller holding portion 47 has a cam surface 47a that the rear end of the slide member 49 can contact. When the eccentric cam 51 is not in contact with the roller holding portion 47 and the roller holding portion 47 is positioned in the transportable position 47A, moving the slide member 49 backward relative to the roller holding portion 47 causes the rear end of the slide member 49 to contact the cam surface 47a, and the roller holding portion 47 moves to the retracted position 47B (see Figure 13(B)). In this embodiment, the operator of the printing device 1 manually moves the slide member 49.

[0053] (Configuration of media feeding unit, media winding unit, release sheet winding unit, and transfer sheet feeding unit) As shown in Figure 1, the pre-printing medium 3 (hereinafter referred to as "rolled medium 62"), which is wound into a roll, is wound around a cylindrical winding core member 63. The rolled medium 62 is rotatable with the left-right direction as the axis of rotation. The medium dispensing unit 14 includes a roll holder 64 that engages with the winding core member 63 from both the left and right sides to rotatably hold the rolled medium 62, and a guide shaft 65 for guiding the roll holder 64 in the left-right direction (see Figures 1 and 7). The guide shaft 65 is positioned so that its axial direction coincides with the left-right direction.

[0054] The roll holder 64 comprises a rotating member that contacts the end face of the core member 63 and rotates together with the roll-shaped medium 62, and a sliding member that rotatably holds the rotating member and engages with the guide shaft 65. The roll holder 64 is movable in the left-right direction along the guide shaft 65. The roll holder 64 is fixed to the guide shaft 65 by screws. In this embodiment, the operator of the printing apparatus 1 manually moves the roll holder 64 in the left-right direction.

[0055] The media feeding unit 14 does not have a drive mechanism to rotate the roll-shaped media 62; the roll-shaped media 62 rotates passively in response to the media transport mechanism 12 transporting the media 3. Above the media feeding unit 14, there is a scale 66 for aligning the left-right mounting position of the roll-shaped media 62 attached to the media feeding unit 14 (see Figure 7). The scale 66 is fixed to the frame of the printing device 1. The scale 66 is positioned so that the operator can visually confirm it from the rear of the printing device 1.

[0056] As described above, the roll-shaped medium 3 (hereinafter referred to as "roll-shaped medium 67") after the transfer sheet 4 has been attached is wound around the winding core member 44. Similar to the medium dispensing unit 14, the medium winding unit 15 includes a roll holder 68 that engages with the winding core member 44 from both the left and right sides to rotatably hold the roll-shaped medium 67, and a guide shaft 69 for guiding the roll holder 68 in the left and right directions (see Figure 1). The guide shaft 69 is positioned so that its axial direction coincides with the left and right direction.

[0057] The roll holder 68 is configured similarly to the roll holder 64 and is movable in the left-right direction along the guide shaft 69. The roll holder 68 is fixed to the guide shaft 69 by screws. In this embodiment, the operator of the printing apparatus 1 manually moves the roll holder 68 in the left-right direction. The media winding mechanism 43 is connected to the rotating member of one of the two roll holders 68.

[0058] As described above, the release sheet winding unit 16 is located below the medium dispensing unit 14. As shown in Figure 1, the release sheet 5 is peeled from the medium 3 at the medium dispensing unit 14. The release sheet 5 (hereinafter referred to as "roll-shaped release sheet 70") that is wound into a roll after being peeled from the medium 3 is wound around a cylindrical winding core member 71. The roll-shaped release sheet 70 is rotatable with the left-right direction as the axis of rotation. The release sheet winding unit 16 includes a roll holder 72 that engages with the winding core member 71 from both sides in the left-right direction to rotatably hold the roll-shaped release sheet 70, and a guide shaft 73 for guiding the roll holder 72 in the left-right direction (see Figures 1 and 7). The guide shaft 73 is positioned so that its axial direction coincides with the left-right direction.

[0059] The roll holder 72 is configured similarly to the roll holder 64 and is movable in the left-right direction along the guide shaft 73. The roll holder 72 is fixed to the guide shaft 73 by screws. In this embodiment, the operator of the printing device 1 manually moves the roll holder 72 in the left-right direction. The release sheet winding section 16 is equipped with a release sheet winding mechanism for winding the release sheet 5. The release sheet winding mechanism is equipped with a motor as a drive source. The release sheet winding mechanism is connected to the rotating member of one of the two roll holders 72.

[0060] As shown in Figure 1, the roll-shaped transfer sheet 4 (hereinafter referred to as "roll-shaped transfer sheet 74") before being attached to the medium 3 is wound around a cylindrical winding core member 75. The roll-shaped transfer sheet 74 is rotatable with the left-right direction as the axis of rotation. The transfer sheet dispensing unit 17 includes a roll holder 76 that engages with the winding core member 75 from both sides in the left-right direction to rotatably hold the roll-shaped transfer sheet 74, and a guide shaft 77 for guiding the roll holder 76 in the left-right direction.

[0061] The guide shaft 77 is positioned so that its axial direction coincides with its left-right direction. The roll holder 76 is configured similarly to the roll holder 64 and is movable in the left-right direction along the guide shaft 77. The roll holder 76 is fixed to the guide shaft 77 by screws. In this embodiment, the operator of the printing device 1 manually moves the roll holder 76 in the left-right direction. The transfer sheet feeding unit 17 does not have a drive mechanism to rotate the roll-shaped transfer sheet 74; the roll-shaped transfer sheet 74 rotates passively in response to the transport of the medium 3 by the medium transport mechanism 12. Specifically, the roll-shaped transfer sheet 74 rotates passively in response to the transport of the medium 3 by the medium winding mechanism 43.

[0062] (Configuration of the transfer sheet application area) Figure 14 is an enlarged view illustrating the configuration of the transfer sheet application section 13 shown in Figure 1. Figure 15 is a side view illustrating the configuration of the crimping roller holding mechanism 95 for holding the crimping roller 83 shown in Figure 14 in the retracted position 83B.

[0063] An after cover (after platen) 81 is positioned in front of the platen 36. The after cover 81 is made of metal. In this embodiment, the after cover 81 is made of steel plate. A convex curved guide surface 81a is formed on the surface of the after cover 81 for guiding the medium 3. The width of the guide surface 81a in the left-right direction is wider than the width of the medium 3. The medium 3 is transported along the guide surface 81a from the platen 36 toward the front, and then transported toward the downward. A heater 82 for heating the printed medium 3 is positioned inside the after cover 81. The heater 82 is positioned inside the after cover 81 so as to be aligned with the guide surface 81a.

[0064] The after cover 81 constitutes part of the transfer sheet application section 13. That is, the transfer sheet application section 13 is equipped with the after cover 81 as a configuration for applying the transfer sheet 4 to the printed medium 3. The transfer sheet application section 13 is also equipped with a pressure roller 83 facing the front lower end of the after cover 81 from the front. The pressure roller 83 is made of foam material. In this embodiment, the pressure roller 83 is made of chloroprene rubber sponge. The pressure roller 83 is rotatable with the left-right direction as the axis of rotation. The length of the pressure roller 83 (length in the left-right direction) is longer than the width of the medium 3.

[0065] In the transfer sheet application section 13, the transfer sheet 4 is pressed against the medium 3 between the after cover 81 and the pressure roller 83 to adhere the transfer sheet 4 to the printed medium 3. When attaching the transfer sheet 4 to the medium 3, the medium 3 is heated by the heater 82. For example, the medium 3 is heated to 60-70°C by the heater 82. In other words, in the transfer sheet application section 13, the transfer sheet 4 is attached while heat is applied to the medium 3. The after cover 81 contacts the release sheet 6 from the rear. The pressure roller 83 contacts the transfer sheet 4 from the front. The pressure roller 83 is a driven roller that rotates in accordance with the medium 3 being transported by the medium transport mechanism 12. Specifically, the pressure roller 83 is a driven roller that rotates in accordance with the medium 3 being transported by the medium winding mechanism 43, and there is no drive source for the pressure roller 83.

[0066] The transfer sheet application section 13 includes a holding member 84 that rotatably holds the crimping roller 83, a holding frame 86 that rotatably holds the holding member 84, and a tension coil spring 85 for biasing the holding member 84 relative to the holding frame 86. The holding member 84 is rotatable relative to the holding frame 86 with the left-right direction as the axis of rotation. In this embodiment, the after cover 81 is a fixed-side member, and the crimping roller 83 is a movable-side member.

[0067] The holding member 84 comprises flat plate-shaped holding portions 84a positioned on both sides of the crimping roller 83 in the left-right direction, and a connecting portion 84b that connects the two holding portions 84a. The holding portions 84a are positioned further outward in the left-right direction than the roll holder 76. The connecting portion 84b connects the two holding portions 84a at the front lower end of the holding member 84. The crimping roller 83 is rotatably held at the rear upper end of the holding member 84.

[0068] The retaining frames 86 are positioned on both sides of the retaining member 84 in the left-right direction. The ends of the guide shafts 77 are fixed to the retaining frames 86. A cylindrical shaft member 87, which serves as the pivot point of the retaining member 84 relative to the retaining frames 86, is also fixed to the retaining frames 86. The shaft member 87 is positioned so that its axial direction coincides with its left-right direction. The shaft member 87 rotatably supports the central part of the retaining portion 84a. Note that the shaft member 87 is not shown in Figure 14.

[0069] The pressure roller 83, held by the holding member 84, is movable between an attachment position 83A (see solid line in Figure 14 and Figure 15) where the pressure roller 83 presses the transfer sheet 4 against the adhesive layer 2, and a retracted position 83B (see dashed line in Figure 14) where the pressure roller 83 retracts in a direction away from the medium 3 (i.e., away from the after cover 81). In other words, the pressure roller 83 moves between the attachment position 83A and the retracted position 83B as the holding member 84 rotates relative to the holding frame 86. In this embodiment, the operator of the printing device 1 manually rotates the holding member 84. A part of the connecting portion 84b serves as a gripping portion for the operator to hold.

[0070] One end of the tension coil spring 85 is attached to each of the two holding parts 84a. That is, the transfer sheet application section 13 is equipped with two tension coil springs 85 positioned on both sides of the crimping roller 83 in the left-right direction. The other end of the tension coil spring 85 is attached to the holding frame 86. One end of the tension coil spring 85 is positioned above the shaft member 87. The tension coil spring 85 biases the crimping roller 83 toward the application position 83A via the holding member 84.

[0071] The transfer sheet application section 13 is equipped with a crimping roller holding mechanism 95 for holding the crimping roller 83 in the retracted position 83B. That is, the transfer sheet application section 13 is equipped with a crimping roller holding mechanism 95 for holding the crimping roller 83, which is biased toward the application position 83A by a tension coil spring 85, in the retracted position 83B. The specific configuration of the crimping roller holding mechanism 95 will be described below.

[0072] (Configuration of the crimping roller holding mechanism) Figures 16 to 18 are side views illustrating the configuration and operation of the crimping roller holding mechanism 95 shown in Figure 15.

[0073] The crimping roller holding mechanism 95 includes a cylindrical fixing pin 96 fixed to the holding portion 84a of the holding member 84, and a rotating member 97 and lever members 98, 99 that are rotatably held by the holding frame 86. The fixing pin 96 is positioned so that its axial direction coincides with its left-right direction. The fixing pin 96 protrudes outward from the holding portion 84a in the left-right direction. The fixing pin 96 is positioned above the shaft member 87. The holding frame 86 has an arrangement hole 86a in which a part of the fixing pin 96 is positioned. The arrangement hole 86a penetrates the holding frame 86 in the left-right direction. When viewed from the left-right direction, the shape of the arrangement hole 86a is an arc shape with the shaft member 87 as the center of curvature.

[0074] The rotating member 97 and the lever members 98 and 99 are positioned outside the retaining frame 86 in the left-right direction. The rotating member 97 and the lever members 98 and 99 are rotatable relative to the retaining frame 86 with the left-right direction as the axis of rotation. The rotating member 97 and the lever members 98 and 99 are formed in a flat plate shape with the left-right direction as the thickness direction. The rotating member 97, the lever member 98, and the lever member 99 are positioned offset from each other in the left-right direction.

[0075] The retaining frame 86 is fitted with a cylindrical shaft member 100 which serves as the pivot center of the rotating member 97, a cylindrical shaft member 101 which serves as the pivot center of the lever member 98, and a cylindrical shaft member 102 which serves as the pivot center of the lever member 99. The shaft members 100 to 102 are arranged so that their axial direction and left-right direction coincide. Shaft member 101 is positioned in front of and below shaft member 100. Shaft member 102 is positioned in front of and above shaft member 101. Furthermore, shaft member 102 is positioned above shaft member 100.

[0076] The rotating member 97 is formed in a substantially disc shape. The shaft member 100 rotatably supports the central part of the rotating member 97. The rotating member 97 has a notch 97a into which the fixing pin 96 engages, and a notch 97b into which the fixing pin 106, which will be fixed to the lever member 98 (described later), engages. The fixing pin 104 is also fixed to the rotating member 97. If we define the clockwise direction in Figures 15 to 18 as "clockwise" and the counterclockwise direction in Figures 15 to 18 as "counterclockwise", the rotating member 97 is biased clockwise around the shaft member 100 by a torsion coil spring.

[0077] The notches 97a and 97b are formed by cutting out the outer peripheral portion of the rotating member 97. Notches 97a and 97b are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the rotating member 97. Notch 97b is located counterclockwise to notch 97a. The fixing pin 104 is positioned so that its axial direction coincides with its left-right direction. The fixing pin 104 is fixed to the outer peripheral portion of the rotating member 97. The fixing pin 104 is positioned 180° offset in the circumferential direction of the rotating member 97 from the portion between notches 97a and 97b in the circumferential direction of the rotating member 97.

[0078] The lever member 98 is positioned in front of the rotating member 97. The lever member 98 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape with the vertical direction as the longer side. The shaft member 101 rotatably supports the lower end of the lever member 98. The lever member 98 has a notch 98a into which the fixing pin 96 engages. The fixing pin 106 is also fixed to the lever member 98. The lever member 98 is biased counterclockwise around the shaft member 101 by a compression coil spring 107.

[0079] The fixing pin 106 is positioned so that its axial direction coincides with its left-right direction. The fixing pin 106 is fixed to the upper end of the lever member 98. The notch 98a is formed in the rear end portion of the lever member 98. The notch 98a is cut out from the rear end surface of the lever member 98 toward the front. The notch 98a is formed in the middle portion of the lever member 98 in the vertical direction. The notch 98a is positioned between the shaft member 101 and the fixing pin 106 in the vertical direction. The compression coil spring 107 contacts the middle portion of the lever member 98 in the vertical direction from the front, thereby biasing the lever member 98 counterclockwise around the shaft member 101.

[0080] The lever member 99 is positioned above the rotating member 97 and the lever member 98. The lever member 99 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape with the front-to-back direction as its longer side. The shaft member 102 rotatably supports the front end of the lever member 99. The lever member 99 has a notch 99a into which the fixing pin 106 engages. The notch 99a is formed at the lower end of the lever member 99. The notch 99a is cut out upward from the lower end surface of the lever member 99. The notch 99a is positioned in front of the center of the lever member 99 in the front-to-back direction. The notch 99a is also positioned behind the shaft member 102. The lever member 99 is biased counterclockwise around the shaft member 102 by a torsion coil spring.

[0081] In this embodiment, when the crimping roller 83 is positioned at the adhesive position 83A, pushing down the connecting portion 84b and rotating the holding member 84 clockwise causes the crimping roller 83 to move to the retracted position 83B. Conversely, when the crimping roller 83 is positioned at the retracted position 83B, pushing up the connecting portion 84b and rotating the holding member 84 counterclockwise causes the crimping roller 83 to move to the adhesive position 83A.

[0082] As shown in Figure 15, when the crimping roller 83 is positioned at the adhesive position 83A, a portion of the fixing pin 96 is positioned in the notch 97a of the rotating member 97 and is in contact with the counterclockwise side surface of the notch 97a. Also, when the crimping roller 83 is positioned at the adhesive position 83A, the fixing pin 106 is disengaged from the notch 97b of the rotating member 97 and is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the arc-shaped rotating member 97 on the counterclockwise side of the notch 97b. The fixing pin 104 is in contact with the lower end surface of the front end of the lever member 99.

[0083] When moving the crimping roller 83, which is positioned at the attachment position 83A, to the retracted position 83B, the holding member 84 is rotated clockwise. When the holding member 84 rotates clockwise, the rotating member 97 is pushed by the fixing pin 96, which contacts the counterclockwise side surface of the notch 97a, causing it to rotate counterclockwise, and a portion of the fixing pin 106 is positioned in the notch 97b (see Figure 16). When the crimping roller 83 is positioned at the retracted position 83B, the clockwise rotation of the rotating member 97 is restricted by the fixing pin 106 that engages with the notch 97b.

[0084] Therefore, even if one attempts to rotate the holding member 84 counterclockwise, the fixing pin 96 contacts the clockwise side surface of the notch 97a of the rotating member 97, which restricts clockwise rotation, thereby restricting the counterclockwise rotation of the holding member 84. Consequently, when the crimping roller 83 is positioned in the retracted position 83B, it is not possible to move the crimping roller 83 toward the adhesive position 83A. In other words, the crimping roller 83 is held in the retracted position 83B. At this time, a portion of the fixing pin 96 is positioned in the notch 97a and also in the notch 98a of the lever member 98. Also, at this time, a portion of the fixing pin 106 contacts the lower end surface of the lever member 99 behind the notch 99a, and the fixing pin 104 is separated from the lower end surface of the lever member 99.

[0085] In the state shown in Figure 16, if the retaining member 84 is further rotated clockwise, the fixing pin 96 positioned in the notch 98a pushes the lever member 98 forward, causing the lever member 98 to rotate clockwise (see Figure 17). When the lever member 98 rotates clockwise, the fixing pin 106 disengages from the notch 97b, allowing the rotating member 97 to rotate clockwise. In this state, if the retaining member 84 is rotated counterclockwise to move the crimping roller 83 to the attachment position 83A, the rotating member 97 is pushed by the fixing pin 96 and rotates clockwise. When the rotating member 97 rotates clockwise, the fixing pin 96 disengages from the notch 98a, while a part of the fixing pin 106 is positioned in the notch 99a of the lever member 99 (see Figure 18).

[0086] When a portion of the fixing pin 106 is positioned in the notch 99a, the counterclockwise rotation of the lever member 98 is restricted. Therefore, the rotating member 97 can be rotated clockwise without engaging the fixing pin 106 with the notch 97b. When the rotating member 97 rotates clockwise to a position where the fixing pin 106 does not engage with the notch 97b even when the lever member 98 rotates counterclockwise, the fixing pin 104 contacts the lower end surface of the front end of the lever member 99 (see Figure 18), causing the lever member 99 to rotate clockwise. When the lever member 99 rotates clockwise, the fixing pin 106 disengages from the notch 99a, allowing the lever member 98 to rotate counterclockwise, and the fixing pin 106 contacts the outer circumferential surface of the arc-shaped rotating member 97 on the counterclockwise side of the notch 97b.

[0087] (Printing method) Figure 19 is a process diagram illustrating the printing method for printing using the printing apparatus 1 shown in Figure 1. Figure 20 is a diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the pinch roller 46 and the media 3 after the first roller holding part movement process ST2 shown in Figure 19.

[0088] Printing is performed in the printing device 1 according to the following procedure. Specifically, the media 3 and transfer sheet 4 are set in the printing device 1 according to the following procedure. First, the roll-shaped media 3 (i.e., roll-shaped media 62) is attached to the media feeding unit 14 (media attachment step ST1).

[0089] In the media mounting process ST1, first, it is confirmed that the heater 82 is in the off state, the roller holding part 47 is in the retracted position 47B, and the crimping roller 83 is in the retracted position 83B. Then, in the media mounting process ST1, the roll-shaped media 62 and the winding core member 63 are attached to the two roll holders 64 while visually checking the scale 66 so that the roll-shaped media 62 is positioned in a predetermined position in the left-right direction. In addition, in the media mounting process ST1, the winding core member 71 is attached to the two roll holders 72.

[0090] After the media mounting process ST1 is completed, the media 3 is pulled out, and a portion of the media 3 before the release sheet 5 is peeled off is placed between the drive roller 45 and the 14 pinch rollers 46. Then, the lever member 54 or lever member 55 is rotated to place the roller holding part 47 in the transportable position 47A (first roller holding part movement process ST2). That is, in the first roller holding part movement process ST2, with the roller holding part 47 in the retracted position 47B, a portion of the media 3 is placed between the drive roller 45 and the multiple pinch rollers 46, and then the roller holding part 47 is moved to the transportable position 47A.

[0091] After the first roller holding part movement step ST2 is completed, it is visually checked whether there are any pinch rollers 46 among the 14 pinch rollers 46 that include a portion that does not overlap with the adhesive layer 2 (checking step ST3). In the checking step ST3, if there are any pinch rollers 46 among the 14 pinch rollers 46 that do not overlap with the adhesive layer 2 in the vertical direction in part, as shown in Figure 20(B), or if there are any pinch rollers 46 that do not overlap with the adhesive layer 2 in the vertical direction as shown in Figure 20(C), then only the roller holding part 47 to which the pinch roller 46 that includes a portion that does not overlap with the adhesive layer 2 is attached is moved to the retracted position 47B (second roller holding part movement step ST4).

[0092] In other words, after the first roller holding part movement step ST2, if there is a pinch roller 46 among the multiple pinch rollers 46 that includes a portion that does not overlap with the adhesive layer 2, the roller holding part 47 to which the pinch roller 46 including the portion that does not overlap with the adhesive layer 2 is attached is moved to the retracted position 47B. In the second roller holding part movement step ST4, the slide member 49 is moved to the rear to move only the target roller holding part 47 to the retracted position 47B.

[0093] When the second roller holding section movement step ST4 is completed, or when the entire pinch rollers 46 are overlapping with the adhesive layer 2 in the confirmation step ST3 (see Figure 20(A)), the winding core member 44 is attached to the two roll holders 68, and then the medium 3 is further pulled out and the downstream end of the medium 3 in the transport direction is fixed to the winding core member 44 (medium end fixing step ST5). In the medium end fixing step ST5, a portion of the medium 3 is placed on the transfer sheet application section 13.

[0094] In this embodiment, the media mounting step ST1, the first roller holding part movement step ST2, the confirmation step ST3, the second roller holding part movement step ST4, and the media end fixing step ST5 constitute a media installation step in which the media 3 is placed in the printing apparatus 1 before the release sheet 5 is peeled off, so that a portion of the media 3 is placed in the transfer sheet attachment part 13.

[0095] When the media end fixing process ST5 is completed (i.e., when the media installation process is completed), the release sheet 5 is cut upstream of the transfer sheet attachment section 13 in the transport direction (release sheet cutting process ST6). In the release sheet cutting process ST6, the release sheet 6 is not cut. In the release sheet cutting process ST6, the release sheet 5 is cut on the platen 36 in the left-right direction (i.e., in the width direction of the media 3). In the release sheet cutting process ST6, the release sheet 5 is cut using a cutter (not shown) having a cutter blade and a spring member for maintaining a constant pressure on the tip of the cutter blade. For example, the release sheet 5 is cut using a cutter with the product name "Kirinook" manufactured by Olfa Corporation. Also, in the release sheet cutting process ST6, the cutter blade is moved along the cutting groove 36d of the platen 36 to cut the release sheet 5 linearly in the left-right direction.

[0096] When the release sheet cutting process ST6 is completed, the portion of the release sheet 5 upstream in the transport direction from the cut portion in the release sheet cutting process ST6 is fixed upstream in the transport direction from the printing mechanism 11 (release sheet fixing process ST7). In the release sheet fixing process ST7, first, the lever member 54 or lever member 55 is rotated to move the roller holding portion 47 from the transportable position 47A to the retracted position 47B all at once.

[0097] Subsequently, in the release sheet fixing step ST7, the portion of the release sheet 5 upstream in the transport direction from the portion cut in the release sheet cutting step ST6 is passed between the drive roller 45 and the pinch roller 46 and pulled to the back side of the printing device 1. Then, in the release sheet fixing step ST7, the lever member 54 or lever member 55 is rotated to move the roller holding part 47 from the retracted position 47B to the transportable position 47A all at once. When the roller holding part 47 is positioned in the transportable position 47A, the pinch roller 46 comes into contact with the adhesive layer 2. Then, in the release sheet fixing step ST7, the end of the release sheet 5 is fixed to the winding core member 71 installed in the release sheet winding part 16.

[0098] When the release sheet fixing process ST7 is completed, the portion of the release sheet 5 downstream in the transport direction from the portion cut in the release sheet cutting process ST6 is not peeled off the medium 3 and is attached to the adhesive layer 2. In other words, when the release sheet fixing process ST7 is completed, the medium 3 with the release sheet 5 still attached is positioned in the transfer sheet attachment section 13.

[0099] After the release sheet fixing process ST7 is completed, the transfer sheet 4 is brought into contact with the release sheet 5 of the medium 3 at the transfer sheet attachment section 13 (transfer sheet placement process ST8). In the transfer sheet placement process ST8, first, the roll-shaped transfer sheet 74 and the winding core member 75 are attached to two roll holders 76. Then, in the transfer sheet placement process ST8, the transfer sheet 4 is pulled out, and with the pressure roller 83 positioned at the retracted position 83B, a portion of the transfer sheet 4 is placed between the pressure roller 83 and the medium 3, and then the pressure roller 83 is moved to the attachment position 83A.

[0100] After that, the heater 82 is turned on and its set temperature is set to a predetermined temperature, completing the setting of the medium 3 and transfer sheet 4 into the printing device 1. In the printing device 1, where the medium 3 and transfer sheet 4 have been set, the medium transport mechanism 12 transports the medium 3 and transfer sheet 4 together by a predetermined amount downstream in the transport direction, so that the transfer sheet 4 is attached to the adhesive layer 2. Alternatively, the release sheet cutting process ST6 may be completed first, followed by the transfer sheet placement process ST8, and then the release sheet fixing process ST7, or the release sheet cutting process ST6 may be completed first, followed by the release sheet fixing process ST7 and the transfer sheet placement process ST8 simultaneously.

[0101] (Main effects of this form) As explained above, in this embodiment, in the transfer sheet placement step ST8, the transfer sheet 4 is not in contact with the adhesive layer 2, but rather with the release sheet 5. Therefore, in this embodiment, in the transfer sheet placement step ST8, it is possible to easily reposition the transfer sheet 4 so that it is positioned in an appropriate state in which misalignment of the transfer sheet 4 relative to the medium 3, wrinkles, and distortions of the transfer sheet 4 are suppressed. Consequently, by printing using the printing method of this embodiment, it is possible to easily set the transfer sheet 4 in an appropriate state.

[0102] In this embodiment, a cutting groove 36d for cutting the release sheet 5 is formed in the platen 36, and in the release sheet cutting step ST6, the cutter blade is moved along the cutting groove 36d to cut the release sheet 5. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to cut the release sheet 5 easily and cleanly in the release sheet cutting step ST6. Furthermore, in this embodiment, in the release sheet cutting step ST6, the release sheet 5 is cut using a cutter that has a spring member to maintain a constant pressure on the cutting edge of the cutter blade, so it is possible to easily cut only the release sheet 5 in the release sheet cutting step ST6.

[0103] In this embodiment, after the first roller holding part movement step ST2, if there is a pinch roller 46 among the 14 pinch rollers 46 that includes a portion that does not overlap with the adhesive layer 2, in the second roller holding part movement step ST4, the roller holding part 47 to which the pinch roller 46 including the portion that does not overlap with the adhesive layer 2 is attached is moved to the retracted position 47B. Therefore, in this embodiment, when printing is performed with the printing device 1, it is possible to prevent the pinch rollers 46 from being positioned on both sides of the edge 2a of the adhesive layer 2 so that the pinch rollers 46 contact the edge 2a of the adhesive layer 2 in the left-right direction (width direction of the medium 2), as shown in Figure 20(B). In other words, in this embodiment, when printing is performed with the printing device 1, it is possible to prevent the pinch rollers 46 from contacting the adhesive layer 2 in a way that straddles the edge 2a of the adhesive layer 2.

[0104] According to the inventor's research, if a portion of the pinch roller 46 is positioned on both sides of the edge 2a of the adhesive layer 2 so that the pinch roller 46 contacts the edge 2a of the adhesive layer 2, there is a risk that the adhesive layer 2 may be wound up by the pinch roller 46 that is in contact with the edge 2a of the adhesive layer 2 when the medium 3 is transported using the drive roller 45 and the pinch roller 46, which may hinder the transport of the medium 3. In contrast, in this embodiment, it is possible to prevent a portion of the pinch roller 46 from being positioned on both sides of the edge 2a of the adhesive layer 2 so that the pinch roller 46 contacts the edge 2a of the adhesive layer 2. Therefore, when printing is performed using the printing method of this embodiment, the medium 3 can be transported without any problems using the drive roller 45 and the pinch roller 46.

[0105] Furthermore, in this embodiment, after the first roller holding part movement step ST2, if there is a pinch roller 46 among the 14 pinch rollers 46 that includes a portion that does not overlap with the adhesive layer 2, the roller holding part 47 to which the pinch roller 46 including the portion that does not overlap with the adhesive layer 2 is attached is moved to the retracted position 47B in the second roller holding part movement step ST4. This prevents the pinch roller 46 from directly contacting the drive roller 45. Therefore, by performing printing using the printing method of this embodiment, even if numerous fine protrusions are formed on the surface of the metal drive roller 45, it is possible to prevent damage to the pinch roller 46 caused by the resin or rubber pinch roller 46 directly contacting the drive roller 45.

[0106] (Other embodiments) The above-described embodiments are examples of preferred embodiments of the present invention, but are not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made without altering the essence of the invention.

[0107] In the above-described configuration, the transfer sheet dispensing unit 17 may be equipped with a scale for aligning the left-right mounting position of the roll-shaped transfer sheet 74. Also, in the above-described configuration, the number of pinch rollers 46 held by one roller holding unit 47 may be one or three or more. Furthermore, in the above-described configuration, the transfer sheet application unit 13 may be equipped with a pressure roller as a fixed side member instead of the after cover 81. Also, in the above-described configuration, the first medium transport mechanism 42 may be equipped with a transport belt that contacts the release sheet 6 and transports the medium 3 instead of the drive roller 45 and pinch roller 46. In this case, an adhesive may be applied to the surface of the transport belt that contacts the release sheet 6.

[0108] In the above-described configuration, the printing device 1 does not need to have a media winding unit 15. In this case, for example, a storage box for containing the media 3 after the transfer sheet 4 has been attached is installed below the transfer sheet attachment unit 13. In this case, the transfer sheet attachment unit 13 is equipped with a drive source such as a motor for rotating the pressure roller 83, or a transport mechanism for transporting the media 3 is installed between the transfer sheet attachment unit 13 and the storage box. In the above-described configuration, the media 3 may be cut to a predetermined length before being set in the printing device 1. That is, the media 3 does not need to be formed in a long shape. In this case, the media feeding unit 14 and the media winding unit 15 become unnecessary. In this case, the printing device 1 does not need to have a release sheet winding unit 16. In the above-described configuration, the platen 36 does not need to have a cutting groove 36d formed therein. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0109] 1 Printing device 2 Adhesive layer 3 Medium 4 Transfer Sheet 5. Release sheet (second release sheet) 6. Release sheet (first release sheet) 11 Printing mechanism 12. Media transport mechanism 13 Transfer sheet application area 14 Media feeding section 15 Media winding section 16. Release sheet winding section 36 Platen 36d Cutting groove 44. Winding core member (winding core member installed in the media winding section) 45 Drive rollers 46 Pinch Roller 47 Roller holding part 47A Transportable position 47B Evacuation position 71. Winding core member (winding core member installed in the release sheet winding section) 81 After cover (fixed side component) 83. Crimping roller (moving side member) 83A Placement 83B Evacuation position ST1 Media Mounting Process ST2 First Roller Holding Section Movement Process ST4 Second Roller Holding Section Movement Process ST5 Media end fixing process ST6 Release Sheet Cutting Process ST7 Release Sheet Fixing Process ST8 Transfer Sheet Placement Process Y: Width direction of the medium

Claims

1. A printing method for printing on a medium having an adhesive layer, a first release sheet disposed on one side of the adhesive layer, and a second release sheet disposed on the other side of the adhesive layer, using an inkjet method on one side of the adhesive layer, and a printing device that attaches a transfer sheet to the printed side of the adhesive layer, The printing apparatus comprises a printing mechanism for printing on the adhesive layer of the medium using an inkjet method, a medium transport mechanism for transporting the medium, and a transfer sheet attachment unit for attaching the transfer sheet to the medium after printing. If the transport direction of the medium being transported from the printing mechanism toward the transfer sheet attachment section is defined as the downstream side in the transport direction, and the opposite side of the downstream side in the transport direction is defined as the upstream side in the transport direction, The aforementioned printing method is A media setup step involves placing the medium, before the second release sheet is peeled off, into the printing apparatus so that a portion of the medium is positioned on the transfer sheet application area. After the media installation step, a release sheet cutting step is performed in which the second release sheet is cut upstream of the transfer sheet application section in the transport direction, A release sheet fixing step is performed to fix the portion of the second release sheet upstream in the transport direction from the portion cut in the release sheet cutting step, upstream in the transport direction from the printing mechanism, A printing method characterized by comprising a transfer sheet placement step of bringing the transfer sheet into contact with the second release sheet of the medium at the transfer sheet attachment section.

2. The medium is formed in an elongated shape with the medium transport mechanism's transport direction being the longitudinal direction. The printing apparatus comprises a medium dispensing unit to which the medium before printing, wound in a roll shape, is attached; a medium winding unit to which the medium after the transfer sheet has been attached, wound in a roll shape, is attached; and a release sheet winding unit to which the second release sheet, wound in a roll shape, is attached. The printing mechanism includes a platen on which the printing medium is placed during printing. The transfer sheet application portion comprises a fixed-side member that contacts the first release sheet and a movable-side member that contacts the transfer sheet. The movable side member is movable between an attachment position in which the movable side member presses the transfer sheet against the adhesive layer and a retracted position in which the movable side member retracts in a direction away from the medium. The media winding section is located downstream in the transport direction from the transfer sheet application section. The release sheet winding section is positioned upstream of the printing mechanism in the transport direction. The media installation step comprises a media installation step of attaching the roll-shaped media to the media dispensing section, and a media end fixing step, after the media installation step, of fixing the downstream end of the media in the transport direction to a winding core member installed in the media winding section. In the release sheet cutting step, the second release sheet is cut on the platen in the width direction of the medium perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the medium. In the release sheet fixing step, the end of the second release sheet is fixed to the winding core member installed in the release sheet winding section. The printing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the transfer sheet placement step, the transfer sheet is placed between the moving side member and the medium with the moving side member positioned at the retracted position, and then the moving side member is moved to the adhesive position.

3. The platen has a linear cutting groove formed in the width direction of the medium for cutting the second release sheet in a linear manner. The printing method according to claim 2, characterized in that the second release sheet is cut by moving a cutter blade along the cutting groove in the release sheet cutting step.

4. The printing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second release sheet is cut using a cutter having a cutter blade and a spring member for maintaining a constant pressure applied to the tip of the cutter blade.

5. A printing method for printing using a printing apparatus that prints on one side of the adhesive layer of a medium having an adhesive layer and a release sheet disposed on one side of the adhesive layer, and also applies a transfer sheet to the printed side of the adhesive layer, The printing apparatus comprises a printing mechanism for printing on the adhesive layer of the medium using an inkjet method, and a medium transport mechanism for transporting the medium. The media transport mechanism comprises a drive roller that contacts the release sheet, a plurality of pinch rollers positioned opposite the drive roller and capable of contacting the adhesive layer, and a plurality of roller holding parts that rotatably hold one or more of the pinch rollers and are arranged in the width direction of the media perpendicular to the transport direction of the media. The roller holding portion is movable between a transportable position in which the pinch roller contacts the adhesive layer and a retracted position in which the pinch roller retracts away from the adhesive layer. The aforementioned printing method is A first roller holder moving step involves positioning the roller holder in the retracted position, placing a portion of the medium between the drive roller and the multiple pinch rollers, and then moving the roller holder to the transportable position. A printing method characterized by comprising, after the first roller holding part moving step, a second roller holding part moving step, in which, if there is a pinch roller among the plurality of pinch rollers that includes a portion that does not overlap with the adhesive layer, the roller holding part to which the pinch roller including the portion that does not overlap with the adhesive layer is attached is moved to the retracted position.

6. The medium comprises a second release sheet disposed on the other side of the adhesive layer, The printing method according to claim 5, characterized in that in the first roller holding portion moving step, a portion of the medium before the second release sheet is peeled off is placed between the drive roller and a plurality of pinch rollers.

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