Transcription device, printing device, thermal transfer sheet, and transcription method

Abstract

To efficiently perform printing using transfer.SOLUTION: A printer 1 comprises: a control unit 82 which detects the shape of a printing object; and a transfer mechanism 3. The transfer mechanism 3 comprises: a platen roller 32 which conveys a thermal transfer sheet Ns having at least a transfer object layer S4 and a base layer S2 in the conveyance direction D; a thermal head 33 which heats the thermal transfer sheet Ns conveyed by the platen roller 32 on the basis of the shape of the printing object and thermally transfers the base layer to the transfer object layer; and a pressing part 35 which presses the base layer S2 thermally transferred to the transfer object layer S4 toward the printing object.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a transfer device, a printing device, a thermal transfer sheet, and a transfer method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a printing device (nail print device) for printing designs on fingernails or the like is known. In this nail print device, in order to prevent the finish from depending on the color of the nail itself, a base layer such as white may be formed on the nail before forming the color layer. The formation of this base layer is often performed by hand painting.

[0003] On the other hand, there is a method that uses transfer for printing on nails. For example, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the ink applied to the printing plate is transferred to the nail using a pad for printing. After use, the pad is cleaned using a pad cleaning device to remove ink, dust, and the like.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, when forming a base layer using the technique described in Patent Document 1, printing must be performed according to the contour of each user's nail. Therefore, it is necessary to clean the pad every time printing of one nail is completed, resulting in poor printing efficiency.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to efficiently perform printing using transfer.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To achieve the above object, the transfer device of the present invention comprises a detection means for detecting the shape of the object to be printed, a conveyance means for conveying a heated medium having at least a transfer layer and an ink layer, a first heating means for heating the heated medium conveyed by the conveyance means based on the shape of the object to be printed and thermally transferring the ink layer to the transfer layer, and a pressing means for pressing the ink layer thermally transferred to the transfer layer toward the object to be printed. It is provided with.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, printing using transfer can be performed efficiently.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that although various technically preferable limitations are imposed on the embodiments described below for carrying out the present invention, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and illustrated examples. In addition, in the following embodiments, a case where the printing device is a nail printing device that prints on a fingernail as a printing target will be described as an example. However, the printing target of the transfer device and the printing device according to the present invention is not limited to a fingernail, and for example, a toenail may be used as the printing target. Further, things other than human nails, such as the surface of a nail tip or various accessories, may be used as the printing target.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the main part of the printing device 1 according to the present embodiment, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are a plan view and a side view of the main part of the printing device 1. In the following embodiments, up and down, left and right, and front and back shall refer to the directions shown in FIG. 1 and the like. Also, the X direction shall refer to the left-right direction, the Y direction shall refer to the front-back direction, and the Z direction shall refer to the up-down direction.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the printing device 1 has a housing 11 formed in a substantially box shape. An operation unit 12 is provided on the upper surface (top plate) of the housing 11. The operation unit 12 is, for example, an operation button (power switch button) for turning on / off the power of the printing device 1. When the operation unit 12 is operated, an operation signal is output to a control unit 82 (see FIG. 6), and the control unit 82 performs control according to the operation signal to operate each part of the printing device 1. The shape, arrangement, etc. of each part of the housing 11 are not limited to the illustrated example and can be set as appropriate. For example, the operation unit 12 may be provided on the side surface, the back surface, or the like instead of the upper surface of the housing 11. Further, the printing device 1 may operate according to an operation signal input from an external device such as a terminal device (not shown). In this case, the housing 11 may be configured without the operation unit 12. In addition, various display units, indicators, etc. may be provided on the housing 11.

[0013] On the front side of the housing 11 (the front side of the printing device 1, the front side in FIG. 1), an opening 13 is formed at approximately the central portion in the vertical direction. The opening 13 is an insertion port for inserting the finger U into the device interior. Inside the printing device 1 at a position corresponding to the opening 13, a finger placement portion 14 for placing a finger U (refer to FIG. 2 etc.) having a claw T to be printed is provided. The finger placement portion 14 includes a finger receiving member 15. The finger receiving member 15 supports the finger U inserted from the opening 13 from below, and is formed of, for example, a resin having flexibility. Note that the configuration of the finger placement portion 14 is not particularly limited, and for example, a configuration without the finger receiving member 15 may be used.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the printing device 1 includes a transfer mechanism 3, a printing unit 4, a photographing unit 5, etc.

[0015] The printing unit 4 is a printing means for performing printing on the claw T that is the printing target. As will be described later, the printing unit 4 of the present embodiment performs printing with color ink on the claw T to which the base layer S2 and the ink receiving layer S3 are attached by the transfer mechanism 3. Specifically, the printing unit 4 includes a print head 41 that performs a printing operation, a head movement mechanism 42 (refer to FIG. 6) that moves the print head 41, etc.

[0016] The print head 41 is, for example, an inkjet head that sprays atomized ink onto the printing target surface (that is, the surface of the claw T) to perform printing. The type of the print head 41 is not particularly limited. For example, heads that perform printing in various ways such as a thermal print head can be adopted. The colors that the print head 41 can eject, the number of heads, etc. are not limited, but for example, it is configured to eject inks of various colors such as cyan (C; CYAN), magenta (M; MAGENTA), and yellow (Y; YELLOW), and it is possible to precisely draw various designs.

[0017] The print head 41 is movably supported by an X-direction guide rail 43 and a Y-direction guide rail 44 while being held by a holder (not shown). The head movement mechanism 42 includes a motor (not shown) that moves the print head 41 in the X and Y directions. By driving the motor, the head movement mechanism 42 moves the print head 41 in the X and Y directions along the guide rails 43 and 44. Due to the head movement mechanism 42, the print head 41 can move within the head movement range 4R including the printing area A1 in the XY plane. The printing area A1 is an area corresponding to the finger placement portion 14 and is an area where the print head 41 performs a printing operation. Also, the head movement range 4R includes an area where the print head 41 retracts rearward from the printing area A1 by a sufficient distance so as not to interfere (contact) with the transfer unit main body 30 that has advanced into the printing area A1.

[0018] The imaging unit 5 is disposed inside the upper surface (top plate) of the housing 11 and at a position above the finger placement portion 14. The imaging unit 5 images the surface of the claw (finger including the claw) that is exposed above the finger placement portion 14 and acquires an image thereof (image of the finger including the claw, hereinafter referred to as "claw image"). The imaging unit 5 includes an imaging camera 51 and an illumination lamp 52. The imaging camera 51 is, for example, a small camera configured to include a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) type or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) type having 2 million pixels or more and a lens or the like. The illumination lamp 52 is a light source disposed on the side of the imaging camera 51 to illuminate the claw of the imaging target and is, for example, a white LED. Note that the imaging unit 5 only needs to be provided at a position where it can image the surface of the claw of the finger disposed on the finger placement portion 14, and the specific arrangement and the like are not particularly limited. For example, the imaging unit 5 may be configured to be movable in the XY directions by the head movement mechanism 42 that moves the print head 41.

[0019] The transfer mechanism 3 attaches the base layer S2 and the ink receiving layer S3 in the thermal transfer sheet Ns to the claws T while utilizing thermal transfer. The transfer device according to the present invention includes a transfer mechanism 3, a photographing unit 5, and a control unit 82 described later. Specifically, the transfer mechanism 3 includes a transfer unit main body 30. The transfer unit main body 30 is movably supported by a guide rail 311 along the Y direction. The transfer mechanism 3 includes a moving motor 30M (see FIG. 6) that moves the transfer unit main body 30 in the Y direction. By driving the moving motor 30M, the transfer unit main body 30 moves in the Y direction along the guide rail 311. The transfer unit main body 30 is movable within a transfer unit movement range 3R including a printing area A1 in the XY plane. Further, the transfer unit movement range 3R includes an area where the transfer unit main body 30 retreats forward from the printing area A1 by a sufficient distance so as not to interfere (contact) with the print head 41 that has advanced to the printing area A1. Note that the transfer unit main body 30 may be configured to be movable rearward from the transfer unit movement range 3R as long as it does not contact the print head 41.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a front view schematically showing a main part of the transfer unit main body 30. As shown in this figure, the transfer unit main body 30 includes a sheet supply roller 31, a platen roller 32, a thermal head 33, a first recovery roller 34, a pressing unit 35, and a second recovery roller 36. A sheet roll Nr in which the thermal transfer sheet Ns is wound in a roll shape is exchangeably set on the sheet supply roller 31.

[0021] Here, the thermal transfer sheet Ns will be described. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the thermal transfer sheet Ns. As shown in this figure, the thermal transfer sheet Ns is laminated with a release layer S1, a base layer S2, an ink receiving layer S3, and a layer to be transferred S4 in this order from the lower side (the lower side during conveyance in the conveyance direction D).

[0022] The release layer S1 is a release paper that covers the base layer S2 when not in use and has a release surface that peels off from the base layer S2 during use. The release layer S1 is composed of, for example, a PET film with a thickness of about 25 μm.

[0023] The base layer S2 is an example of the ink layer according to the present invention and is the main body portion of the thermal transfer sheet Ns and serves as a base for design printing (color printing) by the printing unit 4. This base layer S2 has adhesiveness and is pressed and attached to the surface of the printing object such as the claw T together with the ink receiving layer S3 in the transfer mechanism 3. Since the base layer S2 serves as a base when printing is performed on the surface, in order to improve the color development of the ink, that is, to make it not affected by the color of the nail itself, it is preferably a layer of white or a color close to white (for example, light pink or light blue). However, the base layer S2 is not limited to white and may be transparent, translucent, etc. In this case, when attached to the nail T, the lower nail T can be seen through in the unprinted part. Therefore, when applying a one-point pattern partially or printing a design such as a French nail, a finish similar to directly applying a nail print on the natural nail can be achieved. Also, the base layer S2 may contain a fluorescent agent. In this case as well, the whole becomes whitish, constituting a base layer S2 with a beautiful finish.

[0024] The base layer S2 is formed, for example, by applying and drying a base layer liquid. The base layer liquid is based on, for example, a mixture of nitrocellulose, acetyl tributyl citrate, alkyl acrylate copolymer, stearalconium hectorite, octocrylene, dimethicone, simethicone, citric acid, disodium stearoyl glutamate, titanium oxide, etc. dissolved and dispersed in a mixed solvent of butyl acetate, ethyl acetate, and isopropanol, and an adhesive solution (for example, an ethyl acetate solution of the acrylic adhesive solution HiPAS10 manufactured by Cosmed Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) is added and mixed thereto. The added adhesive solution (adhesive component) has relatively weak adhesiveness at the temperature during thermal transfer, and has stronger adhesiveness at the temperature when attaching to the nail T (a temperature lower than that during thermal transfer). Thus, the base layer S2 can be preferably attached to the nail T.

[0025] The ink receiving layer S3 is for receiving ink and facilitates the fixing of the ink when design printing is performed by the printing unit 4. The ink receiving layer S3 is formed, for example, by coating and drying an ink receiving layer liquid. The ink receiving layer liquid is, for example, a solution obtained by dissolving acrylate copolymer ammonium, vinyl acetate / vinyl pyrrolidone copolymer, denatured alcohol, phenoxyethanol, and silicic acid (Al / Mg) in a mixed solvent of water and ethanol.

[0026] The transfer layer S4 is a release paper that covers the ink receiving layer S3 when not in use, is thermally transferred together with the ink receiving layer S3 and the base layer S2 during thermal transfer, and is peeled off from the ink receiving layer S3 after the base layer S2 and the ink receiving layer S3 are attached to the printing target.

[0027] The production of the thermal transfer sheet Ns is, for example, first, an ink receiving layer liquid is applied and dried on an adhesive release paper constituting the transfer layer S4 to form the ink receiving layer S3. Then, a base layer liquid is applied and dried thereon to form the base layer S2, and further, a release paper constituting the release layer S1 is overlaid thereon. The resulting product is pressure-bonded while heating to about 70°C and cut into a tape shape to complete the thermal transfer sheet Ns.

[0028] Also, in the production of the thermal transfer sheet Ns, the adhesive force between layers is important. The adhesive force (adhesion) is a parameter representing "how strongly different materials are stuck together". The strength of the adhesive force is determined by the compatibility between the materials. Materials with similar characteristics (such as similar molecular structures) are likely to stick together, while materials with different characteristics are less likely to stick together. In the thermal transfer sheet Ns of the present embodiment, at the temperature (first temperature) during thermal transfer by the thermal head 33, the adhesive force between the ink receiving layer S3 and the layer to be transferred S4 is stronger than the adhesive force between the release layer S1 and the base layer S2. Also, at the temperature during pressing by the pressing portion 35 (second temperature lower than the first temperature), the adhesive force between the claw T and the base layer S2 is stronger than the adhesive force between the ink receiving layer S3 and the layer to be transferred S4. Further, the ink receiving layer S3 and the layer to be transferred S4 are only overlapped and not adhered when not heated, and when heated, the ink receiving layer S3 melts or becomes soft and adheres with an adhesive force stronger than that between the release layer S1 and the base layer S2. Therefore, when a separating force acts in the thickness direction of the thermal transfer sheet Ns, separation occurs between the release layer S1 and the base layer S2 instead of between the ink receiving layer S3 and the layer to be transferred S4. Note that between the base layer S2 and the ink receiving layer S3, at least at the first temperature and the second temperature, it has the largest adhesive force among the layers of the thermal transfer sheet Ns.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 4, the platen roller 32 conveys the thermal transfer sheet Ns along the conveyance direction D parallel to the X direction. Here, as the direction of conveying the thermal transfer sheet Ns, the conveyance to the right direction in FIG. 4 is defined as forward conveyance, and the conveyance to the left direction in FIG. 4 is defined as reverse conveyance. The conveyance means according to the present invention includes at least the platen roller 32. The thermal head 33 has a plurality of heating elements and is a heating means for thermally transferring the base layer S2 and the ink receiving layer S3 to the layer to be transferred S4. A thermistor 33a for measuring the temperature of the thermal head 33 is embedded in the thermal head 33. The thermal head 33 is disposed opposite to the platen roller 32, and thermally transfers the base layer S2 and the ink receiving layer S3 to the layer to be transferred S4 by heating the thermal transfer sheet Ns passing between the thermal head 33 and the platen roller 32 from below.

[0030] The first recovery roller 34 is disposed below the platen roller 32 via a driven roller 341 disposed on the downstream side in the conveyance direction D of the platen roller 32. The first recovery roller 34 recovers the release layer S1 of the thermal transfer sheet Ns together with the base layer S2 and the ink receiving layer S3 that have not been thermally transferred to the transfer layer S4 by the thermal head 33.

[0031] The pressing unit 35 is disposed on the downstream side in the conveyance direction D from the platen roller 32 and the driven roller 341, and presses and adheres the base layer S2 thermally transferred onto the transfer layer S4 together with the ink receiving layer S3 onto a printing target such as a claw T. Specifically, the pressing unit 35 is located above the thermal transfer sheet Ns conveyed in the conveyance direction D in a normal state (when not operating), and is configured to be vertically drivable by a motor or the like (not shown), and the lower surface is a pressing surface having a sponge or the like. Further, the pressing unit 35 may have a heater 35a (see FIG. 6) inside, and press the thermal transfer sheet Ns while heating it with the heater 35a. The pressing unit 35 corresponds to the finger arrangement portion 14 in the X direction position. The transfer unit main body 30 is moved in the Y direction, and the finger arrangement portion 14 is positioned below the pressing unit 35 through the thermal transfer sheet Ns, and the thermal transfer sheet Ns is pressed toward the claw T disposed on the finger arrangement portion 14.

[0032] The second recovery roller 36 is disposed below the pressing unit 35 via a driven roller 361 disposed on the downstream side in the conveyance direction D of the pressing unit 35. The second recovery roller 36 recovers the transfer layer S4 that has passed through the pressing unit 35.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a control block diagram showing a schematic control configuration of the printing apparatus 1 and a terminal apparatus 9 described later. As shown in this figure, in addition to the operation unit 12, the transfer mechanism 3, the printing unit 4, and the photographing unit 5 described above, the printing apparatus 1 includes a display unit 17, a communication unit 18, a storage unit 81, a control unit 82, and the like.

[0034] The display unit 17 displays various information based on a display command from the control unit 82. The communication unit 18 transmits and receives various types of information to and from a terminal device 9 (to be described later) that operates in cooperation with the printing device 1. Communication between the printing device 1 and the terminal device 9 is performed, for example, by a wireless LAN or the like. Note that communication between the printing device 1 and the terminal device 9 is not limited to this, and any method may be used. For example, it may use a network line such as the Internet, or may perform wireless communication based on a short-range wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi. Also, this communication is not limited to wireless, and a configuration may be adopted in which various data can be transmitted and received between the two by a wired connection. The communication unit 18 includes an antenna chip or the like corresponding to the communication method of the terminal device 9.

[0035] The storage unit 81 is configured to include, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and stores various types of information and various programs for operating the printing device 1. For example, a printing program for performing printing processing is stored in the storage unit 81. Also, the storage unit 81 may store various types of data including an image acquired by the imaging unit 5 and data of a design to be printed on a printing target. The control unit 82 is configured to include a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and controls each unit of the printing device 1. By the control unit 82 expanding and executing the program in the storage unit 81 in a work area, each unit of the printing device 1 is comprehensively controlled.

[0036] Also, the printing device 1 of the present embodiment is configured to be able to communicate with the terminal device 9, and executes a printing operation or the like based on an operation command from the terminal device 9. The terminal device 9 is a portable terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet that functions exclusively as a user interface of the printing device 1. However, the terminal device 9 is not particularly limited as long as it is an information processing device capable of communicating with the printing device 1, and may be, for example, a notebook-type or stationary personal computer, a terminal device for games, or the like. Specifically, the terminal device 9 includes an operation unit 92, a display unit 93, a communication unit 94, a storage unit 96, a control unit 97, and the like.

[0037] The operation unit 92 is configured to perform various inputs, settings, etc. according to the operations of the user, and an input signal corresponding to the operation received by the operation unit 92 is transmitted to the control unit 97. In the present embodiment, a touch panel is integrally provided on the surface of the display unit 93, and the user can also perform operations such as various inputs and settings by a touch operation on the touch panel. Note that the operation unit 92 for performing operations such as various inputs and settings is not limited to a touch panel. For example, various operation buttons, a keyboard, a pointing device, etc. may be provided as the operation unit 92.

[0038] The display unit 93 displays various information based on a display command from the control unit 97. In the present embodiment, various information such as the nail design input and selected by the user from the operation unit 92 and the nail image transmitted from the printing device 1 is displayed on the display unit 93. Note that the display unit 93 of the present embodiment is integrally configured with the touch panel for performing various inputs as described above.

[0039] The communication unit 94 is configured to be capable of communicating with the communication unit 18 of the printing device 1. Note that the communication unit 94 only needs to be able to communicate with the printing device 1, and one that conforms to the communication standard of the communication unit 18 of the printing device 1 is applied.

[0040] The storage unit 96 stores various programs and various data for operating each part of the terminal device 9. For example, in addition to the operation program for overall control of each part of the terminal device 9, the storage unit 96 stores various programs such as a nail print application program for performing nail printing using the printing device 1. Also, the storage unit 96 stores data of the design (nail design) to be printed on the printing target. Note that this design may be a pre-prepared existing design, a design created by the user himself / herself, or a design obtained from a server device (not shown) etc. through the communication unit 94 etc.

[0041] The control unit 97 controls each part of the terminal device 9. By expanding and executing the program in the storage unit 96 in the work area, each part of the terminal device 9 is comprehensively controlled.

[0042] Subsequently, the operation of the printing device 1 when executing the printing process will be described. The printing process is a process of printing a nail design on the nail T of the finger U. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the printing process, and FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrams for explaining the printing process. Note that the nail design to be printed on the nail T is assumed to be pre-selected and specified by a user operation.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 7, when the printing process is executed, first, the user places the finger U of the nail T to be printed on the finger placement unit 14 of the printing device 1 (step S1). Note that prior to the printing process, a coating agent that supports the reception of the base layer S2 to be attached to the nail T in step S5 described later may be applied to the nail T in advance by hand painting or the like.

[0044] Then, the control unit 82 of the printing device 1 controls the imaging unit 5, captures the surface of the nail (finger including the nail) placed on the finger placement unit 14, and acquires an image (nail image) thereof (step S2). The acquired nail image is stored in the storage unit 81. At this time, the transfer unit main body 30 of the transfer mechanism 3 is retracted in advance in front of the finger placement unit 14 (printing area A1).

[0045] Next, the control unit 82 detects (also referred to as acquires or calculates) the shape (outline) of the nail that is the printing target by performing image analysis on the nail image acquired in step S2 (step S3). That is, the control unit 82 here is a detection means for detecting the shape of the nail. The detected nail shape (nail shape) is stored in the storage unit 81. At this time, the nail shape may be detected in consideration of the curvature of the left and right portions of the nail T by further image analysis. In this case, instead of image analysis, the distance may be read by a distance measuring sensor or the like to determine the curvature.

[0046] Next, the control unit 82 controls the transfer mechanism 3 to thermally transfer the base layer S2 and the ink receiving layer S3 having a shape corresponding to the claw shape to the transfer layer S4 of the thermal transfer sheet Ns (step S4). Specifically, the control unit 82 first controls the movement motor 30M of the transfer mechanism 3 to move the transfer unit main body 30 backward and advance it into the printing area A1. Then, the control unit 82 drives the platen roller 32, the first recovery roller 34, and the second recovery roller 36 to feed out the thermal transfer sheet Ns from the sheet roll Nr of the sheet supply roller 31 and convey it in the conveyance direction D. Then, the control unit 82 heats the thermal transfer sheet Ns from below by the thermal head 33 to thermally transfer the base layer S2 and the ink receiving layer S3 having a shape corresponding to the claw shape to the transfer layer S4 (FIG. 8(a)). The temperature of the thermal head 33 at this time is measured by the thermistor 33a and controlled to a predetermined temperature. The base layer S2 and the ink receiving layer S3 thermally transferred to the transfer layer S4 move toward the pressing unit 35 along the conveyance direction D, and the base layer S2 and the ink receiving layer S3 not thermally transferred to the transfer layer S4 are recovered by the first recovery roller 34 together with the release layer S1. Note that the shapes of the base layer S2 and the ink receiving layer S3 thermally transferred here may be the shape of a part of the entire claw shape based on the nail design, rather than the entire claw shape.

[0047] Next, the control unit 82 controls the transfer mechanism 3 to press and attach the base layer S2 and the ink receiving layer S3 thermally transferred onto the transfer layer S4 to the surface of the user's nail T (step S5). Specifically, the control unit 82 controls the pressing unit 35 to operate downward, and presses and attaches the base layer S2 and the ink receiving layer S3 conveyed above the finger placement unit 14 together with the transfer layer S4 against the surface of the nail T of the finger placement unit 14 (FIGS. 8(b) and 9). At this time, the control unit 82 presses the pressing unit 35 while heating it to about 50° C. by the heater 35a. As a result, the base layer S2 and the ink receiving layer S3 having a shape corresponding to the claw shape are attached to the surface of the nail T (FIG. 8(c)). The transfer layer S4 from which the base layer S2 and the ink receiving layer S3 have been removed is recovered by the second recovery roller 36.

[0048] Next, the control unit 82 controls the printing unit 4 to perform design printing on the base layer S2 and the ink receiving layer S3 attached to the nail T (step S6). Specifically, the control unit 82 first controls the movement motor 30M of the transfer mechanism 3 to retract the transfer unit main body 30 from the printing area A1. Then, the control unit 82 generates print data based on the nail design and nail shape selected in advance, and controls the print head 41 and the head movement mechanism 42 of the printing unit 4 based on this print data to print the nail T (FIG. 8(d)). Note that the generation of the print data may be performed at any timing as long as it is after the acquisition of the nail design and the nail shape. As a result, a desired nail design is printed on the nail T. Since this design printing is performed on the upper side of the base layer S2, the ink develops color well. Also, since the design printing is performed on the ink receiving layer S3, the ink is likely to be fixed. Further, compared with the method of printing the base ink using the inkjet method, the time for the solvent of the ink to evaporate can be reduced, so the drying time is shorter than that of the inkjet method, and the design printing can be moved to quickly.

[0049] Next, the user removes the finger U from the printing apparatus 1 and applies a top coat for protecting the design printing to the nail on which the design printing has been performed (step S7). In this way, the printing process ends. Note that the process in the printing apparatus 1 itself may end in step S6.

[0050] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the thermal transfer sheet Ns having the base layer S2 is heated by the thermal head 33 based on the nail shape, and the base layer S2 is pressed toward the nail T by the pressing unit 35. As a result, unlike the case where the ink applied to the printing plate is transferred to the nail by the pad, it is not necessary to clean the pad every time the printing of one nail is completed. Also, in the case of transfer by the pad, if the cleaning time of the pad is shortened to improve efficiency, ink may remain on the pad. Therefore, with the configuration of the present embodiment, printing using transfer can be performed efficiently.

[0051] Further, according to the present embodiment, the pressing portion 35 has a heater 35a, and while heating with the heater 35a, the base layer S2 is pressed against the nail T and attached thereto. Thereby, the base layer S2 can be suitably attached to the surface of the nail T.

[0052] Further, according to the present embodiment, the thermal transfer sheet Ns has an ink receiving layer S3 between the transfer layer S4 and the base layer S2, and this ink receiving layer S3 is thermally transferred to the transfer layer S4 together with the base layer S2 and attached to the surface of the nail T. Thereby, in the design printing by the printing unit 4 performed thereafter, the ink can be easily fixed.

[0053] Further, according to the present embodiment, the adhesive force between the transfer layer S4 and the ink receiving layer S3 is greater than the adhesive force between the base layer S2 and the release layer S1 at the temperature (first temperature) during thermal transfer by the thermal head 33, and is smaller than the adhesive force between the base layer S2 and the nail T at the temperature (second temperature lower than the first temperature) during pressing by the pressing portion 35. Thereby, the ink receiving layer S3 can be suitably thermally transferred to the transfer layer S4 during thermal transfer, and the base layer S2 can be suitably attached to the nail T during pressing.

[0054] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist thereof.

[0055] For example, in the present embodiment, the pressing portion 35 presses the thermal transfer sheet Ns against the nail T while heating it to about 50° C. with the heater 35a. However, the heating temperature at this time is not particularly limited as long as the user does not feel a burden. Further, this heating may not be performed.

[0056] In addition, in the present embodiment, a base layer S2 of white or a color close to white, which serves as a base for design printing, is adhered to the nail T while utilizing thermal transfer. However, this base layer S2 may be a color other than white or may have a design (pattern). In this case, printing by the printing unit may be omitted, or after forming a part of the design (pattern) on the nail by adhesion using thermal transfer, the remaining design (pattern) may be formed by printing by the printing unit. Moreover, the thermal transfer sheet Ns only needs to have at least a transfer layer S4 and a base layer S2.

[0057] In addition, the transfer unit main body 30 is provided with at least a thermal head 33 and a pressing unit 35, and other configurations of the transfer unit main body 30 may be provided in a replaceable cartridge that is detachable from the transfer unit main body 30.

[0058] Further, the transfer unit main body 30 may be configured to be able to reuse the unused base layer S2 by reversely transporting (rewinding) the thermal transfer sheet Ns. In this case, for example, the transport amount of the thermal transfer sheet Ns may be detected by an encoder or the like, and the unused portion of the base layer S2 may be specified and reused. The reverse transport of the thermal transfer sheet Ns may be achieved by rotating the transport roller in the reverse direction.

[0059] Further, in order to make the transfer unit main body 30 smaller, the finger arrangement portion 14 and the pressing portion 35 may be provided between the sheet supply roller 31 and the thermal head 33 in the conveyance direction of the thermal transfer sheet Ns, that is, on the upstream side of the thermal head 33. Specifically, assuming the case where the thermal transfer sheet Ns is composed of a base layer S2 (or the base layer S2 and the ink receiving layer S3) and a transfer layer S4, excluding the release layer S1. In this case, for example, when the thermal transfer sheet Ns is reversely conveyed, the thermal head 33 heats the thermal transfer sheet Ns, and the pressing portion 35 presses the thermal transfer sheet Ns toward the finger U disposed in the finger arrangement portion 14 provided between the sheet supply roller 31 and the thermal head 33 in the conveyance direction. At this time, the first recovery roller 34 and the driven roller 341 for recovering the release layer S1 can be excluded from the configuration, and further, the distance between the thermal head 33 and the second recovery roller 36 in the conveyance direction can be shortened, so that the transfer unit main body 30 can be made smaller.

[0060] Also, in the present embodiment, the printing apparatus 1 is configured to cooperate with the terminal device 9 to form a printing system, and the case where only the printing apparatus 1 performs operation control and execution is exemplified. However, the degree of sharing of processing between the printing apparatus 1 and the terminal device 9 is not particularly limited, and all processing including user operations may be executed only by the printing apparatus 1, or the terminal device 9 may perform various calculations.

[0061] Further, various data such as nail design, photographed images, and nail shape information may be stored in the storage unit of the terminal device, or may be stored in the storage unit of the printing apparatus 1. In the present embodiment, the photographing unit 5 is provided in the printing apparatus 1, but a photographing unit may be provided in the terminal device, and the nail image may be transmitted to the printing apparatus 1 via the communication unit. Also, the terminal device may detect the shape of the nail. Alternatively, various data may be stored in a server device or the like that can be connected via a network line or the like, and the terminal device or the printing device 1 may be configured to access the server device or the like to refer to this data. By doing so, it becomes possible to select a design to be printed from a greater number of nail designs and so on.

[0062] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof. The invention described in the claims first attached to the application form of this application is appended below. The claim numbers described in the appendix are as in the claims first attached to the application form of this application. 〔Appendix〕 <Claim 1> Detection means for detecting the shape of the object to be printed; Conveying means for conveying a heated medium having at least a transfer layer and an ink layer; First heating means for heating the heated medium conveyed by the conveying means based on the shape of the object to be printed and thermally transferring the ink layer to the transfer layer; Pressing means for pressing the ink layer thermally transferred to the transfer layer toward the object to be printed, comprising: A transfer device characterized by the above. <Claim 2> Detection means for detecting nails that are the object to be printed; Conveying means for conveying a heated medium having at least a transfer layer and an ink layer; First heating means for heating the heated medium conveyed by the conveying means and thermally transferring the ink layer to the transfer layer; Pressing means for pressing the ink layer thermally transferred to the transfer layer toward the nails, comprising: A transfer device characterized by the above. <Claim 3> The heated medium has an ink receiving layer between the transfer layer and the ink layer, The first heating means thermally transfers the ink layer and the ink receiving layer to the transfer layer, The pressing means presses the ink layer and the ink receiving layer toward the object to be printed. The transfer device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that. <Claim 4> The heated medium is laminated on the side opposite to the transfer layer with respect to the ink layer, and has a release layer that is peeled off from the ink layer as the heated medium is conveyed. The transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that. <Claim 5> The pressing means has a second heating means, and presses the ink layer toward the object to be printed while heating by the second heating means. The transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that. <Claim 6> The heated medium is laminated on the side opposite to the transfer layer with respect to the ink layer, and has a release layer that is peeled off from the ink layer as the heated medium is conveyed. The pressing means has a second heating means that can obtain a second temperature at which the ink layer and the ink receiving layer are pressed while being heated toward the object to be printed, which is lower than a first temperature when the first heating means thermally transfers the ink layer and the ink receiving layer to the transfer layer. At the first temperature, the adhesive force between the transfer layer and the ink receiving layer is greater than the adhesive force between the ink layer and the release layer, and at the second temperature, the adhesive force between the transfer layer and the ink receiving layer is smaller than the adhesive force between the ink layer and the object to be printed. The adhesive force between the ink receiving layer and the ink layer is the largest adhesive force among the respective layers of the heated medium at the first temperature and the second temperature. The transfer device according to claim 3, characterized in that. <Claim 7> The pressing means is disposed on the downstream side of the first heating means in the conveying direction by the conveying means. The transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that. <Claim 8> The apparatus further includes photographing means for photographing the object to be printed, wherein the detection means detects the shape of the object to be printed based on an image photographed by the photographing means. The transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that. <Claim 9> A transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, printing means for printing on the object to be printed with the ink layer attached thereto, Characterized by comprising: The printing apparatus according to claim 16. <Claim 10> A transfer layer, An ink receiving layer that is thermally transferable to the transfer layer and receives ink, An ink layer having adhesiveness, A release layer having a release surface, Are laminated in this order, The thermal transfer sheet according to claim 30, characterized in that. <Claim 11> A detection step of detecting the shape of the object to be printed, A first heating step of heating a heating medium having at least a transfer layer and an ink layer based on the shape of the object to be printed, and thermally transferring the ink layer to the transfer layer, A pressing step of pressing the ink layer thermally transferred to the transfer layer toward the object to be printed, Characterized by comprising: The transfer method according to claim 42, characterized in that.

Explanation of Signs

[0063] 1 Printing apparatus 3 Transfer mechanism 4 Printing section (printing means) 5 Photographing section (photographing means) 9 Terminal device 14 Finger placement section 30 Transfer section main body 32 Platen roller (conveying means) 33 Thermal head (first heating means) 33a Thermistor 35 Pressing part (pressing means) 35a Heater (second heating means) 41 Print head 42 Head movement mechanism 82 Control unit A1 Printing area D Conveying direction Ns Thermal transfer sheet (heated medium) S1 Release layer S2 Base layer (ink layer) S3 Ink receiving layer S4 Transferred layer T Claw (printing target) U Finger

Claims

1. detection means for detecting the shape of the object to be printed; transport means for transporting a heated medium having at least a transfer layer and an ink layer; first heating means for heating the heated medium transported by the transport means based on the shape of the object to be printed and thermally transferring the ink layer to the transfer layer; pressing means for pressing the ink layer thermally transferred to the transfer layer toward the object to be printed, characterized by a transfer device.

2. detection means for detecting a claw that is the object to be printed; transport means for transporting a heated medium having at least a transfer layer and an ink layer; first heating means for heating the heated medium transported by the transport means and thermally transferring the ink layer to the transfer layer; pressing means for pressing the ink layer thermally transferred to the transfer layer toward the claw, characterized by a transfer device.

3. The heated medium has an ink receiving layer between the transfer layer and the ink layer, The first heating means thermally transfers the ink layer and the ink receiving layer to the transfer layer, The pressing means presses the ink layer and the ink receiving layer toward the object to be printed, characterized by the transfer device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The heated medium has a release layer laminated on the side opposite to the transfer layer with respect to the ink layer and peeled off from the ink layer as the heated medium is transported, characterized by the transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The pressing means has second heating means, and presses the ink layer toward the object to be printed while heating by the second heating means, characterized by the transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The heated medium has a release layer laminated on the side opposite to the transfer layer with respect to the ink layer and peeled off from the ink layer as the heated medium is transported, The pressing means has second heating means capable of taking a second temperature at which the ink layer and the ink receiving layer are heated and pressed toward the object to be printed, which is lower than a first temperature when the first heating means thermally transfers the ink layer and the ink receiving layer to the transfer layer, At the first temperature, the adhesive force between the transfer layer and the ink receiving layer is greater than the adhesive force between the ink layer and the release layer, and at the second temperature, the adhesive force between the transfer layer and the ink receiving layer is smaller than the adhesive force between the ink layer and the printing target. The adhesive force between the ink receiving layer and the ink layer is the largest adhesive force among the layers of the heated medium at the first temperature and the second temperature. The transfer device according to claim 3, characterized in that.

7. The pressing means is disposed on the downstream side of the first heating means in the conveying direction by the conveying means. The transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that.

8. The transfer device further includes imaging means for imaging the printing target. The detection means detects the shape of the printing target based on the image captured by the imaging means. The transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that.

9. The transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, Printing means for performing printing on the printing target to which the ink layer is attached, Comprising The printing device is characterized in that.

10. A transfer layer, An ink receiving layer that is thermally transferable to the transfer layer and receives ink, An ink layer having adhesiveness, A release layer having a release surface, Are laminated in this order, The thermal transfer sheet is characterized in that.

11. A detection step of detecting the shape of the printing target, A first heating step of heating a heated medium having at least a transfer layer and an ink layer based on the shape of the printing target and thermally transferring the ink layer to the transfer layer, A pressing step of pressing the ink layer thermally transferred to the transfer layer toward the printing target, Comprising The transfer method is characterized in that.

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