Inkjet printer, transfer sheet manufacturing system, and transfer sheet manufacturing method

Abstract

Provided is an inkjet printer capable of preventing quality deterioration of a transfer sheet. A printer 10 connected to an upstream side of a shaker machine 100 includes an ink head 40, a medium conveyance device 20, and a control device 90. A conveyance control unit 92 of the control device 90 conveys a transfer film 5 when printing by the ink head 40 is stopped. Thus, the portion of the transfer film 5 where an image layer 6a is formed can pass through a heating table 101b of the shaker machine 100. Therefore, for example, even when the printing of the printer 10 is stopped, the portion where the image layer 6a is formed can be prevented from being excessively heated.

Description

Inkjet printer, transfer sheet manufacturing system, and transfer sheet manufacturing method

[0001] The present invention relates to an inkjet printer, a transfer sheet manufacturing system, and a transfer sheet manufacturing method.

[0002] DTF (Direct to Film) printers have been known for some time. They print an image on a transfer film and then apply a heat-fusible powder to the image to create a transfer sheet. For example, Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a DTF printing system that includes a DTF printer and a binder fixer (shaker machine) with an internal heater. In this DTF printing system, the DTF printer prints a desired image on a transfer film and transports the transfer film to the binder fixer. The binder fixer then applies a heat-fusible powder to the image printed on the transfer film. The binder fixer then heats and melts the powder using a heater. Once the melted powder is dried, a transfer sheet is completed. The transfer sheet is then placed on a fabric or the like and heated and pressed to transfer the image to the fabric.

[0003] Piotec Corporation, "What is a DTF printer (DTF print)? Introducing the basics," [online], [Retrieved November 24, 2023], Internet <URL: https: / / www.piotec.co.jp / blog / 22_0209 / >

[0004] In the printer described above, the transfer film is disposed between the DTF printer and the binder fixer. The DTF printer transports the transfer film, and the binder fixer winds it up. The binder fixer heats the transfer film in a predetermined heating area. It is possible that the DTF printer and the binder fixer are not electrically synchronized. In this case, if the DTF printer stops transporting the transfer film, the portion of the transfer film located in the heating area of ​​the binder fixer continues to heat. If an image is printed on the portion of the transfer film located in the heating area, the image and powder may be overheated, potentially degrading the quality of the transfer sheet.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ink-jet printer that can prevent deterioration in the quality of the transfer sheet.

[0006] The inkjet printer according to the present invention is an inkjet printer connected to a heating device that heats a transfer recording medium, having a heat-fusible powder adhered to an image formed by ink, while transporting the transfer recording medium to produce a transfer sheet, and includes a mounting table, an ink head that prints the image on the transfer recording medium mounted on the mounting table, a medium transport device that transports the transfer recording medium mounted on the mounting table toward the heating device, and a control device that controls the medium transport device. The control device includes a transport control unit that transports the transfer recording medium by the medium transport device when printing by the ink head is stopped.

[0007] According to the inkjet printer of the present invention, the transport control unit of the control device transports the transfer recording medium using the medium transport device when printing by the ink head is stopped. Therefore, for example, the transfer recording medium continues to be transported even after the printer has finished printing the image. The heating device heats the transfer recording medium while transporting it. Therefore, the portion of the transfer recording medium on which the image is printed can pass through the area heated by the heating device. This prevents the printed portion of the transfer recording medium from being overheated. Therefore, a deterioration in the quality of the resulting transfer sheet can be prevented.

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an inkjet printer that can prevent deterioration in the quality of the transfer sheet.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a transfer sheet. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a transfer sheet manufacturing system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a front view of a printer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a bottom view schematically showing the configuration of the underside of a carriage. FIG. 5 is a front view schematically showing a cleaning device. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a transfer sheet manufacturing system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the process when a transfer sheet is manufactured by the transfer sheet manufacturing system. FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a transfer sheet manufacturing system according to a second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a transfer sheet manufacturing system according to a third embodiment.

[0010] <First embodiment> A transfer sheet manufacturing system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described here is not intended to particularly limit the present invention. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used for components and parts that perform the same functions, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a transfer sheet 200. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a transfer sheet manufacturing system 1. The transfer sheet 200 shown in FIG. 1 is produced by the transfer sheet manufacturing system 1 shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the transfer sheet 200 comprises a transfer film 5 and a transfer layer 6. The transfer sheet 200 is, for example, a sheet used to decorate fabric. The transfer sheet 200 is placed on the fabric to be decorated, pressurized and heated, and the transfer film 5 is peeled off, thereby transferring the transfer layer 6 to the fabric.

[0012] The transfer film 5 is a transfer film formed, for example, from a resin film. The transfer film 5 is an example of a transfer recording medium in the present invention. Examples of resin films include polyolefin resins such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), polyester resins such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and thermoplastic resins such as polycarbonate (PC) resin and polyamide resin. Although not shown, the transfer film 5 may also include a smoothing layer that enhances the surface smoothness of the transfer film 5, or a release layer that enhances the ease of peeling the transfer layer 6 from the transfer film 5. The transfer recording medium is not limited to the transfer film 5 formed from a resin film. For example, paper transfer paper may also be used as the transfer recording medium.

[0013] The transfer layer 6 has the property of softening and becoming adhesive when heated and hardening when cooled. The transfer layer 6 includes an image layer 6a and an ink-receiving layer 6b. The image layer 6a is an ink layer formed using ink ejected from an ink head 40 (see FIG. 3), which will be described later. The image layer 6a includes a color layer 6aa and a white layer 6ab. The color layer 6aa is a layer formed using the color of the image to be transferred to the object to be decorated by the transfer sheet 200. The white layer 6ab is formed above the color layer 6aa. The white layer 6ab is a layer formed by ejecting white ink. The ink-receiving layer 6b is a layer containing thermoplastic resin particles and a binder. Examples of thermoplastic resin particles include polyolefin resins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, and polyester resins such as polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene-2,6-naphthalate. The binder functions to bind particles together. The binder is a water-soluble or water-insoluble polymer compound.

[0014] In the following description, left, right, top, and bottom refer to the left, right, top, and bottom, respectively, when viewing the transfer sheet manufacturing system 1 from the direction of symbol F shown in FIG. 2. Symbols F, Rr, L, R, U, and D indicate front, back, left, right, top, and bottom, respectively, and symbols X and Y (see FIG. 3) indicate the front-to-back and left-to-right directions, respectively. Here, symbol Y in the drawings indicates the main scanning direction. Symbol X shown in FIG. 2 indicates the sub-scanning direction. In this embodiment, the sub-scanning direction X is a direction that intersects (here, perpendicular to) the main scanning direction Y in a plan view. However, these directions are merely used for convenience of explanation and do not limit the installation mode of the transfer sheet manufacturing system 1 in any way.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2 , the transfer sheet manufacturing system 1 includes an inkjet printer 10 (hereinafter referred to as the printer 10) and a shaker machine 100. The shaker machine 100 is an example of a heating device according to the present invention. The printer 10 of this embodiment is a so-called DTF (Direct to Film) printer. The printer 10 and the shaker machine 100 form an image layer 6a (see FIG. 1 ) and an ink-receiving layer 6b (see FIG. 1 ) on a transfer film 5. The transfer film 5 is transported by a medium transport device 20 and taken up by a take-up unit 170. Therefore, the transfer film 5 is transported from rear to front. That is, the transport direction of the transfer film 5 is the sub-scanning direction X, with the upstream side being the rear and the downstream side being the front. The printer 10 is connected upstream of the shaker machine 100. Note that "connection" here means that the inkjet printer 10 and the shaker machine 100 perform a series of processes on the transfer film 5, and does not matter whether the inkjet printer 10 and the shaker machine 100 are in physical contact with each other. It also does not matter whether the printer 10 and the shaker machine 100 are electrically connected to each other. Below, the printer 10 and the shaker machine 100 will be described in that order.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a front view of the printer 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 10 includes a printer main body 10a, an operation panel 12, a platen 13, a medium transport device 20, a media supply device 70 (see FIG. 2), guide rails 15, a carriage 17, a head movement mechanism 30, an ink head 40 (see FIG. 2), a cleaning device 60, an ink supply unit 75, and a control device 90. The operation panel 12 is provided, for example, on the front right side of the printer main body 10a. However, the location of the operation panel 12 is not particularly limited. The operation panel 12 is used by the user to perform printing-related operations. Although not shown, the operation panel 12 also includes a display unit that displays printing-related information such as resolution and ink density, as well as the status of the printer 10 during printing, and an input unit for inputting printing-related information.

[0017] The printer main body 10a has a casing that extends in the main scanning direction Y. A transfer film 5 is supported on a platen 13, and printing is performed on the platen 13. The platen 13 is an example of a mounting table in the present invention. The platen 13 extends in the main scanning direction Y and the sub-scanning direction X.

[0018] The medium conveying device 20 conveys the transfer film 5 supported on the platen 13 downstream in the sub-scanning direction X. That is, the medium conveying device 20 conveys the transfer film 5 toward the shaker machine 100 (see FIG. 2 ). The configuration of the medium conveying device 20 is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the medium conveying device 20 includes a pinch roller 21, a grit roller 22, and a feed motor 23. The pinch roller 21 is disposed above the platen 13 and below the guide rail 15 and presses down on the transfer film 5 from above. The grit roller 22 is provided on the platen 13 with its upper portion exposed above the platen 13. The grit roller 22 faces the pinch roller 21. Note that the installation positions and number of the pinch roller 21 and the grit roller 22 are not particularly limited. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 , the pinch roller 21 and the grit roller 22 are disposed at the left and right ends of the platen 13, respectively.

[0019] In this example, a feed motor 23 is connected to a grit roller 22 disposed at the right end of the platen 13. When the feed motor 23 is driven with the transfer film 5 sandwiched between the pinch roller 21 and the grit roller 22, the grit roller 22 rotates. This causes the transfer film 5 to be transported in the sub-scanning direction X. Note that the feed motor 23 may also be connected to the grit roller 22 disposed at the left end of the platen 13.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, an unprinted roll 5a is loaded into the media supply device 70. The roll 5a is a roll of transfer film 5 wound up. The media supply device 70 supports the roll 5a rotatably in the sub-scanning direction X. The media supply device 70 supplies the transfer film 5 from the roll 5a. The media supply device 70 is provided on the rear side of the printer 10. The media supply device 70 includes a feeder 71 that rotatably supports the roll 5a. The feeders 71 are arranged in a pair side by side in the left-right direction. The pair of feeders 71 are members that hold both ends of the roll 5a in the left-right direction. The feeder 71 may be adjustable in its left-right position to match the left-right width of the roll 5a.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the head moving mechanism 30 is a mechanism that moves the carriage 17 and the ink head 40 (see FIG. 2) in the main scanning direction Y. The configuration of the head moving mechanism 30 is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the head moving mechanism 30 includes left and right pulleys 31a and 31b, a belt 32, and a scan motor 33. The left pulley 31a is provided near the left end of the guide rail 15. The right pulley 31b is provided near the right end of the guide rail 15. The belt 32 is, for example, endless, and is wound around the left pulley 31a and the right pulley 31b. The carriage 17 is attached and fixed to the belt 32.

[0022] A scan motor 33 is connected to the right pulley 31b. When the scan motor 33 is driven, the right pulley 31b rotates, causing the belt 32 to run between the left and right pulleys 31a and 31b. This causes the carriage 17 and the ink head 40 to move in the main scanning direction Y along the guide rail 15.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a bottom view schematically illustrating the configuration of the underside of the carriage 17. As shown in FIG. 4, the ink head 40 is provided on the carriage 17. The ink head 40 is supported by the carriage 17 so that its underside is exposed below the carriage 17. The ink head 40 ejects ink. In this embodiment, there are five ink heads 40. The five ink heads 40 are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction Y. Here, the five ink heads 40 will also be referred to as ink heads 40C, 40M, 40Y, 40K, and 40W, from left to right. In the following description, the term "ink head 40" will be used appropriately when describing all of the ink heads 40C, 40M, 40Y, 40K, and 40W in a common manner. The ink head 40 has a nozzle surface 42. The nozzle surface 42 forms the bottom surface of the ink head 40. Nozzles 41 are formed on each nozzle surface 42. The nozzles 41 are minute holes that eject ink onto the transfer film 5. The multiple nozzles 41 form a nozzle row aligned in the sub-scanning direction X. Here, the nozzle row in ink head 40C is referred to as 41C. Similarly, nozzle rows 41M, 41Y, 41K, and 41W are formed in ink heads 40M, 40Y, 40K, and 40W. Note that each ink head 40 has one nozzle row, but this is not limited to this. Furthermore, the ink heads 40 may be arranged in a so-called staggered arrangement, in which the ink heads 40 are arranged offset in the main scanning direction Y.

[0024] FIG. 5 is a schematic front view of the cleaning device 60. The cleaning device 60 is configured to clean the ink head 40 when the carriage 17 is moved to a predetermined cleaning position P1. As shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the cleaning position P1 is located near the right end of the guide rail 15. However, the location of the cleaning position P1 is not particularly limited. Here, the cleaning device 60 includes a wiper unit 61 and a cap unit 62. The wiper unit 61 includes a wiper 61a and a wiper moving portion 61b. The wiper 61a is configured as a flat plate extending in the main scanning direction Y and the up-down direction. The wiper 61a is made of, for example, rubber. The wiper moving portion 61b moves the wiper 61a in the sub-scanning direction X, bringing it into contact with the nozzle surface 42 of the ink head 40 (see FIG. 4). The nozzle surface 42 of the ink head 40 is wiped by the wiper 61a moving in the sub-scanning direction X. This process is referred to as a wiping process. The configuration of the wiper unit 61 is not limited to the above. Wiping may be performed by, for example, moving the carriage 17 or by moving in the main scanning direction Y.

[0025] The cap unit 62 protects the ink head 40 and suctions ink from the nozzles 41 (see FIG. 4 ) of the ink head 40. The process of suctioning ink from the nozzles 41 is called a suction process. As shown in FIG. 5 , the cap unit 62 includes a cap 62a, a cap moving unit 62b, and a suction pump 62c. The cap 62a is configured to be attachable to the ink head 40. The cap moving unit 62b moves the cap 62a vertically to attach or detach it from the ink head 40. The suction pump 62c reduces the pressure inside the cap 62a while the cap 62a is attached to the ink head 40, thereby suctioning ink from the nozzles 41. This completes the suction process. Furthermore, during the cleaning process, ink is ejected from the ink head 40 toward the cap 62a while the cap 62a is detached. This process is called a flushing process.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 3, the printer 10 includes an ink supply unit 75. The ink supply unit 75 supplies ink to the ink head 40 (see Fig. 2). As shown in Fig. 3, the ink supply unit 75 includes an ink tank 76 and an ink supply path 77. Although not shown, the ink supply unit 75 may also include, for example, a valve that opens and closes the ink supply path 77 and a liquid feed pump that feeds ink.

[0027] The ink tank 76 is a container that contains ink. The ink tank 76 is, for example, an ink cartridge or a pouch-shaped container. The ink tank 76 stores, for example, one of a process color ink and a special color ink (e.g., white ink, clear ink, etc.). In this embodiment, an ink tank 76 that stores at least white ink is included to form the white layer 6ab (see FIG. 1 ). However, the color of the ink stored in the ink tank 76 is not particularly limited. Furthermore, the ink material is also not particularly limited, and various materials conventionally used as ink materials for inkjet printers can be used. The ink may be, for example, a solvent-based pigment ink or an aqueous pigment ink.

[0028] The ink supply path 77 is a flow path that connects the ink tank 76 and the ink head 40 (see FIG. 2). One end of the ink supply path 77 is connected to the ink tank 76, and the other end of the ink supply path 77 is connected to the ink head 40. The configuration of the ink supply path 77 is not particularly limited, but the ink supply path 77 is formed, for example, by a flexible tube. The ink in the ink tank 76 flows through the ink supply path 77 and is supplied to the ink head 40. In this embodiment, the ink supply unit 75 supplies cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, black ink, and white ink to the ink heads 40C, 40M, 40Y, 40K, and 40W (see FIG. 4), respectively.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2 , the printer 10 includes a control device 90. The control device 90 controls printing and other operations. The configuration of the control device 90 is not particularly limited. The control device 90 is, for example, a microcomputer. The hardware configuration of the microcomputer is not particularly limited, but it may include, for example, an interface (I / F) that receives print data and other data from an external device such as a host computer, a central processing unit (CPU) that executes instructions from a control program, a read-only memory (ROM) that stores the program executed by the CPU, a random access memory (RAM) used as a working area for expanding the program, and a storage device such as a memory that stores the program and various data. Note that the control device 90 does not necessarily need to be provided inside the printer 10. The control device 90 may be, for example, a computer installed external to the printer 10 and connected to the printer 10 via wired or wireless communication for communication.

[0030] 6 is a block diagram of the transfer sheet manufacturing system 1. As shown in FIG. 6, the control device 90 includes a cleaning control unit 91, a transport control unit 92, a switching unit 93, a speed control unit 94, and a determination unit 95.

[0031] The cleaning control unit 91 cleans the ink head 40 using the cleaning device 60 when printing by the ink head 40 is completed. When printing on the transfer film (see FIG. 3) is completed, the cleaning control unit 91 performs each process, for example, suction, wiping, and flushing, in that order. However, the cleaning control unit 91 may perform one or two of the processes described above. The order in which the cleaning control unit 91 performs each process is not particularly limited. Here, "when printing is completed" refers to, for example, a state in which all print data instructed to be printed has been printed. Alternatively, "when printing is completed" may also include a state in which printing has been interrupted due to an error in the printer 10, preventing further printing, even if not all print data has been printed. For example, the cleaning control unit 91 may perform cleaning even when printing has been interrupted due to an error.

[0032] The transport control unit 92 transports the transfer film 5 using the medium transport device 20 when printing by the ink head 40 is stopped. In this embodiment, the transport control unit 92 transports the transfer film 5 when cleaning of the ink head 40 is being performed by the cleaning control unit 91. In other words, when cleaning is being performed by the cleaning control unit 91, the transport control unit 92 drives the feed motor 23 of the medium transport device 20 to transport the transfer film 5. In this embodiment, the transport control unit 92 continuously transports the transfer film 5. In other words, the feed motor 23 is rotated at a constant speed to transport the transfer film 5. Note that the transport control unit 92 transports the transfer film 5 when cleaning is being performed by the cleaning control unit 91 when the transport of the transfer film 5 is in a first mode, which will be described later.

[0033] The switching unit 93 switches between a first mode and a second mode for transporting the transfer film 5. The first mode is a mode in which the transport control unit 92 transports the transfer film 5 when printing by the ink head 40 is stopped. The second mode is a mode in which the transport control unit 92 does not transport the transfer film 5 when printing by the ink head 40 is stopped. Switching between the first mode and the second mode is performed, for example, by the user operating the operation panel 12. However, the switching method is not limited to this. As described above, when the first mode is set by the switching unit 93, the transport control unit 92 transports the transfer film 5 when cleaning is performed by the cleaning control unit 91. When the second mode is set by the switching unit 93, the transfer film 5 is not transported when cleaning is performed by the cleaning control unit 91.

[0034] The speed control unit 94 sets the average speed of transport of the transfer film 5 by the transport control unit 92 to be equal to or lower than the average speed of transport of the transfer film 5 when printing is being performed by the ink head 40. The setting of the average speed of transport of the transfer film 5 by the transport control unit 92 may be set automatically or manually. When setting the average speed manually, for example, the user sets the average speed by operating the operation panel 12. Note that the average speed of transport of the transfer film 5 when printing is being performed by the ink head 40 is determined by a known method from the image to be printed.

[0035] In addition, when the second mode is set by the switching unit 93, "the conveying control unit 92 does not convey the transfer film 5" may be achieved by "the speed control unit 94 setting the average speed of conveying the transfer film 5 by the conveying control unit 92 to 0."

[0036] The determination unit 95 determines whether printing by the ink head 40 has finished. For example, when all print data is to be printed, whether all of the print data has been printed is determined based on the number of reciprocating movements (passes) of the carriage 17 and ink head 40 in the main scanning direction Y. However, the method for determining whether all of the print data has been printed is not particularly limited. When printing is to be terminated due to an error in the printer 10, for example, the determination is made based on whether the control device 90 has received an error signal from each part of the printer 10.

[0037] The above has described the printer 10. Next, the shaker machine 100 shown in FIG.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 2 , the shaker machine 100 is disposed downstream of the printer 10 (downstream in the sub-scanning direction X). The transfer film 5 transported by the medium transport device 20 of the printer 10 is transported to the shaker machine 100. The shaker machine 100 heats the transfer film 5, which has an ink image and a thermofusible powder PW attached thereto, while transporting it to produce a transfer sheet 200. In this embodiment, the thermofusible powder PW is attached to the image layer 6 a (see FIG. 1 ) formed on the transfer film 5. The thermofusible powder PW is a powder that forms the ink-receiving layer 6 b (see FIG. 1 ). The ink-receiving layer 6 b is formed by heating and curing the thermofusible powder PW. The thermofusible powder PW is a powder containing thermoplastic resin particles and a binder. The thermofusible powder PW may also contain various additives, such as a surfactant, a surface modifier, a viscosity modifier, a dispersant, a lubricant, a pH adjuster, and an antioxidant.

[0039] The shaker machine 100 includes a main body case 100a, an input section 110, a rotator 120, an intake fan 130, a heater 140, a drying fan 145, a load detection sensor 150, a slack detection sensor 155, a speed sensor 160, a winding section 170, a filter unit 180, a display panel 185, and a control device 190.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 2 , the main body case 100a has a shape that is elongated in the sub-scanning direction X. In this embodiment, the main body case 100a has a substantially L-shape in side view. The main body case 100a is formed in a hollow box shape. The transfer film 5 is transported into the main body case 100a. An insertion opening 100aa is formed in the upstream end face of the main body case 100a. Furthermore, an ejection opening 100ab is formed in the downstream end face of the main body case 100a. The transfer film 5 is transported from the insertion opening 100aa into the main body case 100a and ejected from the ejection opening 100ab to the outside of the main body case 100a. Although not shown, the main body case 100a may have an openable / closable cover, for example, on the top surface of the input unit 110 or above the heater 140.

[0041] A guide table 101a is provided inside the main body case 100a. The guide table 101a guides the transfer film 5 conveyed through the insertion opening 100aa. A heating table 101b is provided behind the guide table 101a. The heating table 101b is positioned opposite the heater 140. An ejection opening 100ab is located at the most downstream side of the heating table 101b. The portion of the transfer film 5 placed on the heating table 101b is heated by the heater 140. The guide table 101a and the heating table 101b are positioned above the bottom surface of the main body case 100a. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the portion of the transfer film 5 located between the guide table 101a and the heating table 101b has a downwardly sagging shape. This portion is referred to as a sagging portion 5s. The sagging portion 5s has a substantially U-shape.

[0042] The input unit 110 is provided at the rear and upper part of the main body case 100a. The input unit 110 includes a storage tank 112 and a supply mechanism 114. The storage tank 112 stores the thermofusible powder PW. The storage tank 112 opens upward. A supply port 113 is formed on the bottom surface of the storage tank 112. A guide member 113a extending forward and downward is attached to the supply port 113. The thermofusible powder PW that passes through the supply port 113 is supplied onto the transfer film 5 along the guide member 113a. The supply port 113 extends in the main scanning direction Y. For example, the length of the supply port 113 in the main scanning direction Y is equal to or longer than the length of the transfer film 5 in the main scanning direction Y. The shape of the supply port 113 is not particularly limited.

[0043] The supply mechanism 114 supplies the thermofusible powder PW stored in the storage tank 112 onto the transfer film 5. The configuration of the supply mechanism 114 is not particularly limited. The supply mechanism 114 may be, for example, a rotary valve. A supply motor 114a (see FIG. 6) is attached to the supply mechanism 114. The supply motor 114a is electrically connected to and controlled by the control device 190. When the supply motor 114a is driven, the supply mechanism 114 rotates. At this time, the thermofusible powder PW is agitated, and a portion of the thermofusible powder PW stored in the storage tank 112 passes through the supply port 113 and falls onto the transfer film 5. The thermofusible powder PW accumulates in the sagging portion 5s of the transfer film 5 arranged inside the main body case 100a. Therefore, the thermofusible powder PW adheres to the image layer 6a (see FIG. 1) downstream of the sagging portion 5s.

[0044] The rotator 120 is provided in front of the insertion portion 110 and at the bottom of the main body case 100a. The rotator 120 is disposed in front of the sagging portion 5s. The rotator 120 includes a rotation shaft 121 and a cam 122. A rotation motor 121a (see FIG. 6) is attached to the rotation shaft 121. The rotation motor 121a is electrically connected to and controlled by the control device 190. When the rotation motor 121a is driven, the rotation shaft 121 rotates in the direction of arrow D1. The cam 122 has convex portions 122a that are convex forward, backward, upward, and downward from the rotation shaft 121. In this embodiment, four convex portions 122a are arranged at equal intervals along the rotation direction of the rotation shaft 121 (the direction of arrow D1). In this embodiment, of the four convex portions 122a, the convex portion 122a arranged in the rear contacts the transfer film 5. However, the number of convex portions 122a is not particularly limited. The cam 122 is rotatably connected to the rotary shaft 121. Therefore, when the rotary shaft 121 rotates, the cam 122 also rotates. When the cam 122 rotates, the convex portions 122a come into intermittent contact with the transfer film 5. At this time, the transfer film 5 vibrates, and excess thermofusible powder PW adhering to the transfer film 5 falls. Although not shown in the figure, the fallen thermofusible powder PW is collected by a collection device or the like and stored again in the storage tank 112. The collection device can be realized by various methods, such as a cyclone type, a pulse type, a shaking type, or a Piab type.

[0045] The suction fan 130 is disposed at the rear end of the heating table 101b. The suction fan 130 is a fan that sucks in air from behind. A portion of the transfer film 5 is disposed behind the suction fan 130. Therefore, when the suction fan 130 sucks in air from behind, a portion of the transfer film 5 is attracted toward the suction fan 130. The portion of the transfer film 5, and therefore the transported transfer film 5, is transported along the heating table 101b.

[0046] The heater 140 is a device that heats the transfer film 5. The heater 140 is attached to the upper surface inside the main body case 100a. The heater 140 is electrically connected to and controlled by the control device 190. The heater 140 is disposed opposite the heating table 101b. Therefore, the heater 140 heats the portion of the transfer film 5 that is placed on the heating table 101b. At this time, the thermofusible powder PW adhered to the image layer 6a (see FIG. 1) of the transfer film 5 melts. This forms the ink-receiving layer 6b (see FIG. 1). The configuration of the heater 140 is not particularly limited. The heater 140 can be realized with various configurations, such as a sheath heater, ceramic heater, rubber heater, silicone rubber heater, carbon heater, or polyimide heater. In this embodiment, the heater 140 heats the transfer film 5 on the heating table 101b to a constant temperature.

[0047] The drying fan 145 is disposed downstream of the heater 140. The drying fan 145 is a fan that blows air onto the transfer film 5. That is, the drying fan 145 cools the transfer film 5, the image layer 6a, and the ink receiving layer 6b that have been heated by the heater 140. The drying fan 145 blows air onto the transfer film 5 downstream of the heater 140, thereby hardening the ink receiving layer 6b.

[0048] The presence detection sensor 150 is provided in the insertion opening 100aa of the main body case 100a. The presence detection sensor 150 includes a light-emitting unit 151 and a light-receiving unit 152. In this embodiment, the light-emitting unit 151 is provided above the insertion opening 100aa. The light-receiving unit 152 is provided below the insertion opening 100aa. The light-emitting unit 151 is a device having a light-emitting element that irradiates light toward the light-receiving unit 152. The light is, for example, laser light. The light-receiving unit 152 is a device having a light-receiving element that receives the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 151. The light-receiving unit 152 is, for example, a photosensor. The light-receiving unit 152 is electrically connected to the control device 190. The light-receiving unit 152 switches a signal ON / OFF depending on the amount of light received. When the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 152 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount of light, the signal sent by the light receiving unit 152 is turned ON. When the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 152 is less than the predetermined amount of light, the signal sent by the light receiving unit 152 is turned OFF.

[0049] The slack detection sensor 155 is disposed behind the rotator 120. The slack detection sensor 155 includes a first sensor 156 and a second sensor 157. The first sensor 156 is disposed higher than the second sensor 157. The first sensor 156 and the second sensor 157 detect the presence or absence of the transfer film 5 in front of them. The first sensor 156 and the second sensor 157 are electrically connected to the control device 190 and transmit signals to the control device 190. In this embodiment, the first sensor 156 and the second sensor 157 send an ON signal to the control device 190 when the transfer film 5 is disposed in front of them, and send an OFF signal when the transfer film 5 is not disposed in front of them. The sensors constituting the first sensor 156 and the second sensor 157 are not particularly limited, but may be, for example, ultrasonic sensors. However, the first sensor 156 and the second sensor 157 may also be, for example, optical sensors equipped with a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit.

[0050] The speed sensor 160 is a sensor that measures the speed of the transfer film 5 being transported. In this embodiment, the speed sensor 160 is arranged downstream of the presence detection sensor 150. However, the arrangement of the speed sensor 160 is not particularly limited. The configuration of the speed sensor 160 is not particularly limited, but it may be configured by a roller encoder, for example. The speed sensor 160 is electrically connected to the control device 190. The speed sensor 160 transmits the transport speed of the transfer film 5 to the control device 190.

[0051] The winding unit 170 is disposed downstream of the main body case 100a. The winding unit 170 winds up the transfer sheet 200 heated and formed by the heater 140. The winding unit 170 includes a feeder 171, a winding motor 172, and a winding bar (not shown). The winding bar extends in the main scanning direction Y and is a bar around which the transfer sheet 200 is wound. The feeders 171 are provided at both ends of the winding bar in the main scanning direction Y. That is, the feeder 171 holds the winding bar. The winding motor 172 is electrically connected to and controlled by the control device 190. When the winding motor 172 is driven, the winding bar rotates and the transfer sheet 200 is wound up. In this way, a roll 200a of the transfer sheet 200 is formed.

[0052] The filter unit 180 is provided on the side of the main body case 100a. The filter unit 180 is a unit that prevents the thermofusible powder PW from scattering outside the main body case 100a. The configuration of the filter unit 180 is not particularly limited, but it may include, for example, a dust filter and a fan that sucks the thermofusible powder PW toward the dust filter. The position of the filter unit 180 is also not particularly limited.

[0053] The display panel 185 is provided at the rear end of the main body case 100a. The display panel 185 may be detachable from the main body case 100a. The display panel 185 does not necessarily have to be provided in the main body case 100a, and may be a portable terminal such as a smartphone or tablet terminal that can communicate with the shaker machine 100. The display panel 185 includes a display screen 185a. The display screen 185a is a touch panel type, and icons (not shown) that are operated by the user are displayed on the display screen 185a. However, the display screen 185a may also be operated by, for example, a button.

[0054] The shaker machine 100 includes a control device 190. In this embodiment, the control device 190 is built into the display panel 185. The control device 190 controls the supply of the thermofusible powder PW and the heating of the transfer film 5. The configuration of the control device 190 is not particularly limited. The control device 190 is, for example, a microcomputer. The hardware configuration of the microcomputer is not particularly limited, but it may include, for example, an interface (I / F) that receives print data from an external device such as a host computer, a central processing unit (CPU) that executes instructions from a control program, a ROM that stores the program executed by the CPU, a RAM used as a working area for expanding the program, and a storage device such as a memory that stores the program and various data. The location of the control device 190 is not particularly limited. The control device 190 may be, for example, a computer installed outside the shaker machine 100 and connected to the shaker machine 100 via wired or wireless communication for communication. As shown in FIG. 6, the control device 190 includes a presence detection unit 191 , a winding control unit 192 , a speed recording unit 193 , a speed instruction unit 194 , and a speed change unit 195 .

[0055] The presence detection unit 191 receives a signal from the light receiving unit 152 of the presence detection sensor 150 shown in FIG. 2 and detects the presence or absence of the transfer film 5. When the transfer film 5 is inserted through the insertion port 100aa, part of the light emitted by the light emitting unit 151 is blocked by the transfer film 5. At this time, the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 152 decreases, and the signal from the light receiving unit 152 turns OFF. When the signal from the light receiving unit 152 is OFF, the shaker machine 100 is in a state where it can transport the transfer film 5. When the transfer film 5 is not inserted through the insertion port 100aa and the light receiving unit 152 receives all of the light emitted by the light emitting unit 151, the signal from the light receiving unit 152 turns ON. At this time, the transfer film 5 is not placed inside the main body case 100a. Therefore, for example, the control device 190 displays an error message on the display screen 185a. Alternatively, the winding of the transfer sheet 200 by the winding motor 172 and the heating by the heater 140 are stopped.

[0056] The rewinding control unit 192 controls the rewinding of the transfer sheet 200 by the rewinding unit 170 based on the signal from the slack detection sensor 155. When the transfer film 5 is transported downstream by the medium transport device 20 of the printer 10, a slack 5s occurs inside the main body case 100a. When the lower end of the slack 5s is located below the second sensor 157, the signals from the first sensor 156 and the second sensor 157 turn ON. At this time, the rewinding control unit 192 drives the rewinding motor 172. As a result, the transfer sheet 200 is rewound onto the rewinding unit 170. At this time, the portion of the transfer film 5 located inside the main body case 100a is also transported downstream. When the lower end of the slack 5s rises and is located above the first sensor 156, the rewinding control unit 192 stops the rewinding motor 172. In other words, the rewinding of the transfer sheet 200 stops.

[0057] The speed recording unit 193 receives the speed recorded by the speed sensor 160. The speed instruction unit 194 determines whether the speed recorded by the speed recording unit 193 is within a predetermined range of speeds. When the speed recorded by the speed recording unit 193 is faster than the predetermined range of speeds, the speed instruction unit 194 transmits a signal to the speed change unit 195 to decrease the speed. When the speed recorded by the speed recording unit 193 is slower than the predetermined range of speeds, the speed instruction unit 194 transmits a signal to the speed change unit 195 to increase the speed.

[0058] The speed change unit 195 controls the transport speed of the transfer sheet 200 based on the signal sent by the speed instruction unit 194. In this embodiment, the speed change unit 195 controls the speed at which the transfer sheet 200 is wound up by controlling the rotation speed of the winding motor 172. This controls the speed at which the transfer film 5 is transported by the shaker machine 100.

[0059] The above has described the configuration of the transfer sheet manufacturing system 1. Next, the transport of the transfer film 5 in the transfer sheet manufacturing system 1 will be described.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 2, the transfer film 5 is transported by the medium transport device 20 of the printer 10, which is arranged upstream of the transfer sheet manufacturing system 1. The medium transport device 20 transports the transfer film 5 toward the shaker machine 100. The transfer film 5 transported by the medium transport device 20 is transported inside the main body case 100a of the shaker machine 100. At this time, the position of the lower end of the slack portion 5s descends. When the lower end of the slack portion 5s is positioned below the second sensor 157 in the vertical direction and the signal of the second sensor 157 turns ON, the winding control unit 192 (see FIG. 6) drives the winding motor 172 of the winding unit 170 to wind the transfer film 5. At this time, the transfer film 5 is transported inside the main body case 100a. Therefore, the transport of the transfer film 5 in the shaker machine 100 is performed following the transport of the transfer film 5 by the medium transport device 20 of the printer 10. Of the transfer film 5 taken up by the take-up unit 170, the portion on which the image layer 6a and the ink receiving layer 6b are formed is taken up by the take-up unit 170 as a transfer sheet 200. At this time, the speed recording unit 193 (see FIG. 6) receives the speed recorded by the speed sensor 160. When the speed recorded by the speed recording unit 193 is faster than a predetermined speed range, the speed instruction unit 194 (see FIG. 6) sends a signal to the speed changing unit 195 to decrease the conveying speed. When the speed recorded by the speed recording unit 193 is slower than a predetermined speed range, the speed instruction unit 194 sends a signal to the speed changing unit 195 to increase the conveying speed. Upon receiving the signal, the speed changing unit 195 controls the rotation speed of the take-up motor 172. When the speed changing unit 195 receives the signal to decrease the conveying speed, the speed changing unit 195 instructs the take-up motor 172 to decrease the rotation speed. When speed change unit 195 receives a signal to increase the conveying speed, speed change unit 195 increases the rotation speed of take-up motor 172. When the lower end of slack portion 5s is positioned above first sensor 156 in the vertical direction, the signals from first sensor 156 and second sensor 157 are turned OFF. At this time, take-up control unit 192 stops driving take-up motor 172.In the following description, although a detailed explanation will be omitted, when the transfer film 5 is transported, it is transported by the medium transport device 20 and transported by being wound up by the winding section 170 .

[0061] Next, a description will be given of the operation when the transfer sheet 200 is manufactured by the transfer sheet manufacturing system 1. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the process when the transfer sheet 200 is manufactured by the transfer sheet manufacturing system 1.

[0062] In step S101, the user sets the transfer film 5. As shown in FIG. 2, the user sets the transfer film 5 so that it spans from the media supply device 70 of the printer 10 to the take-up unit 170 of the shaker machine 100. The transfer film 5 is arranged inside the printer 10 so that it passes between the pinch roller 21 and the grit roller 22. In the shaker machine 100, the transfer film 5 is inserted into the main body case 100a through the insertion opening 100aa, passes over the top surfaces of the guide table 101a and the heating table 101b, and is pulled out of the main body case 100a through the discharge opening 100ab. At this time, part of the light received by the light receiving unit 152 of the presence detection sensor 150 is blocked by the transfer film 5. Therefore, the signal from the light receiving unit 152 of the presence detection sensor 150 is turned OFF. Since the signal from the light receiving unit 152 is OFF, the shaker machine 100 is in a state where it can transport the transfer film 5 .

[0063] In step S102, the user sets the printer 10 to the first mode. For example, when the user operates the operation panel 12 to input the first mode setting, the switching unit 93 switches the printer 10 to the first mode. Note that if the printer 10 has already been set to the first mode, step S102 may be omitted. Also, the order of steps S101 and S102 may be reversed.

[0064] In step S103, the printer 10 prints an image on the transfer film 5. Note that in the following description, "printing an image on the transfer film 5" is synonymous with forming an image layer 6a (see FIG. 1) on the transfer film 5. The control device 90 of the printer 10 drives the scan motor 33 to move the ink head 40 back and forth in the main scanning direction Y and eject ink from the ink head 40. When the ink head 40 has finished moving back and forth in the main scanning direction Y, the control device 90 drives the feed motor 23 to transport the transfer film 5 in the sub-scanning direction X by a predetermined length. When the transfer film 5 has finished moving in the sub-scanning direction X, the ink head 40 again moves back and forth in the main scanning direction Y and ejects ink from the ink head 40. By repeating this process, the image layer 6a is formed on the transfer film 5. Therefore, when an image is printed on the transfer film 5, the transfer film 5 is intermittently transported in the sub-scanning direction X. The color layer 6aa of the image layer 6a is formed by inks ejected from the ink heads 40C, 40M, 40Y, and 40K. The white layer 6ab is formed by white ink ejected from the ink head 40W. The printer 10 continues printing until all of the specified image has been printed. In the following steps S104 to S106, the description will focus on the portion of the transported transfer film 5 that has been printed as described above. Although not described here, printing on the transfer film 5 and the flow of steps S104 to S107 are also performed in order in areas other than the portions of the transfer film 5 described in steps S104 to S106.

[0065] In step S104, the transfer film 5 is transported to the shaker machine 100. The transfer film 5 transported to the shaker machine 100 is supplied with thermofusible powder PW by the supply unit 110. The control device 190 rotates the supply motor 114a a predetermined amount, thereby supplying the thermofusible powder PW to the transfer film 5. As described above, the thermofusible powder PW accumulates on the transfer film 5 arranged in the sagging portion 5s. This causes the thermofusible powder PW to adhere to the image layer 6a. The transfer film 5 is then transported toward the heating table 101b while contacting the convex portion 122a of the rotating rotator 120. Therefore, the transfer film 5 is placed on the heating table 101b while excess thermofusible powder PW falls off. The transfer film 5 is also transported along the heating table 101b by air drawn in by the suction fan 130 arranged above the rotator 120.

[0066] In step S105, the transfer film 5 placed on the heating table 101b is heated by the heater 140. At this time, the thermofusible powder PW adhering to the image layer 6a melts, forming an ink-receiving layer 6b (see FIG. 1). The transfer film 5 with the ink-receiving layer 6b formed thereon is transported from the discharge port 100ab to the outside of the main body case 100a. The transfer film 5 discharged from the discharge port 100ab has the image layer 6a and the ink-receiving layer 6b formed thereon. Therefore, the portion of the transfer film 5 discharged from the discharge port 100ab becomes the transfer sheet 200.

[0067] In step S106, the drying fan 145 blows air onto the transfer sheet 200, thereby cooling and hardening the ink receiving layer 6b formed on the transfer film 5. Thereafter, the transfer sheet 200 is taken up by the take-up unit 170 to form a roll 200a.

[0068] In step S107, the determination unit 95 determines whether printing has finished. For example, if it is determined that all print data instructed to be printed has been printed and printing has finished, the process proceeds to step S108. If it is determined that printing has not finished, the process returns to step S103.

[0069] In step S108, since printing on the transfer film 5 has been completed, the cleaning control unit 91 executes cleaning by the cleaning device 60. As described above, the cleaning control unit 91 executes the suction process, wiping process, and flushing process. While the cleaning control unit 91 is executing cleaning, the transport control unit 92 drives the feed motor 23 to transport the transfer film 5. In this embodiment, the feed motor 23 rotates at a constant speed, and the transfer film 5 is continuously transported. The average transport speed of the transfer film 5 is set by the speed control unit 94. As described above, the speed control unit 94 sets the average transport speed of the transfer film 5 to be equal to or lower than the average transport speed of the transfer film 5 when printing is being performed by the ink head 40. When the transport control unit 92 transports the transfer film 5, the position of the lower end of the slack portion 5s drops, and the signal of the second sensor 157 turns ON. At this time, the take-up control unit 192 drives the take-up motor 172 of the take-up unit 170 to take up the transfer film 5.

[0070] As described above, in the printer 10 of this embodiment, the conveyance control unit 92 conveys the transfer film 5 using the medium conveyance device 20 when printing by the ink head 40 is stopped. Therefore, the transfer film 5 continues to be conveyed even after the printer 10 forms the image layer 6a on the transfer film 5. The shaker machine 100 winds the transfer film 5 using the winding unit 170, conveys the transfer film 5, and heats the transfer film 5 on the heating table 101b using the heater 140. By continuing to convey the transfer film 5 even after the printer 10 forms the image layer 6a on the transfer film 5, the portion of the transfer film 5 on which the image layer 6a is formed and on which the thermofusible powder PW is attached can be conveyed downstream of the heating table 101b. In other words, the image layer 6a and the thermofusible powder PW are prevented from being excessively heated by the heater 140. Therefore, deterioration in the quality of the resulting transfer sheet 200 can be prevented.

[0071] In the printer 10 of this embodiment, the transport control unit 92 transports the transfer film 5 when the cleaning control unit 91 is cleaning the ink head 40. As a result, for example, after printing with the ink head 40 is completed, cleaning of the ink head 40 is performed and transport of the transfer film 5 is also performed. Cleaning of the ink head 40 is performed, for example, at the end of printing to prevent clogging of the ink head 40. Therefore, the printer 10 of this embodiment can simultaneously prevent clogging of the ink head 40 and transport the transfer film 5 by the transport control unit 92, resulting in efficient operation of the printer 10.

[0072] In the printer 10 of this embodiment, the switching unit 93 switches between a first mode and a second mode. When the first mode is selected for transporting the transfer film 5, the transport control unit 92 transports the transfer film 5 when printing by the ink head 40 is stopped. When the second mode is selected for transporting the transfer film 5, the transport control unit 92 does not transport the transfer film 5 when printing by the ink head 40 is stopped. For example, in the second mode, the transfer film 5 is not transported when printing by the ink head 40 is completed. This allows the printer 10 to be used without being connected to the shaker machine 100. For example, if the shaker machine 100 is not connected downstream of the printer 10, there is no need to further transport the transfer film 5 when printing by the ink head 40 is completed. Therefore, when the transport setting for the transfer film 5 is the first mode, the printer 10 can be connected to the shaker machine 100 and used. When the transport setting for the transfer film 5 is the second mode, the printer 10 can be used independently as an inkjet printer that prints desired images.

[0073] In the printer 10 of this embodiment, the speed control unit 94 sets the average speed at which the transfer film 5 is transported by the transport control unit 92 to be equal to or less than the average speed at which the transfer film 5 is transported when printing is being performed by the ink head 40. Here, the transport control unit 92 transports the transfer film 5 when printing by the ink head 40 is stopped. Therefore, the portion transported by the transport control unit 92 is a portion on which the image layer 6a is not formed and does not become the transfer sheet 200. In other words, waste of the transfer film 5 occurs. However, by setting the average speed at which the transport control unit 92 transports the transfer film 5 to be equal to or less than the average speed at which the transfer film 5 is transported when printing is being performed by the ink head 40, the amount of transfer film 5 transported by the transport control unit 92 can be relatively reduced. Therefore, the amount of wasted transfer film 5 can be relatively reduced.

[0074] The transfer sheet manufacturing system 1 of this embodiment includes a printer 10 and a shaker machine 100. The printer 10 prevents the image layer 6a and the thermofusible powder PW from being excessively heated by the shaker machine 100. Therefore, the transfer sheet 200 manufactured by the transfer sheet manufacturing system 1 is prevented from deteriorating in quality.

[0075] Second Embodiment Next, a transfer sheet manufacturing system 1A according to a second embodiment will be described. In the description of the second embodiment, components that perform the same functions as those in the first embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and overlapping descriptions will be omitted or simplified.

[0076] Fig. 8 is a block diagram of a transfer sheet manufacturing system 1A according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 8, the control device 90A is equipped with a feed amount control unit 94A. The feed amount control unit 94A controls the feed amount when the transfer film 5 is conveyed by the conveyance control unit 92. The feed amount is set in advance, for example, by the user operating the operation panel 12. The feed amount is set, for example, to the length of the transfer film 5 included in the distance from the position of the ink head 40 to the position of the discharge port 100ab of the main body case 100a in the sub-scanning direction X.

[0077] 7 , in the second embodiment, when cleaning is being performed by the cleaning control unit 91, the transport control unit 92 drives the feed motor 23 to transport the transfer film 5. The amount of feed of the transfer film 5 by the transport control unit 92 is controlled by the feed amount control unit 94A. That is, the transport control unit 92 transports the transfer film 5 by the feed amount preset by the user. As described above, when the feed amount is set to the length of the transfer film 5 included between the position of the ink head 40 in the sub-scanning direction X and the position of the discharge opening 100ab of the main body case 100a, the transport control unit 92 transports the transfer film 5 until the portion of the image layer 6a formed on the transfer film 5 immediately before cleaning reaches the discharge opening 100ab.

[0078] According to the printer 10 of this embodiment, the feed amount control unit 94A can control the feed amount by the transport control unit 92. For example, as in this embodiment, the feed amount is controlled so that the transfer film 5 is transported until the portion of the image layer 6a formed on the transfer film 5 immediately before cleaning reaches the discharge port 100ab. This prevents a portion of the image layer 6a from remaining on the heating table 101b even when the transport of the transfer film 5 is stopped. In other words, the user can adjust the transport amount of the transfer film 5 so that the image layer 6a is not overheated. This prevents deterioration in the quality of the transfer sheet 200.

[0079] Third Embodiment Next, a transfer sheet manufacturing system 1B according to a third embodiment will be described. In the description of the second embodiment, the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment will be used for components that perform the same functions as in the first embodiment, and overlapping descriptions will be omitted or simplified.

[0080] 9 is a block diagram of a transfer sheet manufacturing system 1B according to the third embodiment. The transport control unit 92B intermittently transports the transfer film 5. That is, the transport control unit 92B transports the transfer film 5 by repeatedly driving the feed motor 23 of the medium transport device 20 for a certain period of time and then stopping the feed motor 23 for a certain period of time.

[0081] 9, the control device 90B includes a stop time control unit 94B. The stop time control unit 94B controls the time for which the transport of the transfer film 5 is stopped when the transport control unit 92 intermittently transports the transfer film 5. In other words, the stop time control unit 94B controls the time for which the transport control unit 92 stops the feed motor 23 for a certain period of time after driving the feed motor 23 for a certain period of time. This time is set in advance by the user operating the operation panel 12, for example.

[0082] In step S108 shown in Fig. 7 , in the third embodiment, when cleaning is being performed by the cleaning control unit 91, the conveyance control unit 92B drives the feed motor 23 to convey the transfer film 5. As described above, the conveyance control unit 92B conveys the transfer film 5 by repeatedly driving the feed motor 23 of the medium conveying device 20 for a certain period of time and then stopping the feed motor 23 for a certain period of time. At this time, the time for which the feed motor 23 is stopped is controlled by the stop time control unit 94B. Therefore, after the transfer film 5 has been conveyed for a certain period of time, the conveyance of the transfer film 5 is stopped for the period of time controlled by the stop time control unit 94B.

[0083] According to the printer 10 of this embodiment, when the transfer film 5 is intermittently transported, the time during which the transport of the transfer film 5 is stopped is controlled by the stop time control unit 94B. By controlling the time during which the transport is stopped, the feed amount of the transfer film 5 is controlled. For example, by making the stop time relatively long, the amount of transfer film 5 transported by the transport control unit 92 can be relatively reduced. Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, the amount of transfer film 5 that is wasted can be relatively reduced.

[0084] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention can be embodied in various forms.

[0085] In each of the above-described embodiments, the transfer sheet 200 is wound up by the shaker machine 100 using the winding unit 170, but this is not limiting. The transfer sheet 200 may be wound up manually by the user, for example.

[0086] The technology disclosed herein can be applied to various types of printers. In addition to the so-called roll-to-roll type printers described in the above-described embodiments, the technology can also be applied to so-called flatbed type printers, in which a recording medium is fixed on a table and printing is performed by moving the table. The technology can also be applied to so-called gantry type printers, in which a recording medium is placed on a table and printing is performed by moving a carriage relative to the table in the main scanning direction Y and the sub-scanning direction X.

[0087] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Transfer sheet manufacturing system 5 Transfer film 10 Printer (inkjet printer) 13 Platen (mounting table) 20 Medium conveying device 40 Ink head 90 Control device 92 Conveyance control unit 100 Shaker machine (heating device) 200 Transfer sheet PW Thermofusible powder

Claims

1. An inkjet printer connected to a heating device that heats a transfer recording medium, which has a heat-fusible powder attached to an image formed by ink, while transporting it to produce a transfer sheet, the inkjet printer comprising: a mounting table; an ink head that prints the image on the transfer recording medium placed on the mounting table; a medium transport device that transports the transfer recording medium placed on the mounting table toward the heating device; and a control device that controls the medium transport device, wherein the control device has a transport control unit that transports the transfer recording medium using the medium transport device when printing by the ink head is stopped.

2. An inkjet printer as described in claim 1, further comprising a cleaning device for cleaning the ink head, wherein the control device comprises a cleaning control unit for cleaning the ink head with the cleaning device when printing with the ink head is completed, and wherein the transport control unit transports the transfer recording medium when cleaning of the ink head is being performed by the cleaning control unit.

3. An inkjet printer as described in claim 1, wherein the control device is provided with a switching unit that switches between a first mode in which the transport control unit transports the transfer recording medium when printing by the ink head is stopped, and a second mode in which the transport control unit does not transport the transfer recording medium when printing by the ink head is stopped.

4. An inkjet printer as described in claim 1, wherein the control device is provided with a speed control section that sets the average speed at which the transfer recording medium is transported by the transport control section to be equal to or lower than the average speed at which the transfer recording medium is transported when printing is being performed by the ink head.

5. The inkjet printer according to claim 1, wherein said control device includes a feed amount control section that controls the feed amount when said transfer recording medium is transported by said transport control section.

6. An inkjet printer as described in claim 1, wherein the transport control unit transports the transfer recording medium intermittently, and the control device is provided with a stop time control unit that controls the time during which transport of the transfer recording medium is stopped when the transport control unit transports the transfer recording medium intermittently.

7. A transfer sheet manufacturing system comprising the inkjet printer according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and the heating device.

8. A method for manufacturing a transfer sheet, comprising: an image forming step of forming an image on a transfer recording medium using ink; a transport step of transporting the transfer recording medium on which the image has been formed to a heating device; a powder adhering step of adhering heat-fusible powder to the image on the transfer recording medium; a heating step of heating the transfer recording medium on which the heat-fusible powder has been adhered to the image; and a stoppage transport step of transporting the transfer recording medium when the formation of the image by the image forming step is stopped.

Images