Printing Apparatus UV Image Nesting for Card Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printing apparatuses face issues with durability and security, as invisible UV images are prone to loss due to wear on the card surface and concentration fluctuations occur when overlapping with YMC images, affecting security and visibility.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus that forms an invisible image on an intermediate transfer medium using a visualization light beam in one region and a visible image with sublimation ink in another region, transferring them in a way that the invisible image is inside the visible image, ensuring a flat surface and enhanced security, with a determination section adjusting gray-scale values to maintain concentration consistency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the invisible image is arranged on the surface side of the card, then the invisible image is easily visualized, but the invisible image is first lost when wear occurs on the card surface
Solution Approach 1:
The invisible image is nested within the visible image layer structure, specifically positioned in the inner side region of the card while the visible image occupies the surface side region. This nesting arrangement protects the invisible image from direct wear while maintaining its visualization capability through the visualization light beam.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional surface arrangement to a three-dimensional layered structure by positioning the invisible image in the inner side region and the visible image in the surface side region. This spatial dimensionality change allows both images to coexist without interference, with the visible image providing protective coverage over the invisible image.
2Ease of operation
If the invisible image is formed with fusible ink, then the invisible image can be visualized, but asperities on the card surface are promoted to tend to wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the invisible image from fusible ink to sublimation ink. This parameter change eliminates the formation of asperities on the card surface while maintaining the capability of the invisible image to be visualized through the visualization light beam, thereby reducing wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition property of sublimation ink, which transitions from solid to gas without leaving residue or asperities on the card surface. This phase transition mechanism allows the invisible image to be formed and visualized without creating surface irregularities that would promote wear.
3Reliability
If the invisible image is arranged on the inner side of the YMC image, then durability is improved, but the concentration of the invisible image is changed (thinned) corresponding to the concentration of the YMC image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality control by independently adjusting the concentration of the invisible image in different regions. Specifically, in the inner side region where the invisible image is formed, the concentration is optimized to be uniform and independent of the YMC image concentration in the surface side region. This allows each region to have its optimal concentration characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the card surface into distinct regions: an inner side region for the invisible image and a surface side region for the visible YMC image. This segmentation allows independent control and optimization of the concentration characteristics for each image type, preventing the concentration thinning problem that occurs when images are overlapped.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the invisible image overlaps a portion in which the concentration of the YMC image is high, then both images are formed in the same area, but a concentration difference (concentration fluctuation) occurs in the invisible image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the concentration fluctuation problem by transitioning from a two-dimensional overlapping arrangement to a three-dimensional layered structure. The invisible image is positioned in the inner side region while the YMC image is positioned in the surface side region, eliminating direct overlap and allowing independent concentration control for each image.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances durability and security by maintaining the visibility of UV images and preventing concentration fluctuations, ensuring the UV image is not lost due to wear and maintaining security integrity.
Implementation Method 1
forms an invisible first image, which is visualized by applying a visualization light beam, in a first region of the intermediate transfer medium
Implementation Method 2
the invisible image is visualized by applying a visualization light beam
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a printing apparatus for enabling cards high in wear resistance and security properties to be prepared, the printing apparatus is provided with an image formation section and a transfer section, the image formation forms a UV image in an ink reception layer 46d of a first region R1 of a transfer film 46, and forms a YMC image in the ink reception layer 46d of a second region R2 of the transfer film 46, and the transfer section transfers the ink reception layer 46d of the first region R1 with the UV image formed and a protective layer 46c of the first region R1 of the transfer film 46 integrally in this order to a card Ca, and transfers the ink reception layer 46d of the second region R2 with the YMC image formed and the protective layer 46c of the second region R2 integrally in this order thereonto.