Patent ID: 12246542

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment (referred to below as the “present embodiment”) of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described with reference to the drawings.

The entire structure of a thermal transfer system10according to the present embodiment will now be described.

FIG.1is a front view schematically illustrating the thermal transfer system according to the present embodiment.

The thermal transfer system10transfers ink to a transfer receiver14in a desired pattern by using a belt-like ink ribbon13that includes a support layer11and an ink layer12that is stacked on a surface of the support layer11.

The thermal transfer system10includes a feeding portion16, multiple feeding guide rollers15a, a first heating element22, a platen roller23, multiple winding guide rollers15b, a winding portion20, and a second heating element50in order from an upstream position in a direction in which the ink ribbon13is fed. The thermal transfer system10also includes a control unit24that controls the first heating element22, the second heating element50, and the winding portion20.

The feeding portion16rotates in a direction illustrated by using an arrow R1inFIG.1and feeds the ink ribbon13toward a downstream position.

The multiple feeding guide rollers15aare arranged at intervals in a direction in which the ink ribbon13is conveyed and guide the ink ribbon13that is fed from the feeding portion16and that is conveyed toward the downstream position.

The platen roller23faces the first heating element22with the ink ribbon13to be conveyed and the transfer receiver14interposed therebetween and supports the transfer receiver14.

The multiple winding guide rollers15bare arranged at intervals in the direction in which the ink ribbon13is conveyed and guide the ink ribbon13that is conveyed from the upstream position to the winding portion20.

The winding portion20rotates in a direction illustrated by using an arrow R2inFIG.1and winds the ink ribbon13after the ink is transferred by using the first heating element22.

For example, the control unit24outputs a control signal to driving units that drive the first heating element22, the second heating element50, and the winding portion20and consequently controls the operation of the first heating element22, the second heating element50, and the winding portion20described later.

FIG.2Ais a plan view illustrating the ink ribbon13in the thermal transfer system10according to the present embodiment.FIG.2Bis a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the ink ribbon13in the thermal transfer system10according to the present embodiment and illustrates a section taken along line A-A inFIG.2A.

The ink ribbon13is a thermal sublimation ink ribbon that contains sublimation dye ink. The ink ribbon13includes the support layer11composed of a substantially transparent material and the ink layer12that is stacked on the support layer11.

The support layer11is composed of, for example, various kinds of resin films that have sufficient strength and heat resistance to withstand thermal transfer.

The ink layer12includes a Y sublimation ink layer31, an M sublimation ink layer32, a C sublimation ink layer33, an OP ink layer34, and detection marks35that are made between these layers. The Y sublimation ink layer31is composed of yellow Y sublimation ink31a. The M sublimation ink layer32is composed of magenta M sublimation ink32a. The C sublimation ink layer33is composed of cyan C sublimation ink33. The OP ink layer34is composed of OP (overprint) ink for forming a substantially transparent protective layer.

The Y sublimation ink layer31, the M sublimation ink layer32, the C sublimation ink layer33, and the OP ink layer34are periodically arranged on the support layer11in the longitudinal direction (that is, a direction in which the ink ribbon13extends) of the ink ribbon13.

The three kinds of the sublimation ink in the Y sublimation ink layer31, the M sublimation ink layer32, and the C sublimation ink layer33are transferred to the transfer receiver14, and consequently, a color image can be printed on the transfer receiver14. The OP ink layer34is transferred to the transfer receiver14, and consequently, a protective layer for protecting the color image that is printed on the transfer receiver14can be formed.

The detection marks35are made on boundary portions among the Y sublimation ink layer31, the M sublimation ink layer32, the C sublimation ink layer33, and the OP ink layer34. The detection marks35are made to identify the positional relationship between the ink ribbon13and the first heating element22and the kind of the ink layer12by using a detection unit (not illustrated) in the thermal transfer system10. The detection marks35have different features (lengths, thicknesses, patterns) depending on the positions at which the detection marks35are made. For this reason, when the first heating element22transfers a predetermined kind of ink to the transfer receiver14, the first heating element22can heat the ink layer12that contains the predetermined kind of ink, based on information that is acquired from the detection marks35. In the case where a means for identifying the kind of the ink layer12such as a color sensor other than the detection marks35is used, the detection marks35can be omitted.

The sublimation ink to be used is not limited by the three kinds described above, but sublimation ink in another color may be used, or a single kind, two kinds, or four kinds or more of sublimation ink may be used.

An example of the first heating element22is a thermal head that includes a heat generating element that generates heat due to energization. The first heating element22is disposed so as to face the support layer11of the ink ribbon13as illustrated in an enlarged view at a lower position inFIG.1. The first heating element22heats the ink ribbon13from the support layer11. The first heating element22heats the ink in the ink layer12of the ink ribbon13in a first pattern that is a predetermined pattern corresponding to, for example, ID information such as a face image, and consequently, the ink in the ink layer12of the ink ribbon13is transferred to the transfer receiver14in the first pattern.

The first pattern corresponds to a face image that represents the face of a person to be transferred to an identification, that is, an ID card, such as a photograph in a driver license, an employee identification card, or a passport. Strictly speaking, the transfer patterns of the Y sublimation ink layer31, the M sublimation ink layer32, and the C sublimation ink layer33differ from each other, but these are collectively referred to as the first pattern in the present specification.

The transfer of the ink to the transfer receiver14in the first pattern by using the first heating element22will now be specifically described.

The transfer receiver14is first conveyed to a position between the first heating element22and the platen roller23by using a conveyance unit (not illustrated) that conveys the transfer receiver14. The winding portion20rotates in the R2direction inFIG.1and winds the ink ribbon13. The feeding portion16rotates in the R1direction inFIG.1and feeds the ink ribbon13to the downstream position. The ink ribbon13that is fed from the feeding portion16passes through the multiple feeding guide rollers15and reaches a position between the first heating element22and the platen roller23.

The detection unit (not illustrated) that detects the detection marks35of the ink ribbon13detects the Y sublimation ink layer31that reaches the position between the first heating element22and the platen roller23, and the first heating element22is pressed against the transfer receiver14while heating the Y sublimation ink layer31in the first pattern. Consequently, the Y sublimation ink31ain the Y sublimation ink layer31of the ink ribbon13is transferred to the transfer receiver14in the first pattern.

Subsequently, the transfer receiver14to which the Y sublimation ink31ais transferred is returned to the position between the first heating element22and the platen roller23toward the upstream position. The ink ribbon13is conveyed further toward the downstream position by using the winding portion20and the feeding portion16. The detection unit (not illustrated) detects the M sublimation ink layer32that reaches the position between the first heating element22and the platen roller23, and the first heating element22is pressed against the transfer receiver14while heating the M sublimation ink layer32in the first pattern. Consequently, the Y sublimation ink32ain the M sublimation ink layer32of the ink ribbon13is transferred to the transfer receiver14in the first pattern.

Subsequently, the transfer receiver14to which the Y sublimation ink31aand the M sublimation ink32aare transferred is returned to the position between the first heating element22and the platen roller23toward the upstream position. The ink ribbon13is conveyed further toward the downstream position by using the winding portion20and the feeding portion16. The detection unit (not illustrated) detects the C sublimation ink layer33that reaches the position between the first heating element22and the platen roller23, and the first heating element22is pressed against the transfer receiver14while heating the C sublimation ink layer33in the first pattern. Consequently, the C sublimation ink33ain the C sublimation ink layer33of the ink ribbon13is transferred to the transfer receiver14in the first pattern.

Subsequently, the transfer receiver14to which the Y sublimation ink31a, the M sublimation ink32a, and the C sublimation ink33aare transferred is returned to the position between the first heating element22and the platen roller23toward the upstream position. The ink ribbon13is conveyed further toward the downstream position by using the winding portion20and the feeding portion16. The detection unit (not illustrated) detects the OP ink layer34that reaches the position between the first heating element22and the platen roller23, and the first heating element22is pressed against the transfer receiver14while heating the OP ink layer34in a predetermined pattern (a protection pattern) that covers the first pattern. Consequently, OP ink34ain the OP ink layer34of the ink ribbon13is transferred to the transfer receiver14in the protection pattern.

The first heating element22thus repeats the transfer of the ink to the transfer receiver14in the first pattern or the protection pattern whenever the ink ribbon13in a predetermined feed amount corresponding to an interval between the detection marks35is fed from the feeding portion16.

FIG.3Ais a plan view illustrating the ink ribbon13after the ink is transferred by using the first heating element22.FIG.3Bis a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the ink ribbon13after the ink is transferred by using the first heating element22and illustrates a section taken along line B-B inFIG.3A.

With the result that the first heating element22transfers the ink as described above, ink-missing portions31b,32b, and33bin the first pattern are formed in the Y sublimation ink layer31, the M sublimation ink layer32, and the C sublimation ink layer33of the ink ribbon13, and an ink-missing portion34bin the protection pattern is formed in the OP ink layer34. In this case, as illustrated inFIG.3A, the patterns of the ink-missing portions31b,32b, and33bin the ink ribbon13after the ink is transferred correspond to the first pattern regarding the first heating element22described above. For this reason, the ID information such as the face image that is printed on the transfer receiver14can be identified based on the patterns of the ink-missing portions31b,32b, and33b.

FIG.4is a front view schematically illustrating the winding portion20and the second heating element50in the thermal transfer system10according to the present embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG.4, the winding portion20winds the ink ribbon13such that the support layer11of the ink ribbon13is located outside the ink layer12. In the present specification, the ink ribbon13that is located at the outermost circumference regarding the ink ribbon13that is wound around the winding portion20is referred to as an outer ink ribbon13A, and the ink ribbon13that is wound around the winding portion21inside the outer ink ribbon13A and that is adjacent to the outer ink ribbon13A is referred to as an inner ink ribbon13B.

The second heating element50is located near the winding portion20and is movable in a direction illustrated by using an arrow R3inFIG.4, that is, a direction in which the second heating element50approaches or leaves from the winding portion20by using the power of a drive source, not illustrated, such as a motor. The second heating element50moves so as to approach the winding portion20and heats the outer ink ribbon13A from the support layer11when the winding portion20winds the ink ribbon13.

FIG.5Ais a perspective view illustrating the second heating element50according to the present embodiment.FIG.5Bis a bottom view illustrating the second heating element50according to the present embodiment.

The second heating element50includes a heating head52that includes a ceramic substrate, a metal plate53that is disposed on a surface of the heating head52facing the ink ribbon13, and a support frame51that supports the heating head52and the metal plate53. In an example illustrated, the heating head52and the metal plate53are fixed to the support frame51.

The metal plate53has a thickness of 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm, includes a metal plate body20athat comes into contact with the ink ribbon13and a support plate53bthat is coupled with the metal plate body53a, and has an L-shaped section as a whole. In an example illustrated inFIG.5A, the metal plate53is fixed to the support frame51in a manner in which the support plate53bis fixed to the support frame51by using mounting bolts54.

The metal plate53is composed of, for example, copper or aluminum, is a thin plate as a whole, and has excellent thermal conductivity. Thermally conductive grease (not illustrated) is between the heating head52and the metal plate53. For this reason, heat from the heating head52can be transferred to the ink ribbon13via the metal plate53with certainty.

A buffering process is performed on the metal plate53in advance, and the surface roughness thereof (arithmetic average roughness) is 0.004 μm to 0.02 μm.

After the buffering process, a surface process such as a plating process, a coating process, or a deposition process is performed on the metal plate53, and the surface of the metal plate53has excellent slipperiness, wear resistance, and heat resistance.

Specifically, a surface process of reducing friction is performed on the metal plate53by using hard chromium or NIFGRIP made by ULVAC, Inc. A NIFGRIP process means a process in which a eutectoid reaction between electroless nickel and fluorine resin is caused in a process liquid, a film is formed on a copper or aluminum material by using the process liquid such that the film contains fluorine resin in a volume ratio of 30%, and a heat treatment is performed to firmly bring the electroless nickel and the fluorine resin in the film into close contact with each other after the film is formed. The NIFGRIP process is excellent in close contact between the material and the film and belongs to a surface process technique that enables a high-performance composite film that is excellent in mold releasability, non-stickiness, slipperiness, and corrosion resistance to be formed.

As a result of the surface process, the surface roughness (arithmetic average roughness) of the surface of the metal plate53is 0.004 μm to 0.02 μm, and the coefficient of friction thereof is 0.2 or less, preferably about 0.1 as a whole.

The second heating element50includes a contact portion530that comes into contact with the ink ribbon13when the second heating element50moves so as to approach the winding portion20. As for the contact portion530, multiple projecting portions531that come into contact with the ink ribbon13and multiple recessed portions532that do not come into contact with the ink ribbon13are alternately arranged in the width direction (that is, the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the ink ribbon13is conveyed). That is, the contact portion530includes the multiple projecting portions531that come into contact with the ink ribbon13and the multiple recessed portions532that do not come into contact with the ink ribbon13, and the multiple projecting portions531and the multiple recessed portions532are alternately arranged in the width direction.

In the example illustrated inFIG.5AandFIG.5B, the contact portion530is disposed on the metal plate body53aof the metal plate53and includes the multiple projecting portions531that come into contact with the ink ribbon13and the recessed portions532that are located between the projecting portions531and that do not come into contact with the ink ribbon13. The projecting portions531have an elongated shape that extends in the direction in which the ink ribbon13is conveyed.

The contact portion530that includes the projecting portions531and the recessed portions532can be manufactured, for example, in a manner in which the recessed portions532are formed by performing a milling process on the contact portion530that is flat.

FIG.6is a plan view illustrating the ink ribbon13after the ink is transferred by using the second heating element50according to the present embodiment.

When the winding portion20winds the ink ribbon13during the transfer of the ink by using the first heating element22, the second heating element50moves so as to approach the winding portion20. At this time, the projecting portions531of the contact portion530of the metal plate53come into contact with the ink ribbon13. While the projecting portions531of the second heating element50are in contact with the ink ribbon13, the winding portion20repeatedly starts winding the ink ribbon13in a predetermined feed amount and stops winding the ink ribbon13. At this time, the second heating element50heats the outer ink ribbon13A from the support layer11.

Consequently, the second heating element50transfers at least a part of the ink in the ink layer12in a region of the outer ink ribbon13A in contact with the projecting portions531to the support layer11of the inner ink ribbon13B in a second pattern DP1that is a stripe-shaped disturbing pattern that extends in the direction in which the ink ribbon13is conveyed.

As a result of the transfer, the ink layer12of the outer ink ribbon13A has the first pattern corresponding to the ID information such as the face image and the stripe-shaped second pattern DP1that extends in the longitudinal direction of the ink ribbon13. A pattern that has the first pattern and the second pattern DP1is transferred to the support layer11of the inner ink ribbon13B. For this reason, as for the ink ribbon13after the ink is transferred by using the second heating element50, as illustrated inFIG.6, it is difficult to recognize the patterns of the ink-missing portions31b,32b, and33bin the first pattern corresponding to the ID information such as the face image.

The second pattern DP1that is the stripe-shaped disturbing pattern described above will now be described in detail.

FIG.7is a perspective view illustrating a second heating element50in a comparative example.FIG.8is a plan view illustrating the ink ribbon13after the ink is transferred by using the second heating element50in the comparative example.

As a result of research, the present inventors of the present disclosure have conceived that the disturbing pattern is transferred by using the second heating element50in the comparative example.

The second heating element50in the comparative example differs from the present embodiment in that a contact portion530does not include multiple projecting portions but is flat. The other components of the second heating element50in the comparative example are the same as those of the second heating element50according to the present embodiment.

The second heating element50in the comparative example transfers at least a part of the ink in the ink layer12in a region of the outer ink ribbon13A in contact with the contact portion530to the support layer11of the inner ink ribbon13B in a wide belt-like pattern DP2that extends in the direction in which the ink ribbon13is conveyed when the outer ink ribbon13A is heated from the support layer11.

The wide belt-like pattern DP2typically overlaps a vertically linear pattern DP3that extends in the width direction (that is, the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the ink ribbon13is conveyed). The reason is that the winding portion20repeatedly starts winding the ink ribbon13in a predetermined feed amount and stops winding the ink ribbon13while the contact portion530of the second heating element50is in contact with the ink ribbon13. That is, the ink ribbon13is relatively gently heated when the winding portion20winds the ink ribbon13, and the ink ribbon13is relatively strongly heated when the winding portion20stops winding the ink ribbon13. For this reason, the amount of the transferred ink differs between positions, and consequently, the vertically linear pattern DP3overlaps the wide belt-like pattern DP2.

The heat of the contact portion530of the second heating element50is transferred to not only the outer ink ribbon13A but also the inner ink ribbon13B away toward the center of the winding portion20and the ink ribbon13further away toward the center. Consequently, as for the inner ink ribbon13B and the ink ribbon13further away toward the center, the ink in the ink layer12is transferred. For this reason, the period of the vertically linear pattern DP3that overlaps the wide belt-like pattern DP2is typically smaller than the predetermined feed amount corresponding to the interval between the detection marks35of the ink ribbon13.

As for the ink ribbon13after the ink is transferred by using the second heating element50in the comparative example, the wide belt-like pattern DP2that overlaps the vertically linear pattern DP3makes it difficult to recognize the patterns of the ink-missing portions31b,32b, and33bin the first pattern.

As for the second heating element50in the comparative example, however, the present inventors of the present disclosure have found the following problems.

FIG.9AandFIG.9Billustrate longitudinal sectional views of the ink ribbon13and schematically illustrates an aspect of transfer by using the second heating element50in the comparative example.

A first finding is that as illustrated inFIG.9AandFIG.8, there is a possibility that the patterns of the ink-missing portions31b,32b, and33bin the first pattern can be recognized in the region of the OP ink layer34of the ink ribbon13after the transfer to the support layer11in the region of the OP ink layer34that is substantially transparent by using the second heating element50.

Additional findings are as follows. As the time of heating by using the second heating element50increases, the heat from the second heating element50is transferred toward the center of the winding portion20, and this facilitates the transfer of the ink in the ink layer12of the ink ribbon13that is wound around the winding portion20. Consequently, in some cases, the entire ink in the ink layer12in a region in contact with the contact portion530is transferred to the support layer11of the ink ribbon13located inside. As illustrated inFIG.9B, such transfer (referred to below as “complete transfer”) results in the transfer of the ink in the ink layer12of the ink ribbon13located outside to the region of the ink ribbon13that becomes substantially transparent due to missing ink in the ink layer12and that is located inside. Consequently, there is a possibility that the patterns of the ink-missing portions31b,32b, and33bin the first pattern can be recognized.

In view of this, the second heating element50according to the present embodiment includes the contact portion530where the multiple projecting portions531and the multiple recessed portions532are alternately arranged in the width direction (that is, the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the ink ribbon is conveyed), and the second pattern DP1that is the stripe-shaped disturbing pattern that extends in the direction in which the ink ribbon13is conveyed is transferred as described above.

As for the ink ribbon13after the ink is transferred by using the second heating element50according to the present embodiment, the stripe-shaped second pattern DP1makes it difficult to recognize the patterns of the ink-missing portions31b,32b, and33bin the first pattern also in the case of the complete transfer or the transfer to the region of the OP ink layer34described above.

The projecting portions531of the contact portion530according to the present embodiment have different lengths (referred to below as “projecting portion widths Wa”) in the width direction (that is, the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the ink ribbon13is conveyed) depending on positions at which the projecting portions531are located. In the example illustrated inFIG.5BandFIG.6, the value of the projecting portion width Wa of the projecting portion531that is located at the center of the contact portion530in the width direction is relatively large, and the values of the projecting portion widths Wa of the other projecting portions531are relatively small.

In the example illustrated inFIG.5B, the recessed portions532of the contact portion530have the same length (referred to as a “recessed portion width Wb”) in the width direction (that is, the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the ink ribbon13is conveyed) regardless of positions at which the recessed portions532are located. The reason is to make it easy to form the recessed portions532by performing the milling process. For this reason, the recessed portions532may have different recessed portion widths Wb depending on the positions at which the recessed portions532are located.

The projecting portion531that has the relatively large projecting portion width Wa faces a region that overlaps a characteristics part among the ink-missing portions31b,32b, and33bin the first pattern. The region that overlaps the characteristics part is typically located at the center of the contact portion530in the width direction (that is, the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the ink ribbon13is conveyed). That is, the multiple projecting portions531according to the present embodiment include a first projecting portion that has a relatively large projecting portion width Wa and a second projecting portion the projecting portion width of which is relatively small. The first projecting portion is located at the center of the contact portion530in the width direction. The second projecting portion is located in a region other than the center of the contact portion530in the width direction.

The projecting portion width Wa of the projecting portion531that faces the region that overlaps the characteristics part and the recessed portion width Wb of each recessed portion532are set such that the characteristics part in the first pattern is effectively divided. Specifically, the projecting portion width Wa is set to be 5% or more and 10% or less of the length of the characteristics part in the width direction (that is, the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the ink ribbon13is conveyed), and the recessed portion width Wb is set to be 5% or more and 10% or less of the length of the characteristics part in the width direction. This enables the characteristics part in the first pattern to be effectively divided, and it can be consequently more difficult to recognize the patterns of the ink-missing portions31b,32b, and33b.

In the example illustrated inFIG.5BandFIG.6, the projecting portion531(the first projecting portion) that has the large projecting portion width Wa faces a region that overlaps the eyes in order to divide the region of the eyes corresponding to characteristics parts in the face image at the ink-missing portions31b,32b, and33bin the first pattern corresponding to the face image. The projecting portion width Wa of the projecting portion531that faces the region that overlaps the eyes and the recessed portion width Wb of each recessed portion532are set such that the region of the eyes is effectively divided. Specifically, the projecting portion width Wa is set to be 10% or more and 15% or less of the length of the region of the eyes in the width direction (that is, the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the ink ribbon13is conveyed), and the recessed portion width Wb is set to be 5% or more and 10% or less of the length of the region of the eyes in the width direction.

In the example illustrated inFIG.5BandFIG.6, the projecting portion widths Wa of the projecting portions531that are arranged near both ends of the contact portion530are also relatively large. The reason is that the regions of the eyebrows and the mouth have a characteristics part in the face image in some cases.

The length (referred to below as a “contact portion width Wc”) of the contact portion530of the second heating element50in the width direction (that is, the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the ink ribbon13is conveyed) is set so as to cover at least main parts of the patterns of the ink-missing portions31b,32b, and33bin the first pattern. For example, in the case where the first pattern corresponds to the face image, the contact portion width Wc is set so as to cover the entire region from the head to the mouth in the face image.

From the perspective in the recognition of the patterns of the ink-missing portions31b,32b, and33bin the first pattern such as the face image, each projecting portion width Wa is preferably 0.5 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less. From the same perspective, the recessed portion width Wb is preferably 0.5 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less. The contact portion width Wc is preferably 15 mm or more, based on the typical size of the face image to be printed on, for example, an IC card.

The thermal transfer system10according to the present embodiment includes the winding portion20that winds the ink ribbon13that includes the support layer11and the ink layer12after the ink in the ink layer12is transferred to the transfer receiver14, and the heating element50that transfers the ink in the ink layer12of the ink ribbon13to the support layer11of the ink ribbon13that is located inside the ink ribbon13in the stripe-shaped disturbing pattern DP1that extends in the direction in which the ink ribbon13is conveyed in a manner in which the ink ribbon13that is wound around the winding portion20is heated from the support layer11. The heating element50includes the contact portion530including the multiple projecting portions531that come into contact with the ink ribbon13and the multiple recessed portions532that do not come into contact with the ink ribbon13, and the multiple projecting portions531and the multiple recessed portions532are alternately arranged in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the ink ribbon13is conveyed, as described above.

The thermal transfer system10can appropriately disturb the ink-missing portions in the first pattern corresponding to, for example, the ID information and can appropriately prevent secret information from being leaked. The thermal transfer system10is preferably used when the first pattern corresponds to the face image, that is, when the first heating element22transfers the face image to the transfer receiver14, or additionally when the transfer receiver14is an ID card on which the face image is printed.

The embodiment of the present invention is described above by way of example. The present disclosure, however, is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of claims.

For example, the present disclosure is not limited to a structure for transferring a color image by using an ink ribbon that includes an OP ink layer and an ink layer in multiple colors but can be used for a structure for transferring a color image by using multiple ink ribbons that include ink layers or OP ink layers in respective different colors.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

10thermal transfer system13ink ribbon11support layer12ink layer31Y sublimation ink layer31aY sublimation ink,31bink-missing portion32M sublimation ink layer32aM sublimation ink,32bink-missing portion33C sublimation ink layer33aC sublimation ink,33bink-missing portion34OP ink layer34aOP ink,34bink-missing portion35detection mark14transfer receiver15afeeding guide roller15bwinding guide roller16feeding portion20winding portion22first heating element23platen roller24control unit50second heating element51support frame52heating head53metal plate53ametal plate body53bsupport plate530contact portion531projecting portion532recessed portion54mounting bolt