JP3895931B2 - Thermal transfer image receiving medium for composite recording - Google Patents

Description

【００５２】
【発明の効果】
上記実施例の結果からも明らかなように、本発明による複合記録用熱転写受像媒体は、上記のような構成からなるので、昇華型熱転写方式による画像形成に加えてこれと異なる印字手段を用いて記録媒体の両面に対して複合的な記録が可能であり、特に、受像媒体の裏面に対しインクジェットプリンターでの宛名印字に特に好適な特性を具備する熱転写受像媒体が提供される。[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a thermal transfer image receiving medium, and more particularly to a thermal transfer image receiving medium that enables multiple recordings by a plurality of types of image forming means on both sides of the medium.
[0002]
[Background Art and Problems to be Solved by the Invention]
In recent years, the adoption of a sublimation thermal transfer system has made it easy to obtain high-quality and high-definition images comparable to conventional silver salt photographs. Printing such a sublimation transfer image on a postcard as if it were a postcard has been widely performed. When using it as a postcard, it is necessary to print the address, address, etc. on the back side, but the back side of the image-receiving paper used so far is generally free of problems with writing instruments, but various printers ( In particular, when printing is performed using an inkjet printer), there are problems such as blurring of printing and slow drying of the printed portion.
[0003]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and in addition to image formation by a sublimation type thermal transfer system, a thermal transfer image receiver capable of composite recording on both sides of a recording medium using different printing means. The purpose is to provide a medium.
[0004]
Another object of the present invention is to provide a thermal transfer image receiving medium in which the back surface of the image receiving medium has characteristics particularly suitable for address printing on an ink jet printer.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, a thermal transfer image receiving medium according to the present invention is a base material and a recording layer formed on one surface of the base material, and is capable of image formation by a sublimation thermal transfer system. 1 recording layer, and a recording layer formed on the other surface of the base material, the second recording layer comprising a combination of two or more layers capable of recording by printing means other than the sublimation thermal transfer method. In other words, the present invention is characterized in that composite recording by a plurality of types of image forming means is possible on both sides of the medium.
[0006]
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second recording layer is composed of a composite layer in which an absorption layer and a fixing layer are formed in this order on the substrate, and the fixing layer of the second recording layer is a polyvinyl layer. It comprises an acetal resin and a nylon filler.
[0007]
On the other hand, the absorption layer of the second recording layer preferably comprises a polyvinyl butyral resin and a filler.
[0008]
The second recording layer in the thermal transfer image receiving medium of the present invention is particularly suitable for printing by ink jet recording in particular, but besides this, it can also be applied as, for example, a melt type thermal transfer recording layer or an electrophotographic recording layer. .
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The thermal transfer recording medium according to the present invention includes a base material, a recording layer formed on one surface of the base material, the first recording layer capable of forming an image by a sublimation thermal transfer method, and the other of the base material. And a second recording layer comprising a combination of two or more layers capable of recording by printing means other than the sublimation thermal transfer method, and a plurality of types of recording layers on both sides of the medium. The present invention is characterized in that composite recording by the image forming means is possible.
[0010]
The second recording layer is preferably constituted by a combination of a plurality of layers in which an absorption layer and a fixing layer are formed in this order on a base material. By sharing the function by each of the plurality of layers combined in the thickness direction, characteristics suitable for printing by an ink jet printer are realized.
[0011]
The substrate is not particularly limited, and conventionally known papers, synthetic papers and other materials for thermal transfer recording media can be widely used in accordance with applications.
[0012]
The absorbent layer formed on one surface of the substrate contains a relatively large amount of filler in order to quickly absorb and retain the resin component having good adhesion to the substrate surface and the ink composition for printing. Become. Preferred examples of the resin for the absorption layer include resins such as polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl alcohol, cellulose acetate resin, acrylic resin, polystyrene resin, polyolefin resin, and polyamide resin.
[0013]
In addition, as the filler added to the above resin, organic polymer fine particles, inorganic fine particles, and the like are used, and examples of the organic polymer fine particles include fine particles such as nylon filler, acrylic resin, styrene resin, silicone resin, and fluorine resin. As the inorganic fine particles, silica, alumina, talc, calcium carbonate, barium sulfate, zinc oxide, titanium oxide and the like are preferably used, and the average particle size of the filler is 0.05 to 30 μm, more preferably 0.1. A range of 10 μm to 10 μm is desirable for promptly absorbing and holding ink.
[0014]
Further, in order to make the ink absorption and retention properties more preferable, the weight ratio of the filler / resin in the absorption layer is 0.1 to 3.0, more preferably 0.2 to 2.5. Particularly preferably, it is desirable to be 1.5 to 2.0.
[0015]
The absorbent layer is formed by applying the composition for an absorbent layer as described above on the base material at a coating amount of about 0.5 to 5.0 g / m ² , more preferably 1.0 to 3.0 g / m ^2. Is preferably provided.
[0016]
The fixing layer formed on the absorbing layer has a function of improving transferability of the ink composition for printing to the absorbing layer, and is important for improving printing characteristics in combination with the absorbing layer. is there. Preferred fixing resins for expressing such functions include water-soluble substances such as polyvinyl acetal, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl butyral, cellulose acetate, nitrocellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, starch, and gelatin. Examples thereof include a resin, a water-soluble acrylic resin, a water-soluble urethane resin, a mixture thereof, and a copolymer.
[0017]
As the filler added to the resin, organic polymer fine particles and inorganic fine particles such as silica, alumina, talc, calcium carbonate, barium sulfate, zinc oxide, and titanium oxide are preferably used. The particle size is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 20 μm, more preferably 5 to 15 μm, from the viewpoint of quick drying of the ink (that is, rapid penetration of the ink into the absorption layer). That is, if the average particle size of the filler is less than 5 μm, the quick drying property is poor, whereas if it exceeds 15 μm, the surface roughness increases, which is not preferable. The most preferred combination for the fixing layer is a combination of polyvinyl acetal resin and nylon filler.
[0018]
In order to make the ink quick drying property and penetration property more preferable, the filler / resin weight ratio in the fixing layer is 0.5 to 1.5, more preferably 0.8 to 1.0. It is desirable to be in the range. If the weight ratio is less than 0.5, the quick-drying property is poor. On the other hand, if it exceeds 1.5, the film strength is lowered and the ink fixing property tends to be lowered.
[0019]
Fixing layer, 0.4~10g / ^{m 2} about the fixing layer composition on the substrate as described above, more preferably it is coated and formed at a coverage of about 0.7~2.0g / ^{m 2} Is preferably provided.
[0020]
In particular, when using a commercially available ink for an inkjet printer, the dye composition and solvent composition of the ink differ from manufacturer to manufacturer. Therefore, it is difficult to obtain uniform printing quality because the degree of occurrence of bleeding varies. For this reason, it is preferable to add a surfactant to the fixing layer in order to adjust the ink permeability and make the prevention of bleeding more effective. For this purpose, as the surfactant to be used, a general cationic surfactant or nonionic surfactant is used, and among them, an acrylate in which a nonionic perfluoroalkyl group is polymerized in a pendant type. Fluorosurfactants such as copolymers and acrylic oligomers are particularly preferred. The amount of the surfactant added is suitably about 0.5 to 10% by weight, preferably 1 to 5% by weight, based on the fixing layer (solid content). If it is less than 0.5% by weight, the effect of preventing bleeding is poor, and if it exceeds 10% by weight, it is disadvantageous in terms of production cost.
[0021]
The second recording layer comprising the combination of the absorbing layer and the fixing layer as described above is particularly suitable for printing by an ink jet printer, but is also a conventional recording layer for melting thermal transfer or electrophotographic recording. Excellent printing characteristics can be obtained.
[0022]
In the thermal transfer image receiving medium of the present invention, the first recording layer capable of being imaged by the sublimation thermal transfer method is not particularly limited, but preferred examples of the receiving layer include the following materials.
[0023]
(A) Resin having an ester bond Polyester resin, polyacrylate resin, polycarbonate resin, polyvinyl acetate resin, styrene acrylate resin, and the like.
[0024]
(B) Resin having urethane bond Polyurethane resin, etc.
[0025]
(C) Resin having an amide bond (d) Resin having a urea bond Urea resin or the like.
[0026]
(E) Other resins having a highly polar bond Polycaprolactone resin, styrene-maleic anhydride resin, polyvinyl chloride resin, polyacrylonitrile resin, and the like.
[0027]
In addition to the synthetic resin as described above, a mixture or copolymer thereof can also be used. In addition, since the dye receiving layer is heat-pressed together with the thermal transfer sheet at the time of transfer by a thermal head or the like, it easily adheres to the thermal transfer sheet. Usually, a dye-permeable release agent is usually applied to the resin as described above. It is made to contain. As such a release agent, solid waxes, fluorine-based or phosphate ester-based surfactants, and oily silicone oils can be used, but reactive curing type is preferable, for example, amino-modified A combination of silicone and epoxy-modified silicone is preferred.
[0028]
In the case of solid wax, the addition amount of these release agents is 0.5 to 50% by weight, preferably 0.5 to 10% by weight of the resin weight in the resin. Further, in the case of curable silicone oil, since it is not sticky, it can be used in a large amount and can be added in the range of 0.5 to 30% by weight of the resin weight. In either case, if the amount is too small, the releasing effect becomes insufficient. If the amount is too large, the acceptability of the dye is lowered, and an adverse effect such that a sufficient recording density cannot be obtained.
[0029]
Further, as a method for imparting the mold releasability of the dye receiving layer, in addition to the method of adding a releasing agent to the dye receiving layer as described above, a release layer may be separately laminated on the dye receiving layer. It is possible and any method may be taken. Furthermore, the dye-receiving layer may contain an inorganic filler such as fine powder silica and titanium oxide, an antioxidant, an ultraviolet absorber, or the like, if necessary.
[0030]
The method for forming the dye-receiving layer on the base sheet is, for example, using a gravure printing method, a screen printing method, or a gravure plate by dissolving these materials in an organic solvent or by dispersing a liquid in an organic solvent or water. It can be formed by applying and drying by the reverse roll coating method, die coating method or the like. Depending on the type of material, it can be formed by a melt extrusion coating method without using an organic solvent or water. The dye receiving layer formed as described above may have any thickness, but generally has a thickness of 1 to 50 μm.
[0031]
Further, at least one intermediate layer may be provided between the dye receiving layer and the base sheet. The intermediate layer means all layers provided between the receiving layer and the base sheet, such as an adhesive layer (primer layer), a white color imparting layer, a barrier layer, a UV (ultraviolet) absorbing layer, a foamed layer, an antistatic layer, and the like. Any of these can be used as necessary.
[0032]
【Example】
Examples of the present invention will be shown below, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.
[0033]
Example 1
The base material sheet is coated and dried with an absorbent layer having the following composition at a dry coating amount of 1.5 g / m ² , and a fixing layer having the following composition is 0.7 g / m ² upon drying. And dried to form the back side of the image receiving paper.
[0034]
Composition of absorbent layer Polyvinyl butyral resin (# 3000-I, manufactured by Denki Kagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd.) 100 parts Microsilica (manufactured by Silicia 730, Fuji Silysia) 150 parts Toluene / IPA = 1/1 200 parts
Composition of fixing layer Polyvinyl acetal resin (KX-5 manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) 100 parts Nylon filler (MW330, manufactured by Shinto Paint Co., Ltd.) 100 parts Fluorosurfactant (EFTOP EF802, manufactured by JEMCO) 2 parts Water / IPA = 1/1 2000 copies
Example 2
An absorbent layer having the following composition was coated on a base sheet and dried so as to have a coating amount of 1.5 g / m ² when dried, and the others were processed in the same manner as in Example 1 to form the back surface of the image receiving paper of Example 2. .
[0035]
Composition of Absorbing Layer Polyvinyl Butyral Resin (# 3000-I manufactured by Denki Kagaku Kogyo) 100 parts Microsilica (Silicia 310 manufactured by Fuji Silysia) 300 parts Toluene / IPA = 1/1 200 parts
Example 3
In the structure of Example 1, only the composition of the ink fixing layer was changed to the following composition, and the rest was processed in the same manner as in Example 1 to form the back surface of the image receiving paper of Example 3.
[0036]
Composition of fixing layer Polyvinyl acetal resin (KX-5, manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) 100 parts Nylon filler (MW330, manufactured by Shinto Paint) 100 parts Fluorosurfactant (Megafac F470, manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals) 2 parts Water / IPA = 1/1 2000 copies
Example 4
In the structure of Example 1, only the composition of the fixing layer of the ink was changed to the following composition, and everything else was processed in the same manner as in Example 1 to form the back surface of the image receiving paper of Example 4.
[0037]
Composition of fixing layer Polyvinyl acetal resin (KX-5, manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) 100 parts Nylon filler (MW330, manufactured by Shinto Paint) 100 parts Fluorosurfactant (EFTOP EF802, manufactured by JEMCO) 0.6 part Water / IPA = 1 / 1 2000 copies
Example 5
In the configuration of Example 1, only the composition of the ink fixing layer was changed to the following composition, and the rest was processed in the same manner as Example 1 to form the back surface of the image receiving paper of Example 5.
[0038]
Composition of fixing layer Polyvinyl acetal resin (KX-5, manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) 100 parts Nylon filler (MW330, manufactured by Shinto Paint) 100 parts Water / IPA = 1/1 2000 parts
Comparative Example 1
In the configuration of Example 1, only the absorption layer was applied, and the back surface of the image receiving paper of Comparative Example 1 was formed.
[0039]
Example 6
In the structure of Example 1, only the composition of the fixing layer was changed to the following composition, and everything else was processed in the same manner as in Example 1 to form the back surface of the image receiving paper of Example 6 .
[0040]
Composition of fixing layer Polyvinyl acetal resin (KX-5 manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) 100 parts Nylon filler (MW330, manufactured by Shinto Paint) 200 parts Water / IPA = 1/1 2000 parts The value of the average particle diameter (micrometer) of the contained filler is as follows.
[0041]
Silicia 730: 3.0 μm
Cylicia 310: 1.4
μmM W330: 7.5 μm
Olgasol 2002 ES-3: 30 μm
Printing test Printing tests using various printing methods were performed according to the following evaluation methods.
[0042]
A. Inkjet printer printing A print test was performed with an inkjet printer on the back of the image-receiving paper prototyped in the above examples and comparative examples, and performance evaluation was performed. The printer used was “PM770C” manufactured by Seiko Epson Corporation and “BJF850” manufactured by Canono Corporation, and the ink used was a genuine ink designated by the manufacturer.
[0043]
(1) Whisker-like blur of ink Whisker-like blur in arbitrary character printing was visually evaluated according to the following criteria.
[0044]
A: No whisker-like bleed O: Slight whisker-like bleed Δ: Slight whisker-like bleed X: Significant whisker-like bleed
[0045]
(2) Ink Fixability Even after lightly rubbing with a hand, the time until the ink fixing layer did not peel off and no ink transfer was measured and evaluated immediately after printing.
[0046]
A: No ink transfer within 30 seconds B: No ink transfer within 60 seconds Δ: No ink transfer within 120 seconds x: Ink fixing layer peels off Melting-type thermal transfer system A printing test was conducted using a melting-type thermal transfer system to evaluate the performance. The printer used was a brother-type MFC8300J printer.
[0047]
C. Electrophotographic method A printing test was performed by an electrophotographic method to evaluate the performance. The printer used was DocuCentre 350 manufactured by FUJIXEROX, and “O” was printed and “X” was not printed.
[0048]
The roughness of the back surface of the surface was measured by sensory evaluation by hand.
[0049]
(Double-circle): It is felt that there is no unevenness and is high quality.
[0050]
◯: Slightly uneven, but no effect on texture. Δ: Slightly uneven, feels low without texture. X: Many unevenness and texture is damaged.
[0051]
[Table 1]

[0052]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the results of the above examples, the thermal transfer image-receiving medium for composite recording according to the present invention has the above-described configuration. Therefore, in addition to image formation by the sublimation thermal transfer system, a different printing unit is used. There is provided a thermal transfer image receiving medium capable of performing composite recording on both sides of the recording medium, and particularly having characteristics particularly suitable for address printing with an ink jet printer on the back surface of the image receiving medium.

Claims (6)

A substrate;
A recording layer formed on one surface of the substrate, the first recording layer capable of image formation by a sublimation thermal transfer system;
A recording layer formed on the other surface of the base material, which can be recorded by an ink jet method , and a combination of two or more layers in which an absorption layer and a fixing layer are formed in this order on the base material comprising second comprises a recording layer, the absorption layer of the second recording layer, comprises a polyvinyl butyral resin, a fixing layer of the second recording layer, Ri Na include polyvinyl acetal resins and nylon filler The formation amount is 0.4 to 10 g / m ² .
A thermal transfer image receiving medium characterized in that a composite recording by a plurality of types of image forming means is possible on both sides of the medium.   The thermal transfer image receiving medium according to claim 1, wherein the nylon filler of the fixing layer comprises spherical particles having an average particle diameter of 5 to 15 μm.   The thermal transfer image receiving medium according to claim 1, wherein a weight ratio of nylon filler / polyvinyl acetal resin in the fixing layer is 0.5 to 1.5.   The thermal transfer image receiving medium according to claim 1, wherein the fixing layer further contains a fluorine-based surfactant.   The thermal transfer image receiving medium according to claim 1, wherein the absorption layer of the second recording layer further contains a filler.   The thermal transfer image receiving medium according to claim 1, wherein the second recording layer is an ink jet recording layer.