JPH02231193A - Image receptor for thermal transfer recording - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain an image receiving body for thermal transfer recording capable of realizing a recording with good image quality without a damage of an image receiv ing layer as the top surface thereof and a good writing on the rear surface thereof by providing an image receiving layer on one surface of a substrate and a layer mainly composed of talc and a binder on the other surface thereof. CONSTITUTION:An image receiving body for thermal transfer recording is provided with an image receiving layer on one surface of a substrate and a layer mainly com posed of talc and a binder on the other surface thereof. The image receiving layer accepting a dyestuff migrating from a thermal transfer sheet for forming an image thereon is mainly composed of a thermoplastic resin that is favorably dyeable with a sublimable dye. The forming of a rear surface treated layer on the surface opposite to the image receiving layer enables a paper feed without damaging the image receiv ing layer at the time of recording and enhances various kinds of writing properties. The talc for use has an average particle diameter of 1-30mum, a specific surface area of 5000-50000cm<2>/g, and a bulk specific gravity of 1-10cc/g, and esp. suitably an average particle diameter of 1-5mum, a specific surface area of 20000-50000cm<2>/g, and a bulk specific gravity of 5-10cc/g.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to an image receptor for thermal transfer recording, particularly to an image receptor for thermal transfer recording used in sublimation type thermal transfer recording.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, color recording technologies using electrophotography, inkjet, thermal transfer, and the like have been studied for facsimiles, copying machines, printers, and the like.

The thermal transfer recording method is considered to be advantageous over other methods because the device is easy to maintain and operate, and the device and consumables are inexpensive.

/ Thermal transfer methods include a melting method in which a transfer sheet with a heat-fusible ink layer formed on a base film is heated by a thermal head to melt the ink and then transferred and recorded onto an image receptor; A transfer sheet on which a color material layer containing a sublimable dye (also called a heat transferable dye) is formed is heated by a thermal head B to sublimate and/or thermally diffuse the dye, and an image is received from the transfer sheet. There is a sublimation method in which the pigment is transferred to the body and then transferred and recorded onto the image receptor.With the sublimation method, the amount of transfer of the dye can be controlled by changing the energy given to the thermal head, making gradation recording easier. This is particularly advantageous for full-color recording.

The image receptor used in the thermal transfer recording method basically consists of a substrate and an image receiving layer formed on the surface of the substrate.
Cellulose paper, synthetic paper, plastic film, etc. are used as the substrate, and the main component of the image-receiving layer is a thermoplastic resin that has good dyeability. In addition, when using an image receptor, it is generally set in the form of a cut sheet (sheet) cut to a certain size, stacked one on top of the other with the front and back sides touching, and then rolled one by one during recording. Issued 0 (Problem to be Solved by the Invention) By the way, when an image receptor is fed out, the surface of the image receptor (image receiving layer surface) may be scratched due to friction with the back surface; If this occurs, uneven transfer of the dye will occur during transfer recording, and the quality of the transferred image will deteriorate.

Since writing may be written on the back of the image receptor, it is necessary to be able to write with various writing instruments, but if the substrate is made of synthetic paper, plastic film, etc., the writing properties with various writing instruments may not be sufficient. Especially in the case of water-based writing instruments, the ink dries slowly, which is a problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image receptor for thermal transfer recording, which allows recording of good image quality without damaging the image-receiving layer on the front surface during recording, and which allows good writing on the back surface with various writing instruments. 0 (Means to Solve the Problem) As a result of repeated studies to solve the above problem, the applicant has developed an image receptor in which a layer having a specific composition is formed on the back surface opposite to the image receptor layer. Therefore, the inventors have discovered that the above object can be achieved and have arrived at the present invention.

That is, the image receptor for thermal transfer recording of the present invention is characterized in that it has an image-receiving layer on one surface of the base and a layer containing talc and a binder as main components on the other surface. .

The image receptor of the present invention will be explained in detail below.

The image receptor of the present invention basically consists of a substrate, an image receiving layer formed on the surface of the substrate, and a back surface treatment layer formed on the back surface of the substrate. An intermediate layer may be provided between the image-receiving layer and the back surface treatment layer, and an overcoat layer may be provided on the image-receiving layer.

Substrates used in the present invention include those used in ordinary thermal transfer image receptors, such as various papers made of cellulose fibers, various synthetic papers made of synthetic resins, and plastinok films. However, these may be ones in which the above-mentioned materials are laminated with an adhesive layer, a release layer, etc. interposed therebetween.

The image-receiving layer is a layer that receives the dye transferred from the thermal transfer sheet.
This layer forms an image and is formed mainly of a thermoplastic resin that has good dyeability with sublimable dyes. Specifically, linear saturated polyester resins whose main components are polyethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate, acrylic resins such as polymethyl methacrylate, polybutyl methacrylate, polymethyl acrylate, and polybutyl acrylate, polystyrene, AS resin, polycarbonate, Borisulfone, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyacrylate, ethylcellulose, acetylcellulose,
Examples include polyvinyl butyl, polyvinyl alcohol, and vinyl resins such as vinyl chloride, vinyl acetate, and vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers. Among these, linear saturated polyester resins, acrylic resins, and vinyl resins are particularly preferred because they have excellent affinity with sublimable dyes.

Moreover, these above-mentioned resins can also be used in the form of a mixture.

The image-receiving layer is mainly composed of a thermoplastic resin as mentioned above, but in addition to the thermoplastic resin, various types of resins are usually used to improve the peelability between the color sheet and the image-receiving body after transfer recording. release agents or inorganic and organic fine particles.

Silicon-based and fluorine-based compounds are particularly effective as mold release agents, and inorganic and organic particles include inorganic particles such as silica, titanium oxide, calcium carbonate, and alumina, fluororesins, silicone resins, and various thermosetting resins. Organic particles such as

In addition to the above-mentioned components, the image-receiving layer may further contain an ultraviolet absorber, a light stabilizer, an antioxidant, a fluorescent whitening agent, an antistatic agent, etc., as required.

The backside treatment layer formed on the opposite side of the image-receiving layer mainly contains talc and a binder, and by providing this treatment layer, paper can be fed without damaging the image-receiving layer during recording. , Also, various handwritten notes become better.

As for talc, the average particle size is l~30μm and the specific surface area! ;．
0 0 0 S-! r O, 0 0 0 crA
/f, bulk specific gravity/~/OcC/f are used, especially average particle size/~! ; /'rn sSpecific surface area s
o. o o o ~so. ooo duck specific gravity 5~/
Occ/7 is suitable.

Various synthetic resins are used as the binder. Specifically, polyester, polyamide, acrylic, styrene, vinyl, olefin, polycarbonate, silicone, fluorine, phenol, urea,
Urethane-based, cellulose-based, epoxy-based, melamine-based,
Examples include alkyd resins and copolymer resins thereof, and particularly preferred are polyester resins, polyvinyl butyral resins, and acrylic resins.

The ratio of talc to binder is /O~/0. 0 0
The range of weight % is suitable, preferably /00 to 600
Weight%.

In addition to the above-mentioned components, the back surface treatment layer may contain additives such as a dispersant, an antistatic agent, and a lubricant other than talc, if necessary.

The image receptor of the present invention has an adhesive layer, a dye diffusion prevention layer, an elastic layer, etc. between the image receiving layer and the substrate, and an adhesive layer, a dye diffusion prevention layer, etc. between the substrate and the slip layer on the back side. A protective layer containing an ultraviolet absorber, a release layer containing a release agent, etc. may be provided on the image-receiving layer, if necessary.

The method for forming the image-receiving layer is to dissolve the above-mentioned resin in a suitable solvent, add the above-mentioned mold release agent and fine particles, add various additives as necessary, prepare a solution, and apply the solution to the substrate. Just apply it to the surface and let it dry.

In addition, the method for forming the back surface treatment layer is to dissolve the binder in a suitable solvent, add the above-mentioned talc, add other additives as necessary to prepare a solution, and apply the solution to the substrate. Just apply it to the back side and let it dry.

In addition to water, alcoholic solvents such as methanol, ethanol, globanol, butanol,
Ketone solvents such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, and cyclohexanone, cellosolve solvents such as methyl cellosolve and ethyl cellosolve, ester solvents such as ethyl acetate and butyl acetate, aromatic solvents such as toluene, xylene, and chloropenzene, and tetrahydrocarbons. 7 run, ether solvents such as dioxane,
Amide solvents such as N,N'-dimethylformamide and N-methylpyrrolidone, chlorine solvents such as methylene chloride, chloroform, trichloroethylene, and dichloroethane, etc. can be used.

The above coating liquid can be applied to the substrate using a reverse roll coater, a gravure coater, a barcoder, an air doctor coater, etc. ).

The thickness of each thickness of the image receptor of the present invention is usually in the range of 70 to 300 μm for the substrate, and the thickness of the image receiving layer is preferably in the range of 0.7 to 10 pm, preferably l~/O μm.
The thickness of the back surface treatment layer is 0,/-20t.
It is preferably in the range of lm to /0 μm.

〔Example〕

EXAMPLES The present invention will be specifically explained below with reference to Examples, but these Examples do not limit the present invention.

Example Image receptors were prepared using the image receptor substrate, image-receiving layer coating liquid, and back surface treatment layer coating liquid shown below, and the ease with which the surface (image-receiving layer surface) was scratched when the front and back surfaces of each image receptor were rubbed was measured. A test was also conducted for writing notes on various writing instruments on the back side.

(a) Image receiving substrate used a-/: polyethylene terephthalate film with a thickness of 00 μm.

a-: L: 20 μm thick polyethylene terephthalate film and iso μm thick synthetic paper manufactured by internal paper forming method (product name: Yubo FPG-1!IO”, manufactured by Oji Yuka Synthetic Paper Co., Ltd.) laminate.

a-. 7. Thickness 1 manufactured using internal paper forming method! θμ
m synthetic paper (product name: Yubo FPG-/'j O: manufactured by Oji Yuka Synthetic Paper Co., Ltd.) a-'I: Thickness/. 30
μm synthetic paper (product name: Peach Coat SP-t3θ; manufactured by Nisshinbo Co., Ltd.) a-k: Thickness/,? ! rμm cellulose cast-coated paper (product name: Espricoat C; manufactured by Sanyo Kokusaku Pulp Co., Ltd.) (b) Preparation of image-receiving layer coating solution 1) -/: Vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin (product name: VYHD) ; Manufactured by Union Carbide, USA) IO
75 parts by weight of methyl ethyl ketone and 1 liter of toluene! silicone oil (trade name: KF.???.7: manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) θ. Coating liquid b-2 prepared by adding 5 parts by weight: 100 parts by weight of an aqueous solution of polyester resin (product name: Polyester-WR-WAOO; manufactured by Nippon Gosei Co., Ltd., resin content: 20 weight κ), and silica. Colloidal aqueous solution (trade name: Snowtex tO: manufactured by Nissan Chemical Industries, Ltd., solid content: po weight parts by weight of Xair and silicone oil (trade name: KF, ???.?) by weight parts of Hataba were mixed to form a coating. liquid.

(C) Preparation of back treatment layer coating solution c-/: Polyester resin aqueous solution (product name: Pyronal MD/200; manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd., resin content: 3 g weight %) / g weight part and talc (product Name: LMS + COOO; manufactured by Fuji Talc Industrial Co., Ltd.) 2'l parts by weight were mixed, and 29 parts by weight of water and 29 parts by weight of ethanol were added to perform a dispersion treatment to prepare a coating solution O c-2 = Polyester Resin (Product name: Polyester TP
-220: Nippon Gosei Co., Ltd.) 6 parts by weight toluene!
A coating solution prepared by dissolving 7 parts by weight of I and methyl ethyl ketone, adding 2 parts by weight of talc (trade name: LMS Naco θO; manufactured by Fuji Talc Industries Co., Ltd.) into the solution, and performing a dispersion treatment.

C-3: Polyvinyl butyral resin (product name: S-LE
C-BX-/: Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) t parts by weight of ethanol? 6 parts by weight, and the average particle size l. 5 to 8 μm of talc (product name: LMS Na 200;
Manufactured by Fuji Talc Industrial Co., Ltd.) 24! A coating liquid prepared by adding 6 parts by weight of an antistatic agent (trade name: Saftomer-STH-tt; manufactured by Mitsubishi Yuka Co., Ltd., resin content: 3% by weight) and performing a dispersion treatment.

c-A: Bolivinyl petyral resin (product name: S-L
E'C-BX-/: Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) lI.
Part by weight was dissolved in 96 parts by weight of ethanol, and the average particle size was 2. jμ talc (trade name: LMP; manufactured by Fuji Talc Industries Co., Ltd.) 2 g parts by weight, antistatic agent (trade name: Saftomer-STH-j!r: manufactured by Mitsubishi Yuka Co., Ltd., resin content: 35
A coating solution prepared by adding 6 parts by weight (% by weight) and performing a dispersion treatment.

Comparative Example Tests similar to those in the Examples were conducted on image receptors without a treatment layer on the back surface, and the results are shown in Table 1/and Table 1.

(d) Preparation of Image Receiver The above-mentioned image-receiving layer coating liquid and back surface treatment layer coating liquid were applied to the front and back surfaces of the above-mentioned substrate, respectively, in the combinations shown in Tables 1 and 2 to prepare an image receptor. The thicknesses of the image-receiving layer and the back surface treatment layer were adjusted to be approximately Spm and approximately μm, respectively.

For each image receptor, the scratch resistance (scratch resistance) on the surface of the image receptor and the writability test on the back surface of the image receptor were conducted according to the methods described in (e) and (f), and the results are shown in Table -/ and Table 2. −
Shown here.

(e) Abrasion resistance test Prepare two image receptors (AA size), place them one on top of the other on a glass plate with the recording side facing downward, prepare a weight of t kg, and use this as a reference. , the front and back sides of the image receptor were rubbed parallel to the longitudinal direction. For rubbing, the corresponding image receptor was fixed on the front side, and the other image receptor was rubbed once at a speed of 7bOrtvnl. The degree of scratches on the recording surface was observed.

A transfer test was also conducted using a thermal transfer printing test device.

Writability Test The writing instruments commonly used were oil-based pens, ballpoint pens, water-based pens, and pencils, and the writing area on the back side of the image receptor was compared with each writing instrument.

(f) [Effects of the Invention] By using the image receptor of the present invention, the image receptor can be smoothly advanced during recording, and recording of good image quality can be achieved without damaging the surface of the image receptor layer. can get things. Further, the back surface of the image receptor of the present invention has good writing properties with various writing instruments.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) An image receptor for thermal transfer recording, characterized in that it has an image-receiving layer on one surface of a substrate, and a layer containing talc and a binder as main components on the other surface.