JPH0632076A - Id card, production thereof, and hot melt-type thermal transfer ink sheet - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain an ID card suitable for mass production and capable of forming a sharp and beautiful transfer image of character information without a collapse with long-term retention and shelf stability, a method for producing this ID card, and a hot melt-type thermal transfer ink sheet suitably used for the production thereof. CONSTITUTION:An ID card is produced by a method wherein a card substrate and an image-receiving layer provided with at least a transfer image formed by a hot melt-type thermal transfer ink sheet are laminated in this order. The transfer image on this ID card contains unsoftening fine particle. The hot melt- type thermal transfer ink sheet suitably used for producting this ID card is provided with a hot melt ink layer containing the unsoftening fine particle and a colorant.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ID card, a method for manufacturing the same, and a heat-melting type heat-sensitive transfer ink sheet. More specifically, it is suitable for mass production, the character information in the formed transferred image is clear and beautiful, and the image can be maintained for a long time, an ID card, a manufacturing method thereof, and a manufacturing method thereof. The present invention relates to a heat melting type thermal transfer ink sheet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Currently, there are many types of ID cards such as licenses such as automobile licenses, identification cards, membership cards with photos, authentication identification cards, business cards with photos, etc. It is becoming popular. These ID cards,
For example, an automobile license is manufactured by forming a facial photograph on the surface of a support by a silver salt photography method and describing necessary information by a printing method or the like, and further forming a protective layer on the surface. Since formation of a facial photograph by this silver salt photography method has complicated multi-step processes such as exposure, development, fixing and bleaching,
It is not always appropriate in the field where a large number of ID cards must be produced quickly.

Under these circumstances, recently, a transfer image such as an image containing gradation information by a sublimation type thermal transfer recording system or a character information containing image by a thermal fusion type thermal transfer recording system is formed on the surface of a support. A UV-curable resin is applied to the entire surface of the transferred image on the image-receiving layer, and an UV-curable protective layer is provided by irradiating the UV-curable resin on the image-receiving layer, which is suitable for mass production and convenient. ID cards have been proposed.

Further, for these purposes, the adhesion between the image-receiving layer having a transferred image formed thereon and the ultraviolet-curing protective layer is high between the image-receiving layer and the ultraviolet-curing protective layer for the purpose of preventing alteration or improving durability. , Improved high-quality ID cards provided with a transparent protective layer have been proposed. in this case,
The transparent protective layer is generally formed by a hot stamp suitable for mass production and easy to operate.

However, when the transparent protective layer is formed by hot stamping, the transparent protective layer is usually formed on the surface of the transferred image while applying high pressure and heating, so that it is formed by the heat melting type thermal transfer recording method. There is a problem that the color material in the character information containing image is crushed, resulting in an unclear transferred image which is totally blurred. In particular, this problem, such as a car license,
It is noticeable on ID cards with many small characters formed.

This is because the image containing the character information formed by the heat-meltable ink formed on the surface of the image receiving layer is raised.
High temperature when forming a transparent protective layer by hot stamping,
It is caused by being crushed by high pressure.
In this case, a clear and beautiful image cannot be obtained, and an ID card having an unclear image that is entirely blurred is manufactured. Although an ID card has an important function as an identification card, such an ID card cannot identify an individual and cannot exhibit the above-mentioned function.

The object of the present invention is to solve the above problems,
An ID card that is suitable for mass production, has a clear and beautiful transferred image, and can maintain and store the image for a long period of time, a manufacturing method thereof, and a heat-melting type feeling suitable for the manufacturing. It is to provide a thermal transfer ink sheet.

[0008]

As a result of intensive studies by the present inventors in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, as a result, the coloring material in the character information containing image formed by the heat-melt type heat-sensitive transfer recording method contains non-softening fine particles. If contained, the color material will not be crushed by the pressure during hot stamping.
Therefore, in this case, it is possible to prevent the adjacent images from being mixed with each other, or to prevent the color material in the image from being forcibly diffused into the image receiving layer, and to form a fine image with good resolution, sharpness, and beauty, They have found that they can be formed in an image receiving layer and have reached the present invention.

That is, the invention according to claim 1 is
An ID card in which a card support and an image-receiving layer having at least a transfer image formed of a heat-melt type thermal transfer ink sheet are laminated in this order, and the transfer image contains non-softening fine particles. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a heat-melting type thermal transfer ink in which a heat-melting ink layer containing non-softening fine particles and a coloring material is laminated on the surface of an image-receiving layer laminated on the surface of a card support. By superimposing the heat-meltable ink layer on the sheet, applying imagewise heat to the heat-meltable ink layer, and peeling the heat-melt type heat-sensitive transfer ink sheet from the image receiving layer,
A transfer image containing non-softening fine particles is formed on the surface of the image-receiving layer, which is a method for producing an ID card. The invention according to claim 3, wherein the non-softening fine particles are provided on a support. And a heat-meltable ink layer containing a coloring material, the heat-meltable thermal transfer ink sheet comprising the support and the heat-meltable ink layer. The heat-melt type thermal transfer ink sheet according to claim 3, wherein a release layer is interposed between

The present invention will be described in detail below. << Structure of ID Card >> An ID card usually includes a card support, an image receiving layer having a transferred image having information such as character information on at least the surface thereof, and a transparent protective layer for protecting the transferred image. An ultraviolet curable resin layer for protecting the entire ID card is laminated in this order, and if this ID card is used for a vehicle license, for example, the surface of the image receiving layer has gradation. An image containing gradation information such as a person image is provided, a writing layer is provided on the back surface of the support, and in some cases, an intermediate layer is provided between the layers.

(1) Card Support As the card support of the ID card in the present invention,
For example, paper, coated paper, and synthetic paper (polypropylene,
Various papers such as polystyrene or composite materials obtained by pasting them together with paper, white vinyl chloride resin sheet,
White polyethylene terephthalate base film, transparent polyethylene terephthalate base film, polyethylene naphthalate, ABS base film, AS base film, polypropylene base film, polystyrene base film, and other various plastic films or sheets, or films formed of various metals or Examples thereof include a sheet and a film or sheet formed of various ceramics. Further, the card support may be a single sheet made of the various materials described above, or may be a composite laminated sheet in which sheets made of the various materials are combined.

Among these, in the case of an ID card such as an automobile license, a plastic support such as a white polyethylene terephthalate base film or a composite laminated sheet having a polyethylene terephthalate sheet is preferable in terms of high durability. In order to enhance the sharpness of the transferred image formed in the image receiving layer, for example, white pigments such as titanium white, magnesium carbonate, zinc oxide, barium sulfate, silica, talc, clay, calcium carbonate, etc. are contained in the card support. It is preferably added.

The thickness of the card support is usually 1
00-1,000 μm, preferably 100-800 μm
And more preferably 300 to 800 μm. The card support may be embossed, signed, or I
A C memory, an optical memory, a magnetic recording layer, other printing, etc. may be provided.

(2) Image Receiving Layer The image receiving layer in the ID card of the present invention is basically formed by a binder for the image receiving layer. This image receiving layer is
If necessary, a metal ion-containing compound for improving the fixability of the image formed by the thermal sublimation type thermal transfer ink sheet, a release agent for improving the releasability from the thermal transfer ink sheet, and various other types. The additive may be included.

The image-receiving layer can be formed by appropriately selecting the types and contents of various components forming the image-receiving layer. An overcoat layer may be laminated on the surface of the image receiving layer for the purpose of, for example, improving the releasability from the thermal transfer ink sheet, improving the adhesiveness between the support and the image receiving layer, and preventing forgery and alteration. For the purpose, an intermediate layer may be provided. The thickness of the image receiving layer is usually 1 to 50 μm, preferably 3 to 10 μm. The thickness of the overcoat layer and the intermediate layer is 0.1 to 1.0 μm.

<Binder for image receiving layer> The binder for the image receiving layer is not particularly limited, and various known resins can be used. Examples of the binder for the image receiving layer include polyvinyl chloride resins, copolymer resins of vinyl chloride and other monomers (eg, isobutyl vinyl ether, vinyl propionate, etc.), polyester resins,
Poly (meth) acrylic acid ester, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl acetal resin, polyvinyl alcohol
, Polycarbonate, cellulose triacetate, polystyrene, copolymers of styrene and other monomers (eg acrylic ester, acrylonitrile, ethylene chloride, etc.), vinyl toluene acrylate resin, polyurethane resin, polyamide resin, urea resin, epoxy resin , Phenoxy resin, polycaprolactone resin, polyacrylonitrile resin, and modified products thereof.

Of these, polyvinyl chloride resins, copolymers of vinyl chloride and other monomers, polyester resins, polyvinyl acetal resins, copolymers of styrene and other monomers, and epoxy resins are preferable. One of these resins may be used alone, or two or more thereof may be used in combination.

The above various resins may be newly synthesized by various methods and used, but commercially available products may also be used. In addition, the above-mentioned image-receiving layer is crosslinked or cured by radiation, heat, humidity, a catalyst, etc. by utilizing the reaction active points of the above-mentioned various resins (if there are no reaction active points, impart them to the resin). Can be formed. In such a case, a radiation-active monomer such as epoxy or acrylic, or a crosslinking agent such as isocyanate can be used.

<Release Agent> It is preferable to add a release agent to the image-receiving layer in order to facilitate separation of the image-receiving ink sheet and the image-receiving layer, which will be described later. In addition, by appropriately selecting the type and content of the release agent, the adhesive force between the image receiving layer and the card support and the adhesive force between the image receiving layer and the intermediate layer can be adjusted.

Examples of the releasing agent include solid oils such as silicone oil (including those called silicone resin), polyethylene wax, amide wax, Teflon powder, fluorine-based and phosphoric ester-based interfaces. Examples thereof include activators, fine metal powders, silica gel, metal oxides, carbon black, and fillers such as fine resin powders. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

The silicone oil described above includes a type that is simply added (simple addition type) and a type that is cured or reacted (curing reaction type). In the case of the simple addition type, it is preferable to use a modified silicone oil (for example, polyester modified silicone resin, urethane modified silicone resin, acrylic modified silicone resin, etc.) in order to improve the compatibility with the binder.

The addition amount of these simple addition type silicone oils cannot be uniformly determined because it may vary depending on the type thereof, but generally speaking, the binder for the image receiving layer is generally used. To 0.1 to 30% by weight, preferably 0.5 to 20% by weight. Examples of the curing reaction type silicone oil include a reaction curing type (an amino-modified silicone oil and an epoxy-modified silicone oil that are cured by reaction), a photo-curing type, and a catalyst curing type.

The amount of the curable silicone oil added is preferably 0.5 to 30% by weight of the binder for the image receiving layer.
The amount of the release agent other than the silicone oil added is usually preferably 1 to 40% by weight based on the image receiving layer.

<Metal Ion-Containing Compound> When a gradation sublimation-containing image is formed on the image-receiving layer using a thermal sublimation type thermal transfer ink sheet, the image-receiving layer contains a metal ion-containing compound, and the image-receiving layer also has thermal transfer. When the heat-sublimable dye used is a dye capable of chelating, a chelate dye formed by the heat-sublimable dye and the metal ion-containing compound can form an image with good fixability.

Examples of the metal ions constituting the metal ion-containing compound include divalent and polyvalent metals belonging to Groups I to VIII of the Periodic Table, among which Al, Co, Cr and Cu are included. , Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, N
i, Sn, Ti and Zn are preferable, and more preferably,
Ni, Cu, Co, Cr and Zn.

The compound containing these metal ions is preferably an inorganic or organic salt of the metal and a complex of the metal. Specific examples are Ni ²⁺ , Cu ²⁺ , Co ²⁺ ,
A complex represented by the following general formula (Formula 1) containing Cr ²⁺ and Zn ²⁺ can be preferably used.

[0027]

[Chemical 1]

In the formula, M represents a metal ion, and Q
₁ , Q ₂ and Q ₃ each represent a coordination compound capable of forming a coordination bond with a metal ion represented by M. Examples of these coordination compounds are described in “Chelate Chemistry (5) (Nankodo)”. Can be selected from the coordination compounds. More preferably, a coordination compound having at least one amino group that forms a coordinate bond with a metal can be mentioned, and more specifically, ethylenediamine and its derivatives, glycinamide and its derivatives, picolinamide and its derivatives can be mentioned. be able to.

In the above formula, L is a counter anion capable of forming a complex, and specifically, it is an inorganic compound anion such as Cr, SO ₄ , ClO ₄ or the like, or an organic compound such as a benzenesulfonic acid derivative or an alkylsulfonic acid derivative. Anions can be mentioned, but tetraphenylboron anions and derivatives thereof, and alkylbenzene sulfonate anions and derivatives thereof are particularly preferable.

In the above formula, k represents an integer of 1, 2 or 3,
m represents 1, 2 or 0, and n represents 1 or 0, which are determined depending on whether the complex represented by the general formula is tetradentate or hexadentate, or Q ₁ , Q ₂ , Q ₃ determined by the number of ligands. p represents 1, 2 or 3.

Examples of this type of metal ion-containing compound include:
Mention may be made of those exemplified in US Pat. No. 4,987,049. The addition amount of the metal ion-containing compound, relative to the image receiving layer is preferably ^{0.5~20g / m 2, 1~10g / m} 2 is more preferable.

<Additive> The image-receiving layer contains an antioxidant, U
A V absorber, a light stabilizer, a filler (inorganic fine particles, organic resin particles), a pigment, a plasticizer as a sensitizer, a heat-melting substance, and the like may be contained as additives. When these additives affect the adhesive force between the image receiving layer and the card support or the adhesive force between the image receiving layer and the intermediate layer, it is necessary to appropriately select the type of additive and its addition amount. desirable.

As the above-mentioned antioxidant, JP-A-59-1 is used.
82785, 60-130735, JP-A 1-1.
The compounds described in JP-A-27387 and the like, and compounds known to improve the image durability of photographs and other image recording materials can be mentioned.

Examples of the UV absorbers and light stabilizers are JP-A-59-158287, JP-A-63-74686, JP-A-63-145089, JP-A-59-19692, and JP-A-62-19462.
No. 229594, No. 63-122596, No. 61-
The compounds described in JP-A No. 283595, JP-A-1-204788 and the like, and compounds known to improve image durability in photographs and other image recording materials can be mentioned.

Examples of the filler include inorganic fine particles and organic resin particles, which may also serve as the above-mentioned releasing agent. As the inorganic fine particles, silica gel,
Calcium carbonate, titanium oxide, acid clay, activated clay, alumina and the like can be mentioned, and as the organic fine particles, fluororesin particles, guanamine resin particles, acrylic resin particles,
Resin particles such as silicon resin particles can be mentioned.
These inorganic / organic resin particles differ depending on the specific gravity,
Addition of 0.1 to 70% by weight is preferred.

Typical examples of the pigment include titanium white, calcium carbonate, zinc oxide, barium sulfate, silica, talc, clay, kaolin, activated clay and acid clay. Examples of the plasticizer include phthalic acid esters, trimellitic acid esters, adipic acid esters, other saturated or unsaturated carboxylic acid esters, citric acid esters, epoxidized soybean oil, epoxidized linseed oil, and epoxystearic acid. Examples thereof include epoxies, orthophosphoric acid esters, phosphite esters, glycol esters and the like.

Examples of the heat-fusible substance include alcohols such as terpineol, menthol, 1,4-cyclohexanediol and phenol, amides such as acetamide and benzamide, coumarin and esters such as benzyl cinnamate, diphenyl ether and crown. Ethers such as ethers, camphor, ketones such as p-methylacetophenone, aldehydes such as vanillin and dimethoxybenzaldehyde, hydrocarbons such as norbornene and stilbene, higher fatty acids such as margaric acid, higher alcohols such as eicosanol, and palmitic acid. Higher fatty acid esters such as cetyl, higher fatty acid amides such as stearic acid amide, monomolecular compounds represented by higher amines such as behenylamine, carnauba wax, beeswax, paraffin wax, ester wax, Waxes such as wax, amide wax, ester gum, rosin maleic acid resin, rosin derivative such as rosin phenol resin, phenol resin, ketone resin, epoxy resin, diallyl phthalate resin, terpene resin, aliphatic hydrocarbon resin, cyclopentadiene Examples thereof include resins, polyolefin-based resins, polymer compounds represented by polyolefin oxides such as polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol, and the like.

In the present invention, the heat-meltable substance is preferably a compound having a melting point or softening point of 10 to 150 ° C. In the present invention, the total amount of the above additives is usually 0.1 to 30 with respect to the image-receiving layer resin.
It is preferably selected within the range of weight percent.

<Production of Image Receiving Layer> For the image receiving layer, an image receiving layer coating solution is prepared by dispersing or dissolving the components forming the image receiving layer in a solvent, and the image receiving layer coating solution is applied to the card support. It can be manufactured by a coating method of coating and drying on the surface of the body. It can also be produced by a laminating method or the like in which a mixture having components for forming the image receiving layer is melt extruded and attached to the surface of the card support.

Examples of the solvent used in the coating method include conventionally known solvents such as water, alcohol, methyl ethyl ketone, toluene, dioxane, and cyclohexanone. When adopting the laminating method, a coextrusion method can also be adopted. The intermediate layer and the overcoat layer can be provided by the same method. The image receiving layer may be formed over the entire surface of one surface of the card support, or may be formed over a part thereof. In the present invention, the image receiving layer is formed over the entire surface of the card support. Is preferred.

-Formation of Transfer Image- In the present invention, a heat-melting type heat-sensitive transfer ink sheet is used on the surface of the image-receiving layer to provide information on an individual who has an ID card or a peculiar issuer issuing the ID card. At least a transfer image such as a character information-containing image representing a character, a figure, a symbol, or the like in which information is written is formed.

If necessary, the surface of the image-receiving layer may be provided with a later-known thermal sublimation-type thermal transfer ink sheet, which will be described later, and a gradation information-containing image or character such as a human image having gradation. An information-containing image or the like is formed. When a transfer image is formed using a thermal sublimation type thermal transfer ink sheet in addition to the thermal fusion type thermal transfer ink sheet, the order is not particularly limited. An image containing content or the like may be formed, and thereafter, a gradation information containing image or character information containing image or the like may be formed using a thermal sublimation type thermal transfer ink sheet, or vice versa.

The transferred image is formed by superposing the ink layer of the heat-sensitive transfer ink sheet and the image-receiving layer of the ID card, and applying heat thereto imagewise using a heat source known per se, such as a thermal head. , Can be easily formed.

{Heat-melting type heat-sensitive transfer ink sheet} To form a transfer image such as an image containing character information in the ID card of the present invention, the heat-melting type heat-sensitive transfer ink sheet of the present invention described below is used. Is preferred. This heat-melting type heat-sensitive transfer ink sheet is formed by laminating a specific heat-melting ink layer on an ink sheet support in this order, preferably between the ink sheet support and the heat-melting ink layer. Further, it can be formed by further interposing a release layer.

The heat-melting type heat-sensitive transfer ink sheet may have layers other than the above-mentioned layers as long as the characteristics thereof are not impaired. For example, an intermediate layer or the like may be laminated between the release layer and the ink sheet support, and another layer may be formed on the heat-meltable ink layer such as providing an ink protective layer on the outermost layer. It may be laminated. Furthermore, the release layer and the heat-meltable ink layer may have a multi-layer structure, if necessary.

= 1 = Support for Ink Sheet It is desirable that the support for ink sheet in the heat-melting type thermal transfer ink sheet has good heat resistance and high dimensional stability. As the material, for example, the film or sheet described in JP-A-63-193886, page 2, lower left column, lines 12 to 18 can be used.

The thickness of the ink sheet support is usually 30.
It is not more than μm, preferably in the range of 2 to 30 μm. If the thickness of the ink sheet support exceeds 30 μm, the thermal conductivity may deteriorate and the print quality may deteriorate. In this heat-melting type heat-sensitive transfer ink sheet, the constitution of the back surface side of the ink sheet support is arbitrary, and for example, a backing layer is provided for the purpose of running stability, antistatic, heat resistance and the like. May be.

= 2 = Heat-meltable ink layer The heat-meltable ink layer contains non-softening fine particles and a coloring material, and contains a thermoplastic resin and / or a heat-melting compound for binding them. Further, the heat-meltable ink layer may contain various additives as required.

= 2.1 = Non-softening fine particles In the present invention, when a transparent protective layer is formed by hot stamping on the surface of a transfer image formed by the heat-meltable ink layer formed on the image receiving layer of an ID card, transfer is performed. The heat-fusible ink layer in the heat-melting type heat-sensitive transfer ink sheet is for the purpose of preventing the heat-meltable ink layer from being crushed,
Contains non-softening fine particles.

Examples of the non-softening fine particles include organic fine particles and inorganic fine particles. Examples of the organic fine particles include resin particles such as fluororesin particles, guanamine resin particles, acrylic resin particles, and silicon resin particles. The inorganic fine particles are not particularly limited, for example, carbon black, calcium carbonate, silica gel, titanium oxide, acid clay, activated clay, alumina,
Examples thereof include calcium carbonate, zinc oxide, barium sulfate, talc, clay and kaolin.

Among these, carbon black, calcium carbonate, titanium oxide, zinc oxide and barium sulfate are preferable, and carbon black and calcium carbonate are more preferable. The non-softening fine particles may or may not function as a pigment by themselves, and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose.

The particle diameter of the non-softening fine particles used in the present invention is usually 0.03 to 5 μm, preferably 0.03 to 3 μm, more preferably 0.05 to 5 μm.
2 μm. If the particle size of the non-softening fine particles is larger than 5 μm, the transferability and printing characteristics of the heat-meltable ink layer may be deteriorated, which is not preferable, and if it is smaller than 0.02 μm, the transferred heat-meltable ink layer may not be formed. It is not preferable because it may collapse during hot stamping.

The content of the non-softening fine particles contained in the heat-meltable ink layer is usually 20 to 85% by weight, preferably 30 to 8% by weight based on the total weight of the heat-meltable ink layer.
It is 0% by weight, and more preferably 35 to 75% by weight. When the content of the non-softening fine particles is more than 85% by weight, the transferability and printing characteristics of the heat-meltable ink layer may be deteriorated, which is not preferable. Since the change is large, the hot-melt ink layer may be crushed when the transparent protective layer is formed by hot stamping, which is not preferable.

= 2.2 = Coloring Material The coloring material used as a component of the heat-melting ink layer is usually used for the heat-melting ink layer of this kind of heat-melting type thermal transfer ink sheet. Can be used without limitation, for example, the inorganic pigments described in JP-A-63-193886, page 5, upper right column, lines 3 to 15;
Examples thereof include pigments such as organic pigments and dyes such as organic dyes. These various coloring materials may be used alone or in combination of two or more if necessary.

= 2.3 = thermoplastic resin, thermofusible compound As the thermoplastic resin and thermofusible compound used as a component of the thermofusible ink layer, a thermofusible thermal transfer of this kind is usually used. Various materials such as those used for the heat-meltable ink layer of the ink sheet can be used.
Substances exemplified in JP-A-63-193886, page 4, upper right column, page 5, upper left column, line 18 or polystyrene resin;
Low molecular weight thermoplastic resins such as acrylic resin, styrene-acrylic resin, polyester resin and polyurethane resin, from page 4, upper left column, line 8 to page 12, upper right column, line 12 of JP-A-63-193886. Examples of the substances include, in addition to these, rosin, hydrogenated rosin,
Rosin derivatives such as polymerized rosin, rosin-modified glycerin, rosin-modified maleic acid resin, rosin-modified polyester resin, rosin-modified phenolic resin and ester gum, and phenolic resin, terpene resin, ketone resin, cyclopentadiene resin and aromatic Examples thereof include group hydrocarbon resins.

Of these, preferred are phenolic resins and rosin-modified phenolic resins. However, it is preferable that the thermoplastic resin and the heat-fusible compound have a melting point such that they are not softened by the heating temperature when forming the transparent protective layer by hot stamping, and the heating temperature at the time of normal hot stamping and image transfer Considering the heating temperature at that time, the melting point or softening point of the thermoplastic resin or the heat-meltable compound used is usually 80 ° C. or higher, preferably 90
To 130 ° C, more preferably 95 to 130 ° C.

It is desirable that the thermoplastic resin or the heat-melting compound having such a melting point or softening point is selected from known thermoplastic resins and heat-melting compounds and used. The thermoplastic resin and the heat-fusible compound may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

= 2.4 = Additive component: If necessary, an additive component other than those described above may be appropriately added to the heat-meltable ink layer within a range that does not impair the object of the present invention. For example, this heat-meltable ink layer may contain a fluorine-based surfactant. By containing the fluorine-based surfactant, the blocking phenomenon of the heat-meltable ink layer can be prevented. It is also effective to add an incompatible resin or the like in order to improve the sharpness of the transferred character information-containing image, that is, the breakage of character boundaries.

= 2.5 = thickness of heat-meltable ink layer and method of forming the same-The thickness of the heat-meltable ink layer is usually 0.6 to 5.0 μm.
m, and particularly preferably 1.0 to 4.0 μm. This heat-meltable ink layer is applied by dispersing or dissolving the forming components in an organic solvent (organic solvent method), or by applying a thermoplastic resin or the like in a softened or melted state by heating (hot melt coating method). May be applied, but it is preferably applied using an emulsion or a solution in which the forming components are dispersed or dissolved in water or an organic solvent.

The total content of the layer forming components in the coating liquid used for coating the heat-meltable ink layer is usually set within the range of 5 to 50% by weight. The application method can be carried out using a usual method. As an example of the coating method,
Examples thereof include a method using a wire bar, a squeeze coating method, and a gravure coating method.

Further, the heat-meltable ink layer needs to be provided in at least one layer. For example, the kind and content of the coloring material, the compounding ratio of the thermoplastic resin and the heat-meltable compound, etc. Alternatively, two or more layers of different heat-meltable ink layers may be laminated.

= 3 = Peeling Layer The peeling layer is a layer which is provided at least on the peeling layer when heated by a heating mechanism such as a thermal head for image transfer during image formation. At least one layer is a heat-fusible ink layer containing a coloring material.) It peels / transfers sufficiently quickly, and at the same time, it is melted by heating when forming a transparent protective layer by hot stamping, and is melted on the image receiving layer. Is provided for the purpose of coating the transfer image containing the non-softening fine particles and protecting the transfer image. The heat-melting compound containing a heat-melting compound suitable for achieving this object is added. It is constituted as a layer in which the attribute of is dominant, particularly a layer having excellent peelability.

In the present invention, the heat-melting type heat-sensitive transfer ink sheet preferably has this release layer.
The release layer may be composed of the heat-melting compound itself mentioned in the above = 2.3 =, but is usually composed of the heat-melting compound and / or a binder resin such as a thermoplastic resin. It is preferable.

As the heat-fusible compound used as the main component of the release layer, various compounds such as known ones may be appropriately selected and used. Specific examples thereof include:
The substances exemplified in JP-A-63-193886, page 4, upper left column, line 8 to upper right column, line 12 can be used. Among these, waxes such as carnauba and polyethylene are preferable.

The heat-meltable compound used in the present invention has a melting point of usually 80 ° C. or higher, preferably 85-85.
It is 120 ° C. If the melting point is 80 ° C. or less, the ink layer transferred during hot stamping may be crushed, which is not preferable. The content of the heat-meltable compound is usually 30% or more, preferably 50% or more. When the content of the heat-fusible compound is 30% or less, the releasability of the ink layer decreases and it is difficult to function as a release layer, which is not preferable.

Specific examples of the thermoplastic resin include ethylene-based copolymers such as ethylene-vinyl acetate-based resins, polyamide-based resins, polyester-based resins,
Examples thereof include polyurethane resins, polyolefin resins, acrylic resins and cellulose resins. In addition, for example, vinyl chloride resin, rosin resin, petroleum resin and ionomer resin, natural rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, elastomers such as isoprene rubber and chloroprene rubber, ester gum,
Rosin derivatives such as rosin maleic acid resin, rosin phenol resin and hydrogenated rosin, and phenol resin, terpene resin, cyclopentadiene resin, aromatic resin and the like can also be used depending on the case.

Among these, an ethylene copolymer, particularly an ethylene-vinyl acetate resin is preferable. In the present invention, the thermoplastic resin used as a component of the release layer has a melting point or softening point of usually 50 to 150 ° C., particularly 60 to 120, among the various thermoplastic resins exemplified above.
Those in the range of ° C or those in the range by mixing two or more kinds are preferably used.

The content of the thermoplastic resin is usually 1 to
It is 50%, preferably 1 to 20%. The thickness of the release layer is usually 0.2 to 4 μm, preferably 0.2 to 2.5 μm, and more preferably 0.2 to
It is 1.0 μm. When the thickness of the release layer is 0.2 μm or less, the release property of the ink layer is lowered and it is difficult to function as a release layer, which is not preferable.

{Production of a heat-melting type heat-sensitive transfer ink sheet} A heat-melting type heat-sensitive transfer ink sheet basically disperses or dissolves each component forming a heat-meltable ink layer on the surface of an ink sheet support. It can be formed by applying the heat-meltable ink layer-forming coating liquid described above and drying. When a release layer is further provided, the release layer coating liquid is first applied and dried on the surface of the ink sheet support to form a release layer, and then the heat-meltable ink layer forming coating is applied on the surface. A heat-meltable ink layer can be formed and obtained by applying and drying the working fluid.

{Thermal Sublimation Thermal Transfer Ink Sheet} In the ID card of the present invention, the thermal sublimation thermal transfer ink sheet is used to form an image containing gradation information such as a human image on the surface of the image receiving layer. Good. The heat-melt type heat-sensitive transfer ink sheet is not particularly limited, and those known per se can be used. Specifically, the following thermal sublimation-type thermal transfer ink sheet has a thermal sublimation ink layer containing at least a thermal sublimation ink on the surface of an ink sheet support.

= 1 = Support for Ink Sheet As the support for ink sheet, the same support as the above-mentioned melt-type heat-sensitive transfer ink sheet can be used.

= 2 = Heat Sublimation Ink Layer The heat sublimation ink layer contains a heat sublimation dye and a binder.

= 2.1 = Heat Sublimation Dye Examples of the heat sublimation dye include cyan dye, magenta dye and yellow dye. The cyan dye is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include known naphthoquinone dyes, anthraquinone dyes, azomethine dyes, and the like.

The magenta dye is not particularly limited, and there are known anthraquinone dyes, azo dyes,
Examples thereof include azomethine dyes. The yellow dye is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include known methine dyes, azo dyes, quinophthalone dyes, and anthryothothiazole dyes.

The heat sublimable dye contained in the heat sublimable ink layer may be any one of a yellow dye, a magenta dye and a cyan dye as long as the image to be formed is a single color. When the image-receiving layer in the ID card contains a metal ion-containing compound, the heat sublimable dye is preferably a dye compound capable of forming a chelate with the metal ion-containing compound.

The dye compound which forms a chelate with the metal ion-containing compound is not particularly limited, and various compounds known per se can be appropriately selected and used.
Specifically, for example, JP-A-59-78893 and JP-A-5-78893.
9-109349, Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2-213303, 2-214719, and 2-203742, and cyan image-forming dyes (hereinafter referred to as cyan dyes),
Examples thereof include magenta image forming dyes (hereinafter referred to as magenta dyes) and yellow image forming dyes (hereinafter referred to as yellow dyes).

The amount of the heat sublimation dye used is usually 0.1 to 20 g, preferably 0.2 per 1 m ² of the ink sheet support of the heat sublimation type thermal transfer ink sheet.
~ 5g.

= 2.2 = Binder As the binder of the heat sublimable ink layer, for example, a cellulose addition compound, a cellulose resin such as cellulose ester or cellulose ether, polyvinyl alcohol,
Polyvinyl formal, polyvinyl acetoacetal,
Polyvinyl acetal resin such as polyvinyl butyral,
Polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl acetate, polyacrylamide, styrene resin, poly (meth) acrylic acid ester, poly (meth) acrylic acid, vinyl resin such as (meth) acrylic acid copolymer, rubber resin, ionomer resin , Olefin resins, polyester resins and the like.

Among these resins, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl acetoacetal, and cellulosic resins which are excellent in storage stability are preferable. One of the various binders may be used alone, or two or more thereof may be used in combination. The weight ratio of the binder to the heat sublimable dye is preferably 1:10 to 10: 1, more preferably 2: 8 to 7: 3.

= 2.3 = Other optional components Further, various additives can be appropriately added to the heat sublimation ink layer. As the additive, silicone resin, silicone oil (reaction hardening type is also acceptable), silicone modified resin, fluororesin, surfactant, peeling compound such as wax, fine metal powder, silica gel, metal oxide, carbon black , And filler such as resin fine powder,
A curing agent (for example, a radiation active compound such as isocyanates, acryls and epoxies) that can react with the binder component can be used. Furthermore, as an additive, a heat-melting substance for promoting transfer, such as wax or higher fatty acid ester, is disclosed in JP-A-59-1069.
The compounds described in No. 97 can be mentioned.

= 3 = Other Layers The thermal sublimation type thermal transfer ink sheet is not limited to a two-layer structure composed of a support for an ink sheet and a thermal sublimation ink layer, and other layers may be formed. Good. For example, I
An overcoat layer may be provided on the surface of the heat-sublimable ink layer for the purpose of preventing fusion with the image-receiving layer in the D card and preventing settling (blocking) of the heat-sublimable dye.

Further, the ink sheet support may have an undercoat layer for the purpose of improving the adhesiveness with the binder and preventing the transfer of dye to the ink sheet support side and the dyeing. Further, on the back surface of the ink sheet support (the side opposite to the ink layer), sticking or sticking of the head to the ink sheet support and sticking for the purpose of preventing wrinkles of the thermal sublimation type thermal transfer ink sheet are generated. A preventive layer may be provided. The thickness of the above-mentioned overcoat layer, undercoat layer and anti-sticking layer is usually 0.1 to 1 μm.
Is.

(4) Transparent Protective Layer In the ID card of the present invention, when an ultraviolet curing protective layer, which will be described later, is formed on the image receiving layer having the image information formed by the thermal transfer recording method, the image information may be added as necessary. The following transparent protective layer can be provided for the purpose of protecting That is, due to the action of the UV-curable prepolymer or monomer present in the UV-curable protective layer described later, for example, the gradation information-containing image due to the heat sublimable dye causes trouble such as bleeding or discoloration, and is clear. This is because such an image may not be obtained.

Further, when forming the UV-curable protective layer, the sublimation dye may be altered (estimated to be caused by decomposition or reaction with other substances) or discoloration due to UV irradiation effectively. This is because it is necessary to provide a transparent protective layer also for prevention. As the transparent protective layer, a good adhesion between the ultraviolet curable protective layer or the image receiving layer and the transparent protective layer, substantially transparent,
It is necessary to minimize the interference of UV rays with the heat sublimable dye during UV irradiation, and to prevent the coating agent from coming into contact with the heat sublimable pigment when applying the coating agent. It is said that

The region where the transparent protective layer is formed may be only the portion of the image receiving layer where the image information is formed, or may be the entire image receiving layer. This transparent protective layer can be formed on the image recording body by, for example, a hot stamp or a thermal transfer method. The hot stamp is suitable for processing a large number of ID cards because it is easy to operate.

A transparent protective layer satisfying the above requirements is described, for example, in JP-A-63-183881, No. 9
Page 9, lower left column, line 9 to page 10, upper left column, line 15; and thermoplastic resins exemplified on page 10, upper left column, line 16 to page 11, lower left column, line 9 A layer formed by

An ultraviolet absorber may be contained in the transparent protective layer. The ultraviolet absorber is effective in irradiating a coating agent containing an ultraviolet curable prepolymer with ultraviolet rays to protect image information from ultraviolet rays when curing the coating agent or sunlight during long-term storage. Since it may be difficult to add this ultraviolet absorber to the ultraviolet curable resin layer, it is effective to add it to the transparent protective layer (which inhibits the curing of the ultraviolet curable resin).

Examples of the ultraviolet absorber include the compounds exemplified in the description of the image receiving layer. The amount of UV absorber added depends on the type, but is 0.6 g / m
² or more, more preferably 1 g / m ² or more. The thickness of the transparent protective layer is usually 0.5 to 20.0 μm, preferably 1.0 to 10.0 μm, in consideration of the uniform coating property of the ultraviolet curable protective layer.

(5) UV-Curing Protective Layer In the ID card of the present invention, a substantially transparent UV-curing protective layer formed by curing by UV irradiation is formed on the surface of the transparent protective layer. The UV-curable protective layer in the present invention is not particularly limited as long as the adhesive force between the image-receiving layer or the transparent protective layer and the UV-curable protective layer is good, for example, the coating agent for the UV-curable protective layer described below. It can be formed by employing various methods.

The ultraviolet curing protective layer can also contain, for example, the following fine particles and coloring agents. It is preferable to contain the fine particles and the colorant because they are more effective against forgery and alteration than when the fine particles and the colorant are not contained, and can be easily distinguished from other cards. The material of the fine particles is not particularly limited, but usually inorganic fine particles and organic fine particles can be used.

Examples of the inorganic fine particles include powders such as titanium white, magnesium carbonate, zinc oxide, barium sulfate, silica, talc, clay, brass and aluminum, and foils. As the organic fine particles, those which are not dissolved in an ultraviolet curable resin monomer or the like are preferable.

Examples of the colorant include dyes, pigments, fluorescent dyes and infrared absorbing dyes. Furthermore, the UV-curable protective layer may have a pattern of irregularities formed on its surface. When a specific pattern of irregularities is formed on the surface of the UV-curing protective layer, for example, a mark of some kind, a pattern such as a fine pattern or a ground pattern, etc. is formed on the surface, a counterfeit,
It is preferable in that it can be distinguished from a modified product.

To make the surface of the UV-curable protective layer uneven, for example, a method of coating the UV-curable protective layer with a plate having a gravure pattern of a specific pattern. Concavities and convexities can be formed by a method such as embossing when the ultraviolet curable resin is semi-cured. The coating agent for the UV-curable protective layer can be formed of a composition containing a UV-curable prepolymer and / or a monomer and a polymerization initiator as main components.

As the UV-curable prepolymer and monomer, there are a type in which polymerization is caused by radical polymerization (mainly an acrylate type) and a type in which polymerization is caused by cationic polymerization (mainly an epoxy type),
Either may be used for the purpose of this invention.

In the coating agent for the UV-curable protective layer, an interface such as oils (particularly silicone oil) and silicone-alkylene oxide copolymer (for example, L-5410 commercially available from Union Carbide Co.) is further added. Activators, aliphatic epoxides containing silicone oil, such as FO-171 commercially available from 3M Company, FO-430 commercially available from 3M Company, and Megafac F-141 commercially available from Dainippon Ink Co., Ltd. A fluorocarbon surfactant or the like may be contained.

The coating agent for the UV-curable protective layer further contains, for example, styrene, paramethylstyrene,
Vinyl monomers such as methacrylic acid esters and acrylic acid esters, cellulose-based, thermoplastic polyesters, phenyl glycidyl ethers, silicon-containing monoepoxides, monoepoxides such as butyl glycidyl ethers, etc. are contained within a range that does not impair the effects of the present invention. It may have been done.

Further, in the coating agent for the UV-curable protective layer, dyes, pigments, thickeners,
Plasticizers, stabilizers, leveling agents, coupling agents, tackifiers, silicone group-containing activators, wetting improvers such as fluorocarbon group-containing surfactants, and other various additives,
Further, for the purpose of improving the fluidity during coating of the coating agent, a small amount of solvent such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl chloride or the like which hardly reacts with the cationic polymerization initiator may be contained.

The ultraviolet rays in ultraviolet curing mean light in the ultraviolet region, and also include light rays containing light in the ultraviolet region. Therefore, examples of the irradiation of ultraviolet rays include irradiation of sunlight, irradiation of a low-pressure mercury lamp, irradiation of a high-pressure mercury lamp, irradiation of an ultra-high-pressure mercury lamp, irradiation of carbon arc, etc., irradiation by a metal halide lamp, irradiation of a xenon lamp and the like. . Also, depending on the case, high energy rays such as electron rays may be used. In addition, at the time of curing, heating the coating film of the coating agent for the ultraviolet curing protective layer at the time of or before and after irradiation with ultraviolet rays can shorten the curing time.

(6) Writing Layer The writing layer is a layer which allows writing on the back surface of the ID card. As such a writing layer, for example, a "writing layer" described in JP-A-1-205155 can be formed. The writing layer is formed on the surface of the support on which the image receiving layer is not formed.

<< Method of Manufacturing ID Card >> ID of the present invention
The card can be manufactured as follows. First, the heat-fusible ink layer of the heat-melt type thermal transfer ink sheet and the image-receiving layer surface formed on the surface of the card support are brought into close contact with each other, and further, if necessary, to the heat-meltable ink layer by a heat source such as a thermal head. Heat energy is applied to locally heat the hot-melt ink layer corresponding to the desired printing or transfer pattern. The heated portion of the heat-meltable ink layer containing the non-softening fine particles rises in temperature and is quickly softened and transferred to the image receiving surface of the ID card to form a character information-containing image.

The transferred image such as the image containing the character information is present on the surface of the image receiving layer in a raised form on the surface of the image receiving layer. One of the important things in the present invention is that the transferred image such as the character information containing image contains a large amount of non-softening fine particles. Since this transfer image contains a large amount of non-softening fine particles, even when the transparent protective layer described later is formed by hot stamping, the transfer image containing the non-softening fine particles is high due to the high pressure and high temperature of the hot stamping. It will not be crushed. Therefore, even if the transparent protective layer is formed by hot stamping, I
The image on the D card is not deteriorated, and it is possible to maintain the sharpness without blurring. Further, this heat-melting type heat-sensitive transfer ink sheet can be applied to printing with a high resolution thermal head of 300 dpI or more.

The formation of the non-gradation information containing image which does not require the gradation of the characters, figures, symbols or ruled lines may be performed prior to the formation of the gradation information containing image described later, The non-gradation information containing image may be formed after the gradation information containing image is formed.

The gradation information-containing image is formed by superimposing the ink layer of the thermal sublimation type thermal transfer ink sheet and the image receiving layer formed on the surface of the card support, and applying the heat to the ink layer by a heat source such as a thermal head. It can be formed by applying thermal energy to the imagewise.

Then, the heat sublimable dye in the ink layer is vaporized or sublimated by an amount corresponding to the heat energy applied during the image formation, and is transferred to the image receiving layer side and received.
A dye image having gradation is formed on the image receiving layer. Furthermore,
When a thermal transfer for each color is performed using a yellow, magenta, cyan, and optionally a black thermal transfer recording sheet, it is possible to obtain a color photographic tone color image composed of a combination of the respective colors.

A transparent protective layer is applied to the surface of the image-receiving layer on which the character information-containing image formed as described above, or both images in which not only the character information-containing image but also the gradation information-containing image has been formed. Method, hot stamping method using a transparent sheet, or other method.

Thereafter, an ultraviolet curable resin is applied over the entire image receiving layer and irradiated with ultraviolet rays to form an ultraviolet curable protective layer. The ID card thus obtained is convenient for mass production, and since the character information in the formed transfer image is not destroyed, it is clear and beautiful and the image can be maintained and stored for a long period of time. it can.

[0107]

EXAMPLES Examples of the present invention will be specifically described below. In the following, "part" means "part by weight". (Example 1) -Preparation of card support-On both surfaces of a polyethylene terephthalate resin sheet (manufactured by ICI: Melinex 226) having a thickness of 350 μm,
Extrusion lamination was performed so that the white polypropylene resin had a thickness of 50 μm to obtain a wide composite resin sheet having a thickness of 450 μm. 25 W / (m ² · min) on one surface of the obtained composite resin sheet
Was subjected to corona discharge treatment, and the following layers were laminated using this sheet as a card support.

-Formation of Intermediate Layer- An intermediate layer having a thickness of 0.5 μm is formed by applying a coating solution for forming an intermediate layer having the following composition onto the surface of a card support which has been subjected to corona discharge treatment and drying. Was formed. <Coating liquid for forming intermediate layer> Polyvinyl butyral: 9 parts (Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd .: S-REC BX-1) Isocyanate:・ ・ ・ ・ Part 1 (Nippon Polyurethane Co., Ltd .: Coronate FX) ・ Methyl ethyl ketone ・ ・ ・ ・ 80 Part Cyclohexanone ... 10 parts.

-Formation of Image Receiving Layer- On the surface of the formed intermediate layer, an image receiving layer forming coating solution and an overcoat layer forming coating solution having the following compositions, having thicknesses of 3.0 μm and 0. An image receiving layer was formed by laminating so as to have a thickness of 5 μm.

<Coating Liquid for Forming Image Receiving Layer> Polyvinyl butyral resin: 5 parts (Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd .: S-REC BX-1) containing metal ion Compound: 5 parts (Compound MS-1 represented by the following (Chemical Formula 2)) Methyl ethyl ketone ...・ ・ ・ 80 parts Cyclohexanone ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ 10 parts.

<Coating liquid for forming overcoat layer> Polyethylene wax emulsion: 14 parts (Toho Chemical Co., Ltd .: E-1000) Urethane-modified ethylene acrylic acid polymer emulsion:・ 20 parts (manufactured by Toho Chemical Co., Ltd .: S-6254) Water: 66 parts.

[0112]

[Chemical 2]

-Formation of Writing Layer- By applying a coating liquid for forming a writing layer having the following composition on the surface of the support opposite to the image receiving layer and drying,
A writing layer having a thickness of 40 μm was formed. <Coating liquid for writing layer formation> Colloidal silica: 2.5 parts Gelatin: ...・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ 7.0 parts Hardener (compound represented by the following (Chemical Formula 3)) ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ 0.5 parts Water ・ ・ ・ ・・ ・ ・ ・ 90.0 copies.

[0114]

[Chemical 3]

-Formation of Transfer Image- ID card laminate obtained by cutting the ID card laminate having a card support provided with an intermediate layer, an image receiving layer and a writing layer into a card size according to JIS standard. The image receiving layer and the thermal sublimation ink layer of the thermal sublimation type thermal transfer ink sheet are superposed and output from the thermal sublimation type thermal transfer recording ink sheet side using a thermal head with an output of 0.23 W / dot and a pulse width of 0. 3-4.5 msec, dot density 16
By heating under the condition of dots / mm, a gray-scale human face image was formed on the image receiving layer.

Then, using the heat-melting type heat-sensitive transfer ink sheet obtained as described below, printing was carried out by a card printer equipped with a 400 DPI line thermal head to form a character information-containing image on the image receiving layer.

<Heat-melting type thermal transfer ink sheet> A 4.5 μm thick polyethylene terephthalate film with a heat-resistant treatment layer (manufactured by Torel mirror Co., Ltd .: 5AF-531).
As a support for an ink sheet, a release layer coating liquid having the following composition was applied on the untreated surface so that the thickness was 0.7 μm, and then dried at 70 ° C. to form a release layer. Subsequently, a hot-melt ink layer-forming coating liquid having the following composition was applied on the release layer so that the thickness was 1.2 μm, and then 70 ° C.
To form a heat-meltable ink layer to obtain a heat-melt type heat-sensitive transfer ink sheet.

<Coating Liquid for Release Layer> Carnauba Wax-Methylethylketone Dispersion: 89 parts (Tokyo Ink Co., Ltd .: LW-130, melting point of wax: 80 to 86 ° C.) Ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer Combined 0.6 parts (Mitsui DuPont Polychemical Co., Ltd .: EV210) Methyl isobutyl ketone ... ... 10.4 copies.

<Coating Liquid for Forming Hot Melt Ink Layer> Carbon Black-Methylethylketone Dispersion: 36 Parts (Miso-Dye Co., Ltd .: DM-022) Calcium Carbonate: 6 parts (Okutama Industry Co., Ltd .: Tamapearl TP-123) Alkylphenol resin 10.5 parts (Arakawa Chemical Co., Ltd .: Tamanor 520, softening point 100 to 115 ° C.) Ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ 1.5 parts (Mitsui DuPont Polychemical Co., Ltd .: EV40Y) Methyl ethyl ketone ... 41 parts Methyl isobutyl ketone ... ... 5 copies.

Next, the transparent protective layer was transferred to the image receiving layer of the ID card by the following method so that the transparent protective layer was located on the surface of the obtained character information image, slightly larger than the character information image.

-Formation of transparent protective layer- The transparent protective layer is prepared by using the following transparent protective layer forming sheet at 120 ° C. using a heat roll type hot stamper.
After hot stamping by applying heat for 2 seconds, the support in the transparent protective layer-forming sheet was peeled from the image-receiving layer to easily transfer it to the image-receiving layer.

<< Transparent protective layer forming sheet >> Thickness 25 μm
Of polyethylene terephthalate film (S-25 of Diafoil Co., Ltd.) as a support, a coating solution for forming a transparent protective layer having the following composition was applied by a wire bar coating method to a thickness of 1 μm, dried, and then A transparent protective layer-forming sheet was obtained by applying a transparent protective layer-adhesive coating solution having a composition by a wire bar coating method so that the thickness was 1 μm, and drying.

<Coating Liquid for Forming Transparent Protective Layer> Polyvinyl acetal ... 4 parts (Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd .: KS-1) Ethyl cellulose ...・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ 4 parts (Kanto Chemical Co., Ltd .: 10 cps) Acid-modified acrylic / polystyrene graft polymer ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ 2 parts (Toa Gosei Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) Reseda GP-400 manufactured by Co., Ltd. Isocyanate ... 1 part (Coronate HX manufactured by Nippon Polyurethane Co., Ltd.) UV absorber (2 , 4-dihydroxybenzophenone) ... 3 parts Methyl ethyl ketone ... 86 parts.

<Coating Liquid for Adhesion of Transparent Protective Layer> Maleic anhydride-modified ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer: 5 parts (Mitsui Petrochemical Co., Ltd .: UR-103) Acrylic resin: 2.5 parts (Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd .: Dianal BR-87) Polystyrene / acrylic graft polymer: 2.5 Part (Toa Gosei Chemical Industry Co., Ltd .: Reseda GP-200) Toluene ... 90 parts.

-Formation of UV-curable protective layer- A specific background pattern is formed on the surface of the transparent protective layer so that the coating liquid for forming an ultraviolet-curable protective layer having the following composition has a coating amount of 10 g / m ^2. Apply by gravure, apply the coating agent for the UV curing protective layer of the following composition,
An ultraviolet curing protective layer was formed under the following curing conditions.

<Coating Agent for UV Curing Protective Layer> Bis (3,4-epoxy-6-methylcyclohexylmethyl) adipate (UCL: ERL4299) ... 70.0 parts Bisphenol A glycidin ether. --- 10.0 parts 1,4-butanediol glycidyl ether --- 13.0 parts Triarylsulfonium fluoroantimony --- 7.0 parts.

Curing conditions: Light irradiation source: 60 W / cm ² high-pressure mercury lamp Irradiation distance: 10 cm Irradiation mode: Optical scanning at 3 cm / minute The crushed characters and the print quality in the transferred image of the ID card were evaluated according to the criteria described below, and the results are shown in Table 1.

Example 2 A modified polyethylene wax-toluene dispersion (manufactured by Okitsu Chemical Co., Ltd .: J-1, wax) was used in place of the carnauba wax-methyl ethyl ketone dispersion in the release layer of the heat-melt type thermal transfer ink sheet. (Melting point: 97 ° C.), and toluene was used instead of methyl isobutyl ketone as a solvent, and an ID card was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1. This ID card was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, and the results are shown in Table 1.

(Example 3) Alkylphenol resin (Tamanor 520, manufactured by Arakawa Chemical Co., Ltd., softening point 100-) in the heat-melting ink layer of the heat-melting type heat-sensitive transfer ink sheet.
115 ° C.) instead of an alkylphenol resin (manufactured by Arakawa Chemical Co., Ltd .: Tamanor 526, softening point 115 to 130).
An ID card was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that (° C.) was used. This ID card was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, and the results are shown in Table 1.

(Comparative Example 1) Paraffin wax and ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (Mitsui DuPont Polychemical Co., Ltd.) were used in place of the carnauba wax-methyl ethyl ketone dispersion in the release layer of the heat melting type thermal transfer ink sheet.
(Manufactured by: EV210) dispersed in methanol / isopropyl alcohol (manufactured by Nippon Seiro Co., Ltd .: EM-080)
An ID card was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the above was used. This ID card was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, and the results are shown in Table 1.

(Comparative Example 2) Alkylphenol resin (Tamanor 520, manufactured by Arakawa Chemical Co., Ltd., softening point 100-) in the heat-melting ink layer of the heat-melting type heat-sensitive transfer ink sheet.
115 ° C) instead of rosin-modified resin (Harima Kasei Co., Ltd.)
Manufactured: Hariesta S, softening point 68 to 73 ° C.) was used, and an ID card was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1. This ID card was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, and the results are shown in Table 1.

(Comparative Example 3) Alkylphenol resin (Tamanor 520, manufactured by Arakawa Chemical Co., Ltd., softening point 100-) in the heat-melting ink layer of the heat-melting type heat-sensitive transfer ink sheet.
115 ° C) instead of rosin-modified resin (Harima Kasei Co., Ltd.)
Made: Hariesta AD-130, softening point 125-135
An ID card was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that (° C.) was used. This ID card was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, and the results are shown in Table 1.

<Evaluation><CharacterCollapse> The width of the line of 2 dots was compared with the printed state before and after hot stamping, and the degree of character collapsing was stared with the naked eye, and evaluated according to the following criteria. ⊚: The width of the 2dot line is not thick (thickness is 5% or less) ○: The width of the 2dot line is almost not thick (thickness is 10% or less) ×: The width of the 2dot line is obviously thick (thickness is thick) 1
0% or more) There is no practical problem if the level is ◯ or more.

<Print Quality> The reproducibility of a line of 1 dot (presence / absence of blurring, presence / absence of lack of printed image, continuity of image) was evaluated.

[0135]

[Table 1]

[0136]

According to the present invention, it is suitable for mass production, and the character information in the formed transfer image is clear and beautiful without being crushed, and the image can be maintained and stored for a long period of time. It is possible to provide a possible ID card, a method for producing the same, and a heat-melting type heat-sensitive transfer ink sheet suitable for the production.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Kunihiro Koshizuka 1 Sakura-cho, Hino-shi, Tokyo Konica Stock Company

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A card support and an image-receiving layer having at least a transfer image formed of a heat-melting type thermal transfer ink sheet are laminated in this order, and the transfer image contains non-softening fine particles. ID card to be. 2. A heat-melting type thermal transfer ink sheet in which a heat-melting ink layer containing non-softening fine particles and a coloring material is laminated on the surface of an image-receiving layer laminated on the surface of a card support. An ink layer is overlaid, imagewise heat is applied to the heat-meltable ink layer, and then the heat-melting type heat-sensitive transfer ink sheet is peeled off from the image-receiving layer to give a non-softening property to the surface of the image-receiving layer. A method for manufacturing an ID card, which comprises forming a transfer image containing fine particles. 3. A heat-melting type heat-sensitive transfer ink sheet, comprising a support and a heat-melting ink layer containing non-softening fine particles and a coloring material laminated on the support. 4. The heat-melt type thermal transfer ink sheet according to claim 3, wherein a release layer is interposed between the support and the heat-meltable ink layer.