JPH10114166A - Thermal transfer recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] When a thermal transfer recording medium is stored for a long time, components in the thermal transfer layer migrate to the surface of the heat-resistant lubricating layer, but this is often found in low molecular components, and particularly in the melt transfer type. The wax contained as a binder in the thermal transfer layer is particularly prominent,
In some cases, the transferred component may cause a defect in which the transferred component adheres as a scum to a thermal head at the time of printing, and an object of the present invention is to provide a thermal transfer recording medium having a heat-resistant lubricating layer capable of preventing the transfer and performing normal printing. A heat transfer recording medium having a heat transfer layer on one surface of a substrate and a heat-resistant lubricating layer on the other surface, wherein an oil-repellent layer is provided as a heat-resistant lubricating layer. It is characterized by consisting of.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a thermal transfer recording medium used for thermal transfer recording of characters and images using a thermal head.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A recording system in which a thermal transfer layer of a thermal transfer recording medium is thermally transferred to an object to be transferred by using a thermal transfer recording apparatus having a thermal head is known. This method has the advantages that characters and images can be formed relatively easily, and the thermal transfer recording device itself for forming characters and images is compact and inexpensive. , Is now widely used for color printers and the like. As for a thermal transfer recording medium, a substrate provided with a thermal transfer layer on one surface and a heat-resistant lubricating layer on the other surface has become common. Examples of the thermal transfer layer include a melt transfer type including a pigment and a resin or wax as a binder, and a sublimation transfer type including a sublimation dye and a binder resin.
As the heat-resistant lubricating layer, a thermoplastic resin or isocyanate-cured resin, a thermosetting resin, a material obtained by mixing a silicone material as a sliding component with a cured resin such as a photocurable resin, or a thermoplastic resin obtained by grafting a silicon material is used. It is used.

[0003] Such a heat-resistant lubricating layer prevents damage to the substrate due to heat of the thermal head when printing the thermal transfer layer on the thermal transfer recording medium on the surface of an image receiving paper or the like using a thermal head. It plays the role of running the medium stably. If the heat resistance and the slipperiness are insufficient, wrinkles and sticking may occur in the printed image, and in extreme cases, the substrate may be broken. Another problem with the heat-resistant lubricating layer is that scum adheres to the thermal head during printing. This is caused by the components used in the heat-resistant lubricating layer being transferred to the thermal head. If the scum adheres to the thermal head, it becomes difficult to perform normal printing at the portion where the scum adheres. These problems associated with the heat-resistant lubricating layer can be solved by improving the heat-resistant lubricating layer, and the method is described in many patents.

[0004]

However, as another major problem, when the thermal transfer recording medium is stored for a long period of time, components in the thermal transfer layer migrate to the surface of the heat-resistant lubricating layer,
This migration component adheres as a residue on the thermal head at the time of printing. The migration is often observed in the low molecular weight component, and particularly the wax contained as a binder in the melt transfer type thermal transfer layer is particularly remarkable. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, to prevent the transfer of low molecular components in the thermal transfer layer to the surface of the heat-resistant lubricating layer, a thermal transfer recording medium having a heat-resistant lubricating layer capable of normal printing. For the purpose of providing.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is directed to claim 1, wherein a heat transfer layer is provided on one surface of the substrate.
Provided is a thermal transfer recording medium comprising a heat-resistant lubricating layer provided on the other surface, wherein an oil-repellent layer is provided as the heat-resistant lubricating layer.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the oleophobic layer is
2. The thermal transfer recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the thermal transfer recording medium is made of fluorine silicon. The invention according to claim 3 is:
2. The thermal transfer recording medium according to claim 1, wherein said oil-repellent layer is made of a mixture of either silicon oil or silicone resin and silicon fluoride.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the thermal transfer recording apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein one or two kinds of silica or silicon powder are added to the oil-repellent layer. Provide media. The invention according to claim 5 provides the thermal transfer recording medium according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a heat-resistant resin layer is provided between the base material and the oil-repellent layer. The invention according to claim 6 provides the thermal transfer recording medium according to claim 5, wherein the heat-resistant resin layer is a curable resin.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an example of the thermal transfer recording medium (1) of the present invention. The thermal transfer recording medium (1) has a structure in which a thermal transfer layer (3) is provided on one surface of a substrate (2) and an oil-repellent layer (41) is provided on the other surface as a heat-resistant lubricating layer (4). I have. FIG. 2 shows a structure in which a heat-resistant resin layer (42) and an oil-repellent layer (41) are laminated as a heat-resistant lubricating layer (4).

As the base material (2), those equivalent to those conventionally used as a base material for a thermal transfer recording medium can be used, and are appropriately selected in consideration of toughness, flexibility, heat resistance and the like. can do. Examples of such a base material (2) include polyester films such as polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene naphthalate, resin films such as polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polysulfan, polyimide, polyvinyl alcohol, aromatic polyamide, and aramid films; Examples include paper base materials such as paper, coated paper, and synthetic paper. Among them, smoothness,
A polyester film is desirable in terms of strength, heat resistance, cost, and the like. Further, a surface treatment may be performed on the base material (2) according to the transfer method. Examples of the surface treatment include corona treatment and resin coating. Although the thickness of the base material (2) is not particularly limited, it is generally 2 to 2 in consideration of the thermal transfer sensitivity and the running property when printing the thermal transfer recording medium (1).
50 μm, preferably 2 to 16 μm is desirable.

As the thermal transfer layer (3), those equivalent to those conventionally used as thermal transfer layers of thermal transfer recording media can be used, and examples thereof include a melt transfer type and a sublimation transfer type.

The fusion transfer type generally comprises a pigment and a resin or wax as a binder. As a resin or wax used as a binder, a resin or wax having a low molecular weight and a low softening point is often used in order to improve sensitivity. As the resin, acrylic resin, polyester resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin, butyral resin, acetal resin, polyamide resin, ethylene-
Examples include vinyl acetate copolymer resin, petroleum resin, chlorinated polypropylene, chlorinated polyethylene, and styrene resin. As the wax, carnauba wax, rice wax, montan wax, paraffin wax,
Candelilla wax, polyethylene wax and the like can be exemplified, and these resins and waxes can be used alone or in combination of two or more. Further, a filler, a plasticizer, a heat stabilizer, a light stabilizer, and the like may be added for the purpose of improving cutting during transfer, sensitivity, and various resistances.

The sublimation transfer type generally comprises a sublimation dye and a binder resin. Examples of the binder resin include an acrylic resin, a polyester resin, a vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin, a butyral resin, an acetal resin, a phenoxy resin, a polycarbonate resin, a cellulose resin, and a polyurethane resin. For the purpose of preventing fusion with the transfer target at the time of printing, a silicone oil or a silicone-modified resin may be added as a release agent to the sublimation transfer type thermal transfer layer. Further, a plasticizer, a heat stabilizer, a light stabilizer and the like may be added for the purpose of improving sensitivity and various resistances.

The thermal transfer layer (3) is prepared by dissolving and dispersing the above-described materials in a suitable solvent to form an ink, and then coating and drying the substrate (2). The thickness of the thermal transfer layer (3) is appropriately selected depending on the transfer method and the intended use, but is generally about 0.1 to 3.0 μm. Also,
Regarding the thermal transfer layer (3), it may be formed continuously or discontinuously on the substrate (2). The thermal transfer layer (3)
May be painted in a single color or in multiple colors.
Further, a layer for use other than for recording characters and images (for example, for transferring a protective layer in a recorded portion and for transferring an image receiving layer) may be provided.

The heat-resistant lubricating layer (4) contains low molecular components such as wax and additives in the thermal transfer layer (3).
An oil-repellent layer (41) is provided to prevent migration to the surface. As such an oil-repellent layer (41), for example, silicon fluoride is used. Further, by using a mixture of fluorine silicon and silicone oil or silicone resin as the oil-repellent layer (41), it is possible to further improve the performance as a heat-resistant lubricating layer.

As such silicone oil, amino-modified silicone oil, epoxy-modified silicone oil,
Examples include reactive silicone oils such as carboxy-modified silicone oil and methacryl-modified silicone oil, and non-reactive silicone oils such as polyether-modified silicone oil, alkyl-modified silicone oil, and higher fatty acid ester-modified silicone oil. Examples of the silicon resin include a silicon-modified acrylic resin, a silicon-modified polyester resin, and a silicon-modified cellulose resin. The silicone oil and the silicone resin may be added alone or in combination of two or more, and the silicone oil and the silicone resin may be used in combination. When silicon oil and silicone resin are used for the oil repellent layer (41), the addition amount of silicon oil and silicone resin is 3
00% or less is preferable. If silicon oil or silicone resin is added in excess of 300%, the components in the thermal transfer layer (3) cannot be prevented from migrating to the heat-resistant lubricating layer (4), and scum sticks to the thermal head during printing. Become.

Further, one or two kinds of silica and silicon powder may be added to the oil repellent layer (41). By adding silica or silicon powder, the surface of the heat-resistant lubricating layer (4) can be roughened and a function of cleaning the thermal head can be provided. The addition amount of silica and silicon powder is desirably 30% or less. 30% added
If it exceeds, the performance as a heat-resistant lubricating layer becomes insufficient,
There is a problem that wrinkles and the like are likely to occur during printing.

When the oil repellent layer (41) is provided on the substrate (2), the thickness is preferably 0.2 to 3.0 μm. The film thickness is 0.
If it is less than 2 μm, sufficient heat resistance and slipperiness cannot be obtained, and the function as the heat-resistant lubricating layer (4) is not exhibited. On the other hand, when the thickness exceeds 3.0 μm, the thermal transfer sensitivity is lowered, which is not preferable.

The oil repellent layer (41) and the substrate (2)
By providing the heat-resistant resin layer (42) between these layers, the function as the heat-resistant lubricating layer (4) can be further improved. That is, by providing the heat-resistant resin layer (42) first on the base material (2), the heat resistance of the base material (2) is improved, and the oil-repellent layer (41) is provided by being laminated thereon. It exhibits slipperiness and the ability to prevent migration of components in the thermal transfer layer (3). Among the resins used for the heat-resistant resin layer (42), examples of the thermoplastic resin include a polyester resin having a high glass transition point, a cellulose resin, and an acrylic resin.

In order to further improve heat resistance, it is desirable to use a curable resin as the heat-resistant resin layer (42). Curable resins include isocyanate-cured resins, thermosetting resins, and photocurable resins. Examples of the isocyanate-cured resin include a reaction product of an isocyanate and an acrylic polyol, a polyester polyol, urethane, or the like. Examples of the thermosetting resin include an epoxy-melamine cured resin and an acryl-melamine cured resin. UV curable resin, EB
Cured resin and the like can be given. When the heat-resistant resin layer (42) is provided on the base material (2), the film thickness is 0.1 to
2.0 μm is desirable. When the thickness is less than 0.1 μm, the effect of improving heat resistance is not sufficiently exhibited, and when it exceeds 2.0 μm, the thermal transfer sensitivity is lowered, which is not preferable. The thermal transfer recording medium (1) thus obtained is applied to a thermal transfer layer (3) on the thermal transfer recording medium (1) using a thermal head.
Is printed on the surface of an image receiving paper or the like to record characters, images and the like.

<Operation> The oil-repellent layer has a low surface tension and has a function of preventing adhesion of low molecular components such as wax. By providing the oil-repellent layer as the heat-resistant lubricating layer, low-molecular components in the thermal transfer layer do not migrate to the heat-resistant lubricating layer during long-term storage. Further, by using fluorine silicon as the oil-repellent layer, excellent heat resistance can be obtained and good printing can be performed.

[0021]

【Example】

<Example 1> As a substrate, a 4.5 μm polyethylene terephthalate film was used, and on one surface thereof, a thermal transfer layer ink having the following formulation was applied so as to have a dry film thickness of 1.5 μm, and dried. A pigment transfer type thermal transfer layer was formed. [Ink for thermal transfer layer] 8 parts of carbon black (CI Pigment BlacK 7) 12 parts of carnauba wax 80 parts of toluene Next, on the surface of the base material on which the thermal transfer layer is not provided, for the heat-resistant lubricating layer having the following formulation The ink was applied to a dry film thickness of 1.0 μm and dried to form a heat-resistant lubricating layer to obtain a thermal transfer recording medium. [Ink for heat-resistant lubricating layer] Fluorine silicon (KP-801M, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.)

Example 2 A 4.5 μm polyethylene terephthalate film having a surface treated on one side was used as a substrate, and an ink for a thermal transfer layer having the following formulation was dried on the side on which the surface treatment was performed. Was applied and dried to form a sublimation transfer type thermal transfer layer. [Ink for thermal transfer layer] Solvent Blue 24 3 parts Butyral resin (manufactured by Sekisui Chemical, BX-1) 4 parts Methyl ethyl ketone 50 parts Toluene 43 parts

Next, an ink for a heat-resistant lubricating layer having the following formulation was dried on the surface of the substrate on which the thermal transfer layer was not provided, to a dry film thickness of 1.
It was applied to a thickness of 0 μm and dried to form a heat-resistant lubricating layer, thereby obtaining a thermal transfer recording medium. [Ink for heat-resistant active layer] Fluorine silicon (Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., X24-7890) 50 parts Silicon-modified acrylic (Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., X24-3544A) 4 parts Methyl ethyl ketone 20 parts Isopropyl alcohol 6 parts Toluene 20 parts

Example 3 A thermal transfer recording medium was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the formulation of the ink for the heat-resistant active layer was changed to the following formulation. [Ink for heat-resistant active layer] Fluorine silicon (Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., X24-7890) 80 parts Silicon oil (Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., KF393) 0.2 parts Isopropyl alcohol 20 parts

Example 4 A thermal transfer recording medium was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the formulation of the ink for the heat-resistant active layer was changed to the following formulation. [Ink for heat resistant active layer] Fluorine silicon (KP-801M, Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) 80 parts Silica (R-972, Nippon Aerosil) 0.3 parts Isopropyl alcohol 20 parts

Example 5 A thermal transfer recording medium was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the formulation of the ink for the heat-resistant active layer was changed to the following formulation. [Ink for heat-resistant active layer] Fluorine silicon (KP-801M, Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) 80 parts Silicon powder (Toshiba Silicon, Tospearl 105) 0.3 parts Isopropyl alcohol 20 parts

<Embodiment 6> In Embodiment 1, Embodiment 1
After the thermal transfer layer was provided in the same manner as described above, an ink for a heat-resistant resin layer having the following formulation was applied to the surface of the substrate on which the thermal transfer layer was not provided so that the dry film thickness was 1.0 μm, and dried. Then 4
Aging was performed at 0 ° C. for 7 days to form a heat-resistant resin layer.
Further, an ink for a heat-resistant lubricating layer having the following formulation was applied on the heat-resistant resin layer so as to have a dry film thickness of 1.0 μm, and dried to form a heat-resistant lubricating layer to obtain a thermal transfer recording medium. [Ink for heat resistant resin layer] Polyol (Nippon Polyurethane Industry, Nipporan 3113) 20 parts Toluene diisocyanate 0.5 part Methyl ethyl ketone 40 parts Toluene 40 parts [Ink for heat resistant slip layer] Fluorine silicon (KP-801M, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.)

Comparative Example 1 A thermal transfer recording medium was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the formulation of the ink for the heat-resistant active layer was changed to the following formulation. (Ink for heat-resistant active layer) Silicon-modified acrylic (X24-3544A manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) 50 parts Methyl ethyl ketone 25 parts Toluene 25 parts

Comparative Example 2 A thermal transfer recording medium was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the formulation of the ink for the heat-resistant active layer was changed to the following formulation. (Ink for heat-resistant active layer) Polyester resin (manufactured by Toyobo, Byron 200) 30 parts Silicon oil (manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., KF393) 5 parts Silicon powder (manufactured by Toshiba Silicon, Tospearl 105) 5 parts Methyl ethyl ketone 30 parts Toluene 30 parts

Printing tests were performed using the thermal transfer recording media of Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2. Printing equipment,
The printing conditions are as follows. [Printing Apparatus] Simulator manufactured by SIP [Printing Conditions] Solid printing is performed with an energy of 1.0 mJ / dot. Examples 1 and 3 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 use coated paper as the transfer target. Sample No. 2 used an image receiving paper provided with a dye receiving layer. Table 1 shows the printing results.

[0031]

[Table 1]

Here, printability: The presence or absence of print defects and whether or not scum adheres to the thermal head are checked before and after storage of the thermal transfer recording medium. Before storage: Immediately after creating a thermal transfer recording medium After storage: Leave the created thermal transfer recording medium in a 50 ° C. oven for 1 month with the core wound.

In the thermal transfer recording media of Examples 1 to 6, no defective printing and no adhesion of scum to the thermal head were observed even after storing the thermal transfer recording media. However, in the thermal transfer recording media of Comparative Examples 1 and 2, scum adhered to the thermal head after storage, and printing was also found in the scum adhered portion in the printing state. The residue attached to the thermal head was carnauba wax used as a binder in the thermal transfer layer. As described above, by using the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention, transfer of the thermal transfer layer components to the surface of the heat-resistant lubricating layer was not observed, and normal printing was possible.

[0034]

According to the present invention, even when the thermal transfer recording medium is stored for a long period of time, components in the thermal transfer layer migrate to the surface of the heat-resistant lubricating layer, and this migrated component forms as a residue on the thermal head during printing. Adhesion was eliminated, and a thermal transfer recording medium having a heat-resistant lubricating layer capable of normal printing could be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Thermal transfer recording medium 2 ... Base material 3 ... Thermal transfer layer 4 ... Heat resistant lubricating layer 41 ... Oil repellent layer 42 ... Heat resistant resin layer

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yasuo Sugishita 1-5-1, Taito, Taito-ku, Tokyo Letterpress Printing Co., Ltd.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A heat transfer recording medium comprising a base material having a heat transfer layer on one surface and a heat-resistant slip layer on the other surface, wherein an oil-repellent layer is provided as the heat-resistant slip layer. Thermal transfer recording medium. 2. The thermal transfer recording medium according to claim 1, wherein said oil repellent layer is made of fluorine silicon. 3. The thermal transfer recording medium according to claim 1, wherein said oil-repellent layer is made of a mixture of either silicone oil or silicone resin and fluorine silicon. 4. The thermal transfer recording medium according to claim 1, wherein one or two kinds of silica or silicon powder are added to said oil repellent layer. 5. The thermal transfer recording medium according to claim 1, wherein a heat-resistant resin layer is provided between said substrate and said oil-repellent layer. 6. The thermal transfer recording medium according to claim 5, wherein the heat-resistant resin layer is a curable resin.