JP2005335319A - Melting heat transfer ribbon for metallic print - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a melting heat transfer ribbon for a metallic print having a metal vapor deposition layer which can be used while the setting thereof as having no metallic luster is left as it is, in a melting heat transfer printer wherein a reflection type photosensor is used for detecting a ribbon end. <P>SOLUTION: In regard to the melting heat transfer ribbon for the metallic print, a metallic melting heat transfer ribbon is constituted at least of a vapor deposition heat-resistant layer, the metal vapor deposition layer and an adhesion layer in this sequence from a base, and the adhesion layer has a coloring agent. In another embodiment, the metallic melting heat transfer ribbon is constituted at least of the vapor deposition heat-resistant layer, the metal vapor deposition layer and the adhesion layer in this sequence from the base, and the ribbon has an intermediate layer containing the coloring agent between the metal vapor deposition layer and the adhesion layer. The coloring agent is carbon black. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

The present invention relates to a fusion thermal transfer ribbon used in word processors, facsimiles, and the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to a fusion thermal transfer ribbon used for forming an image exhibiting metallic luster using a fusion thermal transfer mechanism and having a metal vapor deposition layer in the fusion thermal transfer ribbon. The present invention relates to a thermal transfer ribbon.

As a ribbon end detection of a melt thermal transfer type printer, a silver-type end tape is often used in which a reflective optical sensor is used and metal is deposited on the base material of the end portion. (Patent Document 1) However, if a metallic thermal printing melting thermal transfer ribbon with a metal vapor deposition layer is used in this printer, the molten thermal transfer ribbon itself is detected as an end tape and cannot be printed, so it is necessary to change the end detection conditions. There was a problem that the production efficiency was lowered.

JP-A-11-348440

The present invention provides a molten thermal transfer ribbon for metallic printing having a metal vapor-deposited layer that can be used as it is in the setting of a molten thermal transfer ribbon having no metallic luster in a melting thermal transfer printer that uses a reflection type optical sensor for ribbon end detection.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a melt thermal transfer ribbon for metallic printing having a structure of a melt thermal transfer ribbon in the order of at least a vapor deposition heat-resistant layer, a metal vapor deposition layer, and an adhesive layer from a base material.
The second invention is characterized in that the composition of the fusion thermal transfer ribbon is at least a vapor deposition heat-resistant layer, a metal vapor deposition layer, and an adhesive layer in this order from the substrate, and has an intermediate layer containing a colorant between the metal vapor deposition layer and the adhesive layer. And a heat transfer ribbon for metallic printing.
A third invention provides a molten thermal transfer ribbon for metallic printing, wherein the colorant is carbon black.

  As the base material used in the present invention, various known base materials are used as conventional melt transfer base materials, but the back surface of the PET film having a thickness of 2 to 6 μm from the viewpoint of durability, heat transfer properties, and cost. Those subjected to heat treatment are preferable. Further, a PET film having a thickness of 4 to 6 μm is particularly preferable from the viewpoint of mechanical strength during transfer.

The vapor deposition heat-resistant layer used in the present invention functions to have heat resistance during vapor deposition and retention of the vapor deposition layer, and is a layer mainly composed of a thermoplastic resin (including an elastomer).
As the thermoplastic resin, a polyester resin, a polyamide resin, a polyurethane resin, a (meth) acrylic resin, an ionomer resin, or the like can be used. As the thermoplastic resin used for the vapor deposition heat-resistant layer, a resin having a softening point of 100 ° C. or higher is more preferably used from the viewpoint of heat resistance during vapor deposition. The thickness of the vapor-deposited heat-resistant layer is preferably 0.2 to 1.0 μm from the viewpoint of melt thermal transferability. If the thickness is less than 0.2 μm, the mechanical strength cannot be ensured, and the deposited layer is broken during transfer. On the other hand, if the thickness exceeds 1.0 μm, the high definition of the print is lacking.

  Moreover, the vapor deposition heat-resistant layer can be colored to color an image exhibiting metal vapor deposition to obtain images exhibiting various colors of metallic luster. As the coloring agent used for coloring, a dye is more preferable from the viewpoint of transparency, but it is also possible to use a pigment with a highly dispersed pigment.

Aluminum, zinc, tin, silver, gold, platinum, etc. can be used as the metal of the metal vapor deposition layer, but aluminum is usually preferably used. The metal vapor deposition layer can be formed by physical vapor deposition such as vacuum vapor deposition, sputtering, or ion plate, or chemical vapor deposition. The thickness of the metal vapor-deposited layer is preferably 10 to 100 nm, particularly 20 to 40 nm from the viewpoint of obtaining a high-brightness metallic luster.
The adhesive layer, which is a feature of the first invention, is mainly composed of an adhesive resin and a colorant. Examples of the adhesive resin include polyester resin, polyamide resin, polyurethane resin, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, rosin resin, terpene resin, and phenol resin. The softening point of the adhesive layer is preferably in the range of 50 to 120 ° C. If the softening point is less than the above range, blocking may occur when the ribbon is wound. If it exceeds the above range, the transferability is lowered. Further, wax or the like may be added as necessary to increase the transfer sensitivity. As the colorant used for coloring, various inorganic and organic pigments and dyes conventionally used as colorants for heat-meltable transfer inks, magnetic powders, dull metal powders, and the like can be appropriately used. Among these, carbon black is more preferable in terms of blocking the gloss of the metal vapor deposition layer. This is because carbon black that absorbs infrared rays is effective because light in the infrared wavelength region is often used for the optical sensor.

  The content of the colorant contained in the adhesive layer may be determined in consideration of the reflection reference value set by the reflection type sensor from the reflectance of the end tape. For example, if the sensor is set to detect as an end when the reflectance is 80% or more with respect to the amount of light projected on the adhesive layer surface side of the ribbon, the content of the colorant is The ribbon is designed to have a reflectance of less than 80%. In this way, by coloring the adhesive layer, the sensor does not detect the ribbon as an end, so even if the colored melt thermal transfer ribbon is replaced with the metallic melt thermal transfer ribbon of the present invention, it can be used without changing the setting of the sensor. . If both end tapes in this case are provided with a silver color having a light reflectance of 80% or more, both ribbons are detected at the end tape portion, and the printer operation is stopped.

  In addition, a small amount of particles and a lubricant may be added to the adhesive layer in order to prevent rocking and soiling. The thickness of the adhesive layer is preferably 0.3 to 2.0 μm.

  The structure of the metallic fusion thermal transfer ribbon of the second invention is such that at least a vapor deposition heat-resistant layer, a metal vapor deposition layer, and an adhesive layer are laminated in this order from the substrate, and an intermediate layer containing a colorant is provided between the metal vapor deposition layer and the adhesive layer. is there. The intermediate layer is mainly composed of a thermoplastic resin and a colored layer. The thermoplastic resin is selected from the same resins as those mentioned above for the adhesive resin. The colorant is also selected from the colorants listed in the adhesive layer. Among these, it is more preferable to use carbon black for the same reason as the adhesive layer. The thickness of the intermediate layer is preferably 0.3 to 2.0 μm. If it is less than the above range, the coloring effect is difficult to occur, and if it exceeds the above range, the transfer sensitivity is lowered.

  Since the surface of the metallic thermal transfer ribbon for metallic printing is colored, the reflectance of the reflection type optical sensor becomes the same as that of an ordinary colored thermal fusion ribbon, and the sensor can be used with the usual colored thermal fusion ribbon. Moreover, the same effect can be acquired also by coloring the intermediate | middle layer between an adhesion layer and a metal vapor deposition layer.

A 4.5 μm-thick PET film having a 0.2 μm-thick silicone resin-based anti-stick layer provided on the back surface was used as the substrate. The numerical values of the following materials are parts by weight.

Release layer coating solution

The said coating liquid was apply | coated with the thickness of 0.8 micrometer on the base material.

Deposition heat-resistant layer coating solution

The vapor deposition heat-resistant layer coating solution was applied on the release layer with a thickness of 0.7 μm.
Next, an evaporation layer was provided using aluminum by a vacuum evaporation method. (Deposition thickness 20nm)

Adhesive layer coating solution

Further, an adhesive layer coating solution was applied thereon. A melt thermal transfer ribbon was prepared by coating at a thickness of 0.5 μm.

[Comparative Example 1]
Example 1 is the same as Example 1 except that the adhesive layer of Example 1 was formed by coating with the following coating solution.
Adhesive layer coating solution

Further, an adhesive layer coating solution was applied thereon with a thickness of 0.5 μm to prepare a melt thermal transfer ribbon.

Each melt thermal transfer ribbon was slit to an arbitrary width and wound around a core. A silver end tape was provided at the end portion. The ribbon was printed with a printer equipped with a reflection photosensor end detection set on a normal black melt thermal transfer ribbon.
Evaluation Results Example 1: A golden image with good gloss could be printed. At the end of the ribbon, the sensor detected the silver end tape and stopped automatically.
Comparative Example 1: At the start of printing, the end sensor senses the ribbon end display, and printing cannot be performed.

Claims (3)

A metallic heat transfer ribbon for metallic printing, wherein the metallic heat transfer ribbon has a structure in which at least a vapor deposition heat-resistant layer, a metal vapor deposition layer, and an adhesive layer are laminated in this order from a base material, and the adhesive layer has a colorant. The metallic melt thermal transfer ribbon has a metallic layer characterized in that at least a vapor deposition heat-resistant layer, a metal vapor deposition layer, and an adhesive layer are laminated in this order from the substrate, and an intermediate layer containing a colorant is provided between the metal vapor deposition layer and the adhesive layer. Fused thermal transfer ribbon for printing. A melt thermal transfer ribbon for metallic printing according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the colorant is carbon black.