JPH01141086A - Thermal transfer medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a thermal transfer medium capable of recording a transferred image or the like having an extremely favorable metallic luster, by providing an adhesive layer through sequentially providing a wax dispersion type adhesive layer and a solvent soluble type high molecular weight adhesive layer in a laminate form, in a thermal transfer medium comprising a protective resin coat layer, a vapor-deposited metallic layer and the adhesive layer provided sequentially on a base film. CONSTITUTION:At least a protective resin coat layer 3, a vapor-deposited metallic layer 4 and an adhesive layer 5 are provided sequentially on a base film 1, either directly on the film 1 or on a release agent layer 2 provided directly on the film 1. The adhesive layer 5 comprises a wax dispersion type adhesive layer 51 and a solvent soluble type high molecular weight adhesive layer 52 provided sequentially in that order in a laminate form. In this way, a thermal transfer medium having a favorable metallic luster can be obtained. The base film 1 is preferably a resin film-shaped material with a thickness of about 2.5-12mum. The adhesive layer 51 may be provided by use of a natural or synthetic wax with a tackifier filler, a plasticizer, an antioxidant or the like mixed therein either singly or in combination. The adhesive layer 52 may be provided by use of a higher fatty acid, an elastomer or a rosin with a tackifier filler, a plasticizer, an antioxidant or the like mixed therein either singly or in combination.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Technical Field] The present invention relates to a thermal transfer medium used in a thermal transfer device such as a printer or a facsimile machine, and more specifically, the present invention relates to a thermal transfer medium used in a thermal transfer device such as a printer or a facsimile machine, and more specifically, it is used to record character images with metallic luster such as gold or silver on a recording medium with low smoothness. This invention relates to a thermal transfer medium compatible with rough paper that can be recorded on paper.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, as adhesives for heat-sensitive transfer media, wax-based dispersion adhesives and solvent-based polymer adhesives, singly or in combination, have been used.

However, when the above-mentioned adhesives are used alone or in a mixed system in a thermal transfer medium having high metallic gloss as in the present invention, the following disadvantages are recognized in addition to the advantages of each adhesive, making it difficult to handle a wide range of rough papers. .

■When wax-based dispersion adhesive is used alone, its thermal conductivity is too good, so the melt viscosity is low, and defects occur during printing (phenomena commonly referred to as voiding, reverse transfer, etc.)
It is difficult to print on rough paper with Bekk smoothness of 100 seconds or less, particularly 50 seconds or less.

■In the case of solvent-soluble polymer adhesive alone It has poor thermal conductivity and cannot support high-speed printing.

Due to the large molecular weight, print quality (sharpness) is poor.

(2) In the case of a mixed system, the above-mentioned two drawbacks occur. In other words, because the thermal conductivity is too good, the melt viscosity is low, and defects during printing are a phenomenon (generally hollow,
A phenomenon called reverse transfer etc.) is likely to occur, and it is difficult to print on rough paper with a Bekk smoothness of 100 seconds or less, particularly 50 seconds or less.

It has poor thermal conductivity and cannot support high-speed printing.

Due to the large molecular weight, print quality (sharpness) is poor.

[Object of the Invention] In view of the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks, the present invention provides a heat-sensitive transfer medium capable of recording transferred images having extremely good metallic luster.

[Structure of the Invention] A thermal transfer medium in which at least a protective resin coating layer, a metal vapor deposition layer, and an adhesive layer are sequentially formed on a base film directly or via a release agent layer, the adhesive layer is a wax-based dispersion. The present invention relates to a compatible thermal transfer medium characterized in that a mold adhesive layer and a solvent-soluble polymer adhesive layer are laminated in this order.

That is, in the thermal transfer medium of the present invention, instead of the single adhesive layer of conventional thermal transfer media, a composite layer is used in which a wax-based dispersion adhesive layer and a solvent-soluble polymer adhesive layer are laminated in this order. This improves thermal conductivity and provides sharp printing.

Furthermore, defects during printing are less likely to occur.

Beck smoothness 100 sec, below especially 50 sec,
We have completed a thermal transfer medium that can record transferred images with extremely good metallic luster, which can be printed on the following rough paper.

That is, the present invention provides at least a protective resin coating layer (
3) In a thermal transfer medium in which a metal vapor deposited layer (4) and an adhesive layer (5) are sequentially formed, the adhesive layer (5) is a wax-based dispersed adhesive layer (51) and a solvent-soluble polymer adhesive. agent layer (
By laminating 52) in this order, it is possible to provide a heat-sensitive transfer medium on which transferred images etc. with extremely good metallic luster can be recorded.

As the base film (1) in the thermal transfer medium of the present invention, any material can be used as long as it has sufficient self-retention properties, such as polyester, polyamide, polyamideimide, polyethylene, polypropylene, cellulose acetate, polycarbonate, and polychloride. Resins such as vinyl and fluororesin, film-like materials or sheet-like materials such as cellophane paper and glassine paper, release paper or release films, and the like are used as appropriate. In particular, the base film (1) is a film-like material made of the above-mentioned resins and has a thickness of 2
．． It is preferable to use a material of about 5 to 12 mm from the viewpoint of continuous mass production of thermal transfer media without wrinkles or cracks. 260774), an inorganic thin film 1 such as Sin, SiO*, TiO*, Zn is coated on the opposite side of the plastic film to the side on which the thermal transfer layer is provided.
Oxide such as O%Altos, chikide such as TiN, Ti
Carbides such as C, carbon, ^1%Xi%C'', Ti%X1-
A hot-stake resistant material with a thin film of metal such as Cr alloy having a thickness of about 6 to 100 ns is also preferably used.

In addition, if the base film (1) does not have good releasability from the protective resin coating layer (3), apply paraffin wax, silicone, fluororesin, surfactant, etc. to form a release agent layer (2). It may be formed in advance.

In the thermal transfer medium of the present invention, since the metal vapor deposition layer itself has low mechanical strength and is easily damaged by friction, a protective resin coating is provided on the surface of the metal vapor deposition layer. Protective resin pI
! The thickness of the film is not particularly limited, but is usually appropriately selected from the range of 0.5 to 2-2.

As the resin for forming such a protective resin coating, any of thermoplastic resins, thermosetting resins, electron beam curable resins, and ultraviolet curable resins may be used, such as acrylic resins, vinyl chloride-acetic acid, etc. Vinyl copolymer, polyvinyl butyral, polycarbonate, nitrocellulose, cellulose acetate, urethane resin, urea resin, melamine resin, urea-melamine resin, epoxy resin, alkyd resin, aminoalkyd resin,
Rosin-modified maleic acid resins and the like are preferably used alone or in combination.

The protective resin layer is formed by applying an organic solvent solution, aqueous solution, etc. of the resin to form the protective resin coating using a conventional coating method such as a roll coating method, a gravure coating method, a reverse coating method, or a spray coating method. , drying (curing in the case of thermosetting resins, electron beam curable resins, ultraviolet curable resins, etc.).

The protective resin layer may be colored with a coloring agent such as a dye or pigment as long as it is transparent or translucent.

The metal vapor deposition layer (4) of the thermal transfer medium of the present invention is formed on the protective resin layer by a conventional method such as aluminum, copper, silver, etc.
It is formed by vapor-depositing metals such as gold or their alloys, but aluminum is most preferred in terms of gloss and cost.

The metal evaporation layer may be formed by using a conventional metal (
For example, zinc, aluminum, gallium, indium, tin, nickel, silver, and gold.

Copper, silicon, chromium, titanium, platinum, palladium, etc. can be deposited singly or as a mixture or alloy with a thickness of lO
It is formed by vapor deposition to a thickness of about 100 nm. If the thickness is less than about Inn5, there is almost no metallic luster and there is no value in providing a metal vapor deposited layer, and even if it is formed to a thickness of about 1100 nm or more, there is no change in the metallic luster and it is not economical. The layer may not be one layer, but may be multiple layers, in which case the type of metal may be changed for each layer, and the thickness of the metal vapor deposited layer located on the surface side should be approximately 3 On rin or less, and the layer may be located on the inside. An interference thin film layer made of a transparent resin or a transparent inorganic metal compound may be interposed between the metal vapor deposition and the interference iris color.

The wax-based dispersed adhesive layer (5) of the thermal transfer medium of the present invention
Examples of 1) include natural waxes such as spermaceti wax, beeswax, lanolin, carbana wax, candelilla wax, and montan wax, paraffin wax, microcrine wax, oxidized wax, ester wax,
Synthetic waxes such as low molecular weight polyethylene, tackifier fillers, plasticizers, antioxidants, etc. may be used alone or in combination. The thickness of the wax-based dispersed adhesive layer (51) is selected depending on the surface condition of the transfer paper, etc., but is usually selected from a range of about 1 to 10 cm. When the surface is relatively smooth, it is relatively thin, about 1 to 2Q.

Solvent-soluble polymer adhesive layer (5) of the thermal transfer medium of the present invention
Examples of 2) include higher fatty acids such as lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, fromenic acid, and behenic acid, higher alcohols such as stearyl alcohol and behenyl alcohol, fatty acid esters of sucrose,
Esters such as fatty acid ester of sorbitan, stearinamide, amides of oleinamide, polyamide resin, polyester resin, epoxy resin, polyurethane resin, acrylic resin, vinyl chloride resin,
Cellulose resin, polyvinyl resin, petroleum resin,
Tacks on elastomers such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resins, phenolic resins, styrene resins, natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, isoprene rubber, and chloroprene rubber, rosin and its derivatives, terpene resins, and hydrogenated petroleum resins. Fire fillers, plasticizers, antioxidants, etc. may be used alone or in combination. The thickness of the solvent-soluble polymer adhesive layer (52) is selected depending on the surface condition of the paper to be transferred, etc., but is usually selected from a range of about 1 to 1 thick, and When the surface of the transfer paper is relatively smooth, the thickness is relatively thin, about 1 to 2.

Next, the present invention will be explained with reference to Examples.

[Examples] Example 1 20 parts of acrylic resin (parts by weight, the same applies hereinafter) and 10 parts of chlorinated rubber were placed on a 3.5-thick polyester film with 30 parts of toluene, 20 parts of methyl isobutyl ketone, and 20 parts of cyclohexanone. A coating solution made by dissolving in a mixed solvent consisting of is applied and dried to form a protective resin layer of 2-thickness, and on top of that, aluminum is coated with 4O by vacuum evaporation.
Carnauba wax 2 is deposited on top of it to a thickness of n-.
A coating solution prepared by dissolving 0 part of styrene-butadiene rubber in 80 parts of toluene was applied and dried to form a wax-based dispersed adhesive layer with a thickness of 2 μs, and then further coated with 10 parts of styrene-butadiene rubber and 7 parts of chlorinated polypropylene. part, xylene resin 15
A coating solution prepared by dissolving 50 parts of toluene and 50 parts of ethyl acetate was coated and dried to form a two-thick solvent-soluble polymer adhesive layer to obtain a thermal transfer medium of the present invention.

Example 2 Rosefish on a 6-layer thick polyester film.

A coating solution prepared by dissolving 9 parts of wax and 1 part of ketone resin in a mixed solvent consisting of 70 parts of toluene, 10 parts of turpentine and 10 parts of petroleum naphtha was applied and dried to form a release agent layer with a thickness of 1 μs, Next, a coating solution prepared by dissolving 25 parts of styrene maleic acid resin and 5 parts of oil dye in a mixed solvent consisting of 30 parts of toluene, 20 parts of methyl isobutyl ketone, and 20 parts of cyclohexanone is applied onto the surface and dried to obtain a thickness. A protective resin layer of 2μs is formed, and aluminum is deposited on it to a thickness of 40μs using a vacuum evaporation method.
A coating solution prepared by dissolving 20 parts of carnauba wax in 80 parts of toluene was applied and dried to form a wax-based dispersed adhesive layer with a thickness of 2 μs. A coating solution made by dissolving 10 parts of styrene-butadiene rubber, 7 parts of chlorinated polypropylene, and 15 parts of xylene resin in 50 parts of toluene and 50 parts of ethyl acetate is applied and dried to form a solvent-soluble polymer adhesive with a thickness of 2 μs. A thermal transfer medium of the present invention was obtained by forming layers.

Comparative Example 1 Acrylic resin 2 on a 35-thick polyester film
A coating solution prepared by dissolving 0 parts and 10 parts of chlorinated rubber in a mixed solvent consisting of 30 parts of toluene, 20 parts of methyl isobutyl ketone and 20 parts of cyclohexanone was applied and dried to form a protective resin layer with a thickness of 2 IJa, On top of that, aluminum was deposited to a thickness of 40 ns using a vacuum evaporation method,
Furthermore, a coating solution prepared by dissolving 20 parts of beeswax in 80 parts of toluene was applied thereon and dried to form an adhesive layer with a thickness of 2 mm to obtain a heat-sensitive transfer medium.

Comparative Example 2 A coating solution prepared by dissolving 9 parts of paraffin wax and 1 part of ketone resin in a mixed solvent consisting of 70 parts of toluene, 10 parts of turpentine oil and 10 parts of petroleum naphtha was applied onto a polyester film having a thickness of 6 Ja and dried. to form a release agent layer with a thickness of IJa, and then 25 parts of styrene maleic acid resin and 5 parts of oil dye were added to 3 parts of toluene on the surface.
A coating solution prepared by dissolving 0 parts of methyl isobutyl ketone, 220 parts of methyl isobutyl ketone, and 41220 parts of cyclobekyl in a mixed solvent is applied and dried to form a protective resin layer with a thickness of 2 mm, and 40 nm of aluminum is deposited on top of it by vacuum evaporation. Further, a coating solution prepared by dissolving 10 parts of styrene-butadiene rubber, 7 parts of chlorinated polypropylene, and 15 parts of xylene resin in 50 parts of toluene and 50 parts of ethyl acetate is applied and dried, A thermal transfer medium was obtained by forming an adhesive layer with a thickness of 27 m.

Comparative Example 3 On a 3.5-thick polyester film, 20 parts of acrylic resin and 10 parts of chlorinated rubber were mixed with 30 parts of toluene, 20 parts of methyl isobutyl ketone, and 20 parts of cyclohexanone.
A coating solution made by dissolving in a mixed solvent consisting of 50% and 90% is applied and dried to form a protective resin layer with a thickness of 2 layers, and aluminum is deposited on top of it to a thickness of 40mm using a vacuum evaporation method.
Furthermore, a coating solution prepared by dissolving 10 parts of polyamide resin and 10 parts of carnauba wax in a mixed solvent consisting of 70 parts of toluene and 10 parts of isopropyl alcohol was applied thereon and dried to form an adhesive layer with two thicknesses. A thermal transfer medium was obtained.

Comparative Example 4 A coating solution prepared by dissolving 9 parts of paraffin wax and 1 part of ketone resin in a mixed solvent consisting of 70 parts of toluene, 10 parts of turpentine oil, and 10 parts of petroleum naphtha was applied onto a 9-thick polyester film and dried. Thickness IQ
A mold release agent layer was formed on the surface, and then 25 parts of styrene maleic acid resin and 5 parts of oil dye were dissolved in a mixed solvent consisting of 30 parts of toluene, 20 parts of methyl isobutyl ketone, and 20 parts of cyclohexanone. A coating solution consisting of was applied and dried to form a protective resin layer with a thickness of 2 μs,
On top of that, aluminum was deposited to a thickness of 40 nm by vacuum evaporation, and on top of that, 20 parts of paraffin wax and 10 parts of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin were added in 50 parts of toluene.
A coating solution prepared by dissolving 20 parts of turpentine oil in a mixed solvent was coated and dried to form an adhesive layer with a thickness of 3 μs to obtain a thermal transfer medium.

[Effects of the Invention] Using the thermal transfer media obtained in Example 1.2 and Comparative Example 1.2.3.4, printing was performed on plain paper using a personal word processor Canon PW-70 (manufactured by Canon Inc.).

Character images printed on the following rough paper for 50 seconds using the thermal transfer media of the present invention obtained in Examples 1 and 2 had an extremely beautiful metallic luster.

5Ose using the thermal transfer media obtained in Comparative Examples 1 to 4
c. Comparative example 1 is used for the character image printed on rough paper below.
In the case of , the thermal conductivity is too good, so the melt viscosity is low, and it is observed that defects occur during printing (phenomenon generally called voids, reverse transfer, etc.). 2
In case of Comparative Examples 3 and 4, not only do they have poor thermal conductivity and cannot be used for high-speed printing, but their molecular weight is also large, so the sharpness of the print is poor and the print is unclear. Because the conductivity is too good, the melt viscosity is low, and it has been observed that defects occur during printing (phenomenons generally called hollow spots, reverse transfer, etc.), and in addition, the molecular weight is large. Because of the mixture of , the sharpness of the print was poor and the print was unclear.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the basic structure of the thermal transfer medium of the present invention. (Numbers in drawings) (1): Base film (2): Ill type agent layer (3): Protective resin coating layer (4) Bimetal vapor deposition layer (5): Adhesive layer

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 In a heat-sensitive transfer medium in which at least a protective resin coating layer, a metal vapor deposition layer, and an adhesive layer are sequentially formed on a base film directly or via a release agent layer, the adhesive layer is a wax-based dispersed adhesive layer. and a solvent-soluble polymer adhesive layer are laminated in this order.