JP2001018430A - Method and apparatus for thermal transfer recording, and dye layer transfer body and recording intermediate provided thereto - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate controlling thermal transfer to an image receive body by arranging a dye layer transfer part on an outer circumference of a dye layer transfer roller and arranging an image record part on an outer circumference of a recording drum. SOLUTION: A dye layer transfer roller 17 has an elastic body of rubber or the like set to an outer circumference thereof, to which a dye layer transfer part 1 is further arranged. A recording drum 10 has an elastic body 16 of rubber or the like set to an outer circumference thereof, with image record parts 2, 3 and 4 also disposed thereto. A recording intermediate body 8 is set which is wound to the dye layer transfer roller 17, the recording drum 10, an image transfer roller 50, a driving roller 100, a guide roller 120 and the like, and stretched to be movable back and forth between a feed reel 110 and a take-up reel 111. An image transfer part 5 is set with an image transfer head 51 arranged to press an image receive body 9 via the recording intermediate 8. Controlling thermal transfer to the image receive body 9 is accordingly facilitated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a thermal transfer recording method and a thermal transfer recording apparatus capable of forming a full-color, high-quality image at high speed on low-cost plain paper, and a dye layer transfer body and a recording intermediate provided for the thermal transfer recording method and apparatus. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A dye thermal transfer recording method is environmentally friendly and can provide a high quality image comparable to a color photograph.
It is a recording technology with excellent maintenance and immediacy. However, in order to reproduce high image quality, both sides of the pulp paper are expanded polyester (PE
T) It is necessary to use an expensive image-receiving paper substrate laminated with a film or the like and having no flexibility in selection. In order to solve such a problem, a retransfer recording method has been proposed. The first method is
This is a method in which an image is formed on an image receiving layer sheet in which an image receiving layer is formed on a thin substrate such as a PET film by coating or the like, and the image is retransferred to paper or the like. However, this method is not practical because the image registration is poor because thermal recording is performed on a thin sheet substrate. The second method uses a closed loop recording intermediate such as a drum or a belt. The method using a drum is disclosed in JP-A-4-156384, and the method using a belt is disclosed in JP-A-8-67016. ing. This involves transferring a dyeing layer from a separately provided dyeing layer transfer body onto a recording intermediate, forming an image by thermal dye transfer on this dyeing layer, and then retransferring the dyeing layer together to an image receiver such as paper. How to

[0003]

However, in the second retransfer recording method, a method using a drum as a closed-loop recording intermediate (the method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-156384) requires a high-speed and stable recording operation. On the other hand, heat transfer to the final image receiver applies heat from the back of paper or the like,
Heating from the inside of the drum makes it difficult to control the heat.
In the method using a belt as a closed loop recording intermediate (the method described in JP-A-8-67016), the image transfer heating source is provided inside the belt, so that the transfer is relatively stable. A problem arises in the meandering control of the vehicle. In particular, a method of transferring an image receiving layer onto an unstable belt and performing image recording reduces the margin of the recording process.
Further, since a halogen lamp or the like is used as a heating source in the belt, a problem arises in controlling the belt surface temperature, which also leads to a reduction in process margin. Furthermore, in order to transfer a number of high-quality images, the intermediate transfer member naturally has a limited number of uses, and a longer intermediate transfer member is desired in order to extend the life. If the body deteriorates, replacement is possible. However, in the method using a belt as a closed-loop recording intermediate, considering the belt routing,
Elongation is naturally limited, and when considering replacement,
Since the belt is formed in a closed loop and has a guide roller and the like inside, it is difficult to easily replace the belt, and there is a problem in usability.

[0004]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention has a dyeing layer transfer member having a dyeing layer on a substrate and a coloring material layer on the substrate. A dye transfer member,
A recording intermediate consisting of a base material having a functional layer on the surface layer wound around a dyeing layer transfer roller, a recording drum, and an image transfer roller and stretched reciprocally between a supply reel and a take-up reel, and an image receiving body. Using, a dyeing layer transfer section in which a transfer head is arranged on the outer circumference of the dyeing layer transfer roller and an image recording section in which a recording head is arranged on the outer circumference of the recording drum, and an image transfer head on the outer circumference of the transfer roller. Arranging an image transfer section, thermally transferring the dyed layer of the dyed layer transfer body in the dyed layer transfer section onto the recording intermediate, and in the image recording section, on the recording intermediate. A process of thermally transferring and recording the dye of the color material layer on the dye transfer body on the dyed layer transferred to the dye transfer layer, and, in the image transfer unit, a dye layer on which the dye on the recording intermediate is thermally transferred and recorded. Thermal transfer on the receiver A thermal transfer recording method characterized by having a process, wherein a dyeing layer transfer section is arranged on the outer periphery of the dyeing layer transfer roller, and an image recording section is arranged on the outer circumference of the recording drum, thereby forming a dyeing layer. The conditions of the process of thermally transferring the dye on the recording intermediate and the process of thermally transferring and recording the dye of the color material layer on the dye transfer body can be set respectively, and the transfer of the dyeing layer, and the stability of the transfer of the dye can be improved. Increase. In addition, since the image transfer unit is separately provided on the outer periphery of the transfer roller and further with the image transfer head being pressed so as to press the image receiver via the recording intermediate, control of thermal transfer to the image receiver is facilitated. Further, since the recording intermediate is stretched so as to be reciprocable between the supply reel and the take-up reel, the width direction of the recording intermediate is regulated between the supply reel and the take-up reel, so that the traveling is stabilized. Since it is wound on a take-up reel, it can be made longer and can be easily replaced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an end detecting mechanism for detecting an end of a recording intermediate wound on a supply reel. In the thermal transfer recording method, the recording intermediate is rewound, so that the recording intermediate can be used repeatedly.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, at least two marks are provided near the end of the recording intermediate at different distances from the end of the recording intermediate, and the position of each mark from the end is: At least one pitch of the image recorded on the recording intermediate is separated by more than one pitch, and the position from the end of each mark is determined by the dyeing layer on the recording intermediate at the image transfer unit from the end detecting mechanism. 3. The thermal transfer recording method according to claim 2, wherein the recording is separated by a distance equal to or more than a length to a position where the mark is separated from the image receiving member, and the recording of each mark is performed by a distance equal to or more than one pitch of an image. The position from the end from the intermediate body was provided with two marks which are separated from the end detection mechanism by the image transfer unit to the position where the dyeing layer on the recording intermediate is peeled off to the image receiving body. Efficient It is possible to rewind the recording intermediate.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a cold peeling mechanism is provided in at least one of the dyed layer transfer section, the image recording section, and the image transfer section, and the cold peeling of the dyed layer transfer section is performed. This is a thermal transfer recording method characterized in that the angle is 45 degrees or more, and has an effect that peeling can be completely performed.

The invention according to claim 5 of the present application is a thermal transfer recording method characterized in that the cold peel angle of the image transfer section is larger than the cold peel angle of the dyed layer transfer section. It has the effect of being able to do it.

The invention according to claim 6 of the present application is a thermal transfer recording method characterized in that the functional layer on the base material of the recording intermediate is a flexible layer, and better transfer is possible.

[0010] The invention according to claim 7 of the present application is a thermal transfer recording method characterized in that the functional layer on the base material of the recording intermediate is flexible and has heat insulating properties, and better transfer is possible. .

The invention according to claim 13 of the present application is to provide a dyeing layer transfer body having a heat-resistant lubricating layer provided on the back surface of the base material, and a dyeing layer cut and transferred in an arbitrary shape by a transfer head on the base material. The present invention provides a dyed layer transfer body for use in a thermal transfer recording method and a thermal transfer recording apparatus, wherein a smooth heat-resistant layer is provided on the back surface of a substrate, thereby enabling stable transfer of the dyed layer.

According to the invention of claim 14 of the present application, the dyeing layer comprises a polyol resin having a hydroxyl value of 30 or more, a polyester resin, a vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin, a silicone resin having a hydroxyl group or a methoxy group, and a crosslinking agent. A dyed layer transfer material for use in a thermal transfer recording method and a thermal transfer recording apparatus, characterized in that it has excellent transparency, high recording sensitivity and stable transfer.

The invention according to claim 15 of the present application provides a thermal transfer recording method and a thermal transfer recording apparatus, wherein the dyeing layer contains at least one of a higher fatty acid ester or a derivative thereof and a higher fatty acid-modified silicone oil. It is a dyed layer transfer body.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thermal transfer recording method and a thermal transfer recording apparatus, wherein a heat insulating porous portion is provided in a functional layer made of a fluorine-based rubber on a recording intermediate substrate. And has an effect of increasing the recording sensitivity.

The invention according to claim 17 of the present application is a recording intermediate having a porous layer between the base material and the functional layer of the recording intermediate, and has the effect of increasing the recording sensitivity.

The invention according to claim 18 of the present application is a recording intermediate, wherein a smooth heat-resistant layer is provided on the back surface of the base material of the recording intermediate, wherein the recording intermediate can smoothly run. Become.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the structure of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a state in which a recording intermediate is rewound, and FIG. 3-b is a plan view of the end of the recording intermediate, FIG. 3-c is a plan view of the tip of the recording intermediate, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the dyed layer transfer body, and FIG. 5 is a dye transfer body. FIG.

In FIG. 1, a dyed layer transfer roller 17, a recording drum 10, an image transfer roller 50, a drive roller 10
0, wound around the guide roller 120, etc.
A recording intermediate 8 is provided so as to be reciprocally stretchable between the take-up reel 111 and the take-up reel 111. The recording intermediate 8 is a pressing roller 1
It is pressed by 30 and is driven by the drive roller 100 in the directions of arrows A1 and A2. Reference numerals 80 and 81 denote end detecting devices for detecting the end of the recording intermediate 8 composed of a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. An elastic body such as rubber is provided on the outer periphery of the dyeing layer transfer roller 17, and the dyeing layer transfer unit 1 is further disposed.
Further, the recording drum 10 is provided with an elastic body 16 such as rubber on the outer periphery thereof, and further, image recording units 2, 3, and 4 are arranged. The image transfer roller 50 is provided with an image transfer section 5 having an outer periphery made of an elastic body, and further having an image transfer head 51 arranged so as to press the image receiving body 9 via the recording intermediate 8. I have. The dyeing layer transfer section 1 includes a transfer head 1
1. Dyed layer transfer body 6 and its supply section 12, winding section 1
3, composed of a cold peeling mechanism 14 and a guide roller 15,
The dyed layer transfer body 6 is transported in the directions of arrows B1 and B2 (transporting means is not shown). The image recording units 2, 3, and 4 have yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) colors arranged in series. The image recording unit 2 includes a recording head 21, a Y dye transfer body 7a, a supply unit 22, a winding unit 23, a cold peeling mechanism 24, and a guide roller 25, and is transported in the direction of arrow C (transporting means is not shown). . The image recording unit 3 includes a recording head 31, an M dye transfer body 7b, a supply unit 32, a winding unit 33, a cold peeling mechanism 34, and a guide roller 35. The image recording section 4 includes a recording head 41, a C dye transfer body 7c, a supply section 42 thereof, a winding section 43, a cold peeling mechanism 44, and a guide roller 45. The image transfer unit 5 includes an image transfer head 51, an image transfer roller 50, a guide roller 101 for cold separation pressed by a drive roller 100, an image receiving body 9, and a supply unit 91. The image receiving member 9 is pulled out in the direction of arrow D, and the driving roller 100
Is further transported by the driving roller 92 and the pressing roller 93.

FIG. 2 shows a state in which the recording intermediate 8 is rewound. The guide roller 120, the guide roller 15, the transfer head 11, and the cold peeling mechanism 14 of the dyed layer transfer section 1 are moved by the dyed layer transfer roller 17. Separate (the drive mechanism is not shown).
Further, the guide roller 25 of the image recording unit 2 and the recording head 2
1. The cold peeling mechanism 24, the guide roller 35 of the image recording unit 3, the recording head 31, the cold peeling mechanism 34 and the guide roller 45 of the image recording unit 4, the recording head 41, and the cold peeling mechanism 44 More apart (the drive mechanism is not shown). Further, the image transfer head 51 and the image transfer roller 50 of the image transfer unit 5 are separated from each other (the drive mechanism is not shown), and the guide roller 101 and the pressing roller 130 are also separated from the drive roller 100 (the drive mechanism is not shown). In this state, the recording intermediate 8 is moved by the arrow (A) on the supply reel 110.
2), it is wound in the direction (A1) (the drive mechanism is not shown).

FIG. 3A is a sectional view of the recording intermediate 8 and FIG.
FIG. 3B is a plan view of the end portion of the recording intermediate 8, and FIG. A functional layer 82 is provided on the surface of the base material 81 of the recording intermediate 8, and a slip heat-resistant layer 8 is provided on the back surface thereof.
3 are provided. A first end mark 84 and a second end mark 85 are provided at the end of the recording intermediate 8 (they are provided on the front surface in the figure, but may be provided on the back surface in relation to the apparatus). Tip 85 of second end mark 85
The distance L1 from “a” to the end portion of the recording intermediate 8 is set to be at least the distance from the end detection devices 80 and 81 to the peeling portion (guide roller 101) of the image transfer unit 5 and the first end mark 84 It has a distance of at least one pitch of an image to be recorded from the tip end portion 84a. Further, a first tip mark 86 is provided at the tip of the recording intermediate 8 at least on one side of the recording intermediate 8 or on both sides of the recording intermediate 8 (in FIG. It may be provided on the back due to the relationship). The distance L from the rear end 86a of the first front end mark 86 to the front end of the recording intermediate 8
Is set to a distance at which the first end mark 86 can be detected by the end detector 80 or 81 when the recording intermediate 8 is unwound on the supply reel.

FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of the structure of the dyed layer transfer member 6. A lubricating heat-resistant layer 62 is provided on the back of
A dyeing layer 64 is formed on the entire surface of the substrate. If necessary, a release layer 63 is provided between the base material 61 and the dyeing layer 64.

FIG. 5 shows the dye transfer member 7 (7a, 7b, 7c).
FIG. The base material 71 (71a, 71b, 71
c) On the back surface of the lubricating heat-resistant layer 73 (73a, 73b, 73)
c), and a coloring material layer 72 (72a, 72a,
72b, 72c) are formed on the entire surface.

As the dye transfer member 7 (7a, 7b, 7c), an ink sheet mounted on an ordinary sublimation printer is used.

The transfer head 11 and the recording head 2
1, 31, and 41 use a commercially available end face head for image recording (the resolution is generally 300 dpi), and use the C end face head (corner head) as the image transfer head 51 of the image transfer section 5.

Next, the overall process operation will be described. First, the recording intermediate 8 is pressed by the driving roller 100 by the pressing roller 130, and is transported in the direction of arrow A2 (the driving roller 100).
Drive mechanism is not shown). The recording intermediate 8 is transported in the direction of arrow A1 in accordance with the rotation of the dyeing layer transfer roller 17 around which the recording intermediate 8 is wound in the direction of arrow F, and the transfer head 11 based on the image signal is transferred in the dyeing layer transfer unit 1. The dyeing layer 64 having an arbitrary size slightly larger than the image size is cut and transferred onto the functional layer 82 of the recording intermediate 8 by the drive. Further, with the rotation of the recording drum 10 in the direction of arrow E, when the tip of the cut and transferred dyeing layer 64 reaches the recording head 21 of the image recording section 2, recording of the Y image is started based on the image signal. Similarly, as the recording intermediate 8 is transferred, M and C images are sequentially formed on the same dyeing layer 64 in the image recording units 3 and 4,
A full-color image is recorded on the dyed layer 64 transferred onto the functional layer 82. Finally, in the image transfer section 5, three of Y, M and C
The dyeing layer 64 on which a full-color image is recorded in color is transferred by the image transfer head 51 onto an arbitrary image receiving body 9 such as plain paper, and an intended image is obtained. Thus, the image receiving body 9
When the intermediate recording body 8 is used up to the end, the first end mark 84 is detected by the end detection device 80. At this time, when the transfer of the dyeing layer 64 is not performed in the dyeing layer transfer unit 1, the entire dyeing layer 64 transferred on the intermediate recording body 8 at that time is transferred to the image receiving body 9. The apparatus is set to the state of No. 2 and the intermediate recording body 8 is moved by the supply reel with the arrow (A).
1) Rewind in the direction (illustration of the control unit is omitted). When the first end mark 84 is detected by the end detection device 80 and the transfer of the dyed layer 64 is being performed in the dyed layer transfer section 1 at this time, the transfer of the dyed layer 64 is continued. When the second end mark 85 is detected at 81, the transfer of the dyed layer 64 is terminated, the apparatus is set to the state of FIG. 2, and the intermediate recording body 8 is rewound in the direction of the arrow (A1) by the supply reel ( The control unit is not shown). Arrow (A1) on the intermediate recording medium 8 with the supply reel 110
Then, the first leading edge mark is detected by the end detection device 80 or the end detection device 81, and the rewinding of the intermediate recording body 8 by the supply reel 110 is stopped (the control unit is not shown). In this manner, the intermediate recording medium 8 is rewound, the intermediate recording medium 8 is driven again by the pressing roller 130 and the driving roller 100, and recording is performed while the intermediate recording medium 8 is wound by the take-up reel 111. At this time, the leading end 84a of the first terminal mark and the second
The distance between the front end 85a of the second end mark and the end of the intermediate recording body 8 is determined by the distance between the front end 85a of the second end mark and the end of the intermediate recording medium 8 from the end detection device 80, 81. Since the distance is set to be equal to or longer than the distance to the (guide roller 101), image recording is reliably performed. Further, when the distance between the leading end 84a of the first terminal mark and the leading end 85a of the second terminal mark is set to an appropriate number of images equal to or more than one pitch (for example, the maximum number of simultaneously recordable images), The end of recording of the final number of sheets can be set so as to end between the leading end 84a of the first end mark and the leading end 85a of the second end mark. Recording can always be performed up to the final number, and the recording time does not increase.
The rewinding of the intermediate recording medium 8 is performed when one set of recording is completed, and is independent of the recording time. Even if the average number of recordings is set instead of the maximum recordable number, the average recording time can be reduced. When the intermediate recording medium 8 has deteriorated, the thermal transfer recording apparatus is set to the state shown in FIG. 2 (rewinding of the intermediate recording medium 8), and the leading end of the intermediate recording medium 8 is removed from the take-up reel 111 (specific structure). Is not shown),
For example, the supply reel 110 is detached (specific structure is not shown), the supply reel 110 around which a new intermediate recording medium 8 is wound is mounted at a predetermined position, and the intermediate recording medium 8 is attached to the dye transfer roller 17 or the recording drum 10. Further, the image transfer roller 5
The leading end of the intermediate recording body 8 is wound around
The intermediate recording medium 8 can be easily replaced by guiding to 11 and mounting the leading end of the intermediate recording medium 8 on a take-up reel.

Here, the transfer head 11 and the recording head 2
As 1, 31, 41, when the A6 size horizontal recording is performed at a speed of 5 ms / line using a line recording head with a resolution of 300 dpi, the first print is 30 to 4
It takes 0 seconds, but during continuous printing, the next sheet is formed within 10 seconds and 24 sheets can be printed within 4 minutes.

Further, a detailed process of each section will be described. In the dyeing layer transfer section 1, the dyeing layer transfer body 6 is transferred in the direction of arrow B1 along the dyeing layer transfer roller 17 from the upstream of the transfer head 11, and the transfer head 11 has an arbitrary shape based on an image signal. After the cutting energy is applied, the dyeing layer transfer body 6 is cooled by natural cooling or a fan or the like at a steep angle of 45 degrees or more by the cold peeling mechanism 14 to form the dyeing layer transfer roller 17.
The image receiving layer 64 to which the cutting energy has been applied is peeled off from the surface of the functional layer 82 of the recording intermediate 8 wound around, and remains in a state of being transferred onto the functional layer 82 of the recording intermediate 8. Image receiving layer 6
The cutting of No. 4 is performed by applying surplus heat, steep excessive energy at the cutting start point, and subsequent heat history control.

Thereafter, image recording of Y, M and C is performed. However, since the dyeing layer 64 is fixed only metastable on the recording intermediate 8, the dye transfer layers 7a, 7b and 7c Dyeing layer 64 on recording intermediate 8 wound around recording drum 10
It is necessary to sufficiently cool at the time of peeling from the substrate, and the substrate is cold-peeled by the cold-peeling mechanisms 24, 34, and 44.

Even in the image transfer section 5, cold peeling after image transfer is particularly important, and the distance from the position of the transfer head 51 to the peeling position must be sufficiently separated. Here, it is separated by the driving roller 100 and the guide roller 101.

The substrate 81 of the recording intermediate 8 is suitably a polyimide film substrate having a thickness of 25 μm to 50 μm.
In addition, heat-resistant films such as aramid film, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), and polyphenylenesulfite (PPS) can be used, but are not specified. The functional layer 82 is made of fluorine-based rubber or silicone-based rubber.
What is formed to a thickness of μm to 30 μm is used.
As the fluorine-based rubber, a ternary copolymer fluorine rubber (Viton) of vinylidene fluoride / propylene hexafluoride / ethylene tetrafluoride containing fine particles such as carbon and magnesium oxide is effective. Also useful are polytetrafluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene / perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer, vinylidene fluoride / hexafluoropropylene-based fluorine resin, fluorine rubber and the like. As the silicone rubber, those which can be formed by addition polymerization or condensation polymerization for various coatings, release papers and pressure-sensitive adhesives are preferable.

As a structure of the functional layer 82 for improving the recording sensitivity, it is preferable to provide a porous layer on the surface of the base material 81 of the recording intermediate 8 and provide a smooth flexible rubber layer thereon. When the functional layer 82 is made of a fluorine material,
This can be realized by providing a porous layer containing many fine particles of carbon or the like in the lower layer and forming a smooth rubber layer containing less fine particles in the upper layer.

The slippery heat-resistant layer 62 on the back of the dyed layer transfer member 6
A material equivalent to the lubricating heat-resistant layer 73 on the back surface of the dye transfer member 7 is used. As the substrate 61, a polyester (PET) film of 6 μm to 12 μm is generally used. The lubricating heat-resistant layer 62 has a cross-linked resin layer composed of a composition such as fine particles such as talc and silica, various silicone oils and the like in addition to an acrylic polyol-based resin, a plastic-based resin, and a cross-linking agent.
Formed. As the dyeing layer 64 on the surface of the base material 61, a composition in consideration of image quality, sensitivity, cutting transferability, and metastable adhesion of the recording intermediate 8 to the functional layer 82 is used.

The basic skeleton of the above composition is a binary compatible transparent resin layer composed of an acrylic polyol resin and a low molecular polyester resin. A ternary compatible transparent resin system is also useful in addition to a polyvinyl chloride-based resin. In addition, even when various additives are added, the dyeing layer or the coating material is entirely composed of a compatible system.

Heretofore, acrylic (methacrylic) resins having excellent transparency have low dye-dyeing properties generally used in sublimation printers, and have not been used as dye layer materials. But,
An acrylic polyol-based resin containing a large number of functional groups such as hydroxyl groups was selected as a skeleton resin that maintains the film strength of the dyeing layer 64, paying attention to an increase in dye-dyeing properties.

A general (saturated linear) polyester resin (number-average molecular weight Mn: about 20,000) is known to have high dye-dyeing properties. In order to use as a main resin, there were many difficulties in selecting a release-imparting material. Further, when used in combination with the above acrylic polyol-based resin, the compatibility is insufficient and a smooth and transparent film cannot be formed. Therefore, by adopting a low molecular polyester resin having Mn of 10,000 or less, compatibility can be improved,
A compatible transparent resin layer of acrylic polyol and polyester having high dyeing properties and film strength was realized. A low molecular weight polyester resin having a hydroxyl group has a greater compatibility effect.

The polyvinyl chloride-based resin is excellent in dye-dyeing property and self-peeling property (peeling property between the coloring material layer and the dyeing layer), but has a problem in image stability recorded by dyeing. Was difficult to use, and was used as a dyeing layer auxiliary resin. By adding a vinyl chloride / vinyl acetate-based resin to the acrylic polyol / polyester compatible resin system, a ternary compatible system further imparting dyeing properties and releasability can be realized. When a vinyl chloride vinyl chloride resin having a hydroxyl group is employed, the effect is increased.

The effect is enhanced by adding a modifying silicone resin having a hydroxyl group or a methoxy group in order to further impart releasability to the binary or ternary compatible resin layer. Since it has a functional group such as a hydroxyl group, a soft network is formed with the resin system for the binary or ternary phase, and stable releasability of the dyeing layer 64 with little change over time can be obtained. Further, the film forming property (leveling property) of the resin layer is also improved.

When the constituent resins of the compatible resin and the silicone resin all have hydroxyl groups, the entire dyeing layer 64 forms a soft network, and the flexible and tough dyeing layer 64 can be formed.

The dyeing layer 64 may further comprise a partially cross-linked resin containing a cross-linking material to impart high-speed recording (high-temperature recording) suitability. Thereby, a transparent and tough crosslinked dyeing layer 64 can be formed.

The dyeing layer 64 may optionally contain a resin-compatible dispersion accelerator such as a higher fatty acid ester or a fatty acid-modified silicone oil.

Further, each component of the dyeing layer 64 will be described in detail.

The polyol has an active hydrogen group (—OH,
= NH2) is a generic term for polymers having two or more functional groups, such as acrylic polyols, and polyethers and polyesters. Acrylic polyol is a copolymerized acrylic resin of an acrylic monomer having a hydroxyl group or the like and an acrylate ester. In the present invention, a transparent resin having a hydroxyl value of 30 or more, preferably about 50 and a glass transition point (Tg) of 40 ° C. to 70 ° C., preferably 50 ° C. to 60 ° C. is particularly preferable.

The number average molecular weight of the low molecular weight polyester resin is preferably 10,000 or less, more preferably 6,000 or less. Tg is 50 ℃
To 70 ° C is preferred. Further, those having a hydroxyl value of about 10 to 70 are preferable.

The polyvinyl chloride-based resin is made of vinyl chloride / vinyl acetate /
A vinyl alcohol copolymer resin is suitable. Tg from 60 ℃
It is preferably about 80 ° C., and more preferably contains a hydroxyl group.

The hydroxyl value of the resin-modified silicone resin having a functional group is preferably from 3 to 10. An effect can be expected even with a methoxy group.

As the higher fatty acid ester which has an adding effect as a mixed resin dispersion accelerator or a release agent, an alcohol ester of a higher fatty acid such as butyl stearate or an alcohol ester of a polybasic acid having a hydroxyl group is used.

In order to make the dyeing layer 64 partially crosslinked, a general polyisocyanate (a compound having two or more isocyanate groups-NCO in one molecule) is used as a crosslinking material. When the amount of isocyanate is 5% by weight or less based on the total resin, a sufficient effect is exhibited. Desirably, 2% by weight or less is sufficient. When various light stabilizers, ultraviolet absorbers, quenchers, antioxidants and the like are added to the composition of the dyeing layer 64, image stability is improved. In particular, hindered amine stabilizers (HALS) are used as light stabilizers, and salicylic acid, benzophenone, and benzotriazole are used as ultraviolet absorbers (UVA).
The combination of UVA is effective.

The dyeing layer 64 is used not only as a single layer but also as a two- or more-layer structure by separating functions as required. In the case of two layers, the surface energy of the upper resin layer is higher than that of the lower layer. When considering the above-mentioned single layer composition as a base, if the upper layer has a large amount of polyester component and the lower layer has a large amount of vinyl chloride component, a difference in surface energy can be provided between the upper and lower layers, and the recording intermediate of the dyeing layer 64 can be provided. 8 and the recording of the dye of the color material layer 72 of the dye transfer body 7 are further provided with stability.

The dye transfer bodies 7a, 7b and 7c are made of a base material 7 having Y, M and C color material layers of respective dyes composed of a sublimation dye and a resin.
1 (71a, 71b, 71c) are individually solid-printed. Y sublimation dyes include quinophthalone-based dyes.
A mixture of two or more styryl and pyridoneazo dyes is used. As the M dye, two or more kinds of imidazole azo-based dyes having slightly different terminal groups are mixed. If necessary, an anthraquinone dye may be mixed. As the C dye, a mixture of a plurality of indoaniline dyes and an anthraquinone dye as a complementary color is used.

As the binder resin of the color material layer 72, an acrylonitrile styrene copolymer (AS) resin, a polyacetal resin, a polyester resin, a phenoxy resin, a one-part epoxy resin, and a mixed composition thereof are generally used. In particular, among the AS resins, those containing about 30% by weight of the acrylonitrile resin component, which is higher than that of the general grade (about 23%), are the base materials 71.
It has excellent adhesion and heat resistance, has little sticking to the dyeing layer 64, and can be used stably for the present recording process.

[0052]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be described in more detail based on examples. -Device design: Dyeing layer transfer roller 17 has a diameter of 60 mm and a width of 2
Dyeing layer transfer part 1 is arranged around 60mm. Recording drum 10
Has Y, M, and C image recording units 2, 3, and 4 arranged at intervals of 110 mm around a diameter of 200 mm, a width of 260 mm, and a surface comb hardness of 60 degrees. The dyeing layer transfer unit 1, the image recording units 2, 3, and 4 are a transfer head 11 using end face heads (A4 size, 300 dpi), recording heads 21, 31, 41, and cold peeling mechanisms 14, 24,
34, 44 and supply reel 11 for transporting recording intermediate 8
0 and take-up reel 111 and the like. Image transfer roller 50
The diameter is 50 mm, and the image transfer head 51 is a corner head (A
4, 300 dpi). Recording intermediate 8: 1 μm smooth heat-resistant layer 83 having a thickness of 25 μm and a width of 260 mm and having a back surface substantially similar to the back surface of dye transfer body 7
Was provided. On the surface layer of the 25 μm portion of the base material 81, a functional layer 82 having the following formulation was formed to a thickness of 5 μm for the lower layer and 10 μm for the upper layer. -Functional layer 82: Lower layer porous layer coating composition Fluoro rubber (Viton B, Showa Denko Dupont) 10 parts by weight Carbon (MT carbon N-990, cancarb) 5 parts by weight Part Magnesium oxide (Kyowa Mag 30, Kyowa Chemical Co., Ltd.) 5 parts by weight Polyamine sulfurized material 0.4 parts by weight Methyl isobutyl ketone 40 parts by weight The above composition was coated on polyimide by a die coater and dried to form a lower layer. An upper layer coating composition was prepared using the above composition in which the amount of carbon was 2 parts by weight and the amount of magnesium oxide was 1 part by weight, and a coating was formed in the same manner as the lower layer to form the upper layer of the functional layer. Dyeing layer transfer body 6: 12 μm thick heavy release peelable PET film (180 ° peeling force 30 g / inch) as substrate 61
And a dyeing layer 63 of the following composition was formed thereon to a thickness of 5 μm.

Acrylic polyol resin 12 parts by weight Low molecular polyester resin 14 parts by weight PVC resin 14 parts by weight Hydroxyl-containing silicone resin 4 parts by weight Higher fatty acid ester 2 parts by weight Fatty acid-modified silicone oil 0.3 parts by weight HALS 2 parts by weight Benzophenone UVA 2 parts by weight Solvent 80 parts by weight Further, the same heat-resistant lubricating layer 62 as the dye transfer body 7 was provided on the back surface of the base material 61. -Dye transfer body 7: The following heat-resistant layer 7 on the back of 6 µm PET
3 was provided in a thickness of 1 μm, and a 0.8 μm Y color material layer was formed on the surface of the base material 71 using the following ink. 2 parts by weight of pyridone azo-based Y dye ··· 1 part by weight of quinophthalone-based Y dye ····· 1 part by weight AS resin (manufactured by Daicel, Sebian N-080; AN component) 30% by weight) 4 parts by weight Solvent 15 parts by weight M and C inks are manufactured in the same manner, Transfer members 7b and 7C were prepared. ··· Lubricant heat-resistant layer: A 1 µm lubricious heat-resistant layer was formed using the following paint.・ Acrylic polyol resin ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ 8 parts by weight AS resin (same as above for coloring material) ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ 2 parts by weight Modified silicone oil ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・・ 10 parts by weight Talc ・ ・ ・ 10 parts by weight Solvent ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ 60 parts by weight Recording experiment: A at a speed of 5 ms / line in the dyed layer transfer section 1
6 Dyeing layer 64 of horizontal size (width 150mm, length 100mm)
Was cut and transferred onto the recording intermediate 8, and when the leading portion of the dyed layer 64 came directly below the recording head 21 of the Y image recording section 2, Y recording was started, and M and C recording were sequentially performed. Finally, the dye transfer layer 6 on which an image is recorded on the image receiving member 9 (plain paper (cast coated paper, Esprit Coat C made by Nippon Paper)) in the image transfer section 5
4 was transferred onto the entire surface to obtain a glossy high-quality image.

[0054]

As described in detail above, according to the invention of the present application, the dyeing layer transfer section is arranged on the outer periphery of the dyeing layer transfer roller, and the image recording section is arranged on the outer circumference of the recording drum. The stability of layer transfer and dye transfer was increased. In addition, since the image transfer unit is separately arranged on the outer periphery of the transfer roller and further arranged with the image transfer head so as to press the image receiver via the recording intermediate, the control of thermal transfer to the image receiver is facilitated. Further, since the recording intermediate is stretched between the supply reel and the take-up reel so as to reciprocate, the length can be increased, the interval between replacements depending on the number of times of use can be extended, and the replacement can be facilitated. As a result, a high-quality image with high image stability and gloss on plain paper was obtained at high speed. In addition, since a single dye transfer member and plain paper are used, the interval of replacement of the recording intermediate is further increased, and low running cost is possible due to easy replacement.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration in which a recording intermediate is rewound.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a configuration of a recording intermediate, a plan view of a terminal portion of the recording intermediate, and a plan view of a tip portion of the recording intermediate.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the structure of a dyed layer transfer body.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the configuration of a dye transfer body.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Dyeing layer transfer part 2, 3, 4 Image recording part 5 Image transfer part 6 Dyeing layer transfer body 7 (7a, 7b, 7c) Dye transfer body 8 Recording intermediate 9 Image receptor 10 Recording drum 17 Dyeing layer transfer Roller 50 Image transfer roller 110 Supply reel 111 Take-up reel

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C065 AA01 AB09 AF02 DC05 DC19 DC28 DC29 2H111 AA27 AA33 AB05 AB07 CA03 CA05 CA30 CA33 CA43

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A dye layer transfer body having a dye layer on a substrate,
A dye transfer body having a color material layer on a base material, and a functional layer as a surface layer which is stretched reciprocally between a supply reel and a take-up reel and wound around at least a dyeing layer transfer roller, a recording drum, and an image transfer roller. Using a recording intermediate composed of a base material and an image receiving member, a dyeing layer transfer section in which a transfer head is arranged on the outer periphery of the dyeing layer transfer roller, and an image recording section in which a recording head is arranged on the outer circumference of the recording drum The image transfer head is arranged on the outer periphery of the image transfer roller to form an image transfer unit, and the dyed layer of the dyed layer transfer body in the dyed layer transfer unit is thermally transferred onto the recording intermediate. A process of performing thermal transfer recording of the dye of the color material layer on the dye transfer body on the dyeing layer transferred on the recording intermediate in the image recording unit; and Heat the dye on the recording intermediate Thermal transfer recording method characterized by having a process of thermal transfer onto the image receiving body copy recorded dyeing layer. 2. An end detecting mechanism for detecting an end of a recording intermediate wound on a supply reel, and winding the recording intermediate on the supply reel by detecting an end of the recording intermediate. 2. The thermal transfer recording method according to claim 1, wherein the thermal transfer recording method is returned. 3. At least two marks are provided at different distances from the end of the recording intermediate near the end of the recording intermediate, and the position of each mark from the end is at least recorded on the recording intermediate. The distance from the end of each mark, which is more than one pitch length of the image to be formed, and the position from the end of the mark, from the end detection mechanism to the position where the dyeing layer on the recording intermediate is peeled off to the image receiver at the image transfer unit 3. The thermal transfer recording method according to claim 2, wherein the thermal transfer recording method is separated by at least the length of the thermal transfer recording. 4. A cold peeling mechanism is provided in at least one of a dyeing layer transfer section, an image recording section, and an image transfer section, and
4. The thermal transfer recording method according to claim 1, wherein a cold peel angle of the dyed layer transfer portion is 45 degrees or more. 5. The thermal transfer recording method according to claim 4, wherein the cold peel angle of the image transfer section is larger than the cold peel angle of the dyed layer transfer section. 6. The thermal transfer recording method according to claim 1, wherein the functional layer on the substrate of the recording intermediate is a flexible layer. 7. The thermal transfer recording method according to claim 1, wherein the functional layer on the base material of the recording intermediate is flexible and has heat insulating properties. 8. A dye layer transfer body having a dye layer on a substrate,
A dye transfer body having a color material layer on a base material, and a functional layer as a surface layer which is stretched reciprocally between a supply reel and a take-up reel and wound around at least a dyeing layer transfer roller, a recording drum, and an image transfer roller. Using a recording intermediate composed of a base material having an image receiving member and a transfer head arranged on the outer periphery of the dyeing layer transfer roller so as to press the recording intermediate via the dyeing layer transfer body. A layer transfer unit, and an image recording unit in which a recording head is arranged on the outer periphery of the recording drum so as to press the recording intermediate via the dye transfer body, and the recording intermediate is arranged on the outer periphery of the image transfer roller. A thermal transfer recording apparatus in which an image transfer head is arranged so as to press the image receiving body via the image transfer unit to form an image transfer unit. 9. An end detecting mechanism for detecting an end of a recording intermediate wound on a supply reel, and winding the recording intermediate on the supply reel by detecting an end of the recording intermediate. 9. The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the thermal transfer recording apparatus is returned. 10. At least two marks are provided near the end of the recording intermediate at different distances from the end of the recording intermediate,
The position of each mark from the end is at least one pitch length of an image recorded on the recording intermediate, and the position of each mark from the end of the recording intermediate is an end detection mechanism. 10. The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the thermal transfer recording apparatus is separated from the image transfer unit by a distance equal to or longer than a distance to a position where the dyeing layer on the recording intermediate is peeled off to the image receiving body. 11. The method according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the dyeing layer transfer section, the image recording section, and the image transfer section is provided with a cold peeling mechanism. Thermal transfer recording device. 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cold peel angle of the image transfer section is larger than the cold peel angle of the dyed layer transfer section.
2. The thermal transfer recording device according to 1. 13. A dye-resistant layer transfer body, wherein a lubricating heat-resistant layer is provided on the back surface of the base material, and a dyeing layer which is cut and transferred into an arbitrary shape by a transfer head is provided on the base material. A dye layer transfer material to be used in the thermal transfer recording method or thermal transfer recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 12. 14. A dyeing layer comprising a polyol resin having a hydroxyl value of 30 or more, a polyester resin, a vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin, a silicone resin having a hydroxyl group or a methoxy group, and a crosslinking agent. 14. The dye layer transfer body according to 13. 15. The dyed layer transfer material according to claim 14, wherein the dyed layer contains at least one of a higher fatty acid ester or a derivative thereof and a higher fatty acid-modified silicone oil. 16. The thermal transfer recording method or thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a heat-insulating porous portion in a functional layer made of a fluorine-based rubber on a recording intermediate substrate. Recording intermediate to be provided. 17. The recording intermediate according to claim 16, having a porous layer between the base material and the functional layer of the recording intermediate. 18. The recording intermediate according to claim 16, wherein a lubricating heat-resistant layer is provided on the back surface of the substrate of the recording intermediate.