JP2003107635A - Packaging medium for heat-developable image recording material and method for detecting presence of remaining heat-developable image recording material - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an improved packaging medium for heat-developable image recording materials not having adverse effects based on escape of an organic solvent, etc., on the undermost one of stacked heat-developable image recording materials and to provide a method for detecting the presence of a remaining heat-developable image recording material. SOLUTION: In the packaging medium in which heat-developable image recording materials each comprising at least one non-photosensitive organic silver salt, a reducer for silver ions and a binder on a support are housed in such a way that a face comprising at least the non-photosensitive organic silver salt comes in contact with the bottom of the packaging medium, a detecting means having a function to diffusely reflect light projected from an optical sensor prepared on the stacked side of the heat-developable image recording materials is disposed on part or the whole of a bottom backing paper present on the bottom of the packaging medium.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a packaging material for a heat-developable image recording material and a method for detecting the presence / absence of a residual heat-developable image recording material, and particularly to the occurrence of scratches during transportation and chemical or physical changes during storage. The present invention relates to a packaging material for a heat-developable image recording material and a method for detecting the presence / absence of a residual heat-developable image recording material, which is used to prevent the occurrence of

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A heat-developable image recording material is sandwiched between strong protective papers (hereinafter referred to as backing papers) called backing papers made of pulp base paper or the like and stored in a laminated moisture-proof bag. Shipped in form.

When used, the heat-developable image recording material is taken out of an outer moisture-proof bag and mounted in a heat-developing device in a state of being housed in a packaging material containing a patch paper. The loaded heat-developable image recording material is taken out one by one by a mechanism using a suction plate and supplied into the apparatus. However, when the last one leaf laminated in the lowermost layer is taken out, Since the suction plate comes into direct contact with the upper surface of the bottom backing sheet, the suction mechanism still works, and it is difficult to distinguish whether the heat-developable image recording material is present or not, which causes a malfunction.

In order to prevent the above-mentioned malfunction, a concave portion or a cutout portion (including a hole) is provided in the bottom backing paper at the portion where the suction plate works, and the heat-development image recording material is detected by detecting that the suction mechanism does not work. A configuration for judging the absence is used (Shokai 55-164642, 57-2522, 61-61).
20591, Jitsukaihei 6-82975, Jitsusho 6
No. 1-4915, Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 63-184752, Japanese Patent No. 2679993, and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-109112. ).

On the other hand, the heat-developable image recording material differs from the conventional general photographic light-sensitive material in that the reducing agent and organic silver are mixed in the film photosensitive layer, and the reducing agent moves to the organic silver side when heat is applied. It has a mechanism to donate electrons to expose it to light, and also contains an organic solvent that acts as a medium when the reducing agent moves, but if there is a recess or cutout in a part of the backing paper. , The organic solvent in the portion of the packaged heat-developable image recording material that is in contact with the recesses or cutouts is removed, and the reducing agent is difficult to move in the portion where the organic solvent is removed, and therefore, the photosensitive agent is not exposed to light. There may be a failure that the white color is lost.

[0006]

As is apparent from the above, the present invention has been improved without causing any adverse effect on the heat-developable image recording material laminated in the lowermost layer due to the escape of the organic solvent. Another object of the present invention is to clarify a packaging material for a heat-developable image recording material and a method for detecting the presence / absence of a residual heat-developable image recording material.

[0007]

The present invention has the following constitution. 1. At least one non-photosensitive organic silver salt on a support,
A heat-developable image recording material containing a reducing agent and a binder for silver ions, in a packaging material for a heat-developable image recording material, which is housed so that at least the surface containing a non-photosensitive organic silver salt is in contact with the bottom of the packaging material, A detection means having a function of irregularly reflecting the light projected from the optical sensor prepared on the laminated side of the heat-developable image recording material is arranged on a part or the whole of the bottom cover paper at the bottom of the packaging material. A packaging material for heat-developable image recording materials.

2. A heat-developable image recording material containing at least one non-photosensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent for silver ions and a binder on a support, and the surface containing at least the non-photosensitive organic silver salt is at the bottom of the packaging material. In the packaging material of the heat-developable image recording material to be housed in contact with one another, the light projected from the optical sensor prepared on the laminated side of the heat-developable image recording material is applied to a part or all of the bottom backing paper at the bottom of the packaging material. Is disposed in a packaging material characterized by arranging a detection means having a function to diffusely reflect the light, detecting a decrease in the reflection amount of light emitted from the optical sensor, and detecting the absence of the heat-developable image recording material. Method for detecting the presence or absence of residual heat-developable image recording material.

3. A heat-developable image recording material containing at least one non-photosensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent for silver ions and a binder on a support, and the surface containing at least the non-photosensitive organic silver salt is at the bottom of the packaging material. In the packaging material of the heat-developable image recording material to be housed in contact with one another, the light projected from the optical sensor prepared on the laminated side of the heat-developable image recording material is applied to a part or all of the bottom backing paper at the bottom of the packaging material. A packaging material for a heat-developable image recording material, which is provided with a detection means having a function of absorbing heat.

4. A heat-developable image recording material containing at least one non-photosensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent for silver ions and a binder on a support, and the surface containing at least the non-photosensitive organic silver salt is at the bottom of the packaging material. In the packaging material of the heat-developable image recording material to be housed in contact with one another, the light projected from the optical sensor prepared on the laminated side of the heat-developable image recording material is applied to a part or all of the bottom backing paper at the bottom of the packaging material. Is disposed in a packaging material characterized by arranging a detecting means having a function of absorbing heat, detecting a decrease in the reflection amount of light emitted from the optical sensor, and detecting the absence of the heat-developable image recording material. Method for detecting the presence or absence of residual heat-developable image recording material.

5. A heat-developable image recording material containing at least one non-photosensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent for silver ions and a binder on a support, and the surface containing at least the non-photosensitive organic silver salt is at the bottom of the packaging material. In the packaging material of the heat-developable image recording material that is housed in contact with each other, project from an optical sensor prepared on the laminated side of the heat-developable image recording material onto a part or all of the suction plate of the bottom backing paper at the bottom of the packaging material. A packaging material for a heat-developable image recording material, which is provided with a detection means having a function of transmitting the generated light.

6. A heat-developable image recording material containing at least one non-photosensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent for silver ions and a binder on a support, and the surface containing at least the non-photosensitive organic silver salt is at the bottom of the packaging material. In the packaging material of the heat-developable image recording material that is housed in contact with each other, project from an optical sensor prepared on the laminated side of the heat-developable image recording material onto a part or all of the suction plate of the bottom backing paper at the bottom of the packaging material. A packaging material, which is provided with a detecting means having a function of transmitting the generated light, detects a decrease in the reflection amount of the light emitted from the optical sensor, and detects the absence of the heat-developable image recording material. Method for detecting the presence / absence of residual heat-developed image recording material stored in.

7. A heat-developable image recording material containing at least one non-photosensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent for silver ions and a binder on a support, and the surface containing at least the non-photosensitive organic silver salt is at the bottom of the packaging material. In the packaging material of the heat-developable image recording material that is housed in contact with each other, project from an optical sensor prepared on the laminated side of the heat-developable image recording material onto a part or all of the suction plate of the bottom backing paper at the bottom of the packaging material. A packaging material for a heat-developable image recording material, wherein a detection means having a function of reflecting the generated light as a reflection amount larger than a reflection amount from the heat-developable image recording material is arranged.

8. A heat-developable image recording material containing at least one non-photosensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent for silver ions and a binder on a support, and the surface containing at least the non-photosensitive organic silver salt is at the bottom of the packaging material. In the packaging material of the heat-developable image recording material that is housed in contact with each other, project from an optical sensor prepared on the laminated side of the heat-developable image recording material onto a part or all of the suction plate of the bottom backing paper at the bottom of the packaging material. The detection means having the function of reflecting the generated light as a reflection amount larger than the reflection amount from the heat-developable image recording material is arranged,
Detecting an increase in the amount of light emitted from the optical sensor,
A method for detecting the presence or absence of a residual heat-developable image recording material, which is characterized by detecting the absence of the heat-developable image recording material.

9. At least the bottom paper is formed of a thermoplastic resin sheet, the above 1,
A packaging material for the heat-developable image recording material according to 3, 5, or 7.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described in detail below.
The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The packaging material 10 formed in a cassette shape is composed of a bottom portion backing paper 10A, a side portion 10B and a cover portion 10C, and at the stage of attachment to a developing device, the heat-developable image recording material 20 stored in a laminated state.
In order to take out the cover 10C, a part of the cover portion 10C is removed so that the cover portion 10C is opened.
The uppermost leaf of the heat-developable image recording material 20 in which 0s are vertically stacked is taken out by suction conveyance.

As shown in FIG. 1, detection means 50 for detecting the presence / absence of the heat-developable image recording material 20 is provided on the entire surface or a part of the bottom cover 10A in combination with an optical sensor 40 described later. Has been. Partial enlarged view A of FIG.
And B show different embodiments.

Detecting means 5 of the embodiment shown in the partially enlarged view A
0 is a configuration in which an uneven shape composed of peaks and troughs is formed on the entire upper surface of the bottom cover paper 11 or a part thereof. If the peaks are high and the pitches are large, the peaks and the depths of the valleys may cause deformation of the heat-developable image recording material in contact with the peaks and cause the phenomenon of organic solvent escape. It is a value that is necessary and sufficient to allow irregular reflection, but does not cause deformation in the heat-developable image recording material.

Detecting means 5 of the embodiment shown in the partially enlarged view B
0 is a configuration in which hemispherical convex portions are continuously arranged. The diameter of the convex portion is a value that is necessary and sufficient for irregularly reflecting infrared rays, but is a value that does not cause deformation in the heat-developable image recording material.

The above-mentioned detecting means 50 is an optical sensor 40.
It has a function of diffusely reflecting light (light having a wavelength that does not adversely affect the heat-developable image recording material, preferably infrared light) emitted in the vertical direction. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2A, when the upper surface of the detection means 50 is covered with the heat-developable image recording material 20, the light emitted in the vertical direction from the optical sensor 40 is used as the heat-developable image recording material 20. Is reflected on the upper surface of the optical sensor and returns to the optical sensor 40. The presence of the heat-developable image recording material 20 is detected by the amount of light in this case. Next, as shown in FIG. 2B, when the heat-developable image recording material 20 does not exist, the upper surface of the detection means 50 is exposed, so that the light emitted in the vertical direction from the optical sensor 40 is detected by the detection means. Most of the light does not return to the optical sensor 40 because it is diffusely reflected by 50. The absence of the heat-developable image recording material 20 is detected based on the amount of light in this case.

Detection of the presence / absence of the heat-developable image recording material 20 by the optical sensor 40 / detection means 50 and the suction plate 30
Is linked with the operation of. That is, the suction plate 30 is operated only when the presence of the heat-developable image recording material 20 is detected by the mechanism described above, and the heat-developable image recording material 20 of the uppermost layer is activated.
However, when the absence of the heat-developable image recording material 20 is detected, the suction board 30 is not operated and the operator is notified of the absence of the heat-developable image recording material 20.

As can be easily understood from the above, the detecting means 50 has a shape such as unevenness that does not return the light emitted from the optical sensor 40 to the optical sensor 40, or a material having a property of transmitting or absorbing light, or a heat source. Any material may be used as long as it has a physical property of reflecting light as a reflection amount larger than the reflection amount from the developed image recording material. Therefore, FIG.
It is not limited to the specific shape shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, various arrangements can be adopted for the arrangement of the detecting means 50 with respect to the bottom cover paper 10A.
3A is a mode in which the detection means 50 is fitted in the opening provided in the bottom cover paper 10A, and FIG. 3B is the bottom cover paper 10A.
3A is a mode in which the detection means 50 formed in a sheet shape is attached to the entire area of the sheet, FIG. 3C is a mode in which a sheet having irregularities on the upper surface is attached to a part of the bottom backing paper 10A, and FIG. 3D is
It shows a mode in which a plate or sheet having an unevenness on the upper surface is embedded in a concave portion formed in a part of the bottom cover paper 10A.

In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 3A, the detecting means 50 is formed of a material having a light-transmitting property or reflects light as a reflection amount larger than the reflection amount from the heat development image recording material. It can be formed of a material having physical properties. Further, in the mode as shown in B to D of FIG.
0 can be formed of a material that has a physical property of absorbing light and does not absorb or transmit an organic solvent instead of the unevenness of the surface that scatters light.

In the present invention, examples of the material that transmits light and absorbs and does not transmit an organic solvent include infrared-transparent synthetic resins (preferably thermoplastic synthetic resins),
Also, it has a physical property of reflecting light as a reflection amount larger than the reflection amount from the heat-developable image recording material, and absorbs an organic solvent,
As the non-transmissive material, a synthetic resin containing a high-intensity / high-reflectance dye or pigment for infrared rays (preferably,
Further, as a material having physical properties of absorbing light and not absorbing or transmitting an organic solvent, a synthetic resin containing an infrared absorbing dye, a pigment or the like (preferably, a thermoplastic synthetic resin) can be used. ) Is mentioned. Known ones can be used without any special limitation.

The detecting means 50 of the embodiment shown in FIG.
It is preferable that the peaks or the tops of the protrusions are flush with the upper surface of the bottom patch 10A. As a result, the heat-developable image recording material is not deformed or flawed regardless of the height of the projections or projections, and adverse effects such as the escape of the organic solvent are not caused.

Next, the material forming the packaging material 10 which constitutes the backing paper will be described. Wrapping paper 1
0, at least the bottom paper 10A is formed of a thermoplastic resin sheet (preferably the entire packaging material 10 is formed of a thermoplastic resin sheet). With such a configuration, even if the photosensitive surface of the heat-developable image recording material 20 is bonded to the bottom reliance paper 10A, the organic solvent present in the photosensitive layer does not transfer (absorb or transmit).

As the thermoplastic resin sheet which can be preferably used, polypropylene (preferably biaxially oriented polypropylene), polyethylene (preferably high density polyethylene), polystyrene (preferably impact resistant), A
BS (acrylonitrile styrene-butadiene), polyester, a laminate containing these, barrier properties,
The thing excellent in scratch resistance can be mentioned.

The packaging material according to the present invention is for packaging a heat-developable image recording material, and comprises at least one non-photosensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent for silver ions and a binder on a support. A packaging material for a heat-developable image recording material, which contains the heat-developable image recording material contained therein such that at least the surface containing the non-photosensitive organic silver salt is in contact with the bottom of the packaging material.
The heat-developable image recording material will be described below.

As the heat-developable image recording material of the present invention, known heat-developable image recording materials can be used without particular limitation. Representative examples are shown below.

In the present invention, the organic silver salt is a reducible silver source, and is a silver salt of an organic acid or a heteroorganic acid, particularly a long-chained one (having 10 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably 15 to 25 carbon atoms).
Silver salts of aliphatic carboxylic acids and nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds are preferred. Organic or inorganic complexes in which the ligand has a total stability constant for silver ions of 4.0 to 10.0 are also preferable. Examples of these suitable silver salts include Rese
arch Disclosure Nos. 17029 and 2
No. 9963, and includes the following.

Silver salts of organic acids such as gallic acid, oxalic acid,
Silver salts such as behenic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, palmitic acid and lauric acid. Silver carboxyalkyl thiourea salts, for example, silver salts such as 1- (3-carboxypropyl) thiourea, 1- (3-carboxypropyl) -3,3-dimethylthiourea, aldehydes and hydroxy-substituted aromatic carboxylic acids Silver salts and complexes of polymer reaction products such as aldehydes (formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, butyraldehyde, etc.), hydroxy-substituted acids (eg salicylic acid, benzoic acid, 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 5,5-thiodisalicylic acid) ) Reaction product silver salt and complex, thione silver salt or complex, for example,
Complexes of silver salts such as 3- (2-carboxyethyl) -4-hydroxymethyl-4-thiazoline-2-thione and 3-carboxymethyl-4-thiazoline-2-thione, imidazole, pyrazole, urazole, 1, A complex or salt of a nitric acid and silver selected from 2,4-thiazole and 1H-tetrazole, 3-amino-5-benzylthio-1,2,4-triazole and benzotriazole,
Silver salts such as saccharin and 5-chlorosalicylaldoxime, and silver salts of mercaptides. Among these, preferred silver salts are silver behenate, silver arachidate and silver stearate.

The organic silver salt compound can be obtained by mixing a water-soluble silver compound and a compound which forms a complex with silver. The normal mixing method, the reverse mixing method, the simultaneous mixing method, and JP-A-9-12764.
The controlled double jet method described in No. 3 is preferably used. For example, by adding an alkali metal salt (for example, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, etc.) to an organic acid, an organic acid alkali metal salt soap (for example,
Sodium behenate, sodium arachidate, etc.), and then controlled double jet
Crystals of an organic silver salt are prepared by adding the soap and silver nitrate. At that time, silver halide grains may be mixed.

In the present invention, the organic silver salt has an average particle size of 2
It is preferably not more than μm, and is preferably monodisperse. The average particle size of the organic silver salt means that when the organic silver salt particles are, for example, spherical, rod-shaped, or tabular particles,
This is the diameter when considering a sphere equivalent to the volume of organic silver salt particles. The average particle size is more preferably 0.05 μm to 1.5 μm
m, particularly preferably 0.05 μm to 1.0 μm. The monodisperse has the same meaning as in the case of silver halide, and the monodispersity is preferably 1 to 30.

In the present invention, the tabular grains of the organic silver salt preferably have 60% or more of the total organic silver.
In the present invention, the tabular grains mean those having a ratio of average grain size to thickness, that is, an aspect ratio (abbreviated as AR) represented by the following formula of 3 or more.

AR = average particle size (μm) / thickness (μm)

In order to form the organic silver into these shapes, the organic silver crystals are obtained by dispersing and pulverizing the binder and the surfactant in a ball mill or the like. Within this range, a light-sensitive material having high density and excellent image storability can be obtained.

In the present invention, in order to prevent devitrification of the light-sensitive material, the total amount of silver halide and organic silver salt is preferably 0.5 g to 2.2 g per m ² in terms of silver amount. Within this range, a high contrast image can be obtained.
The amount of silver halide based on the total amount of silver is usually 50% or less, preferably 25% or less, and more preferably 0.1% to 15% by mass.

Examples of the reducing agent used in the heat-developable image recording material of the present invention include those generally known.
For example, phenols, polyphenols having two or more phenol groups, naphthols, bisnaphthols, polyhydroxybenzenes having two or more hydroxyl groups, polyhydroxynaphthalenes having two or more hydroxyl groups, ascorbic acids, 3-pyrazolidones, pyrazolin-5-ones, pyrazolines, phenylenediamines, hydroxylamines, hydroquinone monoethers, hydrooxamic acids, hydrazides, amidoximes, N-hydroxyureas, and the like. Specifically, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,615,533, 3,679,426, 3,672,904, 3,751,252, and 3,782,949,
No. 3,801,321, No. 3,794,488
No. 3,893,863, No. 3,887,37
No. 6, No. 3,770,448, No. 3,819,3
No. 82, No. 3,773,512, No. 3,839,
No. 048, No. 3,887,378, No. 4,00
9,039, 4,021,240, British Patent 1,486,148 or Belgian Patent 786.
086, each specification and JP-A Nos. 50-36143 and 5
0-36110, 50-116023, 50-
99719, 50-140113, 51-51.
No. 933, No. 51-23721, No. 52-84727.
And Japanese Patent Publication No. 51-35851, there are reducing agents specifically exemplified, and the present invention can be appropriately selected and used from such known reducing agents. The simplest selection method is to actually make a heat-developable image recording material and evaluate its photographic performance to check the superiority or inferiority of the reducing agent used.

Among the above reducing agents, when an aliphatic carboxylic acid silver salt is used as the organic silver salt, a preferable reducing agent is a polyphenol in which two or more phenol groups are linked by an alkylene group or sulfur, Particularly, an alkyl group (eg, methyl group, ethyl group, propyl group, t-butyl group, cyclohexyl group, etc.) or acyl group (eg, acetyl group, propionyl group, etc.) at least at one position adjacent to the hydroxy-substituted position of the phenol group. Polyphenols in which two or more of the substituted phenol groups are linked by an alkylene group or sulfur, for example, 1,1-bis (2
-Hydroxy-3,5-dimethylphenyl) -3,5
5-trimethylhexane, 1,1-bis (2-hydroxy-3-t-butyl-5-methylphenyl) methane,
1,1-bis (2-hydroxy-3,5-di-t-butylphenyl) methane, (2-hydroxy-3-t-butyl-5-methylphenyl)-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl) Methane, 6,6'-benzylidene-bis (2,4-di-t-butylphenol), 6,6'-benzylidene-bis (2-t-butyl-4-methylphenol), 6,6'-benzylidene- Bis (2,4-dimethylphenol), 1,1-bis (2-hydroxy-)
3,5-dimethylphenyl) -2-methylpropane,
1,1,5,5-tetrakis (2-hydroxy-3,5
-Dimethylphenyl) -2,4-ethylpentane, 2,
2-bis (4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylphenyl) propane, 2,2-bis (4-hydroxy-3,5)
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,589,903, 4,021,249 or British Patent 1,486,148, such as -di-t-butylphenyl) propane, and JP-A-51-51933. , Ibid. 50-36110, ibid. 50
No. 116023, No. 52-84727 or Japanese Patent Publication No. 51-35727, bisnaphthols described in US Pat. No. 3,672,904, for example, 2,2′- Dihydroxy-1,1'-binaphthyl, 6,6'-dibromo-
2,2'-dihydroxy-1,1'-binaphthyl, 6,
6'-dinitro-2,2'-dihydroxy-1,1'-
Binaphthyl, bis (2-hydroxy-1-naphthyl) methane, 4,4′-dimethoxy-1,1′-dihydroxy-2,2′-binaphthyl, and the like, and US Pat. No. 3,80.
Sulfonamide phenols or sulfonamide naphthols described in 1,321, eg 4,
-Benzenesulfonamidophenol, 2-benzenesulfonamidophenol, 2,6-dichloro-4-benzenesulfonamidophenol, 4-benzenesulfonamidonaphthol and the like can be mentioned.

The amount of the reducing agent used in the heat-developable image recording material of the present invention varies depending on the type of the organic silver salt, the reducing agent and other additives, but is generally 0 per mol of the organic silver salt. 0.05 mol to 10 mol, preferably 0.1 mol to 3
It is a mole. Further, within the range of this amount, two or more kinds of the above-mentioned reducing agents may be used in combination.

In the heat-developable image recording material of the present invention, it is desirable to use, in addition to the above-mentioned respective components, an additive (hereinafter referred to as a "toning agent") called a toning agent, a toning agent or an activator toner. The toning agent has a function of participating in the redox reaction between the organic silver salt and the reducing agent to make the resulting silver image a dark color, especially black.

Examples of suitable toning agents for use in the present invention are R
It is disclosed in essearch Disclosure No. 17029 and includes the following.

Imides (eg phthalimide), cyclic imides, pyrazolin-5-ones and quinazolinones (eg succinimide, 3-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one, 1-phenylurazole, quinazoline and 2 , 4-thiazolidinedione), naphthalimides (eg N-hydroxy-1,8-naphthalimide), cobalt complexes (eg hexaamminetrifluoroacetate of cobalt), mercaptans (eg 3-mercapto-1, 2,4-triazole), N
-(Aminomethyl) aryldicarboximides (eg, N- (dimethylaminomethyl) phthalimide),
Blocked pyrazoles, isothiuronium (is
Othiuronium) derivatives and certain photobleaching agents in combination (eg N, N′-hexamethylenebis (1-carbamoyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazole),
A combination of 1,8- (3,6-dioxaoctane) bis (isothiuronium trifluoroacetate) and 2- (tribromomethylsulfonyl) benzothiazole), phthalazinone, a phthalazinone derivative or a metal salt of these derivatives (for example, , 4- (1-naphthyl) phthalazinone, 6-chlorophthalazinone, 5,7-dimethoxyphthalazinone and 2,3-dihydro-1,4-phthalazinedione), a combination of phthalazinone and a sulfinic acid derivative (eg, 6-chlorophthalazinone and sodium benzenesulfinate, or 8-methylphthalazinone and sodium p-tolylsulfinate), a combination of phthalazinone and phthalic acid, phthalazine (including adduct of phthalazine and maleic anhydride) and phthal Acid, 2,3-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid Is o- phenylene acid derivatives and their anhydrides (e.g., phthalic acid,
4-nitrophthalic acid and tetrachlorophthalic anhydride)
A combination with at least one compound selected from quinazolinediones, benzoxazine or naphthoxazine derivatives, benzoxazine-2,4-diones (for example, 1,3-benzoxazine-2,4-dione), pyrimidine And asymmetric triazines (eg,
2,4-dihydroxypyrimidine), tetraazapentalene derivative (for example, 3,6-dimercapto-1,4-
Diphenyl-1H, 4H-2,3a, 5,6a-tetrazapentalene).

The following may be mentioned. The preferred toning agent is a phthalazinone derivative or a phthalazine derivative.

Binders suitable for the heat-developable image recording material of the present invention are transparent or translucent and generally colorless, and include natural polymers, synthetic polymers and copolymers, and other film-forming media such as gelatin, gum arabic and polyvinyl. Alcohol, hydroxyethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, casein, starch, polyacrylic acid, polymethylmethacrylate, polymethacrylic acid, polyvinyl chloride, copoly (styrene-maleic anhydride), copoly (styrene-acrylonitrile) ), Copoly (styrene-butadiene), polyvinyl acetals,
Examples thereof include polyvinyl formal, polyvinyl butyral, polyesters, polyurethanes, phenoxy resins, polyvinylidene chloride, polyepoxides, polycarbonates, polyvinyl acetates, cellulose esters, polyamides and the like, which may be hydrophilic or non-hydrophilic. However, among these binders, water-insoluble polymers such as cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate and polyvinyl butyral are particularly preferable, and polyvinyl butyral is particularly preferable among them.

In the present invention, the binder amount in the photosensitive layer is preferably 1.5 to 6 g / m ² . More preferably, it is 1.7 to 5 g / m ² . If it is less than 1.5 g / m ² , the density of the unexposed area may increase significantly and it may not be usable.

In the present invention, it is preferable to contain a matting agent on the side of the photosensitive layer, and it is preferable to dispose a matting agent on the surface of the light-sensitive material in order to prevent scratching of the image after heat development. It is preferable that the agent is contained in an amount of 0.5 to 30% with respect to the total binder on the photosensitive layer side.

When a non-photosensitive layer is provided on the side opposite to the photosensitive layer with a support sandwiched between them, it is preferable to include a matting agent in at least one layer on the non-photosensitive layer side, so that the slipperiness of a photosensitive material and the adhesion of fingerprints can be prevented. For prevention, it is preferable to dispose a matting agent on the surface of the light-sensitive material, and the matting agent is used in a mass ratio of 0.5 to 4 with respect to all binders in the layer opposite to the light-sensitive layer side.
It is preferable to contain 0%.

The material of the matting agent used in the present invention may be either an organic substance or an inorganic substance. For example, as the inorganic substance, silica described in Swiss Patent No. 330,158, glass powder described in French Patent No. 1,296,995, and alkali described in British Patent No. 1,173,181, etc. An earth metal or a carbonate such as cadmium or zinc can be used as a matting agent. As organic matter,
Starch described in US Pat. No. 2,322,037, Belgian patent 625,451 and British patent 981,19
No. 8, etc., starch derivative, Japanese Examined Patent Publication No.
Polyvinyl alcohol described in Swiss Patent No. 33
Polystyrene or polymethacrylate described in US Pat. No. 0,158, polyacrylonitrile described in US Pat. No. 3,079,257, US Pat. No. 3,022,16
Organic matting agents such as polycarbonate described in No. 9 can be used.

The shape of the matting agent may be either a fixed shape or an amorphous shape, but a fixed shape is preferred, and a spherical shape is preferably used. The size of the matting agent is represented by the diameter when the volume of the matting agent is converted into a spherical shape. In the present invention, the particle size of the matting agent refers to the spherically converted diameter.

The matting agent used in the present invention preferably has an average particle size of 0.5 μm to 10 μm, more preferably 1.0 μm to 8.0 μm. The coefficient of variation of the particle size distribution is preferably 50% or less, more preferably 40% or less, and particularly preferably 30% or less.

Here, the variation coefficient of the particle size distribution is a value represented by the following formula. (Standard deviation of particle size) / (Average value of particle size) × 100 The matting agent used in the present invention can be contained in any constituent layer, but in order to achieve the object of the present invention, it is preferably photosensitive. It is a constituent layer other than the functional layer, more preferably the outermost layer as viewed from the support.

The matting agent used in the present invention may be added by dispersing it in a coating solution in advance, or spraying the matting agent after coating the coating solution and before drying is completed. The method of doing may be used. When adding a plurality of types of matting agents, both methods may be used in combination.

The heat-developable image recording material of the present invention is especially 700
In the case of a heat-developable image recording material for an output of an imagesetter having an oscillation wavelength of ˜850 nm, it is preferable that a hydrazine compound is contained in the light-sensitive material. Preferred hydrazine compounds used in the present invention include Research
ch Disclosure Item 23515
(November 1983, p. 346) and documents cited therein, as well as U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,080,207, 4,269,929, 4,276,364, and No. 4,278,748, No. 4,385,108,
No. 4,459,347, No. 4,478,928
No. 4,560,638, No. 4,686,16
No. 7, No. 4,912,016, No. 4,988,6
No. 04, No. 4,994, 365, No. 5,041,
355, 5,104,769, British Patent 2,
011,391B, European Patent Nos. 217,310, 301,799, 356,898, and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-989.
0-179734, 61-170733, 61
-270744, 62-178246, 62-
270948, 63-29751, 63-32.
No. 538, No. 63-104047, No. 63-1218.
No. 38, No. 63-129337, No. 63-22374.
No. 4, No. 63-234244, No. 63-234245.
No. 63-234246, No. 63-294552.
No. 63-306438, No. 64-10233,
JP-A-1-90439, 1-100530, 1
-105941, 1-105943, 1-27
No. 6128, No. 1-280747, No. 1-28354.
No. 8, No. 1-283549, No. 1-285940,
2-2541, 2-77057, 2-139
No. 538, No. 2-196234, No. 2-196235.
No. 2, No. 2-198440, No. 2-198441, No. 2-198442, No. 2-220042, No. 2-2.
No. 21953, No. 2-221954, No. 2-2853
No. 42, No. 2-285343, No. 2-289843
No. 2, No. 2-302750, No. 2-304550, No. 3-37642, No. 3-54549, No. 3-125.
No. 134, No. 3-184039, No. 3-240036.
No. 3, No. 3-240037, No. 3-259240, No. 3-280038, No. 3-28536, No. 4-5.
No. 1143, No. 4-56842, No. 4-84134
No. 2-230233, 4-96053, 4
-216544, 5-45761, 5-457.
No. 62, No. 5-45763, No. 5-45764, No. 5-45765, No. 6-289524, No. 9-16.
Examples thereof include those described in No. 0164 and the like.

In addition to this, the compound represented by (Chemical formula 1) described in Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 6-77138, specifically, the compound 3
The compounds described on pages 4 and 4 and the compounds represented by the general formula (1) described in JP-B-6-93082, specifically, the compounds of 1 to 38 described on pages 8 to 18 of the same. Compound,
General formula (4) described in JP-A-6-23049,
The compounds represented by (5) and (6), specifically, compounds 4-1 to 4-10 and 2 described on pages 25 and 26 of the same publication.
Compounds 5-1 to 5-42 and 3 described on pages 8 to 36
Compounds 6-1 to 6-7 described on pages 9 and 40, JP-A-6-
General formulas (1) and (2) described in JP-A-289520.
Specifically, compounds 1-1) to 1-17) and 2-1) described on pages 5 to 7 of the same publication, and compounds described in JP-A-6-313936 (Chemical Formula 2) ) And (Chemical Formula 3), specifically, pages 6 to 19 of the publication.
The compound described on page, and the compound represented by (Chemical formula 1) described in JP-A-6-313951, specifically, the compound 3
The compounds described on pages 5 to 5 and the compounds represented by formula (I) described in JP-A-7-5610, specifically, compounds I-described on pages 5 to 10 of the same. 1-I
-38, compounds represented by formula (II) described in JP-A-7-77783, specifically, compounds II-1 to II-102 described on pages 10 to 27 of the same, Compounds represented by the general formula (H) and the general formula (Ha) described in JP-A No. 7-104426, specifically, the same publication 8;
The compounds described in Compounds H-1 to H-44 described on pages 15 to 15 and the like can be used.

The heat-developable image recording material of the present invention is stable at room temperature, but it is developed by heating to high temperature after exposure. The heating temperature is preferably 80 ° C to 200 ° C, and more preferably 100 ° C to 150 ° C. Heating temperature is 80
If the temperature is below ℃, sufficient image density cannot be obtained in a short time.
If the temperature is higher than 0 ° C, the binder melts and adversely affects not only the image itself such as transfer to a roller but also the transportability and the developing machine.

When heated, a silver image is produced by a redox reaction between an organic silver salt (which functions as an oxidizing agent) and a reducing agent. This reaction process proceeds without supplying a treatment liquid such as water from the outside.

The heat-developable image recording material of the present invention has at least one photosensitive layer on a support. Although only the photosensitive layer may be formed on the support, it is preferable to form at least one non-photosensitive layer on the photosensitive layer. The representative examples of the heat developable image recording material have been described above.
The invention is not limited to these, and may be any of the known examples mentioned in the section of the above-mentioned conventional technique.

[0060]

In the conventional mechanism for detecting adsorption / non-adsorption of the heat-developable image recording material by the suction plate by providing a simple recess or hole or notch on the bottom backing paper, the heat-developable image recording in contact with the recess or the like is performed. While the material may be deformed and still have an adverse effect on the heat-developable image recording material laminated on the lowermost layer such as the escape of the organic solvent, according to the present invention, the detecting means is arranged on the bottom backing paper. However, since the presence or absence of the heat-developable image recording material is detected by detecting the amount of reflected light by the optical sensor, the conventional heat-developable image recording material is not deformed or scratched, and the adverse effects such as the loss of the organic solvent are prevented. There is an advantage of not causing.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing first and second embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts showing another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10-Packaging material 10A-bottom backing paper 10B-side 10C-Cover part 20-Heat development image recording material 30-Suction plate 40-optical sensor 50-Detection means

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Wataru Tachikawa             Konica Stock, 1 Sakura-cho, Hino City, Tokyo             In the company F-term (reference) 2H123 AB00 AB03 AB23 AB28 CB00                       CB03                 3E067 AA12 AB75 AC14 BA05A                       BB14A BC06A CA30 EA32                       EB27 ED04 EE42 FC01

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A heat-developable image recording material containing at least one non-photosensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent for silver ions and a binder on a support, and a surface containing at least the non-photosensitive organic silver salt. In the packaging material of the heat-developable image recording material that is stored so as to be in contact with the bottom of the packaging material, an optical sensor provided on the laminated side of the heat-developable image recording material on part or all of the bottom backing paper at the bottom of the packaging material. A packaging material for a heat-developable image recording material, characterized in that a detecting means having a function of irregularly reflecting the light projected from is arranged. 2. A heat-developable image recording material containing at least one non-photosensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent for silver ions and a binder on a support, and a surface containing at least the non-photosensitive organic silver salt. In the packaging material of the heat-developable image recording material that is stored so as to be in contact with the bottom of the packaging material, an optical sensor provided on the laminated side of the heat-developable image recording material on part or all of the bottom backing paper at the bottom of the packaging material. A detecting means having a function of irregularly reflecting the light projected from the photosensor, detecting a decrease in the reflection amount of the light emitted from the photosensor, and detecting the absence of the heat-developable image recording material. A method for detecting the presence / absence of a residual heat-developable image recording material contained in a packaging material. 3. A heat-developable image recording material containing at least one non-photosensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent for silver ions and a binder on a support, and a surface containing at least the non-photosensitive organic silver salt. In the packaging material of the heat-developable image recording material that is stored so as to be in contact with the bottom of the packaging material, an optical sensor provided on the laminated side of the heat-developable image recording material on part or all of the bottom backing paper at the bottom of the packaging material. A packaging material for a heat-developable image recording material, which is provided with a detecting means having a function of absorbing light projected from the packaging material. 4. A heat-developable image recording material containing at least one non-photosensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent for silver ions and a binder on a support, and a surface containing at least the non-photosensitive organic silver salt. In the packaging material of the heat-developable image recording material that is stored so as to be in contact with the bottom of the packaging material, an optical sensor provided on the laminated side of the heat-developable image recording material on part or all of the bottom backing paper at the bottom of the packaging material. A detection means having a function of absorbing light projected from the photosensor is arranged, and a decrease in the reflection amount of the light emitted from the photosensor is detected to detect the absence of the heat-developable image recording material. A method for detecting the presence / absence of a residual heat-developable image recording material contained in a packaging material. 5. A heat-developable image recording material containing at least one non-photosensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent for silver ions and a binder on a support, and a surface containing at least the non-photosensitive organic silver salt. In the packaging material of the heat-developable image recording material that is stored so as to be in contact with the bottom of the packaging material, it is prepared on the laminated side of the heat-developable image recording material on a part or all of the suction pad of the bottom backing paper at the bottom of the packaging material. A packaging material for a heat-developable image recording material, which is provided with a detecting means having a function of transmitting light projected from an optical sensor. 6. A heat-developable image recording material containing at least one non-photosensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent for silver ions and a binder on a support, and a surface containing at least the non-photosensitive organic silver salt. In the packaging material of the heat-developable image recording material that is stored so as to be in contact with the bottom of the packaging material, it is prepared on the laminated side of the heat-developable image recording material on a part or all of the suction pad of the bottom backing paper at the bottom of the packaging material. A detection means having a function of transmitting the light projected from the optical sensor is arranged, and it is possible to detect the absence of the heat-developable image recording material by detecting the decrease in the reflection amount of the light emitted from the optical sensor. A method for detecting the presence or absence of a residual heat-developable image recording material contained in a characteristic packaging material. 7. A heat-developable image recording material containing at least one non-photosensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent for silver ions and a binder on a support, and a surface containing at least the non-photosensitive organic silver salt. In the packaging material of the heat-developable image recording material that is stored so as to be in contact with the bottom of the packaging material, it is prepared on the laminated side of the heat-developable image recording material on a part or all of the suction pad of the bottom backing paper at the bottom of the packaging material. A packaging material for a heat-developable image recording material, which is provided with a detection means having a function of reflecting light projected from an optical sensor as a reflection amount larger than a reflection amount from the heat-developable image recording material. 8. A heat-developable image recording material containing at least one non-photosensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent for silver ions and a binder on a support, and a surface containing at least the non-photosensitive organic silver salt. In the packaging material of the heat-developable image recording material that is stored so as to be in contact with the bottom of the packaging material, it is prepared on the laminated side of the heat-developable image recording material on a part or all of the suction pad of the bottom backing paper at the bottom of the packaging material. A detection means having a function of reflecting the light projected from the optical sensor as a reflection amount larger than the reflection amount from the heat-developable image recording material is arranged to detect an increase in the reflection amount of the light emitted from the optical sensor. Then, the presence or absence of the residual heat-developable image recording material contained in the packaging material is characterized by detecting the absence of the heat-developable image recording material. 9. The paper according to claim 1, wherein at least the bottom cover paper is formed of a thermoplastic resin sheet.
The packaging material for the heat-developable image recording material according to 5 or 7.