JP2007230037A - Thermal transfer recording system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a thermal transfer recording system which prevents private information from leaking by destroying a negative image of a transfer image remaining in an ink ribbon refuse after thermal transfer. <P>SOLUTION: This thermal transfer recording system uses a thermal transfer sheet with a dye layer formed on at least one of the surfaces of a base sheet and a thermal transfer image receiving sheet with a dye acceptance layer formed on at least one of the surfaces of the base sheet. Further, the system can transfer the dye contained in the dye layer to the dye acceptance layer by a heating means after superposing the dye layer over the acceptance layer. In this system, the means is installed which makes it impossible to substantially read the information of the negative image of the transfer image remaining in the dye layer after transfer, before taking up the thermal transfer sheet after heat-sensitive transfer or in the stage prior to discharging the thermal transfer sheet to the outside of the system. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a thermal transfer recording system, and more particularly, relates to processing of an ink ribbon after thermal transfer in the system, and reads transfer information from a negative image of a transfer image remaining on a remnant of the ink ribbon after transfer. The present invention relates to a thermal transfer system having a function of protecting personal information, trade secret information, and the like.

  Conventionally, various thermal transfer recording systems are known, and among them, the dye diffusion transfer recording system is attracting attention as a process capable of producing a color hard copy closest to the image quality of a silver salt photograph (for example, Non-Patent Document 1 and 2). In addition, it has the advantages of being dry, being able to visualize directly from digital data, and being easy to duplicate, compared to silver salt photography.

  In this dye diffusion transfer recording system, a thermal transfer sheet containing a pigment (hereinafter also referred to as “ink sheet”) and a thermal transfer image receiving sheet (hereinafter also referred to as “image receiving sheet”) are superposed, Heating the ink sheet with a thermal head whose heat generation is controlled by a signal transfers the dye in the ink sheet to the image receiving sheet to record image information, and superimposes three colors of cyan, magenta, and yellow. By recording, a color image having a continuous change in color shading can be transferred and recorded.

In this conventional thermal transfer recording type printer, a large number (usually 100 or more) of ink ribbons are loaded, and the ink ribbon after image transfer is wound on a roll while leaving a negative image of the transferred image, Until all of the many ink ribbons are used, they are temporarily stored in the storage printer and then discarded. Since the ink ribbon is wound up without being destroyed, it is possible to reproduce images of customers such as individuals, companies, etc. intentionally or carelessly from negative images of yellow, magenta, and cyan colors.
For this reason, personal information, trade secret information, etc. (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “personal information”) are exposed to the risk of leakage after an unspecified number of customers such as storefront prints.
Patent Document 1 proposes a means for recovering the residual dye from the used thermal transfer sheet. The purpose is to recover the dye, and the negative image of the thermal transfer sheet after transfer cannot be read. It is not a thing.
In the method of Patent Document 1, it is described that the dye is collected by the dye collecting roller after the transfer and before the thermal transfer sheet is wound. However, when the dye is uniformly removed in this way, the contrast is reduced. Although reduced, the image information is maintained unless the dye can be completely removed. Considering that the dye recovery rate is about 90%, for example, in the case of character information, it seems that it can be sufficiently discriminated, and it is not sufficient in terms of preventing information leakage.
The methods of Patent Documents 2 and 3 are all inventions aimed at collecting dyes. Since the used transfer sheet is wound up and the dye is collected from now on, there is a possibility of information leaking before the dye is collected, which is not suitable for the purpose of the present invention.
“New development of information recording (hard copy) and its materials”, published by Toray Research Center, Inc., 1993, p. 241-285 “Development of Printer Materials”, issued by CMC Co., Ltd., 1995, p. 180 JP 2004-114563 A JP 2004-98633 A JP-A-9-165466

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a thermal transfer recording system that prevents the leakage of personal information by destroying a negative image of a transfer image remaining on an ink ribbon debris after thermal transfer.

As a result of intensive studies, the present inventors have provided in the thermal transfer recording system a specific means for substantially preventing reading of the negative image information of the transferred image remaining in the dye layer after transfer. It was found that the possibility of information leakage could be completely avoided even when dye recovery was performed, and that the above-mentioned purpose could be achieved. The present invention has been made based on this finding.

The object of the present invention has been achieved by the following means.
(1) A thermal transfer sheet having a dye layer on at least one surface of a base sheet, and a thermal transfer image receiving sheet having a dye receiving layer on at least one surface of the base sheet, the dye layer and the receiving layer In the thermal transfer recording system in which the dye in the dye layer can be transferred to the dye-receiving layer by heating means, before the thermal transfer sheet is wound after thermal transfer or before being discharged out of the system A thermal transfer recording system comprising means for substantially preventing reading of the negative image information of the transferred image remaining in the dye layer after transfer.
(2) The thermal transfer recording system according to (1), wherein the thermal transfer sheet is cut as means for substantially preventing reading of the negative image information of the transferred image remaining in the dye layer after transfer.
(3) In (1), the dye remaining in the transferred dye layer is removed as means for substantially preventing reading of the negative image information of the transferred image remaining in the transferred dye layer. Thermal transfer recording system.
(4) In (1), thermal transfer in which dye is added to a part or all of the dye layer after transfer as a means of substantially preventing reading of the negative image information of the transferred image remaining in the dye layer after transfer Recording system.
(5) In (1), as a means for substantially preventing reading of the negative image information of the transferred image remaining in the dye layer after transfer, the dye layer and the back surface of the heat transfer sheet after transfer are adhered. Characteristic thermal transfer recording system.
(6) The thermal transfer system according to (1) to (5), wherein image information is input from a recording medium having image information to a thermal transfer recording system to form an image.
(7) The thermal transfer system according to (1) to (5), wherein the image information of the digital camera is directly input from the digital camera to form an image.
(8) The thermal transfer system according to (1) to (5), wherein image information is input using the Internet to form an image.
(9) The thermal transfer system according to (6) to (8), wherein image information is input after image processing and an image is formed.
(10) In (1) to (9), the thermal transfer sheet is a thermal transfer image receiving sheet in which a “heat insulating layer” and a “receiving layer” are provided on a substrate, and the “heat insulating layer” has a hollow polymer. In addition, an image receiving sheet for thermal transfer, which does not contain an aqueous dispersion of a resin that is not resistant to an organic solvent other than the hollow polymer, and the “receiving layer” has an aqueous latex resin.

  According to the system of the present invention, the ink ribbon after the thermal transfer is not taken out of the system in such a way that image information, character information, etc. can be discriminated and read. Therefore, it is possible to prevent leakage of personal information and trade secrets derived from the negative image remaining on the used ink ribbon after the thermal transfer.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the thermal transfer recording system of the present invention, after transferring the dye in the dye layer to the dye receiving layer in the transfer step, before transferring the transfer sheet or before taking the transfer sheet out of the system, Means are provided for making the information substantially unreadable.
This preferred embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 to 3 are schematic diagrams of the preferred system embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an example of a system according to claim 2. The thermal transfer sheet sent out from 1 is used for image transfer by the thermal head of 3, and is finally sent into the shredder 8 and finely cut. In the figure, 2 is a thermal transfer image receiving sheet feed roll, 4 is a platen roller, 5 is a thermal transfer image receiving sheet, 6 is a thermal transfer sheet, and 7 is a thermal transfer sheet conveying roller.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an example of a system according to claim 3. After the thermal transfer roll sent out from 21 is used for image transfer by the thermal head of 23, the heat transfer amount is sufficiently transferred so that the residual dye is removed from the thermal transfer image receiving sheet (for negative image processing) again. 29 from a negative image processing heating element or thermal head. Thereafter, the thermal transfer sheet from which the dye has been removed is wound up at 210, while the thermal transfer image receiving sheet (for negative image processing) to which the remaining dye has been transferred is configured to be finely cut by a shredder. According to this configuration, the dye can be removed by a system having a simple configuration as compared with the methods described in Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3. In the figure, 21 is a thermal transfer image receiving sheet feeding roll, 22 is a thermal thermal transfer sheet feeding roll, 23 is a thermal head for image output, 24 is a platen roller, 25 is a thermal transfer image receiving sheet, 26 is a thermal transfer sheet, 27 is a thermal transfer sheet conveying roller, 28 Is a thermal transfer image receiving sheet (for negative image processing), 29 is a negative image processing heating element or thermal head, 210 is a used thermal transfer sheet winding roll, and 211 is a shredder.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an example of a system according to claim 4. The thermal transfer roll sent out from 31 is used for image transfer by the thermal head 33, and then wound up at 39 after supplying a sufficient amount of ink to make the residual image invisible by the black ink supply element.
Any ink supply element can be used. For example, a normal coating roller or an ink supply element for inkjet can be used. The ink is not particularly limited, and any high concentration ink such as oil pigment ink or solvent ink can be used. In the figure, 31 is a thermal transfer sheet delivery roll, 32 is a thermal transfer image receiving sheet delivery roll, 33 is an image output thermal head, 34 is a platen roller, 35 is a thermal transfer image receiving sheet, 36 is a thermal transfer sheet, 37 is a thermal transfer sheet transport roller, and 38 is A black ink supply element 39 is a used thermal transfer sheet take-up roll.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an example of a system according to claim 5. After the thermal transfer roll sent out from 41 is used for image transfer by 43 thermal heads, one liquid and two liquids are applied to two coating rollers 48 and 49 for applying one liquid and two liquids of a two-component mixed adhesive. Are applied on different surfaces, and after the first and second liquids are applied to both surfaces, the film is wound around the used thermal transfer sheet 410 and a winding roll. By winding, 1 liquid and 2 liquid are mixed and a winding roll adhere | attaches each other. Although there is no restriction | limiting in particular as an adhesive agent, The thing of 2 liquid types, such as Aron Alpha by Toa Gosei Co., Ltd., S-1006, S-1009, S-1125 by Tyco Electronics Raychem, etc., is preferable. In the figure, 41 is a thermal transfer sheet delivery roll, 42 is a thermal transfer image receiving sheet delivery roll, 43 is an image output thermal head, 44 is a platen roller, 45 is a thermal transfer image receiving sheet, 46 is a thermal transfer sheet, 47 is a thermal transfer sheet transport roller, and 48 is A two-composition mixed adhesive coating roller, 49 is a two-composition mixed adhesive coating roller, and 410 is a used thermal transfer sheet winding roll.
If it is necessary to simplify the structure, a one-component composition type adhesive may be used. In this case, only one adhesive coating roller may be used.

  The configurations of the thermal transfer sheet having the dye layer used in the thermal transfer recording system developed in the present invention and the thermal transfer image-receiving sheet having the dye layer used in combination therewith are the same as those conventionally known. A preferred embodiment is described below.

The thermal transfer image-receiving sheet has at least one dye-receiving layer (receiving layer) on the support, and has at least one heat-insulating layer (porous layer) between the support and the receiving layer. In addition, an underlayer such as a white background adjusting layer, a charge adjusting layer, an adhesive layer, or a primer layer may be formed between the receiving layer and the heat insulating layer.
The receiving layer and the heat insulating layer are preferably formed by simultaneous multilayer coating. When the underlayer is included, the receiving layer, the underlayer and the heat insulating layer can be formed by simultaneous multilayer coating.
It is preferable that a curl adjusting layer, a writing layer, and a charge adjusting layer are formed on the back side of the support. Each layer on the back side of the support can be applied by a general method such as roll coating, bar coating, gravure coating, or gravure reverse coating.

(Receptive layer)
The receiving layer serves to receive the dye transferred from the ink sheet and maintain the formed image. In the image receiving sheet of the present invention, the receiving layer contains a polymer latex. The receiving layer may be one layer or two or more layers. Moreover, it is preferable that a receiving layer contains the water-soluble polymer mentioned later.

<Polymer latex>
The polymer latex in the above receiving layer will be described. In the heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet, the polymer latex that can be used in the receiving layer is obtained by dispersing a water-insoluble hydrophobic polymer as fine particles in a water-soluble dispersion medium. As the dispersion state, the polymer is emulsified in a dispersion medium, the emulsion is polymerized, the micelle is dispersed, or the polymer molecule has a partially hydrophilic structure and the molecular chain itself is molecularly dispersed. Anything may be used. For polymer latex, Tadashi Okuda, Hiroshi Inagaki, “Synthetic Resin Emulsion”, published by Kobunshi Publishing (1978), Takaaki Sugimura, Ikuo Kataoka, Junichi Suzuki, Keiji Kasahara, “Application of Synthetic Latex”, Takashi Published by Molecular Publications (1993), Soichi Muroi, “Chemistry of Synthetic Latex”, published by High Polymers Publications (1970), supervised by Yoshiaki Mitsuzawa, “Development and Application of Water-Based Coating Materials”, CMC Publishing ( 2004) and JP-A-64-538. The average particle size of the dispersed particles is preferably 1 to 50000 nm, more preferably about 5 to 1000 nm. The particle size distribution of the dispersed particles is not particularly limited, and may have a wide particle size distribution or a monodispersed particle size distribution.

  The polymer latex may be a so-called core / shell type latex in addition to a normal uniform polymer latex. In this case, it may be preferable to change the glass transition temperature between the core and the shell. The glass transition temperature of the polymer latex of the present invention is preferably -30 ° C to 100 ° C, more preferably 0 ° C to 80 ° C, further preferably 10 ° C to 70 ° C, and particularly preferably 15 ° C to 60 ° C.

  Preferred embodiments of the polymer latex are preferably hydrophobic polymers such as acrylic polymers, polyesters, rubbers (for example, SBR resin), polyurethanes, polyvinyl chlorides, polyvinyl acetates, polyvinylidene chlorides, polyolefins and the like. Can be used. These polymers may be linear polymers, branched polymers, crosslinked polymers, so-called homopolymers obtained by polymerizing a single monomer, or copolymers obtained by polymerizing two or more types of monomers. In the case of a copolymer, it may be a random copolymer or a block copolymer. These polymers have a number average molecular weight of 5,000 to 1,000,000, preferably 10,000 to 500,000. If the molecular weight is too small, the mechanical strength of the layer containing the latex is insufficient, and if it is too large, the film formability is poor and this is not preferred. A crosslinkable polymer latex is also preferably used.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a monomer used for the synthesis | combination of polymer latex, The monomer group (a)-(j) shown below can be used suitably in what can superpose | polymerize by normal radical polymerization or an ionic polymerization method. Polymer monomers can be synthesized by selecting these monomers independently and freely in combination.

-Monomer group (a)-(j)-
(A) Conjugated dienes: 1,3-pentadiene, isoprene, 1-phenyl-1,3-butadiene, 1-α-naphthyl-1,3-butadiene, 1-β-naphthyl-1,3-butadiene, cyclo Pentadiene and the like.
(B) Olefins: ethylene, propylene, vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride, 6-hydroxy-1-hexene, 4-pentenoic acid, methyl 8-nonenoate, vinylsulfonic acid, trimethylvinylsilane, trimethoxyvinylsilane, 1,4- Divinylcyclohexane, 1,2,5-trivinylcyclohexane, etc.

  (C) α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid esters: alkyl acrylate (eg, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, cyclohexyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, dodecyl acrylate, etc.), substituted alkyl acrylate (eg, 2-chloro Ethyl acrylate, benzyl acrylate, 2-cyanoethyl acrylate, etc.), alkyl methacrylate (eg, methyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, dodecyl methacrylate, etc.), substituted alkyl methacrylate (eg, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, glycidyl methacrylate) Glycerin monomethacrylate, 2-acetoxyethyl methacrylate, tetrahydrofurfurylme Chryrate, 2-methoxyethyl methacrylate, polypropylene glycol monomethacrylate (polyoxypropylene added mole number = 2 to 100), 3-N, N-dimethylaminopropyl methacrylate, chloro-3-N, N, N-trimethyl Ammoniopropyl methacrylate, 2-carboxyethyl methacrylate, 3-sulfopropyl methacrylate, 4-oxysulfobutyl methacrylate, 3-trimethoxysilylpropyl methacrylate, allyl methacrylate, 2-isocyanatoethyl methacrylate, etc.), unsaturated dicarboxylic acid derivatives (Eg, monobutyl maleate, dimethyl maleate, monomethyl itaconate, dibutyl itaconate, etc.), polyfunctional esters (eg, ethylene glycol diacrylate) Ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, 1,4-cyclohexanediacrylate, pentaerythritol tetramethacrylate, pentaerythritol triacrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, trimethylolethane triacrylate, dipentaerythritol pentamethacrylate, pentaerythritol hexaacrylate, 1,2, 4-cyclohexanetetramethacrylate and the like.

(D) Amides of β-unsaturated carboxylic acid: for example, acrylamide, methacrylamide, N-methylacrylamide, N, N-dimethylacrylamide, N-methyl-N-hydroxyethylmethacrylamide, N-tertbutylacrylamide, N- tert-octylmethacrylamide, N-cyclohexylacrylamide, N-phenylacrylamide, N- (2-acetoacetoxyethyl) acrylamide, N-acryloylmorpholine, diacetoneacrylamide, itaconic acid diamide, N-methylmaleimide, 2-acrylamido-methyl Propanesulfonic acid, methylenebisacrylamide, dimethacryloylpiperazine, etc. (e) Unsaturated nitriles: acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, etc.
(F) Styrene and its derivatives: styrene, vinyl toluene, p-tertbutyl styrene, vinyl benzoic acid, methyl vinyl benzoate, α-methyl styrene, p-chloromethyl styrene, vinyl naphthalene, p-hydroxymethyl styrene, p- Styrene sulfonic acid sodium salt, p-styrene sulfinic acid potassium salt, p-aminomethylstyrene, 1,4-divinylbenzene and the like.
(G) Vinyl ethers: methyl vinyl ether, butyl vinyl ether, methoxyethyl vinyl ether, and the like.
(H) Vinyl esters: vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, vinyl benzoate, vinyl salicylate, vinyl chloroacetate, and the like.
(I) α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid and salts thereof: acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, maleic acid, sodium acrylate, ammonium methacrylate, potassium itaconate and the like.
(J) Other polymerizable monomers: N-vinylimidazole, 4-vinylpyridine, N-vinylpyrrolidone, 2-vinyloxazoline, 2-isopropenyloxazoline, divinylsulfone, and the like.

  Polymer latex is also commercially available, and the following polymers can be used. Examples of acrylic polymers include Sebian A-4635, 4718, 4601 manufactured by Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd., Nipol Lx811, 814, 821, 820, 855 (P-17: Tg36 ° C.) manufactured by Zeon Corporation, 857x2. (P-18: Tg43 ° C), Dainippon Ink Chemical Co., Ltd. Voncoat R3370 (P-19: Tg25 ° C), 4280 (P-20: Tg15 ° C), Nippon Pure Chemical Co., Ltd. Jurimer ET-410 ( P-21: Tg44 ° C), JSR AE116 (P-22: Tg50 ° C), AE119 (P-23: Tg55 ° C), AE121 (P-24: Tg58 ° C), AE125 (P-25: Tg60) ° C), AE134 (P-26: Tg48 ° C), AE137 (P-27: Tg48 ° C), AE140 (P-28: Tg53 ° C), AE173 (P-29: Tg60 ° C), Aron from Toagosei Co., Ltd. A-104 (P-30: Tg45 ° C), NS-600X, NS-620X, manufactured by Takamatsu Yushi Co., Ltd., Vinibrand 2580, 2583, 2641, 2770, 2770H, 2635, 2886, 5202C, manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. , 2706, etc. (all are trade names).

  Examples of polyesters include FINETEX ES650, 611, 675, 850 manufactured by Dainippon Ink Chemical Co., Ltd., WD-size, WMS manufactured by Eastman Chemical, A-110, A-115GE manufactured by Takamatsu Yushi Co., Ltd., A- 120, A-121, A-124GP, A-124S, A-160P, A-210, A-215GE, A-510, A-513E, A-515GE, A-520, A-610, A-613, A-615GE, A-620, WAC-10, WAC-15, WAC-17XC, WAC-20, S-110, S-110EA, S-111SL, S-120, S-140, S-140A, S- 250, S-252G, S-250S, S-320, S-680, DNS-63P, NS-122L, NS-122LX, NS-244LX, NS-140L, NS-141LX, NS-282LX, Toagosei Co., Ltd. Aronmelt PES-1000 series, PES-2000 series, Vironal MD-1100, MD-1200, MD-1220, MD-1245, MD-1250, MD-1335, MD-1400, MD-1480 , MD-1500, MD-1930, MD-1985, Sepuljon ES manufactured by Sumitomo Seika Co., Ltd. (all are trade names).

  Examples of polyurethanes include Dainippon Ink Chemical Co., Ltd.HYDRAN AP10, AP20, AP30, AP40, 101H, Vondic 1320NS, 1610NS, Dainichi Seika Co., Ltd.D-1000, D-2000, D-6000, D-4000, D-9000, Takamatsu Yushi Co., Ltd. NS-155X, NS-310A, NS-310X, NS-311X, Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd. Elastron etc. (all are trade names).

  Examples of rubbers include LACSTAR 7310K, 3307B, 4700H, 7132C (above, manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals), Nipol Lx416, LX410, LX430, LX435, LX110, LX415A, LX438C, 2507H, LX303A, LX407BP series, V1004, MH5055 (made by Nippon Zeon Co., Ltd.), etc. (all are trade names).

  Examples of polyvinyl chlorides include: Z351, G351, G576, Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Vinibrand 240, 270, 277, 375, 386, 609, 550, 601, 602, 630, 660, 671, 683, 680, 680S, 681N, 685R, 277, 380, 381, 410, 430, 432, 860, 863, 865, 867, 900, 900GT, 938, 950, etc. (all are trade names). Examples of polyvinylidene chlorides include L502 and L513 manufactured by Asahi Kasei Kogyo Co., Ltd., and D-5071 manufactured by Dainippon Ink & Chemicals, Inc. (all are trade names). Examples of polyolefins include Chemipearl S120, SA100, V300 (P-40: Tg80 ° C) manufactured by Mitsui Petrochemical Co., Ltd., Voncoat 2830, 2210, 2960 manufactured by Dainippon Ink Chemical Co., Ltd., Sumitomo Seika Co., Ltd. Examples of Zyxen, Sepoljon G, and copolymerized nylons include Sepoljon PA manufactured by Sumitomo Seika Co., Ltd. (all are trade names).

  Examples of polyvinyl acetates include Nishin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.ViniBran 1080, 1082, 1085W, 1108W, 1108S, 1563M, 1566, 1570, 1588C, A22J7-F2, 1128C, 1137, 1138, A20J2, A23J1, A23J1, A23K1, A23P2E, A68J1N, 1086A, 1086, 1086D, 1108S, 1187, 1241LT, 1580N, 1083, 1571, 1572, 1581, 4465, 4466, 4468W, 4468S, 4470, 4485LL, 4495LL, 1023, 1042, 1060, 1060S, 1080M, 1084W, 1084S, 1096, 1570K, 1050, 1050S, 3290, 1017AD, 1002, 1006, 1008, 1107L, 1225, 1245L, GV-6170, GV-6181, 4468W, 4468S, etc. Product name).

  These polymer latexes may be used alone or in combination of two or more as required.

  It is preferable to prepare the receptor layer by applying an aqueous coating solution and then drying it. However, “aqueous” as used herein means that 60% by mass or more of the solvent (dispersion medium) of the coating solution is water. Components other than water in the coating solution include methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, methyl cellosolve, ethyl cellosolve, dimethylformamide, ethyl acetate, diacetone alcohol, furfuryl alcohol, benzyl alcohol, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, oxyethyl phenyl ether A water miscible organic solvent such as can be used.

The minimum film forming temperature (MFT) of the polymer latex is preferably −30 ° C. to 90 ° C., more preferably about 0 ° C. to 70 ° C. A film-forming auxiliary may be added to control the minimum film-forming temperature. Film-forming aids, also called temporary plasticizers, are organic compounds (usually organic solvents) that lower the minimum film-forming temperature of polymer latex. For example, Soichi Muroi, “Synthetic Latex Chemistry”, published by Kobunshi Publishing Co. (1970) )It is described in. Preferred film-forming aids are the following compounds, but the compounds that can be used in the present invention are not limited to the following specific examples.
Z-1: benzyl alcohol Z-2: 2,2,4-trimethylpentanediol-1,3-monoisobutyrate Z-3: 2-dimethylaminoethanol Z-4: diethylene glycol

  Preferred examples of the polymer latex include polylactic acid esters, polyurethanes, polycarbonates, polyesters, polyacetals, SBRs, and polyvinyl chlorides. Among these, polyesters, polycarbonates, and polyvinyl chlorides Most preferably.

  As the polymer latex, any polymer may be used in combination with the polymer latex. The polymer that can be used in combination is preferably transparent or translucent and colorless. Natural resins, polymers and copolymers, synthetic resins, polymers and copolymers, and other media for forming films such as gelatins and polyvinyl alcohol , Hydroxyethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, casein, starch, polyacrylic acid, polymethylmethacrylic acid, polyvinylchloride, polymethacrylic acid, styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer , Styrene-acrylonitrile copolymers, styrene-butadiene copolymers, polyvinyl acetals (eg, polyvinyl formal and polyvinyl butyral), polyesters, polyurethanes, phenoxy Fat, polyvinylidene chlorides, polyepoxides, polycarbonates, polyvinyl acetates, polyolefins, and polyamides. The binder may be coated from water or an organic solvent or emulsion.

  The binder used in the present invention preferably has a glass transition temperature (Tg) in the range of −30 ° C. to 70 ° C., more preferably in the range of −10 ° C. to 50 ° C. in view of processing brittleness and image storage stability. Preferably it is the range of 0 degreeC-40 degreeC. It is also possible to use a blend of two or more polymers as the binder, and in this case, it is preferable that the weighted average Tg in consideration of the composition falls within the above range. Moreover, when phase-separating or having a core-shell structure, the weighted average Tg is preferably within the above range.

This glass transition temperature (Tg) can be calculated by the following formula.
1 / Tg = Σ (Xi / Tgi)
Here, it is assumed that n monomer components from i = 1 to n are copolymerized in the polymer. Xi is the weight fraction of the i-th monomer (ΣXi = 1), and Tgi is the glass transition temperature (absolute temperature) of the homopolymer of the i-th monomer. However, Σ is the sum from i = 1 to n. In addition, the value of the homopolymer glass transition temperature (Tgi) of each monomer can adopt the value of “Polymer Handbook (3rd Edition)” (J. Brandrup, EHImmergut (Wiley-Interscience, 1989)).

  The polymer used as the binder can be easily obtained by solution polymerization method, suspension polymerization method, emulsion polymerization method, dispersion polymerization method, anion polymerization method, cationic polymerization, etc., but the emulsion polymerization method obtained as a latex is most preferable. . Also preferred is a method of preparing a polymer in a solution and neutralizing or adding an emulsifier and then adding water and forcibly stirring to prepare an aqueous dispersion. In the emulsion polymerization method, for example, water or a mixed solvent of water and an organic solvent miscible with water (for example, methanol, ethanol, acetone, etc.) is used as a dispersion medium, and the monomer is 5 to 150% by mass with respect to the dispersion medium. Using the mixture and the total amount of monomers, an emulsifier and a polymerization initiator are used, and polymerization is carried out with stirring at about 30 to 100 ° C., preferably 60 to 90 ° C. for 3 to 24 hours. Various conditions such as the dispersion medium, the monomer concentration, the initiator amount, the emulsifier amount, the dispersant amount, the reaction temperature, and the monomer addition method are appropriately set in consideration of the type of monomer used. Moreover, it is preferable to use a dispersing agent as needed.

  The emulsion polymerization method can be generally performed according to the following literature. Tadashi Okuda, Hiroshi Inagaki, “Synthetic Resin Emulsion”, published by Polymer Publishing Association (1978), Takaaki Sugimura, Akio Kataoka, Junichi Suzuki, Keiji Kasahara, “Application of Synthetic Latex”, Published by Polymer Publishing Society (1993) 1), Soichi Muroi, “Chemistry of Synthetic Latex”, published by Kobunshi Publishing (1970). In the emulsion polymerization method for synthesizing the polymer latex used in the present invention, a batch polymerization method, a monomer (continuous / divided) addition method, an emulsion addition method, a seed polymerization method, etc. can be selected from the viewpoint of latex productivity. A batch polymerization method, a monomer (continuous / divided) addition method, and an emulsion addition method are preferred.

  As the polymer latex, an aqueous solvent can be used as a solvent in the coating solution, but a water-miscible organic solvent may be used in combination. Examples of the water-miscible organic solvent include alcohols such as methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol and propyl alcohol, cellosolves such as methyl cellosolve, ethyl cellosolve and butyl cellosolve, ethyl acetate and dimethylformamide. The amount of these organic solvents added is preferably 50% by mass or less, more preferably 30% by mass or less of the solvent.

The polymer latex preferably has a polymer concentration of 10 to 70% by mass, more preferably 20 to 60% by mass, and particularly preferably 30 to 55% by mass with respect to the latex liquid.
In addition, the polymer latex applied to the image-receiving sheet of the present invention includes a gel or dry film state formed by drying a part of the solvent after coating.

<Water-soluble polymer>
The receiving layer preferably contains a water-soluble polymer. Water-soluble polymers that can be used in the present invention include natural polymers (polysaccharides, microorganisms, animals), semi-synthetic polymers (cellulose, starch, alginic acid), and synthetic polymers (vinyl, Others), synthetic polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol described below, and natural or semi-synthetic polymers made from plant-derived cellulose or the like correspond to water-soluble polymers that can be used in the present invention. In addition, the said polymer latex is not contained in the water-soluble polymer in this invention.

  Of the water-soluble polymers that can be used in the present invention, natural polymers and semi-synthetic polymers will be described in detail. Plant polysaccharides include gum arabic, κ-carrageenan, ι-carrageenan, λ-carrageenan, guar gum (such as Supercol from Squall), locust bean gum, pectin, tragacanth, corn starch (Purity- from National Starch & Chemical Co.) 21), phosphorylated starch (National 78-1898 made by National Starch & Chemical Co.), and other microbial polysaccharides such as xanthan gum (Kelco Keltrol T, etc.) and dextrin (Nadex360 made by National Starch & Chemical Co., etc.) Examples of animal natural polymers include gelatin (such as Crodyne B419 from Croda), casein, sodium chondroitin sulfate (such as Cromoist CS from Croda), and the like (all are trade names). Cellulose systems include ethyl cellulose (ICI Cellofas WLD, etc.), carboxymethyl cellulose (Daicel CMC, etc.), hydroxyethyl cellulose (Daicel HEC, etc.), hydroxypropyl cellulose (Aqualon Klucel, etc.), methyl cellulose (Henkel Viscontran, etc.), Examples include nitrocellulose (such as Isopropyl Wet from Hercules) and cationized cellulose (such as Crodacel QM from Croda). Other starches such as phosphorylated starch (National Starch & Chemical's National 78-1898) and alginic acid are sodium alginate (such as Kelco's Keltone) and propylene glycol alginate. Hi-care1000, etc.) and sodium hyaluronate (Hyalure, etc. from Lifecare Biomedial) are included (all are trade names).

  Suitable binders are transparent or translucent, generally colorless, and are natural resins, polymers and copolymers, synthetic resins, polymers and copolymers, and other film-forming media such as rubbers, polyvinyl alcohols, hydroxyethyl celluloses, cellulose Acetates, cellulose acetate butyrate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, starch, polyacrylic acid, polymethylmethacrylic acid, polyvinyl chloride, polymethacrylic acid, styrene-maleic anhydride copolymers, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymers , Styrene-butadiene copolymers, polyvinyl acetals (eg, polyvinyl formal and polyvinyl butyral), polyesters, polyurethanes, phenoxy resins, polyvinylidene chlorides, polyepoxides , Polycarbonates, polyvinyl acetates, polyolefins, cellulose esters, and polyamides such water-soluble.

  The addition amount of the water-soluble polymer in the receiving layer is preferably 1 to 25% by mass, and more preferably 1 to 10% by mass with respect to the entire receiving layer.

<Crosslinking agent>
It is preferable that part or all of the water-soluble polymer contained in the receiving layer is crosslinked with a crosslinking agent.
As the cross-linking agent, a plurality of groups capable of reacting with amino groups, carboxyl groups, hydroxyl groups, etc. may be contained in the molecule, and it may be appropriately selected and used depending on the type of water-soluble polymer. It is not limited. THJames, “THE THEORY OF THE PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESS FOURTH EDITION” (Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., published in 1977), pages 77-87, US Pat. No. 4,678,739 The crosslinking agents described in column 41, JP-A-59-116655, JP-A-62-245261, JP-A-61-18942 and the like are suitable for use. Inorganic compound crosslinking agents (for example, chromium alum, boric acid and salts thereof) and organic compound crosslinking agents are preferred. Moreover, you may use the crosslinking agent which consists of mixed aqueous solution containing the chelating agent and the zirconium compound which are 1-7 of pH of Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2003-231775.

  The crosslinking agent may be added in a state of being premixed in the water-soluble polymer solution, may be added at the end of the coating liquid preparation process, or may be added immediately before coating.

Although the water-soluble polymer in the receiving layer varies depending on the type of the crosslinking agent, it is preferably 0.1 to 20% by mass crosslinked with respect to the water-soluble polymer, and 1 to 10% by mass crosslinked. Is more preferable.
The amount of the crosslinking agent used in the present invention varies depending on the type of the water-soluble binder and the crosslinking agent, but is generally 0.1 to 50 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the water-soluble polymer in the constituent layer. It is preferably 0.5 to 20 parts by mass, and more preferably 1 to 10 parts by mass.

<Ultraviolet absorber>
In the present invention, an ultraviolet absorber may be added to the receiving layer in order to improve light resistance. At this time, the UV absorber can be fixed to the receiving layer by increasing the molecular weight, and can be prevented from being diffused into the ink sheet or sublimation / transpiration due to heating.
As the ultraviolet absorber, compounds having various ultraviolet absorber skeletons widely known in the field of information recording can be used. Specific examples include 2-hydroxybenzotriazole type ultraviolet absorbers, 2-hydroxybenzotriazine type ultraviolet absorbers, and compounds having a 2-hydroxybenzophenone type ultraviolet absorber skeleton. A compound having a benzotriazole type or triazine skeleton is preferable from the viewpoint of ultraviolet absorption ability (absorption coefficient) / stability, and a compound having a benzotriazole type or benzophenone type skeleton is preferable from the viewpoint of increasing the molecular weight or forming a latex. Specifically, an ultraviolet absorber described in JP 2004-361936 A can be used.

  The ultraviolet absorber preferably has absorption in the ultraviolet region and does not have an absorption edge in the visible region. Specifically, when added to the receiving layer to form a thermal transfer image-receiving sheet, the reflection density at 370 nm is preferably Abs 0.5 or more, and the reflection density at 380 nm is more preferably Abs 0.5 or more. . The reflection density at 400 nm is preferably Abs 0.1 or less. A high reflection density in the range exceeding 400 nm is not preferable because the image is yellowed.

<Release agent>
In addition, a release agent may be added to the receiving layer in order to prevent thermal fusion with the thermal transfer sheet during image formation. As the release agent, silicone oil and phosphoric ester plasticizer fluorine compound can be used, and silicone oil is particularly preferably used. As the silicone oil, modified silicone oils such as epoxy modification, alkyl modification, amino modification, carboxyl modification, alcohol modification, fluorine modification, alkylaralkyl polyether modification, epoxy / polyether modification, and polyether modification are preferably used. The reaction product of vinyl modified silicone oil and hydrogen modified silicone oil is good. The addition amount of the release agent is preferably 0.2 to 30 parts by mass with respect to the receiving polymer.

The coating amount of the receiving layer is preferably 0.5 to 10 g / m ² (in terms of solid content, hereinafter the coating amount in the present invention is a numerical value in terms of solid content unless otherwise specified). The thickness of the receiving layer is preferably 1 to 20 μm.

(Insulation layer)
The heat insulating layer serves to protect the support from heat during heat transfer using a thermal head. Moreover, since it has high cushioning properties, a thermal transfer image-receiving sheet with high printing sensitivity can be obtained even when paper is used as the substrate. The heat insulating layer may be one layer or two or more layers. The heat insulating layer is provided on the support side from the receptor layer.

In the image receiving sheet, the heat insulating layer preferably contains a hollow polymer.
The hollow polymer in the present invention is a polymer particle having independent pores inside the particle. For example, 1) Water is contained inside a partition formed by polystyrene, acrylic resin, styrene-acrylic resin, etc., and after coating and drying Non-foamed hollow particles in which the water inside the particles evaporates outside the particles and the inside of the particles becomes hollow. 2) Low boiling point liquids such as butane and pentane, polyvinylidene chloride, polyacrylonitrile, polyacrylic acid, polyacrylic Foamed microballoons that are covered with a resin made of any of acid esters, a mixture or a polymer thereof, and become hollow when the low-boiling liquid inside the particles expands by heating after coating, 3) above (2) can be heated and foamed in advance to form a hollow polymer.

  These hollow polymers preferably have a hollow ratio of about 20 to 70%, and can be used by mixing two or more kinds as necessary. Specific examples of 1) include Ropaque 1055 manufactured by Law & Haas Co., Ltd., Bon Coat PP-1000 manufactured by Dainippon Ink Co., Ltd., SX866 (B) manufactured by JSR Co., Ltd. and Nippon MH MH5055 manufactured by Nippon Zeon Co., Ltd. (all trade names). . Specific examples of 2) include F-30 and F-50 (both trade names) manufactured by Matsumoto Yushi Seiyaku Co., Ltd. Specific examples of 3) include F-30E manufactured by Matsumoto Yushi Seiyaku Co., Ltd., EXPANSEL 461DE, 551DE, and 551DE20 (all trade names) manufactured by Nippon Ferrite Co., Ltd. The hollow polymer used for the heat insulating layer may be made into a latex.

  The heat insulating layer containing the hollow polymer preferably contains a water-dispersed resin or a water-soluble resin as a binder resin as a binder resin. Examples of the binder resin used in the present invention include acrylic resins, styrene-acrylic copolymers, polystyrene resins, polyvinyl alcohol resins, vinyl acetate resins, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, vinyl chloride vinyl acetate copolymers, styrene. Known resins such as butadiene copolymers, polyvinylidene chloride resins, cellulose derivatives, casein, starch, and gelatin can be used. These resins can be used alone or in combination.

The solid content of the hollow polymer in the heat insulating layer is preferably between 5 and 2000 parts by mass when the solids content of the binder resin is 100 parts by mass. Moreover, 1-70 mass% is preferable, and, as for the mass ratio which occupies with respect to the coating liquid of the solid content of a hollow polymer, 10-40 mass% is more preferable. If the ratio of the hollow polymer is too small, sufficient heat insulation cannot be obtained, and if the ratio of the hollow polymer is too large, the binding force between the hollow polymers decreases, causing problems such as powder falling off during processing or film peeling. Arise.
The particle size of the hollow polymer is preferably from 0.1 to 20 μm, more preferably from 0.1 to 2 μm, particularly preferably from 0.1 to 1 μm. Further, the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the hollow polymer is preferably 70 ° C. or higher, and more preferably 100 ° C. or higher.

The image-receiving sheet does not contain an aqueous dispersion of a resin that is not resistant to an organic solvent in addition to the hollow polymer in the heat insulating layer. It is not preferable to include a resin (dye dyeing resin) that is not resistant to an organic solvent in the heat insulating layer because blurring of an image after image transfer increases. This is because the dye-stainable resin and the hollow polymer exist in the heat insulating layer, so that the dye dyed on the receiving layer after the transfer moves over time through the adjacent heat-insulating layer. it is conceivable that.
Here, “not resistant to organic solvent” means that the solubility in an organic solvent is 1% by mass or less, preferably 0.5% by mass or less. For example, the polymer latex is included in “resin not resistant to organic solvent”.

Moreover, it is preferable that a heat insulation layer contains the said water-soluble polymer. The compounds that can be preferably used are the same as described above.
The amount of the water-soluble polymer added to the heat insulating layer is preferably 1 to 75% by mass and more preferably 1 to 50% by mass with respect to the entire heat insulating layer.

The heat insulating layer preferably contains gelatin. The amount of the heat insulating layer in the gelatin coating solution is preferably 0.5 to 14% by mass, particularly preferably 1 to 6% by mass. The coating amount of the hollow polymer in the heat insulation layer is preferably ^{1~100g / m 2, 5~20g / m} 2 is more preferable.

Moreover, it is preferable that the water-soluble polymer contained in the heat insulation layer is crosslinked by a crosslinking agent. The preferred range of the crosslinking agent that can be preferably used and the amount thereof used is the same as described above.
Although the water-soluble polymer in the heat insulating layer varies depending on the type of the crosslinking agent, it is preferably 0.1 to 20% by mass, preferably 1 to 10% by mass, based on the water-soluble polymer. Is more preferable.

  The thickness of the heat insulating layer containing the hollow polymer is preferably 5 to 50 μm, and more preferably 5 to 40 μm.

(Underlayer)
An undercoat layer may be formed between the receiving layer and the heat insulating layer. For example, a white background adjusting layer, a charge adjusting layer, an adhesive layer, and a primer layer are formed. About these layers, it can be set as the structure similar to what was described, for example in patent 3585599 specification, patent 2925244 specification.

(Support)
In the present invention, it is preferable to use a water-resistant support as the support. By using a water-resistant support, it is possible to prevent moisture from being absorbed into the support, and to prevent a change in performance of the receiving layer over time. As the water-resistant support, for example, coated paper or laminated paper can be used.

-Coated paper-
The coated paper is a paper obtained by coating various sheets of resin, rubber latex, or polymer material on one side or both sides of a sheet such as a base paper, and the coating amount varies depending on the application. Examples of such coated paper include art paper, cast coated paper, Yankee paper, and the like.

  As the resin applied to the surface of the base paper or the like, it is appropriate to use a thermoplastic resin. Examples of such a thermoplastic resin include the following thermoplastic resins (a) to (h).

(A) Polyolefin resins such as polyethylene resins and polypropylene resins, copolymer resins of olefins such as ethylene and propylene and other vinyl monomers, acrylic resins, and the like.
(B) A thermoplastic resin having an ester bond. For example, a dicarboxylic acid component (these dicarboxylic acid components may be substituted with a sulfonic acid group, a carboxyl group, etc.) and an alcohol component (these alcohol components may be substituted with a hydroxyl group, etc.) Polyester resin, polymethyl methacrylate, polybutyl methacrylate, polymethyl acrylate, polybutyl acrylate and other polyacrylic acid ester resins or polymethacrylic acid ester resins, polycarbonate resins, polyvinyl acetate resins, styrene acrylate resins, styrene -Methacrylic acid ester copolymer resin, vinyl toluene acrylate resin, etc. are mentioned.
Specific examples include those described in JP-A Nos. 59-101395, 63-7971, 63-7972, 63-7773, and 60-294862. it can.
Commercially available products include Byron 290, Byron 200, Byron 280, Byron 300, Byron 103, Byron GK-140, Byron GK-130 manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd., Tufton NE-382, Tufton manufactured by Kao Corporation U-5, ATR-2009, ATR-2010; Elitel UE3500, UE3210, XA-8153, KZA-7049, KZA-1449 manufactured by Unitika Ltd. Polyester TP-220, R manufactured by Nippon Synthetic Chemical Co., Ltd. -188; various types of thermoplastic resins of the Hiros series manufactured by Seiko Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. (all trade names).

(C) Polyurethane resin etc. are mentioned.
(D) Polyamide resin, urea resin, etc. are mentioned.
(E) Polysulfone resin and the like.
(F) Polyvinyl chloride resin, polyvinylidene chloride resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl propionate copolymer resin, and the like.
(G) Cellulose resins, such as polyol resin, ethyl cellulose resin, cellulose acetate resin, etc., such as polyvinyl butyral.
(H) Polycaprolactone resin, styrene-maleic anhydride resin, polyacrylonitrile resin, polyether resin, epoxy resin, phenol resin and the like.
In addition, the said thermoplastic resin may be used individually by 1 type, and may use 2 or more types together.

  Further, the thermoplastic resin may contain pigments or dyes such as brighteners, conductive agents, fillers, titanium oxide, ultramarine blue, and carbon black as required.

-Laminated paper-
The laminated paper is a paper obtained by laminating various resins, rubber or polymer sheets or films on a sheet such as a base paper. Examples of the laminate material include polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, polymethacrylate, polycarbonate, polyimide, triacetyl cellulose, and the like. These resins may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  In general, the polyolefin is often formed using low density polyethylene, but in order to improve the heat resistance of the support, polypropylene, a blend of polypropylene and polyethylene, high density polyethylene, high density polyethylene and low density polyethylene, It is preferable to use a blend of In particular, it is most preferable to use a blend of high-density polyethylene and low-density polyethylene from the viewpoint of cost, suitability for lamination, and the like.

The blend of the high density polyethylene and the low density polyethylene is used, for example, in a blend ratio (mass ratio) of 1/9 to 9/1. The blend ratio is preferably 2/8 to 8/2, and more preferably 3/7 to 7/3. When forming a thermoplastic resin layer on both surfaces of the support, the back surface of the support is preferably formed using, for example, high-density polyethylene or a blend of high-density polyethylene and low-density polyethylene. The molecular weight of polyethylene is not particularly limited, but the melt index is 1.0 to 40 g / 10 min for both high-density polyethylene and low-density polyethylene and has extrudability. preferable.
In addition, you may perform the process which gives white reflectivity to these sheets or films. Examples of such a treatment method include a method of blending a pigment such as titanium oxide in these sheets or films.

  The thickness of the support is preferably 25 μm to 300 μm, more preferably 50 μm to 260 μm, and still more preferably 75 μm to 220 μm. Various stiffnesses can be used according to the purpose, and the support for a photographic image receiving sheet for electrophotography is close to a support for color silver halide photography. Those are preferred.

(Curl adjustment layer)
If the support is exposed as it is, the heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet may be curled due to the humidity and temperature in the environment. Therefore, it is preferable to form a curl adjusting layer on the back side of the support. The curl adjusting layer not only prevents the image receiving sheet from curling but also serves as a waterproof. For the curl adjusting layer, polyethylene laminate, polypropylene laminate, or the like is used. Specifically, it can be formed in the same manner as described in, for example, JP-A-61-110135 and JP-A-6-202295.

(Writing layer / Charge adjustment layer)
An inorganic oxide colloid, an ionic polymer, or the like can be used for the writing layer and the charge adjusting layer. As the antistatic agent, for example, a cationic antistatic agent such as a quaternary ammonium salt or a polyamine derivative, an anionic antistatic agent such as an alkyl phosphate, or a nonionic antistatic agent such as a fatty acid ester can be used. . Specifically, it can be formed in the same manner as that described in, for example, Japanese Patent No. 3585585.

The method for producing the thermal transfer image receiving sheet of the present invention will be described below.
The heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet of the present invention can be produced by applying each layer by a general method such as roll coating, bar coating, gravure coating, and gravure reverse coating, and drying them.
The heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet of the present invention can also be formed by simultaneously applying a receiving layer and a heat insulating layer on a support.
When producing a multi-layer image receiving sheet comprising a plurality of layers having different functions (such as a bubble layer, a heat insulating layer, an intermediate layer, and a receiving layer) on a support, JP-A Nos. 2004-106283 and 2004-181888 are disclosed. In addition, it is known that each layer is sequentially coated as shown in each publication such as JP-A-2004-345267 or the like, in which each layer is applied on a support in advance. On the other hand, it is known in the photographic industry that productivity is greatly improved, for example, by applying a plurality of layers simultaneously. For example, JP-A Nos. 2,761,791, 2,681,234, 3,508,947, 4,457,256, 3,993,019, Kaisho 63-54975, JP-A-61-278848, 55-86557, 52-31727, 55-142565, 50-43140, 63-80872, 54-54020 JP-A-5-104061, JP-A-5-127305, JP-B-49-7050, specification or Edgar B. Gutoff et al., “Coating and Drying Defects: Troubleshooting Operating Problems”, John Wiley & Sons, 1995. , 101-103, etc., so-called slide coating (slide coating method) and curtain coating (curtain coating method) are known.
In the present invention, the simultaneous multi-layer coating is used for manufacturing a multi-layer image-receiving sheet, whereby productivity can be greatly improved and image defects can be greatly reduced.

In the present invention, the plurality of layers are composed mainly of a resin. The coating solution for forming each layer is preferably water-dispersed latex. The solid content weight of the latex resin in the coating solution of each layer is preferably in the range of 5 to 80%, particularly preferably in the range of 20 to 60%. The average particle size of the resin contained in the water-dispersed latex is 5 μm or less and particularly preferably 1 μm or less. The water-dispersed latex may contain a known additive such as a surfactant, a dispersant, and a binder resin as necessary.
In the present invention, it is preferable to form a laminate of a plurality of layers on a support by the method described in US Pat. No. 2,761,791 and then solidify immediately. As an example, in the case of a multilayer structure solidified by a resin, it is preferable to quickly raise the temperature after forming a plurality of layers on the support. When a binder that gels at a low temperature such as gelatin is included, it may be preferable to quickly lower the temperature after forming a plurality of layers on the support.
The coating amount of a coating solution per one layer constituting the multilayer in the present invention in the range of 1g / m ² ~500g / m ² is preferred. The number of layers in the multilayer configuration can be arbitrarily selected as 2 or more. The receiving layer is preferably provided as the layer furthest away from the support.

In the image forming method using the heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet of the present invention, the heat-sensitive transfer sheet (ink sheet) used in combination with the heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet of the present invention described above is diffused on the support when the heat-transfer image is formed. A pigment layer containing a transfer dye is provided, and any ink sheet can be used. As the means for applying thermal energy at the time of thermal transfer, any conventionally known means for applying can be used. For example, recording is performed by a recording device such as a thermal printer (for example, product name, video printer VY-100, manufactured by Hitachi, Ltd.). By controlling the time, the intended purpose can be sufficiently achieved by applying thermal energy of about 5 to 100 mJ / mm ² .
The heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet of the present invention can be applied to various uses such as a sheet- or roll-shaped heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet, cards, and transmission-type manuscript preparation sheets capable of thermal transfer recording by appropriately selecting a support. You can also

The present invention can be used in printers, copiers and the like using a thermal transfer recording system.
The thermal transfer recording system of the present application is for outputting a hard copy based on image data of any form. When hard-copying image data, for example, if the input device is a digital camera, connect the digital camera to a personal computer, connect the personal computer to the printer, and control the printer with the printer driver installed on the personal computer. It is common to output an image by doing so. In addition, a method of outputting an image after performing image processing as necessary in the personal computer has been widely performed. In other words, it is assumed that the computer is owned in addition to the printer, and the complicated work of starting up the computer every time an image is output is necessary, which is a problem in terms of cost and immediacy.
Focusing on such problems, a slot for a removable memory card (CF card, smart media, SD card, memory stick, xd picture card, etc.) that records images in the digital camera is installed in the printer, and the digital camera is not connected to a personal computer. However, a method for taking in image data directly from a memory card to a printer and outputting the image has been proposed. A system using such a method is more preferable for the present invention.
In addition, focusing on the same problem, a method of directly connecting a digital camera to a printer and controlling the printer with a display device equipped with the digital camera and a switch has been proposed. More preferred.
Since the thermal transfer recording system of the present application is for outputting a hard copy based on image data in any form, the image data can also be obtained via the Internet. It is more preferable for the system of the present invention that an ADSL line can be connected to the printer.
In addition, it is a preferable aspect that image correction and image processing functions are held in the system.

  EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although this invention is demonstrated in detail based on an Example, this invention is not limited to these.

Reference example (preparation of ink sheet)
A polyester film having a thickness of 6.0 μm (Lumirror, trade name, manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc.) was used as a base film. A heat-resistant slip layer (thickness 1 μm) was formed on the back side of the film, and yellow, magenta and cyan compositions having the following compositions were applied to the surface side in a single color (coating amount 1 g / m ² during dry film formation).
Yellow composition Dye (Macrolex Yellow 6G, trade name, manufactured by Bayer) 5.5 parts by weight Polyvinyl butyral resin 4.5 parts by weight (ESREC BX-1, trade name, manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.)
Methyl ethyl ketone / toluene (mass ratio 1/1) 90 parts by mass Magenta composition Magenta dye (Disperse Red 60) 5.5 parts by mass Polyvinyl butyral resin 4.5 parts by mass (ESREC BX-1, trade name, Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) Made by Co., Ltd.)
Methyl ethyl ketone / toluene (mass ratio 1/1) 90 parts by mass Cyan composition Cyan dye (Solvent Blue 63) 5.5 parts by mass Polyvinyl butyral resin 4.5 parts by mass (ESREC BX-1, trade name, Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) ) Made)
90 parts by mass of methyl ethyl ketone / toluene (mass ratio 1/1)

Example 1
1. Production of receiving layer (production of support)
50 parts of LBKP made of acacia and 50 parts of LBKP made of aspen were beaten to 300 ml of Canadian freeness by a disc refiner to prepare a pulp slurry.
Then, the pulp slurry obtained above was cation modified starch (CAT 0304L manufactured by NSC Japan) 1.3%, 0.15% anionic polyacrylamide (DA4104 manufactured by Seiko PMC), alkyl ketene dimer (Arakawa Chemical Co., Ltd.) per pulp. Size pine K) 29%, 0.29% epoxidized behenamide, 0.32% polyamide polyamine epichlorohydrin (Arakawa Chemical Co., Ltd .: Arafix 100) were added, and then 0.12% of an antifoaming agent was added.

In the process of making the pulp slurry prepared as described above with a long paper machine and pressing the felt surface of the web against the drum dryer cylinder through the dryer canvas, the tensile force of the dryer canvas is 1.6 kg / After drying by setting to cm, 1 g / m ² of polyvinyl alcohol (manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd .: KL-118) was applied on both sides of the base paper with a size press and dried, and then calendar treatment was performed. The base paper was made with a basis weight of 157 g / m ² to obtain a base paper (base paper) having a thickness of 160 μm.

After performing corona discharge treatment on the wire surface (back surface) side of the obtained base paper, MFR (melt flow rate; hereinafter the same) 16.0 g / 10 min, density 0.96 g / cm 3 using a melt extruder. High density polyethylene (hydrotalcite (trade name DHT-4A, manufactured by Kyowa Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 250 ppm and secondary antioxidant (tris (2,4-di-t-butylphenyl) phosphite, trade name) : Irgafos 168, manufactured by Ciba Specialty Chemicals, Inc., containing 200 ppm) and MFR
A resin composition in which low density polyethylene having a density of 4.0 g / 10 minutes and a density of 0.93 g / cm ³ is blended at a ratio of 75/25 (mass ratio) is coated to a thickness of 21 g / m ^2. Then, a thermoplastic resin layer composed of a mat surface was formed (hereinafter, this thermoplastic resin layer surface is referred to as “back surface”). The thermoplastic resin layer on the back side is further subjected to corona discharge treatment, and then, as an antistatic agent, aluminum oxide (“Alumina Zil 100” manufactured by Nissan Chemical Industries, Ltd.) and silicon dioxide (manufactured by Nissan Chemical Industries, Ltd.) Of “Snowtex O”) was dispersed in water at a mass ratio of 1: 2 so that the dry mass was 0.2 g / m ² . Followed by a corona treatment on the surface MFR 4.0 g / 10 min with 10 wt% of titanium oxide, coated with a melt extruder so that the low-density polyethylene having a density of 0.93 g / m ² to 27 g / m ² Then, a thermoplastic resin layer having a mirror surface was formed.

(Emulsion creation)
Emulsified dispersion A was prepared by the following procedure. The compound A-6 described later was dissolved in 42 grams of a high boiling point solvent (Solve-1) and 20 ml of ethyl acetate, and this liquid was stirred and emulsified in 250 g of a 20 mass% gelatin aqueous solution containing 1 g of sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate. (Dissolver) was emulsified and dispersed, and water was added to prepare 380 g of Emulsion A.
The amount of compound A-6 added was 30 mmol in the emulsion A.

(Creation of image receiving sheet)
On the support prepared as described above, a multi-layer coating product having a configuration of an undercoat layer 1, an undercoat layer 2, a heat insulating layer, and an image receiving layer was prepared in order from the lower layer. The composition and coating amount of the coating solution are shown below.

Undercoat layer 1 coating liquid (composition)
-Gelatin 3% An aqueous solution obtained by adding 1% sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate to an aqueous solution.
-Adjust pH to 8 with NaOH (application amount) 11 ml / m ²

Undercoat layer 2 coating liquid (composition)
・ Styrene butadiene latex 60 parts (SR103 manufactured by Nippon A & L)
-PVA 6% aqueous solution 40 parts-Adjust pH to 8 with NaOH (application amount) 11 ml / cm ²

Heat insulation layer coating liquid (composition)
・ Hollow polymer latex 60 parts (manufactured by Nippon Zeon MH5055)
・ 20 parts of 10% gelatin aqueous solution ・ 20 parts of previously prepared emulsion A ・ Adjust pH to 8 with NaOH (coating amount) 45 ml / m ²

Receiving layer coating liquid (composition)
・ 50 parts of polymer latex containing vinyl chloride (Binibulan 900 brand name: manufactured by Nissin Chemical Co., Ltd.)
・ Polymer latex containing 20 parts of PVC (Binibran 276 product name: Nissin Chemical Co., Ltd.)
10% aqueous gelatin solution 10 parts Emulsion A prepared earlier 10 parts Microcrystalline wax 5 parts
(Japanese wax EMUSTAR-42X)
・ 5 parts of water ・ pH adjusted to 8 with NaOH (amount of application) 18 ml / m ²

(Image formation)
The produced image receiving sheet was stored at 25 ° C. and 60% atmosphere for 10 days.
Thereafter, the ink sheet of the reference example and the image receiving sheet were processed so that they could be loaded into a sublimation printer DPB1500 (trade name) manufactured by Nidec Copal. The structure after the used heat transfer sheet take-up roll was remodeled to produce the system having the structure shown in FIG. As a result, the used thermal transfer sheet is cut into fine pieces, so that the object of making it impossible to read the information of the remaining negative image is achieved.

(Example 2)
The ink sheet and the image receiving sheet produced by the same method as in Example 1 were processed so that they could be loaded into a sublimation printer DPB1500 (trade name) manufactured by Nidec Copal. The structure shown in FIG. 2 was prepared by modifying the structure after the used heat transfer sheet take-up roll, and a unit in which the system was housed in one housing was produced. The image receiving sheet produced in the examples was also used as the negative image processing thermal transfer image receiving sheet. As a result, all the information on the negative image remaining on the thermal transfer sheet is transferred to the thermal transfer image receiving sheet for negative image processing and then shredded, thereby achieving the purpose of making it impossible to read the information on the remaining negative image.

(Example 3)
The ink sheet and the image receiving sheet produced by the same method as in Example 1 were processed so that they could be loaded into a sublimation printer DPB1500 (trade name) manufactured by Nidec Copal. The structure shown in FIG. 3 was prepared by modifying the structure after the used heat transfer sheet take-up roll, and a unit in which the system was housed in one casing was prepared. As the black ink donor, a coating roller was used, and a known black ink was used. As a result, the negative image remaining on the thermal transfer sheet was all blacked out, and the purpose of making it impossible to read the information on the remaining negative image was achieved.

Example 4
The ink sheet and the image receiving sheet produced by the same method as in Example 1 were processed so that they could be loaded into a sublimation printer DPB1500 (trade name) manufactured by Nidec Copal. The structure shown in FIG. 4 was prepared by modifying the structure after the used heat transfer sheet take-up roll, and a unit in which the system was housed in one casing was prepared. As the adhesive, commercially available two-component composition type Aron Alpha (manufactured by Toa Gosei) was used. As a result, the used thermal transfer sheet can be adhered and cannot be peeled off from the take-up roll, thereby achieving the purpose of making it impossible to read the information on the remaining negative image.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a system according to claim 2. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a system according to claim 3. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a system according to claim 4. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a system according to claim 5.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Thermal transfer sheet delivery roll 2 Thermal transfer image receiving sheet delivery roll 3 Image output thermal head 4 Platen roller 5 Thermal transfer image receiving sheet 6 Thermal transfer sheet 7 Thermal transfer sheet transport roller 8 Shredder 21 Thermal transfer image receiving sheet delivery roll 22 Thermal thermal transfer sheet delivery roll 23 For image output Thermal head 24 Platen roller 25 Thermal transfer image receiving sheet 26 Thermal transfer sheet 27 Thermal transfer sheet conveying roller 28 Thermal transfer image receiving sheet (for negative image processing)
29 Heat-generating sheet for negative image processing or thermal head 210 Used thermal transfer sheet take-up roll 211 Shredder 31 Thermal transfer sheet delivery roll 32 Thermal transfer image-receiving sheet delivery roll 33 Image output thermal head 34 Platen roller 35 Thermal transfer image-receiving sheet 36 Thermal transfer sheet 37 Thermal transfer sheet Conveying roller 38 Black ink supply element 39 Used thermal transfer sheet take-up roll 41 Thermal transfer sheet delivery roll 42 Thermal transfer image receiving sheet delivery roll 43 Thermal head for image output 44 Platen roller 45 Thermal transfer image receiving sheet 46 Thermal transfer sheet 47 Thermal transfer sheet delivery roller 48 2 Composition Mixed adhesive coating roller
49 Two-component mixed adhesive coating roller
410 Used thermal transfer sheet take-up roll

Claims (10)

  A thermal transfer sheet having a dye layer on at least one side of the base sheet; and a thermal transfer image receiving sheet having a dye receiving layer on at least one side of the base sheet, wherein the dye layer and the receiving layer are overlaid. In the thermal transfer recording system in which the dyes in the dye layer can be transferred to the dye receiving layer by heating means after being combined, the transfer is performed before winding the thermal transfer sheet after thermal transfer or before discharging it outside the system. A thermal transfer recording system comprising means for substantially preventing reading of information on a negative image of a transfer image remaining in a later dye layer.   2. The thermal transfer recording system according to claim 1, wherein the thermal transfer sheet is cut as means for substantially preventing reading of the negative image information of the transferred image remaining in the dye layer after transfer.   2. The thermal transfer according to claim 1, wherein the dye remaining in the transferred dye layer is removed as means for substantially preventing reading of the negative image information of the transferred image remaining in the transferred dye layer. Recording system.   2. The thermal transfer recording system according to claim 1, wherein the dye is added to part or all of the dye layer after transfer as means for substantially preventing reading of the negative image information of the transfer image remaining in the dye layer after transfer.   2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the dye layer and the back surface of the thermal transfer sheet after transfer are adhered as means for substantially preventing reading of the negative image information of the transfer image remaining in the dye layer after transfer. Thermal transfer recording system.   6. The thermal transfer system according to claim 1, wherein the image is formed by inputting the image information from the recording medium having the image information to the thermal transfer recording system.   6. The thermal transfer system according to claim 1, wherein image information of the digital camera is directly input from the digital camera to form an image.   6. The thermal transfer system according to claim 1, wherein the image is formed by inputting image information using the Internet. 9. The thermal transfer system according to claim 6, wherein image information is input after image processing and an image is formed. The thermal transfer sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the thermal transfer sheet is a thermal transfer image-receiving sheet provided with a "heat insulating layer" and a "receiving layer" on the substrate, the "heat insulating layer" has a hollow polymer, and An image-receiving sheet for thermal transfer, characterized in that, in addition to the hollow polymer, an aqueous dispersion of a resin that is not resistant to an organic solvent is not contained, and the “receiving layer” has an aqueous latex resin.

Images