JP2007253533A - Method for forming image using thermal transfer method and printed matter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for forming an image capable of obtaining the image with a high quality having an improved gas resistance and scuff resistance, and capable of being preserved for a long time, and having a high density and no defect on the image, and to provide a printed article. <P>SOLUTION: In the method for forming the image, (1) a thermal transfer image receiving sheet having at least one receiving layer comprising a polymer latex and at least one layer heat insulating layer comprising a hollow polymer and containing no resin having no resistance to organic solvents except the hollow polymer, (2) a thermal transfer sheet having a thermal transfer layer comprising a coloring matter to be transferred on the thermal transfer image receiving sheet, are laminated so that the receiving layer of the thermal transfer image receiving sheet (1) comes into contact with the thermal transfer layer of the thermal transfer sheet (2), and by providing heat energy in accordance with an image signal, the thermal transfer image is formed, and after the image is formed, the image receiving sheet on which the image is recorded is laminated with a raw material comprising an ionized radiation curable resin or a thermosetting resin. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming method using a thermal transfer system and a printed matter.

  Conventionally, various thermal transfer recording methods are known, and among them, the dye diffusion transfer recording method 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 an ink sheet) and a thermal transfer image receiving sheet (hereinafter also referred to as an image receiving sheet) are superposed, and then heat is generated by an electrical signal. By heating the ink sheet with a controlled thermal head, the dye in the ink sheet is transferred to the image receiving sheet to record image information. By recording three colors of cyan, magenta, and yellow in an overlapping manner, A color image having a continuous change in color shading can be transferred and recorded.
On the other hand, it is known to use an ionizing radiation curable resin in an intermediate layer between a receiving layer and a support (see Patent Document 1), but it is used for laminating an image receiving sheet on which an image is recorded. It is not a thing.

JP 2003-25745 A “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

  The present invention provides an image forming method and a printed matter that can improve the gas resistance and scratch resistance of an image, can withstand long-term image storage, and can obtain a high-quality image with high density and no image defects. With the goal.

As a result of intensive studies, the present inventors have achieved the above-described problem by the following means.
(1) 1) At least one heat-insulating layer containing at least one receptor layer containing a polymer latex and a hollow polymer on the support and not containing a resin that is not resistant to organic solvents other than the hollow polymer. A thermal transfer image-receiving sheet,
2) a thermal transfer sheet having a thermal transfer layer containing a color material to be transferred to the thermal transfer image-receiving sheet;
The thermal transfer image is formed by superposing the receiving layer of the thermal transfer image receiving sheet of 1) and the thermal transfer layer of the thermal transfer sheet of 2) in contact with each other, and applying thermal energy according to the image signal,
An image forming method comprising: laminating the image receiving sheet on which an image is recorded with a material containing an ionizing radiation curable resin or a thermosetting resin after image formation.
(2) The image forming method as described in (1), wherein the receiving layer and / or the heat insulating layer of the heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet contains a water-soluble polymer.
(3) The image forming method as described in (1) or (2), wherein a cross-linking agent is contained in the receiving layer and / or the heat insulating layer of the heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet.
(4) The image forming method described in any one of (1) to (3), wherein the polymer latex is a polymer latex containing a repeating unit obtained from vinyl chloride.
(5) The image according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the material for laminating the image receiving sheet on which the image is recorded is a material containing an ultraviolet curable resin. Forming method.
(6) The image according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the material for laminating the image receiving sheet on which the image is recorded is a material containing a thermosetting resin. Forming method.

(7) 1) At least one heat-insulating layer containing at least one receptor layer containing a polymer latex and a hollow polymer on the support, and containing no resin that is not resistant to organic solvents other than the hollow polymer. A thermal transfer image-receiving sheet,
2) a thermal transfer sheet having a thermal transfer layer containing a color material to be transferred to the thermal transfer image-receiving sheet;
The thermal transfer image is formed by superposing the receiving layer of the thermal transfer image receiving sheet of 1) and the thermal transfer layer of the thermal transfer sheet of 2) in contact with each other, and applying thermal energy according to the image signal,
A printed matter obtained by laminating the image-receiving sheet on which an image has been recorded with a material containing an ionizing radiation curable resin or a thermosetting resin after image formation.
(8) The printed matter according to (7), wherein the heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet contains a water-soluble polymer in the receiving layer and / or the heat-insulating layer.
(9) The printed material according to (7) or (8), wherein the heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet contains a crosslinking agent in the receiving layer and / or the heat-insulating layer.
(10) The printed matter according to any one of (7) to (9), wherein the polymer latex is a polymer latex containing a repeating unit obtained from vinyl chloride.
(11) The printing according to any one of (7) to (10), wherein the material for laminating the image receiving sheet on which the image is recorded is a material containing an ultraviolet curable resin. object.
(12) The print according to any one of (7) to (10), wherein the material for laminating the image receiving sheet on which the image is recorded is a material containing a thermosetting resin. object.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming method and a printed matter that can improve the gas resistance and scratch resistance of an image, can withstand long-term image storage, and can provide a high-quality image with high density and no image defects.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail.
First, the thermal transfer image receiving sheet used in the present invention will be described.
The heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet used in the present invention has at least a dye receiving layer (receiving layer) and a heat insulating layer formed on a support. A base layer is preferably formed between the receptor layer and the support. For example, a white background adjustment layer, a charge adjustment layer, an adhesive layer, and a primer layer are formed. Moreover, it is preferable that the heat insulation layer is formed between the base layer and the support body. Furthermore, a curl adjusting layer, a writing layer, and a charge adjusting layer are preferably formed on the back side of the support. Each layer is 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. The image-receiving sheet used in the present invention has at least one receiving layer containing a polymer latex and a water-soluble polymer. By including a polymer latex and a water-soluble polymer, a water-soluble polymer that is difficult to be dyed to the dye can be present between the polymer latexes, and the dye dyed to the polymer latex can be prevented from diffusing. Therefore, it is possible to reduce a change in sharpness of the receiving layer with time and to form a recorded image with a small change in transfer image with time.

<Polymer latex>
The polymer latex used in the present invention will be described.
In the heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet used in the present invention, the polymer latex that can be used in the receiving layer is a polymer in which a hydrophobic polymer containing water-insoluble vinyl chloride as a monomer unit is dispersed 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 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 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 used in 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 used in the receiving layer in the present invention are preferably polyvinyl chlorides, copolymers containing vinyl chloride as monomer units, such as vinyl chloride vinyl acetate copolymers and vinyl chloride acrylic copolymer polymers. Can be used. In this case, the ratio of the vinyl chloride monomer is preferably 50% or more and 95% or less. 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 100,000, 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.

  The polymer latex that can be used in the present invention is commercially available, and the following polymers can be used. Examples include G351 and G576 manufactured by Nippon Zeon Co., Ltd., Vinibrand 240, 270, 277, 375, 386, 609, 550, 601, 602, 630, 660, 671, 683, 680 manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. 680S, 681N, 685R, 277, 380, 381, 410, 430, 432, 860, 863, 865, 867, 900, 900GT, 938, 950, etc. (all are trade names).

These polymer latexes may be used alone or in combination of two or more as required.
In the receiving layer in the present invention, the polymer latex containing vinyl chloride as a monomer unit is preferably 50% or more in terms of the total solid content in the layer.

  In the present invention, the receptor layer is preferably prepared 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. A film-forming aid, also called a temporary plasticizer, is an organic compound (usually an organic solvent) that lowers the minimum film-forming temperature of polymer latex. For example, Soichi Muroi, “Synthetic Latex Chemistry”, published by Kobunshi Shuppankai (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

  The polymer latex used in the present invention may be used in combination (blend) with other polymer latex. Preferred examples of such polymer latex include polylactic acid esters, polyurethanes, polycarbonates, polyesters, and polyacetals. SBRs can be mentioned, and among these, polyesters and polycarbonates are preferable.

  Furthermore, the polymer latex used in the present invention may be used in combination with any polymer together with the above 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 , Hydroxyethylcelluloses, cellulose acetates, cellulose acetate butyrate, polyvinylpyrrolidones, casein, starch, polyacrylic acids, polymethylmethacrylic acids, polyvinylchlorides, polymethacrylic acids, styrene-maleic anhydride copolymers , 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 mass 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 for the binder used in the present invention can be easily obtained by solution polymerization method, suspension polymerization method, emulsion polymerization method, dispersion polymerization method, anionic polymerization method, cationic polymerization, etc., but the emulsion obtained as latex A polymerization method is most preferred. 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.

  The polymerization initiator only needs to have radical generating ability, such as inorganic peroxides such as persulfate and hydrogen peroxide, peroxides described in Nippon Oil & Fats Co., Ltd. organic peroxide catalog, and Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd. The azo compounds described in the azo polymerization initiator catalog can be used. Among these, water-soluble peroxides such as persulfate and water-soluble azo compounds described in the Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd. Azo Polymerization Initiator Catalog are preferable. Ammonium persulfate, sodium persulfate, potassium persulfate, azobis ( 2-methylpropionamidine) hydrochloride, azobis (2-methyl-N- (2-hydroxyethyl) propionamide), azobiscyanovaleric acid is more preferable, and in particular, peroxidation such as ammonium persulfate, sodium persulfate, potassium persulfate and the like. The product is preferable from the viewpoint of image preservability, solubility, and cost.

  As the addition amount of the polymerization initiator, the polymerization initiator is preferably 0.3% by mass to 2.0% by mass, and 0.4% by mass to 1.75% by mass with respect to the total amount of monomers. Is more preferable, and 0.5% by mass to 1.5% by mass is particularly preferable.

  As the polymerization emulsifier, any of an anionic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, and an amphoteric surfactant can be used, but the anionic surfactant has dispersibility and image storability. From the viewpoint, it is preferable to use a sulfonic acid type anionic surfactant because polymerization stability can be secured in a small amount and resistance to hydrolysis, and a long chain represented by Perex SS-H (trade name, Kao Corp.). Alkyl diphenyl ether disulfonate is more preferable, and a low electrolyte type such as Pionine A-43-S (trade name, Takemoto Yushi Co., Ltd.) is particularly preferable.

  As the polymerization emulsifier, a sulfonic acid type anionic surfactant is preferably used in an amount of 0.1% by mass to 10.0% by mass with respect to the total amount of monomers, and 0.2% by mass to 7.5% by mass is used. It is more preferable that 0.3% by mass to 5.0% by mass is used.

  In the synthesis of the polymer latex used in the present invention, it is preferable to use a chelating agent. A chelating agent is a compound capable of coordinating (chelating) a multivalent ion such as a metal ion such as iron ion or an alkaline earth metal ion such as calcium ion. Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-8956, US Pat. JP-A-73645, JP-A-4-127145, JP-A-4-47073, JP-A-4-305572, JP-A-6-11805, JP-A-5-1773312, JP-A-5-66527, JP-A-5- 158195, JP-A-6-118580, JP-A-6-110168, JP-A-6-161054, JP-A-6-175299, JP-A-6-214352, JP-A-7-114161, JP-A-7-114154 JP, 7-120894, JP 7-199433, JP 7-306504, JP 9-43792, JP 8-314090, JP 10-182571, JP 10-182570. The compounds described in JP-A-11-190892 or the specification can be used.

  Examples of the chelating agent include inorganic chelate compounds (sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, sodium tetrapolyphosphate, etc.), aminopolycarboxylic acid chelate compounds (nitrilotritriacetic acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, etc.), organic phosphonic acid chelate compounds ( Research Disclosure 18170, JP-A-52-102726, 53-42730, 56-97347, 54-121127, 55-4024, 55-4025, 55-29883, 55 -126241, 55-65955, 55-65956, 57-179743, 54-61125, and West German Patent No. 1045373, or the like), a polyphenol chelating agent, Polyamine chelation Preferably such things, aminopolycarboxylic acid derivatives being particularly preferred.

  Preferable examples of the aminopolycarboxylic acid derivatives include the compounds listed in the appendix of “EDTA (-Complexane Chemistry)” (Nanedo, 1977), and some of the carboxyl groups of these compounds are sodium or potassium. Alkali metal salts and ammonium salts such as may be substituted. Particularly preferred aminocarboxylic acid derivatives include iminodiacetic acid, N-methyliminodiacetic acid, N- (2-aminoethyl) iminodiacetic acid, N- (carbamoylmethyl) iminodiacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, ethylenediamine-N, N '-Diacetic acid, ethylenediamine-N, N'-di-α-propionic acid, ethylenediamine-N, N'-di-β-propionic acid, N, N'-ethylene-bis (α-o-hydroxyphenyl) glycine N, N′-di (2-hydroxybenzyl) ethylenediamine-N, N′-diacetic acid, ethylenediamine-N, N′-diacetic acid-N, N′-diacethydroxamic acid, N-hydroxyethylethylenediamine-N , N ′, N′-triacetic acid, ethylenediamine-N, N, N ′, N′-tetraacetic acid, 1,2-propylenediamine-N, N, N ′, N′-tetraacetic acid, d, l-2 , 3-Diaminobutane-N, N, N ′, N′-tetraacetic acid, meso-2,3-diaminobutane-N, N, N ′, N ′ Tetraacetic acid, 1-phenylethylenediamine-N, N, N ′, N′-tetraacetic acid, d, l-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine-N, N, N ′, N′-tetraacetic acid, 1,4-diamino Butane-N, N, N ′, N′-tetraacetic acid, trans-cyclobutane-1,2-diamine-N, N, N ′, N′-tetraacetic acid, trans-cyclopentane-1,2-diamine-N , N, N ′, N′-tetraacetic acid, trans-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine-N, N, N ′, N′-tetraacetic acid, cis-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine-N, N, N ', N'-tetraacetic acid, cyclohexane-1,3-diamine-N, N, N', N'-tetraacetic acid, cyclohexane-1,4-diamine-N, N, N ', N'-tetraacetic acid, o-phenylenediamine-N, N, N ′, N′-tetraacetic acid, cis-1,4-diaminobutene-N, N, N ′, N′-tetraacetic acid, trans-1,4-diaminobutene-N , N, N ′, N′-tetraacetic acid, α, α′-diamino-o-xylene-N, N, N ′, N′-tetraacetic acid, 2-hydroxy-1,3-propanedia -N, N, N ', N'-tetraacetic acid, 2,2'-oxy-bis (ethyliminodiacetic acid), 2,2'-ethylenedioxy-bis (ethyliminodiacetic acid), ethylenediamine-N, N '-Diacetic acid-N, N'-di-α-propionic acid, ethylenediamine-N, N'-diacetic acid-N, N'-di-β-propionic acid, ethylenediamine-N, N, N', N ' -Tetrapropionic acid, diethylenetriamine-N, N, N ', N' ', N' '-pentaacetic acid, triethylenetetramine-N, N, N', N '', N '' ', N' ''- Hexaacetic acid, 1,2,3-triaminopropane-N, N, N ′, N ″, N ′ ″, N ′ ″-hexaacetic acid, and some of the carboxyl groups of these compounds are Examples include substituted alkali metal salts such as sodium and potassium, and ammonium salts.

  The addition amount of the chelating agent is preferably 0.01% by mass to 0.4% by mass, more preferably 0.02% by mass to 0.3% by mass with respect to the total amount of monomers. It is especially preferable that it is 03 mass%-0.15 mass%. When the amount of the chelating agent is less than 0.01% by mass, capture of metal ions mixed in the production process of the polymer latex becomes insufficient, stability against aggregation of the latex is lowered, and applicability is deteriorated. On the other hand, if it exceeds 0.4%, the viscosity of the latex increases and the coatability is lowered.

  A chain transfer agent is preferably used for the synthesis of the polymer latex used in the present invention. As the chain transfer agent, those described in “Polymer Handbook, 3rd edition” (Wiley-Interscience, 1989) are preferable. Sulfur compounds are more preferred because they have high chain transfer ability and can be used in small amounts. Hydrophobic mercaptan-based chain transfer agents such as tert-dodecyl mercaptan and n-dodecyl mercaptan are particularly preferred.

  The amount of the chain transfer agent is preferably 0.2% by mass to 2.0% by mass, more preferably 0.3% by mass to 1.8% by mass, and 0.4% by mass to 1.6% by mass with respect to the total amount of monomers. Mass% is particularly preferred.

  In emulsion polymerization, in addition to the above compounds, electrolytes, stabilizers, thickeners, antifoaming agents, antioxidants, vulcanizing agents, antifreezing agents, gelling agents, vulcanization accelerators, etc. are described in synthetic rubber handbooks, etc. These additives may be used.

  In the polymer latex used in the present invention, 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 used in the present invention 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 in the image-receiving sheet used in the present invention includes a gel or a dried film 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 Starch & Chemical Co. National 78-1898, etc.) and other microbial polysaccharides such as xanthan gum (Kelco Keltrol T), dextrin (National Starch & Chemical Co. Nadex360, 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 78-1898 from National Starch & Chemical) and sodium alginate (Keltone from Kelco), propylene glycol alginate, etc. are classified as cationized guar gum (Alcolac). Hi-care1000, etc.) and sodium hyaluronate (Hyalure, etc. from Lifecare Biomedial) are included (all are trade names).
In the present invention, gelatin is one of the preferred embodiments. The gelatin used in the present invention may have a molecular weight of 10,000 to 1,000,000. Gelatin used in the present invention may contain anions such as Cl ⁻ , SO ₄ ²⁻ , and cations such as Fe ²⁺ , Ca ²⁺ , Mg ²⁺ , Sn ²⁺ and Zn ^2+. It may be included. It is preferable to add gelatin dissolved in water.

  Of the water-soluble polymers that can be used in the present invention, synthetic polymers will be described in detail. Examples of the acrylic system include sodium polyacrylate, polyacrylic acid copolymer, polyacrylamide, polyacrylamide copolymer, polydiethylaminoethyl (meth) acrylate quaternary salt or a copolymer thereof, and the vinyl system includes polyvinylpyrrolidone, Polyvinyl pyrrolidone copolymer, polyvinyl alcohol, etc. include polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polyisopropyl acrylamide, polymethyl vinyl ether, polyethylene imine, polystyrene sulfonic acid or copolymer thereof, naphthalene sulfonic acid condensate salt, polyvinyl sulfonic acid Or a copolymer thereof, polyacrylic acid or a copolymer thereof, acrylic acid or a copolymer thereof, a maleic acid copolymer, a maleic acid monoester copolymer, an acryloylme Propane sulfonic acid or its copolymer, etc.), polydimethyldiallylammonium chloride or its copolymer, polyamidine or its copolymer, polyimidazoline, dicyanciamide condensate, epichlorohydrin-dimethylamine condensate, polyacrylamide Hoffman Decomposed product, water-soluble polyester (Plus coat Z-221, Z-446, Z-561, Z-450, Z-565, Z-850, Z-3308, RZ-105, RZ-570, manufactured by Kyodo Chemical Co., Ltd.) , Z-730, RZ-142 (both are trade names)).

Further, it has a superabsorbent polymer described in US Pat. No. 4,960,681, JP-A-62-245260, etc., that is, —COOM or —SO ₃ M (M is a hydrogen atom or an alkali metal). A homopolymer of vinyl monomers or a copolymer of these vinyl monomers or other vinyl monomers (for example, sodium methacrylate, ammonium methacrylate, Sumikagel L-5H (trade name) manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.) should also be used. Can do.

Of the water-soluble synthetic polymers that can be used in the present invention, polyvinyl alcohols are preferred.
Hereinafter, polyvinyl alcohol will be described in more detail.
As a complete saponified product, PVA-105 [polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) content 94.0% by mass or more, saponification degree 98.5 ± 0.5 mol%, sodium acetate content 1.5% by mass or less, volatile content 5 0.0 mass% or less, viscosity (4 mass%, 20 ° C.) 5.6 ± 0.4 CPS], PVA-110 [PVA content 94.0 mass%, saponification degree 98.5 ± 0.5 mol%, acetic acid Sodium content 1.5% by mass, volatile matter 5.0% by mass, viscosity (4% by mass, 20 ° C.) 11.0 ± 0.8 CPS], PVA-117 [PVA content 94.0% by mass, saponification degree 98.5 ± 0.5 mol%, sodium acetate content 1.0 mass%, volatile content 5.0 mass%, viscosity (4 mass%, 20 ° C.) 28.0 ± 3.0 CPS],

PVA-117H [PVA content 93.5% by mass, saponification degree 99.6 ± 0.3 mol%, sodium acetate content 1.85% by mass, volatile matter 5.0% by mass, viscosity (4% by mass, 20% ° C) 29.0 ± 3.0 CPS], PVA-120 [PVA content 94.0 mass%, saponification degree 98.5 ± 0.5 mol%, sodium acetate content 1.0 mass%, volatile content 5. 0% by mass, viscosity (4% by mass, 20 ° C.) 39.5 ± 4.5 CPS], PVA-124 [PVA content 94.0% by mass, saponification degree 98.5 ± 0.5 mol%, sodium acetate contained 1.0 mass%, volatile matter 5.0 mass%, viscosity (4 mass%, 20 ° C.) 60.0 ± 6.0 CPS],

PVA-124H [PVA content 93.5% by mass, saponification degree 99.6 ± 0.3 mol%, sodium acetate content 1.85% by mass, volatile matter 5.0% by mass, viscosity (4% by mass, 20% ° C) 61.0 ± 6.0 CPS], PVA-CS [PVA content 94.0 mass%, saponification degree 97.5 ± 0.5 mol%, sodium acetate content 1.0 mass%, volatile content 5. 0 mass%, viscosity (4 mass%, 20 ° C.) 27.5 ± 3.0 CPS], PVA-CST [PVA content 94.0 mass%, saponification degree 96.0 ± 0.5 mol%, sodium acetate contained 1.0 mass%, volatile matter 5.0 mass%, viscosity (4 mass%, 20 ° C.) 27.0 ± 3.0 CPS], PVA-HC [PVA content 90.0 mass%, saponification degree 99. 85 mol% or more, sodium acetate content 2.5 mass%, volatile content 8.5 mass%, viscosity (4 mass%, 20 ℃) 25.0 ± 3.5CPS] (trade names, available from Kuraray Co.), etc.,

As a partially saponified product, PVA-203 [PVA content 94.0% by mass, saponification degree 88.0 ± 1.5 mol%, sodium acetate content 1.0% by mass, volatile matter 5.0% by mass, viscosity (4 mass%, 20 ° C.) 3.4 ± 0.2 CPS], PVA-204 [PVA content 94.0 mass%, saponification degree 88.0 ± 1.5 mol%, sodium acetate content 1.0 mass %, Volatile matter 5.0 mass%, viscosity (4 mass%, 20 ° C.) 3.9 ± 0.3 CPS], PVA-205 [PVA content 94.0 mass%, saponification degree 88.0 ± 1.5 Mol%, sodium acetate content 1.0% by mass, volatile matter 5.0% by mass, viscosity (4% by mass, 20 ° C.) 5.0 ± 0.4 CPS],

PVA-210 [PVA content 94.0% by mass, saponification degree 88.0 ± 1.0 mol%, sodium acetate content 1.0% by mass, volatile matter 5.0% by mass, viscosity (4% by mass, 20% ° C) 9.0 ± 1.0 CPS], PVA-217 [PVA content 94.0% by mass, saponification degree 88.0 ± 1.0 mol%, sodium acetate content 1.0% by mass, volatile content 5. 0% by mass, viscosity (4% by mass, 20 ° C.) 22.5 ± 2.0 CPS], PVA-220 [PVA content 94.0% by mass, saponification degree 88.0 ± 1.0 mol%, sodium acetate contained 1.0 mass%, volatile matter 5.0 mass%, viscosity (4 mass%, 20 ° C.) 30.0 ± 3.0 CPS],

PVA-224 [PVA content 94.0% by mass, saponification degree 88.0 ± 1.5 mol%, sodium acetate content 1.0% by mass, volatile matter 5.0% by mass, viscosity (4% by mass, 20% ° C) 44.0 ± 4.0 CPS], PVA-228 [PVA content 94.0% by mass, saponification degree 88.0 ± 1.5 mol%, sodium acetate content 1.0% by mass, volatile content 5. 0 mass%, viscosity (4 mass%, 20 ° C.) 65.0 ± 5.0 CPS], PVA-235 [PVA content 94.0 mass%, saponification degree 88.0 ± 1.5 mol%, sodium acetate contained 1.0 mass%, volatile matter 5.0 mass%, viscosity (4 mass%, 20 ° C.) 95.0 ± 15.0 CPS],

PVA-217EE [PVA content 94.0% by mass, saponification degree 88.0 ± 1.0 mol%, sodium acetate content 1.0% by mass, volatile matter 5.0% by mass, viscosity (4% by mass, 20% ° C) 23.0 ± 3.0 CPS], PVA-217E [PVA content 94.0 mass%, saponification degree 88.0 ± 1.0 mol%, sodium acetate content 1.0 mass%, volatile content 5. 0 mass%, viscosity (4 mass%, 20 ° C.) 23.0 ± 3.0 CPS], PVA-220E [PVA content 94.0 mass%, saponification degree 88.0 ± 1.0 mol%, sodium acetate contained 1.0 mass%, volatile matter 5.0 mass%, viscosity (4 mass%, 20 ° C.) 31.0 ± 4.0 CPS],

PVA-224E [PVA content 94.0% by mass, saponification degree 88.0 ± 1.0 mol%, sodium acetate content 1.0% by mass, volatile matter 5.0% by mass, viscosity (4% by mass, 20% ° C) 45.0 ± 5.0 CPS], PVA-403 [PVA content 94.0 mass%, saponification degree 80.0 ± 1.5 mol%, sodium acetate content 1.0 mass%, volatile content 5. 0 mass%, viscosity (4 mass%, 20 ° C.) 3.1 ± 0.3 CPS], PVA-405 [PVA content 94.0 mass%, saponification degree 81.5 ± 1.5 mol%, sodium acetate contained 1.0 mass%, volatile matter 5.0 mass%, viscosity (4 mass%, 20 ° C.) 4.8 ± 0.4 CPS],

PVA-420 [PVA content 94.0% by mass, saponification degree 79.5 ± 1.5 mol%, sodium acetate content 1.0% by mass, volatile matter 5.0% by mass], PVA-613 [PVA-containing Rate 94.0% by mass, degree of saponification 93.5 ± 1.0 mol%, sodium acetate content 1.0% by mass, volatile matter 5.0% by mass, viscosity (4% by mass, 20 ° C.) 16.5 ± 2.0 CPS], L-8 [PVA content 96.0 mass%, saponification degree 71.0 ± 1.5 mol%, sodium acetate content 1.0 mass% (ash content), volatile content 3.0 mass% Viscosity (4% by mass, 20 ° C.) 5.4 ± 0.4 CPS] (all are trade names manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd.).

  In addition, said measured value is calculated | required according to JISK-6726-1977.

  As for the modified polyvinyl alcohol, those described in Koichi Nagano et al., “Poval” (published by Kobunshi Shuppankai) are used. There is modification by cation, anion, -SH compound, alkylthio compound, silanol.

  As such modified polyvinyl alcohol (modified PVA), C-118, C-318, C-318-2A, C-506 (all are trade names manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd.), HL polymer as C polymer. HL-12E, HL-1203 (all are trade names manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd.), HM polymer is HM-03, HM-N-03 (all are trade names manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd.), KL-118, KL-318, KL-506, KM-118T, KM-618 (all are trade names manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd.) as the K polymer, and M-115 (manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd.) as the M polymer. (Trade name), MP-102, MP-202, MP-203 (all are trade names manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd.) as MP polymers, MPK-1, MPK-2, MPK-3, PK-4, MPK-5, MPK-6 (all are trade names manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd.), R polymer as R-1130, R-2105, R-2130 (all are manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd.) And V-2250 (trade name, manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd.).

  Polyvinyl alcohol can be adjusted in viscosity or stabilized by a small amount of solvent or inorganic salt added to the aqueous solution. For details, refer to the above document, Koichi Nagano et al., “Poval”, Polymer Issued by the publisher, pages 144 to 154 can be used. As a typical example, it is possible to improve the coating surface quality by containing boric acid. The addition amount of boric acid is preferably 0.01 to 40% by mass with respect to polyvinyl alcohol.

  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.

In the present invention, the water-soluble polymer is preferably polyvinyl alcohol or gelatin, and most preferably gelatin.
The addition amount of the water-soluble polymer in the receiving layer is preferably 1 to 25% by mass, more preferably 1 to 10% by mass with respect to the entire receiving layer.

<Hardener>
The hardening agent used in the present invention as a crosslinking agent can be added to a coating layer (for example, a receiving layer, a heat insulating layer, a subbing layer, etc.) of the image receiving sheet.
Examples of the hardening agent that can be used in the present invention include H-1,4,6,8,14 on page 17 of JP-A-1-214845, column 13 to U.S. Pat. No. 4,618,573. 23 compounds (H-1 to 54) represented by formulas (VII) to (XII), compounds (H-1 to 76) represented by formula (6) at the lower right of JP-A-2-214852, page 8, In particular, H-14 and the compounds described in claim 1 of US Pat. No. 3,325,287 are preferably used. Examples of hardeners are US Pat. No. 4,678,739, column 41, US Pat. No. 4,791,042, JP-A-59-116655, JP-A-62-245261, and JP-A-61-18942. And the hardening agent described in JP-A-4-218444 or the specification thereof. More specifically, aldehyde hardeners (formaldehyde, etc.), aziridine hardeners, epoxy hardeners, vinyl sulfone hardeners (N, N′-ethylene-bis (vinylsulfonylacetamide) Ethane), N-methylol hardeners (dimethylolurea, etc.), boric acid, metaboric acid, or polymer hardeners (compounds described in JP-A-62-234157).
Preferably, a vinyl sulfone type hardener and chlorotriazines are used.
More preferable hardeners in the present invention are compounds represented by the following general formula (B) or (C).
General formula (B)
_{(CH 2 = CH-SO 2} ) n-L
General formula (C)
_{(X-CH 2 -CH 2 -SO} 2) n-L
In general formulas (B) and (C), X represents a halogen atom, and L represents an n-valent organic linking group. When the compound represented by formula (B) or (C) is a low molecular compound, n represents an integer of 1 to 4. In the case of a polymer compound, L is an organic linking group containing a polymer chain, and n is in the range of 10 to 1000.

  In the general formulas (B) and (C), X is preferably a chlorine atom or a bromine atom, more preferably a bromine atom. n is an integer of 1 to 4, preferably an integer of 2 to 4, more preferably an integer of 2 to 3, and most preferably 2.

  L represents an n-valent organic group, preferably an aliphatic hydrocarbon group, an aromatic hydrocarbon group or a heterocyclic group, and these groups are ether bond, ester bond, amide bond, sulfonamide bond, urea bond, It may be further connected with a urethane bond or the like. These groups may have a substituent, such as a halogen atom, alkyl group, aryl group, heterocyclic group, hydroxyl group, alkoxy group, aryloxy group, alkylthio group, arylthio group, acyloxy group, alkoxycarbonyl. Groups, carbamoyloxy groups, acyl groups, acyloxy groups, acylamino groups, sulfonamido groups, carbamoyl groups, sulfamoyl groups, sulfonyl groups, phosphoryl groups, carboxyl groups, sulfo groups, etc., halogen atoms, alkyl groups, hydroxy groups, Alkoxy groups, aryloxy groups and acyloxy groups are preferred.

  Specific examples of the vinyl sulfone hardener include the following (VS-1) to (VS-27), but are not limited to these in the present invention.

These hardeners can be obtained by referring to the method described in US Pat. No. 4,173,481.
As the chlorotriazine hardener, a 1,3,5-triazine compound in which at least one chloro atom is substituted at the 2-position, 4-position or 6-position is preferable.
More preferred are those in which 2 or 3 chlorine atoms are substituted at the 2nd, 4th or 6th position. At least one chlorine atom may be substituted at the 2-position, 4-position or 6-position, and a group other than a chlorine atom may be substituted at the remaining positions. Examples of these groups include a hydrogen atom, a bromine atom, Fluorine atom, iodine atom, alkyl group, alkenyl group, alkynyl group, cycloalkyl group, cycloalkenyl group, aryl group, heterocyclic group, hydroxy group, nitro group, cyano group, amino group, hydroxylamino group, alkylamino group, Arylamino group, heterocyclic amino group, acylamino group, sulfonamido group, carbamoyl group, sulfamoyl group, sulfo group, carboxyl group, alkoxy group, alkenoxy group, aryloxy group, heterocyclic oxy group, acyl group, acyloxy group, alkyl Or arylsulfonyl group, alkyl or arylsulfinyl group, alkyl Ku is arylsulfonyloxy group, a mercapto group, an alkylthio group, an alkenylthio group, an arylthio group, a heterocyclic thio group, such as alkyloxy or aryloxy carbonyl group.
Specific examples of chlorotriazine hardeners include 4,6-dichloro-2-hydroxy-1,3,5-triazine or its Na salt, 2-chloro-4,6-diphenoxytriazine, 2-chloro. -4,6-bis [2,4,6-trimethylphenoxy] triazine, 2-chloro-4,6-diglycidoxy-1,3,5-triazine, 2-chloro-4- (n-butoxy) -6 Glycidoxy-1,3,5-triazine, 2-chloro-4- (2,4,6-trimethylphenoxy) -6-glycidoxy-1,3,5-triazine, 2-chloro-4- (2-chloroethoxy ) -6- (2,4,6-trimethylphenoxy) 1,3,5-triazine, 2-chloro-4- (2-bromoethoxy) -6- (2,4,6-trimethylphenoxy) -1, 3,5-tri 2-chloro-4- (2-di-n-butylphosphatoethoxy) -6- (2,4,6-trimethylphenoxy) -1,3,5-triazine, 2-chloro-4- (2 -Di-n-butylphosphatoethoxy) -6- (2,6-xylenoxy) -1,3,5-triazine and the like, but not limited thereto.
Such a compound can be easily produced by reacting cyanuric chloride (that is, 2,4,6-trichlorotriazine) with a hydroxy compound, a thio compound or an amino compound corresponding to a substituent on the heterocyclic ring.

  These hardeners are used in an amount of 0.001 to 1 g, preferably 0.005 to 0.5 g, per 1 g of water-soluble polymer.

<Emulsions>
The receiving layer of the heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet used in the present invention preferably contains an emulsion. The emulsion preferably used in the present invention will be described below.
Hydrophobic additives such as lubricants and antioxidants can be obtained by a known method such as the method described in US Pat. No. 2,322,027, such as a layer of an image receiving sheet (for example, a receiving layer, a heat insulating layer, an undercoat layer, etc.). ) Can be introduced in. In this case, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,555,470, 4,536,466, 4,536,467, 4,587,206, 4,555,476 No. 4,599,296, JP-B-3-62256, or a high boiling point organic solvent described in the specification or the like, if necessary, in combination with a low boiling point organic solvent having a boiling point of 50 ° C. to 160 ° C. Can be used. These lubricants, antioxidants, high-boiling organic solvents and the like can be used in combination of two or more.

  As the antioxidant (hereinafter also referred to as a radical scavenger), a compound represented by any one of the following general formulas (E-1) to (E-3) is preferably used.

R ₄₁ is an aliphatic group, aryl group, heterocyclic group, acyl group, aliphatic oxycarbonyl group, aryloxycarbonyl group, aliphatic sulfonyl group, arylsulfonyl group, phosphoryl group, or —Si (R ₄₇ ) (R ₄₈ ). (R ₄₉ ) is represented. Here, R ₄₇ , R ₄₈ and R ₄₉ each independently represents an aliphatic group, an aryl group, an aliphatic oxy group or an aryloxy group. R _{42 to} R ₄₆ represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent. Examples of the substituent include halogen atoms, aliphatic groups (including alkyl groups, alkenyl groups, alkynyl groups, cycloalkyl groups, and cycloalkenyl groups), aryl groups, heterocyclic groups, hydroxy groups, mercapto groups, aliphatic oxy groups. Group, aryloxy group, heterocyclic oxy group, aliphatic thio group, arylthio group, heterocyclic thio group, amino group, aliphatic amino group, arylamino group, heterocyclic amino group, acylamino group, sulfonamide group, cyano group Nitro group, carbamoyl group, sulfamoyl group, acyl group, aliphatic oxycarbonyl group, aryloxycarbonyl group and the like. R _{a1 to} R _a4 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an aliphatic group (for example, methyl, ethyl).
With respect to the compound represented by any one of the general formulas (E-1) to (E-3), preferred substituents in terms of the effects of the present invention will be described.
In the general formulas (E-1) to (E-3), R ₄₁ is an aliphatic group, an acyl group, an aliphatic oxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, or a phosphoryl group, and R ₄₂ , R ₄₃ , R ₄₅ And R ₄₆ are each independently preferably a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic group, an aliphatic oxy group or an acylamino group, R ₄₁ is an aliphatic group, and R ₄₂ , R ₄₃ , R ₄₅ and R ₄₆ are It is more preferable that each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an aliphatic group.
Although the preferable specific example represented by either of general formula (E-1)-(E-3) below is shown below, this invention is not limited to these.

  The content of the antioxidant is preferably 1.0 to 7.0% by mass, more preferably 2.5 to 5.0% by mass, based on the solid content in the polymer latex.

  Examples of the lubricant include solid waxes such as polyethylene wax, amide wax, and Teflon (registered trademark) powder; silicone oil, phosphate ester compounds, fluorine surfactants, silicone surfactants, and other in the technical field. A known release agent can be used, and a fluorine-based compound represented by a fluorine-based surfactant, a silicone-based surfactant, a silicone oil such as a silicone oil and / or a cured product thereof is preferably used. The content of the lubricant is preferably 1.0 to 10.0% by mass, more preferably 1.5 to 2.5% by mass, based on the solid content in the polymer latex.

  As the silicone oil as the lubricant, straight silicone oil, modified silicone oil and its cured product can be used. Straight silicone oils include dimethyl silicone oil, methyl phenyl silicone oil, and methyl hydrogen silicone oil. Examples of dimethyl silicone oil include KF96-10, KF96-100, KF96-1000, KF96H-10000, KF96H-12500, and KF96H. -100,000 (all are trade names, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) and the like, and as dimethyl silicone oil, KF50-100, KF54, KF56 (all are trade names, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.), etc. Can be mentioned.

  The modified silicone oil can be classified into a reactive silicone oil and a non-reactive silicone oil. The reactive silicone oil includes amino modification, epoxy modification, carboxyl modification, hydroxy modification, methacryl modification, mercapto modification, phenol modification, one-terminal reactivity and heterofunctional modification. As amino-modified silicone oil, KF-393, KF-857, KF-858, X-22-3680, X-22-3801C, KF-8010, X-22-161A, KF-8012 (all trade names, Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) and the like, and epoxy-modified silicone oils include KF-100T, KF-101, KF-60-164, KF-103, X-22-343, X-22-3000T ( All of them are trade names, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.). Examples of the carboxyl-modified silicone oil include X-22-162C (trade name, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.). Examples of the hydroxy-modified silicone oil include X-22-160AS, KF-6001, KF-6002, KF-6003, X-22-170DX, X-22-176DX, X-22-176D, X-22-176DF (all trade names, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) X-22-164A, X-22-164C, X-24-8201, X-22-174D, X-22-2426 (all are trade names, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) and the like. .

  The reactive silicone oil can be used after being cured, and can be classified into a reaction curable type, a photo curable type, a catalyst curable type, and the like. Of these, reaction-curable silicone oils are particularly preferable. As the reaction-curable silicone oils, those obtained by reaction-curing amino-modified silicone oil and epoxy-modified silicone oil are preferable. Further, as the catalyst curable type or photo curable type silicone oil, KS-705F-PS, KS-705F-PS-1, KS-770-PL-3 [catalyst curable type silicone oil: all trade names, Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. Co., Ltd.], KS-720, KS-774-PL-3 [photocured silicone oil: trade names, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.], and the like. The addition amount of these curable silicone oils is preferably 0.5 to 30% by mass of the resin constituting the receiving layer. The release agent is used in an amount of 2 to 4% by mass, preferably about 2 to 3% by mass, based on 100 parts by mass of the polyester resin. If the amount is too small, the releasability cannot be ensured, and if the amount is too large, the protective layer will not be transferred to the image receiving sheet.

  Non-reactive silicone oils include polyether modification, methylstyryl modification, alkyl modification, higher fatty acid ester modification, hydrophilic special modification, higher alkoxy modification, fluorine modification and the like. Examples include polyether-modified silicone (KF-6012, trade name, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.), and methylstil-modified silicone silicone oils (24-510, KF41-410, both trade names, Shin-Etsu Chemical ( Etc.). Moreover, the modified silicone represented by either of the following general formulas 1-3 can also be used.

  In General Formula 1, R represents a hydrogen atom, an aryl group, or a linear or branched alkyl group that may be substituted with a cycloalkyl group. m and n represent an integer of 2000 or less, and a and b represent an integer of 30 or less.

  In General Formula 2, R represents a hydrogen atom, an aryl group, or a linear or branched alkyl group which may be substituted with a cycloalkyl group. m represents an integer of 2000 or less, and a and b represent an integer of 30 or less.

In General Formula 3, R represents a hydrogen atom, an aryl group, or a linear or branched alkyl group which may be substituted with a cycloalkyl group. m and n represent an integer of 2000 or less, and a and b represent an integer of 30 or less. R ¹ represents a single bond or a divalent linking group, E represents an ethylene group which may have a substituent, and P represents a propylene group which may have a substituent.

  Silicone oils as described above are described in “Silicone Handbook” (published by Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun Co., Ltd.), and are described in JP-A-8-108636 and JP-A-2002-264543 as curing technologies for curable silicone oil. The technique can be preferably used.

High-boiling organic solvents include phthalates (dibutyl phthalate, dioctyl phthalate, di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, etc.), phosphoric acid or phosphonic esters (triphenyl phosphate, tricresyl phosphate, triphosphate) -2-ethylhexyl etc.), fatty acid ester 塁 (di-2-ethylhexyl succinate, tributyl citrate etc.), benzoic acid esters (2-ethylhexyl benzoate, dodecyl benzoate etc.), amides (N, N-diethyl) Dodecanamide, N, N-dimethyloleamide, etc.), alcohol or phenols (isostearyl alcohol, 2,4-di-tert-amylphenol, etc.), anilines (N, N-dibutyl-2-butoxy-5-) tert-octylaniline, etc.), chlorinated paraffins, hydrocarbons (dode) Rubenzen, diisopropyl naphthalene), carboxylic acids (2- (2,4-di -tert- amylphenoxy) butyric acid, and the like.
The following compounds are preferably used.

  Further, an organic solvent (such as ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, methyl ethyl ketone, cyclohexanone, or methyl cellosolve acetate) having a boiling point of 30 ° C. or higher and 160 ° C. or lower may be used in combination as an auxiliary solvent. The amount of the high-boiling organic solvent is 10 g or less, preferably 5 g or less, more preferably 1 g to 0.1 g based on 1 g of the hydrophobic additive used. In addition, 1 milliliter or less, further 0.5 milliliter or less, particularly 0.3 milliliter or less is appropriate for 1 g of binder.

A dispersion method using a polymer described in JP-B-51-39853 and JP-A-51-59943, or a fine particle dispersion described in JP-A-62-22422, etc. Can also be used. In the case of a compound that is substantially insoluble in water, it can be dispersed and contained as fine particles in a binder other than the above method.
In dispersing the hydrophobic compound in the hydrophilic colloid, various surfactants can be used. For example, the surfactants described in JP-A No. 59-157636, pages 37 to 38 can be used. Further, phosphate ester type surfactants described in JP-A-7-56267, JP-A-7-228589 and West German Patent No. 1,932,299A or the specification can also be used.

<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.

  In the present invention, the ultraviolet absorber has a high molecular weight, preferably a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 or more, more preferably a weight average molecular weight of 100,000 or more. As a means for increasing the molecular weight, it is preferable to graft an ultraviolet absorber onto the polymer. The polymer that becomes the main chain preferably has a polymer skeleton that is inferior in dyeability to the dye used in combination. Moreover, it is preferable to have sufficient film strength when the film is formed. The graft ratio of the ultraviolet absorber to the polymer main chain is preferably 5 to 20% by mass, and more preferably 8 to 15% by mass.

Moreover, it is more preferable that the polymer grafted with the ultraviolet absorber is made into a latex. The receptor layer can be formed by forming an aqueous dispersion type coating solution into a latex to form a latex, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. For example, the method described in Japanese Patent No. 3450339 can be used as a method for forming a latex. Examples of the ultraviolet absorber made into latex include, for example, ULS-700, ULS-1700, ULS-1383MA, ULS-1635MH, XL-7016, ULS-933LP, ULS-935LH, Shin-Nakamura Chemical Co., Ltd. Commercially available ultraviolet absorbers such as New Coat UVA-1025W, New Coat UVA-204W, and New Coat UVA-4512M (both are trade names) can also be used.
When the polymer to which the ultraviolet absorber is grafted is made into a latex, it is possible to form a receiving layer in which the ultraviolet absorber is uniformly dispersed by mixing with the latex of the above-mentioned dyeable receiving polymer and applying it.

  The added amount of the polymer grafted with the ultraviolet absorber or the latex thereof is preferably 5 to 50 parts by mass, more preferably 10 to 30 parts by mass with respect to the dyeable accepting polymer latex forming the receptor layer.

<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. A reaction product of vinyl-modified silicone oil and hydrogen-modified silicone oil is preferable. 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 or the like. 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 used in the present invention, the heat insulating layer 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 in the partition formed by polystyrene, acrylic resin, styrene-acrylic resin, etc., and the coating is dried. Thereafter, non-foamed hollow particles in which the water in the particles evaporates out of 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, Foaming type microballoons, which are covered with a resin made of any one of polyacrylic acid esters or a mixture or polymer thereof, and the inside of which becomes hollow as a result of the low-boiling liquid inside the particles expanding by heating, [ 3] The microballoon etc. which heated and foamed said [2] previously and made the hollow polymer are mentioned.

  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 the above [1] include Low and Haas Ropaque 1055, Dainippon Ink Boncoat PP-1000, JSR SX866 (B), Nippon Zeon Nipol MH5055 (all trade names), and the like. It is done. 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., EXPANSELL 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 used in the present invention does not contain a resin having no resistance to organic solvents 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 (methyl ethyl ketone, ethyl acetate, benzene, toluene, xylene, etc.) is 1% by mass or less, preferably 0.5% by mass or less. Say. 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 of use thereof 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, patent 2925244, etc.

(Support)
In the present invention, a water-resistant support is used 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 thermal 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.

Next, the ink sheet (thermal transfer sheet) used in the present invention will be described.
In the thermal transfer image formation, the ink sheet used in combination with the above-described thermal transfer image receiving sheet is provided with a dye layer containing a diffusion transfer dye on a support. The dye layer is applied by a general method such as roll coating, bar coating, gravure coating, or gravure reverse coating.
The dye layer of the ink sheet used in the present invention preferably contains a yellow dye, a magenta dye, and a cyan dye.
As the material of the ink sheet substrate, a plastic film such as a polyester film, a polystyrene film, a polysulfone film, a polyimide film, a polyvinyl alcohol film, or cellophane is suitable. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the thermal transfer dye-donating material comprises a polyethylene terephthalate support coated with a cyan dye, a magenta dye and a yellow dye in successive repeating regions, and the thermal transfer step is carried out sequentially for each dye. A three-color transfer image is formed. Of course, when this thermal transfer process is carried out in a single color, a monochrome transfer image can be obtained.
A polyvinyl butyral resin or a polyester resin is preferably used as the main part of the binder resin. A more preferable polyester resin is terephthalic acid in which at least one-half (molar ratio) of the acid component is terephthalic acid, more preferably at least two-thirds of the acid component is terephthalic acid, most preferably four-minute of the acid component Three or more are terephthalic acid. Thereby, fusion with a heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet can be prevented. The polyester used in the present invention can be obtained by the method described in JP-A-9-295389.

Below, each layer which comprises the protective layer transfer sheet used for this invention is demonstrated.
As the base material used in the laminate sheet used in the present invention, polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyamide, polyimide, cellulose acetate, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, fluororesin, polypropylene, polyethylene In addition, there are plastic films such as ionomers, papers such as glassine paper, condenser paper, and paraffin paper, cellophane, etc., and composite films in which two or more of these are laminated can also be used. Although the thickness of these base material sheets is suitably changed according to material so that the intensity | strength and heat resistance may become appropriate, about 1.0-100 micrometers is preferable normally.

  The laminate sheet used in the present invention is provided with a laminate layer on at least a part of the substrate. The laminate layer is composed of at least one layer, and is cured by irradiation with ionizing radiation to obtain solvent resistance, water resistance and scratch resistance. In order to obtain the above resistance, ionizing radiation may be irradiated immediately after coating the laminate layer at the time of manufacturing the laminate sheet, or ionizing radiation is irradiated from the back surface of the laminate layer transfer sheet using a transparent substrate. Alternatively, it may be irradiated after transfer to the adherend. Regardless of the timing of irradiation with ionizing radiation, the laminate layer can be cured and desired resistance can be obtained.

  The resin constituting the laminate layer preferably contains a styrene (meth) acrylic acid alkyl ester curable with ionizing radiation as a main component.

  The styrene (meth) acrylic acid alkyl ester preferably has a Tg of 50 ° C. or more and a weight average molecular weight of 20,000 or more as physical properties before curing, and does not cause tackiness in the laminate layer at room temperature. If Tg is less than 50 ° C. or the weight average molecular weight is less than 20,000, tackiness tends to occur.

  Furthermore, for the purpose of improving the toughness of the laminate layer, various acrylate oligomers and prepolymers such as polyester acrylate, polyurethane acrylate, epoxy acrylate and silicone acrylate having acryloyl group and methacryloyl group, or polyene-thiol resin styrene. A monofunctional monomer such as trifunctional monomer or a polyfunctional monomer such as trimethylolpropane triacrylate may be added. However, most of these acrylates are limited to addition in a range that does not cause tackiness in the laminate layer because the properties before curing are liquid or viscous substances.

  In addition to the ionizing radiation curable resin, a thermoplastic resin can be added. Examples of the thermoplastic resin include acrylic resins, vinyl acetate resins, epoxy resins, polyester resins, polycarbonate resins, butyral resins, gelatin, cellulose resins, polyamide resins, vinyl chloride resins, urethane resins. Examples thereof include resins. As other additives, ultraviolet absorbers, colored pigments, white pigments, extender pigments, fillers, antistatic agents, antioxidants, fluorescent whitening agents, dyes, and the like can be used as necessary.

  The thickness of the laminate layer is preferably 0.1 to 10 μm, more preferably 0.5 to 5 μm. If it is less than the above range, curing as a laminate layer is thin, and if it exceeds the above range, the cost becomes high.

  In the present invention, it is preferable to provide a thermal adhesive layer on the outermost surface in order to improve the adhesion of the laminate layer to the transfer target. The adhesive layer is preferably selected from thermal adhesives according to the material of the transfer target, but in general, it is preferably formed from a thermoplastic resin as shown below, for example, acrylic resin Good adhesiveness when heated, such as vinyl acetate resin, epoxy resin, polyester resin, polycarbonate resin, butyral resin, gelatin, cellulose resin, polyamide resin, vinyl chloride resin, urethane resin A resin having an appropriate glass transition temperature is selected.

  As an additive for the thermal adhesive layer, UV absorbers, colored pigments, white pigments, extender pigments, fillers, antistatic agents, antioxidants, fluorescent brighteners, dyes, etc. should be used as necessary. Can do.

  The thickness of the heat bonding layer is preferably 0.1 to 10 μm, more preferably 0.5 to 5 μm. If it is less than the above range, the adhesive strength of the laminate layer is inferior because the adhesive strength is too low.

  The laminate sheet used in the present invention is provided with a heat-resistant slipping layer on the back surface of the substrate, that is, the surface opposite to the surface on which the laminate layer is provided, in order to prevent adverse effects such as sticking and wrinkles due to the heat of the thermal head. Is preferred. The resin for forming the heat-resistant slipping layer may be any conventionally known resin such as polyvinyl butyral resin, polyvinyl acetoacetal resin, polyester resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyether resin, polybutadiene. Resin, styrene-butadiene copolymer, acrylic polyol, polyurethane acrylate, polyester acrylate, polyether acrylate, epoxy acrylate, urethane or epoxy prepolymer, nitrocellulose resin, cellulose nitrate resin, cellulose acetopropionate resin, cellulose acetate Butyrate resin, cellulose acetate hydrodiene phthalate resin, cellulose acetate resin, aromatic polyamide resin, polyimide resin, polycarbonate resin, chlorinated poly Olefin resins.

In addition, in order to improve the heat resistance of the heat resistant slipping layer, the coating film strength and the adhesion to the base sheet, a reaction cured product of a thermoplastic resin having a reactive group in the resin and a polyisocyanate, an unsaturated bond A reaction product with a monomer or an oligomer having a hydrogen atom can be used. The curing method is not particularly limited, and the curing means is not particularly limited by heating or irradiation with ionizing radiation. The slipperiness imparting agent added to or overcoated with the heat resistant slipping layer made of these resins includes phosphate ester, silicone oil, graphite powder, silicone graft polymer, fluorine graft polymer, acrylic silicone graft polymer, acrylic siloxane, aryl Examples thereof include silicone polymers such as siloxane. The heat resistant slipping layer is prepared by dissolving or dispersing the above-described resin, slipperiness imparting agent, and filler with an appropriate solvent to prepare a heat resistant slipping layer forming ink. It can be applied to the back surface of the material sheet by a forming means such as a bar coating method, a gravure printing method, a screen printing method, a reverse coating method using a gravure plate, and then dried. The coating amount of the heat-resistant lubricating layer is 0.1g / m ² ~2.0g / m ² approximately in solids.

  When the laminate layer is difficult to peel from the substrate, a release layer can be formed between the substrate and the laminate layer. The release layer includes, for example, waxes, silicone wax, silicone resin, fluorine resin, acrylic resin, polyvinyl alcohol resin, cellulose derivative resin, urethane resin, acetic acid vinyl resin, acrylic vinyl ether resin, maleic anhydride resin, and It can be formed by applying and drying a coating solution containing at least one copolymer of these resin groups by a conventionally known method such as gravure coating or gravure reverse coating.

The release layer can be appropriately selected from those that move to the transfer target during thermal transfer, those that remain on the base sheet side, or those that cohesively break down, but the release layer is non-transferable, The release layer remains on the base sheet side due to thermal transfer, and the interface between the release layer and the transfer laminate layer becomes the surface of the laminate layer after thermal transfer. Since it is excellent in terms of properties and the like, it is preferably performed. The method of forming the release layer may be formed by a conventionally known coating method, the coating amount is sufficient 0.5g / m ² ~5.0g / m ² approximately in a dry state. If a matte laminate layer is desired after transfer, various particles are included in the release layer, or the surface of the release layer on the laminate layer side is matted to form a surface mat. You can also If the peelability between the base sheet and the laminate layer is good, the laminate layer can be peeled directly from the base sheet by thermal transfer without providing the release layer.

  Moreover, it is also possible to create cards such as an ID card, an identification card and a license using the laminate layer transfer sheet used in the present invention. These cards include character information in addition to image information such as photographs. In this case, for example, character information can be formed by a melt transfer method, and an image such as a photograph can be formed by a sublimation transfer method. Further, the card can be provided with embossing, signature, IC memory, magnetic layer, hologram, other printing, etc., and embossing, signature, magnetic layer, etc. can be provided after the laminate layer is transferred.

  A color image and / or a character image is formed by a thermal transfer printer using a thermal transfer sheet on an image receiving sheet or a card, and a transfer laminate layer is transferred onto the laminate using the laminate layer transfer sheet used in the present invention. The image and the laminate layer may be formed by forming a layer or using a thermal transfer transfer sheet in which the thermal transfer ink layer and the laminate layer used in the present invention are arranged in the surface order on the same substrate. When transferring, the thermal transfer printer may set transfer conditions separately for sublimation transfer, melt transfer, and laminate layer transfer, or use a common printer with the print energy adjusted appropriately. May be. In the laminate layer transfer sheet used in the present invention, the heating means is not limited to a thermal transfer printer, and other heating plates, hot stampers, hot rolls, line heaters, irons, and the like can also be used for transfer. Further, the laminate layer may be transferred to the entire surface of the formed image or may be transferred only to a specific portion.

  As the thermosetting resin, in addition to a resin that forms a three-dimensional network structure by curing, a partially cross-linkable resin can also be used.

The electron beam curable resin layer and the thermosetting resin layer are prepared by dissolving or dispersing the composition of the electron beam curable resin layer containing the electron beam curable resin described above with an appropriate solvent. A forming ink is prepared, and this is applied to the above-mentioned base film by a forming means such as a gravure printing method, a screen printing method, a reverse coating method using a gravure plate, and dried to form. it can. Although an electron beam cured resin layer can be formed in arbitrary thickness on a base film, it is 0.1-50 g / m < ² > by the thickness after drying, Preferably it is about 1-20 g / m < ² >. .

  EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although this invention is demonstrated in detail based on an Example, this invention is not limited to these. In Examples, “part” or “%” is based on mass unless otherwise specified.

(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)

(Preparation of layer-receiving sheet)
(Production of support)
50 parts by mass of LBKP (hardwood bleached kraft pulp) made of acacia and 50 parts by mass of LBKP made of aspen were each beaten to 300 ml of Canadian freeness by a disc refiner to prepare a pulp slurry.
Next, to the pulp slurry obtained above, cation modified starch (CAT0304L manufactured by NSC Japan) 1.3%, anionic polyacrylamide (DA4104 manufactured by Seiko PMC Co.) 0.15% per pulp, Alkyl ketene dimer (size pine K manufactured by Arakawa Chemical Co., Ltd.) 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 for drying, the tensile force of the dryer canvas is 1.6 kg / After drying at a setting of 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 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 using a melt extruder. ³ high density polyethylene (hydrotalcite (trade name DHT-4A, manufactured by Kyowa Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 250 ppm, secondary antioxidant (tris (2,4-di-t-butylphenyl) phosphite, product Name: Irgaphos 168, manufactured by Ciba Specialty Chemicals Co., Ltd., containing 200 ppm) and MFR 4.0 g / 10 min, low density polyethylene having a density of 0.93 g / cm ³ , 75/25 (mass ratio) the resin composition obtained by blending in a proportion of, and coated to a thickness of 21g / m ^2, thereby forming a thermoplastic resin layer having a matte surface (hereinafter, "rear surface of the thermoplastic resin layer surface This thermoplastic resin layer on the back side is further subjected to corona discharge treatment, and then, as an antistatic agent, aluminum oxide (“Aluminazil 100” manufactured by Nissan Chemical Industries, Ltd.) and silicon dioxide (Nissan Chemical). A dispersion obtained by dispersing “Snowtex O” manufactured by Kogyo Co., Ltd. in water at a mass ratio of 1: 2 was applied so that the dry mass was 0.2 g / m ² . treated MFR 4.0 g / 10 min with 10 wt% of titanium oxide, by using a melt extruder so that the low-density polyethylene having a density of 0.93 g / m ² to 27 g / m ² was coated, made of mirror A thermoplastic resin layer was formed.

(Emulsion creation)
Emulsified dispersion A was prepared by the following procedure. Antioxidant (EB-9) was dissolved in 42 g of a high boiling point solvent (Solv-5) and 20 ml of ethyl acetate, and this liquid was stirred and emulsified in 250 g of a 20% by weight 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 antioxidant (EB-9) added was 30 mmol in Emulsion A.

(Creation of image receiving sheet)
On the support prepared as described above, a multi-layer coating composition having a configuration of an undercoat layer 1, an undercoat layer 2, a heat insulating layer, and a 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)
An aqueous solution obtained by adding 1% sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate to a 3% gelatin aqueous solution.
Adjust pH to 8 with NaOH (application amount) 11 ml / m ²

Undercoat layer 2 coating liquid (composition)
60 parts by mass of styrene butadiene latex (SR103 manufactured by Nippon A & L Co., Ltd.)
PVA 6% aqueous solution 40 parts by mass Adjust pH to 8 with NaOH (coating amount) 11 ml / m ²

Heat insulation layer coating liquid (composition)
60 parts by mass of hollow polymer latex (MH5055 manufactured by Nippon Zeon Co., Ltd.)
10% gelatin aqueous solution 20 parts by weight Emulsion A prepared previously 20 parts by weight Adjust pH to 8 with NaOH (coating amount) 45 ml / m ²

Receiving layer coating liquid (composition)
50 parts by weight of vinyl chloride polymer latex (Nishin Chemical Co., Ltd. Vinibrand 900)
20 parts by weight of vinyl chloride polymer latex (Nishin Chemical Co., Ltd. BiniBran 276)
10% gelatin aqueous solution 10 parts by weight Emulsion A prepared earlier 10 parts by weight Microcrystalline wax 5 parts by weight (EMUSTAR-42X manufactured by Nippon Wax Co., Ltd.)
Water 5 parts by weight Adjust pH to 8 with NaOH (application amount) 18 ml / m ²

Preparation of laminate sheet 1 (present invention)
The protective layer coating solution 1 was applied to the surface of a 6 μm PET film having a heat resistant slip treatment on the back surface by a bar coater so that the dry coating amount was 1 g / m ² . Subsequently, the protective layer transfer sheet 1 was obtained by applying the thermal adhesive layer coating liquid 1 on the protective layer with a bar coater so that the dry coating amount was 0.5 g / m ² .

Coating liquid for protective layer 1
40 parts by mass of UV curable styrene methacrylic acid alkyl ester (NK polymer AP-2151TM, solid content 47%, manufactured by Shin-Nakamura Chemical Co., Ltd.)
MEK (methyl ethyl ketone) 60 parts by mass coating solution 1 for thermal adhesive layer
50 parts by mass of polyester urethane resin (Byron UR-3200, solid content 30%, manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd.)
50 parts by mass of toluene

Preparation of laminate sheet 2 (present invention)
On one surface of a 6 μm thick polyester film, the following coating solution for a release layer was applied at a rate of 0.4 g / m ² and dried to form a heat-resistant layer. Next, a coating solution of the following thermosetting resin layer coating solution is applied to the other surface of the polyester film at a rate of 3.0 g / m ² and dried to form a release protective layer. Obtained.

(Coating solution for release layer)
Dia 02-SP712 20 parts by mass (silicon resin, manufactured by Dainichi Seika Kogyo Co., Ltd.)
MEK 80 parts by mass (coating solution for thermosetting resin layer)
60 parts by mass of Acrydic A-810 (thermosetting acrylic resin, manufactured by Dainippon Ink & Chemicals, Inc.)
Bernock D-800 3 parts by mass (isocyanate curing agent, manufactured by Dainippon Ink & Chemicals, Inc.)
MEK / MIBK (methyl isobutyl ketone) 37 parts by mass

Preparation of laminate sheet 3 (comparative example)
The following protective layer coating solution was applied to the surface of a 6 μm PET film having a heat-resistant slip treatment on the back surface by hot melt coating so that the dry coating amount was 1.5 g / m ² .

Protective layer coating solution HNP-9 70 parts by mass (paraffin wax, manufactured by Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd.)
Alcon P-125 30 parts by mass (hydrocarbon resin, manufactured by Arakawa Chemical Co., Ltd.)

(Image formation)
Using the ink described above and an image receiving sheet, five images of general five scenes were output continuously using a thermal transfer printer DPB1500 (manufactured by Nidec Copal Corporation).

Evaluation 1)
The coated surface of the laminate sheet 1 of the above example is overlapped on the image surface, heated at 160 ° C., pressure 1.5 kg (linear pressure), time 2 seconds, and then the image protection film is peeled off and laminated on the image surface. Was given. Subsequently, the laminated image recording medium was irradiated with UV light having an integrated light amount of 200 mJ / cm ² by a conveyor type UV irradiation device (CS30 manufactured by GS Co., Ltd.) to cure the laminate layer.
The following tests and evaluations were performed using the image recording medium subjected to the lamination of the example and the image recording medium not subjected to the lamination as a comparative example.
The scratch resistance test was performed, and sensory evaluation was performed by five observers. Each image was rubbed 50 times with a load of 500 gf / m ² using an eraser (dragonfly mono) and evaluated. When laminating was not performed, image defects could be confirmed on 20 of 25 sheets, which was a problem for viewing. On the other hand, when lamination was performed, defects such as images and glossiness could not be confirmed by visual evaluation in 24 out of 25 sheets, and fine scratches could be confirmed in 1 out of 25 sheets, but there were no problems in viewing.
In the antifouling test, an image recording medium subjected to the laminate of the present invention and an image recording medium not subjected to the lamination as a comparative example were dropped on each image by one drop of water, coffee and ethanol, The stain after wiping after 1 minute was visually observed. When laminating was not performed, the image was clearly deteriorated, which was a problem for viewing. However, the laminated one could be viewed without problems.

Evaluation 2)
The test and evaluation were similarly performed except that the laminate sheet 1 in the evaluation 1) was replaced with the laminate sheet 2 and UV irradiation was not performed.
The same scratch resistance test as described above was performed, and sensory evaluation was performed by five observers. When the laminate sheet 2 was used, 21 sheets out of 25 sheets were confirmed to have defects such as images and glossiness by visual evaluation. Although it was not possible, 4 out of 25 sheets were confirmed to have fine scratches, but there were no problems in viewing.
Regarding the antifouling property test, the same test as in the above evaluation 1) was conducted. One drop each of water, coffee and ethanol was dropped, and after wiping after 1 minute, the stains were visually observed and appreciated without problems.

Evaluation 3)
The test and evaluation were similarly performed except that the laminate sheet 1 in the evaluation 1) was replaced with the laminate sheet 3 and UV irradiation was not performed.
The same scratch resistance test as described above was conducted, and sensory evaluation was performed by five observers. When laminate sheet 3 was used, 14 of 25 sheets were confirmed to have defects such as images and glossiness by visual evaluation. Although it was not possible, 4 out of 25 sheets were confirmed to have fine scratches, but there were no problems in viewing, but 7 out of 25 sheets were clearly scratched, which was a problem in viewing.
Regarding the antifouling property test, the same test as in the above evaluation 1) was conducted. When one drop of water, coffee and ethanol was dropped and wiped off after 1 minute, the stains were visually observed. As a result, there were 6 stains clearly remaining, which was a problem for appreciation.

Therefore, according to the image forming method of the present invention, the antifouling property and scratch resistance of the image are improved by laminating, and the laminate layer itself is also a curable resin, so that it is possible to provide a print having excellent storage stability. it can.

Claims (12)

1) Thermal transfer having at least one heat-insulating layer containing at least one receptor layer containing a polymer latex and a hollow polymer on the support, and containing no resin that is not resistant to organic solvents other than the hollow polymer. An image receiving sheet;
2) a thermal transfer sheet having a thermal transfer layer containing a color material to be transferred to the thermal transfer image-receiving sheet;
The thermal transfer image is formed by superposing the receiving layer of the thermal transfer image receiving sheet of 1) and the thermal transfer layer of the thermal transfer sheet of 2) in contact with each other, and applying thermal energy according to the image signal,
An image forming method comprising: laminating the image receiving sheet on which an image is recorded with a material containing an ionizing radiation curable resin or a thermosetting resin after image formation.   The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the receiving layer and / or the heat insulating layer of the heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet contains a water-soluble polymer.   The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the receiving layer and / or the heat insulating layer of the heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet contains a crosslinking agent.   The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the polymer latex is a polymer latex containing a repeating unit obtained from vinyl chloride.   The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the material for laminating the image receiving sheet on which the image is recorded is a material containing an ultraviolet curable resin.   The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the material for laminating the image receiving sheet on which the image is recorded is a material containing a thermosetting resin. 1) Thermal transfer having at least one heat-insulating layer containing at least one receptor layer containing a polymer latex and a hollow polymer on the support, and containing no resin that is not resistant to organic solvents other than the hollow polymer. An image receiving sheet;
2) a thermal transfer sheet having a thermal transfer layer containing a color material to be transferred to the thermal transfer image-receiving sheet;
The thermal transfer image is formed by superposing the receiving layer of the thermal transfer image receiving sheet of 1) and the thermal transfer layer of the thermal transfer sheet of 2) in contact with each other, and applying thermal energy according to the image signal,
A printed matter obtained by laminating the image-receiving sheet on which an image has been recorded with a material containing an ionizing radiation curable resin or a thermosetting resin after image formation.   The printed matter according to claim 7, wherein the receiving layer and / or the heat insulating layer of the heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet contains a water-soluble polymer.   The printed matter according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet contains a crosslinking agent in the receiving layer and / or the heat-insulating layer.   The printed matter according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the polymer latex is a polymer latex containing a repeating unit obtained from vinyl chloride.   The printed material according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the material for laminating the image receiving sheet on which the image is recorded is a material containing an ultraviolet curable resin. The printed material according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the material for laminating the image receiving sheet on which the image is recorded is a material containing a thermosetting resin.