JP2008158219A - Electrophotographic image transfer sheet and image recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrophotographic image transfer sheet capable of being used to form an image recording medium that suppresses formation of residual air bubbles and ensures images with high image density even in the case where an image recording medium is formed using an image support, the surface of which has level differences, and to provide an image recording medium. <P>SOLUTION: The electrophotographic image transfer sheet has at least a substrate, and an image receiving layer formed on at least one side of the base and composes the uppermost surface. The image receiving layer contains a thermoplastic resin and fine particles. The image receiving layer or a member containing the image receiving layer is separable from the substrate or a member containing the substrate. The coverage C of the fine particles, expressed by formula (1) below, is in the range of 6% to 23% inclusive: C=π×10<SP>-4</SP>×r<SP>2</SP>×n, wherein r is the volume average particle radius (μm) of the fine particles, and n is the number of fine particles (number/mm<SP>2</SP>) present per unit area of the image receiving layer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image transfer sheet for forming (recording) a clear image on an image support using an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and an image recording body using the same.
In more detail, non-contact or contact-type personal information image information storage media such as cash card with face photo, employee ID card, student ID card, individual membership card, residence card, various driver's licenses, various qualification certificates, An image transfer sheet for electrophotography for forming a print image used for an image recording body such as an RFID tag, an image sheet for personal verification used in a medical field, an image display board, a display label, and the like, and an image recording body using the same About.

  In recent years, along with the development of image forming technology, means for forming images of the same quality in large quantities and at low cost by various printing methods such as intaglio printing, relief printing, planographic printing, gravure printing, and screen printing are known. Yes. Such a printing method is used to manufacture an information recording medium that can store predetermined information such as an IC card, a magnetic card, an optical card, or a combination of these, and can communicate with or without contact with an external device. Are often used.

  However, for example, the screen printing requires a large number of printing plates corresponding to the number of images to be printed, and in the case of color printing, printing plates corresponding to the number of colors are further required. Therefore, these printing methods are unsuitable for individually responding to individual identification information (face photo, name, address, date of birth, various licenses, etc.).

  In view of the above problems, the most mainstream image forming means at present is an image forming method using a printer or the like employing a sublimation type or melting type thermal transfer system using an ink ribbon or the like. However, these can easily print personal identification information, but still have the problem that the resolution decreases when the printing speed is increased and the printing speed decreases when the resolution is increased.

  In addition, a method for printing on an image recording medium using an intermediate transfer sheet in this thermal transfer method has been proposed and described (for example, see Patent Documents 1 to 6). However, in any case, a thin colored layer transferred from the ink sheet is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer sheet. Furthermore, good image quality cannot be obtained unless this thin colored layer is firmly transferred to the image recording medium.

In order to cope with these problems, a method of producing a recorded matter (image recording body) using a transfer sheet on which an image is formed in an electrophotographic apparatus has been proposed (see Patent Documents 7 to 11). In this method, an image recording body is produced through a process in which a transfer sheet on which an image is formed on an electrophotographic apparatus is heat-pressed onto an image support such as a vinyl chloride sheet.
Here, as an image support, generally, a plastic sheet having flat front and back surfaces is used when a card on which an image is simply formed, but an IC chip is used when an IC card or the like is manufactured. Plastic sheets with embedded antennas and antennas are used.
JP-A-5-096871 JP-A-7-068812 JP-A-8-142365 JP-A-8-156302 JP-A-9-314875 JP 11-291646 A Japanese Patent No. 3359962 Japanese Patent No. 3359963 JP 2001-92255 A JP-A-11-334265 JP-A-10-86562

However, the image support provided with the IC chip and the antenna part has a step of several tens of μm between the IC module part plated with gold on the plastic sheet surface and the plastic sheet surface, or is disposed inside the plastic sheet. There is a step due to the antenna portion. When the transfer sheet is thermocompression bonded to an image support having such a step, the transfer sheet cannot sufficiently follow the step or the uneven portion, and can be visually confirmed on the finally obtained image recording body. Residual bubbles are generated, which causes a problem of poor appearance.
An object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art. That is, according to the present invention, even when an image recording body is produced using an image support having a step on the surface, the generation of residual bubbles can be suppressed and an image recording body having an image with a high image density can be produced. It is an object to provide an electrophotographic image transfer sheet and an image recording body using the same.

The above object is achieved by the present invention described below. That is, the present invention
<1>
A substrate and at least an image receiving layer provided on at least one side of the substrate and constituting the outermost surface;
The image receiving layer includes a thermoplastic resin and fine particles,
The image receiving layer or the member containing the image receiving layer and the substrate or the member containing the substrate are peelable,
An electrophotographic image transfer sheet, wherein the coverage C of the fine particles represented by the following formula (1) is 6% or more and 23% or less.
Formula (1) C = π × 10 ⁻⁴ × r ² × n
[In the formula (1), r represents the volume average particle radius (μm) of the fine particles, and n represents the number of fine particles (units / mm ² ) present per unit area in the image receiving layer. ]

<2>
The image transfer sheet for electrophotography according to <1>, wherein the thickness of the image receiving layer is 0.4 to 0.73 times the volume average particle diameter of the fine particles.

<3>
<1> or <2>, wherein a release layer and a protective layer are provided in this order from the substrate side to the image receiving layer side between the substrate and the image receiving layer. Image transfer sheet for electrophotography.

<4>
At least a release layer is provided between the image receiving layer and the substrate,
Peeling force required for peeling between the release layer and the layer on the side where the image receiving layer side of the release layer is provided is 0.098 N / cm or more and 4.90 N / cm or less. The image transfer sheet for electrophotography according to any one of <1> to <3>, wherein the image transfer sheet is within the range of <1> to <3>.

<5>
Any one of <1> to <4>, wherein the surface resistivity of both surfaces of the sheet at 23 ° C. and 55% RH is in the range of 1.0 × 10 ⁸ Ω to 1.0 × 10 ¹³ Ω. The electrophotographic image transfer sheet according to any one of the above.

<6>
An image support, an image covering layer provided on at least one side of the image support, and an image disposed at an interface between the image support and the image receiving layer,
An image recording material, wherein the image coating layer is an image receiving layer constituting the electrophotographic image transfer sheet according to any one of <1> to <5>.

<7>
<6> The image recording material according to <6>, wherein a step having a height of 50 μm or less is provided on a surface of the image support that is covered with the image coating layer.

  According to the present invention, even when an image recording body is produced using an image support having a step on the surface, the generation of residual bubbles can be suppressed and an image recording body having an image with a high image density can be produced. An image transfer sheet for electrophotography and an image recording body using the same can be provided.

(Image transfer sheet for electrophotography)
The electrophotographic image transfer sheet of the present invention (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as “transfer sheet”) has at least a substrate and an image receiving layer provided on at least one side of the substrate and constituting the outermost surface, The image receiving layer contains a thermoplastic resin and fine particles, and the image receiving layer or the member containing the image receiving layer and the substrate or the member containing the substrate are peelable, and the following formula (1) The image transfer sheet for electrophotography, wherein the coverage C of the fine particles shown is from 6% to 23%.
Formula (1) C = π × 10 ⁻⁴ × r ² × n
[In the formula (1), r represents the volume average particle radius (μm) of the fine particles, and n represents the number of fine particles (units / mm ² ) present per unit area in the image receiving layer. ]

  Since the transfer sheet of the present invention contains fine particles in the image receiving layer so as to satisfy the above-described coverage, the transfer sheet on which the image is formed on the surface on which the image receiving layer is provided has an image having a step on the surface. When it is thermocompression bonded to the support surface, it is very easy to let the air present at the interface between the image receiving layer of the transfer sheet and the image support surface having a step to the outside of this interface. Generation of residual bubbles having a size that can be visually confirmed can be suppressed.

Note that it is presumed that the mechanism for generating residual bubbles when using an image support provided with an IC chip or the like is as follows.
If the image formed on the transfer sheet by electrophotography is, for example, “O” in Roman letters, bubbles are left in the space inside the toner image “O” when the transfer sheet is heat-pressed to the image support. There is a case. This is because the toner layer, which is the character portion, is higher than the surface of the transfer sheet, and the toner layer and the image support surface are fused before the surface of the inner region of the ring-shaped toner layer. This is because there is no escape for air existing between the region and the image support surface.

Similarly, on the surface of the image support on which the IC chip or the like is embedded, there is a large step in the electrode portion or a step in the antenna portion. Because of the presence of these steps, air present at the interface between the image support and the transfer sheet is likely to remain without escaping to the outside during heating and pressurization, and the steps are extremely larger than the toner layer described above. In addition, residual bubbles of a size that can be easily confirmed visually are easily generated. Furthermore, since air tends to remain at the interface, a sufficient pressure cannot be applied during heating and pressurization, which may cause not only residual bubbles but also an image transfer failure. Further, such residual bubbles are more prominent when heating and pressurizing near atmospheric pressure (1000 hPa) than when heating and pressurizing under reduced pressure (less than 10 hPa).
Based on the above-described knowledge, the present inventors, when heat-pressing the image support and the transfer sheet to press-bond, fine particles are in the image receiving layer that is in a molten state and has high fluidity. If present, it was considered that the distance between the transfer sheet substrate and the image support was always maintained at a constant interval. In addition, air can easily escape from the interface to the outside during heating and pressurization, and generation of residual bubbles can be suppressed, and even if residual bubbles are generated, it is easy to make them finer to the extent that they cannot be visually recognized. The present invention described above was found.

  In addition, from the viewpoint of suppressing residual bubbles, the coverage C needs to be 6% or more, but more preferably 10% or more. On the other hand, if the coverage C is too large, the image may become whitish due to the influence of fine particles and the image density may decrease. From this viewpoint, the coverage C needs to be 23% or less. More preferably 20% or less.

From the same viewpoint, the number n of fine particles present per unit area is preferably in the range of 175 / mm ^{2 to} 2500 / mm ² , and in the range of 500 / mm ^{2 to} 1500 / mm ^2. Is more preferable. If the number n of fine particles present per unit area is less than 175 / mm ² , residual bubbles may be generated, and if it exceeds 2500 / mm ² , the image density may be lowered.

On the other hand, the thickness of the image receiving layer is preferably 0.4 to 0.73 times the volume average particle diameter (2r) of the fine particles, and is 0.5 to 0.7 times the thickness of the image receiving layer. The following is more preferable.
When the thickness of the image receiving layer exceeds 0.73 times the volume average particle diameter (2r) of the fine particles, residual bubbles may be easily generated. Moreover, when it is less than 0.4 times, sufficient adhesive force may not be obtained.

  The “fine particle” used in the present invention means a particle having a particle size (particle size determined from the fine particle volume) of 80% or more and 250% or less based on the thickness (100%) of the image receiving layer. Those outside this range are not included. This is because particles having a volume average particle size outside the above range are insufficient in the effect of suppressing the generation of residual bubbles. Here, a plurality of particle size distribution peaks may exist within a particle size range of 80% or more and 250% or less with reference to the thickness (100%) of the image receiving layer, but it is preferably one.

Further, the volume average particle radius r of the fine particles contained in the image receiving layer and the number n of fine particles present per unit area can be measured by observing the image receiving layer side surface with an optical microscope in the case of a transfer sheet, In the case of an image recording material, it can be measured by observing the surface of the image support on which the image covering layer (corresponding to the image receiving layer in the transfer sheet) is provided.
Here, the volume average particle radius r and the number n of fine particles present per unit area are 80% or more and 250% based on the thickness (100%) of the image receiving layer among all the particles contained in the image receiving layer. The particle having a particle size of not more than% was determined as a measurement target.

Further, the particle size distribution of the fine particles is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint as described above, if there are fine particles having a large particle size distribution exceeding the thickness of the image receiving layer, residual bubbles may be easily generated. Therefore, it is preferable that the particle size distribution is as narrow as possible.
When the particle size distribution profile of the fine particles in the particle size range of 80% or more and 250% or less with the thickness of the image receiving layer as a reference (100%) is expressed as shown in the following formula (2), Pp (± 30) / Pp (T) is preferably 0.3 or less, more preferably 0.15 or less, and the closer to 0 (that is, monodispersion), the more preferable.
Formula (2) Pp (± 30) / Pp (T)
In the formula (2), Pp (T) means the maximum peak height in the particle size distribution of the fine particles, and Pp (± 30) is the particle size of the fine particles at the maximum peak height of ± 30%. It means peak height.
Here, the volume average particle size and the particle size distribution described above can be measured by, for example, a Coulter Counter TAII (manufactured by Beckman-Coulter). The volume average particle diameter can be measured as the volume average particle diameter by subtracting the cumulative distribution from the small particle diameter side with respect to the volume based on the measured particle size distribution, and the cumulative particle diameter of 50%.

The layer structure of the transfer sheet of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it has at least a substrate and an image receiving layer provided on at least one side of the substrate and constituting the outermost surface.
For example, when the transfer sheet is composed only of the substrate and the image receiving layer, the transfer sheet can be peeled off at the interface between the substrate and the image receiving layer. It is comprised from a support body and an image coating layer (equivalent to an image receiving layer) (Hereinafter, the said layer structure may be called a "two-layer structure.").
However, at least one or more intermediate layers may be provided between the image receiving layer and the substrate. In the present invention, the image receiving layer or the member containing the image receiving layer is peeled off from the substrate or the member containing the substrate. In order to facilitate the above, it is preferable to provide at least a release layer between the image receiving layer and the substrate. For example, when the transfer sheet is composed of three layers of a substrate, a release layer, and an image receiving layer (hereinafter, the layer configuration may be referred to as “three-layer configuration”), the release layer and the image receiving layer It can be peeled off at the interface.

  In addition, a release layer and a protective layer may be provided in this order from the substrate side to the image receiving layer side between the substrate and the image receiving layer (hereinafter, the layer configuration is referred to as “four-layer configuration”). There is). In this case, it can be peeled off at the interface between the release layer and the protective layer. After the transfer sheet is heated and pressure-bonded to the image support, the substrate side member is peeled off, and then the image support surface In addition, an image recording layer in which an image covering layer (corresponding to an image receiving layer of a transfer sheet) and a protective layer are laminated in this order can be obtained. In this image recording body, since the image covering layer is further covered with a protective layer, the surface can be prevented from being scratched by friction or the like.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a transfer sheet according to the present invention (four-layer structure type). The transfer sheet of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 includes a substrate 110, a release layer 120, a protective layer 130, and an image receiving layer 140.
FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing another example (two-layer constitution type) of the transfer sheet of the present invention. The transfer sheet shown in FIG. 2 includes a base 110 and an image receiving layer 150.
FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing another example (three-layer structure type) of the transfer sheet of the present invention. The transfer sheet shown in FIG. 3 includes a substrate 110, a release layer 120, and an image receiving layer 160.
In any transfer sheet of the layer configuration type, a coating layer (charge control layer) (not shown) or an image receiving layer similar to the image receiving layer is formed on the surface of the substrate 110 where the image receiving layer 160 is not formed. It is good also as a structure.

  When the transfer sheet has a release layer, the release layer and a layer on the side where the release layer is in contact with the release layer (that is, in the case of the two-layer configuration and the three-layer configuration, an image is provided). The peeling force required for peeling with a four-layer structure means a protective layer is 0.098 N / cm or more and 4.90 N / cm or less (10 gf / cm or more and 500 gf / cm or less). Is more preferably 0.196 N / cm or more and 3.92 N / cm or less (20 gf / cm or more and 400 gf / cm or less), and 0.490 N / cm or more and 2.41 N / cm or less (50 gf / cm or more). More preferably, it is 250 gf / cm or less.

When the peeling force is less than 0.098 N / cm (10 gf / cm), the release layer and the layer on the side where the image receiving layer side of the release layer is provided are easily peeled off, When an image is fixed on a transfer sheet by a photographic image forming apparatus, a layer on the side where the image receiving layer side of the releasing layer is in contact with the releasing layer is transferred to the fixing device of the image forming apparatus. There is a case. Further, in the case of a transfer sheet having a four-layer structure, slippage may occur between the protective layer and the release layer when an image recording body is produced, and the image formed on the image recording body may be disturbed.
On the other hand, when the peeling force exceeds 4.90 N / cm (500 gf / cm), the transfer sheet portion substrate or a member including the substrate is obtained from a laminate obtained by pressure-bonding the transfer sheet to the image support by heating and pressing. When the release layer is to be peeled off, the release layer is in contact with the release layer and the image receiving layer side of the release layer is not cleanly peeled off. A part of the provided layer may remain on the surface of the release layer, which may cause defects on the surface of the image recording body.
Here, the peeling force is a measured value when the measurement is performed according to the 180-degree peeling adhesive strength in the measurement of the adhesive strength according to JIS standard Z0237.

The transfer sheet of the present invention preferably has a surface resistivity of 1.0 × 10 ⁸ Ω to 1.0 × 10 ¹³ Ω at 23 ° C. and 55% RH on both sides of the sheet. The surface resistivity is more preferably in the range of 1.0 × 10 ⁹ Ω to 1.0 × 10 ¹¹ Ω.
When the surface resistivity is smaller than 1.0 × 10 ⁸ Ω, the resistance value of the transfer sheet becomes too low particularly at high temperature and high humidity. For example, the surface resistivity is transferred from an image holding member or an intermediate transfer member in an electrophotographic apparatus. The toner image may be disturbed. In addition, when the surface resistivity exceeds 1.0 × 10 ¹³ Ω, the resistance value of the transfer sheet becomes too high. For example, toner from an image holding member or an intermediate transfer member in an electrophotographic apparatus is sufficiently applied to the transfer sheet surface. In some cases, the image cannot be transferred and an image defect may occur due to transfer failure.

  Further, the difference in surface resistivity between the front and back surfaces of the transfer sheet of the present invention at 23 ° C. and 55% RH is preferably within 4 digits, and more preferably within 3 digits. If the surface resistivity difference between the front and back surfaces exceeds 4 digits, toner transfer failure is likely to occur and image deterioration may occur. The difference in surface resistivity within 4 digits means that the difference in common logarithm is within 4 when each surface resistivity is expressed in common logarithm.

  In the present invention, the surface resistivity is measured by a method based on the double ring electrode method in JIS K 6271, and is determined by following the formula presented at the same time. More specifically, an ultra high resistance measurement sample box (probe) connected to a digital ultra high resistance / microammeter R8340 manufactured by Advantest Co., Ltd. is applied in an environment of 23 ° C. and 55% RH. Based on the current value after 60 seconds at a voltage of 1000 V, it was obtained from a calculation formula defined in JIS K 6271.

In controlling the surface resistivity of the image receiving layer provided on the substrate within the range of 1.0 × 10 ⁸ Ω to 1.0 × 10 ¹³ Ω, a charge control agent is contained in the image receiving layer. It is preferable. As the charge control agent, a polymer conductive agent, a surfactant, conductive metal oxide particles, or the like can be used.

  In addition, when the image receiving layer is provided only on one side of the substrate, the surface resistivity of the surface on which the image receiving layer is not provided is controlled by a surfactant or a polymer conductive agent during the production of a film as a substrate. Or adding conductive fine particles to the resin, applying a surfactant to the film surface, depositing a metal thin film, or adding an appropriate amount of a surfactant to the adhesive, etc. It can be carried out. Details of these charge control agents will be described later.

  Next, the transfer sheet of the present invention will be described in more detail below by paying attention to the difference in layer structure.

<< First transfer sheet (4-layer structure) >>
In the first form of the transfer sheet (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “first transfer sheet”), a release layer, a protective layer, and a surface of the base are provided on the surface on which the image receiving layer is provided. It has a configuration in which image receiving layers are sequentially provided.

  In the first transfer sheet, the protective layer is a layer that can be peeled off from the release layer that is a layer adjacent to the substrate side. That is, when an image formed by electrophotography is transferred onto a recording medium, the protective layer peels off from the release layer, and the protective layer and the image receiving layer cover the image transferred onto the recording medium. The image will be protected.

<Image receiving layer>
The image-receiving layer in the first transfer sheet contains at least a thermoplastic resin and fine particles, and may contain other additives as necessary. For example, the image-receiving layer may be natural wax, synthetic wax, release resin, reactive silicone or the like in order to prevent adhesion and winding to the fixing member of the electrophotographic apparatus when fixing the image with the electrophotographic apparatus. You may contain mold release agents, such as a compound and modified silicone oil.

  In the first transfer sheet, the thickness of the image receiving layer is preferably 4 μm or more and 15 μm or less, more preferably 5 μm or more and 12 μm or less, and further preferably 6 μm or more and 9 μm or less. When the film thickness of the image receiving layer is 4 μm or more and 15 μm or less, the image is hardly deteriorated by embedding the image in the film thickness direction of the image receiving layer, and the effect of protecting the image is also obtained.

-Thermoplastic resin-
As the thermoplastic resin, for example, at least one polyester resin or styrene acrylic resin is used. In general, polyester resins and styrene acrylic resins are used for image forming materials. Therefore, fixing the image forming material onto the surface of the transfer sheet can be achieved by incorporating a resin of the same type into the image receiving layer. Can be controlled appropriately. As the polyester resin, in addition to a general polyester resin, for example, a silicone-modified polyester resin, a urethane-modified polyester resin, an acrylic-modified polyester, or the like may be used.

However, in the present invention, it is preferable to use at least a polyester resin.
In general, polyester resins are used for image forming materials. By incorporating a resin of the same type into the image receiving layer, the fixability of the image forming material to the transfer sheet surface is controlled appropriately. can do. In addition, as said polyester resin, you may use silicone modified polyester resin, urethane modified polyester resin, acrylic modified polyester, etc. other than general polyester resin.

  The method for synthesizing the polyester resin is not particularly limited. For example, a saturated polyester obtained by subjecting a polybasic acid component having two or more carboxyl groups and a glycol component to a condensation reaction with an organic diisocyanate compound and a chain extender. It can be obtained by reacting.

  Examples of the polybasic acid include divalent basic acid aromatic dicarboxylic acids such as terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, orthophthalic acid, naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, biphenyldicarboxylic acid, and 1,5-naphthalic acid. Is used. Also, aromatic oxycarboxylic acids such as p-oxybenzoic acid and p- (hydroxyethoxy) benzoic acid, and tri- and tetra-aromatic carboxylic acids such as trimellitic acid and pyromellitic acid can be used in combination.

  Examples of the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid include succinic acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid, azelaic acid, dodecanedioic acid, and dimer acid. Examples of the alicyclic dicarboxylic acid include 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, 1,3-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid and its anhydride.

Dicarboxylic acids having a polymerizable unsaturated double bond can also be used. For example, α, β-unsaturated dicarboxylic acids include fumaric acid, maleic acid, maleic anhydride, itaconic acid, citraconic acid; As the alicyclic dicarboxylic acid containing a heavy bond, 2,5-nobornene dicarboxylic acid anhydride, tetrahydrophthalic anhydride, and the like can be used. Most preferred among these are fumaric acid, maleic acid, itaconic acid, and 2,5-nobornene dicarboxylic acid anhydride.
Furthermore, hydroxycarboxylic acids such as hydroxypivalic acid, γ-butyrolactone, and ε-caprolactone can be used as necessary. These components can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  On the other hand, as the glycol component, for example, at least one selected from aliphatic glycols having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, alicyclic glycols having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, and ether bond-containing glycols may be used. it can.

  Examples of the aliphatic glycol having 2 to 10 carbon atoms include ethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, neopentyl glycol, 1 , 6-hexanediol, 3-methyl-1,5-pentanediol, 1,9-nonanediol, 2-ethyl-2-butylpropanediol, hydroxypivalic acid neopentyl glycol ester, dimethylolheptane, and the like. it can.

Examples of the alicyclic glycols having 6 to 12 carbon atoms include 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol and tricyclodecane dimethylol.
Examples of the ether bond-containing glycols include diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, and glycols obtained by adding 1 to several moles of ethylene oxide or propylene oxide to two hydroxyl groups bonded to the aromatic ring of bisphenols. Examples thereof include 2,2-bis (4-hydroxyethoxyphenyl) propane. Polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, and polytetramethylene glycol can also be used as necessary.

  Examples of the organic diisocyanate compound include hexamethylene diisocyanate, tetramethylene diisocyanate, 3,3-dimethoxy-4,4′-biphenylene diisocyanate, p-xylylene diisocyanate, m-xylylene diisocyanate, 1,3-diisocyanate-methylcyclohexane, 1,4-diisocyanate-methylcyclohexane, 4,4′-diisocyanate dicyclohexylmethane, isophorone diisocyanate, 2,4-tolylene diisocyanate, 2,6-tolylene diisocyanate, p-phenylene diisocyanate, diphenylmethane diisocyanate, m-phenylene diisocyanate, 2,4-naphthalene diisocyanate, 3,3′-dimethyl-4,4′-biphenylene diisocyanate, 4 4'-diisocyanate diphenyl ether, 1,5-naphthalene diisocyanate, and the like. Of these, hexamethylene diisocyanate, tetramethylene diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate and diphenylmethane diisocyanate are preferred.

  Examples of the chain extender include ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, neopentyl glycol, 2,2-diethyl-1,3-propanediol, polyethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polytetramethylene glycol, tricyclodecane dimethylol, Examples thereof include bisphenol A ethylene oxide adduct, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol and the like. Of these, ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, neopentyl glycol, diethylene glycol and bisphenol A ethylene oxide adduct are more preferable.

The polyester resin can be synthesized in a known manner, for example, in a solvent at a reaction temperature of 20 to 150 ° C. in the presence of a catalyst such as amines and organotin compounds, or in the absence of a catalyst. Examples of the solvent that can be used at this time include ketones such as methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, and cyclohexanone, aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene and xylene, and esters such as ethyl acetate and butyl acetate.
These polyester resins may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

-Fine particles-
The material constituting the fine particles used in the image-receiving layer is not particularly limited as long as it does not melt and deform when heated during image formation or when the transfer sheet is pressure-bonded to the image support by heating and pressing. However, known organic materials and inorganic materials can be used.
Specific examples of the organic material include styrenes such as styrene, vinyl styrene, and chlorostyrene; monoolefins such as ethylene, propylene, butylene, and isobutylene; vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, vinyl benzoate, and butyric acid. Vinyl esters such as vinyl; α- such as methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, dodecyl acrylate, octyl acrylate, phenyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate, dodecyl methacrylate Unsaturated fatty acid monocarboxylic acid esters; vinyl ethers such as vinyl methyl ether, vinyl ethyl ether and vinyl butyl ether; vinyl ketones such as vinyl methyl ketone, vinyl hexyl ketone and vinyl isopropenyl ketone; isoprene Examples thereof include homopolymers and copolymers obtained by polymerizing one or more diene monomers such as 2-chlorobutadiene. Among these, styrenes and esters of α-unsaturated fatty acid monocarboxylic acids Etc. are preferred.

  Moreover, when using the resin material enumerated above, it is preferable to select a thing with low solubility with respect to the solvent used for coating of an image receiving layer. In addition, when producing fine particles using these resin materials, a crosslinking agent is added to the resin material in advance to give a cross-linked structure when the fine particles are formed, or a thermosetting resin, a photocurable resin, an electron beam can be used as the resin material. It is also preferable to use a cured resin.

  On the other hand, examples of the inorganic material include mica, talc, silica, calcium carbonate, zinc white, halocyto clay, kaolin, hydrochloric magnesium carbonate, quartz powder, titanium dioxide, barium sulfate, calcium sulfate, and alumina.

  In the present invention, the fine particles may also have other functions such as fillers described later and conductive oxide particles.

  Further, the shape of the fine particles is not particularly limited as long as the volume average particle diameter is equal to or less than the thickness of the image receiving layer, but in general, a spherical shape is preferable. However, it may be a plate shape, a needle shape, an indefinite shape, or the like.

  The mass ratio of the fine particles and the binder (resin component) in the image receiving layer (fine particles: binder) is preferably in the range of 5: 100 to 35: 100, and 7.5: 100 to 30: A range of 100 is more preferable. When the proportion of the fine particles is within the above range, the image recording material has good image quality because there is little disturbance in the transfer of the image forming material from the transfer sheet and the occurrence of residual bubbles is suppressed. When the amount is less than the range, residual bubbles are likely to be generated. When the amount is larger than the range, the image may be disturbed during transfer of the image forming material, and the image density may be lowered.

-Filler-
If necessary, a filler can be added to the image receiving layer. As fillers, fine particles (for example, SiO ₂ , Al ₂ O ₃ , talc or kaolin) made of inorganic materials other than those listed above and bead-shaped plastic powder (for example, cross-linked PMMA, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene) are used. Can be used.

-Conductive metal oxide particles-
Conductive agents such as ZnO, TiO, TiO ₂ , SnO ₂ , Al ₂ O ₃ , In ₂ O ₃ , SiO, SiO ₂ , MgO, BaO and MoO ₃ are used as conductive agents for adjusting the surface resistivity of the image receiving layer surface. If necessary, metal oxide or particles obtained by conducting a conductive treatment on the surface of the metal oxide can be used.
Here, as the metal oxide constituting the conductive metal oxide particles, those further containing a different element are preferable. For example, Al, In, etc. with respect to ZnO, Nb, Ta, etc. with respect to TiO, SnO ₂ Is preferable to contain (doping) Sb, Nb, a halogen element or the like. Among these, SnO ₂ doped with Sb is particularly preferable because it has little change in conductivity over time and high stability.

-Other additives-
In the image receiving layer, if necessary, a heat stabilizer, an oxidation stabilizer, a light stabilizer, a lubricant, a pigment, a plasticizer, a crosslinking agent, an impact resistance improver, an antibacterial property, a flame retardant, a flame retardant aid, In addition, various additives such as a charge control agent can be used in combination.
As the antioxidant, a commercially available antioxidant or the like can be used. The material to be added is selected from those having good dispersion stability and not denatured by light irradiation. For example, a phosphoric acid type, a sulfur type, a phenol type, a hindered amine type antioxidant, etc. are mentioned.
These antioxidants may be used alone or in admixture of two or more.

  The ultraviolet absorber is selected from those having good dispersion stability in the composition and not denatured by light irradiation. For example, in the case of organic materials, salicylic acid systems such as phenyl salicylate, p-tert-butylphenyl salicylate, p-octylphenyl salicylate; 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone, 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, 2-hydroxy-4- Benzophenone series such as octyloxybenzophenone and 2-hydroxy-4-dodecyloxybenzophenone; 2- (2′-hydroxy-5′-methylphenyl) 2H-benzotriazole, 2- (2′-hydroxy-5′-tert-) Benzotriazoles such as butylphenyl) benzotriazole, 2- (2′-hydroxy-3′-tert-butyl-5′-methylphenyl) -5-chlorobenzotriazole; 2-ethylhexyl-2-cyano-3,3 '-Diphenyla Relate, cyanoacrylate and ethyl 2-cyano-3,3'-diphenylacrylate; materials and the like.

  Examples of the inorganic material include fine oxide particles of zinc oxide and titanium oxide, and fine metal oxide particles such as iron oxide and cerium oxide.

  As the ultraviolet absorber, the organic material is particularly preferable, and 0.01 parts by weight or more and 40 parts by weight or less, preferably 0.1 parts by weight or more with respect to 100 parts by weight of the compound having a reactive double bond. It is added in the range of 25 parts by mass or less. Moreover, it is preferable to use together 2 or more types of ultraviolet absorbers, in order to make foundation | substrate protection favorable, not only 1 type. In some cases, it is also preferable to add a hindered amine light stabilizer or an antioxidant.

In addition to the conductive metal oxide particles described above as the charge control agent, or in place of the conductive metal oxide particles described above, a polymer conductive agent or a surfactant can also be used.
Examples of the surfactant include cationic surfactants such as polyamines, ammonium salts, sulfonium salts, phosphonium salts, and betaine amphoteric salts, anionic surfactants such as alkyl phosphates, and nonionic surfactants such as fatty acid esters. Agents. Among these surfactants, it is effective to improve transferability to use a cationic surfactant having a large interaction with the recent negatively charged toner for electrophotography.

  Among the cationic surfactants, quaternary ammonium salts are preferable. As the quaternary ammonium salts, compounds represented by the following general formula (I) are more preferable.

In the general formula (I), R ¹ represents an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group of up to 6 to 22 carbon atoms, R ² represents an alkylene group, an alkenylene group, an alkynylene group of up to 6 carbon atoms. R ³ , R ⁴ and R ⁵ may be the same or different and each represents an aliphatic group, an aromatic group or a heterocyclic group. An aliphatic group means a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl group, alkenyl group, or alkynyl group. The aromatic group represents a benzene monocyclic or condensed polycyclic aryl group. These groups may have a substituent such as a hydroxyl group. A represents an amide bond, an ether bond, an ester bond or a phenyl group, but this may not be present. X ⁻ represents a halogen element, sulfate ion, or nitrate ion, and these ions may have a substituent.

  In order to impart antibacterial properties to the transfer sheet, an antibacterial substance (antibacterial agent) can be added to the image receiving layer. The material to be added is selected from those having good dispersion stability in the composition and not denatured by light irradiation.

For example, in the case of organic materials, thiocyanate compounds, road propagyl derivatives, isothiazolinone derivatives, trihalomethylthio compounds, quaternary ammonium salts, biguanide compounds, aldehydes, phenols, benzimidazole derivatives, pyridine oxide, carbanilide, diphenyl ether, etc. Materials.
Examples of the inorganic material include zeolite, silica gel, glass, calcium phosphate, zirconium phosphate, silicate, titanium oxide, and zinc oxide.

  Further, it is preferable that the antibacterial agent is basically exposed near the surface of the image receiving layer. Furthermore, the content of the antibacterial agent in the image receiving layer is preferably in the range of 0.05 part by mass or more and 5 parts by mass or less, and 0.1 part by mass or more and 3 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the thermoplastic resin. More preferably, it is in the range of parts or less.

<Release layer>
The release layer includes a release material. The releasable material is not particularly limited, but a silicone hard coat material can be used. This silicone-based hard coat material is composed of a condensate resin containing at least a silane-based composition or a mixed composition of these with a colloidal silica dispersion. Moreover, in order to improve adhesiveness with a base | substrate, it is preferable that the organic resin is further included.

  Specific examples of the silane-based composition include organic silicon compounds such as silane compounds, fluorine-containing silane compounds, and isocyanate silane compounds, which are condensed to form a resin composition.

Silane compounds include Si (OCH ₃ ) ₄ , CH ₃ Si (OCH ₃ ) ₃ , HSi (OCH ₃ ) ₃ , (CH ₃ ) ₂ Si (OCH ₃ ) ₂ , CH ₃ SiH (OCH ₃ ) ₂ , C ₆ H ₅ Si (OCH ₃ ) ₃ , Si (OC ₂ H ₅ ) ₄ , CH ₃ Si (OC ₂ H ₅ ) ₃ , (CH ₃ ) ₂ Si (OC ₂ H ₅ ) ₂ , H ₂ Si (OC _{2 H 5) 2, C 6 H} 5 Si (OC 2 H 5) 3, (CH 3) 2 CHCH 2 Si (OCH 3) 3, CH 3 (CH 3) 11 Si (OC 2 H 5) 3, CH 3 Alkoxysilanes such as (CH ₂ ) ₁₅ Si (OC ₂ H ₅ ) ₃ and CH ₃ (CH ₂ ) ₁₇ Si (OC ₂ H ₅ ) ₃ ; silazanes such as (CH ₃ ) ₃ SiNHSi (CH ₃ ) ₃ Special silylating agents such as ((CH ₃ ) SiNH) ₂ CO, tert-C ₄ H ₉ (CH ₃ ) ₂ SiCl; silane coupling agents; And silane compounds such as HSC ₃ H ₆ Si (OCH ₃ ) ₃ ; and hydrolysates and partial condensates thereof.

  Examples of the silane coupling agent include vinyl silanes such as vinyltris (β-methoxyethoxy) silane, vinyltriethoxysilane, and vinyltrimethoxysilane; acrylic silanes such as γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane; β- (3, Epoxy silanes such as 4-epoxycyclohexyl) ethyltrimethoxysilane, γ-glycidoxypropylmethyldiethoxysilane; N-β- (aminoethyl) -γ-aminopropylmethyldimethoxysilane, γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane And aminosilanes such as N-phenyl-γ-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane;

Examples of the fluorine-containing silane compounds include CF ₃ (CH ₂ ) ₂ Si (OCH ₃ ) ₃ , C ₆ F ₁₃ C ₂ H ₄ Si (OCH ₃ ) ₃ , and C ₇ F ₁₅ CONH (CH ₂ ) _3. Si (OC ₂ H ₅ ) ₃ , C ₈ F ₁₇ C ₂ H ₄ Si (OCH ₃ ) ₃ , C ₈ F ₁₇ C ₂ H ₄ SiCH ₃ (OCH ₃ ) ₂ , C ₈ F ₁₇ C ₂ H ₄ Si ( ON = C (CH ₃ ) (C ₂ H ₅ )) ₃ , C ₉ F ₁₉ C ₂ H ₄ Si (OCH ₃ ) ₃ , C ₉ F ₁₉ C ₂ H ₄ Si (NCO) ₃ , (NCO) ₃ SiC ₂ H ₄ C ₆ F ₁₂ C ₂ H ₄ Si (NCO) ₃ , C ₉ F ₁₉ C ₂ H ₄ Si (C ₂ H ₅ ) (OCH ₃ ) ₂ , (CH ₃ O) ₃ SiC ₂ H ₄ C ₈ Fluorine-containing silane compounds such as F ₁₆ C ₂ H ₄ Si (OCH ₃ ) ₃ , (CH ₃ O) ₂ (CH ₃ ) SiC ₉ F ₁₈ C ₂ H ₄ Si (CH ₃ ) (OCH ₃ ) _{2, and the} like Water Silane compounds such as decomposition products or partial condensates thereof can be exemplified.

Examples of the isocyanate silane compounds include (CH ₃ ) ₃ SiNCO, (CH ₃ ) ₂ Si (NCO) ₂ , CH ₃ Si (NCO) ₃ , vinylsilyl triisocyanate, C ₆ H ₅ Si (NCO) ₃ , Si (NCO) ₄ , C ₂ H ₅ OSi (NCO) ₃ , C ₈ H ₁₇ Si (NCO) ₃ , C ₁₈ H ₃₇ Si (NCO) ₃ , (NCO) ₃ SiC ₂ H ₄ (NCO) ₃ etc. it can.

  Examples of the condensate resin of the silane-based composition include curable silicone resins such as thermosetting (condensation type, addition type) and photo-curable curable silicone resins. become that way.

Among the thermosetting silicone resins, the condensation-type curable silicone resin is based on a polysiloxane such as polydimethylsiloxane having a silanol group at the end and a polymethylhydrogensiloxane as a crosslinking agent. Curable silicone resins synthesized by heat condensation in the presence of organic acid metal salts such as organotin catalysts and amines, and polydiorganosiloxanes having reactive functional groups such as hydroxyl groups and alkoxy groups at the ends. Examples thereof include a curable silicone resin synthesized by reaction, and a polysiloxane resin synthesized by condensing silanol obtained by hydrolyzing a trifunctional or higher functional chlorosilane or a mixture of these with a 1,2-functional chlorosilane. .
The condensation type is classified into a solution type and an emulsion type in terms of form, and any of them can be suitably used.

Among the thermosetting silicone resins, as an addition-type curable silicone resin, a polysiloxane such as polydimethylsiloxane containing a vinyl group is used as a base polymer, and polydimethylhydrogensiloxane is blended as a crosslinking agent. Examples thereof include a curable silicone resin synthesized by reaction and curing in the presence of a platinum catalyst.
The addition type is classified into a solvent type, an emulsion type, and a solventless type in terms of form, and any of them can be used preferably.

  Examples of the thermosetting silicone resin obtained by the condensation type and addition type curing include, for example, pure silicone resin, silicone alkyd resin, silicone epoxy resin, silicone polyester resin, silicone acrylic resin, silicone phenol resin, silicone urethane resin, and silicone. A melamine resin etc. are mentioned suitably.

  Examples of the photocurable silicone resin include a curable silicone resin synthesized using a photocationic catalyst, and a curable silicone resin synthesized using a radical curing mechanism. Moreover, the modification | denaturation obtained by carrying out photocuring reaction of the low molecular weight polysiloxane which has a hydroxyl group or an alkoxy group etc. couple | bonded with the silicon atom, and an alkyd resin, a polyester resin, an epoxy resin, an acrylic resin, a phenol resin, a polyurethane, or a melamine resin. Silicone resin is preferably used. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

The curable silicone resin is particularly preferably an acrylic-modified silicone resin (a resin obtained by photocuring the acrylic resin and a low molecular weight polysiloxane) or a thermosetting silicone resin for the following reasons.
The acrylic-modified silicone resin is a silicone that contains a styrene-acrylic resin or a polyester resin, which is usually used as an image forming material, and has an acrylic chain with high chemical affinity in the molecule, while exhibiting releasability. It also has a resin part. Therefore, there are a part that easily adheres to the toner and a part that is difficult to adhere in one molecule. Further, since these are uniformly compatible, image fixability and image peelability are expressed on a molecular order.

  Moreover, in the said acrylic modified silicone resin, the transfer sheet of moderate surface hardness is producible by controlling suitably the ratio of an acrylic chain and a silicone chain, its curing conditions, etc.

  For the above reasons, it is preferable to use a thermosetting silicone resin, particularly an acrylic-modified silicone resin.

As the curable silicone resin, an acrylic-modified silicone resin and a thermosetting silicone resin may be contained at the same time.
When the acrylic-modified silicone resin and the thermosetting silicone resin are contained at the same time, it is possible to express intermediate properties by the content ratio, curing conditions, addition amount, etc. It is possible to further freely control the image fixing property and the image peeling property.

  When the curable silicone resin containing an acrylic modified silicone resin and a thermosetting silicone resin at the same time is used, the content ratio (acryl modified silicone resin / thermosetting silicone resin) is curable. Since it differs depending on the type of the silicone resin and the like, it cannot be defined generally, but a range of 1/100 to 100/1 is preferable, and a range of 1/10 to 10/1 is more preferable.

  Moreover, when using what contains an acrylic modified silicone resin and a thermosetting silicone resin simultaneously as said curable silicone resin, as the combination, for example, the combination of acrylic modified silicone resin and silicone alkyd resin, acrylic A combination of a modified silicone resin and a pure silicone resin, or a combination of an acrylic modified silicone resin, a silicone alkyd resin, and a pure silicone resin is preferred.

  The molecular weight of the curable silicone resin is preferably in the range of 10,000 to 1,000,000 in terms of weight average molecular weight. Moreover, as a ratio of the phenyl group in all the organic groups in the said curable silicone resin, the range of 0.1 mol% or more and 50 mol% or less is preferable.

  The silicone-based hard coat material in the present invention preferably further contains colloidal silica in the range of 5 parts by mass or more and 25 parts by mass or less with respect to 100 parts by mass of the solid content of the condensate resin of the silane composition. More preferably, it is the range of about 10 mass parts or more and 15 mass parts or less. Within this range of use, the image-receiving layer film is not cracked, and the mechanical strength can be achieved at an optimum level.

  These colloidal silicas are usually in the form of an aqueous dispersion or an aqueous / organic solvent dispersion. These production methods are shown, for example, in US Pat. Nos. 4,914,143, 3,986,997, 5,503,935, and 4,177,315.

  These colloidal silicas have an average particle diameter of less than about 10 nanometers (nm) when observed with a transmission electron microscope or the like, and at least about 80% colloidal based on the particle volume. The silica particles have a diameter in the range of 6 nm to 9 nm.

<Protective layer>
The protective layer in the first transfer sheet constitutes the surface layer of the image recording body and bears the function of protecting the image.
In order to exert this function, the protective layer needs to be resistant to scratches and drugs. For this reason, it is preferable that the protective layer contains a photo-curable or thermosetting resin such as a silicone-based hard coat material.
In addition to these, various materials can be added as necessary, but the silicone-based hard coat material may be included in the range of 0.5% by mass or more and 98% by mass or less in the entire resin constituting the protective layer. Preferably, it is contained in the range of 1% by mass to 95% by mass. If the content of the silicone-based hard coat material is less than 0.5% by mass, peeling at the interface between the release layer and the protective layer may be difficult, and if it exceeds 98% by mass, image transfer or The fixing situation may deteriorate and image quality may be deteriorated.

<Substrate>
Although it does not specifically limit as a base | substrate, A plastic film can be used typically. Among these, PET films that can be used as OHP films or printing films, polyacetate film, cellulose triacetate film, nylon film, polyester film, polycarbonate film, polysulfone film, polystyrene film, polyphenylene sulfide film, polyphenylene ether film , Cycloolefin film, polypropylene film, polyimide film, cellophane, ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) resin film, polyarylate film and the like can be preferably used.

  The substrate used in the present invention is preferably composed of two or more layers from the viewpoint of thermocompression bonding (laminability) with an image support described later.

  The polycarbonate is a polycondensate obtained from bisphenols and carbonic acid, and the polyarylate is a polyester obtained by polycondensation of bisphenol and an aromatic dicarboxylic acid. Polyarylate generally has higher heat resistance than polycarbonate because it contains a rigid aromatic ring in the main chain at a high density.

  Examples of the bisphenols include bisphenol A (2,2-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) propane), bisphenol C (4,4 ′-(1-methylethylidene) bis (2-methylphenol)), bisphenol AP (4 , 4 ′-(1-phenylethylidene) bisphenol), bisphenol Z (4,4′-cyclohexylidenebisphenol), 4,4′-cyclohexylidenebis (3-methylphenol), 5,5 ′-(1 -Methylethylidene) (1,1'-biphenyl) -2-ol, (1,1'-biphenyl) -4,4'-diol, 3,3'-dimethyl (1,1'-biphenyl) -4, 4'-diol, 4,4 '-(1,4-phenylenebis (1-methylethylidene)) bisphenol), 4,4'-(1,4-phenyle) Bis (1-methylethylidene) bis (2-methylphenol)), 4,4 '-(1,3-phenylenebis (1-methylethylidene) bis (2-methylphenol)), bisphenol S (4,4' -Bis (dihydroxydiphenyl sulfone) etc. are mentioned, The thing of bisphenol A is often used, Moreover, these may be used independently and may be used in mixture of 2 or more types.

  Examples of the aromatic dicarboxylic acid include terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, oxalic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, adipic acid, itaconic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, icodic acid diacid, naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, diphenic acid, dodecane A diacid, cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid, etc. are mentioned. These raw materials are not necessarily used alone, and two or more of them may be copolymerized. Among these, the use of a mixture with a terephthalic acid component and / or an isophthalic acid component is preferable in terms of melt processability and overall performance of the resulting polyarylate. In the case of such a mixture, the mixing ratio can be arbitrarily selected, but a range of terephthalic acid component / isophthalic acid component = 9/1 to 1/9 (molar ratio) is preferable, and particularly a balance of melt processability and performance is achieved. In this respect, a range of 7/3 to 3/7 (molar ratio), more preferably 1/1 (molar ratio) is more preferable.

  Although the manufacturing method of the base | substrate used for this invention is arbitrary, it can produce using well-known methods, such as a co-extrusion method and the bonding method. In particular, those produced by coextrusion are preferred because of the strong adhesion between the respective layers. For example, the substrate is a polycarbonate or polyarylate as described above, or a copolymer thereof, or a film 1 (I layer) made of PET, and a film 2 (II layer) made of PETG resin on one or both sides thereof. In the case of being laminated, for example, it can be produced as follows.

  First, as a method of laminating film 2 (II layer) on one side or both sides of film 1 (I layer), a composition constituting film 1 (I layer) and a composition constituting film 2 (II layer) Can be obtained by the coextrusion method of extruding while being laminated from the same die in a molten state after being fed to separate extruders.

  The unstretched film can be used as a substrate as it is. Further, the unstretched film is stretched between rolls having a speed difference (roll stretching) or stretched by being held by a clip and expanded (tenter). Biaxial orientation treatment may be performed by stretching) or stretching by inflation with air pressure (inflation stretching), and this may be used as a substrate.

In general, when a substrate is produced, after being co-extruded, it enters a longitudinal stretching step, stretches between two or many rolls having different peripheral speeds, and adjusts to a target film thickness to wind up. It is done. In the case of biaxial stretching, the film that has passed through the above process is introduced into the tenter as it is, and stretched 2.5 times to 5 times in the width direction. A preferable stretching temperature at this time is in a range of 100 ° C. or more and 200 ° C. or less.
The biaxially stretched film thus obtained is subjected to heat treatment as necessary. The heat treatment is preferably performed in a tenter, and a film having a low thermal shrinkage rate can be obtained by performing heat treatment particularly while relaxing in the vertical and horizontal directions.

  As the substrate, paper (plain paper, coated paper, etc.), metal (aluminum, etc.), ceramics (alumina, etc.) can also be used. There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a shape of this base | substrate, Although it can select suitably from well-known shapes as a base | substrate, a film form is preferable.

  As the paper, for example, as chemical pulp, hardwood bleached kraft pulp, hardwood unbleached kraft pulp, hardwood bleached sulfite pulp, softwood bleached kraft pulp, softwood unbleached kraft pulp, softwood bleached sulfite pulp, soda pulp, and so on Virgin bleached chemical pulp produced by chemically treating other fiber raw materials and passing through a bleaching process. Among these, a pulp having high whiteness is particularly preferable. Waste paper pulp includes waste paper pulp, fine paper, high-quality coated paper, medium-quality paper that has been dissociated from unprinted waste paper such as white, special white, medium white, and white loss generated in bookbinding, printing factories, cutting offices, etc. , Flat coated paper, letterpress, intaglio, printing, etc. on medium coated paper, reprinted paper, etc., electrophotographic system, thermal system, thermal transfer system, pressure sensitive recording paper, ink jet recording system, waste paper printed with carbon paper, water based, oily Examples include waste paper pulp that has been deinked by an optimal method after dissociating waste paper and newspaper waste paper written with ink or pencil. Among these, waste paper pulp having high whiteness and few impurities is particularly preferable.

  The substrate may be colored by adding pigments or dyes. Further, the substrate may be in the form of a film or a plate, or may have a shape having a thickness that is not flexible or has a strength required for a requirement as a substrate.

<< Second transfer sheet >>
In the second form of the transfer sheet (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “second transfer sheet”), an image-receiving layer is provided on the surface of the substrate. The image-receiving layer comprises a thermoplastic resin, fine particles, and the like. And at least a curable silicone resin, and if necessary, various other additives may be contained in the same manner as the image-receiving layer of the first transfer sheet. Here, the same thermoplastic resin, fine particles, and substrate as those used for the first transfer sheet can be used.

  In the second transfer sheet, the image receiving layer is a layer that can be peeled off from the substrate. This is because the resin constituting the image receiving layer is a mixed resin containing a curable silicone resin and a thermoplastic resin, so that the image can be peeled off from the substrate, and an image formed by electrophotography is transferred onto a recording medium. In this case, the image receiving layer peels off from the substrate, covers the image transferred onto the recording medium, and protects this image. Further, since the curable silicone resin is tough, it is excellent in scratch resistance of the image recording body.

  As the curable silicone resin, a known curable silicone resin can be used. However, in order to promote compatibility between the image-receiving layer and the image at the time of fixing, it is compatible with an acrylic resin or a polyester resin used as a toner binder resin. It preferably contains a curable silicone resin having excellent solubility. Moreover, as a thermoplastic resin, it is preferable to use an acrylic resin or a polyester resin for the same reason.

The curable silicone resin contained in the image receiving layer will be described below.
In general, silicone resins are classified according to their molecular structure into silicone resins having a linear structure, which is a material such as silicone oil and silicone rubber, and silicone resins having a three-dimensionally crosslinked structure. In addition, various properties such as releasability, adhesiveness, heat resistance, insulation, and chemical stability are determined by molecules (organic molecules) bonded to silicon atoms, the degree of polymerization thereof, and the like.

The curable silicone resin is preferably a silicone resin having a three-dimensionally crosslinked structure. A silicone resin having a three-dimensionally crosslinked structure is usually polymerized from polyfunctional (trifunctional or tetrafunctional) units and has a crosslinked structure.
A silicone resin having a linear structure has a low molecular weight, and as a silicone oil, an insulating oil, a liquid coupling, a buffer oil, a lubricating oil, a heat medium, a water repellent, a surface treatment agent, a mold release agent, an erasing agent. Examples include those used for foaming agents, and silicone rubbers that are polymerized to a molecular weight (siloxane unit) of about 5,000 to 10,000 by heat curing after adding a vulcanizing agent.

  Curable silicone resins are classified according to their molecular weight units into silicone varnishes that are soluble in organic solvents and have a relatively low molecular weight, silicone resins with a high degree of polymerization, and the like. The curable silicone resin is classified into a condensation type, an addition type, a radiation type (ultraviolet ray curable type, an electron beam curable type), and the like, depending on a curing reaction in the generation stage. Further, depending on the application form, it is classified into a solvent type, a solventless type and the like.

  The reason why the image receiving layer needs to contain a curable silicone resin is as follows. That is, first, since the curable silicone resin has a low surface energy due to Si—O bonds, it is essentially excellent in releasability and incompatibility. However, since it is possible to develop excellent adhesiveness by controlling the curing conditions and the like, it is possible to obtain an image recording body having both image releasability and image fixability. It is.

There is no restriction | limiting in particular as curable silicone resin, Although it can select from well-known curable silicone resin, curable acrylic modified silicone resin (curable acrylic silicone resin) is especially preferable for the following reasons.
The curable acrylic silicone resin includes a silicone resin portion that is usually used as an image forming material and contains a styrene-acrylic resin or an acrylic chain having a high chemical affinity with a polyester resin in the molecule, thereby exhibiting releasability. Have both. Therefore, in one molecule, there are a part that easily adheres to the toner and a part that hardly adheres to the toner. Further, since these are homogeneously compatible, image peelability and image fixability are expressed on a molecular order.
In the case of the curable acrylic silicone resin, the ratio of the acrylic chain to the silicone chain, the curing conditions, the addition amount of the curable silicone compound and the modified silicone oil described later, and the like can be controlled to control the image fixability and image peelability. Can be controlled more freely.

As the curable silicone resin, a thermosetting silicone resin can also be particularly preferably used.
The thermosetting silicone resin has a lower surface hardness than the acrylic silicone resin known as a photo-curing type, and accordingly, the image forming material tends to be encased in the image receiving layer and tends to be excellent in image fixability. is there.
In addition, the thermosetting silicone resin has a high mold releasability compared to an acrylic silicone resin and the like, and as a result, is excellent in image peelability.
In the case of a thermosetting silicone resin, in the case of a mixed system of a silicone component and a non-silicone component, the image fixing property can be controlled by controlling the ratio, the curing conditions, and the addition amount of the curable silicone compound and the modified silicone oil. And image peelability can be further freely controlled.

  A mixture of an acrylic silicone resin and a thermosetting silicone resin can be preferably used. When mixing the acryl silicone resin and the thermosetting silicone resin, the mixing ratio will show an intermediate performance between the two, the ratio, the curing conditions, the addition amount of the curable silicone compound and the modified silicone oil, etc. By controlling this, it is possible to further freely control the image fixing property and the image peeling property.

  Suitable examples of the curable silicone resin include the following when classified into a condensation type, an addition type, and an ultraviolet curable type.

As the condensation type curable silicone resin, for example, a polysiloxane such as polydimethylsiloxane having a silanol group at the terminal is used as a base polymer, and polymethylhydrogensiloxane or the like is blended as a crosslinking agent, and an organic acid such as an organic tin catalyst. A curable silicone resin synthesized by heat condensation in the presence of a metal salt or amine, or a curable silicone synthesized by reacting a polydiorganosiloxane having a reactive functional group such as a hydroxyl group or an alkoxy group at the terminal. Examples thereof include polysiloxane resins synthesized by condensing a silanol obtained by hydrolyzing a resin, a trifunctional or higher functional chlorosilane, or a mixture of these with a monofunctional chlorosilane.
The condensed type is classified into a solution type and an emulsion type in terms of form, and any of them can be used preferably.

As an addition-type curable silicone resin, for example, a polysiloxane such as polydimethylsiloxane containing a vinyl group is used as a base polymer, and polydimethylhydrogensiloxane is blended as a cross-linking agent to react in the presence of a platinum catalyst. Examples thereof include a curable silicone resin synthesized by curing.
The addition type is classified into a solvent type, an emulsion type, and a useless type in terms of form, and any of them can be used preferably.

  Examples of the ultraviolet curable curable silicone resin include a curable silicone resin synthesized using a photocationic catalyst and a curable silicone resin synthesized using a radical curing mechanism.

  A modified silicone resin obtained by reacting a low molecular weight polysiloxane having a hydroxyl group or an alkoxy group bonded to a silicon atom with an alkyd resin, a polyester resin, an epoxy resin, an acrylic resin, a phenol resin, a polyurethane, or a melamine resin. Etc. are also preferred. These curable silicone resins may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  The molecular weight of the curable silicone resin used for the image receiving layer is preferably 10,000 to 1,000,000 in terms of weight average molecular weight. Moreover, as a ratio of the phenyl group in all the organic groups in curable silicone resin, 0.1 mol% or more and 50 mol% or less are preferable, and as functionality, 1 or more and 4 or less are preferable.

  The content of the curable silicone resin in the image receiving layer is preferably from 30% by mass to 100% by mass, and more preferably from 50% by mass to 100% by mass. When the content is less than 30% by mass, the release performance may not be exhibited.

As the thermoplastic resin, an acrylic resin or a polyester resin excellent in compatibility with the toner is preferably used, but other hot-melt resins and curable resins can also be used.
The acrylic resin as the thermoplastic resin preferably has a glass transition point (Tg) in the range of 50 ° C to 120 ° C, and more preferably in the range of 60 ° C to 105 ° C.

  In addition to the acrylic resin or polyester resin as the thermoplastic resin, the image-receiving layer may be used in combination with other resins as necessary.

  In order to prevent the image receiving layer from adhering to and wrapping around the fixing member at the time of fixing the image, natural wax or synthetic wax which is a low adhesion material to the fixing member, a release resin, or a reactive silicone compound It is preferable to contain modified silicone oil and the like.

<< Third transfer sheet >>
In the third form of the transfer sheet (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “third transfer sheet”), the release layer and the image receiving layer are sequentially formed from the substrate side on the surface of the substrate on which the image receiving layer is provided. The image receiving layer includes a curable silicone resin, a thermoplastic resin, and fine particles, and if necessary, various other additives similar to those used for the first transfer sheet. It can be used as appropriate.
The third transfer sheet is a layer that can be peeled off from a release layer that is an image receiving layer adjacent to the substrate side.

  Since the third transfer sheet has a release layer, when the image formed by electrophotography is transferred onto the recording medium, the image receiving layer peels off from the release layer, and the image receiving layer is The image transferred onto the recording medium is covered and the image is protected. Further, since the curable silicone resin contained in the image receiving layer is tough, covering the image is excellent in scratch resistance.

  The third transfer sheet has the same configuration as the second transfer sheet except that the release agent layer and the image receiving layer are provided in this order on the surface of the substrate, and the preferred embodiment is also the same.

  In the third transfer sheet, the curable silicone resin, the thermoplastic resin, and the fine particles used for the image receiving layer are the same as those used for the image receiving layer in the second transfer sheet, and the preferred embodiments are also the same. is there. Furthermore, the release layer in the third transfer sheet is the same as the release layer in the first transfer sheet, and the preferred embodiment is also the same.

<< Transfer sheet manufacturing method >>
The transfer sheet of the present invention as described above can be produced by sequentially coating on the surface of the substrate using a coating liquid containing a material constituting each layer excluding the substrate. The coating liquid is prepared by mixing the material constituting each layer and the solvent component, and uniformly dispersing the mixture using an apparatus such as an ultrasonic wave, a wave blower, an attritor or a sand mill.

  As the coating method, commonly used methods such as blade coating method, wire bar coating method, spray coating method, dip coating method, bead coating method, air knife coating method, curtain coating method and roll coating method are adopted. .

  The layers sequentially formed on the surface of the substrate may be dried by air, but can be easily dried by heat drying. As the drying method, a commonly used method such as a method of placing in an oven, a method of passing through an oven, or a method of contacting with a heating roller is employed.

(Image recording material and method for producing the same)
Next, the image recording material of the present invention will be described. The image recording material of the present invention has at least an image support, an image covering layer provided on at least one side of the image support, and an image disposed at an interface between the image support and the image receiving layer. The image covering layer is an image receiving layer constituting the transfer sheet of the present invention.
Here, the image recording body of the present invention comprises an image receiving apparatus comprising the transfer sheet of the present invention in which an image is formed on the surface of the image receiving layer and an image support by an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. A laminate forming process for forming a laminate by superimposing the surface on the layer side and the surface of the image support, and by heating and pressurizing the laminate, the transfer sheet and the image support are pressure-bonded and pressure-bonded. A pressure-bonded body forming step for forming a body, and a peeling step for peeling a substrate constituting the transfer sheet or a member including the substrate from the pressure-bonded body are produced.

For this reason, the image recording body of the present invention has a good appearance with few occurrences of residual bubbles that can be visually confirmed even when there is a step on the surface of the image support that is pressed against the transfer sheet.
Since the image recording material of the present invention is produced through the process as described above using the transfer sheet of the present invention, there are few residual bubbles that can be visually confirmed, but this advantage is maximized. From the standpoint of enjoyment to the limit, it is preferable that the surface of the image support that is covered with the image coating layer (that is, the surface of the image support that is pressure-bonded to the transfer sheet) is flat.
In the present invention, even if a high level difference exists on the surface of the image support, the generation of residual bubbles that can be visually confirmed can be reduced. However, if the step exceeds 50 μm, it is difficult to suppress the generation of residual bubbles even when the transfer sheet of the present invention is used. Therefore, the step present on the surface of the image support that is covered with the image coating layer. Is preferably 30 μm or less.

  As such an image recording material, for example, (1) an image is transferred onto an image support together with at least an image receiving layer by thermocompression bonding from a transfer sheet of the present invention on which a toner image corresponding to information is formed on the surface. Utilizing a configuration of an image sheet, an image panel, and the like, and (2) at least one means selected from electrical means, magnetic means, and optical means arranged in at least one of the image supports It contains at least information chips that can read information, and stores predetermined information such as IC cards, magnetic cards, optical cards, or a combination of these, and contacts or non-contact with external devices. The configuration of an information recording medium or the like that can communicate with each other is mentioned.

  In the image recording material described in the item (1), the toner image partially or entirely serves as information having some kind of identification function, and a toner image that functions as identifiable information such as image information, character information, etc. If it contains, it will not specifically limit. Further, the identification of the toner image as information is not particularly limited as to whether the toner image can be visually identified, and may be mechanically identifiable.

  In the image recording body (information recording medium) shown in the above item (2), the information chip has information having some kind of identification function, and is selected from at least electrical means, magnetic means, and optical means. There is no particular limitation as long as it can be read by using one means. This information chip may be dedicated to reading information, but may be one that can both read and write information (including “rewriting”) as necessary. A specific example of such an information chip is an IC chip (semiconductor circuit), for example.

  Note that the toner image formed when the information chip is used as the information source of the image recording body is not particularly limited as to whether or not a part or the whole of the toner image has information having some kind of identification function.

On the other hand, the information included in the toner image or the information chip is not particularly limited as long as it can be identified, but may include variable information. The variable information means that information possessed by individual image recording bodies is different among a plurality of image recording bodies manufactured according to the same standard or standard.
For example, when the toner image includes variable information, the toner image corresponding to the variable information can be a different toner image for each image recording body.

  Further, the variable information may include personal information. In this case, the image recording medium (information recording medium) of the present invention can be applied to a cash card, employee ID card, student ID card, personal ID card, residence ID card, various driving licenses, various qualification acquisition certificates, etc. When used for various purposes, the personal information includes, for example, a face photo, personal verification image information, name, address, date of birth, and combinations thereof.

  In the image formation on the transfer sheet by the electrophotographic method, first, the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member (image holding member) is uniformly charged and charged, and then the obtained image information is exposed on the surface. Then, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to exposure is formed. Next, the electrostatic latent image is visualized and developed with toner (toner image is formed) by supplying toner as an image forming material from the developing device to the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor. Furthermore, the formed toner image is transferred to the surface of the transfer sheet on which the image receiving layer is formed, and finally the toner image is fixed on the surface of the image receiving layer by heat, pressure, etc., and the transfer sheet on which the image is formed Is discharged from the electrophotographic apparatus.

  In the image transfer sheet for electrophotography of the present invention, the image forming surface (the surface on which the image receiving layer is provided) is overlapped with the image support, and the image receiving layer (or a member including the image receiving layer) is provided together with the image. Since the image is transferred to the image support side, the image formed on the image receiving layer of the transfer sheet usually needs to be a reverse image (mirror image). For this reason, when an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor, it is preferable that mirror image information is provided as image information exposed on the surface of the photoconductor.

The image support used in the present invention is a metal, plastic, ceramic or the like, and these are preferably in the form of a sheet.
As the image support used in the present invention, a plastic sheet is preferable, and in particular, it is preferably opaque so that an image formed when it is used as an image recording body is easily visible, and a whitened plastic sheet is typically used. Is done.

  As the resin for the plastic sheet, the same resin as that used for the substrate of the transfer sheet can be used. Polyacetate film, cellulose triacetate film, nylon film, polyester film, polycarbonate film, polystyrene film, polyphenylene sulfide A film, a polypropylene film, a polyimide film, a cellophane, an ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) resin film, or the like can be preferably used.

  Among them, polyester films, particularly PETG in which about half of the ethylene glycol component of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is replaced with 1,4-cyclohexanemethanol component, and the PET is mixed with polycarbonate to be alloyed. Further, non-biaxially stretched PET, and amorphous polyester called A-PET can be used more preferably.

  The image support used in the present invention has at least a surface on which an image receiving layer (or a member including an image receiving layer) is transferred together with an image, vinyl chloride resin or polycarbonate resin, ethylene glycol, terephthalic acid, and 1 It is preferably a resin called PETG containing polyester obtained by copolymerizing at least a 4-cyclohexanedimethanol component.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the surface of the image support on which the image receiving layer (or a member containing the image receiving layer) is transferred together with PETG contains PETG. By using PETG as the image transfer surface, the transferred image forming material (toner) can be almost completely embedded in the surface of the image support, and the final surface of the image recording body is formed on the image transfer sheet for electrophotography. The surface shape of the release layer can be the same.

  In the present invention, in consideration of the use of a substrate containing no chlorine as described above, the polystyrene resin sheet, ABS resin sheet, AS (acrylonitrile-styrene) resin sheet, PET sheet, polyethylene, A sheet obtained by adding a hot melt adhesive such as polyester or EVA to a polyolefin resin sheet such as polypropylene can also be preferably used.

  As a method for whitening the plastic, a method in which a white pigment, for example, metal oxide fine particles such as silicon oxide, titanium oxide, and calcium oxide, an organic white pigment, and polymer particles are mixed in the film can be used. Further, the surface of the plastic sheet can be made uneven by subjecting the surface of the plastic sheet to sandblasting or embossing, and the plastic sheet can be whitened by light scattering due to the unevenness.

  As the image support used in the present invention, a sheet made of a plastic having a thickness of 75 μm or more and 1000 μm or less is preferably used, and a PETG sheet having a thickness of 100 μm or more and 750 μm or less is more preferably used.

In the present invention, when the final image recording body is used as an IC card or the like, an image support having a semiconductor circuit inside or on its surface can be used.
As a method for incorporating a semiconductor circuit in an image support, there is a method in which a sheet called an inlet to which the semiconductor circuit is fixed is sandwiched between sheet materials constituting the image support, and heat fusion is integrated by heat press. Generally, it is preferably used. Further, it is also possible to arrange a semiconductor circuit directly without the inlet sheet and to perform heat fusion and integration in the same manner.

In addition, it is possible to attach the sheets constituting the image support using an adhesive such as hot melt, and similarly incorporate a semiconductor circuit, regardless of the heat fusion. For example, any method for incorporating a semiconductor circuit in an IC card can be applied as a method for manufacturing the image support.
Furthermore, if there is no problem in use as an image recording body, it is possible to arrange the semiconductor circuit exposed on the surface instead of the inside of the image support.

  When the image recording material of the present invention is used not only as an IC card but also as a magnetic card or the like, an antenna, a magnetic stripe, an external terminal or the like is embedded in the image support as necessary. Moreover, a magnetic stripe, a hologram, etc. may be printed and required character information may be embossed.

  The superposition of the electrophotographic image transfer sheet and the image support may be performed by holding the electrophotographic image transfer sheet and the image support by hand and aligning them, or on the electrophotographic image transfer sheet. In addition, after the image formation, the image transfer sheet for electrophotography and the image support may be sequentially discharged onto a collating tray or the like and automatically aligned.

  The pressure-bonding method in the pressure-bonding body forming step is not particularly limited, and any of various conventionally known laminating techniques and laminating apparatuses can be suitably employed. Among these, it is preferable to use a heat press method of laminating by applying heat. For example, a laminate of a transfer sheet and an image support is inserted into a press-contact portion (nip portion) of a pair of heatable heat rolls. By doing so, it is possible to perform pressure bonding using a normal laminating technique and a laminating apparatus in which both are melted to some extent and thermally fused.

  In the pressure-bonding body forming step in the present invention, an electrophotographic image transfer sheet on which an unfixed image is formed may be used. In this case, the temperature at the time of heating and pressurizing is a transfer sheet that has undergone the fixing step. By making it slightly higher than when it is used, it is possible to ensure the color development of the toner.

  After the image forming material is cooled and solidified, the pressure-bonded body obtained through the pressure-bonding body forming step becomes the image recording body of the present invention by peeling the substrate constituting the transfer sheet or the member including the substrate from the pressure-bonded body. .

  The cooling and solidifying temperature is specifically a temperature below the softening point at which the toner is sufficiently hardened, for example, below the glass transition temperature of the image forming material, and preferably from room temperature to 30 ° C. The conditions for peeling the substrate constituting the transfer sheet or the member including the substrate from the pressure-bonded body are not particularly limited, but it is preferable to grab the end surface of the transfer sheet and gradually peel it from the pressure-bonded body.

  Next, specific examples of the image recording material described above will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the image recording body before heating and pressing in the production of the image recording body of the present invention, and an image recording body after heating and pressing and peeling. In FIG. 4, 100 is an electrophotographic image transfer sheet, 180 is an image receiving layer (or image coating layer), 190 is an image forming material, 200 is an image support, and 300 is an image recording material.

  In FIG. 4A, an electrophotographic image transfer sheet 100 composed of a substrate 110 and an image receiving layer 180 and an image support 200 (for example, a PETG sheet) as a transfer sheet are overlapped to form a laminate. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the state of time. Prior to heating and pressing, the image forming material (toner) 190 exists on the image receiving layer 180 side of the electrophotographic image transfer sheet 100 or at the interface between the image receiving layer 180 and the image support 200. Note that the electrophotographic image transfer sheet 100 shown in FIG. 4 is provided with only an image receiving layer on a substrate, but a release layer is provided as described in each embodiment of the transfer sheet of the present invention described above. May be.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4B, in the image recording body 300 obtained after the thermocompression bonding and peeling, the image forming material 190 is covered with an image covering layer (image receiving layer) 180. . Therefore, the produced image recording body has the same feel as the image recording body printed as it is, and the image forming material 190 is protected and is not easily peeled off.

  The peeled image recording body can be used as it is as the image recording body of the present invention. However, when a plurality of individual images are formed on the electrophotographic image transfer sheet, the image recording body is cut for each image, and a plurality of predetermined sizes are obtained. An image recording body can be obtained.

Next, the method for producing an image recording body of the present invention and the image recording body manufacturing apparatus used therefor will be described in more detail.
As described above, the image recording material of the present invention first forms an image made of an image forming material as a mirror image by an electrophotographic method on the surface of the transfer sheet on which the image receiving layer is provided (image forming step). ). Subsequently, a surface of the image receiving layer side of the transfer sheet and the surface of the image support are faced and overlapped to form a layered body (layered body forming step). In forming the laminate, the transfer sheet and the image support are aligned so that the image formed on the transfer sheet surface is transferred to a desired position on the image support. Next, the transfer body and the image support are pressure-bonded by heating and pressurizing the laminated body to form a pressure-bonded body (pressure-bonded body forming step). Then, after the image forming material is cooled, the base constituting the transfer sheet or the member including the base is peeled from the pressure-bonded body (peeling step).
In the laminated body forming step, the two transfer sheets on which the images are formed may face the fixed image surface formed on the surface of the image support, respectively. Is preferable in that it can be transferred.

Next, a manufacturing apparatus used in the method for manufacturing an image recording body of the present invention will be described.
The apparatus for producing an image recording material used in the present invention uses the image transfer sheet for electrophotography of the present invention, and for electrophotography that houses an image transfer sheet for electrophotography having an image receiving layer on at least one surface. An image transfer sheet storage unit, an image forming unit that forms an image made of an image forming material as a mirror image by an electrophotographic method on the surface on which the image receiving layer of the electrophotographic image transfer sheet is provided, and an image support An image support storage portion for storing the electrophotographic image transfer sheet, and a laminate forming portion for stacking the electrophotographic image transfer sheet so that at least one side of the image support and the surface on which the image is formed face each other (Positioning part), a pressure-bonding body forming part (thermocompression-bonding part) that forms a pressure-bonded body by thermocompression-bonding the laminate, and the image-forming material is cooled and solidified to constitute the electrophotographic image transfer sheet. A peeling unit for peeling the members comprising a substrate or substrate from pressure-bonded body, in which comprises a.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of an apparatus for producing an image recording body of the present invention.
5 includes an image forming apparatus 12, a collating apparatus 14 (positioning unit), a laminating apparatus 16 (thermocompression bonding section), and a peeling apparatus 17 (peeling section). ing.

  The image forming apparatus 12 includes, for example, a transfer sheet storage unit 18 (an electrophotographic image transfer sheet storage unit), an image forming unit 20, and a transfer sheet (from the transfer sheet storage unit 18 to the image forming unit). An image transfer sheet) 22, and a conveyance path 26 that conveys the transfer sheet 22 from the image forming unit 20 to the discharge port 28. Other configurations are omitted.

  The transfer sheet storage unit 18 stores a transfer sheet 22 and is provided with a feed roll and a paper feed roll as provided in a normal paper feeder, and the paper feed roll and the like rotate at a predetermined timing. Then, the transfer sheet 22 is conveyed to the image forming unit 20.

  Although not shown, the image forming unit 20 develops a latent image holding body that forms a latent image, a developing device that develops the latent image using a developer containing at least toner, and obtains a toner image, and the developed toner image The image forming apparatus includes a known electrophotographic apparatus including a transfer device for transferring the toner image to the transfer sheet 22 and a fixing device for fixing the toner image transferred to the transfer sheet 22 by heating and pressing.

  The conveyance paths 24 and 26 are composed of a plurality of roller pairs including guide roller pairs and guides (not shown). Further, the conveyance path 26 is a reversing path 26 a that reverses the conveyance direction of the transfer sheet 22 by 180 °. Is provided. A cam 32 for changing the guide direction of the transfer sheet 22 is provided near the branch between the conveyance path 26 and the reversing path 26a. When the transfer sheet 22 is reciprocated by the reversing path 26a and returned to the transport path 26, the transport direction of the transfer sheet 22 is reversed by 180 °, and the front and back of the transfer sheet 22 are reversed and transported.

  The collating device 14 supplies a plastic sheet storage unit (image support storage unit) 34, a collation tray 36 (positioning unit), and a plastic sheet (image support unit) 38 from the plastic sheet storage unit 34 to the collation tray 36. And a conveyance path 42 for supplying the transfer sheet 22 discharged from the discharge port 28 of the image forming apparatus 12 to the collating tray 36.

A conveyance path 40 discharge section for supplying the plastic sheet 38 to the collating tray 36 and a conveyance path 42 discharge section for supplying the transfer sheet 22 to the collation tray 36 are provided in parallel in the height direction.
The conveyance paths 40 and 42 may have a configuration in which a smooth plate-like member and a conveyance roll for conveying the transfer sheet 22 on the surface thereof are provided, or a belt-shaped conveyance body that rotates. It may be. Then, the conveyance roll or the belt rotates at the timing when the transfer sheet 22 is discharged from the image forming apparatus 12 or the timing when the plastic sheet 38 is discharged, and the transfer sheet 22 or the plastic sheet 38 is conveyed to the collating tray 36.

  The plastic sheet storage unit (image support storage unit) 34 stores a plastic sheet 38 and includes a feed roll and a paper feed roll as provided in a normal paper feeding device. Immediately after the sheet is moved to the position of the discharge port of the plastic sheet storage portion 34, the paper feed roll or the like rotates to convey the plastic sheet 38 to the collating tray 36.

  For example, a part of the end of the collating tray 36 is stretched up and down (up and down in the drawing) so that the plastic sheet 38 and the transfer sheet 22 are supplied from the discharge path 40 and the discharge path 42, respectively. The belt is connected to an outer wall of the belt, and is configured to move up and down as the belt rotates. Not only such lifting means, but also known lifting means such as a motor drive system can be applied. Further, positioning means (not shown) for aligning the ends of the laminated plastic sheet 38 and the transfer sheet 22 is provided.

  The collating tray 36 is provided with a temporary fixing device 44 for temporarily fixing a laminated body in which two transfer sheets 22 are laminated via a plastic sheet 38. This temporary fixing device is composed of, for example, a pair of projecting pieces made of metal so as to be heated by a heater or the like, and the laminated body is sandwiched between the heated projecting pieces and the vicinity of the end of the laminated body. The vicinity of the end of each is thermally welded and temporarily fixed.

  The method of temporary anchoring is not limited to a method using a pair of protruding pieces as long as thermal welding is used, but other existing methods, that is, a heated needle-like member is penetrated in the vertical direction of the sheet, or ultrasonic vibration is used. It is also possible to sandwich the sheet with a member on which a child is mounted and weld it by heat generated by ultrasonic vibration. Further, a means for mechanically restraining movement of each other without using heat, that is, fixing using a staple needle or the like, or a gripper movable along with the sheet along the conveyance path may be provided.

  When the temporary fixing device 44 is provided on the transport path of the laminate from the collating tray 36 to the laminating device 16, the temporary fixing device 44 is disposed at the end of the collating tray 36 only at the time of temporary fixing. In other cases, it is necessary to adopt a structure that can be retracted from the conveyance path.

The laminating apparatus 16 can employ, for example, a belt nip method including a pair of belts 46. Each belt 46 is stretched by a heating / pressure roll 48, a stretch roll 50, and further rolls 52 and 54.
The pressure bonding method in the laminating apparatus 16 is not particularly limited, and any of various conventionally known laminating techniques and laminating apparatuses can be suitably employed. For example, by using the usual laminating technique and laminating apparatus, or laminating apparatus, or hot pressing technique, and hot pressing apparatus in which the laminated body is inserted into a nip portion by a hot roll pair or the like so as to be melted and thermally fused to some extent. Can be crimped.

  The peeling device 17 includes, for example, an air ejection nozzle 19 and guides 21a and 21b. A discharge tray 56 is provided on the downstream side of the plastic sheet conveyance path.

  First, in the image forming apparatus 12, the first transfer sheet 22 a that is in pressure contact with the back surface (lower side in the drawing) of the transfer sheet 22 is transferred from the transfer sheet storage unit 18 via the conveyance path 24. A predetermined toner image is supplied to the image forming unit 20 and transferred to the upper surface (upper side in the drawing) of the first transfer sheet 22a by an electrophotographic method, and then fixed and a fixed image is formed. At this time, since the fixed image is formed on the upper surface of the first transfer sheet 22 a, the first transfer sheet 22 a is conveyed as it is to the discharge port 28 through the conveyance path 26 and is sent to the collating device 14. .

  Then, in the collating apparatus 14, the first transfer sheet 22 a is supplied to the collating tray 36 through the conveyance path 42 of the collating apparatus 14. Here, the first transfer sheet 22 that has exited the discharge portion of the conveyance path 42 is supplied to the collating tray 36 by its own weight so that the image surface of the first transfer sheet 22a faces the upper surface.

  Next, the collating tray 36 is moved up and down to the vicinity of the discharge section of the conveyance path 40, and the plastic sheet 38 is supplied from the plastic sheet storage section 34 to the collation tray 36 through the conveyance path 40. Here, the plastic sheet 38 that has exited the discharge portion of the conveyance path 40 is supplied to the collating tray 36 by its own weight, and is overlapped with the first transfer sheet 22a.

  Next, in the image forming apparatus 12, the second transfer sheet 22 b pressed against the surface of the plastic sheet 38 (upper side in the drawing) is transferred from the transfer sheet storage unit 18 to the image forming unit 20 via the conveyance path 24. After a predetermined toner image is transferred to the upper surface (upper side in the figure) of the second transfer sheet 22b by an electrophotographic method, it is fixed and a fixed image is formed (image forming step). Since the fixed image is formed on the upper surface of the second transfer sheet 22b, the second transfer sheet 22b passes through the conveyance path 26, returns to the conveyance path 26 again via the one end and the reverse path 26a, and the discharge port. 28 to the collating device 14.

  At this time, the cam 32 is driven in the vicinity of the branch of the conveyance path 26 and the reversing path 26a so that the leading end of the cam 32 overlaps the conveyance path 26, and the conveyance direction of the second transfer sheet 22 that has reached the leading end position of the cam 32 is changed. Then, it is guided and conveyed to the reverse path 26a. Then, after the second transfer sheet 22b reaches the reversing path 26a, the driving roll (not shown) is reversed, the second transfer sheet 22b is reciprocated along the reversing path 26a, and returned to the conveying path 26 again. For this reason, the second transfer sheet 22b returned to the conveyance path 26 is conveyed with the conveyance direction reversed by 180 ° and the front and back surfaces thereof reversed, and the image surface is directed downward (lower side in the figure). It will be.

  Then, in the collating apparatus 14, the second transfer sheet 22 b is supplied to the collating tray 36 through the conveyance path 42 of the collating apparatus 14. Here, the second transfer sheet 22b that has exited the discharge section of the conveyance path 42 is supplied to the collating tray 36 by its own weight so that the image surface of the second transfer sheet 22b faces the upper surface. Overlapping with the sheet 38.

  In this manner, the first transfer sheet 22a with the image surface facing upward, the plastic sheet 38, and the second transfer sheet 22b with the image surface facing downward are supplied and stacked on the collating tray 36 (positioning). Process). In this laminated body, a first transfer sheet 22a and a second transfer sheet 22b are laminated with their image surfaces facing each other through a plastic sheet 38.

  Next, the end portions of the first transfer sheet 22a, the plastic sheet 38, and the second transfer sheet 22b on the collating tray 36 are aligned by positioning means (not shown), and then the laminated body is fixed by the temporary fixing device 44. After temporarily fixing the end of the film, it is conveyed to the laminating device 16. Note that the sizes of the transfer sheet 22 and the plastic sheet 38 are made equal, and positioning is performed by aligning the ends of the laminate.

  Next, in the laminating device 16, the laminated body of the first transfer sheet 22a, the plastic sheet 38, and the second transfer sheet 22b is passed between the nips of the pair of belts 46 and subjected to thermocompression treatment, and the plastic sheet 38 is removed. The first transfer sheet 22a and the second transfer sheet 22b are heat-pressed.

  The heat-pressed laminate is then conveyed to the peeling device 17. For example, the plastic sheet 38 has a notch at the right end of the tip thereof, and the first transfer sheet 22a and the second transfer sheet 22b are opposed to each other with a certain gap without being bonded to the plastic sheet 38. ing. When the front end of the laminate reaches the air ejection nozzle 19, compressed air is ejected from the nozzle. The ends of the first transfer sheet 22a and the second transfer sheet 22b are lifted from the plastic sheet 38, and the tips of the guides 21a and 21b are the first transfer sheet 22a and the plastic sheet 38, and the second transfer sheet 22b and the plastic sheet. Enter between 38. Further, as the laminate is conveyed, the two transfer sheets are conveyed along the guides 21a and 21b in a direction separating from the plastic sheet 38, and peeled off from the plastic sheet 38.

  The plastic sheet 38 is discharged to the discharge tray 56, and a recorded plastic sheet is obtained. Here, when a plurality of individual images are formed on the plastic sheet, each image is cut to obtain a plastic sheet having a predetermined size.

  The first transfer sheet 22a and the second transfer sheet 22b are then discharged to the transfer sheet discharge tray 57 through a path (not shown). The discharged transfer sheet may be returned to the transfer sheet storage unit and image recording may be performed again.

  As described above, in the image recording body manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, an image is formed on one side of two transfer sheets 22 by the electrophotographic method, and the two transfer sheets 22 are transferred to the image plane via the plastic sheet 38. By facing and heat-pressing and peeling off the transfer sheet, it is possible to print a high-resolution image on a plastic sheet with high productivity by using a conventional electrophotographic apparatus as image forming means without major modification. It is.

  Further, a reversing path 26 a is provided in the middle of the conveyance path 26 that conveys the discharge port 28 and the transfer sheet 22 from the image forming unit 20 in the image forming apparatus 12, and the transfer sheet 22 is positioned below the collating tray 36. The first transfer sheet 22a supplied does not pass through the reversing path 26a, and the second transfer sheet 22b supplied on the upper side passes through the reversing path 26a and is transported with its front and back reversed. Further, by reversing the front and back of the transfer sheet 22, continuous positioning is performed, and it becomes possible to print on the plastic sheet more efficiently.

In addition to the above, the image recording material of the present invention can be produced by the method described below.
First, an image made of an image forming material is formed as a mirror image by an electrophotographic method on each of both surfaces of an electrophotographic image transfer sheet provided with image receiving layers on both surfaces (image forming step). Subsequently, each surface of the electrophotographic image transfer sheet on which images are formed on both sides and the image support are faced and overlapped to form a laminate (laminate formation step). In forming the laminate, the transfer sheet and the image support are aligned so that the image formed on the transfer sheet surface is transferred to a desired position on the image support. Next, the transfer body and the image support are pressure-bonded by heating and pressurizing the laminated body to form a pressure-bonded body (pressure-bonded body forming step). Then, after the image forming material is cooled, the base constituting the transfer sheet or the member including the base is peeled from the pressure-bonded body (peeling step).
This method is preferable in terms of efficiency because two image recording bodies can be produced from one electrophotographic image transfer sheet.

On the other hand, for example, when the image receiving layer contains a polyester resin and a photocurable resin such as an acrylic silicone resin, the image receiving layer is harder than when the image receiving layer contains only a polyester resin. As a result, the adhesion to the image forming material (toner) may decrease.
In this case, light having a wavelength that makes the photocurable resin effective is applied to the surface of the image recording layer obtained after the peeling step (that is, an image receiving layer containing the photocurable resin of the transfer sheet). By curing by irradiation, the image recording layer surface is cured by post-curing without reducing the adhesion between the image coating layer and the image forming material (toner), so that the wear resistance of the surface of the image recording body is improved. Can be up.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the following Examples and Comparative Examples, “part” means “part by mass”. In all the examples and comparative examples described below, the transfer sheet and the image support by heat and pressure were pressed under atmospheric pressure.

<< Example A1 >>
An electrophotographic image transfer sheet (transfer sheet 1) was prepared as follows. Hereinafter, the manufacturing method will be described.

(Preparation of image-receiving layer coating solution 1)
75 parts of polyester resin (Arakawa Chemical Industries, KA-2070, solid content 40% by mass) and 7.5 parts of crosslinked acrylic fine particles (Sekisui Plastics, MBX-10SS, volume average particle size 10.3 μm) And 1.5 parts of charge control agent (manufactured by NOF Corporation, Elegan 264WAX) were added to 100 parts of methyl ethyl ketone and sufficiently stirred to prepare an image-receiving layer coating solution 1.

(Preparation of resistance adjustment layer coating solution 1)
10 parts of polyester resin (manufactured by Soken Chemical Co., Ltd., Foret 4M, solid content 30% by mass) and 0.6 parts of cross-linked acrylic fine particles (manufactured by Soken Chemical Co., Ltd., MX300, volume average particle size 3 μm) and charge control agent (Nippon Yushi Co. Manufactured by ELEGAN 264WAX) was added to 80 parts of a mixture of cyclohexanone and methyl ethyl ketone in a mass ratio of 10:90 and sufficiently stirred to prepare a resistance adjusting layer coating liquid 1.

(Preparation of electrophotographic image transfer sheet)
A PET film (PET100S-10, manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc., thickness: 100 μm) was used as a substrate, and the resistance adjusting layer coating solution 1 was applied to one surface of the substrate using a wire bar and dried at 120 ° C. for 30 seconds. Thus, a resistance adjustment layer having a film thickness of 0.2 μm was formed.
Next, the image receiving layer coating solution 1 is applied to the opposite surface on which the resistance adjusting layer is formed using a wire bar, dried at 120 ° C. for 60 seconds, and an image receiving layer having a thickness of 6.4 μm. Formed. Thereafter, the sheet was cut into A4 size (210 mm × 297 mm) to prepare a transfer sheet 1. The surface resistivity of the resistance adjustment layer of this transfer sheet 1 (surface resistivity at 23 ° C. and 55% RH, hereinafter the same) is 1.8 × 10 ⁹ Ω, and the surface resistivity of the image receiving layer is 6.8 ×. 10 ⁹ Ω. The number of fine particles (fine particle density) present per unit area of the transfer sheet 1 was measured and confirmed with an optical microscope, and the result was 2500 / mm ² and the coverage C was 19.6%. Further, the peel strength between the image receiving layer of the transfer sheet 1 and the substrate was measured and found to be 1.13 N / cm (115 gf / cm).

(Image formation on transfer sheet)
On the image receiving layer surface of the transfer sheet 1 (image not formed), a face photograph and name, a numerical character having a size of 1 to 5 points, a solid image with an image forming apparatus (Color Copier DocuColor1256CP manufactured by Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.) A color mirror image including the image was formed on the image receiving layer surface.

(Preparation of image recording material (card 1))
The image recording medium is a contact type IC card (manufactured by Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.) as an image support, and the transfer sheet 1 on which the image is fixed is superposed on the front and back surfaces on the image surface, and a laminator (Fuji Plastic Co., Ltd.) is used. Manufactured by Lami Packer LPD3206 City), and bonded under the conditions of 210 ° C. and a feed rate of 0.3 m / min (5 mm / s). A card 1 (image recording body 1) in which an image including a face photograph was transferred onto an IC card together with an image receiving layer was peeled off from the support side member.
A contact IC card (image support) manufactured by Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. has a step height of 30 μm at maximum on the front and back surfaces due to the IC module and antenna.

(Evaluation of image recording material)
The card 1 was evaluated as follows.
-Image fixability evaluation-
Evaluation of toner image fixability was performed by attaching a commercially available 18 mm wide cellophane adhesive tape (manufactured by Nichiban Co., Ltd., cellophane tape) to the image portion transferred on the surface of the card 1 at a linear pressure of 700 g / cm, 10 mm / sec. The peeling of the image when peeled at a speed of was evaluated according to the following criteria. The results are shown in Table 1.
A: No problem at all ×: Image was peeled off or image was distorted after peeling test

-Image density-
The image density was measured with a solid image portion using an X-Rite967 densitometer (manufactured by X-Rite) and evaluated according to the following criteria. The results are shown in Table 1. ◯: Image density is 1.5 or more Δ: Image density is less than 1.5 1.3 or more ×: Image density is less than 1.3

-Image quality evaluation-
Regarding the image quality, the accurate print transferability (print reproducibility) of thin line characters was evaluated. As an image, numerical characters of 1 to 5 points were evaluated by the number of points at which the character can be distinguished from the resolution after print transfer, and evaluated according to the following criteria. The results are shown in Table 1.
◎: When all of the 1 to 5 point characters can be confirmed ○: Only 3 to 5 point characters can be confirmed Δ: Only 4 to 5 point characters can be confirmed ×: Only 5 point characters can be confirmed, or When 5 point characters cannot be confirmed

-Evaluation of residual bubbles-
The appearance of bubbles remaining in the stepped portion of the card produced, the image portion on the back side of the IC module, and the presence or absence of residual bubbles in the stepped portion on the line caused by the antenna were visually evaluated. The results are shown in Table 1.
◎: When there are no residual bubbles ○: When you do not understand if you do not look closely △: When bubbles and bubbles appear to shine x: When there are clearly large bubbles remaining

<< Comparative Example 1 >>
In Example A1, a commercially available PET sheet (manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc., T60, thickness: 100 μm, surface resistivity: 1 × 10 ¹⁷ Ω) was used as an unprocessed electrophotographic image transfer sheet. Were evaluated in the same manner.

  As a result, when trying to form an image, the transportability was poor and repeated feeding was repeated. Further, the fixed image does not have sufficient density and image quality. Furthermore, when the image recording body was produced, the PET sheet adhered to the white sheet (image support), and was not peeled off from the white sheet, so that it could not be used as a transfer sheet, and the intended image recording body could not be produced.

<< Example A2 >>
(Preparation of image-receiving layer coating solution 2)
30 parts of a polyester resin (Nippon Gosei Chemical Co., Ltd., Polyester TP217) and 2.25 parts of crosslinked acrylic fine particles (manufactured by Sekisui Plastics, MBX-20SS, volume average particle size: 20 μm) as fine particles, charge control As an agent, 3 parts of Elegan 264WAX (manufactured by NOF Corporation) were added to 100 parts of methyl ethyl ketone and sufficiently stirred to prepare an image receiving layer coating solution 2.

(Preparation of electrophotographic image transfer sheet (transfer sheet 2))
A PET film (Panac, PET100SG-2, thickness: 101 μm) provided with a releasable thermosetting resin layer (release layer) containing a fluororesin on one side is used as the substrate. The resistance adjustment layer coating solution 1 was applied to the untreated surface using a wire bar and dried at 120 ° C. for 30 seconds to form a resistance adjustment layer having a thickness of 0.2 μm on the back side of the substrate.
Next, the image receiving layer coating solution 2 is applied to the surface of the releasable thermosetting resin layer of the substrate using a wire bar and dried at 120 ° C. for 2 minutes to form an image receiving layer having a thickness of 12 μm. did.
Thereafter, the sheet was cut into A4 size (210 mm × 297 mm) to prepare a transfer sheet 2. As a result of evaluating the transfer sheet 2 in the same manner as in Example A1, the surface resistivity of the image receiving layer was 4.3 × 10 ¹⁰ Ω. The number of fine particles (fine particle density) per unit area was 190 / mm ² , and the coverage C was 6%. The peel force between the image receiving layer and the release layer of the transfer sheet 2 was measured and found to be 0.147 N / cm (15 gf / cm).

  On the image receiving layer surface of the transfer sheet 2 (image not formed), a color mirror image including a face photograph, name, and solid image by an image forming apparatus (Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. color copier DocuColor 1256CP) as in Example A1. An image was formed on the image receiving layer surface.

(Preparation of image recording material (card 2))
As the image recording body, a card 2 (image recording body 2) in which an image including a face photograph was transferred onto an IC card was produced in the same manner as in Example A1.

(Evaluation of card 2 (image recording body 2))
In the same manner as in Example A1, the image fixability, image density, image quality, and residual bubbles in the card 2 were evaluated. The results are shown in Table 1.

<< Example A3 >>
(Preparation of image receiving layer coating solution 3)
40 parts of coating liquid containing urethane-modified polyester resin (Toyobo Co., Ltd., UR-4122, solid content: 30% by mass) and crosslinked acrylic fine particles (manufactured by Sekisui Plastics Co., Ltd., MBX-15SS, volume average) (Particle size: 14.4 μm) 1.8 parts and 1.6 parts of ELEGAN 264WAX (manufactured by NOF Corporation) as a charge control agent are added to 30 parts of methyl ethyl ketone and sufficiently stirred to obtain the image-receiving layer coating solution 3 Prepared.

(Preparation of electrophotographic image transfer sheet (transfer sheet 3))
In the same manner as in Example A2, an unexposed PET film (Panac, PET100SG-2, thickness: 101 μm) provided with a releasable thermosetting resin layer (release layer) containing a fluororesin on one side as a substrate was used. A resistance adjustment layer having a thickness of 0.2 μm was formed on the treated surface. Next, the image receiving layer coating liquid 3 is applied to the surface of the releasable thermosetting resin layer of the substrate using a wire bar and dried at 120 ° C. for 2 minutes to form an image receiving layer having a thickness of 9 μm. did.
Thereafter, the sheet was cut into A4 size (210 mm × 297 mm) to prepare a transfer sheet 3. The surface resistivity of the image receiving layer was 1.3 × 10 ¹⁰ Ω. In addition, the number of fine particles per unit area (fine particle density) was 802 / mm ² and the coverage C was 12.3%. The peel force between the image receiving layer and the release layer of the transfer sheet 3 was measured and found to be 0.098 N / cm (10 gf / cm).

  On the image receiving layer surface of the transfer sheet 3 (image not formed), a color mirror image including a face photograph, a name, and a solid image by an image forming apparatus (Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. color copying machine DocuColor1256CP) as in Example A1. An image was formed on the image receiving layer surface.

(Preparation of image recording material (card 3))
The image recording body is a contact IC card (manufactured by Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.) as an image support, and the transfer sheet 3 on which the image is fixed is superimposed on the front and back surfaces of the image recording body. Laminate Packer LPD3206 City, manufactured by Co., Ltd., and bonded at 210 ° C. under a feed rate of 0.3 m / min (5 mm / s). After the transfer sheet 3 is cooled to room temperature, the transfer sheet 3 is removed from the IC card. The card 3 (image recording body 3) in which an image including a face photograph was transferred onto an IC card was prepared by peeling.
A contact IC card (image support) manufactured by Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. has a step of 15 μm in maximum height due to the IC module and antenna on the front and back surfaces.

(Evaluation of card 3 (image recording body 3))
In the same manner as in Example A1, the image fixability, image density, image quality, and residual bubbles in the card 3 were evaluated. The results are shown in Table 1.

<< Example A4 >>
(Preparation of image-receiving layer coating solution 4)
40 parts of coating liquid containing polyester resin (manufactured by Soken Chemical Co., Ltd., Foret FF-4M, solid content: 30% by mass) and crosslinked acrylic fine particles (manufactured by Sekisui Plastics Co., Ltd., MBX-20SS, volume average particle) 3 parts of diameter: 20 μm) and 1.4 parts of ELEGAN 264WAX (manufactured by NOF Corporation) as a charge control agent were added to 30 parts of methyl ethyl ketone and sufficiently stirred to prepare image receiving layer coating solution 4.

(Production of electrophotographic image transfer sheet (transfer sheet 4))
In the same manner as in Example A2, an unexposed PET film (Panac, PET100SG-2, thickness: 101 μm) provided with a releasable thermosetting resin layer (release layer) containing a fluororesin on one side as a substrate was used. A resistance adjustment layer having a thickness of 0.2 μm is formed on the treated surface, and the image receiving layer coating solution 4 is applied onto the release layer on the other surface using a wire bar and dried at 120 ° C. for 1 minute. An image receiving layer having a thickness of 14.5 μm was formed.
Thereafter, the sheet was cut into A4 size (210 mm × 297 mm) to prepare a transfer sheet 4. The surface resistivity of the image receiving layer was 1.4 × 10 ⁹ Ω. Further, the number of fine particles (fine particle density) per unit area was 680 / mm ² and the coverage ratio C was 21.4%. The peel force between the protective layer of the transfer sheet 4 and the releasable thermosetting resin layer was measured and found to be 0.343 N / cm (35 gf / cm).

  On the image receiving layer surface of the transfer sheet 4 (image not formed), a color mirror image including a face photograph, name, and solid image by an image forming apparatus (Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. color copier DocuColor1256CP) as in Example A1. An image was formed on the image receiving layer surface.

(Preparation of image recording material (card 4))
As the image recording body, a card 4 (image recording body 4) in which an image including a face photograph was transferred onto an IC card was produced in the same manner as in Example A3.
Note that a contact IC card (image support) manufactured by Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. has a step with a maximum height of 50 μm due to the IC module and antenna on the front and back surfaces.

(Evaluation of card 4 (image recording body 4))
In the same manner as in Example A1, the image fixability, image density, image quality, and residual bubbles in the card 4 were evaluated. The results are shown in Table 1.

<< Example A5 >>
(Preparation of image receiving layer coating solution 5)
30 parts of polyester resin (Toyobo Co., Ltd., Byron 885) and 7.5 parts of crosslinked acrylic fine particles (manufactured by Sekisui Plastics, MBX-15SS, volume average particle size: 14.4 μm) as fine particles, charge control As an agent, 4 parts of Elegan 264WAX (manufactured by NOF Corporation) were added to 70 parts of methyl ethyl ketone and sufficiently stirred to prepare an image-receiving layer coating solution 5.

(Preparation of electrophotographic image transfer sheet (transfer sheet 5))
In the same manner as in Example A2, an unexposed PET film (Panac, PET100SG-2, thickness: 101 μm) provided with a releasable thermosetting resin layer (release layer) containing a fluororesin on one side as a substrate was used. A resistance adjustment layer having a film thickness of 0.2 μm is formed on the treated surface, and the image receiving layer coating solution 5 is applied onto the release layer on the other surface using a wire bar and dried at 120 ° C. for 2 minutes. Thus, an image receiving layer having a film thickness of 9.5 μm was formed. Thereafter, the sheet was cut into A4 size (210 mm × 297 mm) to prepare a transfer sheet 5. The surface resistivity of this image receiving layer was 7.3 × 10 ¹¹ Ω. Further, the number of fine particles (fine particle density) per unit area was 1308 / mm ² and the coverage C was 20.1%. The peel force between the image receiving layer and the release layer of the transfer sheet 5 was measured and found to be 0.343 N / cm (35 gf / cm).

  On the image-receiving layer surface of the transfer sheet 5 (image not formed), a color mirror image including a face photograph, name, and solid image by an image forming apparatus (Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. color copier DocuColor1256CP) as in Example A1. An image was formed on the image receiving layer surface.

(Production of image recording body (card 5))
As the image recording body, a card 5 (image recording body 5) in which an image including a face photograph was transferred onto an IC card was produced in the same manner as in Example A3.
A contact IC card (image support) manufactured by Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. has a step with a maximum height of 20 μm due to the IC module and antenna on the front and back surfaces.

(Evaluation of card 5 (image recording body 5))
In the same manner as in Example A1, the image fixability, image density, image quality, and residual bubbles in the card 5 were evaluated. The results are shown in Table 1.

<< Example A6 >>
(Preparation of image receiving layer coating solution 6)
10.25 parts of a polyester resin (Toyobo Co., Ltd., Byron GK640) and 25 parts of a coating liquid (Toyobo Co., Ltd., UR-1350, solid content: 33% by mass) containing urethane-modified polyester resin, and crosslinked acrylic fine particles 2 parts (manufactured by Sekisui Plastics Co., Ltd., MBX-10SS, volume average particle size 10.3 μm) and 0.7 part of a charge control agent (manufactured by Nippon Oil & Fats Co., Ltd., Elegan 264WAX) are sufficiently added to 80 parts of methyl ethyl ketone. The image receiving layer coating solution 6 was prepared by stirring.

(Production of electrophotographic image transfer sheet (transfer sheet 6))
In the same manner as in Example A2, an unexposed PET film (Panac, PET100SG-2, thickness: 101 μm) provided with a releasable thermosetting resin layer (release layer) containing a fluororesin on one side as a substrate was used. A resistance adjusting layer having a film thickness of 0.2 μm is formed on the treated surface, and the image receiving layer coating solution 6 is applied onto the release layer on the other surface using a wire bar, and the coating is performed at 120 ° C. for 2 minutes. An image receiving layer having a thickness of 4.5 μm was formed by drying. Thereafter, the sheet was cut into A4 size (210 mm × 297 mm) to prepare a transfer sheet 6. The surface resistivity of this image receiving layer was 9.3 × 10 ¹² Ω. Further, the number of fine particles per unit area (fine particle density) was 780 / mm ² , and the coverage C was 6.1%. The peel force between the image receiving layer and the release layer of the transfer sheet 6 was measured and found to be 0.343 N / cm (35 gf / cm).

  On the image receiving layer surface of the transfer sheet 6 (image not formed), a color mirror image including a face photograph, a name, and a solid image by an image forming apparatus (color copier DocuColor 1256CP manufactured by Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.) as in Example A1. An image was formed on the image receiving layer surface.

(Production of image recording body (card 6))
As the image recording body, a card 6 (image recording body 6) in which an image including a face photograph was transferred onto an IC card was produced in the same manner as in Example A3.
A contact IC card (image support) manufactured by Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. has a step of 15 μm in maximum height due to the IC module and antenna on the front and back surfaces.

(Evaluation of card 6 (image recording body 6))
In the same manner as in Example A1, the image fixability, image density, image quality, and residual bubbles in the card 6 were evaluated. The results are shown in Table 1.

<< Example A7 >>
(Preparation of release layer coating solution 1)
40 parts of a silicone hard coating agent (GE Toshiba Silicone Co., Ltd., SHC900, solid content 30% by mass) containing organosilane condensate, melamine resin and alkyd resin, 0.06 part of trimethoxymethylsilane, amino-modified silicone oil (GE A release layer coating solution 1 was prepared by adding 0.06 part of TOSHIBA Silicone Co., Ltd. (TSF4702) and 60 parts of a mixture of cyclohexanone and methyl ethyl ketone at a mass ratio of 10:90 and stirring sufficiently.

(Preparation of image receiving layer coating solution 7)
10 parts of a polyester resin (Toyobo Co., Ltd., Byron GK880), 2.5 parts of a thermoplastic acrylic resin (manufactured by Soken Chemical Co., Ltd., Thermolac EM, solid content 40% by mass) and cross-linked acrylic fine particles (manufactured by Sekisui Plastics Co., Ltd.) , MBX-15SS, volume average particle size 14.4 μm) 1.2 parts and charge control agent (manufactured by NOF Corporation, Elegan 264WAX) are added to 20 parts of n-butyl cellosolve and sufficiently stirred to obtain an image. Layer coating solution 7 was prepared.

(Preparation of electrophotographic image transfer sheet (transfer sheet 7))
Using a PET film (manufactured by Toray Industries Inc., Lumirror 100T60, thickness: 100 μm), the release layer coating solution 1 was applied to each side of the substrate using a wire bar and dried at 120 ° C. for 30 seconds. A release layer having a thickness of 0.5 μm was formed on the front and back surfaces of the substrate. On the release layer on one side, the image receiving layer coating solution 7 is applied using a wire bar and dried at 120 ° C. for 2 minutes to form an image receiving layer having a film thickness of 6.3 μm on the front and back surfaces of the substrate. did.
Thereafter, the sheet was cut into A4 size (210 mm × 297 mm) to prepare a transfer sheet 7. The transfer sheet 7 had a surface resistivity of 1.2 × 10 ¹⁰ Ω. Further, the number of fine particles per unit area (fine particle density) was 390 / mm ² and the coverage C was 6%. The peel force between the image receiving layer and the release layer of the transfer sheet 7 was measured and found to be 0.147 N / cm (150 gf / cm).

  On the surface of the image receiving layer of the transfer sheet 7, a color mirror image including a face photograph, name, and solid image is printed on the front and back images using an image forming apparatus (color copier DocuColor1256CP manufactured by Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.) as in Example A1. It was formed on the image receiving layer surface.

(Production of image recording material (card 7))
The image recording body produced the card | curd 7 (image recording body 7) by which the image containing a face photograph was transcribe | transferred on the IC card similarly to Example A1.
Note that a contact IC card (image support) manufactured by Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. has a step of 30 μm in maximum height due to the IC module and antenna on the front and back surfaces.

(Evaluation of card 7 (image recording body 7))
In the same manner as in Example A1, the image fixability, image density, image quality, and residual bubbles in the card 7 were evaluated. The results are shown in Table 1.

<< Example A8 >>
(Preparation of image-receiving layer coating solution 8)
10 parts of a polyester resin (Toyobo Co., Ltd., Byron 226), 2 parts of an acrylic resin (manufactured by Soken Chemical Co., Ltd., Thermolac M-45C, solid content concentration 45.5% by mass), and crosslinked acrylic fine particles (Sekisui Plastics Co., Ltd.) Manufactured by MBX-20SS, volume average particle size 20 μm) and 1.2 parts of a charge control agent (manufactured by NOF Corporation, Elegan 264WAX) are added to 40 parts of methyl ethyl ketone and sufficiently stirred. Image receiving layer coating solution 8 was prepared.

(Preparation of image transfer sheet for electrophotography (transfer sheet 8))
Using a PET film (manufactured by Toray Industries Inc., Lumirror 100T60, thickness: 100 μm), the release layer coating solution 1 was applied to the substrate using a wire bar in the same manner as in Example A7, and dried at 120 ° C. for 30 seconds. A release layer having a thickness of 0.5 μm was formed on the front and back surfaces of the substrate. On this single-sided release layer, the image receiving layer coating solution 8 was applied using a wire bar and dried at 120 ° C. for 2 minutes to form image receiving layers having a thickness of 14.5 μm on the front and back of the substrate. .
Thereafter, the sheet was cut into A4 size (210 mm × 297 mm) to prepare a transfer sheet 8. The transfer sheet 7 had a surface resistivity of 3.7 × 10 ¹⁰ Ω. Further, the number of fine particles per unit area (fine particle density) was 305 / mm ² , and the coverage ratio C was 9.6%. Further, the peel force between the image receiving layer and the release layer of the transfer sheet 8 was measured and found to be 0.147 N / cm (150 gf / cm).

  On the surface of the image receiving layer of the transfer sheet 8, as in Example A1, a color mirror image image including a face photograph, name, and solid image is printed on the front and back images with an image forming apparatus (color copier DocuColor1256CP manufactured by Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.). It was formed on the image receiving layer surface.

(Production of image recording material (card 8))
The image recording body produced the card | curd 8 (image recording body 8) by which the image containing a face photograph was transcribe | transferred on the IC card similarly to Example A1.
A contact IC card (image support) manufactured by Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. has a step height of 40 μm at the maximum height due to the IC module and antenna on the front and back surfaces.

(Evaluation of card 8 (image recording body 8))
In the same manner as in Example A1, the image fixability, image density, image quality, and residual bubbles in the card 8 were evaluated. The results are shown in Table 1.

<< Comparative Example 2 >>
In Example A6, an electrophotographic image transfer sheet (transfer sheet) 9 was produced in the same manner as in Example A6, except that the image receiving layer was coated at 3.8 μm.
The surface resistivity of the transfer sheet 9 was 4.5 × 10 ⁹ Ω on the image receiving layer side. The number of fine particles (fine particle density) per unit area was 630 particles / mm ² and the coverage C was 5%. The peel force between the image receiving layer and the release layer of the transfer sheet 9 was measured and found to be 0.245 N / cm (25 gf / cm). Further, an image recording body 9 was produced and evaluated in the same manner as in Example A6. The results are shown in Table 1.

<< Comparative Example 3 >>
In the preparation of the image-receiving layer coating solution 1 in Example A1, an electrophotographic image was prepared in the same manner as in Example A1, except that 12 parts of the crosslinked acrylic fine particles and the image-receiving layer were coated at 5.3 μm. A transfer sheet (transfer sheet) 10 was produced.
The surface resistivity of the transfer sheet 10 was 9.6 × 10 ⁹ Ω in the image receiving layer. The number of fine particles (fine particle density) per unit area was 3060 / mm ² , and the coverage C was 24%. The peel strength between the image receiving layer of the transfer sheet 10 and the substrate was measured and found to be 1.13 N / cm (115 gf / cm). Further, an image recording body 10 was prepared and evaluated in the same manner as in Example A1. The results are shown in Table 1.

<< Comparative Example 4 >>
In Example A5, an electrophotographic image transfer sheet (transfer sheet) 11 was produced in the same manner as in Example A5, except that the image receiving layer was coated at 11.5 μm.
The surface resistivity of the transfer sheet 11 was 3.8 × 10 ⁹ Ω in the image receiving layer. Further, the number of fine particles (fine particle density) per unit area was 1550 / mm ² and the coverage C was 23.9%. When the peel force between the image receiving layer and the release layer of the transfer sheet 11 was measured, it was 0.343 N / cm (35 gf / cm). Further, an image recording body 11 was prepared and evaluated in the same manner as in Example A1. The results are shown in Table 1.

  Next, examples of the first transfer sheet will be described with examples.

<< Example B1 >>
An electrophotographic image transfer sheet (transfer sheet 1) of the present invention was produced. The manufacturing method will be described below.

<Preparation of electrophotographic image transfer sheet>
(Preparation of image-receiving layer coating solution 1)
30 parts of polyester resin (Toyobo Co., Ltd., Byron 290) and cross-linked acrylic fine particles (Sekisui Plastics Co., Ltd., MBX-10SS, volume average particle size 10.3 μm) 7.5 parts and charge control agent (Nippon Yushi Co., Ltd.) (Manufactured by ELEGAN 264WAX) was added to 100 parts of methyl ethyl ketone and sufficiently stirred to prepare an image-receiving layer coating solution 1.

(Preparation of resistance adjustment layer coating solution 1)
10 parts of polyester resin (manufactured by Soken Chemical Co., Ltd., Foret 4M, solid content 30% by mass) and 0.6 parts of cross-linked acrylic fine particles (manufactured by Soken Chemical Co., Ltd., MX300, volume average particle size 3 μm) and charge control agent (Nippon Yushi Co., Ltd.) Manufactured by ELEGAN 264WAX) was added to 80 parts of a mixture of cyclohexanone and methyl ethyl ketone in a mass ratio of 10:90 and sufficiently stirred to prepare a resistance adjusting layer coating liquid 1.

(Preparation of protective layer coating solution A)
5 parts of a curable silicone resin (solid content: 100% by mass) (trade name: UVHC1105, manufactured by GE Toshiba Silicone), 1 part of a quaternary ammonium salt (trade name: Elegan 264WAX, manufactured by Nippon Oil & Fats) as a charge control agent, Was mixed with a mixed solvent of 80 parts of methyl ethyl ketone and 10 parts of toluene and diluted to prepare a coating solution A for protective layer.

<Preparation of electrophotographic image transfer sheet>
A PET film (Panac, PET100SG-2, thickness: 101 μm) provided with a releasable thermosetting resin layer (release layer) containing a fluororesin on one side is used as the substrate. The resistance adjustment layer coating solution 1 was applied to the untreated surface using a wire bar and dried at 120 ° C. for 30 seconds to form a resistance adjustment layer having a thickness of 0.2 μm. Further, the coating liquid A for the protective layer was applied on the other surface using a wire bar, dried at 100 ° C. for 2 minutes, and then 160 W / mm from an irradiation distance of about 20 cm using a light irradiation device. Irradiation was performed for 20 seconds at an intensity of cm ² to cause a photocuring reaction, and a protective layer (thickness 2.5 μm) was produced. The image receiving layer coating liquid 1 was further applied onto the protective layer using a wire bar and dried at 120 ° C. for 60 seconds to form an image receiving layer having a thickness of 6.4 μm.

Thereafter, the sheet was cut into A4 size (210 mm × 297 mm) to prepare a transfer sheet 1. The surface resistivity of the resistance adjusting layer of the transfer sheet 1 (at 23 ° C. and 55% RH, the same applies hereinafter) is 1.8 × 10 ⁹ Ω, and the surface resistivity of the image receiving layer is 6.8 × 10 ⁹ Ω. Met. The number of fine particles (fine particle density) present per unit area of the transfer sheet 1 was measured and confirmed with an optical microscope, and the result was 2500 / mm ² and the coverage C was 19.6%. Moreover, it was 2.26 N / cm (230 gf / cm) when the peeling force between the protective layer and release layer of the transfer sheet 1 was measured.

<Image Formation on Electrophotographic Image Transfer Sheet 1>
On the surface of the image transfer sheet 1 (image not formed), a color mirror image image including a solid image was printed by a color copying machine DocuColor 1256CP manufactured by Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd., and a transfer sheet 1 on which the image was formed was produced. .

(Preparation of image recording material (card 1))
The image recording medium is a contact type IC card (manufactured by Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.) as an image support, and the transfer sheet 1 on which the image is fixed is superposed on the front and back surfaces on the image surface, and a laminator (Fuji Plastic Co., Ltd.) is used. Manufactured by Lami Packer LPD3206 City), and bonded under the conditions of 210 ° C. and a feed rate of 0.3 m / min (5 mm / s). A card 1 (image recording body 1) in which an image including a face photograph was transferred onto an IC card together with an image receiving layer and a protective layer was peeled off from the member on the support side.

(Evaluation of image recording material)
For the card 1, the same evaluation as in Example A1 was performed.

<< Example B2 >>
(Preparation of protective layer coating solution B)
20 parts of thermosetting silicone resin (solid content: 30% by mass) (trade name: SHC-900, manufactured by GE Toshiba Silicone), quaternary ammonium salt (trade name: Elegan 264WAX, manufactured by NOF Corporation) as a charge control agent 2 parts were mixed with 16 parts of methyl ethyl ketone and 4 parts of toluene and diluted to prepare a coating solution B for protection.

(Preparation of image-receiving layer coating solution 2)
30 parts of a polyester resin (Toyobo Co., Ltd., Byron 880), 2.25 parts of crosslinked acrylic fine particles (manufactured by Sekisui Plastics Co., Ltd., MBX-20SS, volume average particle size: 20 μm) as fine particles, and a charge control agent 3 parts of ELEGAN 264WAX (manufactured by NOF Corporation) was added to 100 parts of methyl ethyl ketone and sufficiently stirred to prepare image receiving layer coating solution 2.

<Preparation of electrophotographic image transfer sheet 2>
In the same manner as in Example B1, after applying the resistance adjusting layer, the protective layer coating solution B was applied on the other surface with a wire bar to a uniform thickness and dried at room temperature for 1 minute. Then, a thermosetting reaction was carried out with a hot air dryer at 130 ° C. for 2 minutes to form a protective layer (thickness 2 μm). Further, in the same manner as in Example B1, the image-receiving layer coating solution 2 was applied onto the protective layer using a wire bar and dried at 120 ° C. for 2 minutes to form an image-receiving layer having a thickness of 11.6 μm.

Thereafter, the sheet was cut into A4 size (210 mm × 297 mm) to prepare a transfer sheet 2. As a result of evaluating the transfer sheet 2 in the same manner as in Example B1, the surface resistivity of the image receiving layer was 4.3 × 10 ¹⁰ Ω. The number of fine particles (fine particle density) per unit area was 190 / mm ² , and the coverage C was 6%. The peel strength between the protective layer and the release layer of the transfer sheet 2 was measured and found to be 1.47 N / cm (150 gf / cm).
On the other hand, using the electrophotographic image transfer sheet 2 as in Example B1, an image recording body 2 (card 2) was prepared and evaluated in the same manner as in Example B1. The results are shown in Table 2.

<< Example B3 >>
(Preparation of image receiving layer coating solution 3)
40 parts of coating liquid containing urethane-modified polyester resin (Toyobo Co., Ltd., UR-4122, solid content: 30% by mass) and crosslinked acrylic fine particles (manufactured by Sekisui Plastics Co., Ltd., MBX-15SS, volume average) (Particle size: 14.4 μm) 1.8 parts and 1.6 parts of ELEGAN 264WAX (manufactured by NOF Corporation) as a charge control agent are added to 30 parts of methyl ethyl ketone and sufficiently stirred to obtain the image-receiving layer coating solution 3 Prepared.

<Preparation of electrophotographic image transfer sheet 3>
A protective layer is formed in the same manner as in Example B2, and the image receiving layer coating solution 3 is applied onto the protective layer using a wire bar and dried at 120 ° C. for 2 minutes to form a 9 μm thick image receiving layer. Formed. Thereafter, the sheet was cut into A4 size (210 mm × 297 mm) to prepare a transfer sheet 3. The surface resistivity of the image receiving layer was 1.3 × 10 ¹⁰ Ω. In addition, the number of fine particles per unit area (fine particle density) was 802 / mm ² and the coverage C was 12.3%. The peel force between the protective layer and the release layer of the transfer sheet 3 was measured and found to be 0.98 N / cm (100 gf / cm).
On the other hand, using the electrophotographic image transfer sheet 3 as in Example B1, an image recording material 3 (card 3) was prepared and evaluated in the same manner as in Example A3. The results are shown in Table 2.

<< Example B4 >>
(Preparation of image-receiving layer coating solution 4)
40 parts of coating liquid containing polyester resin (manufactured by Soken Chemical Co., Ltd., Foret FF-4M, solid content: 30% by mass) and crosslinked acrylic fine particles (manufactured by Sekisui Plastics Co., Ltd., MBX-20SS, volume average particle) 3 parts of diameter: 20 μm) and 1.4 parts of ELEGAN 264WAX (manufactured by NOF Corporation) as a charge control agent were added to 30 parts of methyl ethyl ketone and sufficiently stirred to prepare image receiving layer coating solution 4.

(Production of electrophotographic image transfer sheet (transfer sheet 4))
A protective layer is formed in the same manner as in Example B2, and the image receiving layer coating solution 4 is applied onto the protective layer using a wire bar and dried at 120 ° C. for 2 minutes to form a 14 μm thick image receiving layer. Formed. Thereafter, the sheet was cut into A4 size (210 mm × 297 mm) to prepare a transfer sheet 3. The surface resistivity of the image receiving layer was 5.3 × 10 ¹¹ Ω. Further, the number of fine particles per unit area (fine particle density) was 422 particles / mm ² and the coverage C was 13.3%. The peel force between the protective layer and the release layer of the transfer sheet 3 was measured and found to be 1.82 N / cm (100 gf / cm).
On the other hand, using the electrophotographic image transfer sheet 4 as in Example B1, an image recording body 4 (card 4) was prepared and evaluated in the same manner as in Example A4. The results are shown in Table 2.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a transfer sheet according to the present invention (four-layer structure type). FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example (two-layer constitution type) of the transfer sheet of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example (three-layer structure type) of the transfer sheet of the present invention. (A) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state when an electrophotographic image transfer sheet 100 and an image support 200 as a transfer sheet are overlapped to form a laminate, and (B) is an electrophotographic image. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state where the electrophotographic image transfer sheet 100 is peeled from a pressure-bonded body obtained by pressure-bonding the image transfer sheet 100 for image and the image support 200. FIG. It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of the production apparatus of the image recording body of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image recording body preparation apparatus 12 Image forming apparatus 14 Collating apparatus 16 Laminating apparatus 17 Peeling apparatus 18 Transfer sheet storage part 19 Air ejection nozzle 20 Image forming parts 21a, 21b Guides 22, 22a, 22b Transfer sheet 22 Transfer sheet 24 Conveyance path 26a Reverse path 26 Conveyance path 28 Discharge port 32 Cam 34 Plastic sheet storage unit 36 Tray 38 Plastic sheet (image support)
40 transport path 42 transport path 44 temporary fixing device 46 belt 48 heating / pressurizing roll 50 stretching roll 52 roll 56 discharge tray 57 transfer sheet discharge tray 110 substrate 120 release layer 130 protective layers 140, 150, 160 image receiving layer 180 Image receiving layer (image coating layer)
190 Image forming material 200 Image support 300 Image recording body

Claims (6)

A substrate and at least an image receiving layer provided on at least one side of the substrate and constituting the outermost surface;
The image receiving layer includes a thermoplastic resin and fine particles,
The image receiving layer or the member containing the image receiving layer and the substrate or the member containing the substrate are peelable,
An electrophotographic image transfer sheet, wherein the coverage C of the fine particles represented by the following formula (1) is 6% or more and 23% or less.
Formula (1) C = π × 10 ⁻⁴ × r ² × n
[In the formula (1), r represents the volume average particle radius (μm) of the fine particles, and n represents the number of fine particles (units / mm ² ) present per unit area in the image receiving layer. ]   2. The image transfer sheet for electrophotography according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the image receiving layer is 0.4 to 0.73 times the volume average particle diameter of the fine particles.   3. The electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a release layer and a protective layer are provided in this order from the substrate side to the image image receiving layer side between the substrate and the image receiving layer. Image transfer sheet. At least a release layer is provided between the image receiving layer and the substrate,
Peeling force required for peeling between the release layer and the layer on the side where the image receiving layer side of the release layer is provided is 0.098 N / cm or more and 4.90 N / cm or less. The image transfer sheet for electrophotography according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the image transfer sheet is within the range of. 5. The surface resistivity of both surfaces of the sheet at 23 ° C. and 55% RH is in the range of 1.0 × 10 ⁸ Ω to 1.0 × 10 ¹³ Ω. The image transfer sheet for electrophotography described in 1. An image support, an image covering layer provided on at least one side of the image support, and an image disposed at an interface between the image support and the image receiving layer,
An image recording material, wherein the image covering layer is an image receiving layer constituting the electrophotographic image transfer sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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