JP2008238768A - Heat-sensitive recording sheet and its usage - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a heat-sensitive color developing sheet which has an irreversible heat-sensitive recording layer and a reversible heat-sensitive recording layer arranged on a sheet base material and can selectively exhibit a color discharge possible display or a color discharge impossible display depending on the contents to be displayed, and a usage of the heat-sensitive color developing sheet. <P>SOLUTION: This heat-sensitive recording sheet is constituted of a sheet base material 2, and the irreversible heat-sensitive recording layer 3 and the reversible heat-sensitive recording layer 4 arranged in such a way that these layers 3 and 4 are not superposed each other on the surface of the sheet base material 2, a release agent layer 5 covering the surface of the layers 3 and 4, an adhesive layer arranged on the back of the sheet base material 2, and perforations 8 for separating the heat-sensitive recording sheet 1 into single leaf labels 7. The color development starting temperature of the reversible heat-sensitive recording layer 4 is set to be higher than its color discharge starting temperature and higher than the color development starting temperature of the irreversible heat-sensitive recording layer 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a heat-sensitive recording sheet and a method for using the same, and more particularly to a heat-sensitive recording sheet comprising an irreversible heat-sensitive recording layer and a reversible heat-sensitive recording layer on a sheet substrate and a method for using the heat-sensitive recording sheet.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a so-called mountless label is known in which a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer provided on the back surface of a sheet base material whose surface is a recording layer is wound so as to come into contact with the surface of the sheet base material and peelable. . General label without mount used in printers is provided with a thermal recording layer on the surface, and printing by thermal recording is possible, and fixed information such as logo marks is printed on the surface as needed in advance. In addition, the adhesive can be attached and peeled by covering the entire surface with a release agent layer. In addition, a black, rectangular position detection mark is printed at a predetermined pitch between the back surface of the substrate and the adhesive layer. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). Such a label without a mount is attached to a label printer including a line thermal head in which a large number of heating elements are arranged in a direction (width direction) perpendicular to the label transport direction, for example, between the platen roller and the line thermal head. The product name, price, barcode, issuance date, manufacturer, and other precautions are printed at a predetermined position on the label surface based on the position information by the position detection mark while being sandwiched and transported by.

  However, in addition to printing a logo mark on the front surface, in order to print the position detection mark on the back surface, there is a problem that a dedicated printing facility capable of printing on the front and back surfaces is required. Furthermore, since the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is provided on the position detection mark, the color of the position detection mark becomes unclear depending on the transparency of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, and the detection sensitivity of the position detection mark is lowered.

  On the other hand, if the position detection mark is printed on the surface of the label, such a problem can be solved, but the position detection mark is not necessary after printing or cutting into a single label. However, since it is continuously displayed on the surface of the label, there is a problem that it is not preferable in terms of design. In addition, it is preferable to display the label name, base material type, manufacturer name, etc. on the label surface, which makes it easy to distinguish the label. The display is complicated and the original display is difficult to read, which is not preferable in terms of design.

JP 2001-183979 A

The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an irreversible thermosensitive recording layer and a reversible thermosensitive recording layer on a sheet base material, which can be displayed and erased depending on display contents. The object is to provide a heat-sensitive color-developing sheet that can be used for different colors and a method for using the same.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a thermosensitive recording sheet capable of performing color development of the irreversible thermosensitive recording layer and decoloring of the reversible thermosensitive recording layer at the same temperature and a method for using the thermosensitive recording sheet.

  In order to solve the above problems, the thermosensitive recording sheet of the present invention is a thermosensitive recording sheet in which an irreversible thermosensitive recording layer and a reversible thermosensitive recording layer are provided on a sheet substrate without overlapping each other, and the reversible thermosensitive recording sheet is provided. The color development start temperature of the recording layer is set so as to be higher than the decoloration start temperature and higher than the color development start temperature of the irreversible thermosensitive recording layer.

  Further, the reversible thermosensitive recording layer can be provided in a strip shape with respect to the width direction end of the sheet base material.

  In the reversible thermosensitive recording layer, the position detection marks can be colored and displayed at a predetermined pitch by heating.

  Further, a release agent layer is provided on the irreversible thermosensitive recording layer and the reversible thermosensitive recording layer, and an adhesive layer is provided on the surface of the sheet substrate opposite to the surface having the release layer, and the release agent layer is provided. Can be formed into a roll by being wound so as to be peelable.

  The method of using the heat-sensitive recording sheet of the present invention is a method of using the heat-sensitive recording sheet according to claim 3, comprising a line thermal head in which a plurality of heating elements are arranged, and a light reflection type or light transmission type. Based on the reading process of reading the position detection mark with the light reflection type or light transmission type sensor while conveying the thermal recording sheet, and the position information detected by the position detection mark with a printer provided with a sensor Heating the heating element and heating at a temperature higher than the color development start temperature of the irreversible thermosensitive recording layer and the decolorization start temperature of the reversible thermosensitive recording layer, and less than the color development start temperature of the reversible thermosensitive recording layer And decoloring at least the print representing the position detection mark by color development of the reversible thermosensitive recording layer, and printing by color development of the irreversible thermosensitive recording layer It characterized by having a a decoloring-color process performed.

Moreover, the heating temperature of the reversible thermosensitive recording layer and the irreversible thermosensitive recording layer in the decoloring / coloring step can be set to be the same.

  The thermosensitive recording sheet of the present invention is a thermosensitive recording sheet in which an irreversible thermosensitive recording layer and a reversible thermosensitive recording layer are provided on a sheet substrate without overlapping each other, and the color development start temperature of the reversible thermosensitive recording layer is Since it is set to be higher than the color erasing start temperature and higher than the color development start temperature of the irreversible thermosensitive recording layer, printing with the irreversible thermosensitive recording layer and printing with the reversible thermosensitive recording layer are the same. The effect is that it can be performed at a temperature.

  In addition, since the reversible thermosensitive recording layer is provided in a band shape with respect to the end in the width direction of the sheet base material, there is an effect that it can be easily distinguished from the region where the irreversible thermosensitive recording layer is provided.

  Further, since the position detection marks are colored and displayed at a predetermined pitch by heating on the reversible thermosensitive recording layer, the position detection marks can be provided so as to be erasable.

  In addition, a release agent layer is provided on the irreversible thermosensitive recording layer and the reversible thermosensitive recording layer, and an adhesive layer is provided on the opposite side of the sheet substrate having the release layer. Since it is wound around and formed into a roll shape, it is not only easy to store without exposing the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, but also it can be printed out and pasted on the adherend. There is an effect that can be.

  Further, the method of using the thermal recording sheet of the present invention comprises a line thermal head in which a plurality of heating elements are arranged, and a printer equipped with a light reflection type or light transmission type sensor, while conveying the thermal recording sheet, The reading process of reading the position detection mark with a light reflection type or light transmission type sensor, and the heating element is heated based on the position information detected by the position detection mark, and the color development start temperature of the irreversible thermosensitive recording layer and the reversible thermosensitive recording layer By heating at a temperature higher than the decoloration start temperature, which is higher than the decoloration start temperature and lower than the color development start temperature of the reversible thermosensitive recording layer, the print representing at least the position detection mark due to the color development of the reversible thermosensitive recording layer is erased. It has a decoloring / coloring process that performs printing by color development of the heat-sensitive recording layer. Prints that cannot be erased on the recording layer, and the display contents that should be erased, such as position detection marks, can be erased on the reversible thermosensitive recording layer. There is an effect that it can be performed.

In addition, since the heating temperature of the reversible thermosensitive recording layer and the irreversible thermosensitive recording layer in the decoloring / coloring process can be set to the same, printing and decoloring can be performed without changing the temperature condition in the width direction of the line thermal head. Can be performed in parallel.

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

  FIG. 1 is a plan view of a thermal recording sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the thermal recording sheet formed in a roll shape. .

  1 to 3, the thermosensitive recording sheet 1 according to the present embodiment is an irreversible thermosensitive recording layer (hereinafter referred to as an irreversible layer) provided on the sheet base 2 and the surface thereof so as not to overlap each other. ) 3 and a reversible thermosensitive recording layer (hereinafter referred to as reversible layer) 4, a release agent layer 5 covering the surface thereof, an adhesive layer 6 provided on the back surface of the sheet substrate 2, and a thermosensitive recording sheet 1 as a single leaf. And a perforation 8 for separating the label 7. The irreversible layer 3 occupies most of the area of the single-leaf label 7, and the reversible layer 4 is provided in a band-like narrow width with respect to the right end in the width direction and the rear end in the longitudinal direction of the irreversible layer 3. Each of the above layers can be provided by a method such as printing or coating. Further, on the surface of the irreversible layer 3 or the reversible layer 4, printing such as a logo mark or a company name is performed as necessary.

  As the sheet base material 2, a general base material used for a label for printing can be applied. For example, fine paper, art paper, coated paper, PET (polyethylene terephthalate) resin film, PP (polypropylene) resin film, PE (Polyethylene) resin film, PS (polystyrene) resin film, foil paper, synthetic paper, etc. can be used.

  The irreversible layer 3 is colorless at room temperature, but develops color when heated to a predetermined temperature, and is mainly composed of an irreversible thermosensitive recording composition that maintains this colored state even when the temperature is changed. A label printer that prints codes and the like is an area in which product names, prices, barcodes or two-dimensional codes, manufacturers, and the like are printed. As the irreversible thermal recording composition, a composition generally used as thermal paper for a label printer can be used.

  The reversible layer 4 develops color when heated to a predetermined temperature, but after cooling this, the reversible layer 4 is mainly composed of a reversible thermosensitive recording composition that loses color when heated in a decolorization temperature region lower than the color development temperature. After this is done, it becomes an area where unnecessary display is performed. The reversible layer 4 is previously provided with a position detection mark 9 which is a mark for controlling the printing position of the label printer during or after the production of the thermal recording sheet 1 by a heating means such as a heat roll or a label printer, The name, base material type, manufacturer name, size, lot number, etc. of the thermal recording sheet 1 are printed as necessary. Since the position detection mark 9 and the perforation 8 which is the tip of the single-leaf label 7 need to be provided at a predetermined interval, the position detection mark 9 is usually displayed so that the positional relationship with the perforation 8 does not shift. Is performed simultaneously with the processing of the perforation 8.

  A reversible thermosensitive recording composition is generally colorless at normal temperature, but develops color when heated at a predetermined temperature and is decolored by heating in a lower temperature region. As such, for example, a leuco dye, which is an electron-donating color-developing component, and a structure having a color developing ability capable of coloring leuco dyes such as phosphoric acid, carboxylic acid, and phenol, and an intramolecular cohesive force A composition or the like in combination with a long-chain color developer having a structure to be controlled can be used (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-105427). Further, it is not always necessary to repeat the coloring and erasing, and there is no particular problem as long as the coloring and the subsequent erasing are performed at least once. The color development start temperature of the reversible layer 4 is set higher than the color development start temperature of the irreversible layer 3.

  Further, the color development start temperature and the decoloration start temperature of the irreversible layer 3 and the reversible layer 4 can be changed by appropriately selecting the material of the reversible or irreversible thermosensitive recording composition to be used and the blending ratio thereof.

  The color at the time of color development of the irreversible or reversible thermosensitive recording composition is not particularly limited. However, the position detection mark 9 or the barcode is reflected or transmitted to the surrounding area by a sensor that irradiates and receives light. Since the optical reading is performed based on the difference, a color is generally selected such that the reflection or transmittance of the irradiated light is lower than the surrounding area in accordance with the characteristics of the sensor.

  The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 6 includes an emulsion-type pressure-sensitive adhesive or a solvent-type pressure-sensitive adhesive widely used as a pressure-sensitive adhesive for labels, or a solventless pressure-sensitive adhesive such as a hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesive or a UV-curable pressure-sensitive adhesive. Although it can be used, in particular, when an emulsion-type adhesive or a solvent-type adhesive is used, infiltration between the sheet substrate 2 and the adhesive layer is prevented so that water and solvent do not penetrate into the sheet substrate 2. It is desirable to provide a protective layer for prevention. Further, regarding the adhesive strength of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 6, the sheet base material 2 ranges from a so-called weakly-adhesive material intended for temporary adhesion to an adherend to a so-called strongly-adhesive material intended for permanent adhesion. The material is appropriately selected according to the material, the processing method, the surface state of the object to be adhered, and its use.

Next, the color development and decoloring temperature-color density characteristics of the thermal recording label 1 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the heating temperature and the color density when the color development start temperature T1 of the irreversible layer 3 is lower than the decolorization start temperature T2 of the reversible layer 4, and FIG. It is a figure which shows the relationship between heating temperature and color density in case T1 exists in the decoloring temperature area | region (The decoloring start temperature T2 or more and less than the coloring start temperature T3) of the reversible layer 4. In this invention, the combination of the irreversible layer 3 and the reversible layer 4 which satisfy | fill the relationship of FIG. 4 or FIG. 5 is used.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the heat-sensitive recording sheet 1 having such a structure is bonded to the paper or plastic branch tube 10 with the surface of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 6 adhered, and then wound to heat-sensitive recording sheet 1. The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 6 can be detachably attached to the release agent layer 5 provided on the surface of the recording sheet 1 to form a roll.

  4 and 5, the upper part shows the coloring characteristics of the irreversible layer 3, and the lower part shows the coloring and decoloring characteristics of the reversible layer 4 so that they can be compared with each other. Further, the coloring process is represented by a solid line, and the decoloring process is represented by a dotted line. The irreversible layer 3 changes at a decoloring density D1 up to the temperature T1 by heating, but develops a color at the temperature T1 or higher to become a coloring density D2, and thereafter maintains the coloring density D2 even after cooling. On the other hand, the reversible layer 4 changes at a decoloring density D3 up to the temperature T2 due to heating, and develops a color at a temperature T2 or higher to become a coloring density D4. After that, the coloring density D4 is maintained even after cooling. Then, erasing is started at a temperature T2 or higher, and the erasing density D3 is changed from the coloring density D4, and this erasing density D3 is maintained even after cooling.

  A region represented by diagonal lines indicates a temperature region in which the coloring of the irreversible layer 3 and the decoloring of the reversible layer 4 can be performed at the same temperature. In FIG. 4, this corresponds to a temperature region that is higher than the decoloration start temperature T2 of the reversible layer 4 and lower than the color development start temperature T3 of the reversible layer 4, and in FIG. This corresponds to the temperature region below the start temperature T3.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the thermosensitive recording sheet 1 of the present embodiment is provided with the irreversible layer 3 and the reversible layer 4 at the right end in the width direction and the rear end in the longitudinal direction. Since a temperature region (region shown by hatching in FIGS. 4 and 5) in which the reversible layer 4 can be erased at the same temperature is set, printing is performed under the temperature conditions in this region. The coloring of the irreversible layer 3 and the decoloring of the reversible layer 4 can be performed simultaneously.

When such a temperature region does not exist and the color development of the irreversible layer 3 and the decolorization temperature of the reversible layer 4 are different, the temperature control region of the heating element of the thermal head is divided into two corresponding to each color development layer. A complicated process is required in which heating is performed at different temperatures or printing is performed once at a predetermined temperature and then printing is performed at a different temperature. In any case, there arises a disadvantage that the load on the control of the printer becomes large.

  The heat-sensitive recording sheet 1 of the present invention enables printing at a time under the same temperature condition by appropriately combining the coloring and decoloring temperatures of the irreversible layer 3 and the reversible layer 4 and avoids such inconvenience. is there.

  Although the set value of the color development temperature T1 of the irreversible layer 3 varies depending on the use environment, it is usually preferably 60 ° C. or higher so as not to be affected by the environmental temperature during use or storage, the heat storage of the thermal head, etc. Preferably it is 80 degreeC or more.

Next, a method for using the thermal recording sheet 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.
6 shows a label printer 11 used for printing on the thermal recording sheet 1 of the present embodiment, and FIG. 7 shows a state where the label printer 11 prints on the irreversible layer 3 and the reversible layer 4 is decolored. FIG.

  The label printer 11 includes a feeding device 12 that attaches a roll-shaped thermal recording sheet 1 and feeds it into a sheet shape, a guide roller 13 that applies tension to the thermal recording sheet 1 from the surface side and turns the conveyance direction, and the thermal recording sheet 1. A sensor 14 for reading the position information of the position detection mark 9 provided on the head, a line thermal head 16 in which a plurality of heating elements 15 are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the thermal recording sheet 1, and the heating element 15 are opposed to each other. A platen roller 17 for holding the thermal recording sheet 1 between the line thermal head 16 and transporting it, and a housing 18 are provided.

  Here, a case where the following color display is performed on the reversible layer 4 formed on the single-leaf label 7 of the thermal recording sheet 1 in advance by a heating means such as a heat roll or a label printer will be described. That is, the position detection mark, the display name 19 of the manufacturing factory “Kitakami Factory 2007/3/20”, and the lot number “lot.07032000802” 19 are provided at the right end of the single-leaf label 7 in the width direction, and at the rear end in the longitudinal direction. The display 20 displays the manufacturer name and product name “Satonon Sepa label (heat sensitive)”, and the size “w111 × p38” of the single-leaf label 7.

  The roll-shaped thermal recording sheet 1 on which such display is performed is rotatably attached to the supply device 12 of the label printer 11, and decolorizes the display of the reversible layer 4 on the surface as follows, Printing is performed by coloring the irreversible layer 3.

  The roll-shaped thermal recording sheet 1 attached to the supply device 12 of the label printer 11 is fed out into a sheet shape and turned in the conveying direction by the guide roller 13, and then the position detected by the sensor 14 is displayed on the reversible layer 4. The position information of the mark 9 is read. Based on the read position information, the leading position of the label to be printed is determined. When the leading position of the label reaches a predetermined position of the line thermal head 16, the heat generated by the line thermal head 16 is generated based on the printing information. The body 15 is energized.

  Here, when the color development temperature of the irreversible layer 3 is T1, the decolorization start temperature of the reversible layer 4 is T2, and the color development start temperature of the reversible layer 4 is T3, the color development / erasure of each layer provided in the thermosensitive recording sheet 1 is performed. When the color temperature is T1 ≦ T2 <T3, heat is generated and rapidly cooled in a temperature range of T2 or more and less than T3 represented by the hatched portion in FIG. 4, and when the color developing / decoloring temperature is T2 <T1 <T3, In FIG. 5, heat generation is performed in a temperature range of T1 or more and less than T3 represented by a hatched portion so as to be rapidly cooled. As a result, the irreversible layer 3 is printed with “barrel canned beer assortment”, “summer limited”, “special price 3600 yen”, “Sato liquor”, two-dimensional code with color density D2, and on the reversible layer 4 Printing such as the position detection mark 9 and the manufacturing factory name displayed in advance with the color density D4 is decolored to a decolorized density D3. In the case of erasing, overprinting may be performed on the print to be erased. However, since there is a possibility that the erasure of the erasing may occur due to slight positioning, at least one more than that. It is desirable to heat a large area around.

  As described above, in the thermosensitive recording sheet of the present invention, the heating temperature of the reversible thermosensitive recording layer and the irreversible thermosensitive recording layer in the decoloring / coloring process can be set to the same temperature condition in the width direction of the line thermal head. There is an effect that printing of the irreversible thermosensitive recording layer and decoloring of the reversible thermosensitive recording layer can be performed at the same time in parallel without changing the color or repeatedly printing the sheet.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is obvious that each embodiment can be appropriately changed within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. In addition, the number, position, shape, and the like of the constituent members are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be set to a suitable number, position, shape, and the like in practicing the present invention.

It is a top view of the thermosensitive recording sheet concerning embodiment of this invention. It is XX sectional drawing of FIG. It is explanatory drawing showing the heat-sensitive recording sheet formed in roll shape. It is a figure which shows the relationship between heating temperature and color density when the coloring start temperature T1 of an irreversible layer is lower than the decoloring start temperature T2 of a reversible layer. It is a figure which shows the relationship between heating temperature and color density when the color development start temperature T1 of an irreversible layer is more than the decoloration start temperature T2 of a reversible layer, and less than the color development start temperature T3. This is a label printer used for printing the present embodiment. It is a figure showing the state which prints on an irreversible layer with a label printer, and decolors the printing of a reversible layer.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Thermal recording sheet 2 Sheet base material 3 Irreversible thermal recording layer (irreversible layer)
4 Reversible thermosensitive recording layer (reversible layer)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 Release agent layer 6 Adhesive layer 7 Single leaf label 8 Perforation 9 Position detection mark 10 Branch pipe 11 Label printer 12 Supply device 13 Guide roller 14 Sensor 15 Heating element 16 Line thermal head 17 Platen roller 18 Case 19, 20 Display T1 Irreversible Color development start temperature of layer T2 Decolorization start temperature of reversible layer T3 Color development start temperature of reversible layer D1 Decolorization density (irreversible layer)
D2 Color density (irreversible layer)
D3 Decolorization density (reversible layer)
D4 Color density (reversible layer)

Claims (6)

A thermosensitive recording sheet in which an irreversible thermosensitive recording layer and a reversible thermosensitive recording layer are provided on a sheet substrate without overlapping each other,
The thermosensitive recording sheet, wherein the color development start temperature of the reversible thermosensitive recording layer is set to be higher than the decoloration start temperature and higher than the color development start temperature of the irreversible thermosensitive recording layer.   2. The heat-sensitive recording sheet according to claim 1, wherein the reversible heat-sensitive recording layer is provided in a band shape with respect to a width direction end portion of the sheet base material.   3. The heat-sensitive recording sheet according to claim 1, wherein the reversible heat-sensitive recording layer is color-displayed with position detection marks at a predetermined pitch by heating.   A release agent layer is provided on the irreversible thermosensitive recording layer and the reversible thermosensitive recording layer, and an adhesive layer is provided on the opposite side of the surface of the sheet substrate having the release layer, and the release agent layer is disposed outside. The heat-sensitive recording sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the heat-sensitive recording sheet is formed in a roll shape by being detachably wound. A method of using the thermosensitive recording sheet according to claim 3,
A printer including a line thermal head in which a plurality of heating elements are arranged, and a light reflection type or light transmission type sensor, while conveying the thermosensitive recording sheet, the light reflection type or light transmission type sensor A reading process for reading the position detection mark;
Based on the position information detected by the position detection mark, the heating element is heated, and a temperature higher than the color development start temperature of the irreversible thermosensitive recording layer and the decolorization start temperature of the reversible thermosensitive recording layer, and the above By heating at a temperature lower than the color development start temperature of the reversible thermosensitive recording layer, the print representing at least the position detection mark due to the color development of the reversible thermosensitive recording layer is erased, and the erase is performed by performing color development of the irreversible thermosensitive recording layer. A method of using a heat-sensitive recording sheet, comprising: a color / coloring step.   6. The method of using a thermosensitive recording sheet according to claim 5, wherein the heating temperature of the reversible thermosensitive recording layer and the irreversible thermosensitive recording layer in the decoloring / coloring step is set to be the same.

Images