JP2010185945A - Image recorder, image forming method and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide: an image recorder where adhesive strength between layers of a recording medium and an image receiving layer is improved as compared to the case that an adhesive layer is not set; an image forming method; and an image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The image recorder 10 with the improved adhesive strength between the layers of the recording medium P and the image receiving layer 110B is formed since the image recorder 10 with the adhesive layer 121B, toner image T and the image receiving layer 110B laminated is formed on the recording medium P. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording body, an image forming method, and an image forming apparatus.

Conventionally, the following image forming apparatus is known as an image forming apparatus for forming a color image by electrophotography. First, a toner image is formed on an image carrier by electrophotography, and the toner image is transferred to a belt-shaped intermediate transfer film having an image receiving layer on the surface of a substrate. Then, after superimposing the image transfer surface of the intermediate transfer film and the surface of the recording medium, a laminate is formed by heating and pressing to form a laminate, and the substrate of the intermediate transfer film is peeled off from the laminate. Then, an image in which the entire image forming surface of the recording medium is covered with the image receiving layer is formed. (For example, Patent Document 1)

JP 2007-240669 A

  It is an object of the present invention to provide an image recording body, an image forming method, and an image forming apparatus that have improved adhesive strength between the recording medium and the image receiving layer as compared with the case where no adhesive layer is provided. To do.

The above-mentioned subject is achieved by the following present invention.
The invention according to claim 1 is an image recording body in which an adhesive layer, a toner image, and an image receiving layer are laminated on a recording medium.

  The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the recording medium is composed of a modified polyester resin obtained by copolymerizing ethylene glycol, terephthalic acid, and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol. This is an image recording body.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the toner image formed on the image holding member is transferred to the surface of the belt-shaped first member having a configuration in which the image receiving layer is provided on the first substrate. A transfer step, a band-shaped second member having an adhesive layer provided on a second substrate, and the first member to which the toner image has been transferred, and the toner of the first member A first laminating step of forming a first laminate by superimposing, heating and pressing so that the image-transferred surface and the adhesive layer of the second member face each other; A first peeling step of peeling the second substrate from the adhesive layer of the first laminate, the first laminate from which the second substrate has been peeled off by the first peeling step, and recording Medium, and so that the adhesive layer of the first laminate and the recording medium face each other, and are heated and pressed. A second laminating step of forming a second laminate by an image forming method having a second separation step, the peeling off the first substrate from the image-receiving layer of the second laminate.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first laminating step, the surface of the first member on which the toner image is transferred faces the adhesive layer of the second member. The first laminated body is formed by heating and pressurizing the first overlapping step and the first member and the second member overlapped by the first overlapping step. The image forming method according to claim 3, further comprising a first processing step.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the second lamination step, the first laminated body from which the second substrate has been peeled off by the first peeling step, and the recording medium include the first lamination body. A second superimposing step of superimposing the adhesive layer of the laminate and the recording medium so as to face each other, and the first superposed layer peeled off by the second superimposing step. 5. The image forming according to claim 3, further comprising: a second processing step of forming the second laminated body by heating and pressurizing the laminated body and the recording medium. Is the method.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the toner image is performed after the transfer step and before the first laminating step, and is transferred to the image receiving layer side surface of the first member by the transfer step. 6. The image forming method according to claim 3, further comprising a post-attaching step of applying the toner image to the image receiving layer by applying heat to the image receiving layer.

  The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that, in the hypothetical fixing step, heat having a temperature not lower than a glass transition temperature of the toner and lower than a melting temperature of the toner is applied to the toner image. An image forming method.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the toner image formed on the image holding member is transferred to the surface on the image receiving layer side of the band-shaped first member having the image receiving layer provided on the first substrate. A transfer step; a belt-like first member to which a toner image is transferred by the transfer step; and a third member having an adhesive layer provided on a recording medium. A third lamination step of forming a third laminate by superimposing the surface of the third member and the adhesive layer of the third member so as to face each other, and heating and pressing, A peeling step of peeling the first substrate from the image receiving layer of the third laminate.

  The invention according to claim 9 is characterized in that the recording medium is composed of a modified polyester resin obtained by copolymerizing ethylene glycol, terephthalic acid, and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol. 9. The image forming method according to any one of items 8.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner image forming apparatus for forming a toner image on an image holding member, and a belt-shaped first member having a configuration in which an image receiving layer is provided on a first substrate. A transfer device for transferring a toner image formed on the image carrier on the surface, a belt-like second member having an adhesive layer provided on a second substrate, the first member, Are stacked so that the surface of the first member on which the toner image is transferred and the adhesive layer of the second member face each other, and heat and press the first laminated body. A first stacking device to be formed; a first stripping device that strips the second substrate from the adhesive layer of the first stack; and the second substrate is stripped by the first stripping device. Further, the first laminated body and the recording medium are arranged such that the adhesive layer of the first laminated body and the recording medium face each other. A second stacking device that forms a second stack by superimposing, heating, and pressurizing, and the first substrate from the image receiving layer of the second stack formed by the second stacking device An image forming apparatus having a second peeling device that peels off the toner.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the first laminating apparatus is configured such that the first member and the second member having a configuration in which an adhesive layer is provided on the second base are overlapped with each other. The second laminating apparatus is heated by heat not lower than the glass transition temperature of the adhesive layer and lower than the melting temperature of the adhesive layer, and the second substrate is peeled off by the first peeling apparatus. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the laminate and the recording medium are heated with heat not lower than a glass transition temperature of the adhesive layer and lower than a melting temperature of the adhesive layer.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner image forming apparatus for forming a toner image on an image carrier and a belt-shaped first member provided with an image receiving layer on a first substrate on a surface on the image receiving layer side. A transfer device that transfers a toner image formed on the image carrier, a surface of the band-shaped third member having a configuration in which an adhesive layer is provided on a recording medium, the surface on the adhesive layer side, A third laminating device that forms a third laminate by superimposing, heating and pressurizing the surface of the member to which the toner image is transferred, and the third laminating device; And a peeling device that peels off the first substrate from the image-receiving layer of the third laminate formed.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, it is assumed that the toner image is applied to the image receiving layer by applying heat to the toner image transferred to the surface of the first member on the image receiving layer side by the transfer device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a deposition device.

  The invention according to claim 14 is characterized in that the hypothetical fixing device applies heat to the toner image at a temperature not lower than the glass transition temperature of the toner and lower than the melting temperature of the toner. Item 14. The image forming apparatus according to Item 13.

  The invention according to claim 15 is characterized in that the recording medium is composed of a modified polyester resin obtained by copolymerizing ethylene glycol, terephthalic acid, and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol. Item 15. The image forming apparatus according to any one of item 14;

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that an image recording body having improved adhesion between the recording medium and the image receiving layer is provided compared to the case where no adhesive layer is provided.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an effect that an image recording body having an improved adhesion between the recording medium and the image receiving layer can be provided as compared with the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided. Play.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that an image forming method with improved adhesion between the recording medium and the image receiving layer can be provided as compared with the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided. .

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that an image forming method with improved adhesion between the recording medium and the image receiving layer can be provided as compared with the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided. .

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that an image forming method with improved adhesion between the recording medium and the image receiving layer can be provided as compared with the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided. .

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the adhesive force between the recording medium and the image receiving layer can be improved and the image quality can be improved as compared with the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that the adhesive force between the recording medium and the image receiving layer is effectively improved as compared with the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the adhesive force between the recording medium and the image receiving layer can be improved and the image quality can be improved as compared with the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that the adhesive force between the recording medium and the image receiving layer is effectively improved as compared with the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that the adhesive force between the recording medium and the image receiving layer is improved as compared with the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that the adhesive force between the recording medium and the image receiving layer is effectively improved as compared with the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided.

  According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that the adhesive force between the recording medium and the image receiving layer is improved as compared with the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided.

  According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the adhesive force between the recording medium and the image receiving layer can be effectively improved and the image quality can be improved as compared with the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided. Play.

  According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that the adhesive force between the recording medium and the image receiving layer is effectively improved as compared with the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided.

  According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that the adhesive force between the recording medium and the image receiving layer is effectively improved as compared with the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided.

It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of an image recording body. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows an intermediate transfer film. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state where a toner image is transferred onto an intermediate transfer film. It is a schematic diagram which shows an adhesive layer film. It is a schematic diagram showing a first laminate that is a laminate of an intermediate transfer film to which a toner image has been transferred and an adhesive layer film. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state after the 2nd base | substrate was peeled from the 1st laminated body shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the 2nd laminated body as a laminated body of the laminated body shown in FIG. 7, and a recording medium. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of an image recording body. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the other example of the image forming apparatus of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the laminated body in which the contact bonding layer was provided on the recording medium. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a third laminate as a laminate Achi of the laminate shown in FIG. 11 and the intermediate transfer film to which the toner image is transferred. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of an image recording body.

(Image forming method)
In the image forming method of the present invention, the toner image formed on the image carrier is transferred to the surface on the image receiving layer side of the belt-shaped first member having the image receiving layer provided on the first substrate. A transfer step, a band-shaped second member having an adhesive layer provided on a second substrate, and the first member to which the toner image has been transferred, and the toner of the first member A first laminating step of forming a first laminate by superimposing, heating and pressing so that the image-transferred surface and the adhesive layer of the second member face each other; A first peeling step of peeling the second substrate from the adhesive layer of the first laminate, the first laminate from which the second substrate has been peeled off by the first peeling step, and recording A medium is overlaid with the adhesive layer of the first laminate and the recording medium facing each other, and heated and pressed. And a second peeling step for peeling the first substrate from the image receiving layer of the second laminated body. .

For this reason, as a recording medium, an ABS resin film or a polyolefin resin film that softens at a relatively low temperature, and a modified PET resin film called PETG in which at least ethylene glycol, terephthalic acid and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol are copolymerized, Even when an integrally molded film of a modified PET resin film and a PET film, an amorphous PET resin film or a polycarbonate resin film is used, the adhesive layer between the recording medium and the image receiving layer, particularly between the recording medium and the image receiving layer, is used. Improvement can be achieved.

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the image forming method of the present invention will be described for each step.
As described above, the image forming method of the present embodiment includes at least the transfer step, the first lamination step, the first peeling step, the second lamination step, and the second peeling step. Furthermore, a process employed in a known electrophotographic image forming method such as a cleaning process for removing various deposits adhered on the image carrier may be further combined.

Hereinafter, the first member having an image receiving layer provided on the first substrate may be referred to as an “intermediate transfer film”.
Hereinafter, the second member having a configuration in which an adhesive layer is provided on the second substrate may be referred to as an “adhesive layer film”.

-Transfer process-
In the transfer step, the toner image formed on the image carrier is transferred onto the surface of the belt-shaped intermediate transfer film (first member) having a configuration in which the image receiving layer is provided on the first substrate. To do. A conventional electrophotographic image forming method is used to transfer the toner image to the image carrier.
Further, the method for transferring a toner image to the surface on the image receiving layer side formed on the intermediate transfer film is also used in a conventional electrophotographic image forming method except that an intermediate transfer film is used as a transfer object. The method is adopted. The detailed configuration of the intermediate transfer film and the detailed configuration of the adhesive layer film will be described later.

-First lamination process-
In the first laminating step, a belt-like adhesive layer film having an adhesive layer provided on the second substrate, and the intermediate transfer film to which the toner image has been transferred in the transfer step, are transferred to the intermediate transfer film. The first laminate is formed by superimposing, heating and pressing the surface of the toner image transferred side and the adhesive layer of the adhesive layer film so as to face each other.

  The first laminating step includes a first superimposing step of superimposing the surface of the intermediate transfer film on which the toner image is transferred and the adhesive layer of the adhesive layer film so as to face each other; The intermediate transfer film and the adhesive layer film overlapped in the combining step may be divided into two steps: a first processing step for forming the first laminate by heating and pressing.

Note that, from the viewpoint of simplifying the process, it is desirable to simultaneously perform the first superposition process and the first processing process.

  In order to carry out the first laminating process (first superimposing process, first processing process), it is used for fixing a toner image on a recording medium in a conventionally known electrophotographic image forming apparatus. A fixing device is used, and for example, a heating and pressing device including a heating roll and a pressing roll disposed so as to be in pressure contact with the heating roll is used. In this case, fixing and laminating (processing) are performed by inserting the press contact portion between the heating roll and the pressure roll in a state where the intermediate transfer film and the recording medium are overlapped.

-First peeling process-
In the first peeling step, the second substrate is peeled off from the adhesive layer in the first laminate formed by the first lamination step. As the peeling method, any method may be used as long as the interface between the second substrate and the adhesive layer is peeled, and as a result, the adhesive layer is peeled from the second substrate. . For example, a pulling force may be applied to the second substrate of the first stacked body in a direction away from another layer (a layer other than the second substrate of the first stacked body).

-Second lamination process-
In the second lamination step, the first laminated body from which the second substrate has been peeled off in the first peeling step and the recording medium are combined with the adhesive layer in the first laminated body and the recording medium. The second laminated body is formed by overlapping so as to face each other and heating and pressing.

In the second lamination step, the first laminate from which the second substrate has been peeled off by the first peeling step and the recording medium are arranged such that the adhesive layer of the first laminate and the recording medium face each other. A second superimposing step for superimposing the recording medium and a second laminate by heating and pressurizing the recording medium and the first laminate that is superposed by the second superimposing step and from which the second substrate is peeled off. The second processing step for forming the laminated body may be divided into two steps.
From the viewpoint of simplifying the process, it is desirable to perform the second superposition process and the second processing process at the same time.

  In order to carry out this second lamination step (second superposition step, second processing step), it is used for fixing a toner image on a recording medium in a conventionally known electrophotographic image forming apparatus. A fixing device is used, and for example, a heating and pressing device including a heating roll and a pressing roll disposed so as to be in pressure contact with the heating roll is used. In this case, fixing and laminating (processing) are performed by inserting a pressure contact portion between a heating roll and a pressure roll in a state where the first laminate from which the second substrate is peeled and the recording medium are overlapped. ) Is implemented.

-Second peeling process-
In the second peeling step, the first substrate is peeled from the image receiving layer of the second laminate formed by the second lamination step. As this peeling method, any method can be used as long as the interface between the first substrate and the image receiving layer is peeled, and as a result, the first substrate is peeled from the second laminate. May be. For example, a pulling force may be applied to the first substrate of the second stacked body in a direction away from another layer (a layer other than the first substrate of the second stacked body).

By obtaining the above steps, as shown in FIG. 1, the image recording body 10 in which the adhesive layer 121B, the toner image T, and the image receiving layer 110B are sequentially laminated is formed on the recording medium P.
For this reason, the adhesive force between the recording medium P and the image receiving layer 110B can be improved.

  Note that an assumed attachment process may be performed after the transfer process and before the first stacking process.

―Assumed landing process―
In the assumed attachment step, heat is applied to the toner image transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer film on the image receiving layer side in the transfer step, whereby the toner image is assumed to be attached to the image receiving layer.
In this hypothetical fixing process, specifically, the toner image transferred to the surface on the image receiving layer side is heated to a temperature not less than the glass transition temperature of the toner and less than the melting temperature of the toner. This is preferable because the toner particles adhere to each other without flowing and being disturbed.
Although the heating temperature of the toner image in this hypothetical deposition process depends on the type of material constituting the image receiving layer, the type of material constituting the toner image, and the like, specifically, it is preferably about 60 ° C. or higher and 100 ° C. or lower. .

  As a method for performing this assumption, a heating roll or the like is provided on at least one of the surface on the toner image side of the intermediate transfer film to which the toner image is transferred and the surface on the back side of the surface on which the toner image is transferred. The method of arrange | positioning the heating apparatus of this is mentioned.

  After the transfer step and before the first laminating step, the above-described hypothetical attachment step is performed, so that before the first laminating step, the toner particles constituting the toner image or between the toner particles and the image receiving layer are formed. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of toner image disturbance in the first laminating process due to fusion. Therefore, as a result, the occurrence of disturbance in the image (image indicated by the toner image) on the image recording body 10 is suppressed.

  In the above description, an image is formed on a recording medium by performing the transfer process, the first lamination process, the first peeling process, the second lamination process, and the second peeling process. As described above, a method is used in which an adhesive layer is formed on a recording medium, the adhesive layer and the intermediate transfer film on which the toner image is transferred are superposed, and then the first substrate is peeled from the intermediate transfer film. May be.

  Specifically, the toner image formed on the image carrier is formed on the surface of the belt-shaped intermediate transfer film (first member) having a configuration in which the image receiving layer is provided on the first substrate. A transfer step of transferring, an intermediate transfer film to which the toner image has been transferred by the transfer step, and a third member (hereinafter referred to as “recording medium with an adhesive layer”) provided with an adhesive layer on the recording medium, The surface of the intermediate transfer film on which the toner image is formed and the adhesive layer of the recording medium with the adhesive layer are overlapped to face each other, and a third laminate is formed by heating and pressing. What is necessary is just to set it as the image forming method which has the 3rd lamination process to perform, and the peeling process which peels a said 1st base | substrate from the said image receiving layer of a 3rd laminated body.

-Transfer process, third lamination process, peeling process-
In this case, the transfer process described above may be used as the transfer process. In the third lamination step, for example, using the adhesive layer film used in the first lamination step, the adhesive layer film and the recording medium, and the adhesive layer of the adhesive layer film and the recording medium are After the laminated body is formed by overlapping, heating and pressing so as to face each other, the second substrate in the adhesive layer film may be peeled from the laminated body. And as this peeling method, the said 1st peeling method should just be used. As a result, a third stacked body is formed.

  In the next peeling step, the first substrate may be peeled from the third laminate using the second peeling method.

  Thus, if a method is used in which an adhesive layer is formed on a recording medium, the adhesive layer and the intermediate transfer film onto which the toner image is transferred are superposed, and then the first substrate is peeled off from the intermediate transfer film. In addition, the adhesion between the recording medium and the image receiving layer can be improved, and the process can be further simplified.

-Intermediate transfer film-
Next, the belt-shaped intermediate transfer film used in the present invention will be described in more detail. The intermediate transfer film used in the present invention includes a first substrate and an image receiving layer provided on one side of the substrate.

  The toner image formed on the image carrier in the transfer process is transferred onto the surface of the image receiving layer. Further, the image receiving layer and the first substrate must have releasability, and a release layer containing a releasable material may be provided between the image receiving layer and the first substrate. The surface of the image receiving layer on the first substrate side or the surface of the first substrate on the image receiving layer side may be coated with a releasable material.

  As the releasable material, a silicone hard coat material is used. Specifically, a condensate resin containing a silane composition, or a mixture of a condensate resin containing the silane composition and a colloidal silica dispersion liquid. The material which consists of may be contained.

  Although it does not specifically limit as a 1st base | substrate, A plastic film is typically used. Among these, 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 or the like is preferably used.

  Note that the surface of the first substrate on which the image receiving layer is provided is desirably as smooth as possible, desirably having a surface roughness Ra of 1 μm or less, and more desirably 0.1 μm or less. When the surface roughness Ra exceeds 1 μm, high glossiness may not be obtained.

  The thickness of the first substrate is preferably in the range of 10 μm to 200 μm, and more preferably in the range of 25 μm to 100 μm. If the thickness is less than 10 μm, there may be a conveyance failure in the image forming apparatus described later in detail, and if it exceeds 200 μm, image quality may be deteriorated in the transfer process.

The image receiving layer has a function of transferring a toner image onto the surface thereof and holding the transferred toner image in a layer shape.
The image receiving layer may have the above function, but preferably contains a thermoplastic material because the toner image can be embedded in the image receiving layer.

  The thermoplastic material is not particularly limited, but is not particularly limited. It is desirable that the thermoplastic material includes a resin of the same type as the binder resin included in the toner used for image formation, particularly a polyester resin. Since the polyester resin is frequently used as a binder resin for the toner, the image receiving material can be fixed to the image receiving layer by including a resin of the same type in the image receiving layer. 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.

-Adhesive layer film (second member)-
The adhesive layer film has a configuration in which an adhesive layer is laminated on the second substrate.

  Although it does not specifically limit as this 2nd base | substrate, What is necessary is just to use the same material as the said 1st base | substrate.

  Further, the second substrate and the adhesive layer must have releasability, and a release layer containing a releasable material may be provided between the adhesive layer and the second substrate. The surface on the adhesive layer side of the second substrate may be coated with a releasable material. Examples of the releasable material include the releasable materials mentioned in the configuration of the intermediate transfer film.

  The thickness of the second substrate is preferably in the range of 10 μm to 200 μm, and more preferably in the range of 25 μm to 100 μm.

  The adhesive layer only needs to have a function of exhibiting adhesiveness by heat and pressure, and includes, for example, a heat-meltable resin.

  Examples of heat-meltable resins include styrene resins such as styrene and parachlorostyrene polymers and copolymers, vinyl resins such as methyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate polymers and copolymers, and olefins such as ethylene and propylene polymers and copolymers. Examples thereof include thermoplastic materials such as resins, epoxy resins, polyester resins, polyurethane resins, polyamide resins, polyether resins, polyacetal resins, polycarbonate resins, and cellulose resins.

  The thickness of the adhesive layer is preferably in the range of 1 μm to 50 μm, and more preferably in the range of 1 μm to 20 μm, although it depends on the characteristics of the constituent material of the recording medium to be bonded and the material characteristics of the image receiving layer.

  The method for forming the adhesive layer on the second substrate is formed by applying a coating liquid (solution or dispersion) containing the above-mentioned materials listed as materials constituting the adhesive layer onto the second substrate. . As a coating method, a commonly used method such as a blade coating method, a wire bar coating method, a spray coating method, a dip coating method, a bead coating method, an air knife coating method, a curtain coating method, or a roll coating method is employed.

  In the image forming method, the adhesive layer is laminated on the recording medium and then superposed on the intermediate transfer film to which the toner image is transferred. In this case, the adhesive layer is formed on the recording medium. May be formed using the above method.

-Recording media-
The recording medium used in the present embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it can form an image, such as a plastic film, a film made of metal, ceramic, or the like, in addition to a normal sheet. Among these, a plastic film is preferably used.

  Plastic films include 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 An (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) resin film or the like is preferably used.

  Among the above-mentioned various plastic films, polyester film, particularly PETG obtained by copolymerizing by replacing about half of the ethylene glycol component of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) using ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid with 1,4-cyclohexane methanol component. In addition, an amorphous polyester called A-PET, which is obtained by mixing polycarbonate with PETG and alloying it, and PET not biaxially stretched, is preferably used.

  The modified polyester resin obtained by copolymerizing at least ethylene glycol, terephthalic acid and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol component (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as “PETG resin”) has a softening point temperature of about 80 ° C. Therefore, thermocompression bonding is easy.

Here, as the recording medium, it is preferable to use (or include) a resin that is a polyester-based material such as PETG as described above, but other conventionally used recording media are used. In such a case, the material is different from the image receiving layer, and there is a concern that it may be easily peeled off.
On the other hand, in the present embodiment, by obtaining the above-described steps, an image in which an adhesive layer 121B, a toner image T, and an image receiving layer 110B are sequentially laminated on the recording medium P as shown in FIG. A recording body 10 is formed.
For this reason, even when a recording medium having a configuration containing a resin other than polyester is used as the recording medium P, the adhesive force between the recording medium P and the image receiving layer 110B is suitable.

  As the recording medium, a recording medium colored by further adding a pigment or dye may be used. Further, the recording medium 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 necessary for a recording medium. . Further, when the image recording medium is applied to an IC card, a magnetic card, or the like, an IC memory, an antenna, an external terminal, or the like is embedded in the recording medium. Moreover, a magnetic stripe, a hologram, etc. may be printed separately, or a character may be embossed as needed.

-Toner, developer-
In the present invention, as the developer used for forming the toner image, either a one-component developer composed of toner or a two-component developer composed of toner and carrier may be used, and a known developer is used. Is done.
As the toner, any conventionally known toner can be used without limitation as long as it contains at least a binder resin and a colorant. A known binder resin is used as the binder resin, but a polyester-based resin is preferable, and the weight average molecular weight is desirably 5000 or more and 12000 or less.

  The colorant is not particularly limited as long as it is a colorant usually used for toners, and is selected from among known cyan pigments or dyes, magenta pigments or dyes, yellow pigments or dyes, black pigments or dyes. Selected. Desirably, from the viewpoint of suppressing irregular reflection at the interface between the pigment of the colorant and the binder, a combination with a colorant in which a pigment having a small particle size is highly dispersed as disclosed in JP-A-4-2422752 is effective.

  The particle size of the toner is not particularly limited, but is preferably 4 μm or more and 8 μm or less from the viewpoint of obtaining a high-definition image.

  The toner and carrier used in the present embodiment may be appropriately prepared or may be a commercially available product.

-Image forming device-
Next, the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a housing 101, an image forming unit 102 (image forming units 102K, 102C, 102M, and 102Y) provided in the housing 101, a photosensitive member. Body 103 (103Y, 103M, 103C, 102K), primary charger 104 (104Y, 104M, 104C, 104K), LED array 105 (105Y, 105M, 105C, and 105K), developing device 106 (106Y, 106M, 106C, 106K), transfer roll 107 (transfer rolls 107K, 107C, 107M, 107Y), intermediate transfer film 110, delivery roll 111, take-up roll 112, hypothetical attachment device 160, adhesive layer film 121, adhesive layer film feed roll 122, Adhesive layer film winding roll 123, heating roll 124, heating The roll 131 includes a heating roll, a pressure roll 125, a pressure roll 132, a heating source 126, a heating source 133, a heating source 134, a stretching roll 115, a stretching roll 113, a stretching roll 114, and a recording medium supply tray 141. I have.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes four image forming units that form toner images of each color of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) as the image forming unit 102 in the housing 101. 102K, image forming unit 102C, image forming unit 102M, and image forming unit 102Y are so-called tandem type devices that are stretched between the stretching roll 113 and the stretching roll 114 in the vertical direction. Along the intermediate transfer film 110, an image is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer film 110 opposite to the surface on which the stretching roll 113 and the stretching roll 114 are disposed, from the stretching roll 113 side to the stretching roll 114 side. The forming unit 102K, the image forming unit 102C, the image forming unit 102M, and the image forming unit 102Y are arranged in this order in the vertical direction with a constant interval.

  Note that portions common to all of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow may be described by omitting the description of YMCK.

  In the present embodiment, the four sets of the image forming unit 102K, the image forming unit 102C, the image forming unit 102M, and the image forming unit 102Y have a toner image color of black (K), cyan (C), and magenta. Although (M) and yellow (Y) all have the same configuration, only the image forming unit of a specific color may be changed depending on the frequency of use. For example, the system may be changed to a system having a long service life by increasing the diameter of the photoconductor of the image forming unit frequently used or changing the surface material of the photoconductor to a highly durable one.

  Of the four sets of the image forming unit 102K, the image forming unit 102C, the image forming unit 102M, and the image forming unit 102Y, the image forming unit 102Y will be described as a specific example. The image forming unit 102Y includes a photoconductor 103Y, a primary charger 104Y, an LED array 105Y, and a developing device 106Y. Here, the photoconductor 103Y is disposed so as to be in contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer film 110 on which the image receiving layer 110B is provided, and at a predetermined speed along the direction of arrow A by a driving device (not shown). Is driven to rotate. In addition, a primary charger 104Y, an LED array 105Y, a developing device 106Y, and a transfer roll 107Y are arranged in this order along the direction of arrow A around the photoreceptor 103Y. The transfer roll 107Y moves the intermediate transfer film 110 over the intermediate transfer film 110. The photoconductor 103Y is disposed so as to be sandwiched therebetween.

  The photoreceptor 103Y is not particularly limited, and a known one may be used. The photoreceptor 103Y may have a single layer structure, or may have a multilayer structure and a function separation type. The material may be an inorganic material such as selenium or amorphous silicon, or an organic material.

  The developing device 106Y forms an insulating color toner image on the photoconductor 103Y. Any known developing device can be used as long as this purpose is satisfied. For example, a known developing device having a function of attaching toner to an electrophotographic photosensitive member using a corotron, a brush, or the like can be used. Further, as the developing device 106Y, a toner image may be formed on the photoreceptor 03Y using a toner mixed and charged with a known carrier, which is described in, for example, JP-A-63-58374. Such a known apparatus may be used. Further, a color image may be formed by employing a developing device using a one-component developer that does not use a carrier.

  The color toner used in the developing device 106Y is an insulating particle containing at least a binder resin and a colorant. In the developing device 106Y, yellow toner is used, and development in other image forming units is performed. In the apparatus, cyan toner is used in the developing device 106C of the image forming unit 102C, magenta toner is used in the developing device 106M of the image forming unit 102M, and black toner is used in the developing device 106K of the image forming unit 102K. The composition, average particle diameter, and the like of these color toners are appropriately selected from a range of general known toners.

  The yellow (Y) toner image is formed by the image forming unit 102Y as follows. First, the surface of the photoconductor 103Y is uniformly charged to a predetermined potential by a primary charger 104Y made of a charging roll or the like, and then responds to a halftone image (raster data) corresponding to an input image signal to an LED array. 105Y is exposed to form an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor 103Y is developed by a developing device 106Y as a developing device containing corresponding color toner, and a yellow (Y) toner image is formed. This yellow (Y) toner image is transferred from the surface of the photoreceptor 103Y to the surface of the intermediate transfer film 110 by the transfer roll 107Y as a primary transfer device at the contact portion between the photoreceptor 103Y and the intermediate transfer film 110. . Note that residual toner or the like is removed from the surface of the photoconductor 103Y after the transfer is completed by a cleaning device (not shown) as necessary.

The image forming unit 102K includes a photoconductor 103K, a primary charger 104K, an LED array 105K, and a developing device 106K. A transfer roll 107K is disposed opposite to the photoconductor 103K with the intermediate transfer film 110 interposed therebetween. Yes.
The image forming unit 102C includes a photoconductor 103C, a primary charger 104C, an LED array 105C, and a developing device 106C. A transfer roll 107C is disposed opposite to the photoconductor 103C with the intermediate transfer film 110 interposed therebetween. Yes.
The image forming unit 102M includes a photoconductor 103M, a primary charger 104M, an LED array 105M, and a developing device 106M. A transfer roll 107M is disposed to face the photoconductor 103M with the intermediate transfer film 110 interposed therebetween. Yes.

  Note that the image forming unit 102K, the image forming unit 102C, and the image forming unit 102M have the same configuration and the same function as the image forming unit 102Y except for the color of the toner used, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. .

  Further, in the housing 101, a feed roll 111 for sending out the intermediate transfer film 110, which is a strip-like long film, and a take-up roll 112 for taking up the intermediate transfer film 110 sent out from the feed roll 111, , Six rolls that stretch the intermediate transfer film between the feed roll 111 and the take-up roll 112 (stretch roll 113, stretch roll 114, pressure roll 125, stretch roll 115, heating roll 131, and And a peeling roll 116). The take-up roll 112 is connected to a drive source (not shown) and takes up the intermediate transfer film 110.

As shown in FIG. 3, the intermediate transfer film 110 has a configuration in which an image receiving layer 110 </ b> B is laminated on the first base 110 </ b> A, and has a strip shape and a long shape. Since the detailed structure of the first substrate, the image receiving layer, and the intermediate transfer film in which these layers are laminated has been described above, the description thereof is omitted here.
The intermediate transfer film 110 has one end wound around a feed roll 111, and the intermediate transfer film 110 is sequentially fed from the feed roll 111 when forming an image. In addition, the intermediate transfer film 110 in a state of being wound around the feeding roll 111 is wound so that the surface on which the image receiving layer 110B is provided becomes the outer surface. The intermediate transfer film 110 delivered from the delivery roll 111 is sequentially taken up in the direction of arrow B by the take-up roll 112 during image formation. Specifically, since the image receiving layer 110 </ b> B of the intermediate transfer film 110 is transferred to the recording medium P, only the first base 110 </ b> A is taken up by the take-up roll 112.

  The intermediate transfer film 110 between the feed roll 111 and the take-up roll 112 is arranged in the following order from the feed roll 111 side to the take-up roll 112 side: a tension roll 113, a tension roll 114, and a pressure The roll 125, the tension roll 115, the heating roll 131, and the peeling roll 116 are stretched with a predetermined tension.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the adhesive layer film 121 has a configuration in which an adhesive layer 121 </ b> B is laminated on the second base 121 </ b> A. Note that the detailed configuration of the second base 121, the adhesive layer 121B, and the adhesive layer film 121 having a stacked structure thereof has been described above, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

  One end side of the adhesive layer film 121 is wound around a delivery roll 122, and the adhesive layer film 121 is sequentially delivered from the delivery roll 122. The adhesive layer film 121 in a state of being wound around the delivery roll 122 is disposed so that the surface on which the adhesive layer 121B is provided faces the surface on the image receiving layer 110B side of the intermediate transfer film 110, Winding is sequentially performed by a winding roll 123 via a heating roll 124 having a heating source 126 therein. Specifically, the adhesive layer 121B of the adhesive layer film 121 is transferred to the image receiving layer 110B side of the intermediate transfer film 110 in a region between a pressure roll 125 and a heating roll 124, which will be described later, and only the second base 121A. Is wound by the winding roll 123.

  The heating roll 124 is arranged so that the intermediate transfer film 110 is sandwiched between the pressure roll 125. The intermediate transfer film 110 and the adhesive layer film 121 are overlapped by the adhesive layer film 121 sent out from the feed roll 122 passing through the region between the heating roll 124 and the pressure roll 125. After the first stacked body 140 (see FIG. 6) is formed, only the second base 121 </ b> A is peeled from the first stacked body 140 and wound by the winding roll 123.

  The heating roll 124 may be provided with a retract function that presses the pressure roll 125 at a predetermined timing.

  The heating roll 131 incorporates a heating source 133 therein, and a pressure roll 132 is disposed to face the heating roll 131 so as to press the intermediate transfer film 110. The heating roll 131 and the pressure roll 132 function as a second laminating apparatus.

  A predetermined distance between the pressure roll 132 and the intermediate transfer film 110 (nip portion) is conveyed in the direction of arrow D (horizontal direction) by a conveyance device (not shown) from a recording medium supply tray 141 attached outside the casing 101. A sheet-like recording medium P cut into a size of is inserted. When the recording medium P passes through the nip portion, the recording medium P and the intermediate transfer film 110 are overlapped to fix and laminate (process) the toner image.

  The heating roll 131 may be provided with a retract function so as to come into pressure contact with the pressure roll 132 at a predetermined timing.

  The peeling roll 116 is provided on the downstream side (discharge side) in the transport direction of the recording medium P from the region where the heating roll 131 and the pressure roll 132 are provided. The winding roll 112 is arranged such that the intermediate transfer film 110 stretched between the winding roll 112 and the peeling roll 116 forms an angle of about 90 ° with respect to the conveyance direction of the recording medium P. Yes. In this case, if a rigid recording medium P such as a plastic sheet is used, the second laminate 144 (see FIG. 8) formed by being conveyed between the heating roll 131 and the pressure roll 132 is used. The pulling force acts on the first base 110A side, and the recording medium P itself is pulled to the first base 110A side due to its rigidity and is not easily deformed. Therefore, between the image receiving layer 110B and the first base 110A. Peeling occurs. If the recording medium P has low rigidity, it may not be deformed to the first base 110A side by sucking the recording medium P side of the second laminated body 144 or the like.

  Note that the first base 110A may be peeled off by using a peeling claw inserted between the image receiving layer 110B of the second stacked body 144 and the first base 110A. You may use together with a roll.

  In addition, a toner image is formed on each photoconductor 103 of each image forming unit 102 by each color image forming unit 102 in the housing 101, and the toner image formed on the photoconductor 103 is intermediately transferred by a transfer roll 107. A hypothetical dressing device 160 is provided on the side of the intermediate transfer film 110 in the transport direction (in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 2) and upstream of the heating roll 124 from the region transferred to the image receiving layer 110B of the film 110. ing.

  The hypothetical fixing device 160 applies heat to the toner image transferred to the image receiving layer 110B of the intermediate transfer film 110 by each color image forming unit 102, so that the toner image is hypothetically deposited on the image receiving layer 110B.

  The hypothetical fixing device 160 may have any configuration as long as it applies heat to the toner image transferred to the image receiving layer 110B, but it is an intermediate stretched between the stretching roll 114 and the pressure roll 125. A contact or non-contact heating device is preferably disposed on the first substrate 110A side and the image receiving layer 110B side of the transfer film 110, for example, so as to contact the surface of the intermediate transfer film 110 on the first substrate 110A side. A heating roll that is assumed to be worn may be disposed.

  By providing this hypothetical fixing device 160, after the toner image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer film 110 while being superimposed, fixing and laminating are performed by the heating roll 124 and the pressure roll 125, or the heating roll 131 and the pressure roll 132. In some cases, image disturbance or registration misalignment may occur. However, the provision of the hypothetical landing device 160 suppresses the occurrence of such a problem.

It is desirable that the temperature applied to the toner image transferred to the image receiving layer 110B by the hypothetical fixing device 160 is not less than the glass transition temperature of the toner and less than the melting temperature of the toner.
By applying heat at a temperature within the above range to the toner image transferred to the image receiving layer 110B by the hypothetical fixing device 160, an effect is obtained that the toner is integrated without causing the image to flow and be disturbed.

  In the image forming apparatus 100 configured as described above, when the intermediate transfer film 110 (see FIG. 3) is fed from the intermediate transfer film feed roll 111 and reaches the position where each color image forming unit 102 is provided, each color is transferred. The toner image transferred to the photoconductor 103 of the image forming unit 102 is transferred to the image receiving layer 110B of the intermediate transfer film 110 by the transfer roll 107 (see FIG. 4). Specifically, the toner images of the respective colors formed by the image forming units 102K, 102C, 102M, and 102Y are transferred in the order of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow by the transfer rolls 107K, 107C, 107M, and 107Y that are primary transfer devices. Then, the images are sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer film 110 while being superimposed on each other, and a multicolor toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer film 110.

  Then, the toner image T on the intermediate transfer film 110 to which the toner image T has been transferred is assumed to be attached to the image receiving layer 110 </ b> B by being heated by the assumption fixing device 160.

  An adhesive layer film 121 (see FIG. 5) is superimposed on the intermediate transfer film 110 on which the toner image T is assumed to be applied to the image receiving layer 110B, in a region where the pressure roll 125 and the heating roll 124 face each other. The first laminated body 140 is formed by applying pressure as shown in FIG. In this superposition, the image receiving layer 110B of the intermediate transfer film 110 and the adhesive layer 121B of the adhesive layer film 121 are superposed so as to face each other.

  Then, the second substrate 121A in the first laminate 140, which is a laminate of the intermediate transfer film 110 and the adhesive layer film 121, is peeled from the adhesive layer 121B and taken up by the adhesive layer film take-up roll 123. .

  When the laminated body 142 (FIG. 7) as the first laminated body 140 from which the second base 121A has been peeled is further conveyed and conveyed to the opposing area between the heating roll 131 and the pressure roll 132, recording is performed. The second laminated body 144 shown in FIG. 8 is formed by being superposed on the medium P and heated and pressurized. In this superposition, the superposition is performed so that the adhesive layer 121B of the laminate 142 and the recording medium P face each other.

  Then, the first base 110 </ b> A in the formed second stacked body 144 is peeled off from the image receiving layer 110 </ b> B and taken up by the pressure roll 125.

  The first base 110 </ b> A is peeled from the second laminate 144, whereby the image recording body 10 (see FIGS. 1 and 9) is manufactured.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the image recording body 10 having a configuration in which the adhesive layer 121B, the toner image T, and the image receiving layer 110B are stacked is formed on the recording medium P. As a result, the image recording body 10 having improved adhesion between the recording medium P and the image receiving layer 110B is formed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the hypothetical wearing device 160 is provided in the image forming apparatus 100 has been described, but a configuration in which the hypothetical wearing device 160 is not provided may be employed. However, in the configuration in which the hypothetical fixing device 160 is provided, the adhesive force between the recording medium P and the image receiving layer 110B is further improved.

  In the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 forms the first laminated body 140 in which the intermediate transfer film 110 and the adhesive layer film 121 are laminated, and then the second base 121 </ b> A of the adhesive layer film 121. Is formed so that the adhesive layer 121B and the recording medium P face each other to form the second laminated body 144, and the first substrate 110A is further peeled to form the image recording body 10. As a result, the image recording body 10 having a configuration in which the adhesive layer 121B, the toner image T, and the image receiving layer 110B are stacked on the recording medium P may be formed. It is not limited to form.

  For example, the third laminate is obtained by superimposing a laminate obtained by laminating the adhesive layer 121B on the recording medium P and a laminate obtained by transferring the toner image T onto the image receiving layer 110B of the intermediate transfer film 110, and heating and pressing the laminate. After forming the image recording body 10, the image recording body 10 may be formed by peeling off the first substrate 110A of the intermediate transfer film 10 in the third laminate.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, the positions of the adhesive layer film feed roll 122, the heating roll 124, and the pressure roll 125 are changed, and the opposing area between the heating roll 124 and the pressure roll 125 is changed to the heating roll 131 and the heating roll 131. The configuration is the same as that of the image forming apparatus 100 except that the recording medium P is disposed at a position where the recording medium P passes before reaching the area facing the pressure roll 132 and the recording medium P is provided at a position where the recording medium P can be nipped and conveyed. The image forming apparatus 100A may be used.

  In the image forming apparatus 100 configured as described above, when the intermediate transfer film 110 (see FIG. 3) is fed from the intermediate transfer film feed roll 111 and reaches the position where each color image forming unit 102 is provided, each color is transferred. The toner image transferred to the photoconductor 103 of the image forming unit 102 is transferred to the image receiving layer 110B of the intermediate transfer film 110 by the transfer roll 107 (see FIG. 4).

  Then, the toner image T on the intermediate transfer film 110 to which the toner image T has been transferred is assumed to be attached to the image receiving layer 110 </ b> B by being heated by the assumption fixing device 160.

  The intermediate transfer film 110 on which the toner image T is presupposed on the image receiving layer 110 </ b> B is conveyed to a region where the heating roll 131 and the pressure roll 132 are opposed to each other.

  On the other hand, the recording medium P conveyed from the recording medium supply tray 141 is overlaid with the adhesive layer film 121 (see FIG. 5), and heated and pressed in the area where the pressure roll 125 and the heating roll 124 face each other. Thus, a laminated body is formed. In this superposition, the superposition is performed so that the recording medium P and the adhesive layer 121B of the adhesive layer film 121 face each other.

  Then, the second base 121 </ b> A in the laminate of the recording medium P and the adhesive layer film 121 is peeled off from the adhesive layer 121 </ b> B and taken up by the adhesive layer film winding roll 123. Thus, a stacked body 150 (see FIG. 11) in which the adhesive layer 121B is stacked is formed on the recording medium P.

  When the laminate 150 in which the adhesive layer 121B is laminated on the recording medium P is further conveyed and conveyed to a region where the heating roll 131 and the pressure roll 132 are opposed to each other, a toner image T is assumed on the image receiving layer 110B. The laminated intermediate transfer film 110, the surface of the image receiving layer 110B on which the toner image T is formed, and the adhesive layer 121B are overlapped with each other, heated and pressed, and the first transfer layer shown in FIG. 3 laminates 152 are formed.

Then, the first base 110 </ b> A in the formed third stacked body 152 is peeled off from the image receiving layer 110 </ b> B and taken up by the pressure roll 125.
The first substrate 110A is peeled from the third laminate 152, whereby the image recording body 10 is formed as shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to examples. However, the present invention is not limited to the following examples. In addition, “parts” in the following examples and comparative examples means “parts by mass”.

Example 1
-Image forming device-
The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 was used as the image forming apparatus, and a plastic sheet was used as the recording medium. Detailed conditions are described below.

-Developer-
As a developer, a cyan developer, a magenta developer, a yellow developer, and a black developer for DocuPrint C3540 manufactured by Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. were used. The average particle size of the toner was 7 μm.

-Recording media-
The recording medium used for forming the color image is a white vinyl chloride sheet (Mitsubishi Resin, Vinyl foil C-4636), the thickness is 760 μm, and the size is punched in advance to a card size (85.6 mm × 54 mm). The processed one was used.

-Color toner development mass and image signal-
The color toner mass to be developed was set to 0.5 mg / cm ^{2 at the} portion where the image signal Cin = 100% for each color. Data read by the scanner was subjected to color, gradation, and sharpness correction by an image processing apparatus, and an image signal of toner of each color was generated.

-Intermediate transfer film-
As the intermediate transfer film, a two-layer structure comprising a base layer (first substrate) and an image receiving layer was used. For the base layer, a strip-like film (Panac, PET100SG-2, thickness: 50 μm, width: 320 mm, length: 10 m, surface of the release-treated surface, which has been subjected to release treatment on one side of the PET film in advance. (Roughness Ra: 0.05 μm) was used. The image receiving layer was made of 20 parts of polyester resin (byron 200, manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd.), 1 part of cross-linked acrylic particles (manufactured by Soken Chemical Co., Ltd., MX-500, volume average particle size 5 μm), and charge control agent (Nippon Yushi). 0.6 parts of ELEGAN 264WAX) manufactured by the same company was added to 80 parts of a mixture of cyclohexanone and methyl ethyl ketone at a mass ratio of 10:90, and the image-receiving layer coating liquid sufficiently stirred was removed from the PET film. It formed by apply | coating using a wire bar so that the thickness after drying might be set to 10 micrometers on the surface in which the mold process was given.

-Adhesive layer film-
The adhesive layer film 121 has a three-layer structure including a base layer (second substrate), a release layer, and an adhesive layer. A PET film (Lumirror 100T60, thickness: 50 μm, width: 320 mm, length: 10 m) was used for the base layer. In the release layer, 20 parts of a silicone hard coating agent (GE Toshiba Silicone, SHC900, solid content 30% by mass) containing an organosilane condensate, a melamine resin, and an alkyd resin is added to the base layer, and cyclohexanone and methyl ethyl ketone are added in mass. The mixture was added to 30 parts of the liquid mixed at a ratio of 10:90 and sufficiently stirred, and the release layer coating liquid was applied by using a wire bar so that the thickness after drying was 1 μm. Further, the adhesive layer was composed of 20 parts of polyester resin (Toyobo Co., Ltd., Byron 220, glass transition temperature Tg: 53 ° C.) and cross-linked acrylic particles (Made by Soken Chemical Co., Ltd., MX-2000, volume average particle size 20 μm) 0 .2 parts and 0.2 part of a charge control agent (manufactured by NOF Corporation, Elegan 264WAX) were added to 80 parts of a mixture of cyclohexanone and methyl ethyl ketone in a mass ratio of 10:90 and sufficiently stirred. A strip-shaped film obtained by subjecting the coating liquid to a single surface of a PET film in advance (Panac, PET100SG-2, thickness: 50 μm, width: 320 mm, length: 10 m, surface roughness of the surface subjected to the release treatment (Ra: 0.05 μm) was formed by applying a wire bar to the surface on which the release layer of the PET film was applied so that the thickness after drying was 20 μm.

-Image formation-
The image is formed by setting the white vinyl chloride sheet on the recording medium supply tray 141 such that the longitudinal direction of the white vinyl chloride sheet is the supply direction, and the first laminating step (superposition of the intermediate transfer film and the adhesive layer film, heating, and Pressure) is 130 ° C., the heating condition is 90 ° C., and the intermediate transfer film 110 is in the second laminating step (superposition of the intermediate transfer film to which the adhesive layer is transferred and the recording medium, heating and pressing). In addition, the feeding speed of the adhesive layer film 121 was set to 25 mm / s.
In addition, as the assumed attachment process, the assumed attachment condition to the intermediate transfer film to which the toner image has been transferred is
The heating condition was 110 ° C.
In the image, a human image was formed in the center of a white vinyl chloride sheet, and a margin of about 1 cm was used as a blank (non-image portion).

(Example 2)
-Recording media-
As a recording medium used for forming a color image, a white PETG sheet (manufactured by Mitsubishi Plastics, Diafix WHI) was previously punched into a thickness of 760 μm and a card size (85.6 mm × 54 mm). Things were used.
Otherwise, the configuration was the same as in Example 1.

(Example 3)
-Recording media-
As a recording medium used for forming a color image, a white PETG sheet (manufactured by Mitsubishi Plastics, Diafix WHI) was previously punched into a thickness of 760 μm and a card size (85.6 mm × 54 mm). A thing was used.

-Intermediate transfer film-
The image-receiving layer of the intermediate transfer film is a urethane-modified acrylic resin (manufactured by Taisei Fine Chemical Co., Ltd., 8UA-318: (type of urethane: polyester), urethane / acryl ratio = 3/7, acrylic part Tg: 82 ° C., solid content 40 The image-receiving layer coating solution obtained by adding 20 parts by mass) and 1 part of a charge control agent (manufactured by NOF Corporation, ELEGAN 264WAX) to 80 parts of methyl ethyl ketone was subjected to a release treatment of the PET film. It formed by apply | coating using a wire bar so that the thickness after drying might be set to 10 micrometers.

-Adhesive layer film-
The adhesive layer film 121 has a three-layer structure including a base layer (second substrate), a release layer, and an adhesive layer. A PET film (Lumirror 100T60, thickness: 50 μm, width: 320 mm, length: 10 m) was used for the base layer. In the release layer, 20 parts of a silicone hard coating agent (GE Toshiba Silicone, SHC900, solid content 30% by mass) containing an organosilane condensate, a melamine resin, and an alkyd resin is added to the base layer, and cyclohexanone and methyl ethyl ketone are added in mass. A release layer coating solution, which was added to 30 parts of the solution mixed at a ratio of 10:90 and sufficiently stirred, was applied by using a wire bar so that the thickness after drying was 1 μm. The adhesive layer is a coating liquid containing urethane-modified acrylic resin (manufactured by Taisei Fine Chemical Co., Ltd., 8UA-301: (type of urethane: polyester), urethane / acrylic ratio = 4/6, acrylic part Tg: 60 ° C., (Solid content: 29% by mass) Add 820 parts to 80 parts of methyl ethyl ketone and stir the adhesive layer coating solution to a thickness of 20 μm after drying on the surface on which the release layer of PET film is applied. It formed by apply | coating using a bar.

(Comparative Example 1)
In Example 1 above, an image was formed on a recording medium using the same image forming apparatus except that the adhesive layer film was not set.

(Comparative Example 2)
In Example 2 above, an image was formed on a recording medium using the same image forming apparatus except that no adhesive layer film was set.

(Evaluation)
-Evaluation of fixing degree-
The degree of adhesion of the recording media on which the images obtained in Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 were formed was evaluated by the following method.

  An X-shaped cut having a length of about 40 mm that penetrates the toner image to the surface of the recording medium is made with a cutter knife. A tape with a length of about 50 mm (manufactured by Sumitomo 3M Co., Scotch Mending Tape) is applied thereon, and the tape is completely applied to the surface by rubbing with an eraser. After 2 minutes, hold one end of the tape and peel it off perpendicularly to the recording medium. The state of peeling of the X cut portion when the tape was peeled off was visually observed and evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria.

-Evaluation criteria-
○: No peeling at all Δ: Slight peeling near the intersection of X cuts ×: Peeling larger than the cut part

  As a result, in Examples 1 to 3, the image was not peeled off and the toner image was firmly adhered to the recording medium, but in Comparative Example 1, only the image receiving layer (non-image portion), the image portion In both cases, peeling occurred greatly. In Comparative Example 2, the image receiving layer alone (non-image portion) was slightly peeled off, but the image portion was largely peeled off. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image forming apparatus 100A Image forming apparatus 102 Image forming part 103 Photoconductor 106 Developing apparatus 107 Transfer roll 110A First base 110B Image receiving layer 110 Intermediate transfer film 160 Assumed fixing apparatus 121A Second base 121B Adhesive layer 121 Adhesive layer film 124 Heating roll 125 Pressure roll 131 Heating roll 132 Pressure roll 140 First laminated body 144 Second laminated body 152 Third laminated body

Claims (15)

  An image recording body having a configuration in which an adhesive layer, a toner image, and an image receiving layer are laminated on a recording medium.   2. The image recording material according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium is composed of a modified polyester resin obtained by copolymerizing ethylene glycol, terephthalic acid, and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol. A transfer step of transferring the toner image formed on the image carrier to the image receiving layer side surface of the band-shaped first member having a configuration in which the image receiving layer is provided on the first substrate;
A belt-shaped second member having an adhesive layer provided on a second substrate, and the first member to which the toner image has been transferred are transferred to the toner image of the first member. A first laminating step of forming a first laminate by superimposing, heating and pressing so that the surface on the opposite side and the adhesive layer of the second member face each other;
A first peeling step of peeling the second substrate from the adhesive layer of the first laminate;
The first laminated body from which the second substrate has been peeled off by the first peeling step and the recording medium are overlapped so that the adhesive layer of the first laminated body and the recording medium face each other. A second laminating step of forming a second laminate by combining, heating and pressing;
A second peeling step of peeling the first substrate from the image receiving layer of the second laminate;
An image forming method comprising: The first lamination step includes
A first superimposing step of superimposing the surface of the first member on which the toner image is transferred and the adhesive layer of the second member so as to face each other;
A first processing step of forming the first laminate by heating and pressurizing the first member and the second member overlapped in the first overlapping step;
The image forming method according to claim 3, further comprising: The second lamination step includes
The first laminated body from which the second substrate has been peeled off by the first peeling step and the recording medium are arranged such that the adhesive layer of the first laminated body and the recording medium face each other. A second superposition step of superimposing;
A second layered body is formed by heating and pressurizing the first layered body and the recording medium, which are overlapped in the second layering step and from which the second substrate is peeled off. Machining process,
The image forming method according to claim 3, wherein the image forming method comprises:   By applying heat to the toner image which is performed after the transfer step and before the first laminating step and is transferred to the image receiving layer side surface of the first member by the transfer step, The image forming method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, further comprising a post-attaching step of post-attaching a toner image onto the image receiving layer.   7. The image forming method according to claim 6, wherein in the hypothetical fixing step, heat having a temperature equal to or higher than a glass transition temperature of the toner and lower than a melting temperature of the toner is applied to the toner image. A transfer step of transferring the toner image formed on the image carrier to the image receiving layer side surface of the band-shaped first member having a configuration in which the image receiving layer is provided on the first substrate;
The belt-shaped first member to which the toner image has been transferred in the transfer step and the third member having the adhesive layer provided on the recording medium are formed into the toner image of the first member. A third laminating step of forming a third laminate by superimposing the side surface and the adhesive layer of the third member so as to face each other, and heating and pressing;
A peeling step of peeling the first substrate from the image receiving layer of the third laminate;
An image forming method comprising:   9. The recording medium according to claim 3, wherein the recording medium is composed of a modified polyester resin obtained by copolymerizing ethylene glycol, terephthalic acid, and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol. The image forming method described. A toner image forming apparatus for forming a toner image on an image carrier;
A transfer device for transferring a toner image formed on the image carrier to a surface on the image receiving layer side of a belt-shaped first member having an image receiving layer provided on a first substrate;
A band-shaped second member having an adhesive layer provided on a second substrate; and the first member; a surface of the first member on which the toner image is transferred; A first laminating device that forms a first laminated body by overlapping, heating and pressing so that the adhesive layer of the second member faces,
A first peeling device for peeling the second substrate from the adhesive layer of the first laminate;
The first laminated body from which the second substrate has been peeled off by the first peeling apparatus and the recording medium are overlapped so that the adhesive layer of the first laminated body and the recording medium face each other. A second laminating apparatus for forming a second laminated body by combining, heating and pressurizing;
A second peeling device for peeling the first substrate from the image receiving layer of the second laminate formed by the second lamination device;
An image forming apparatus. In the first laminating apparatus, the second member and the first member having a configuration in which an adhesive layer is provided on a second substrate are overlapped, and the image receiving layer has a glass transition temperature equal to or higher than the glass transition temperature of the adhesive layer. Heating with heat below the melting temperature of
The second laminating apparatus is configured to superimpose the first laminated body from which the second substrate is peeled off by the first peeling apparatus and the recording medium, and the image receiving temperature is equal to or higher than a glass transition temperature of the adhesive layer. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the image forming apparatus is heated with heat lower than a melting temperature of the layer. A toner image forming apparatus for forming a toner image on an image carrier;
A transfer device for transferring a toner image formed on the image carrier to a surface on the image receiving layer side of a belt-shaped first member provided with an image receiving layer on a first substrate;
The surface on the adhesive layer side of the band-shaped third member having the configuration in which the adhesive layer is provided on the recording medium and the surface of the first member on the side where the toner image is transferred face each other. A third laminating apparatus for forming a third laminated body by overlapping, heating and pressurizing;
A peeling device for peeling the first substrate from the image receiving layer of the third laminate formed by the third lamination device;
An image forming apparatus.   A heat transfer device that heats the toner image transferred to the surface of the first member on the image receiving layer side by the transfer device, thereby presumably attaching the toner image to the image receiving layer. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 12.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the hypothetical fixing device applies heat to the toner image at a temperature not lower than a glass transition temperature of the toner and lower than a glass melting temperature of the toner. apparatus.   15. The recording medium according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the recording medium is composed of a modified polyester resin obtained by copolymerizing ethylene glycol, terephthalic acid, and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol. The image forming apparatus described.

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