JP2011101960A - Image forming method using intermediate transfer recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming method by which an image and a protective layer can be formed on a card without producing burrs at its end even when a transfer layer is retransferred on cards by using an intermediate transfer recording medium having the transfer layer with some degree of wall thickness. <P>SOLUTION: The intermediate transfer recording medium equipped with a thermal transfer layer having the same width as rectangle length of a body to be transferred is prepared. A thermal transfer layer side of the intermediate transfer recording medium and the body to be transferred are superposed so that rectangle length of the body to be transferred and width of the thermal transfer layer are trued up, thermal energy is given to the intermediate transfer recording medium from a base material side thereof and the thermal transfer layer is thermally transferred to the body to be transferred. Then when the base material is exfoliated from the intermediate transfer recording medium, the base material is exfoliated to the middle from one direction in a longitudinal direction of the intermediate transfer recording medium and then the base material is exfoliated from an opposite direction to completely separate the base material from the thermal transfer layer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming method using an intermediate transfer recording medium. More specifically, the present invention relates to an image and a protective layer on a transferred body without generating burrs at the ends of four sides of the substantially rectangular transferred body. It is related with the image formation method which can form.

  In ID cards, ID cards, credit cards, and other cards, so-called borderless images that form images on the entire surface of cards have become mainstream. Image formation on these cards is performed by pressing the cards and the thermal transfer film and transferring (transferring) the coloring material in the thermal transfer film to the surface of the cards by a heating device such as a thermal head. . In addition, in order to improve durability such as abrasion resistance, light resistance, and anti-falsification property of an image formed by the above thermal transfer method, a transparent protective layer is also provided on the image.

  In the cards with the borderless image formed, in order to provide the protective layer on the image as described above, it is necessary to provide the protective layer so as to be the same size as the card. As a method of providing a protective layer on the entire surface of the card, a method in which a protective layer slightly larger than the card is transferred onto the surface of the card on which the image has been transferred, and a portion of the protective layer protruding from the card is cut, There has been proposed a method of simultaneously transferring an image and a protective layer to a card using the formed intermediate transfer recording medium. In image formation using this intermediate transfer recording medium, a primary image is formed (transferred) in advance on the transfer layer that also serves as a protective layer, and the intermediate transfer recording medium is pressed against the card surface to re-transfer the transfer layer onto the card. By transferring the image and then separating the transfer layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium, an image and a protective layer can be simultaneously formed on the entire surface of the card (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  By the way, in recent years, in order to improve security, OA devices and information terminals are often managed by ID cards, etc., and a conventional protective layer is provided as the use frequency of ID cards increases. Even with an ID card, the image may be worn out due to wear or the like. Therefore, in order to further improve the image wear resistance, the protective layer is made thick.

JP 2005-144754 A JP 2006-181732 A

  When the intermediate transfer recording medium is used to thermally transfer the thermal transfer layer (protective layer) to the entire surface of the transfer target, increasing the thickness of the thermal transfer layer (protective layer) as described above causes the substrate to be peeled from the intermediate transfer recording medium. As shown in FIG. 6, burrs 30 called tailing may occur at the end of the transferred object 10 such as an ID card. Then, the present inventors use an intermediate transfer recording medium having a predetermined size according to the size of the card, and use the intermediate transfer recording medium of the predetermined size to apply heat transfer layers (image and After the thermal transfer of the protective layer), the transfer layer is peeled off from the specific direction in multiple stages, so that an intermediate transfer recording medium having a somewhat thick thermal transfer layer is used to apply the thermal transfer layer to the entire surface of the transfer object such as cards. It was found that even when transferred, an image and a protective layer can be formed on the transferred body without generating burrs at the edges of the four sides of the transferred body. The present invention is based on such knowledge.

  Therefore, even if the thermal transfer layer is transferred to the entire surface of the transfer medium such as cards using an intermediate transfer recording medium having a thermal transfer layer having a certain thickness, the object of the present invention is It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming method capable of forming an image and a protective layer on a transferred material without generating burrs at the end of the sheet.

The above problems can be solved by the following image forming method according to the present invention. In other words, the image forming method according to the present invention uses an intermediate transfer recording medium in which at least one thermal transfer layer is detachably provided on a substrate, and is transferred in a substantially rectangular shape having a predetermined length and a predetermined width. A method of forming an image on a body,
Prepare an intermediate transfer recording medium provided with a thermal transfer layer having the same width as the rectangular length of the transfer object,
Overlay the thermal transfer layer side of the intermediate transfer recording medium and the transferred body so that the rectangular length of the transferred body and the width of the thermal transfer layer are aligned,
Applying thermal energy from the base material side of the intermediate transfer recording medium, thermally transferring the thermal transfer layer to the transfer target,
When peeling the base material from the intermediate transfer recording medium, after peeling the base material halfway from one direction in the length direction of the intermediate transfer recording medium, peel the base material from the opposite direction, Completely separating the thermal transfer layer and the substrate;
It is characterized by comprising.

  Moreover, as an aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the application of the thermal energy is performed by a heat roller.

  Further, as an aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the base material is peeled off partway from the rotation direction of the heat roller, and then the base material is peeled from the opposite direction to completely separate the thermal transfer layer and the base material.

  Moreover, as an aspect of the present invention, an image is preferably formed in advance on the thermal transfer layer, and the thermal transfer layer preferably includes a protective layer and a receiving layer.

  Moreover, as an aspect of the present invention, the thickness of the thermal transfer layer is preferably 5 μm to 100 μm.

  As an aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the transfer object is an ID card conforming to JIS X6301.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, a printed matter obtained by the above-described image forming method is also provided.

  According to the present invention, even when the transfer layer is re-transferred to a transfer medium such as a card using an intermediate transfer recording medium having a transfer layer having a certain thickness, the intermediate transfer recording medium is Since it has the same width as the rectangular length, burrs do not occur at both ends of the transferred body in the rectangular width direction. In the present invention, when the substrate is peeled off from the intermediate transfer recording medium after the retransfer of the thermal transfer layer, the substrate is peeled halfway from one direction in the sheet length direction of the intermediate transfer recording medium, By peeling the base material from the direction of, and completely separating the thermal transfer layer and the base material. It is also possible to suppress the occurrence of burrs at both ends in the rectangular length direction of the transfer object.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a layer structure of an intermediate transfer recording medium used in the image forming method of the present invention. 1 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of an intermediate transfer recording medium used in an image forming method of the present invention. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming method according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a process of continuously performing image formation on an intermediate transfer recording medium and thermal transfer of a thermal transfer layer to a transfer target. Schematic which expanded the process of peeling a base material from the intermediate transfer recording medium guided by the guide roller. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a printed material in which an image is formed on a transfer target by a conventional method.

  First, an intermediate transfer recording medium used in the image forming method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the layer structure of an intermediate transfer recording medium used in the image forming method of the present invention. The intermediate transfer recording medium 1 used in the image forming method of the present invention has a layer structure in which at least one or more thermal transfer layers 3 are provided on a substrate 2 so as to be peelable. As will be described later, the thermal transfer layer 3 is thermally transferred to a transfer target, and is provided so as to be peelable from the substrate 2.

  The thermal transfer layer 3 includes a protective layer 4 and a receiving layer 5 in order from the substrate 2 side, and a primer layer 6 may be provided between the protective layer 4 and the receiving layer 5 as necessary. The receiving layer 5 is for forming an image 7 on the thermal transfer layer 3 in advance before the thermal transfer layer 3 is transferred to the transfer medium. The protective layer 4 is for protecting the image 7 (receiving layer 5) of the transfer target when the thermal transfer layer 3 is thermally transferred to the transfer target. Moreover, the primer layer 6 provided as needed improves the adhesiveness of the protective layer 4 and the receiving layer 5. FIG.

  In the present invention, a release layer 8 may be provided between the substrate 2 and the thermal transfer layer 3. As described later, the release layer 8 is for facilitating the peeling of the substrate 2 from the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 after the thermal transfer layer 3 is thermally transferred to the transfer target. It is peeled from the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 together with the substrate 2.

Next, each layer constituting the above-described intermediate transfer recording medium will be described.
As the substrate used for the intermediate transfer recording medium, the same substrate as that used for conventional thermal transfer sheets and intermediate transfer recording media can be used as it is. Moreover, what performed the easily bonding process to the base-material surface, and others can also be used, and there is no restriction | limiting in particular. Specific examples of preferred substrates include, for example, polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyamide, polyimide, cellulose acetate, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, fluororesin, polypropylene, polyethylene, ionomer, and other plastic films, and Papers such as glassine paper, condenser paper, and paraffin paper, cellophane, and the like. A composite film in which two or more of these are laminated may be used. The thickness of the substrate may be appropriately changed depending on the material so that the strength and heat resistance thereof are appropriate, but is usually about 10 to 50 μm.

  As the protective layer provided on the substrate, a resin excellent in friction resistance, transparency, hardness, and the like can be appropriately used. Specific examples include polyester resins, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers, polystyrene resins, acrylic resins, polyurethane resins, acrylic urethane resins, polycarbonate resins, silicone-modified resins of these resins, and mixtures of these resins. . In addition, a resin obtained by crosslinking and curing an acrylic monomer or the like by ionizing radiation irradiation can also be used. Specific examples of the acrylic monomer include, for example, ethylene glycol di (meth) acrylate, hexanediol di (meth) acrylate, trimethylolpropane tri (meth) acrylate, trimethylolpropane di (meth) acrylate, and pentaerythritol tetra (meth). Examples include acrylate, dipentaerythritol hexa (meth) acrylate, ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether di (meth) acrylate, propylene glycol diglycidyl ether di (meth) acrylate, and sorbitol tetraglycidyl ether tetra (meth) acrylate. Moreover, the substance hardened | cured by ionizing radiation may be used not only as said monomer but as an oligomer. Further, acrylic reactive polymers such as polyester acrylates, epoxy acrylates, urethane acrylates, polyether acrylates, etc. made of the above polymers or derivatives thereof can also be used. Furthermore, you may mix and use with another acrylic resin.

  Further, in consideration of the film cutting property at the time of thermal transfer of these resins, highly transparent fine particles such as silica, alumina, calcium carbonate, and plastic pigment, wax and the like may be contained to the extent that transparency is not impaired. In order to improve the friction resistance and gloss of the image, a lubricant or the like may be contained.

  The above-mentioned resin preferably contains a thermoplastic resin having a glass transition point of 50 to 120 ° C. as a main component, and wear resistance and light resistance when it becomes a protective layer after the thermal transfer layer is transferred to the transfer target. It is excellent in durability such as property. As such a thermoplastic resin, a polyester resin having a number average molecular weight of 2000 to 30000, a vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer having an average polymerization degree of 150 to 500, or a homopolymer of a methacrylate monomer having a weight average molecular weight of 20000 to 60000, or It is preferable to use a copolymer, whereby transferability to a transfer medium and fixability are improved.

  As for the above-mentioned polyester resin, as its acid component, for example, as aromatic, terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, orthophthalic acid, 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid and the like can be mentioned, and as aliphatic or alicyclic dicarboxylic acid, Examples include succinic acid, adipic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, dodecanedioic acid, dimer acid, tetrahydrophthalic acid, hexahydrophthalic acid, hexahydroisophthalic acid, hexahydroterephthalic acid and the like. Further, a tri- or higher functional polycarboxylic acid such as trimellitic acid or pyromellitic acid can be used.

  Among polyester resins, those that use terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, and trimellitic acid as constituent monomers, especially as a constituent monomer, have excellent durability such as wear resistance and light resistance when they become protective layers It is preferable.

  Examples of the alcohol component that is another raw material of the polyester resin include ethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, neopentyl glycol, 1,5-pentanediol, Examples include 1,6-hexanediol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, tricyclodecane glycol, and the like, from durability such as wear resistance and light resistance when it becomes a protective layer, transferability, fixing property, and the like. In particular, those using at least two or more selected from ethylene glycol, neopentyl glycol and tricyclodecane glycol as constituent monomers are adjusted to a glass transition point of 50 to 120 ° C. and a number average molecular weight of 2000 to 30000. Easy and preferable.

  As a preferable thermoplastic resin as the resin for forming the protective layer, a vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer may be mentioned. The vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer preferably has a glass transition point of 50 to 120 ° C. and an average degree of polymerization of 150 to 500. Moreover, when obtaining such a vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, it is preferable to mix | blend 5 to 40 weight% of vinyl acetate monomers. If the blending amount of vinyl acetate is too large, a blocking phenomenon tends to occur. Conversely, if the blending amount of vinyl acetate is too small, the solubility in the solvent used for coating on the substrate becomes low, and coating becomes difficult.

  The thermoplastic resin constituting the thermal transfer layer is preferably a homopolymer or copolymer of a methacrylate monomer. Examples of the methacrylate monomer include methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, n-propyl methacrylate, i-propyl methacrylate, n-butyl methacrylate, i-butyl methacrylate, sec-butyl methacrylate, cyclohexyl methacrylate, benzyl methacrylate, 2 -Ethylhexyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate and the like.

  Further, an ultraviolet absorber may be added to the protective layer in order to impart light resistance to the printed matter. For example, a resin obtained by reacting or combining a reactive ultraviolet absorber with the above thermoplastic resin can be used. More specifically, addition-polymerizable to conventional non-reactive organic UV absorbers such as salicylates, phenyl acrylates, benzophenones, benzotriazoles, coumarins, triazines, nickel chelates. Examples include a double bond (for example, a vinyl group, an acryloyl group, a methacryloyl group, etc.), an alcoholic hydroxyl group, an amino group, a carboxyl group, an epoxy group, a reactive group such as an isocyanate group. Non-reactive organic ultraviolet absorbers include salicylates, phenyl acrylates, benzophenones, benzotriazoles, coumarins, triazines, and nickel chelates. The addition amount of the ultraviolet absorber is about 1 to 30% by weight, preferably about 5 to 20% by weight, based on the resin.

The protective layer is obtained by dissolving the above-mentioned resin with the necessary additives, dissolved in a suitable organic solvent, or dispersed in an organic solvent or water, for example, gravure coating, gravure reverse coating, roll coating, etc. It is formed by applying and drying on a substrate by the forming means. While the thermal transfer layer can be formed in any thickness, preferably a thickness after drying was 5 to 100 g / ^{m 2,} more preferably from 10 to 50 g / ^{m 2.} When the protective layer having such a thickness is provided, the thickness of the thermal transfer layer transferred to the transfer target is about 5 to 100 μm.

  As described later, after the thermal transfer layer is thermally transferred to the transfer target, the substrate is peeled off. Depending on the combination of materials of the base material and the thermal transfer layer, the releasability during thermal transfer may not be sufficient. In such a case, a release layer can be provided in advance on the substrate. As the release layer, waxes, silicone wax, silicone resin, fluororesin, acrylic resin, polyvinyl alcohol, urethane resin, cellulose resin such as cellulose acetate, polyvinyl acetal resin, polyvinyl butyral resin, and the like can be used.

The release layer can be formed by applying and drying the above-described coating solution containing the resin as a main component on a substrate by a method such as gravure coating or gravure reverse coating. The thickness of the coating film is about 0.01 to ² g / m ² . In addition, when selecting the material to be used for the release layer, the adhesive force with the base material should be higher than the adhesive force with the thermal transfer layer as well as having appropriate release properties with the thermal transfer layer. If the adhesive strength with the substrate is not sufficient, abnormal transfer such as transfer of the thermal transfer layer along with the release layer may occur.

  The receiving layer constituting the intermediate transfer recording medium can be formed directly on the above-described protective layer or via a primer layer. The receiving layer has a different configuration of the receiving layer depending on the recording method of hot melt transfer recording and sublimation transfer recording. In addition, in thermal melt transfer recording, a colored transfer layer can be thermally transferred directly from a thermal transfer sheet or the like to a protective layer (thermal transfer layer) without providing a receiving layer. The receiving layer by the hot melt transfer recording method or the sublimation transfer recording method has a function of receiving the color material transferred from the heat transfer sheet by heating. In particular, in the case of a sublimation dye, it receives and develops a color. At the same time, it is desirable not to resublimate once received dye. As will be described later, the image forming method according to the present invention forms a transfer image on the receiving layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium, and re-transfers the image including the image to the transfer medium together with the protective layer. In general, the receiving layer is made transparent so that the image transferred to the transfer medium can be clearly observed from above. However, it is also possible to characterize the retransfer image by artificially making the receiving layer turbid or lightly colored.

  The receiving layer is generally composed mainly of a thermoplastic resin. Examples of the material for forming the receiving layer include polyolefin resins such as polypropylene, vinyl chloride / vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymers, halogenated polymers such as polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl acetate, and polyacrylic. Examples include polyester resins such as esters, polystyrene resins, polyamide resins, copolymers of olefins such as ethylene and propylene and other vinyl monomers, cellulose resins such as ionomers and cellulose diacetates, and polycarbonate resins. Particularly preferred among these are polyester resins, vinyl chloride / vinyl acetate copolymers, and mixtures thereof.

  In the sublimation transfer recording method, a release agent is mixed in the receiving layer for the purpose of preventing fusion between the receiving layer and the thermal transfer sheet having the colored transfer layer and a decrease in printing sensitivity during image formation on the intermediate transfer recording medium. can do. Preferable release agents used in combination include silicone oil, phosphate ester surfactants, fluorine surfactants, and the like, among which silicone oil is desirable. As the silicone oil, modified silicone oils such as epoxy modification, vinyl modification, alkyl modification, amino modification, carboxyl modification, alcohol modification, fluorine modification, alkylaralkyl polyether modification, epoxy / polyether modification, and polyether modification are desirable.

  One or more release agents are used. The amount of the release agent added is preferably 0.5 to 30 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the receiving layer forming resin. When the range of the addition amount is not satisfied, problems such as fusion between the sublimation type thermal transfer sheet and the receiving layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium and a decrease in printing sensitivity may occur. By adding such a releasing agent to the receiving layer, the releasing agent bleeds out on the surface of the receiving layer after the transfer to form a releasing layer. Further, these release agents may not be added to the receiving layer but may be separately applied on the receiving layer.

Receiving layer can be dissolved in a suitable organic solvent with additives such as release agents added as necessary, or dispersion dispersed in organic solvent or water can be used for gravure coating, gravure reverse coating, roll coating, etc. It is formed by coating on the protective layer and drying by a known forming means. In forming the receiving layer, the receiving layer may be of any thickness, but generally has a thickness of 1 to 10 g / m ^{2 in} a dry state. Such a receiving layer is preferably a continuous coating, but may be formed as a discontinuous coating using a resin emulsion, a water-soluble resin, or a resin dispersion. Furthermore, an antistatic agent may be coated on the receiving layer in order to stabilize the conveyance of the thermal transfer printer.

The primer layer provided as necessary between the protective layer and the receiving layer improves the adhesion between the protective layer and the receiving layer, and is the same as that used for conventional intermediate transfer recording media. Things can be used. For example, prepare a coating liquid in which a polyester resin, a polyacrylate resin, a polyvinyl acetate resin, a polyurethane resin, a polyamide resin, a polyethylene resin, a polypropylene resin, etc. are dissolved or dispersed in a solvent, It can be formed by the same method as the receiving layer forming means. The thickness of the primer layer is about 0.1 to 5 g / m ^{2 in} a dry state.

  The intermediate transfer recording medium used in the image forming method according to the present invention, if necessary, retransfers the image-formed portion onto the back surface of the base material, that is, the surface opposite to the side where the receiving layer is provided. In order to prevent adverse effects such as sticking and wrinkles due to heat from a thermal head, a heat roll or the like as a means for carrying out, a heat resistant slipping layer can be provided.

  The resin for forming the heat resistant slipping layer may be any conventionally known resin, such as polyvinyl butyral resin, polyvinyl acetoacetal resin, polyester resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyether resin, polybutadiene resin, Styrene-butadiene copolymer, acrylic polyol, polyurethane acrylate, polyester acrylate, polyether acrylate, epoxy acrylate, urethane or epoxy prepolymer, nitrocellulose resin, cellulose nitrate resin, cellulose acetopropionate resin, cellulose acetate butyrate Resin, cellulose acetate hydrodiene phthalate resin, cellulose acetate resin, aromatic polyamide resin, polyimide resin, polycarbonate resin, chlorinated polyolefin Fin resins, and chlorinated polyolefin resins.

  The slipperiness imparting agent added to or overcoated with the heat resistant slipping layer made of these resins includes phosphate ester, silicone oil, graphite powder, silicone graft polymer, fluorine graft polymer, acrylic silicone graft polymer, acrylic siloxane, aryl Examples thereof include silicone polymers such as siloxane, but a layer made of a polyol, for example, a polyalcohol polymer compound, a polyisocyanate compound, and a phosphate ester compound, and a filler is more preferably added.

  The heat resistant slipping layer is prepared by dissolving or dispersing the above-described resin, slipperiness imparting agent, and filler with an appropriate solvent to prepare a heat resistant slipping layer forming ink. It can apply | coat to the back surface of a material sheet | seat by forming means, such as the reverse coating method using a gravure printing method, a screen printing method, and a gravure plate, and can dry and form.

  The above-described intermediate transfer recording medium may be one in which a plurality of thermal transfer layers 3 are continuously formed on a long substrate 2 such as a film. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of thermal transfer layers 3 having a predetermined size may be provided on the substrate 2 at regular intervals.

  Next, a method for forming an image on a transfer medium using the above-described long intermediate transfer recording medium will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of an image forming method according to the present invention.
In the image forming method according to the present invention, the above-described intermediate transfer recording medium needs to be prepared in a predetermined size according to the shape of the transfer target body on which an image is to be formed. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when the transfer member 10 to be image formed is of substantially rectangular of ID cards and the like, to be the same length as the rectangular length L _o, the thermal transfer layer 3 prepare the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 having a width W _T. Normally, the base material 2 and the thermal transfer layer 3 constituting the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 are manufactured with the same width. In this case, the width W _I of the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 is also L _o (= W _T ). Thus, by using the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 having a width W _T of the thermal transfer layer 3 in the same length as the rectangle length L _o of the transfer member 10, when the thermal transfer layer 3 was thermally transferred to the transfer member 10, the Since the thermal transfer layer 3 does not protrude from both end faces of the transfer body 10 in the rectangular width direction, burrs do not occur on both end faces of the transfer body 10 in the rectangular width direction.

In order to produce the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 having the desired size as described above, the above-described layers may be sequentially formed on the base material 2 having a predetermined width (L _o ). The intermediate transfer recording medium 1 having a width may be prepared and cut to have a desired width.

  Further, the image 7 may be formed in advance on the thermal transfer layer 3 before the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 is manufactured and cut to a desired width, and after the predetermined width, the image is transferred to the transfer target 10 as described later. The image 7 may be formed before the layer 3 is thermally transferred. Alternatively, image formation on the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 and thermal transfer of the thermal transfer layer 3 described later to the transfer target 10 may be performed continuously.

  FIG. 4 shows an outline of a process for continuously performing image formation on the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 and thermal transfer of the thermal transfer layer 3 to the transfer target 10. The intermediate transfer recording medium 1 having a predetermined width is sent out from the supply roll 11, reaches the platen roller 12, then passes through the buffer roller 13, and is sent downstream in the supply and conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer recording medium 1. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the intermediate recording transfer medium 1 is a medium in which a thermal transfer layer 3 having a predetermined size as shown in FIG. On the other hand, the thermal transfer film 14 for forming the image 7 on the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 is sent out from the supply roll 15, passes through the thermal head 16, and is taken up by the take-up roll 17. The thermal head 16 and the platen roller 12 are used to transfer the thermal transfer film 14 and the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 that are conveyed, a color material layer (not shown) of the thermal transfer film 14, and a thermal transfer layer 3 (receiving layer) of the intermediate transfer recording medium 1. ) Are arranged so that they can be pressed together. Then, the thermal head 16 generates heat according to the image data, and the color material contained in the color material layer in the thermal transfer film 14 is transferred to the thermal transfer layer 3, whereby the image 7 is continuously formed on the thermal transfer layer 3. It is formed.

  The intermediate transfer recording medium 1 on which the image 7 is formed on the thermal transfer layer 3 is sent to the downstream side of the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 in the supply and conveyance direction. The intermediate transfer recording medium 1 is guided by the guide roller 18 and reaches the heat roller 19, and then is guided by the guide roller 20 and wound on the winding roll 21. A support roller 22 is disposed at a position facing the heat roller 19.

  The substantially rectangular transfer target 10 is stocked in a supply device (not shown), and is transported from the supply device onto the support roller 22 by a plurality of transport rollers 23. The support roller 22 and the plurality of transport rollers 23 are in parallel with the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 in which the transferred object 10 that has been transported is guided and transported by the guide roller 18, and The rectangular length and the width of the thermal transfer layer 3 are arranged so as to be capable of being pressed against each other. Further, the guide rollers 18 and 20 are also arranged so as to be able to come into pressure contact so that the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 is in parallel with the transfer target 10 and the rectangular length of the transfer target 10 and the width of the thermal transfer layer 3 are aligned. Has been. This brings the contact between the base material 2 of the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 and the heat roller 19 close to a line contact, and minimizes the deformation generated on the base material 2 of the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 by the heat from the heat roller 19. This is to suppress. The guide roller 18 is disposed so as to move up and down in conjunction with the rotation of the transport roller 23 and the support roller 22. A guide bar may be provided instead of the guide roller, and a combination of the guide roller and the guide bar may be used.

  When the thermal transfer layer 3 on which the image 7 is formed reaches the pressure contact position by the heat roller 19, thermal energy is applied to the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 from the substrate 2 side by the heat roller 19, and the image 7 is transferred to the thermal transfer layer 3. At the same time, the image is transferred to the transfer object 10 and an image 7 is formed on the transfer object 10. The buffer roller 13 disposed between the thermal head 16 and the guide roller 18 absorbs a change in tension due to deformation of the base material 2 of the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 due to application of thermal energy. Thus, it is a member for obtaining a stable tension state. One or more buffer rollers 13 may be disposed, and a buffer bar may be disposed instead of the buffer roller 13. Furthermore, it is good also as a combination of a buffer roller and a buffer bar.

  The heat roller 19 is not particularly limited, such as a metal roller or a roller whose surface is covered with an elastic film such as rubber. In the illustrated example, the support roller 22 is disposed so as to face the heat roller 19. However, the support roller 22 may be disposed so as to face the guide rollers 18 and 20.

  After the thermal transfer layer 3 is thermally transferred to the transfer target 10 and an image is formed, the substrate 2 is peeled from the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 by the action of the guide roller 20. FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic view of the process of peeling the substrate 2 from the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 guided by the guide rollers 18 and 20. FIG. 5A shows a state immediately after the heat transfer layer 3 of the intermediate transfer recording medium 1 is thermally transferred to the transfer target 10 by the heat roller 19. When the heat roller 19 rotates forward from this state, the base material 2 is gradually peeled off from one end of the thermal transfer layer 3 on the transfer target 10 by the guide roller 20 (FIG. 5B). The heat roller 19 and the support roller 22 are rotated in the reverse direction with the base material 2 peeled off partway. At this time, the guide roller 18 moves upward in cooperation with the support roller 22 rotating in the reverse direction. Further, when the heat roller 19 and the support roller 22 are rotated in the reverse direction, the base material 2 is gradually peeled off from the other end of the thermal transfer layer 3 on the transfer target 10, and the thermal transfer layer 3 and the base material 2 are completely separated. In this way, after peeling the substrate 2 partway from one direction, and then peeling the substrate 2 from the opposite direction, without generating burrs on both end surfaces in the rectangular length direction of the transferred object 10, The substrate 2 can be peeled from the intermediate transfer recording medium 1.

As described above, when using an intermediate transfer recording medium having a width W _T of the same length of the thermal transfer layer and rectangular length L _o of the transfer member, and a thermal transfer thermal transfer layer to a transfer member, rectangular material to be transferred Since the thermal transfer layer does not protrude from both ends in the width direction, burrs do not occur on both end faces in the width direction of the rectangular shape of the transfer object, and the substrate is moved halfway from one direction of the intermediate transfer recording medium. Since the base material can be peeled from the intermediate transfer recording medium without causing burrs on both end surfaces in the rectangular length direction of the transfer object, by peeling the base material from the opposite direction The thermal transfer layer can be transferred to the entire surface of a substantially rectangular transfer object such as an ID card without causing burrs at any end.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Intermediate transfer recording medium 2 Base material 3 Thermal transfer layer 4 Protective layer 5 Receptive layer 6 Primer layer 7 Image 8 Release layer 10 Transfer object 11, 15 Supply roll 12 Platen roller 13 Buffer roller 14 Thermal transfer film 16 Thermal head 17, 21 Winding roll 18, 20 Guide roller 19 Heat roller 22 Support roller 23 Transport roller 30 Trailing (burr)

Claims (9)

In this method, an image is formed on a substantially rectangular transfer material having a predetermined length and a predetermined width using an intermediate transfer recording medium in which at least one thermal transfer layer is detachably provided on a substrate. And
Prepare an intermediate transfer recording medium provided with a thermal transfer layer having the same width as the rectangular length of the transfer object,
The intermediate transfer recording medium and the thermal transfer layer side are overlapped with each other so that the rectangular length of the transfer target and the width of the thermal transfer layer are aligned,
Applying thermal energy from the base material side of the intermediate transfer recording medium, thermally transferring the thermal transfer layer to the transfer target,
When peeling the base material from the intermediate transfer recording medium, after peeling the base material halfway from one direction in the length direction of the intermediate transfer recording medium, peel the base material from the opposite direction, Completely separating the thermal transfer layer and the substrate;
An image forming method comprising:   The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the application of the thermal energy is performed by a heat roller.   The image according to claim 2, wherein after peeling the base material partway from the rotation direction of the heat roller, the base material is peeled from the opposite direction to completely separate the thermal transfer layer and the base material. Forming method.   The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein an image is formed in advance on the thermal transfer layer.   The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the thermal transfer layer includes a protective layer and a receiving layer.   The image forming method according to claim 5, further comprising forming a thermal transfer image on the receiving layer.   The method according to claim 1, wherein the thermal transfer layer has a thickness of 5 μm to 100 μm.   The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the transfer target is an ID card conforming to JISX6301.   A printed matter obtained by the image forming method according to claim 1.

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