JP2023091661A - Thermal transfer recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a thermal transfer recording medium having a mask layer which can surely prevent only an intermediate transfer recording medium transfer layer in a part where a mask layer is transferred from being transferred onto a body to be transferred, when a transfer layer of even an intermediate transfer recording medium, which has smaller transfer layer peeling force when being transferred onto the body to be transferred from the intermediate transfer recording medium than a conventional intermediate transfer recording medium, is transferred onto the body to be transferred, by transferring the mask layer onto the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium.SOLUTION: A thermal transfer recording medium for an intermediate transfer recording medium has a mask layer containing at least a wax having a melting point of 80°C or higher, fluorine-based particles, and a cellulose acetate resin, on one surface of a base material.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a thermal transfer recording medium used for transferring images and characters to a transfer material via an intermediate transfer recording medium. The present invention relates to a thermal transfer recording medium having a mask layer in which a portion of the transfer layer under the mask layer on the intermediate transfer recording medium is not transferred to a transfer target.

A combination of a thermal transfer sheet (thermal transfer recording medium) and an intermediate transfer recording medium that enables accurate transfer of only the portion of the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium that is desired to be transferred onto the material to be transferred, in the conventional production of prints. and a thermal transfer sheet used in combination with an intermediate transfer recording medium.

In Patent Document 1, as a thermal transfer recording medium used for such a purpose, a thermal transfer sheet used in combination with an intermediate transfer recording medium is provided with a block layer 2 (mask layer) on a base material 1, and the block layer 2 is provided on the base material 1. A thermal transfer sheet is disclosed in which layer 2 contains carnauba wax. Patent Document 1 describes that by containing carnauba wax in the block layer 2, it is possible to accurately transfer only the portion of the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium to which the transfer is desired onto the transferred material. ing.

Further, in Patent Document 2, regardless of the material of the card (transfer target), the transferability of the transfer layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium to the card is improved, and the decrease in production efficiency is suppressed. An intermediate transfer recording medium having a receiving layer on which an image is formed by the coloring material layer of the thermal transfer recording medium and the card are superimposed and fed while heating the intermediate transfer recording medium, and the transfer layer on which the image is formed. onto the card, and a controller for controlling the card feeding speed in the transfer section based on the material of the card. In the invention of Patent Document 2, the transferability of the transfer layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium to the card is improved regardless of the material of the card by adjusting the card feeding speed to match the material of the card.

By the way, even if the transferability of the transfer layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium to the card is the worst, if the transferability of the transfer layer is improved, the card feeding speed of the thermal transfer printer can be adjusted according to the card material. It is possible to improve the transferability of the transfer layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium for all cards without providing a control section for control. If the peeling force of the transfer layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium during transfer is reduced, the transferability of the transfer layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium to the card can be improved even with the card material that has the poorest transferability of the transfer layer. can.

However, when a thermal transfer recording medium provided with a conventional mask layer is used as an intermediate transfer recording medium in which the peeling force of the transfer layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium during transfer is reduced, the mask layer does not function and the mask layer does not function. A problem arises in that the transfer layer is transferred from the intermediate transfer recording medium to the card as the object to be transferred up to the transferred portion. When the transfer layer is transferred from the intermediate transfer recording medium to the transfer medium, the adhesive strength with which the mask layer adheres to the transfer medium is the adhesive strength with which the mask layer adheres to the substrate of the intermediate transfer recording medium If the portion where the mask layer has been transferred does not adhere to the transfer medium, the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium where the mask layer has been transferred does not adhere to the transfer medium. not retranscribed to For this reason, it is preferable that the mask layer is a layer with low adhesiveness. If it cannot be firmly adhered to the color material layer of the thermal transfer recording medium that forms the transferred image, the mask layer will remain on the intermediate transfer recording medium until it is retransferred from the intermediate transfer recording medium to the transfer material. Can't stay glued. For this reason, the mask layer is required to have sufficient adhesiveness to firmly adhere to the intermediate transfer recording medium.

However, in the conventional mask layer, if an attempt is made to ensure sufficient adhesiveness to firmly adhere to the intermediate transfer recording medium, the adhesive strength of the mask layer to the transferred material during retransfer also increases. For this reason, in the conventional mask layer, when it is attempted to secure sufficient adhesiveness to firmly adhere to the intermediate transfer recording medium, it is necessary to improve the transferability of the transfer layer to the material to be transferred which has the poorest transferability. In an intermediate transfer recording medium in which the peeling force of the transfer layer during retransfer is reduced, the adhesive force of the mask layer to the transferred body may exceed the peeling force of the transfer layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium, and the mask layer Sometimes it didn't work. That is, since the adhesive force of the mask layer to the transfer medium exceeds the peeling force of the transfer layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium, the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium where the mask layer is provided does not reach the transfer medium. There was a problem of transcription.

WO2019/151378 JP 2019-104207 A

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances. By reducing the transfer layer peeling force at the time of transfer from the intermediate transfer recording medium to the transfer receiving body, the transfer layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium to the transfer receiving body can be removed regardless of the material of the transfer receiving body. To provide a thermal transfer recording medium having a mask layer that can be used as an intermediate transfer recording medium with good transferability, and that the transfer layer is peeled off during transfer from the intermediate transfer recording medium to the transfer material more than before. Even with an intermediate transfer recording medium with a small force, by transferring the mask layer onto the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium, when the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium is transferred to the transferred material, the mask layer To provide a thermal transfer recording medium having a mask layer capable of surely preventing only a transfer layer of an intermediate transfer recording medium where a is transferred from being transferred to a transferred body.

A first invention is a thermal transfer recording medium for an intermediate transfer recording medium, comprising a mask layer containing at least wax having a melting point of 80° C. or higher, fluorine particles, and cellulose acetate resin on one surface of a substrate. A thermal transfer recording medium characterized by:

In the second invention, the content of the wax is 10% by weight or more and 50% by weight or less of the solid content of the mask layer, and the content of the fluorine-based particles is 20% or more by weight of the solid content of the mask layer and 70% by weight. % or less, and the content of the cellulose acetate resin is 5 wt % or more and 60 wt % or less of the solid content of the mask layer.

A third invention is the thermal transfer recording medium according to the first invention or the second invention, wherein the fluorine-based particles have an average particle diameter of 0.5 μm or more and 4 μm or less.

A fourth invention is the thermal transfer recording medium according to any one of the first to third inventions, wherein the intermediate transfer recording medium is for card printing.

By forming the mask layer of the thermal transfer recording medium to be a mask layer containing at least wax having a melting point of 80° C. or higher, fluorine-based particles, and cellulose acetate resin, the mask layer can be easily transferred from the thermal transfer recording medium to the intermediate transfer recording medium. Adheres reliably to the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium, but when the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium laminated with the mask layer is transferred to the transfer medium, the mask layer does not adhere to the transfer medium. . For this reason, the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention can be transferred from the intermediate transfer recording medium to the transfer material faster than before without using a thermal transfer printer having a special function such as a control unit for controlling the feeding speed of the transfer material. It is used for an intermediate transfer recording medium in which the transferability of the transfer layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium to the transfer material is improved regardless of the material of the transfer material by reducing the transfer layer peeling force at the time of transfer. be able to. That is, by using the mask layer of the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention, it can be used for the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium in which the transfer layer peeling force at the time of transfer from the intermediate transfer recording medium to the transfer receiving body is made smaller than before. However, when the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium is transferred to the transfer material, it is possible to ensure that only the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium where the mask layer has been transferred is not transferred to the transfer material. It is possible to provide a thermal transfer recording medium having a mask layer capable of

1 is a diagram showing the layer structure of a thermal transfer recording medium A with a mask layer, which is an example of the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the layer structure of a thermal transfer recording medium C with a colorant layer, which is an example of a thermal transfer recording medium provided with a colorant layer (31) and used together with the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention. 1 is a diagram showing the layer structure of an intermediate transfer recording medium B, which is an example of an intermediate transfer recording medium used together with the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a color material layer (31) of a color material layer-attached thermal transfer recording medium C and a mask layer (11) of a mask layer-attached thermal transfer recording medium A are transferred to an intermediate transfer recording medium B as primary transfer. . As a secondary transfer (retransfer), color is transferred from the intermediate transfer recording medium B to which the color material layer (31) of the color material layer-attached thermal transfer recording medium C and the mask layer (11) of the mask layer-attached thermal transfer recording medium A are transferred. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a transfer layer such as a material layer (31) is transferred to a card D as a transfer target;

The thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention will be described in more detail below.

[Thermal transfer recording medium with mask layer]
The thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention is a thermal transfer recording medium having at least one mask layer provided on one surface of a substrate. By transferring the mask layer of the present invention onto an intermediate transfer recording medium, when the transfer layer on the intermediate transfer recording medium is transferred to a transfer target such as a card, only the portion of the transfer layer to which the mask layer has been transferred is transferred. can be prevented from being transferred to the transferred material. FIG. 1 shows a thermal transfer recording medium A with a mask layer, which is an example of the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention. The thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, is a thermal transfer recording medium in which a mask layer (11) is laminated on one side of a substrate (10). As shown in FIG. 1, the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention preferably has a heat-resistant lubricating layer (12) on the other side of the substrate (10). Further, in the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention, a release layer may be further provided between the mask layer (11) and the substrate (10), and the mask layer (11) may be a layer obtained by laminating a plurality of layers. . The thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention is used together with a thermal transfer recording medium having a coloring material layer for printing and/or printing on the intermediate transfer recording medium by transferring to the intermediate transfer recording medium as shown in FIG. preferably. By re-transferring the print or print produced on the intermediate transfer recording medium to the transfer medium, the print or print can be produced on the transfer medium. Further, the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention can also be one in which a mask layer is provided along with one or more coloring material layers in the longitudinal direction on one side of the substrate in a frame-sequential manner.

(Base material)
As the substrate used for the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention, polyester films such as polyethylene terephthalate film and polyethylene naphthalate film, polycarbonate film, polyamide film, aramid film, and other films generally used as substrate films for these types of thermal transfer recording media are used. Various plastic films can be used. Also, high density thin paper such as condenser paper can be used. The thickness of the substrate is usually about 2 to 10 μm, preferably in the range of 2 to 6 μm for good heat transfer.

(mask layer)
When no release layer or the like is provided between the substrate and the mask layer, the mask layer is laminated directly on the substrate. Since the mask layer contains a wax component and particles in addition to a binder resin component, the mask layer reliably adheres to the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium during thermal transfer from the thermal transfer recording medium to the intermediate transfer recording medium. When the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium to which the mask layer has been transferred is transferred to the transfer target, the mask layer can be prevented from adhering to the transfer target. For this reason, the mask layer contains a wax component and particles in addition to a resin component that is a binder. Even when the mask layer is transferred onto the transfer layer of the recording medium, it is possible to ensure that the mask layer transferred to the intermediate transfer recording medium is not transferred to the transferred material.

(resin component)
The resin component contained in the mask layer is preferably cellulose acetate resin. Examples of cellulose acetate resins include cellulose acetate propionate and cellulose acetate butyrate. Since cellulose acetate resin is a resin with low adhesiveness, by containing cellulose acetate resin in the mask layer, the mask layer is less likely to adhere to the transferred material during retransfer, and the function as a mask layer is reliably exhibited. can be done. Further, as described above, the mask layer preferably contains wax and particles in addition to the resin component. When wax and particles are contained in the mask layer, during transfer from the thermal transfer recording medium to the intermediate transfer recording medium (hereinafter referred to as primary transfer), and during retransfer from the intermediate transfer recording medium to the transfer target (hereinafter referred to as secondary transfer) (referred to as transfer), the mask layer is easily cracked. If the mask layer is cracked during primary transfer or secondary transfer, the mask layer may not be transferred in the intended shape. By using a cellulose acetate resin as the resin component contained in the mask layer, film strength can be imparted to the mask layer. Therefore, even when the mask layer contains wax and particles in addition to the resin component, if cellulose acetate is used as the resin component, the mask layer can have sufficient film strength. The mask layer is not cracked during primary transfer and secondary transfer, and the mask layer can be reliably transferred in an intended shape.

The content of cellulose acetate contained in the mask layer is preferably 5% by weight or more and 60% by weight or less based on the solid content of the mask layer. If the content is less than 5% by weight, the film strength of the mask layer is insufficient, and part of the mask layer becomes powdery when not in use, and so-called powder falling off easily occurs. The mask layer that is transferred during secondary transfer is likely to crack, and there is a risk that the mask layer will not be transferred in the intended shape. On the other hand, if the content exceeds 60% by weight, the film strength of the mask layer becomes too strong, and when the thermal transfer recording medium is peeled off from the intermediate transfer recording medium after thermal transfer, the mask layer in the portion to be transferred is intermediate. When the mask layer is peeled off from the transfer recording medium, the mask layer is not transferred to the intermediate transfer recording medium, or the mask layer is transferred to an unnecessary portion. The layer is likely to be transferred to the transferred body, and may not function as a mask layer.

(wax)
The wax contained in the mask layer has a melting point of 80° C. or higher. If a wax having a melting point of less than 80° C. is used, fine transfer (printing, printing) cannot be performed during primary transfer, and the appearance of the surroundings of the areas not transferred by the mask layer during secondary transfer becomes poor. The wax content in the mask layer is preferably 10% by weight or more and 50% by weight or less based on the solid content of the mask layer. If the content is less than 10% by weight, the transferability of the mask layer during primary transfer deteriorates, and the intended shape may not be transferred onto the intermediate transfer recording medium. On the other hand, if the content exceeds 50% by weight, the mask layer is likely to be transferred to the transferred body during secondary transfer, and the function as the mask layer may not be exhibited.

Any wax can be used as the wax contained in the mask layer as long as it has a melting point of 80° C. or higher. may Among waxes having a melting point of 80° C. or higher, Fischer-Tropsch wax or polyethylene wax, which are hydrocarbon-based synthetic waxes, are particularly preferred because they have a stable melting point.

(fluorine-based particles)
Fluorine-based particles are preferable as the particles contained in the mask layer. Examples of fluorine-based particles include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) resin particles, tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene-vinylidene fluoride (THV) resin particles, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) resin particles, polychlorotrifluoroethylene ( PCTFE) resin particles, chlorotrifluoroethylene-ethylene (ECTFE) resin particles, tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene (ETFE) resin particles, tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene (FEP) resin particles, tetrafluoroethylene-per Examples include fluoroalkyl vinyl ether (PFA) resin particles. Among these, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) resin particles are preferable because they are highly effective in improving the mask performance in which the mask layer is not transferred to the transfer target during secondary transfer and in improving the sharpness of the mask layer during primary transfer. .

The content of fluorine-based particles contained in the mask layer is preferably 20% by weight or more and 70% by weight or less of the solid content of the mask layer. If the content is less than 20% by weight, the sharpness of the mask layer during primary transfer may deteriorate. If the content exceeds 70% by weight, the adhesive strength of the mask layer to the intermediate transfer recording medium will be insufficient, and there is a risk that the transfer of the mask layer to the intermediate transfer recording medium will be defective.

The average particle size of the fluorine-based particles contained in the mask layer is preferably 0.5 μm or more and 4.0 μm or less. If the average particle size is less than 0.5 μm, the effect of containing the fluorine-based particles cannot be obtained, and the sharpness of the mask layer during temporary transfer may deteriorate. On the other hand, if the average particle size exceeds 4.0 μm, the transferability of the mask layer during primary transfer deteriorates, and there is a risk that part of the mask layer to be transferred may not be transferred to the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium. . The average particle size of the fluorine-based particles means the particle size at an integrated value of 50% in the particle size distribution determined by the laser diffraction/scattering method.

The thickness of the mask layer (thickness after drying, hereinafter the same) is preferably 0.5 μm or more and 1.5 μm or less. If the thickness of the mask layer is less than 0.5 μm, the masking performance during secondary transfer may deteriorate, and a part of the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium where the mask layer has been transferred may be transferred to the transferred material. . On the other hand, if the thickness of the mask layer exceeds 1.5 μm, the sharpness and transferability of the mask layer during primary transfer deteriorate, and part of the mask layer to be transferred is not transferred to the image-receiving layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium. There is a risk.

The mask layer can be formed by dispersing or dissolving the above materials in an appropriate solvent to prepare a coating liquid, and using known coating methods such as roll coating, reverse roll coating, gravure coating, reverse gravure coating, bar coating and rod coating. It can be formed by coating on a substrate to form a coating film and drying it.

The mask layer may contain various additives as long as they do not interfere with the various functions required of the mask layer. Examples of the additives include plasticizers, antifoaming agents, surfactants, antioxidants, dispersants, and tackifiers.

(Heat-resistant lubricating layer)
In the thermal transfer recording medium having the mask layer of the present invention, it is preferable to provide a heat-resistant lubricating layer on the surface of the substrate opposite to the surface on which the mask layer is provided. By providing the heat-resistant lubricating layer, damage to the substrate of the thermal transfer recording medium caused by the transfer head of the printer during printing on the intermediate transfer recording medium can be reduced. If the base material is damaged, so-called sticking may occur, in which the transfer head sticks to the base material during printing and cannot move smoothly. Such sticking can be prevented by providing a heat-resistant lubricating layer.

As the material for the heat-resistant lubricating layer, those conventionally employed in thermal transfer recording media can be used without particular limitation. Considering the heat resistance to the thermal head, the reduction of the dynamic friction coefficient at high temperatures, and the cost, among these, silicone-modified urethane resin, silicone-modified acrylic resin, silicone resin, or a mixture thereof is the material for the heat-resistant lubricating layer. It is particularly preferable as

The heat-resistant lubricating layer may contain other additives such as particles, lubricants and antistatic agents.

The thickness of the heat-resistant lubricating layer (thickness after drying, hereinafter the same) is preferably 0.05 to 0.80 μm from the viewpoint of achieving a good anti-stick effect and preventing deterioration of thermal conductivity. If the thickness of the heat-resistant lubricating layer is less than 0.05 μm, the heat resistance is insufficient, and sticking may occur during printing, or the substrate may melt, making printing impossible. If the thickness exceeds 0.80 μm, the thermal conductivity may deteriorate, which may interfere with printing.

A method similar to that for the mask layer can be used for forming the heat-resistant lubricating layer.

(Intermediate transfer recording medium)
By transferring the mask layer of the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention onto the image-receiving layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium, the portion of the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium to which the mask layer has been transferred is transferred from the intermediate transfer recording medium to a card or the like. Retransfer (secondary transfer) to the transfer body can be prevented. The transfer layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium where the mask layer is transferred is, in the example of the intermediate transfer recording medium described later, an image receiving layer, a peeling layer, and a color material layer transferred from the thermal transfer recording medium, which is formed on the image receiving layer. It is the part where the mask layer is transferred among the printed characters and prints.

As the intermediate transfer recording medium using the mask layer of the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention, any intermediate transfer recording medium can be used as long as it has an image receiving layer capable of receiving an image of the mask layer. Intermediate transfer capable of adjusting the peeling force of the image receiving layer from the substrate from the viewpoint of achieving good retransfer even on a transfer medium with poor retransfer properties of the image receiving layer from the transfer recording medium. A recording medium is preferred. Such an intermediate transfer recording medium is preferably an intermediate transfer recording medium having a peeling layer between the image receiving layer and the substrate for adjusting the peeling force of the image receiving layer from the substrate. FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of an intermediate transfer recording medium provided with a release layer (21) between a substrate (20) and an image receiving layer (22). In such an intermediate transfer recording medium, the substrate (20), the release layer (21), and the image-receiving layer (22) are essential components. A back layer such as a heat resistant lubricating layer is placed on the surface of the substrate (20) opposite to the surface provided with 21), and between the release layer (21) and the image receiving layer (22), the image receiving performance of the image receiving layer Additional layers may also be provided which are effective, such as in improving the

(Base material)
As the substrate for the intermediate transfer recording medium used together with the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention, polyester films such as polyethylene terephthalate film and polyethylene naphthalate film, polycarbonate film, polyamide film, aramid film and the like are generally used as such substrates. A wide variety of plastic films can be used. Also, high density thin paper such as condenser paper can be used. The thickness of the substrate is usually about 5 to 30 μm, preferably in the range of 5 to 20 μm for good heat transfer.

(Release layer)
The intermediate transfer recording medium used together with the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention preferably has a release layer between the substrate and the image receiving layer described below. The intermediate transfer recording medium used together with the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention should have good transferability of the transfer layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium to the transfer material, regardless of the material of the transfer material such as a card. preferable. In order to ensure good transferability of the transfer layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium to the transfer target regardless of the material of the transfer target such as a card, the peeling force of the release layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium should be small. is preferred.

When the material to be transferred is a card, the part of the transfer layer such as the image-receiving layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium that has the worst transferability is often the part where the magnetic layer is printed or attached to the surface of the card. The magnetic layer on the surface of the card is a layer provided for writing information such as the card owner's information. In order to secondary transfer the image-receiving layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium and the printing/printing made with the thermal transfer recording medium onto the image-receiving layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium by secondary transfer using the intermediate transfer recording medium onto such a magnetic layer, The peel strength of the peel layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium measured by the following measuring method is preferably 0.08 N/18 mm or more and 0.9 N/18 mm or less, more preferably 0.2 N/18 mm or more and 0.6 N. /18 mm or less. If the peeling force of the peeling layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium is less than 0.08 N/18 mm, the transfer layer transferred from the periphery of the card, which is the object to be transferred, may become burrs and pop out. This is not preferable because the release layer may be peeled off from the transfer recording medium. On the other hand, if it exceeds 0.9 N/18 mm, cracks tend to occur in the transfer layer transferred onto the magnetic layer. This is not preferable because there is a risk of poor transfer.

(Method for Measuring Peeling Force of Peeling Layer from Intermediate Transfer Recording Medium)
Cut the intermediate transfer recording medium to a width of 1 inch (25.4 mm). On the image-receiving layer surface of the intermediate transfer recording medium, an adhesive surface of a mending tape "Scotch (registered trademark) Mending Tape 810 (manufactured by Sumitomo 3M Co., Ltd.) width 18 mm" is attached, and one end in the longitudinal direction of the intermediate transfer recording medium is attached. The intermediate transfer recording medium and the mending tape are attached so that they are parallel to each other and the mending tape does not protrude from the intermediate transfer recording medium. When attaching the image-receiving layer and the adhesive surface, they are attached so that air bubbles do not enter between the image-receiving layer and the adhesive surface. The intermediate transfer recording medium and the mending tape are pressed together by a method of reciprocating a 2-kg roller twice, and left at room temperature for 24 hours after pressing. Place the intermediate transfer recording medium and the mending tape on the lower side in the direction of gravity, and measure the pinched portions of the intermediate transfer recording medium and the mending tape (the unbonded portion at one end). It is held by the fixture of the machine. The measuring machine is then activated to measure the peel force. Peel force measurement is performed using a tensile tester HEIDON-14 manufactured by Shinto Kagaku Co., Ltd. in T peel mode (90 degree peel) under the conditions of a peel speed of 3064 mm / min, 25 ° C., 60% RH atmosphere. Measure.

In the intermediate transfer recording medium used together with the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention, the peeling force of the peeling layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium can be set within the above preferred range by adjusting the material components of the peeling layer.

The release layer is preferably a layer containing a binder resin and particles. In the present invention, the binder is a component of each layer formed by coating, and each layer can be composed only of a binder. Binder is the component used to hold these inclusions in each layer. The property required for the release layer is that it has a thermal release property that makes it easy to separate from the substrate by heating, and even when transferring to a transfer medium such as a magnetic layer with low transferability, it can be used as an image receiving layer. It is to satisfy both the image-receiving layer retaining performance of reliably transferring the transfer layer to the transfer-receiving material and the ability to retain the image-receiving layer from the base material without peeling off until the material is heated.

Any material that can exhibit both hot release properties and image-receiving layer retention properties can be used as a binder for the release layer. A release force adjusting component that can adjust the release force of the release layer from the substrate during heating by adjusting the content, and a film strength imparting component that imparts film strength to the release layer is preferably a mixture of Exemplary peel strength adjusting components include polyurethane, polyester, and polyester urethane, and film strength imparting components include resin components such as acrylic, epoxy, polyester, vinyl chloride, and vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer. Among these, a mixture of polyester urethane and acrylic can be particularly preferably used because it exhibits excellent properties in terms of both heat release property and image-receiving layer holding property.

When polyester urethane is contained as a binder for the release layer, the content of polyester urethane in the solid release layer is preferably 0.8% by weight or more and 4.0% by weight or less, more preferably 1.8% by weight. % or more and 3.2% by weight or less. If the content is less than 0.8% by weight, the transferred transfer layer may be burred and protrude from the periphery of the card, which is the object to be transferred, and the peeling force may become too light, resulting in the peeling layer when not in use. becomes powdery together with the upper image-receiving layer, and there is a risk of so-called powder falling off from the base material. may occur. The sharpness of the release layer refers to the part of the release layer that is transferred to the transfer target when the release layer is peeled off from the base material by secondary transfer, and the release layer that remains on the base material without being transferred to the transfer target. It is the ability to cut the peeling layer at the interface. In addition, planar peeling means that the part of the peeling layer that is transferred to the transfer target during secondary transfer and the peeling layer that remains on the base material without being transferred to the transfer target are not cut off, and are originally transferred. This is a phenomenon in which even the part of the peeling layer that is not exposed is transferred to the transferred material. On the other hand, when the content exceeds 4.0% by weight, cracks tend to occur in the transfer layer transferred onto the magnetic layer. It is not preferable because the transfer cannot be performed and there is a risk of poor transfer.

When the release layer contains acrylic as a binder, the content of acrylic in the solid release layer is preferably 10% by weight or more and 50% by weight or less. If the content is less than 10% by weight, the film strength of the release layer is insufficient, and the separation of the release layer from the substrate becomes unstable, which may result in defective transfer of the release layer. On the other hand, when the content exceeds 50% by weight, the film strength of the release layer becomes too strong, and sufficient sharpness cannot be imparted to the release layer, which may cause planar peeling during secondary transfer. There is

If the release layer is composed only of a binder, the peeling property of the release layer is insufficient during secondary transfer, and planar peeling may occur. By including particles in addition to the binder in the release layer, sufficient sharpness can be imparted to the release layer. Examples of particles that can impart sharpness to the release layer include colloidal silica, silica, alumina, calcium carbonate, resin particles (acrylic, melamine, silicone, etc.), and the like. Among these, it is preferable to use colloidal silica because it can impart excellent sharpness and it is easy to ensure the transparency of the release layer.

When colloidal silica is contained in the release layer, the content of colloidal silica in the solid release layer is preferably 50% by weight or more and 90% by weight or less. If the content is less than 50% by weight, it is not possible to impart sufficient sharpness to the release layer at the time of secondary transfer, and planar peeling may occur. On the other hand, if the content exceeds 90% by weight, the film strength of the release layer may be insufficient, resulting in poor transfer. The average particle size of colloidal silica is preferably 10 nm or more and 50 nm or less. When the average particle size is less than 10 nm, it is not possible to impart sufficient sharpness to the release layer. On the other hand, if the average particle size exceeds 50 nm, the release layer becomes cloudy, which is not preferable. The average particle size of the colloidal silica of the present invention is a value measured using a method of converting from the specific surface area by the BET method, and the average particle size is calculated by the following formula assuming that the particles are spherical. be. d=6000/(S×ρ) (d: average particle diameter (nm), S: specific surface area (m ² /g), ρ: true specific gravity (g/cm ³ ))

The thickness of the release layer (thickness when dry, hereinafter the same) is preferably 0.5 μm or more and 3.0 μm or less. If the thickness of the release layer is less than 0.5 μm, the release of the release layer from the base material becomes unstable, and there is a risk of defective transfer of the transfer layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium to the transferred material. On the other hand, when the thickness of the release layer exceeds 3.0 μm, the peeling property of the release layer is deteriorated, and planar peeling tends to occur.

The peeling layer can be formed by dispersing or dissolving the above materials in an appropriate solvent to form a coating liquid, and using known methods such as roll coating, reverse roll coating, gravure coating, reverse gravure coating, bar coating and rod coating. It can be formed by coating on a substrate to form a coating film and drying it.

The release layer may contain various additives as long as they do not interfere with the various functions required of the release layer. Examples of the additives include plasticizers, antifoaming agents, surfactants, antioxidants and dispersants.

(Image receiving layer)
In the intermediate transfer recording medium used together with the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention, an image receiving layer is provided on the release layer directly or via another layer. The image-receiving layer is the outermost layer, and receives the image of the coloring material layer that is primarily transferred from the thermal transfer recording medium provided with the coloring material layer, and prints or prints formed with the coloring material of the thermal transfer recording medium is provided on the surface. It is a layer that can be The image-receiving layer also receives the mask layer thermally transferred from the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention. The image-receiving layer is also a layer that exhibits adhesiveness to a transfer-receiving material during secondary transfer and adheres to the transfer-receiving material.

Therefore, the performance required of the image receiving layer is the image receiving performance of reliably receiving the image of the color material layer and the mask layer thermally transferred (primary transfer) from the thermal transfer recording medium and fixing it on the surface, and the printing of the received image in the secondary transfer, It is the transferability to the transfer-receiving material for being transferred to the transfer-receiving material and fixed on the transfer-receiving material together with the printing. As described above, the present invention assumes secondary transfer from the intermediate transfer recording medium even on the portion where the magnetic layer is printed on the card surface where the transferability of the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium is the worst. Therefore, the image-receiving layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium used together with the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention is a layer having sufficient transferability in secondary transfer even for such a magnetic layer.

For the image-receiving layer, a resin that exhibits adhesiveness when heated can be suitably used as a binder. Specific examples include acrylic resins, epoxy resins, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resins, etc. It can contain one or more species.

The thickness of the image-receiving layer (dry thickness, hereinafter the same) is preferably 0.3 μm or more and 2.0 μm or less. If the thickness of the image-receiving layer is less than 0.3 μm, the transferability of the mask layer and the coloring material layer during primary transfer from the thermal transfer recording medium may deteriorate. On the other hand, if the thickness of the image-receiving layer exceeds 2.0 μm, the sharpness of the image-receiving layer deteriorates, and planar peeling tends to occur during secondary transfer.

The image-receiving layer can be formed by dispersing or dissolving the above materials in a suitable solvent to form a coating solution, which can be coated by known methods such as roll coating, reverse roll coating, gravure coating, reverse gravure coating, bar coating and rod coating. It can be formed by coating on a substrate to form a coating film and drying it.

The image-receiving layer may contain various additives as long as they do not interfere with the various functions required of the image-receiving layer. Examples of the additives include plasticizers, antifoaming agents, surfactants, antioxidants, dispersants, and tackifiers.

[Thermal transfer recording medium with coloring material layer]
The intermediate transfer recording medium to which the mask layer-attached thermal transfer recording medium, which is the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention, can be used is a thermal transfer recording medium having a coloring material layer, and receives a print or print primarily transferred onto the image receiving layer. By secondary transfer to the transfer body, printing or printing can be formed on the transfer body. Further, the mask layer of the present invention is primarily transferred onto the coloring material layer that has been primarily transferred onto the image-receiving layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium, thereby transferring the image-receiving layer on the intermediate transfer recording medium to a transfer target such as a card. In this case, only the portion of the coloring material layer to which the mask layer has been transferred can be prevented from being transferred to the transferred body.

A colorant layer-attached thermal transfer recording medium (hereinafter referred to as a colorant layer-attached thermal transfer recording medium) that can be used together with the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention comprises at least one colorant layer formed on one surface of a substrate. It is a thermal transfer recording medium provided. FIG. 2 shows a thermal transfer recording medium C with a colorant layer, which is an example of the thermal transfer recording medium with a colorant layer. As shown in FIG. 2, the colorant layer-attached thermal transfer recording medium C is a thermal transfer recording medium in which a colorant layer (31) is laminated on one side of a substrate (30). It is preferable to have a heat-resistant lubricating layer (32) on one side. The colorant layer-attached thermal transfer recording medium may further have a release layer between the colorant layer (31) and the substrate (30), or the colorant layer (31) may be formed of a plurality of layers. may be formed.

(Base material)
As the base material used for the thermal transfer recording medium with a coloring material layer, the same base material as described above can be used as the base material that can be used for the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention. Further, as described above, the mask layer and the coloring material layer of the present invention may be provided on the same base material sequentially in the longitudinal direction.

(colorant layer)
When no release layer or the like is provided between the base material and the colorant layer, the colorant layer is a layer directly laminated on the base material. The coloring material layer can be formed by adding a pigment or dye as a coloring material to a resin serving as a binder. The colorant layer may contain particles for the purpose of improving the sharpness of the colorant layer during transfer, or may contain wax for the purpose of improving transferability. Further, when a pigment is used, it is preferable to use a pigment dispersant for the purpose of dispersing the pigment in the colorant layer.

(resin component)
Any resin can be used as the resin component contained in the colorant layer. Considering the adhesiveness to the object to be transferred, it is preferable to use a resin having excellent adhesiveness, such as an acrylic resin or an epoxy resin.

The content of the resin component contained in the colorant layer is preferably 5% by weight or more and 90% by weight or less of the solid content of the colorant layer. When the content of the resin component is less than 5% by weight, the film strength of the colorant layer is insufficient, and part of the colorant layer becomes powdery when not in use, and falls off from the colorant layer and the base material. becomes more likely to occur. On the other hand, if the content of the resin component exceeds 90% by weight, depending on the color of the coloring material, the amount of pigment and/or dye that can be contained is small, and sufficient print density cannot be obtained.

The thickness of the coloring material layer (dry thickness, hereinafter the same) is preferably 0.3 μm or more and 2.0 μm or less. If the thickness of the colorant layer is less than 0.3 μm, sufficient density cannot be obtained for the print produced by transferring the colorant layer. On the other hand, if the thickness of the colorant layer exceeds 2.0 μm, the sharpness of the transfer layer at the portion where the colorant layer is transferred deteriorates during the secondary transfer, and the transfer layer tends to peel off in a planar manner.

The coloring material layer is formed by dispersing or dissolving the above materials in an appropriate solvent to prepare a coating liquid, applying the same to the substrate by the same known means as the mask layer to form a coating film, and drying it. can be formed by

Various additives may be contained in the colorant layer as long as they do not interfere with the various functions required of the colorant layer. Examples of the additives include plasticizers, antifoaming agents, surfactants, antioxidants, dispersants, and tackifiers.

(Heat-resistant lubricating layer)
Even in a thermal transfer recording medium having a colorant layer, it is preferable to provide a heat-resistant lubricating layer on the side of the substrate opposite to the side on which the colorant layer is provided. The material and layer thickness of the heat-resistant lubricating layer may be the same as those of the thermal transfer recording medium provided with the mask layer. A similar method to the sex layer can be used.

(transferee)
Various types of transfer-receiving materials can be used as the transfer-receiving material for secondary transfer of printed characters and prints produced on the image-receiving layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium using the thermal transfer recording medium with a mask layer of the present invention. In particular, cards are suitable as transfer-receiving materials. Materials for cards include polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene-co-1,4-cyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate (PETG), and the like. Also, the transferability of the transfer layer such as the image-receiving layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium is the worst in the portion where the magnetic layer is printed or adhered to the card surface. In order to improve the transferability to such a magnetic layer, it is effective to reduce the peeling force of the peeling layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium. Even if there is, if the thermal transfer recording medium with a mask layer of the present invention is used, the mask layer does not strongly adhere to the transfer material, and the transfer material is removed from the intermediate transfer recording medium where the mask layer is transferred. The mask layer and the transfer layer such as the image-receiving layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium where the mask layer is transferred are not transferred to the card or the like.

(Example)
The present invention will be described more specifically using the following examples and comparative examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these examples. Unless otherwise specified, parts by weight are indicated for the amount of each material to be added.

(Thermal transfer recording medium with mask layer)
(Example 1)
(Heat-resistant lubricating layer)
(Premixed ink for heat-resistant lubricating layer)
A premixed ink for a heat-resistant lubricating layer was prepared by kneading the materials of the following formulation.
Silicone urethane resin solution (solid content 25%) 32.33 parts Melamine-formaldehyde resin particles (average particle size: 0.2 μm, solid content 100%) 0.30 parts Methyl ethyl ketone 67.37 parts The ink for the heat-resistant lubricating layer prepared by kneading is coated on a PET film having a thickness of 4.5 μm used as a substrate so that the thickness after drying becomes 0.2 μm, and dried to obtain heat-resistant lubricating properties. A layer was made.
(Ink for heat-resistant lubricating layer)
Premixed ink for heat resistant lubricating layer 29.75 parts Polyisocyanate solution (solid content 45%) 4.50 parts Methyl ethyl ketone 55.75 parts Toluol 10.00 parts

(mask layer)
A masking layer ink is prepared by kneading materials with the following prescription, and coated on the substrate opposite to the side of the substrate on which the heat-resistant lubricating layer is laminated so that the thickness after drying becomes 0.7 μm. A mask layer was prepared by drying, and a thermal transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 1 was obtained.
PTFE resin particles (average particle diameter 2.8 μm, solid content 100%) 2.14 parts Fischer-Tropsch wax (melting point 105 ° C., solid content 100%) 0.92 parts Cellulose acetate propionate (molecular weight 25000, Tg 142 ° C., solid content 100%) 1.64 parts Toluene 31.72 parts Isopropyl alcohol 13.59 parts

(Example 2)
A thermal transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 2 was obtained in the same manner as the thermal transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 1, except that the formulation of the mask layer ink was changed as follows.
PTFE resin particles (average particle diameter 2.8 μm, solid content 100%) 2.08 parts Fischer-Tropsch wax (melting point 105 ° C., solid content 100%) 0.89 parts Cellulose acetate propionate (molecular weight 25000, Tg 142 ° C., solid content 100%) 2.97 parts Toluene 30.85 parts Isopropyl alcohol 13.21 parts

(Example 3) A thermal transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 3 was obtained in the same manner as the thermal transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 1, except that the formulation of the mask layer ink was changed as follows.
PTFE resin particles (average particle diameter 2.8 μm, solid content 100%) 1.19 parts Fischer-Tropsch wax (melting point 105 ° C., solid content 100%) 1.19 parts Cellulose acetate propionate (molecular weight 25000, Tg 142 ° C., solid 100%) 3.56 parts Toluene 30.85 parts Isopropyl alcohol 13.21 parts

(Example 4) A thermal transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 4 was obtained in the same manner as the thermal transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 1, except that the mask layer ink was changed to the following formulation.
PTFE resin particles (average particle size 2.8 μm, solid content 100%) 4.15 parts Fischer-Tropsch wax (melting point 105 ° C., solid content 100%) 1.49 parts Cellulose acetate propionate (molecular weight 25000, Tg 142 ° C., solid content 100%) 0.30 parts Toluene 30.85 parts Isopropyl alcohol 13.21 parts

(Example 5)
A thermal transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 5 was obtained in the same manner as the thermal transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 1, except that the formulation of the mask layer ink was changed as follows.
PTFE resin particles (average particle size 2.8 μm, solid content 100%) 2.37 parts Fischer-Tropsch wax (melting point 105 ° C., solid content 100%) 0.60 parts Cellulose acetate propionate (molecular weight 25000, Tg 142 ° C., solid content 100%) 2.97 parts Toluene 30.85 parts Isopropyl alcohol 13.21 parts

(Example 6)
A thermal transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 6 was obtained in the same manner as the thermal transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 1, except that the formulation of the mask layer ink was changed as follows.
PTFE resin particles (average particle size 2.8 μm, solid content 100%) 1.96 parts Fischer-Tropsch wax (melting point 105 ° C., solid content 100%) 2.97 parts Cellulose acetate propionate (molecular weight 25000, Tg 142 ° C., solid content 100%) 1.01 parts Toluene 30.85 parts Isopropyl alcohol 13.21 parts

(Example 7) A thermal transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 7 was obtained in the same manner as the thermal transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 1, except that the formulation of the mask layer ink was changed as follows.
PTFE resin particles (average particle size 2.8 μm, solid content 100%) 1.13 parts Fischer-Tropsch wax (melting point 105 ° C., solid content 100%) 1.19 parts Cellulose acetate propionate (molecular weight 25000, Tg 142 ° C., solid 100%) 3.62 parts Toluene 30.85 parts Isopropyl alcohol 13.21 parts

(Example 8) A thermal transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 8 was obtained in the same manner as the thermal transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 1, except that the mask layer ink was changed to the following formulation.
PTFE resin particles (average particle size 2.8 μm, solid content 100%) 4.22 parts Fischer-Tropsch wax (melting point 105 ° C., solid content 100%) 1.48 parts Cellulose acetate propionate (molecular weight 25000, Tg 142 ° C., solid 100%) 0.24 parts Toluene 30.85 parts Isopropyl alcohol 13.21 parts

(Example 9) A thermal transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 9 was obtained in the same manner as the thermal transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 1, except that the mask layer ink was changed to the following formulation.
PTFE resin particles (average particle diameter 2.8 μm, solid content 100%) 2.44 parts Fischer-Tropsch wax (melting point 105 ° C., solid content 100%) 0.54 parts Cellulose acetate propionate (molecular weight 25000, Tg 142 ° C., solid content 100%) 2.97 parts Toluene 30.85 parts Isopropyl alcohol 13.21 parts

(Example 10)
A thermal transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 10 was obtained in the same manner as the thermal transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 1, except that the formulation of the mask layer ink was changed as follows.
PTFE resin particles (average particle diameter 2.8 µm, solid content 100%) 1.78 parts Fischer-Tropsch wax (melting point 105°C, solid content 100%) 3.03 parts Cellulose acetate propionate (molecular weight 25000, Tg 142°C, solid content 100%) 1.13 parts Toluene 30.85 parts Isopropyl alcohol 13.21 parts

(Example 11)
A thermal transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 11 was prepared in the same manner as the thermal transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 1, except that Fischer-Tropsch wax (melting point 105° C.) was changed to microcrystalline wax (melting point 84° C.). Obtained.

(Comparative Example 1) A thermal transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Comparative Example 1 was obtained in the same manner as the thermal transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 1, except that the formulation of the mask layer ink was changed as follows.
PTFE resin particles (average particle diameter 2.8 μm, solid content 100%) 3.56 parts Cellulose acetate propionate (molecular weight 25000, Tg 142° C., solid content 100%) 2.38 parts Toluene 30.85 parts Isopropyl alcohol 13. 21 copies

(Comparative example 2)
A thermal transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Comparative Example 2 was obtained in the same manner as the thermal transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 1, except that the formulation of the mask layer ink was changed as follows.
PTFE resin particles (average particle size 2.8 μm, solid content 100%) 3.56 parts Fischer-Tropsch wax (melting point 105° C., solid content 100%) 2.38 parts Toluene 30.85 parts Isopropyl alcohol 13.21 parts

(Comparative Example 3) A thermal transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Comparative Example 3 was obtained in the same manner as the thermal transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 1, except that the formulation of the mask layer ink was changed as follows.
Fischer-Tropsch wax (melting point 105°C, solid content 100%) 2.97 parts Cellulose acetate propionate (molecular weight 25000, Tg 142°C, solid content 100%) 2.97 parts Toluene 30.85 parts Isopropyl alcohol 13.21 parts

(Comparative Example 4) The mask layer of Comparative Example 4 was prepared in the same manner as the mask layer-attached thermal transfer recording medium of Example 1, except that Fischer-Tropsch wax (melting point 105°C) was changed to microcrystalline wax (melting point 75°C). A thermal transfer recording medium was obtained.

(Thermal transfer recording medium with coloring material layer)
(Heat-resistant lubricating layer)
(Premixed ink for heat-resistant lubricating layer)
The ink for the heat-resistant lubricating layer used in the thermal transfer recording medium with the mask layer of Example 1 was applied on a 4.5 μm PET film used as the substrate so that the thickness after drying was adjusted to 0.20 μm. A heat-resistant lubricating layer was produced by coating and drying on a base material.

(colorant layer)
A coloring material layer ink prepared by kneading materials with the following prescription was applied to the substrate on the side opposite to the surface of the substrate on which the heat-resistant lubricating layer was laminated so that the thickness after drying was 0.7 μm. A coloring material layer was prepared by coating and drying.
Acrylic resin (molecular weight 30000, Tg 75°C, solid content 100%) 4.96 parts Epoxy resin (molecular weight 1650, softening point 97°C, epoxy equivalent 925, solid content 100%) 1.65 parts Polyester polymer dispersant (solid 100%) 2.99 parts Carbon black 21.52 parts Methyl ethyl ketone 35.77 parts Propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate 3.11 parts

(Intermediate transfer recording medium 1)
The release layer ink and the image-receiving layer ink were prepared by kneading the following ingredients, and the release layer ink 1 was coated on one side of a 12 μm-thick PET substrate so that the thickness after drying was 1.1 μm. An intermediate transfer recording medium 1 was obtained by drying to prepare a release layer, coating the release layer with an image-receiving layer ink so that the thickness after drying was 1.0 μm, and drying to prepare an image-receiving layer.
(Preparation of coating solution for each layer)
(Release layer ink 1)
Organic solvent-dispersed colloidal silica (solid content 30% average particle size 12 nm) 46.20 parts saturated copolymer polyester urethane resin (molecular weight 32000, Tg-22 ° C., solid content 30%) 0.66 parts acrylic resin (molecular weight 25000, Tg105 °C, solid content 100%) 2.97 parts acrylic resin (molecular weight 28000, Tg 105 °C, solid content 100%) 2.97 parts methyl ethyl ketone 45.31 parts propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate 1.89 parts

(Receiving layer ink)
Acrylic resin (molecular weight 25000, Tg 105°C, solid content 100%) 15.00 parts Bisphenol A type epoxy resin (molecular weight 3800, softening point 144°C, epoxy equivalent 2850, solid content 100%) 4.00 parts Vinyl chloride/vinyl acetate Copolymer (molecular weight 50000, Tg 70°C, solid content 100%)
1.00 parts methyl ethyl ketone 77.60 parts propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate 2.40 parts

(Intermediate transfer recording medium 2)
Intermediate transfer recording medium 2 was obtained in the same manner as for intermediate transfer recording medium 1, except that release layer ink 1 was changed to release layer ink 2 having the following formulation.
(Release layer ink 2)
Organic solvent-dispersed colloidal silica (solid content 30% average particle size 12 nm) 46.20 parts saturated copolymer polyester urethane resin (molecular weight 32000, Tg-22 ° C., solid content 30%) 1.35 parts acrylic resin (molecular weight 25000, Tg105 °C, solid content 100%) 2.97 parts acrylic resin (molecular weight 28000, Tg 105 °C, solid content 100%) 2.97 parts methyl ethyl ketone 45.31 parts propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate 1.89 parts

(Intermediate transfer recording medium 3)
Intermediate transfer recording medium 3 was obtained in the same manner as for intermediate transfer recording medium 1, except that release layer ink 1 was changed to release layer ink 3 having the following formulation.
(Release layer ink 3)
Organic solvent-dispersed colloidal silica (solid content 30% average particle size 12 nm) 45.58 parts saturated copolyester urethane resin (molecular weight 32000, Tg-22 ° C., solid content 30%) 2.01 parts acrylic resin (molecular weight 25000, Tg105 °C, solid content 100%) 2.93 parts acrylic resin (molecular weight 28000, Tg 105 °C, solid content 100%) 2.93 parts methyl ethyl ketone 44.69 parts propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate 1.86 parts

(Intermediate transfer recording medium 4)
Intermediate transfer recording medium 4 was obtained in the same manner as for intermediate transfer recording medium 1, except that release layer ink 1 was changed to release layer ink 4 having the following formulation.
(Release layer ink 4)
Organic solvent-dispersed colloidal silica (solid content 30% average particle size 12 nm) 45.58 parts saturated copolyester urethane resin (molecular weight 32000, Tg-22 ° C., solid content 30%) 2.55 parts acrylic resin (molecular weight 25000, Tg105 °C, solid content 100%) 2.93 parts acrylic resin (molecular weight 28000, Tg 105 °C, solid content 100%) 2.93 parts methyl ethyl ketone 44.69 parts propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate 1.86 parts

(Intermediate transfer recording medium 5) Intermediate transfer recording medium 5 was obtained in the same manner as for intermediate transfer recording medium 1, except that release layer ink 1 was changed to release layer ink 5 having the following formulation.
(Release layer ink 5)
Organic solvent-dispersed colloidal silica (solid content 30% average particle size 12 nm) 46.42 parts saturated copolyester urethane resin (molecular weight 32000, Tg-22 ° C., solid content 30%) 0.20 parts acrylic resin (molecular weight 25000, Tg105 °C, solid content 100%) 2.98 parts acrylic resin (molecular weight 28000, Tg 105 °C, solid content 100%) 2.98 parts methyl ethyl ketone 45.52 parts propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate 1.90 parts

(Intermediate transfer recording medium 6)
Intermediate transfer recording medium 6 was obtained in the same manner as for intermediate transfer recording medium 1 except that release layer ink 1 was changed to release layer ink 6 having the following formulation.
(Release layer ink 6)
Organic solvent-dispersed colloidal silica (solid content 30% average particle size 12 nm) 44.94 parts saturated copolyester urethane resin (molecular weight 32000, Tg-22 ° C., solid content 30%) 3.38 parts acrylic resin (molecular weight 25000, Tg105 °C, solid content 100%) 2.89 parts acrylic resin (molecular weight 28000, Tg 105 °C, solid content 100%) 2.89 parts methyl ethyl ketone 44.07 parts propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate 1.84 parts

(Intermediate transfer recording medium 7) Intermediate transfer recording medium 7 was obtained in the same manner as for intermediate transfer recording medium 1, except that release layer ink 1 was changed to release layer ink 7 having the following formulation.
(Release layer ink 7)
Organic solvent-dispersed colloidal silica (solid content 30% average particle size 12 nm) 43.32 parts saturated copolyester urethane resin (molecular weight 32000, Tg-22 ° C., solid content 30%) 6.87 parts acrylic resin (molecular weight 25000, Tg105 °C, solid content 100%) 2.78 parts acrylic resin (molecular weight 28000, Tg 105 °C, solid content 100%) 2.78 parts methyl ethyl ketone 42.47 parts propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate 1.77 parts

(Method for evaluating peeling force of intermediate transfer recording medium)
Cut the intermediate transfer recording medium to a width of 1 inch (25.4 mm). On the image-receiving layer surface of the intermediate transfer recording medium, an adhesive surface of a mending tape "Scotch (registered trademark) Mending Tape 810 (manufactured by Sumitomo 3M Co., Ltd.) width 18 mm" is attached, and one end in the longitudinal direction of the intermediate transfer recording medium is attached. The intermediate transfer recording medium and the mending tape are attached so that they are parallel to each other and the mending tape does not protrude from the intermediate transfer recording medium. When attaching the image-receiving layer and the adhesive surface, they are attached so that air bubbles do not enter between the image-receiving layer and the adhesive surface. The intermediate transfer recording medium and the mending tape are pressed together by a method of reciprocating a 2-kg roller twice, and left at room temperature for 24 hours after pressing. Place the intermediate transfer recording medium and the mending tape on the lower side in the direction of gravity, and measure the pinched portions of the intermediate transfer recording medium and the mending tape (the unbonded portion at one end). It is held by the fixture of the machine. The measuring machine is then activated to measure the peel force. Peel force measurement is performed using a tensile tester HEIDON-14 manufactured by Shinto Kagaku Co., Ltd. in T peel mode (90 degree peel) under the conditions of a peel speed of 3064 mm / min, 25 ° C., 60% RH atmosphere. Measure. The peeling force of the intermediate transfer recording media 1 to 7 was measured by the above method. Table 1 shows the evaluation results.

(Transfer Evaluation of Intermediate Transfer Recording Medium)
A predetermined print pattern is transferred onto each of the image receiving layers of the intermediate transfer recording media 1 to 7 by the following primary transfer printing method using the thermal transfer recording medium with the coloring material layer. Next, the image-receiving layers of the intermediate transfer recording media 1 to 7 to which the predetermined print pattern was transferred were transferred to the surface of the card, which is the object to be transferred, by the following secondary transfer method. As a card for secondary transfer, a card made of PVC and having a magnetic layer (magnetic stripe) provided on a part of the surface for secondary transfer was used.

The print formed by the secondary transfer on the surface of the card produced from each intermediate transfer recording medium was visually confirmed using a magnifying lens with a magnification of 5 times, and evaluated according to the following criteria. This evaluation result is shown in Table 1.
Evaluation Criteria ⊚: When the transferred material was visually confirmed, the entire transfer layer was reliably transferred over the entire surface of the transferred material including the magnetic stripe portion. Further, after the transfer layer was removed from the intermediate transfer recording medium, no transfer layer remained without being transferred was observed.
◯: Visually confirming the transfer material, it seems that all the transfer layer is surely transferred to the entire surface of the transfer material including the magnetic stripe portion, but after the transfer layer is removed from the intermediate transfer recording medium side, the transfer is not performed. A fine transfer layer remaining untouched was confirmed.
Δ: Upon visual inspection of the material to be transferred, fine cracks in the transfer layer were observed in the magnetic stripe portion. Alternatively, the transfer layer protruded in the form of burrs from the periphery of the card, which is the object to be transferred, but the protruding amount was less than 0.5 mm when confirmed with a 5x magnifying lens.
x: Upon visual inspection of the material to be transferred, a portion where the transfer layer was not transferred was confirmed on the magnetic stripe portion. Alternatively, the transfer layer protruded in the form of burrs from the periphery of the card, which is the object to be transferred, and the protruding amount was 0.5 mm or more when confirmed with a 5x magnifying lens.

(Printing method for primary transfer)
Using an SG-408R printer manufactured by SATO Co., Ltd., on the image-receiving layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium, using the above thermal transfer recording medium with a coloring material layer, at a printing speed of 4 inches/second, an energy of 3 B, and a printing resolution of 200 dpi. A predetermined print (print pattern) is printed.

(Secondary transfer method)
The image-receiving layer surface of each intermediate transfer recording medium onto which the print pattern has been transferred by primary transfer is set so that the transfer-receiving material faces the intermediate transfer recording medium together with the print pattern formed on the image-receiving layer by primary transfer using a roll-type thermal transfer machine. The image-receiving layer of is transferred to a transfer-receiving material. The transfer conditions for the roll-type thermal transfer machine were as follows: surface temperature (transfer temperature) of silicone rubber roll used as transfer roll: 190° C.; pressure (transfer pressure): 118 N (12 kg); / second.

(Table 1)

(Handleability evaluation of thermal transfer recording medium with mask layer)
The mask layer-attached thermal transfer recording medium of each example and each comparative example was cut into a sheet having a width of 100 mm and a length of 200 mm. evaluated. This evaluation result is shown in Table 2.
Evaluation criteria ⊚: The mask layer does not come off from the base material even when rubbed by hand.
◯: The mask layer is slightly removed from the base material when rubbed by hand, but the amount of removal is at a level that does not affect the function of the mask layer.
x: The mask layer falls off from the base material when rubbed by hand. (This is the level at which the function as a mask layer cannot be exhibited even if the mask layer is transferred using a thermal transfer recording medium with a mask layer due to the mask layer coming off.)

(Primary transfer evaluation of thermal transfer recording medium with mask layer)
A predetermined print pattern was transferred to the image-receiving layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium 2 by the above-described primary transfer printing method using the thermal transfer recording medium with the color material layer. Next, on the image-receiving layer to which the coloring material layer has been transferred, a predetermined printing pattern different from the printing pattern of the coloring material layer-attached thermal transfer recording medium is printed using the mask layer-attached thermal transfer recording medium of each example and each comparative example. transcribed. However, the primary transfer evaluation was not performed for the mask layer-attached thermal transfer recording medium for which the result of the evaluation of the handleability of the mask layer-attached thermal transfer recording medium was x. The print formed by transferring the mask layer onto the image-receiving layer was visually observed and confirmed using a magnifying lens with a magnification of 5 times, and evaluated according to the following criteria. This evaluation result is shown in Table 2.
Evaluation criteria ◎: A thin line with a width of 0.125 mm (minimum line width drawn with dots at a printing resolution of 200 dpi), a character height of 0.875 mm (with a printing resolution of 200 dpi, a character height drawn with 7 dots vertically x 5 dots horizontally). Even small letters can be printed finely without missing.
◯: Fine lines with a width of 0.125 mm and small letters with a character height of 0.875 mm have slight imperfections in printing, and it can be confirmed that the characters are thick and the parts that should be the edges are rounded. legible level.
x: A fine line with a width of 0.125 mm and a small letter with a character height of 0.875 mm are at an unreadable level due to chipping or crushing.

(Secondary transfer evaluation of thermal transfer recording medium with mask layer)
In the primary transfer evaluation, the intermediate transfer recording medium with the mask layer was used for the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium 2, using the thermal transfer recording medium with the mask layer of each example and each comparative example. The image-receiving layer of the medium was transferred onto the surface of the card, which is the object to be transferred, by the secondary transfer method described above. As a card for secondary transfer, a card made of PVC and provided with a magnetic stripe on a part of the surface for secondary transfer was used. However, the secondary transfer evaluation was not performed for the intermediate transfer recording medium produced from the mask layer-attached thermal transfer recording medium for which the result of the primary transfer evaluation was x. The printed characters transferred and formed on the material to be transferred were visually observed and confirmed using a magnifying lens with a magnification of 5 times, and evaluated according to the following criteria. This evaluation result is shown in Table 2.
Evaluation criteria ⊚: The mask layer was not transferred at all, and the mask layer functioned perfectly.
◯: Part of the mask layer is transferred, but the image-receiving layer and coloring material layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium covered by the mask layer are not transferred, and the mask layer functions. are doing.
x: By transferring the mask layer, the image-receiving layer and coloring material layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium covered by the mask layer on the intermediate transfer recording medium are also transferred, and the mask layer does not function.

(Table 2)

10 Base material (thermal transfer recording medium with mask layer)
11... Mask layer (thermal transfer recording medium with mask layer)
12... Heat-resistant lubricating layer (thermal transfer recording medium with mask layer)
20 Base material (intermediate transfer recording medium)
21 Release layer (intermediate transfer recording medium)
22... Image receiving layer (intermediate transfer recording medium)
30 Base material (thermal transfer recording medium with coloring material layer)
31 Coloring material layer (thermal transfer recording medium with coloring material layer)
32... Heat-resistant lubricating layer (thermal transfer recording medium with coloring material layer)
A: Thermal transfer recording medium with mask layer B: Intermediate transfer recording medium C: Thermal transfer recording medium with colorant layer D: Transferee (card)

Claims (4)

A thermal transfer recording medium for an intermediate transfer recording medium, characterized by having a mask layer containing at least wax having a melting point of 80° C. or higher, fluorine-based particles, and cellulose acetate resin on one surface of a substrate. Thermal transfer recording medium. The content of the wax is 10% by weight or more and 50% by weight or less in the solid content of the mask layer, and the content of the fluorine-based particles is 20% by weight or more and 70% by weight or less in the solid content of the mask layer, 2. The thermal transfer recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the content of said cellulose acetate resin is 5% by weight or more and 60% by weight or less in said mask layer solid content. 3. The thermal transfer recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the fluorine-based particles have an average particle diameter of 0.5 [mu]m to 4 [mu]m. 4. The thermal transfer recording medium according to claim 1, wherein said intermediate transfer recording medium is for card printing.

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