JP2650551B2 - Colorization method of toner image - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of converting a toner image copied on a recording paper by electrophotography, magnetophotography and other methods into a desired multicolor image using a thermal transfer film. About the method of conversion.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional color copy, in order to obtain a color toner image, in particular, a multicolor color copy having no intermediate color (hereinafter referred to as a flat color copy), a color toner corresponding to a kind of color and the color toner This requires a toner-specific developing machine and a document for each color, and furthermore, it is necessary to perform a copying operation once for each color. According to this flat color copy, since a process such as color separation is not required, even a single-color copying machine can be color-copied by replacing the developing machine, and coloring can be performed without being restricted by the color of the original. It has the advantage of being possible. Furthermore, the application is filed before the filing of the application, and
JP-A-62-21585 discloses a heat-sensitive adhesive.
Copier capable of forming an image using a recording material containing
Use a single color of the original image on the desired paper or sheet surface
After copying and forming the image, the outermost layer of the transfer layer
The layer is non-adhesive or hardly adherent to the paper or sheet surface.
Has adhesiveness with the recording material that forms the image
Heating and pressing using a transfer material consisting of a resin coating layer
Make a copy and color or copy the metallic image only
A transfer printing method is shown. Used for this transfer material
The resin coating layer has a function as an adhesive layer to the image.
In this case, a colored layer is separately provided.

[0003]

However, in the conventional flat color copying, a. Since it is necessary to provide a developing machine for each color and replace each developing machine for each copying operation, the structure becomes complicated,
Causes cost increase, failure increase, and further, the number of colors that can be colored is limited to a few colors, b. Since it is necessary to repeat the copying operation the same number of times as the number of colors, there is a possibility that a recording sheet such as a copy sheet may cause a color shift or damage such as wrinkles. C. It has drawbacks such as requiring a document corresponding to each color. Further, in the prior art, a colored layer is formed on an image surface.
Transferred because it has a resin coating layer for bonding on top
In the production of lumber, adjust the adhesive properties and
The problem of requiring an additional step of forming a grease coating layer
have.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above, and has been made in order to eliminate the complexity of the structure and the limitation on the number of colors by providing a developing machine for each color.
Sequentially laminating a low-temperature melt adhesive layer and the colored coating layer in heat resistance base film, the colored coating layer is heat-resistant base film by being directly adhered to the toner surface of the recording sheet in a molten state The present invention provides a method for coloring a toner image using a thermal transfer color film configured to be peeled and transferred from a toner image.

[0005]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A method for colorizing a toner image using the thermal transfer color film of the present invention will be described below. FIG.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing the structure of one embodiment of a thermal transfer color film used in the method for colorizing a toner image according to the present invention. This color film 1 has a heat-resistant base film 2 on one side of which a colored coating (layer) 3 is applied. The colored coating film 3 has a configuration and is formed by mixing a coloring material with a binder.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams showing a color image forming process of the present invention using the thermal transfer color film shown in FIG. A toner image (black) 11 has already been transferred onto the recording paper 10 by a normal electrophotographic method, a magnetophotographic method, or the like. Thermal transfer color film 1 shown in FIG.
The colored coating film 3 is superimposed on the toner image 11 and pressurized while heating, whereby the colored coating film 3 is selectively adhered only to the portion where the toner is present, and the toner image 11 is converted into an apparent color image. You. This is based on the adhesive force generated when the toner is re-melted.
The color paint is peeled and transferred. That is, a toner image obtained by a normal electronic copying machine or the like is different from other colored image forming materials, for example, a liquid-based printing ink or a solid-based ink ribbon, a pencil, and the like, and mainly includes a polymer having a high molecular weight. The toner powder image is formed of a strong thermoplastic resin powder image, and the toner powder image exhibits strong adhesiveness by being melted by thermal energy. It becomes possible. Therefore, in order to obtain a multicolor image, color films of various colors are prepared in advance, and the color films of each color are superimposed on a desired toner image, and are pressed at a time by heating and pressing. A color image of a color can be obtained. In addition, by preparing color films having different densities and saturations in addition to hues, for example, from light colors to dark colors having the same hue, a color image of an intermediate color having a desired hue can be obtained.

In order to enable the formation of a color image by transfer as described above, the thermal transfer color film used in the color forming method of the present invention must satisfy the following conditions. a) The heat-resistant base film 2 includes at least the toner 11
A flexible thin film with a higher melting temperature. Since the melting temperature is higher than that of the toner, only the colored coating film 3 can be peeled and transferred onto the toner, and the flexibility can enhance the adhesion to the toner image 11. The conductivity can be improved. b) The colored coating layer 3 is not melted by heating. By preventing the toner image from being melted, it is possible to prevent the toner image from being transferred to a copy paper portion where no toner image exists. c) The adhesive strength between the base film 2 and the colored coating layer 3 is weak enough that the coating layer 3 can be partially peeled off by the adhesive force of the molten toner. d) The bonding strength of the colored coating layer 3 itself is
Less than the adhesive strength between the coating layer 3 and the coating layer 3. This is because the coating layer 3 needs to be separated and separated faithfully along the shape of the toner image. e) The colored coating layer 3 has a sufficient density and thickness to cover the toner image. f) The coating film transferred onto the recording paper has sufficient image intensity. This is to prevent the coating film from being damaged, peeled, moved, or the like due to external force or aging deterioration.

FIG. 3 is a view showing another embodiment of the thermal transfer color film used in the color forming method of the present invention. This color film 1 is different from the color film of the above-described embodiment in that a low-melting adhesive layer (intermediate adhesive layer) 4 is provided as an intermediate layer between a base film 2 and a colored coating layer 3. I have. According to this embodiment, the above a) to
The range of selection of constituent materials of the color film 1 (materials constituting the base film 2 and the colored coating film 3) satisfying each condition of f) can be greatly expanded.

The following are examples of the constituent materials that can be used when the embodiment of the color film of FIG. 3 is used. 1) Heat-resistant base film: thickness about 1 to about 500μ
m, preferably a polymer film of about 5 to about 100 μm,
Metal films, ceramic films, sheets, paper, etc. As the polymer film, polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonates, polyimides, fluoropolymers such as polyvinyl fluoride and polytetrafluoroethylene, polyamides such as nylon, styrene and acrylics, polyethylene and polypropylene, Cellulose modified products such as cellulose acetate, polyvinylidene chloride, polyarylate and polyethers, polysulfones, polyxylylenes, phenoxy resins,
Examples include polymer films such as polyacetals, sheets, cloths, and the like. These polymer films are preferably heat-resistant having a melting point or softening point of about 150 ° C. or higher, but a film sheet composited with a heat-resistant polymer may be used, or a fluorine-based or silicone-based film may be used. A general-purpose polymer sheet may be coated with a heat-resistant layer such as a system or a crosslinkable polymer, or a film, sheet, cloth, or the like coated with a heat-resistant layer such as a metal or ceramics may be used. Further, a thermal conductivity improver such as carbon black, graphite, alumina, silicon carbide, boron nitride, etc., or a needle-like fibrous shape may be added to the polymer film. Further, additives such as an antistatic material, a magnetic material, a stripping agent, and a reinforcing agent may be added to the inside and / or the film surface. In addition to the polymer film, papers such as condenser paper and glassine paper, ceramic films, sheets, cloths, metal films and the like may be used.

2) Low-melting adhesive layer (intermediate adhesive layer)
A thickness of about 0.01 to 10 μm, preferably about 0.1 to 5
μm transparent or the same color as the coating layer 3. Specifically, paraffin wax, halogenated olefin, low molecular weight olefin, low molecular weight polystyrene, modified products such as polypropylene and the same oxide, ester wax, microcrystalline wax, carnauba wax, ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene / Olefin resins such as maleic anhydride copolymer and ethylene / acrylic acid copolymer or waxes. Higher fatty acids such as stearic acid and derivatives thereof such as metal acids, amides and esters, higher alcohols and derivatives, polyesters, dimer acid-based polyamides, epoxies, urethane compounds, petroleum resins, rosins and derivatives, silicone resins, fluororesins, and styrene And acrylic resins. The substance as the main component has a glass transition temperature, softening point or melting point of about 40 to 15
A resin or wax having a relatively low molecular weight of 0 ° C., preferably about 50 to 100 ° C., and a molecular weight, particularly a number average molecular weight of about 10,000 or less, is preferred. Of course, it is also possible to use a higher molecular weight compound or a crosslinked resin in combination as an additive. Oils, gelling agents and the like may be added. Also, during thermal transfer,
It is preferable to adjust the melt viscosity of the substance of the main component to be about 10 ⁵ POISE or less, preferably about 10 ⁴ POISE or less.

3) Colored coating film: A mixture of a coloring material of 5 to 98% by weight, preferably about 20% by weight or more, and a binder resin of a relatively high molecular weight of 95 to 2% by weight. The weight ratio between the colorant and the binder is an important parameter. In addition, the film thickness varies depending on the hiding power of the coloring material.
30 μm. As the binder resin, styrene, acrylic, polyester, polyamide, epoxy, urethane, silicone, fluororesin, polyethylene, polypropylene and the like are preferable. Particularly, a resin having good compatibility with the toner is easily used, and particularly, polyester, polystyrene, styrene /
Styrene / acrylic copolymers such as butadiene copolymer, styrene / n-butyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene / butyl acrylate copolymer, and styrene / 2-ethylhexyl copolymer are easily used. The glass transition temperature is about 50 ° C. or more, preferably about 65 ° C. or more, and the melt viscosity of the main component during thermal transfer is about 10 ⁵ POISE or more.
Adjustment to preferably about 10 ⁷ POISE or more facilitates prevention of background contamination. Examples of the internal colorant include various organic pigments, dyes, TiO ₂ , ZnO, resin fine powder, silica,
White pigments such as charcoal, extender pigments, etc.
Surfactants, waxes, oils such as silicone oil, conductive agents, reinforcing agents and the like may be added. As a coloring material for concealing the toner layer, a pigment is easier to use than a dye. The dye can be easily used by using in combination with a white pigment such as titanium oxide, zinc oxide, and resin fine powder which promote light scattering. It goes without saying that pigments and white pigments can be used in combination. As the heating and pressurizing device, a hot roll fuser used as a toner fixing device of a general electronic copying machine, an electric iron used at a general home, and the like can be used.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of the structure of a heating / pressing device comprising a heating roller 15 and a pressure roller 16. The thermal transfer conditions need to be in such a range that the toner image and the intermediate adhesive layer are melted, and only the colored coating layer 3 is not melted. For example, when the above-mentioned hot roll fuser or the like is used,
The following ranges are preferred. Heating roll temperature 100 to 250 ° C. Heating time 0.03 to 3 sec Pressure 0.1 to 10 kg / cm ² or more Color film 1 having a configuration of not less than 10
When heated and pressed under the above conditions in a state of being superposed on the toner 11 above, the low-temperature melting adhesive layer 4 and the toner 11 are melted and the colored coating film 3 is firmly adhered to the toner 11. At this time,
Since the colored coating film 3 is not melted, no adhesive force is generated between the copy paper sheet surface 10a where no toner is present and the colored coating film 3 in contact with this surface. Remains on the base film. When the color film is peeled off from the toner image after heating, peeling occurs at the interface between the base film and the intermediate adhesive layer 4 in the portion where the toner exists, and the coating layer 3 and the intermediate adhesive layer 4 remain on the toner image. I do. Nothing adheres to the copy paper surface 10a where no toner is present. As described above, by interposing the intermediate adhesive layer 4, the adhesive strength between the base film 1 and the colored coating layer 3 can be reduced.
It becomes easy to make the adhesive strength lower than the adhesive strength between the two, and it becomes possible to separate only the colored coating film 3 in an area corresponding to the shape of the toner 11 from other colored coating film portions. Further, the intermediate adhesive layer 4 remaining on the color coating film transferred to the toner 11 also serves as a protective film for the color coating film 3. By providing such color films in various colors, the range of colors that can be colored can be greatly expanded. Next, specific examples will be described.

(Example 1) First, a color film was prepared in the following procedure. On a base film composed of a polyester film having a thickness of 25 μm, an intermediate adhesive layer composed of 70 parts of paraffin wax, 25 parts of micro wax, 3 parts of ethylene / vinyl acetate, 2 parts of rosin, and a small amount of an oxidation inhibitor is applied at 5 μm. Further, a pigmented coating having a viscosity of 20 cs, obtained by melting and mixing a pigment, 90 parts of phthalocyanine blue, 10 parts of a crystalline polyethylene, with a toluene solution to a thickness of 20 μm using a bar coater, was applied to the intermediate adhesive layer by a bar coater. Fifteen
Dried for minutes. FIG. 5 shows a color film having the above structure.
5 (b), the toner image 11 is colored and applied as shown in FIG. 5 (b) by heating and pressing under the following conditions. It was completely covered by the membrane 3 and the intermediate adhesive layer 4. Heating roll 15: φ40mm surface Teflon coating 160 ° C heating Pressing roll 16: φ40mm Silicon rubber coating 100 ° C heating Contact width of both rolls 5mm Pressure 2.5kg / cm ² Roll rotation speed 30mm / sec No colored coating film adhered to the recording paper portion where no toner was present. Further, since the surface of the transferred colored coating film layer was covered with the intermediate adhesive layer, the surface did not fall off even when rubbed or bent with a finger, and a sufficient fixing state was obtained.

(Example 2) An intermediate adhesive layer consisting of 20 parts of ester wax, 10 parts of ethylene / vinyl acetate resin and 40 parts of styrene-grafted polyethylene was hot-coated at a thickness of about 3 μm on a base film composed of a PET film having a thickness of 12 μm. Melt coating was performed, and toluene and 40 parts of phthalocyanine blue, 20 parts of titanium oxide, and 50 parts of St / butyl acrylate copolymer were melt-mixed with an attritor.
A color film was obtained by solvent coating at 0 μm. FIG. 5 shows a color film having the above structure.
5A, the toner image 11 is overlaid on the toner 11 of the recording paper 10 in the state shown in FIG. 5A, and then heated and pressed under the same conditions as in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG.
Was completely covered with the colored coating film 3 and the intermediate adhesive layer 4. No colored coating film adhered to the portion of the recording paper where no toner was present. Further, since the surface of the transferred colored coating film layer was covered with the intermediate adhesive layer, the surface did not fall off even when rubbed or bent with a finger, and a sufficient fixing state was obtained.

[0015]

As described above, according to the method for colorizing a toner image using the thermal transfer color film of the present invention, a low-melting adhesive layer and a colored coating layer are sequentially laminated on a heat-resistant base film. Since the colored coating layer is configured to be directly transferred to the surface of the toner image on the recording paper in a molten state and thus peeled and transferred from the heat-resistant base film, a developing machine is provided for each color. The complexity of the structure and the limitation on the number of colors can be eliminated. Further, the present invention relates to a method for heating a recording sheet
And coating the colored coating layer directly on the toner image surface
Transfer, that is, the toner itself is sticky in the heated state
By utilizing the fact that the colored coating layer is formed on the toner image surface
Because it is transferred directly to
Color coating film can be selected without providing a separate resin coating layer
Can be transferred to

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration explanatory view of a color film according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is an explanatory view showing a transfer procedure using the color film of FIG. 1; (B) Explanatory drawing which shows the procedure of the transfer by the color film of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a configuration explanatory view of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a heating and pressing device.

FIG. 5 (a) is an explanatory view showing a transfer procedure using the color film of FIG. 3; (B) Explanatory drawing which shows the transfer procedure by the color film of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 color film 2 heat-resistant base film 3 colored coating layer 4 low-temperature melting adhesive layer 10 recording paper 11 toner image 15 heating roller 16 pressure roller

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A heat transfer color film having a heat-resistant base film and a colored coating layer formed on the heat-resistant base film and containing a binder resin and an internal coloring material, is formed in a color different from the color coating. On the recording sheet on which the toner image is formed, the colored coating layer of the thermal transfer color film and the toner image of the recording sheet are superimposed, and then heated to melt the toner of the recording sheet to form a toner image on the surface of the toner image.
A method for colorizing a toner image, comprising directly transferring the coating film of the colored coating layer.