JP2995379B2 - Recording medium and recording apparatus using the recording medium - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the printing industry, which requires high-speed output of high-quality images, the office, the printer industry based on personal requirements, and low-cost general-purpose output equipment using various types of recording paper. The present invention relates to a recording medium for obtaining an output image on recording paper that can meet a wide range of needs up to the consumer goods industry, and a recording apparatus using the recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a heat melting type recording which is a kind of a conventional heat transfer recording method, as shown in FIG. 3, a heat transfer recording medium 33 is mainly composed of natural waxes such as carnauba wax and ester wax and heat melting resin. Etc. as binder material,
A hot-melt type coloring ink 31 to which a coloring agent such as a pigment or a dye, a softening agent, an adjusting agent, and the like are added is applied onto a base film substrate 32 such as polyethylene terephthalate.

Here, the base film substrate 32 is relatively thick so as to maintain the mechanical strength during transportation, and the back side is subjected to a treatment having heat resistance and lubricity for the thermal head. And in this heat melting type recording apparatus,
Thermal energy is supplied from the thermal head to a position on the thermal transfer recording medium corresponding to a desired output print or image, and the viscosity of the hot melt type coloring ink 31 at the position is changed. At the same time, pressure is applied from a thermal head or the like to change the viscosity of the hot melt type colored ink 3
1, that is, the hot melt type coloring ink 31 located at a position corresponding to a desired output print or image is attached to and penetrates the thermal transfer recording paper. Thereafter, the thermal transfer recording medium and the thermal transfer recording paper are peeled off in a state where the colored ink is cooled, whereby a desired output print or image is obtained on the thermal transfer recording paper.

Such a conventional thermal transfer recording apparatus has a simple recording mechanism of applying thermal energy and pressure to a thermal transfer recording medium from a thermal head.
With a recording mechanism condensed in a very short time, a relatively high-quality printed or output image can be obtained on recording paper. Also, the print or image output on the recording paper has high sharpness, high density output print quality and durability,
Good environmental friendliness.

Further, the thermal transfer recording apparatus has a characteristic that it is compact and maintenance-free.

[0006]

However, in the conventional thermal transfer recording apparatus, the output print quality tends to depend on the thermal transfer recording medium, the specifications of the recording head, the mechanism around the recording head, the assembly accuracy, and the like. In order to obtain output printing, the heating elements of the thermal head in the recording apparatus are applied and controlled according to the output image pixels. Therefore, the ink on the thermal transfer recording medium is supplied with thermal energy from the back of the thermal transfer recording medium to the hot-melt type colored ink on the thermal transfer recording medium with the thermal transfer recording paper sandwiched therebetween. Maintain a constant concentration of the hot melt type coloring ink in order to effectively use the heat energy in the output image pixel area controlled and applied without dissipating the heat energy to the substrate of the thermal transfer recording medium and the hot melt type coloring ink layer. In addition, improvements have been made to thinning of the base material of the thermal transfer recording medium or the hot melt type colored ink layer itself as long as the ink adhesion to the thermal transfer recording paper is not impaired. However, the thinning of the hot-melt type colored ink layer, on the other hand, has created a demand for high smoothness specifications for recording paper, which has led to the use of specialty paper and special specifications. It is not preferable because it goes in the opposite direction to that of plain paper.

In the thermal head, various improvements have been made to improve the adhesion of the colored ink to the recording paper and to improve the output print quality. For example, convex glaze of the thermal head, uniformity of the protective film height in the sub-scanning direction of the heating element, optimization of the heating element shape and heating element thickness, or improvement of the temperature rise / fall characteristics of the heating element, Uniform or high resistance value of each heat resistance,
Optimization including thermal head materials such as high resolution is being performed. However, between adjacent heating elements in the sub-scanning direction of the thermal head, and particularly between output image pixels in the main scanning direction during continuous or high-speed output printing, the thermal storage phenomenon of the thermal head adversely affects the formation of output image pixel dots on recording paper. To cause the deterioration of pixel dot reproducibility on recording paper. That is, at present, high definition of output print quality and high speed of the recording apparatus are behind.

Further, in the main components such as a thermal transfer recording medium, a thermal head and a platen roller in the recording apparatus,
It is necessary to evaluate a print sample or the like which actually outputs the contact state, pressure, and the like from the thermal head to the thermal transfer recording medium or the recording paper and fine-tune the assembly so as to perform proper and accurate assembly.

Due to the anticipated needs for higher definition printing quality, higher speed, and conversion to plain paper, improvements in recording head materials, thermal transfer recording media, or printing control have been made. A laser thermal transfer method, a multi-ribbon recording method, a method using microcapsules, and the like have been proposed, but have not yet resulted in obtaining sufficiently improved quality. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium capable of performing high-definition and high-quality printing at high speed and capable of performing output printing regardless of recording paper, and a recording apparatus using the recording medium.

[0010]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a recording medium according to the present invention has a first structure comprising: a base material;
A photo-curable ink layer in which a hot-melt ink in which a colorant and a photo-curable resin are mixed on the base material is applied; a release layer formed on the photo-curable ink layer; and a release layer. , An optical functional layer formed on the optical functional layer, and a protective layer formed on the optical functional layer, and at least five layers.

In a second aspect of the recording medium of the present invention, a base material, a hot melt type ink layer mainly containing a colorant and a binder material on the base material, and a recording medium formed on the ink layer A photocurable layer containing the photocurable resin as a main component, a release layer further formed on the photocurable layer, an optical functional layer further formed on the release layer, and the optical functional layer Having at least six layers and a protective layer formed thereon.

Further, in the recording medium of the first and second constitutions of the present invention, in order to efficiently use the light energy supplied from the recording means, light is reflected on the surface on the substrate and on the laminated surface on the release layer. The recording medium having a configuration in which the material is deposited is also shown. The present invention also relates to a recording apparatus using the recording medium of the first configuration, wherein the first configuration is added to the optical function layer.
The recording apparatus is configured to include at least a recording unit that supplies light energy in a specific wavelength region and a light irradiation unit that irradiates the entire surface of the recording medium with light energy in the second specific wavelength region through the optical functional layer.

Further, the present invention provides a recording apparatus using the recording medium of the first configuration, wherein
In the recording apparatus having the configuration described above, at least a peeling means for peeling the release layer from the photocurable ink layer, and a hot melt type coloring in the photocurable ink layer when a desired print or image is fixed on recording paper. The configuration includes a fixing head that performs thermal control for activating the ink layer.

Further, the present invention provides a recording apparatus using the recording medium of the first configuration, wherein
In order to promote this photochemical reaction, at least when the optical functional layer is supplied with light energy in the first specific wavelength range from the recording means, clouding or blocking of light occurs due to scattering of light in the recording device having the above structure. A heating means for supplying heat to the recording medium so as to obtain a thermal bias effect is provided, and a structure capable of controlling the temperature is further provided.

Further, the present invention provides a recording apparatus using the recording medium of the first configuration, wherein
In the recording apparatus having the above configuration, at least a pressurizing unit for promoting the transfer of the photocurable ink layer to the recording paper is further provided. Still further, the present invention provides a recording apparatus using the recording medium of the first configuration, wherein the recording apparatus of the second configuration includes at least a heating unit for peeling which applies a thermal bias at the time of the peeling unit. Was further provided.

Further, the present invention provides a recording apparatus using the recording medium of the first configuration, wherein
In order to promote this photochemical reaction, at least when the optical functional layer is supplied with light energy in the first specific wavelength range from the recording means, clouding or blocking of light occurs due to scattering of light in the recording device having the above structure. A heating means for supplying heat to the recording medium so as to obtain a thermal bias effect is provided so that the temperature can be controlled, and a pressure means for promoting the transfer of the photocurable ink layer to the recording paper is further provided. The configuration was provided.

Further, the present invention provides a recording apparatus using the recording medium of the first configuration, wherein
In order to promote this photochemical reaction, at least when the optical functional layer is supplied with light energy in the first specific wavelength range from the recording means, clouding or blocking of light occurs due to scattering of light in the recording device having the above structure. A heating means for supplying heat to the recording medium is provided so as to obtain a thermal bias effect so that the temperature can be controlled, and a heating means for peeling which applies a thermal bias at the time of peeling is further provided.

Further, the present invention provides a recording apparatus using the recording medium of the first configuration, wherein
In the recording apparatus having the above configuration, at least a peeling heating unit for applying a thermal bias at the time of the peeling unit and a pressurizing unit for promoting the transfer of the photocurable ink layer to the recording paper are further provided.

The present invention further provides a ninth configuration of a recording apparatus using the recording medium of the first configuration, wherein
In order to promote this photochemical reaction, at least when the optical functional layer is supplied with light energy in the first specific wavelength range from the recording means, clouding or blocking of light occurs in the recording apparatus having the above structure. A heating means for supplying heat to the recording medium so as to obtain a thermal bias effect is provided so that the temperature can be controlled, a heating means for peeling which applies a thermal bias at the time of peeling, and the recording of the photocurable ink layer. A configuration is further provided in which a pressurizing means for promoting transfer to paper is further provided.

The present invention further comprises a first configuration of the recording apparatus using the recording medium of the second configuration, comprising: recording means for supplying light energy of a first specific wavelength band to the optical function layer; The structure has at least light irradiation means for irradiating the entire surface of the recording medium with light energy in the second specific wavelength range through the optical function layer.

Further, the present invention provides a recording apparatus using the recording medium of the second configuration, wherein
The recording apparatus having the configuration described above, at least a peeling unit that peels off the release layer from the ink layer together with the light energy irradiating unit of the photocurable layer, and the inside of the ink layer when a desired print or image is fixed on recording paper. And a fixing head for performing thermal control for activating the hot melt type colored ink layer.

Still further, the present invention provides a recording apparatus using the recording medium of the second configuration, wherein
In order to promote this photochemical reaction, at least when the optical functional layer is supplied with light energy in the first specific wavelength range from the recording means, clouding or blocking of light occurs due to scattering of light in the recording device having the above structure. A heating means for supplying heat to the recording medium so as to obtain a thermal bias effect is provided, and a structure capable of controlling the temperature is further provided.

Further, the present invention provides a recording apparatus using the recording medium of the second configuration, wherein
The recording apparatus having the above configuration is further provided with a pressurizing means for facilitating transfer of at least the colored ink that has permeated from the micropores of the photocurable layer to recording paper.

Still further, the present invention provides a recording apparatus using the recording medium of the second configuration, wherein the fifth configuration includes the second configuration.
The recording apparatus having the above configuration further includes at least a heating unit for peeling which applies a thermal bias at the time of peeling. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a recording apparatus using the recording medium of the second configuration, wherein the recording apparatus of the second configuration includes at least the first optical function layer from a recording unit. A heating means for supplying heat to the recording medium is provided so as to obtain a thermal bias effect in order to promote a photochemical reaction in which light turbidity or light blocking occurs due to light scattering when light energy in a specific wavelength range is supplied. And a pressurizing means for facilitating the transfer of the colored ink oozing out of the fine pores of the photocurable layer to recording paper.

Further, the present invention provides a recording apparatus using the recording medium of the second configuration, wherein
In order to promote this photochemical reaction, at least when the optical functional layer is supplied with light energy in the first specific wavelength range from the recording means, clouding or blocking of light occurs due to scattering of light in the recording device having the above structure. A heating means for supplying heat to the recording medium is provided so as to obtain a thermal bias effect so that the temperature can be controlled, and a heating means for peeling which applies a thermal bias at the time of peeling is further provided.

The present invention further provides an eighth aspect of the recording apparatus using the recording medium of the second configuration, wherein
The recording apparatus of the configuration, at least, a heating device at the time of peeling to apply a thermal bias at the time of peeling device, and a pressurizing device that promotes the transfer of the colored ink that has oozed from the fine holes of the photocurable layer to the recording paper The configuration was further provided.

Further, according to the present invention, a ninth configuration of the recording apparatus using the recording medium of the second configuration is changed to the second configuration.
In order to promote this photochemical reaction, at least when the optical functional layer is supplied with light energy in the first specific wavelength range from the recording means, clouding or blocking of light occurs in the recording apparatus having the above structure. A heating means for supplying heat to the recording medium so as to obtain a thermal bias effect is provided so that the temperature can be controlled, and a heating means for peeling which applies a thermal bias at the time of peeling, and a fine hole of the photocurable layer. A configuration is further provided in which a pressurizing means for promoting the transfer of the exuded colored ink to the recording paper is provided.

[0028]

In the recording medium of the first configuration as described above, in the recording process of recording desired characters or images on the recording medium, the first character supplied from the recording means in the recording apparatus is used.
In accordance with the light energy in the specific wavelength range, the optical functional layer is turbid or blocked due to scattering of light, thereby forming a two-dimensional image due to the difference in light transmittance. By irradiating the entire surface of the recording medium with light energy of the second specific wavelength range, the photocurable ink layer is divided into an irradiated portion and an unirradiated portion, and an image is formed by the cured portion and the uncured portion. Further, the peeling layer is peeled from the photocurable ink layer by a peeling means, the recording paper and the recording medium are overlapped with each other, and the photocurable ink layer is heated and pressed from the back surface of the substrate. The activated hot-melt type coloring ink in the molten state that has been activated from the cured portion moves to the recording paper and penetrates and adheres to the recording paper, so that a desired print or image can be obtained on the recording paper.

Next, in the recording medium of the second configuration, in a recording process of recording a desired character or image on the recording medium, the light energy of the first specific wavelength range supplied from the recording means in the recording apparatus. Accordingly, the optical function layer is opaque due to light scattering or light is blocked, thereby forming a two-dimensional image due to the difference in light transmittance. By irradiating light energy of 2 specific wavelength regions, the photocurable layer is divided into an irradiated portion and a non-irradiated portion, and an image is formed due to a difference in adhesiveness. Further, when the peeling layer and the photocurable layer are peeled off by the peeling means, the light energy irradiating portion of the photocurable layer is adhered to the peeling layer side. It will remain on the layer side. Therefore,
In the photocurable layer, the portion removed together with the release layer becomes a fine through hole. The recording paper and this recording medium are overlapped, and the hot-melt type colored ink activated from the through-hole processing portion of the photocurable layer by the heating and pressing means from the back surface of the base material moves and permeates the recording paper. As a result, the desired print or image can be obtained on the recording paper.

At this time, as a recording means for supplying light energy of the first specific wavelength range to the recording medium having the first and second structures, a recording means which irradiates a laser beam or the like can be used.
The use of this recording means makes it possible to perform recording processing at a very high speed because of the feature that a latent image can be formed in a non-contact manner.

Further, the image forming optical system from the recording means to the recording medium, the wavelength of light emitted from the recording means, or the output of the recording means, the number of irradiations, or the pulse width and modulation intensity of the irradiation light during pulse modulation are properly adjusted. By setting to, it is possible to obtain an appropriate finely processed shape such as a perfect circular irradiation area. That is, since a very small area constituting an output image pixel can be obtained, extremely high-resolution recording processing can be performed.

Further, as a light irradiating means for supplying light energy in the second specific wavelength range to the recording medium having the first and second structures in the recording process, a light irradiating type using a UV lamp or the like can be used. This second specific wavelength range is the first specific wavelength range.
It does not include the specific wavelength range.

Further, in the recording medium of the first configuration, in the recording process, the recording paper transfer of the hot melt type colored ink does not occur in the photocurable ink layer remaining region of the photocurable ink layer. Furthermore, in the recording medium of the second configuration, the ink layer below the unirradiated portion of the photocured layer in the recording process does not contribute to the transfer of the hot melt type colored ink to the recording paper.

Thereafter, the desired printing or image can be obtained on the recording paper by peeling the recording medium having the first and second configurations from the recording paper. At that time, the fluidity of the hot-melt type coloring ink is controlled by appropriate setting of the viscosity characteristics of the hot-melt type coloring ink itself and the ink activation transition point from the fixing head, and the degree of penetration into the recording paper side is determined. . Similarly, by controlling the pressing force and the pressing time between the recording medium and the recording paper, the transferability of the hot-melt type colored ink to the recording paper can be promoted.

In this case, in order to obtain high quality output printing on various types of recording paper, ink having a low melt viscosity was used. Improve the quality and printing quality difference caused by the difference in the ink supercooling characteristics on resin-based recording paper such as OHP by properly controlling the amount of hot-melt type colored ink transferred and the viscosity of the ink during transfer in this fixing process. It is possible to

Conventionally, in a thermal transfer recording apparatus, when the ink transferred to the recording paper is in a cold state, the recording medium is used as a means for promoting the separability between the ink in the non-transfer area and the ink in the transfer area in the recording medium. And peeling off the recording paper. Here, using the recording medium and the recording apparatus having the first and second configurations, transfer is performed in an appropriate ink state according to the surface state of various recording papers, and an appropriate ink state on the recording paper is transferred through a peeling unit in the recording apparatus. Thus, the desired characters or images can be faithfully reproduced and the fixing can be controlled.

The recording medium of the first and second constitutions of the present invention changes the viscosity characteristics of the recording medium itself, unlike the conventional thermal transfer recording system in which the ink layer is heated and melted. Therefore, unlike the conventional thermal transfer recording apparatus, there is no inconvenience that the ink in the portion that should not be printed is partially melted by the influence of heat and is transferred to the recording paper. In other words, by using the recording media having the first and second configurations of the present invention, higher-definition output printing and images can be obtained.

When a recording apparatus using the recording medium of the first or second construction is constructed, a recording process for writing desired prints and images on the optical functional layer by the recording means, and a method for activating the ink. Thus, the fixing process for transferring the image to the recording paper can be independently optimized, and the print quality can be further improved. Further, since it is possible to write desired prints and images on a recording medium by the recording unit in a state where the ink is activated by thermal control, the recording unit and the configuration of the recording device elements such as the fixing head enable the recording. A thermal bias effect can be given during processing, and the speed of output printing can be increased.

Further, since the recording process and the fixing process can be performed on the recording medium, the simplification of the recording device and the miniaturization of the components are advanced, and a recording device free of maintenance and having small loss of energy consumption can be obtained. In addition, the output printing is not performed on the recording paper, and the recording medium having the first and second configurations, which has been subjected to the recording processing by the recording unit and the light irradiation unit, can be directly used as the output printed material.

[0040]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1A is a sectional configuration diagram of a recording medium 6 having a first configuration of the present invention. The recording medium 6 has a laminated structure of a base material 1, a photocurable ink layer 2, a release layer 3, an optical functional layer 4, and a protective layer 5.

The substrate 1 is obtained by subjecting a base film such as polyethylene terephthalate or the like to a back treatment incorporating heat resistance and lubricity. The photocurable ink layer 2 formed on the base material 1 has a melting point by irradiating the entire recording medium 6 with light energy of a second specific wavelength range by the light irradiation means through the optical functional layer 4. Pigment or dye which becomes colorant such as carbon black with functional ink which rises or changes its viscosity characteristics, and heat-meltable resin, photo-curable monomer, oligomer, Kent solvent, hydrocarbon solvent, dispersant, photopolymerization It contains an initiator and further additives such as a thermal polymerization inhibitor.

The release layer 3 formed on the photocurable ink layer 2 comprises the optical functional layer 4 and the photocurable ink layer 2.
This is a layer provided for peeling off. The release layer 3
It can be made of the same material as the base material 1. When the optical function layer 4 formed on the release layer 3 is irradiated with light energy in the first specific wavelength range from the recording means, it becomes cloudy due to scattering of light or the like, or the light is blocked. A two-dimensional image is formed on the layer 4 due to a difference in light transmittance. The optical functional layer 4 is mainly composed of a thermoplastic resin (thermally fusible resin), a photocurable monomer or oligomer, a ketone solvent, a hydrocarbon solvent, a dispersant, a photopolymerization initiator, a photosensitizer, It contains additives such as a thermal polymerization inhibitor.

The protective layer 5 formed on the optical functional layer 4 is a layer provided for preventing and protecting the photocurable resin in the optical functional layer from a dark reaction due to oxygen (air). It is. The protective layer is made of a material having a natural wax such as carnauba wax and ester wax.

FIG. 1B shows the release layer 3 for efficiently using the light energy supplied from the recording means.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a recording medium using a release base material on which an upper surface is provided with a reflective material 7 such as aluminum vapor deposition that reflects light that has passed through the protective layer 5 and the optical function layer 4.

FIG. 1 (c) shows a substrate provided with a reflective material 7 such as aluminum vapor-deposited on the surface of the substrate 1 for reflecting light on the surface of the substrate 1 in order to efficiently irradiate the photocurable ink layer 2 with light energy. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a recording medium that uses a. Reflector 7
May be iron, nickel, cobalt, gold, or alloys thereof as long as they reflect light and have the same functions and effects other than aluminum deposition.

Further, FIG. 1 (d) shows that the optical function layer 4 irradiated with light energy in the first specific wavelength range from the recording means becomes clouded or blocked by light scattering or the like, and the light transmittance. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a recording medium on which a two-dimensional image due to a difference is formed. FIG. 1E shows the optical function layer 4.
A photo-curable ink layer 2 irradiated with light energy of a second specific wavelength range from a light irradiation unit over the entire surface of the recording medium on which a two-dimensional image having a difference in light transmittance is formed is irradiated with a light-irradiated portion and a non-light-irradiated portion. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a recording medium that is divided into a plurality of portions, and on which a two-dimensional image of a cured portion and an uncured portion is formed.

FIG. 2A is a sectional view of a recording medium 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those of the recording medium 6 of the first configuration in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Recording medium 10
Has a laminated structure of a base material 1, an ink layer 8, a photocurable layer 9, a release layer 3, an optical functional layer 4, and a protective layer 5.

The substrate 1 can be made of the same material as the recording medium 6 of the first configuration. The ink layer 8 formed on the base material 1 is obtained by adding a pigment serving as a colorant such as carbon black to a binder material such as a hot-melt resin and further blending a softener.

The photo-cured layer 9 formed on the ink layer 8 is irradiated with light energy of a second specific wavelength range from the light irradiating means to the entire recording medium 10 through the optical functional layer 4. It is divided into an irradiated part and an unirradiated part, and an image is formed due to the difference in adhesiveness. The photocurable layer 9 is
It contains a photocurable monomer or oligomer as a main component, and contains additives such as a ketone solvent, a hydrocarbon solvent, a dispersant, a photopolymerization initiator, a photosensitizer, and a thermal polymerization inhibitor.

The release layer 3 formed on the photocurable layer 9
By peeling off the release layer 3 and the photocurable layer 9, the light energy irradiating portion of the photocurable layer 9 is adhered to the release layer 3 side, and the unirradiated portion remains on the ink layer 8 side. In other words, the through-holes of the fine holes are formed in the photo-cured layer 9. The release layer 3 can be made of the same material as the recording medium 6 of the first configuration.

The optical function layer 4 formed on the release layer 3
When light energy in the first specific wavelength range is irradiated from the recording means, clouding or light blocking occurs due to light scattering or the like, and a two-dimensional image is formed on the optical function layer 4 due to a difference in light transmittance. Is what is done. The optical function layer 4 includes the first
It can be made of the same material as the recording medium 6 having the structure.

The protective layer 5 formed on the optical functional layer 4 is a layer provided for preventing and protecting the photocurable resin in the optical functional layer from a dark reaction due to oxygen (air). It is. The protective layer 5 can be made of the same material as the recording medium 6 of the first configuration.

FIG. 2B shows the release layer 3 for efficiently using the light energy supplied from the recording means.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a recording medium using a release base material on which an upper surface is provided with a reflective material 7 such as aluminum vapor deposition that reflects light that has passed through the protective layer 5 and the optical function layer 4.

Further, FIG. 2 (c) shows the use of a base material provided with a reflecting material 7 such as aluminum vapor deposition which reflects light on the surface of the base material 1 in order to efficiently irradiate the photocurable layer 9 with light energy. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a recording medium obtained. The reflector 7 can be made of the same material as the recording medium 6 of the first configuration.

Further, FIG. 2D shows that the optical function layer 4 irradiated with the light energy in the first specific wavelength range from the recording means becomes clouded due to light scattering or the like, or the light is blocked, and the light transmittance is increased. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a recording medium on which a two-dimensional image due to a difference is formed. FIG. 2E shows the optical function layer 4.
On the entire surface of the recording medium on which a two-dimensional image having a difference in light transmittance is formed, a light curing layer 9 irradiated with light energy in a second specific wavelength range from a light irradiation unit is provided in a light irradiation part and a non-light irradiation part. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a recording medium that is divided and on which an image is formed due to a difference in adhesiveness.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a recording apparatus using the recording medium 6 of the first configuration of the present invention. Also, FIG.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged explanatory view of the recording processing means in the recording apparatus using the recording medium 6 of the first configuration. In FIG.
The recording medium supply roller 11 sends out the recording medium 6 so that the recording means 13 emits the laser beam 12 to a position corresponding to a desired output image pixel. The optical function layer 4 in the portion irradiated with the laser light 12 becomes clouded due to light scattering or the like, or the light is blocked, and a two-dimensional image is formed on the optical function layer 4 due to a difference in light transmittance. This two-dimensional image is represented by a fine dot shape corresponding to the output image pixel.
Here, it goes without saying that the laser beam 12 is used efficiently by matching the oscillation wavelength (first specific wavelength range) of the laser beam 12 with the extinction coefficient of the optical function layer 4. In addition, the recording unit 13 performs optimization of the irradiation light intensity distribution, the imaging light spot shape, and the like with an optical lens or the like with respect to the laser light emitted from a laser oscillation device such as a semiconductor laser and the like. It can be composed of a laser light scanning mechanism configured.

In the present recording apparatus, since the recording means 13 irradiates the laser beam 12, the image due to the difference in light transmittance is hidden in the optical function layer 4 at the position corresponding to the desired output image pixel without contact. Can be imaged. Further, in this embodiment, the heating roller 15 controls the heating from the base material 1 side of the recording medium so that a thermal bias effect is obtained in the optical functional layer 4 in order to promote a photochemical reaction when irradiating the laser beam 12. And Of course, the recording apparatus of the present invention can be configured even if the heat roller 15 is omitted in order to simplify the recording apparatus. However, the provision of the heat roller 15 is more effective. The heating means for obtaining the thermal bias effect is not limited to the heat roller 15, but is not limited as long as it supplies heat to the recording medium.

Further, the UV lamp 14 is provided with the optical function layer 4.
Then, the entire surface of the recording medium 6 is irradiated with light energy to form a two-dimensional image of the cured portion and the uncured portion on the photocurable ink layer 2. Here, the UV lamp 14 is used efficiently by matching the light wavelength (second specific wavelength range) from the UV lamp 14 with the absorption coefficient of the photocurable ink layer 2. Also, U
The light wavelength (the second specific wavelength range) from the V lamp 14 does not include the oscillation wavelength (the first specific wavelength range) of the laser light 12.

The peeling layer winding roller 17 peels off the optical functional layer 4 and the protective layer 5 together with the peeling layer 3 so that the uncured portion of the photocurable ink layer 2 is located at a position corresponding to a desired output image pixel. Let it remain. Further, in this embodiment, the heat roller 16 is provided in the peeling process, so that the peeling can be performed more quickly and efficiently. Of course, to simplify the recording device,
Even if the heat roller 16 is omitted, the recording apparatus of the present invention can be configured. However, when the heat roller 16 is provided, the peeling can be performed more efficiently.

In order to further perform the transfer, the recording medium 6 is driven and conveyed by the recording medium take-up roller 22 or the recording medium supply roller 11 and is carried into the fixing head 19. Further, the fixing roller 20 (platen roller) presses the recording paper 21 brought in from another transport path into close contact with the photocurable ink layer 2 side of the recording medium 6, and the base material is pressed by the fixing head 19. Heated from one side.
In addition, in order to uniformly press the transfer surface, the fixing head 19 is pressed by the pressing roller 18 here. In this embodiment, a heat roller is used as the fixing head 19, but the present invention is not limited to this.

The fixing head 19 is set at a temperature equal to or higher than the transition point of the hot-melt type coloring ink in the photocurable ink layer 2, and the hot-melt type coloring ink is activated here. The activated hot melt type coloring ink flows from the uncured portion of the photocurable ink layer 2 into the recording paper 21 by the pressing of the fixing roller 20 and the pressure roller 18, and the hot melt type coloring ink permeates, And adhere. That is, the hot melt type coloring ink is transferred to a position on the recording paper 21 corresponding to a desired output image pixel. Here, in order to simplify the recording apparatus, the recording apparatus of the present invention can be configured even if the pressure roller 18 is omitted, but the provision of the pressure roller 18 enables better fixing.

Thereafter, the recording medium 6 and the recording paper 21 which are in close contact with each other are
Is stably peeled off by the recording device peeling section of the means for realizing the ink fixing state according to the type of the recording paper 21, so that a desired output print or image can be obtained even during continuous output. FIG. 6 shows a latent image process by the laser beam 12 from the recording means 13 of the recording apparatus using the recording medium 6 of the first configuration of the present invention, and a recording for peeling off the photocurable ink layer 2 and the peeling layer 3. FIG. 3 is a mechanism configuration diagram in which a processing unit is enlarged. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The laser light 12 emitted from the recording means 13 causes the optical function layer 4 to become clouded or blocked by light scattering, and a two-dimensional image is formed due to a difference in light transmittance.

In this embodiment, as described above, the photofunctional layer 4 is used to promote the photochemical reaction when the laser beam 12 is irradiated.
The heat roller 15 controls the heating of the recording medium from the substrate 1 side so that the thermal bias effect can be obtained. Thereafter, when light energy is applied to the entire surface of the recording medium 6 through the optical functional layer 4 by the UV lamp 14, the photocurable ink layer 2 is divided into an irradiated portion and an unirradiated portion, and the photocurable ink layer 2 is divided into a cured portion and an uncured portion. An image is formed. The optical functional layer 4 together with the release layer 3 wound by the release layer winding roller 17;
Since the protective layer 5 is peeled off, the uncured portion of the UV-curable ink layer 2 of the photocurable ink layer 2 is present on the recording medium 6 at a position corresponding to a desired output image pixel on the base material 1. It is in a state.

Here, the heat roller 16 is provided in the peeling process, so that the peeling can be performed at higher speed and more efficiently. FIG. 7 is a mechanism configuration in which a transfer processing unit in the fixing head 19 of the recording apparatus using the recording medium 6 of the first configuration of the present invention and a peeling unit that peels off the recording paper 21 from the recording medium 6 are enlarged. FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The uncured portion 71 of the photocurable ink layer 2 is placed at a position corresponding to a desired output image pixel by the recording processing portion.
The recording medium 6 on which is formed is carried into the fixing head 19. Fixing roller 20 (platen roller) such that recording paper 21 and recording medium 6 carried in from another conveyance path are in close contact with each other.
And heated by the fixing head 19 from the substrate 1 side.

The fixing head 19 is set at a temperature equal to or higher than the transition point of the hot melt type coloring ink in the photocurable ink layer 2, and the hot melt type coloring ink is activated here. The activated hot-melt type coloring ink flows into the recording paper 21 by the hot-melt type coloring ink 73 of the uncured portion 71 of the photocurable ink layer 2 due to the pressing of the fixing roller 20 and the pressure roller 18. Penetrates and adheres. That is, the hot melt type coloring ink 73 is transferred to a position on the recording paper 21 corresponding to a desired output image pixel. After that, the recording medium 6 in close contact
And the recording paper 21 are stably peeled off by a recording device peeling unit of a means for realizing an ink fixing state according to the type of the recording paper 21 so that a desired output print or image can be continuously output. can get.

Regarding the peeling section of the recording apparatus, by controlling the peeling time and the peeling angle of the recording medium 6 and the recording paper 21, the recording medium 6 can be separated from the recording medium 6 in accordance with the surface condition of the recording paper 21 and the desired output print quality. Ink flowing to the recording paper 21 side,
An appropriate final print quality can be obtained on the recording paper 21 with respect to the transfer state such as penetration and adhesion and the viscosity state of the ink. Therefore, it is possible to select a wide range of various types of recording paper such as plain paper, OHP, and resin-based recording paper.

In the ink fixing process of the recording apparatus using the recording medium 6 according to the first configuration of the present invention, the photo-curable ink is set depending on the heating temperature of the fixing head 19 or the viscosity characteristics of the hot melt type colored ink itself. The viscosity state at the time of transfer of the layer 2 is determined. That is, by setting the heating temperature higher, the ink is more liquefied, and the flow and permeability to the recording paper 21 side are accelerated. Conversely, when the heating temperature is set lower, the ink viscosity becomes higher, so that the desired output is obtained. The image is faithfully transferred to the position and the shape corresponding to the image pixel, and is performed in an ink state corresponding to various recording papers 21. Further, not only the heating temperature from the fixing head 19 but also the fixing roller 20 that determines the adhesion between the recording medium 6 and the recording paper 21.
The pressing force of the pressure roller 18, that is, the pressing speed of the pressure roller 18, and the conveyance speed (that is, the pressing time) between the recording medium 6 and the recording paper 21 also affect the ink transfer state.

By setting the above parameters, the recording apparatus using the recording medium 6 of the first configuration can
The amount of ink transferred to the recording paper 21, in other words, the amount of ink remaining in the recording medium 6 can be ascertained. Thereby, when ink exceeding the specified amount remains in the recording medium 6,
Since printing can be performed a plurality of times using the recording medium 6, the running cost can be reduced. This is obtained by controlling the transport speed and amount of the recording medium 6 with respect to the recording paper transport, and leads to effective use of the recording medium 6.

In this embodiment, the heat roller 15 for obtaining the thermal bias effect at the time of light irradiation, the heat roller 16 for efficiently performing the peeling process, and the pressure roller for efficiently performing the fixing process are described. 18 is used, whether or not to use these means is determined based on a balance with simplification of the configuration of the recording apparatus and a balance with output print quality or print time. That is, the recording apparatus of the present invention can be constituted without using these, and one or more of them may be used alone or in combination as appropriate according to the above requirements.

Further, the recording medium 6 itself, which has been subjected to the recording processing by the recording means and the light irradiating means, can be used as an output printed matter without performing the output printing on the recording paper. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a recording apparatus using the recording medium 10 of the second configuration of the present invention. 4 are indicated by the same symbols. 8 and 9 are enlarged explanatory diagrams of a recording processing means in a recording apparatus using the recording medium 10 of the second configuration.

In FIG. 4, a recording medium supply roller 11 sends out a recording medium 10 so that a laser beam 12 is emitted from a recording means 13 to a position corresponding to a desired output image pixel. In the portion of the optical functional layer 4 irradiated with the laser beam 12, opacity due to scattering of light or blocking of light occurs, and a two-dimensional image due to a difference in light transmittance is formed. This two-dimensional image is represented by a fine dot shape corresponding to the inversion of the output image pixel. Here, it goes without saying that the laser beam 12 is used efficiently by matching the oscillation wavelength (first specific wavelength range) of the laser beam 12 with the extinction coefficient of the optical function layer 4. In addition, the recording unit 13 performs optimization of the irradiation light intensity distribution, the imaging light spot shape, and the like with an optical lens or the like with respect to the laser light emitted from a laser oscillation device such as a semiconductor laser and the like. It can be composed of a laser light scanning mechanism configured.

In the present recording apparatus, since the recording means 13 irradiates the laser beam 12, the image due to the difference in light transmittance on the optical function layer 4 at the position corresponding to the desired output image pixel is contactlessly and at high speed. A latent image can be formed. Further, in the present embodiment, in order to promote a photochemical reaction when irradiating the laser beam 12, a thermal bias effect is obtained on the optical functional layer 4 so that
The heat roller 15 controls the heating of the recording medium from the substrate 1 side. Of course, the recording apparatus of the present invention can be configured even if the heat roller 15 is omitted in order to simplify the recording apparatus. However, the provision of the heat roller 15 is more effective. The heating means for obtaining the thermal bias effect is not limited to the heat roller 15, but is not limited as long as it supplies heat to the recording medium.

Further, the UV lamp 14 is
Then, the entire surface of the recording medium 10 is irradiated with light energy to form an image on the photocurable layer 9 due to the difference in adhesiveness. Here, the UV lamp 14 is used efficiently by matching the light wavelength (second specific wavelength region) from the UV lamp 14 with the extinction coefficient of the photocurable layer 9. The light wavelength (second specific wavelength range) from the UV lamp 14 does not include the oscillation wavelength of the laser light 12 (first specific wavelength range).

The release layer take-up roller 17 separates the release layer 3 from the photocurable layer 9, the light-irradiated portion of the photocurable layer 9 is adhered to the release layer 3, and the non-irradiated portion is placed on the ink layer 8. Will remain. Therefore, in the photocurable layer 9, the portion removed together with the release layer 3 becomes a fine through-hole, and the through-hole of this fine hole is opened at a position corresponding to a desired output image pixel. Also,
In this embodiment, the heat roller 16 is provided in the peeling process, so that the peeling can be performed at higher speed and more efficiently. of course,
In order to simplify the recording apparatus, the recording apparatus of the present invention can be configured even if the heat roller 16 is omitted. However, the provision of the heat roller 16 enables more efficient peeling.

For further transfer, the recording medium 10 is driven and conveyed by the recording medium take-up roller 22 or the recording medium supply roller 11 and is carried into the fixing head 19. Furthermore, the photocurable layer 9 side of the recording medium 10 and the recording paper 21 carried in from another conveyance path are pressed against each other by a fixing roller 20 (platen roller) so as to be in close contact with each other. Heated from the side.
In addition, in order to uniformly press the transfer surface, the fixing head 19 is pressed by the pressing roller 18 here. In this embodiment, a heat roller is used as the fixing head 19, but the present invention is not limited to this. The fixing head 19 is set at a temperature equal to or higher than the transition point of the hot melt type coloring ink in the ink layer 8, and the hot melt type coloring ink is activated here. The activated hot melt type coloring ink is supplied to the fixing roller 20 and the pressing roller 18.
, Flows, permeates, and adheres to the recording paper 21 from the through-hole processed portion of the photocurable layer 9. That is, the hot melt type coloring ink is transferred to a position on the recording paper 21 corresponding to a desired output image pixel. Here, in order to simplify the recording apparatus, the pressure roller 18
Although the recording apparatus of the present invention can be configured even if the above is omitted, the provision of the pressure roller 18 enables better fixing.

Thereafter, the recording medium 10 and the recording paper 2
1 is stably peeled off by the recording device peeling section of the means for realizing the ink fixing state according to the type of the recording paper 21, so that a desired output print or image can be obtained even during continuous output. FIG. 8 shows a latent image process by the laser beam 12 from the recording means 13 of the recording apparatus using the recording medium 10 of the second configuration of the present invention, and a recording processing section for separating the photocured layer 9 and the release layer 3 from each other. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a mechanism configuration of FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The laser beam 12 emitted from the recording means 13
As a result, the light functional layer 4 becomes clouded or blocked by light scattering, and a two-dimensional image is formed due to a difference in light transmittance. In this embodiment, as described above, the heating control is performed by the heat roller 15 from the side of the base material 1 of the recording medium by the heat roller 15 so as to obtain a thermal bias effect on the optical functional layer 4 in order to promote a photochemical reaction when the laser beam 12 is irradiated. Configuration.

Thereafter, when light energy is irradiated from the UV lamp 14 onto the entire surface of the recording medium 10 through the optical functional layer 4, the photo-cured layer 9 is divided into an irradiated portion and a non-irradiated portion. It is formed. Release layer take-up roller 17
The peeling layer 3 is wound up and peeled from the photocurable layer 9.
At this time, the light energy irradiating part of the photocurable layer 9 is adhered to the release layer 3 and the unirradiated part remains in the ink layer 8,
In the photo-cured layer 9, fine through holes are formed at positions corresponding to desired output image pixels.

Here, the heat roller 16 is provided in the peeling process, so that the peeling can be performed more quickly and efficiently. FIG. 9 is a mechanical configuration diagram in which a transfer processing unit in the fixing head 19 of the recording apparatus using the recording medium 10 of the second configuration of the present invention and a peeling unit that peels off the recording paper 21 and the recording medium 10 are enlarged. It is. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The recording medium 10 in which the fine through-holes of the photocurable layer 9 are formed at positions corresponding to desired output image pixels by the recording processing section is carried into the fixing head 19. The recording paper 21 conveyed from another conveyance path is pressed against the recording medium 10 by a fixing roller 20 (platen roller) so as to be in close contact with the recording medium 10, and is heated from the base material 1 side by the fixing head 19.

The fixing head 19 is set at a temperature equal to or higher than the transition point of the hot melt type coloring ink in the ink layer 8, and the hot melt type coloring ink is activated here. The activated hot-melt type coloring ink is pressed by the fixing roller 20 and the pressing roller 18,
It flows, permeates, and adheres to the recording paper 21 from the through holes of the photocurable layer 9. That is, the hot melt type coloring ink is transferred to a position on the recording paper 21 corresponding to a desired output image pixel. After that, the recording medium 10 in close contact
And the recording paper 21 are stably peeled off by a recording device peeling unit of a means for realizing an ink fixing state according to the type of the recording paper 21 so that a desired output print or image can be continuously output. can get.

Regarding the recording device peeling section, the recording medium 10
And the peeling time and the peeling angle of the recording paper 21, the ink flow from the recording medium 6 to the recording paper 21 side in accordance with the surface condition of the recording paper 21 and the desired output print quality.
An appropriate final print quality can be obtained on the recording paper 21 with respect to the transfer state such as penetration and adhesion and the viscosity state of the ink. Therefore, it is possible to select a wide range of various types of recording paper such as plain paper, OHP, and resin-based recording paper.

In the ink fixing process of the recording apparatus using the recording medium 10 of the second configuration of the present invention, the fixing head 19 is used.
The heating temperature of the ink or the viscosity characteristics of the hot melt type colored ink itself determines the viscosity state of the ink layer 8 at the time of transfer. That is, by setting the heating temperature higher, the ink is more liquefied, and the flow and permeability to the recording paper 21 side are accelerated. Conversely, when the heating temperature is set lower, the ink viscosity becomes higher, so that the desired output is obtained. The image is faithfully transferred to the position and the shape corresponding to the image pixel, and is performed in an ink state corresponding to various recording papers 21. Further, not only the heating temperature from the fixing head 19 but also the pressing force from the fixing roller 20, which determines the adhesion between the recording medium 10 and the recording paper 21, that is, the pressing of the pressure roller 18, the recording medium 10 and the recording paper 21 The transfer speed (that is, the pressing time) of the above also affects the ink transfer state.

By setting the above parameters, the recording apparatus using the recording medium 10 of the second configuration can transfer the ink to the recording paper 21, in other words, the amount of ink remaining in the recording medium 10. We can grasp quantity. Accordingly, when ink exceeding a specified amount remains in the recording medium 10, printing can be performed a plurality of times using the recording medium 10, so that the running cost can be reduced. This is obtained by controlling the transport speed and amount of the recording medium 10 with respect to the recording paper transport, and leads to effective use of the recording medium 10.

In this embodiment, the heat roller 15 for obtaining the thermal bias effect at the time of light irradiation, the heat roller 16 for efficiently performing the peeling process, and the pressing roller for efficiently performing the fixing process are described. 18 is used, whether or not to use these means is determined based on a balance with simplification of the configuration of the recording apparatus and a balance with output print quality or print time. That is, the recording apparatus of the present invention can be constituted without using these, and one or more of them may be used alone or in combination as appropriate according to the above requirements.

Further, the recording medium 10 itself, which has been subjected to the recording processing by the recording means and the light irradiating means, can be utilized as it is as an output printed matter without performing the output printing on the recording paper.
Further, FIGS. 1b and 1c, or FIGS. 2b and 2c
When the recording medium having the first and second configurations having the reflecting material shown in (1) is used, the recording medium itself efficiently uses light energy, so that the heat roller 1 can be operated at higher speed.
5 can be omitted.

[0088]

According to the present invention, as described above, the first
A recording medium having a composition, a photo-curable ink layer obtained by mixing a hot-melt type colored ink containing a base material and a binder material applied on the base material and a photo-curable resin, A light-emitting layer formed on the light-emitting layer, a light-functional layer formed on the light-emitting layer and forming a two-dimensional image due to a difference in transmittance by light energy supplied from a recording unit, and a protection formed on the light-functional layer And layers. Further, the recording medium of the second configuration comprises a base material, a hot melt type ink layer mainly composed of a colorant and a binder material on the base material, and a photo-curable resin formed on the ink layer. A light-curing layer mainly composed of: a release layer formed on the light-curing layer; an optical functional layer formed on the release layer; and a protection layer formed on the optical functional layer. And layers. This allows
The following effects can be obtained.

The recording medium of the first and second constitutions has a structure in which the photocurable ink layer or the photocurable layer and the ink layer are sandwiched between the base material and the release layer, and the mechanical strength is larger than that of the conventional recording medium. . Further, since the thermal stress from the recording means, the fixing head and the like is small in the recording mechanism, the recording medium can be made thin. Therefore, energy can be saved even in heating or the like.

A recording medium in which a material for reflecting light is deposited on a substrate by aluminum or the like can use the light energy from the recording means more efficiently, so that the recording processing on the optical functional layer can be performed at high speed and with high definition. I can do it. In addition, a recording medium on which a material that reflects light on the release layer is subjected to aluminum evaporation or the like can use light energy from the light irradiation means more efficiently,
High-speed and high-definition recording processing on the optical functional layer can be performed.

Further, the recording apparatus using the recording medium of the first and second configurations can separate the recording processing section and the ink fixing section, and has the following effects. By performing desired printing or writing according to an image on the optical functional layer from the recording unit in a state where the colored ink in the recording medium is activated by the fixing head, output printing can be performed at extremely high speed.

As in the case of the conventional thermal transfer recording apparatus, the ink in the portion that should not be printed is affected by heat and partially melts and reacts to transfer it to the recording paper, or the pixel dots in the print area are reproduced. It is excluded that the property deteriorates. That is, higher-definition output printing and an image can be obtained.

The recording process and the fixing process can be independently optimized, so that the printing quality can be further improved and high quality printing can be performed on various types of recording paper. In the fixing process after the recording process, by controlling the recording medium conveyance speed for the recording paper and controlling the amount of ink transferred to the recording paper side, the degree of consumption of the recording medium can be reduced, and printing can be performed a plurality of times. It becomes possible.

Since the recording processing and the fixing processing can be performed on the recording medium, the configuration of the recording apparatus can be simplified, the adjustment can be simplified, and the maintenance can be made free. According to the effects described above, the present invention provides a recording medium capable of performing high-definition and high-quality printing at high speed, and capable of performing output printing regardless of recording paper, and a recording apparatus using the recording medium. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a recording medium having a first configuration of the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a recording medium in which a reflective material that reflects light is provided on the upper surface of a release layer. FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating a recording medium having the first configuration of the present invention. FIG. 3D is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of the recording medium on which the light energy of the first specific wavelength range is irradiated to the recording medium of the first configuration according to the present invention, and the two-dimensional optical function layer is caused by a difference in light transmittance. FIG. 3E is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a recording medium on which an image is formed, and FIG. 4E illustrates a case where the recording medium having the first configuration according to the present invention is irradiated with light energy of a second specific wavelength region to form a cured portion on the photocurable ink layer. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a recording medium on which a two-dimensional image of a curing unit has been formed.

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of a recording medium having a second configuration according to the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a recording medium in which a reflective material that reflects light is provided on an upper surface of a release layer. FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating a recording medium having a second configuration of the present invention. FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of the recording medium on which the light energy of the first specific wavelength region is irradiated to the recording medium having the second configuration according to the present invention, and a two-dimensional optical function layer is caused by a difference in light transmittance. FIG. 3E is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a recording medium on which an image is formed. FIG. 4E illustrates a case where the recording medium having the second configuration according to the present invention is irradiated with light energy in a second specific wavelength range to cause a difference in adhesiveness to a photocurable layer. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a recording medium on which a two-dimensional image is formed.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional recording medium.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a recording apparatus that performs printing using the recording medium of the first configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a recording apparatus that performs printing using a recording medium having a second configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged explanatory diagram of a recording processing unit in a recording apparatus using the recording medium of the first configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged explanatory diagram of a transfer processing unit in a recording apparatus using the recording medium of the first configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged explanatory diagram of a recording processing unit in a recording apparatus using the recording medium of the second configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged explanatory diagram of a transfer processing unit in a recording apparatus using the recording medium of the second configuration of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Base material 2 Photocurable ink layer 3 Release layer 4 Optical functional layer 5 Protective layer 6, 10 Recording medium 7 Reflector 8 Ink layer 9 Photocurable layer 11 Recording medium supply roller 12 Laser beam 13 Recording means 14 UV lamp 15, Reference Signs List 16 heat roller 17 release layer take-up roller 18 pressure roller 19, 20 fixing head 21 recording paper 22 recording medium take-up roller

Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Hiroshige Ikeno 6-31-1, Kameido, Koto-ku, Tokyo Seiko Electronic Industries Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-4-270660 (JP, A) JP-A-1- 235693 (JP, A) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41J 2/32-2/325 B41M 5/26 B41M 5/40 G03F 7/004 513

Claims (24)

(57) [Claims] 1. A substrate, and a photocurable ink layer obtained by applying an ink obtained by mixing a colorant and a photocurable resin on the substrate,
A release layer formed on the photocurable ink layer, an optical functional layer further formed on the release layer, and a protective layer formed on the optical functional layer; The layer forms a two-dimensional image due to the difference in light transmittance when the recording means irradiates light energy in the first specific wavelength range.
By irradiating the entire recording medium with light energy of a specific wavelength range through the optical functional layer, the photocurable ink layer is divided into an irradiated part and an unirradiated part, and an image is formed by a cured part and an uncured part. A recording medium characterized by the following. 2. A base material, a hot melt type ink layer mainly containing a colorant and a binder material on the base material, and a photocurable resin formed on the ink layer as a main component. A light-cured layer, a release layer further formed on the light-cured layer, an optical functional layer formed on the release layer, and a protective layer formed on the optical functional layer. The optical function layer forms a two-dimensional image due to a difference in light transmittance when the recording means irradiates light energy in the first specific wavelength range, and then applies light energy in the second specific wavelength range to the optical function layer. By irradiating the entire recording medium through, the photocurable layer is divided into an irradiated portion and an unirradiated portion to form an image due to a difference in adhesiveness, and further, when the release layer and the photocurable layer are separated, the image is formed. The light energy irradiated portion of the photocured layer is adhered to the release layer, and the unirradiated portion is the ink layer side. And a micropore is generated in the photocurable layer to form a two-dimensional image. 3. The photo-curable ink layer has translucency,
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the base is provided with means for reflecting light on the surface on the side of the lamination surface with the photocurable ink layer.
A recording medium according to claim 1. 4. The recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the release layer is provided with a means for reflecting light on a surface on the side of the lamination surface with the optical functional layer. 5. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the ink layer has a light-transmitting property, and the substrate has a means for reflecting light on a surface on the side of the lamination surface with the ink layer. Recording medium. 6. The recording medium according to claim 2, wherein the release layer is provided with means for reflecting light on the surface on the side of the lamination surface with the optical functional layer. 7. A first method for forming a two-dimensional image on the recording medium according to claim 1 due to a difference in light transmittance of the optical function layer.
A recording apparatus having at least recording means for supplying light energy in a specific wavelength region and light irradiation means for irradiating light energy in a second specific wavelength region on the entire surface of the recording medium through the optical functional layer. 8. The recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the recording apparatus further includes a peeling unit that peels off the release layer from the photocurable ink layer, and fixes a desired image on recording paper. A recording apparatus, comprising: a fixing head that sometimes performs heat control to activate the colored ink in the photocurable ink layer. 9. The recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the recording apparatus further supplies thermal energy to the recording medium when optical energy in a first specific wavelength range is supplied from the recording unit. A recording apparatus, comprising: a heating unit that performs heating. 10. The recording device according to claim 8, wherein:
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pressure unit that promotes transfer of the photocurable ink layer to recording paper. 11. The recording device according to claim 8, wherein:
The recording apparatus further comprises a heating unit for peeling, which applies a thermal bias at the time of peeling. 12. The recording device according to claim 8, wherein:
The recording apparatus further includes heating means for supplying heat energy to the recording medium when light energy in a first specific wavelength range is supplied from the recording means, and transfer of the photocurable ink layer to recording paper. A pressurizing means for accelerating the recording. 13. The recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein:
The recording apparatus further includes a heating unit that supplies thermal energy to the recording medium when light energy in a first specific wavelength range is supplied from the recording unit, and a peeling-time heating unit that applies a thermal bias at the time of the peeling unit. A recording device comprising: 14. The recording device according to claim 8, wherein:
The recording apparatus further comprises a heating unit for peeling, which applies a thermal bias at the time of peeling, and a pressurizing unit for promoting the transfer of the photocurable ink layer to recording paper. 15. The recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein:
The recording apparatus further includes: a heating unit that supplies heat energy to the recording medium when light energy in a first specific wavelength range is supplied from the recording unit; and a peeling-time heating unit that applies a thermal bias at the time of the peeling unit. And a pressurizing means for promoting the transfer of the photocurable ink layer to recording paper. 16. A recording means for supplying, to the recording medium according to claim 2, light energy in a first specific wavelength range for forming a two-dimensional image due to a difference in light transmittance of the optical functional layer, and the optical functional layer A recording device for irradiating the entire surface of the recording medium with light energy in the second specific wavelength range through the recording medium. 17. The recording apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the recording apparatus further peels off the release layer from the ink layer together with a light energy irradiation section of the photocurable layer.
A recording apparatus comprising: a peeling unit that forms micropores in the photocurable layer; and a fixing head that performs thermal control for activating colored ink in the ink layer when a desired image is fixed on recording paper. . 18. The recording apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said recording apparatus further supplies thermal energy to said recording medium when optical energy in a first specific wavelength band is supplied from said recording means. A recording apparatus, comprising: a heating unit that performs heating. 19. The recording apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the recording apparatus further comprises a pressurizing unit for facilitating the transfer of the coloring ink from the fine holes of the photocurable layer to the recording paper. Characteristic recording device. 20. The recording apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said recording apparatus further comprises a peeling-time heating means for applying a thermal bias at the time of the peeling means. 21. The recording apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said recording apparatus further supplies thermal energy to said recording medium when optical energy in a first specific wavelength band is supplied from said recording means. And a pressurizing means for promoting the transfer of the coloring ink from the fine holes of the photocurable layer to the recording paper. 22. The recording apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the recording apparatus further supplies thermal energy to the recording medium when optical energy in a first specific wavelength band is supplied from the recording unit. And a heating unit for applying a thermal bias at the time of peeling. 23. The recording apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the recording apparatus further comprises a heating unit for peeling, which applies a thermal bias at the time of peeling, and a coloring ink from the fine holes of the photocurable layer to the recording paper. A recording apparatus comprising a pressurizing means for facilitating transfer. 24. The recording apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the recording apparatus further supplies thermal energy to the recording medium when optical energy in a first specific wavelength band is supplied from the recording unit. A recording device, comprising: a heating unit for applying heat bias at the time of the peeling unit; a heating unit for applying a thermal bias at the time of the peeling unit; and a pressurizing unit for facilitating the transfer of the coloring ink from the fine holes of the photocurable layer to the recording paper. .