JP3551740B2 - Image formation recording method and image formation recording apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, an image-forming material is electrochemically deposited by energization using a water-based colorant particle dispersion to form a colored electrodeposition layer, which is formed on a recording medium via a transfer recording medium having a local heating mechanism. The present invention relates to an image forming and recording method and an image forming and recording apparatus for transferring an image to an image forming apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, there are many office image forming and recording technologies using a liquid image forming material. For example, silver salt technology, ink jet technology, electrophotographic technology, and the like.
An image forming and recording technique using silver halide is disclosed in Hatsumi Tanemura et al., "High-quality color copy system using silver halide photography", Japan Hardcopy '89 Proceedings of Research Presentation, p. Further, as an image forming and recording technique using an electrophotographic technique of liquid development, E.I. B. Caruthers, et al. , “Modeling of Liquid Toner Electrical
Characteristics ", Proceedings of IS & T 10th Int. Congress on Advances in Non-Impact Printing Technologies, P. 204 (# 94). Development of MACH System ", Japan Hardcopy '96 Proceedings of Research Presentations, p.
[0003]
By the way, the characteristics required in the image forming / recording technology for office use include: realizing color and high quality of 600 DPI or more / multi-valued gradation; being capable of printing on plain paper; having image robustness comparable to that of printing; The safety of the recorded matter and the printing machine is high, there is almost no waste, the running cost is low, and the like.
[0004]
However, the above technique has various disadvantages as described below.
For example, a technique using a silver salt follows a printing process involving a chemical reaction, and thus involves the use or disposal of a chemically active agent, which has caused a problem in adaptation to offices. In the ink jet technology, there is a problem of the nozzle diameter and the reliability of printing, so that it is difficult to achieve high resolution. Furthermore, since an aqueous dye is used as an image forming material, there are problems in image fastness, safety, and printability on plain paper. Electrophotographic technology has no problems with image quality, printability on plain paper, and image robustness, but it consumes a large amount of energy in the fixing section, and the printing process is complicated, so the machine size increases, and safety and reliability are improved. May cause problems.
As described above, the conventional technique has not been completely satisfactory for use as an office image recording technique.
[0005]
In order to realize high image quality (resolution of 1000 DPI level / color reproduction / multi-value gradation), the thickness of the image structure should be 2 μm or less, more preferably, from the relationship between the color reproduction range and the image sharpness. Since it is necessary to maintain the image forming material forming the image structure at 1 micron or less, it is necessary to maintain the average shape diameter of 1 micron or less. However, since the powder image forming material cannot have an average shape diameter of 5 μm or less due to the problem of fluidity, it is practically difficult to achieve high image quality using the powder image forming material. is there. On the other hand, when a liquid image forming material is used, there is no such restriction, and it is considered that this technique is quite effective.
Further, in the step of forming an image structure having a thickness on the order of several microns, it is necessary to control the movement of the image forming material particles in a minute area. If the electrophoresis phenomenon is used, it is possible to control the movement of the fine particles in the liquid with high accuracy, and it is considered to be one of the very effective methods as a technique for realizing high image quality using the liquid image forming material.
[0006]
From such a viewpoint, in recent years, various techniques for forming a precise image by electrically depositing a liquid image forming material have been studied.
For example, a printing technique using an electrodeposition liquid in which a coloring material is dispersed in an insulating liquid to generate an electric double layer is disclosed in JP-A-7-181750 and JP-B-7-54407. . Further, a method for forming a fine pattern on a printing plate having an insulating pattern provided on a conductive substrate using an electrodeposition solution containing a resin paint is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 4-9902. A technique relating to an offset printing method using a liquid and a printing plate is disclosed in JP-A-6-293125.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the electrophotographic technology using an insulating liquid developer disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-181750 has advantages such as realization of high resolution and high suitability for printing on plain paper. Since the developing solution is a hydrocarbon-based solvent, safety due to the solvent vapor is a serious problem. In some countries, the use of such solvents is severely restricted.
[0008]
Further, the electrodeposition printing technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-9902 and the like, in which an insulating pattern is provided on a conductive substrate and used as a printing plate, employs a photolithographic process in advance to remove the non-image of an insulating resist. Since the process is complicated, such as creating a copy, it is difficult to change the image pattern and print each time. In addition, since a large-scale apparatus with high accuracy is required, and the number of processes is large and the amount of waste is large, it is limited to a case where the apparatus is installed in a well-equipped factory for printing. For this reason, it is not suitable as office technology. Further, there is a disadvantage that the history of the image forming process is easily left on the substrate, and the reproducibility of fine image recording is low. Further, since the portion where the image is formed is concave, the selectivity of particle adhesion due to the migration phenomenon of particles is weakened, and a large amount of the liquid component of the image forming material tends to remain in the formed image portion. As a result, the viscosity becomes low, and the image forming material in the image area formed in the transfer step is likely to flow or cause cohesive failure, which makes it difficult to obtain high image quality.
[0009]
Further, the printing technique disclosed in the above-mentioned JP-A-6-293125 using an aqueous dye solution as an electrodeposition solution has no problem of vapor of an organic solvent and achieves high resolution, but it is not capable of forming an image. The remaining portion contains a water-soluble dye as a main component, so that problems remain in terms of fastness of an image, high optical density of an image, and color development and safety.
[0010]
As described above, the conventional image forming / recording method has not been realized that has high security, can be implemented by a simple apparatus, and completely satisfies the characteristics required for the above-described office image recording technique. Furthermore, when used as an office image recording technique, various characteristics are also required for a technique of transferring and fixing an image to a recording medium. First, it must be a technology that can be implemented with small and simple means that can be incorporated into office printing devices, it must be a technology that reduces power consumption during transfer and fixing, and it must be a technology that can realize high-speed printing. Etc. are required.
[0011]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and includes the steps of transferring an image onto a recording medium and fixing the image, and satisfies the characteristics required for the office image forming and recording technique. An object of the present invention is to provide a formation recording method and an image formation recording apparatus.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present inventors have paid attention to the following points in order to solve the above problems.
(1) Regarding the whole process of image formation and recording
In office printing technology, it is necessary to easily and inexpensively produce small-volume, multi-product prints.Therefore, the process of using non-reproducible printing plates is poorly adaptable. A simple system in which a formed and printed output has an imaged image forming material deposited on a plain paper surface is preferred in the market.
[0013]
(2) Solvent for electrodeposition liquid
In order to realize high image quality (600 DPI / multi-level gradation or more), it is preferable that the minimum unit shape diameter of the image forming material is 1 micron or less. It is necessary to use a water-based image-forming material having high safety, considering that it is installed in an office.
[0014]
(3) Image forming materials
It is necessary to be a material that has high color developability and can achieve high optical density, can maintain the robustness of the image, and must not be taken into the human body from the viewpoint of safety. The condition must be realized by using a composite material of a pigment and the like and a polymer.
[0015]
(4) Transfer and fixing to recording media
In order to transfer and fix an image to a recording medium while suppressing energy consumed during transfer and fixing, it is effective to transfer and fix the image to the recording medium via a transfer recording medium having a local heating mechanism. That.
[0016]
The present inventors have focused on these points and made intensive studies, and as a result, completed the present invention.
That is, the above problem is
(1) An aqueous dispersion containing coloring material particles and an electrodeposition material made of a polymer is injected into a container capable of holding a liquid, and at least an electrode capable of supplying an electric current or an electric field imagewise and an image are held. An image holding member having a surface to be obtained, and a counter electrode that is the other of the pair of electrodes are arranged so as to be in contact with the aqueous dispersion, and a current or an electric field is provided imagewise to the image holding member and the counter electrode, Electrodepositing a color material particle and a polymer electrodeposition material in the vicinity of the surface of the image holding member by electrochemical deposition, forming an imagewise colored electrodeposition layer on the image holding member, An electrodeposition layer is formed on a heat insulating base material by laminating a locally heat-generating heating element composed of an electrode pair sandwiching the heating layer, and a protective layer formed on the surface of the heating element. The image is transferred onto a transfer recording medium, and the heating element is energized to locally generate heat. Ri colored electrodeposited layer transferred onto a transfer recording medium is softened or melted, transfer the coloring electrodeposited layer on the recording medium, to fix, it is solved by an image forming recording method comprising.
[0017]
According to the image forming and recording method of the present invention, a high-resolution image can be formed safely and stably by utilizing the electrodeposition phenomenon of the coloring material particles and the electrodeposition material in the aqueous dispersion. Further, since an image is transferred and fixed to a recording medium via a transfer recording medium having a local heat generation mechanism, energy consumption during transfer and fixing can be reduced, and the time spent for transfer and fixing is reduced. You can also.
[0018]
(2) The transfer recording medium is formed by laminating, on a heat-insulating base material, a heating element composed of an electrode pair having one or both of which is a pattern electrode layer and a protective layer, which sandwich the heating layer. The problem is solved by the image forming and recording method described in (1).
With such a configuration of the transfer recording medium, the local heat generation function can be easily realized, and the energy consumption during transfer and fixing can be suppressed low.
[0019]
(3) The image forming and recording method according to (1) or (2), wherein the transfer recording medium has an endless belt shape.
When the transfer recording medium has such a form, transfer and fixing of an image to the recording medium can be performed more efficiently.
[0020]
(4) The method according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the protective layer of the transfer recording medium has a critical surface tension of 25 dyne / cm to 42 dyne / cm. I do.
When the critical surface tension of the protective layer is in the above range, the colored electrodeposition layer can be prevented from remaining, and the image can be more stably transferred to the recording medium.
[0021]
(5) The image forming and recording method according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the surface roughness (Ra) of the transfer recording medium is 0.01 μm or more and 1.2 μm or less. I do.
When the surface roughness of the transfer recording medium is in the above range, it is possible to further prevent the colored electrodeposition layer from remaining.
[0022]
(6) The image forming apparatus according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the temperature of the transfer recording medium is detected, and the heating element is energized by electric power controlled according to the detected amount. It is solved by the recording method.
With such a mechanism, energy consumption during transfer to a recording medium can be further suppressed.
[0023]
(7) The image according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the heating element is energized by an alternating current, a current having a triangular waveform or a pulse waveform, or a current having a modulation waveform thereof. The problem is solved by the formation recording method.
If such a current is applied, the local heat generation mechanism of the transfer recording medium can be more easily achieved.
[0024]
(8) The heating element is energized to locally generate heat. When the heating element locally generates heat, the transfer recording medium and the recording medium are brought into pressure contact with each other, and the colored electrodeposition layer transferred onto the transfer recording medium is transferred to the recording medium. The problem is solved by the image forming and recording method according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the image is transferred and fixed on the upper surface.
By associating the press-contact mechanism and the current-carrying mechanism, the colored electrodeposition layer is more efficiently transferred and fixed to the recording medium.
[0025]
(9) The method according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein a pressure at which the transfer recording medium is brought into pressure contact with the recording medium is a linear pressure of 200 g / cm or more and 6 kg / cm or less. The image forming and recording method described above solves the problem.
When the pressing pressure is in the above range, the colored electrodeposition layer can be stably transferred and fixed to the recording medium while keeping the apparatus compact.
[0026]
(10) By inputting an optical image signal to the image holding member, an electric current is supplied to the surface of the image holding member in an image-like manner corresponding to the optical image signal. The problem is solved by the image forming and recording method described in any of the above items.
By using the photovoltaic phenomenon caused by the optical image signal, an image can be stably formed on the image holding member.
[0027]
(11) As the electrodeposition material in the aqueous dispersion, a polymer having a hydrophilic group capable of ionization of a polarity opposite to the polarity of the portion of the image holding member on which the colored electrodeposition layer is formed, (1) to (10), wherein the colored electrodeposition layer is formed on the image holding member by using an applied voltage in which the potential difference between the portion where the colored electrodeposition layer is formed and the reference electrode is within ± 9 V. The problem is solved by the image forming method described in any one of the above.
When such an electrodeposition material is used, higher image quality can be achieved while maintaining the robustness of an image.
[0028]
(12) In a case where the portion of the image holding member on which the colored electrodeposition layer is formed is more anodic than the reference electrode, the electrodeposition material is ion-dissociated in an aqueous dispersion to form one or more negative electrodes. The polymer according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein the polymer has an ionic group, and a part of the polymer is bonded, attached, or associated with the surface of the colorant particle. The problem is solved by the image forming and recording method described above.
When such an electrodeposition material is used, higher image quality can be achieved while maintaining the robustness of an image.
[0029]
(13) In the step of transferring and fixing the colored electrodeposition layer transferred on the transfer recording medium to the recording medium by heat generated from a heating element, wherein the electrodeposition material contains a thermoplastic resin, The image forming and recording method according to any one of (1) to (12), wherein the temperature of the transfer recording medium surface or the colored electrodeposition layer is 60 ° C. or more and 250 ° C. or less.
This is because if the transfer and the fixing are performed at a temperature in the above range, the handling of the electrodeposited material becomes easy, and the image formation and recording can be more stably achieved.
[0030]
(14) A container into which an aqueous dispersion containing at least colorant particles and an electrodeposition material made of a polymer is injected, an image holding member arranged to be in contact with the aqueous dispersion, and Means for electrochemically depositing an electrodeposition material comprising colorant particles and a polymer to form a colored electrodeposition layer, and a transfer recording medium on which the colored electrodeposition layer formed on the image holding member is transferred. Means for transferring and fixing the colored electrodeposition layer of the transfer recording medium to the recording medium, wherein the transfer recording medium includes a heating element capable of locally generating heat. The problem is solved by the image forming and recording apparatus.
[0031]
By using this image forming and recording apparatus, a high-resolution image can be formed safely and stably by utilizing the electrodeposition phenomenon of the coloring material particles and the electrodeposition material in the aqueous dispersion. Further, the image forming and recording apparatus has a mechanism for transferring and fixing an image to a recording medium via a transfer recording medium having a local heat generation mechanism, so that energy consumption during transfer and fixing can be reduced, and The time required for fixing can be reduced.
[0032]
(15) The transfer recording medium is formed by laminating, on a heat insulating base material, a heating element composed of an electrode pair having one or both of which is a pattern electrode layer sandwiching a heating layer, and a protective layer. The problem is solved by the image forming / recording apparatus described in (14).
With such a configuration of the transfer recording medium, the local heat generation function can be easily realized, and the energy consumption during transfer and fixing can be suppressed low.
[0033]
(16) The image forming and recording apparatus according to (14) or (15), wherein the transfer recording medium has an endless belt shape.
When the transfer recording medium has such a form, transfer and fixing of an image to the recording medium can be performed more efficiently.
[0034]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to embodiments of the present invention.
[0035]
In the image forming and recording method of the present invention, an aqueous dispersion is used. The aqueous dispersion is mainly composed of coloring material particles, an electrodeposition material, and water or an aqueous solvent.In addition, a wetting material, a water-soluble polymer material, an emulsion material, a latex material, various solvents, a surfactant, Additives such as antiseptic / antifungal agents and pH adjusters can be added as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired.
[0036]
The solid component of the aqueous dispersion is from 1% by weight to 40% by weight, preferably from 5% by weight to 19% by weight. When the amount is less than 1% by weight, it is difficult to obtain dispersion stability of the coloring material component, and the optical density of the image tends to decrease. On the other hand, if it exceeds 40% by weight, the liquid tends to be non-uniform at the time of electrodeposition, and furthermore, the liquid exhibits thixotropy, which complicates handling during liquid transport and liquid preparation. Occurs.
[0037]
In the solid components of the aqueous dispersion, the component amount of the coloring material is 30% by weight or more and 80% by weight or less, preferably 40% by weight or more and 60% by weight or less based on the total solid components. If it is less than 30% by weight, the gloss of the image tends to be too high or the optical density of the image tends to decrease. On the other hand, if the content exceeds 80% by weight, the electrodeposition efficiency is reduced, so that the formed colored electrodeposition layer tends to have defects and defects, and the fixing strength is also reduced. Tends to be sufficient.
[0038]
The conductivity of the aqueous dispersion is 10 Ω · cm or more and 10 ⁶ Ω · cm or less, more preferably 10Ω / cm or less. ³ Ω · cm or more 10 ⁵ Ω · cm or less. 10 ⁶ When the resistance exceeds Ω · cm, the electrodeposition voltage increases and the bubbling phenomenon of the electrode is activated. As a result, the electrodeposition phenomenon becomes unstable, and the quality of the colored electrodeposition layer (image layer) formed on the image holding member becomes poor. Tends to be uneven. On the other hand, if it is less than 10 Ω · cm, the current of the image signal is diffused, and the resolution of the image tends to decrease.
[0039]
The viscosity of the aqueous dispersion is preferably in the range of 1 cps to 1,000 cps, and more preferably in the range of 10 cps to 200 cps. When the viscosity is less than 1 cps, the viscosity of the liquid is insufficient, so that the droplets are easily scattered. On the other hand, if it exceeds 1,000 cps, the efficiency of the transport or stirring of the aqueous dispersion liquid tends to increase and the viscosity tends to be complicated, and the efficiency decreases.
[0040]
In setting the pH of the aqueous dispersion, when applying an electrodeposition method in which the electrodeposition material contained in the aqueous dispersion is anodic deposition, preferably a pH value of 1 ± 2 from the deposition start pH point, more preferably Is set to a pH value of 1 ± 1.5. When applying the electrodeposition method in which the electrodeposition material is cathodic deposition, the pH value is preferably -1 ± 2 from the deposition start pH point, more preferably -1 ± 1.5. Set. When set to such an initial value, the deposition and sedimentation of the electrodeposition material become sharp, and the formation efficiency of the colored electrodeposition layer can be kept high. When the pH is set to a value that facilitates precipitation from the precipitation start pH point outside the above range, the dispersion stability of the aqueous dispersion is not obtained, and the color material particles are precipitated in the non-image area or the amount of electrodeposition is uneven. Tend to be. Further, if the pH is set to a value at which precipitation is difficult from the precipitation start pH point outside the above range, the formation efficiency of the colored electrodeposition layer is reduced, the electrodeposition potential is increased, and there is a problem in the film properties of the formed colored electrodeposition layer. May occur.
[0041]
The average particle size of the coloring material particles contained in the aqueous dispersion is preferably in the range of 0.01 μm to 0.9 μm. When the thickness is less than 0.01 μm, the light-shielding property of the formed colored electrodeposition layer is reduced, and the optical image density is reduced, or unnecessarily gross is generated in the image, or there is a tendency to cause a problem in safety. is there. On the other hand, if the thickness exceeds 0.9 μm, the dispersion state of the coloring material particles deteriorates, and the colored electrodeposition layer containing the coloring material particles becomes non-uniform, or the particles become light-shielding and cannot respond to transmission-type image formation. In addition, there is a tendency that undesired matting occurs in the colored electrodeposition layer. In particular, when the average particle size is 0.01 μm or more and 0.02 μm or less, it is preferable because the dispersion stability of the aqueous dispersion is good and the transparency of the formed colored electrodeposition layer is high.
[0042]
As the coloring material particles, inorganic pigments, organic pigments, and dyes having no or low solubility in water are suitable. For example, as inorganic pigments, carbon black, titanium oxide, zinc white, red iron oxide, alumina white, aluminum powder, bronze powder, zinc oxide, barium sulfate, magnesium carbonate, ultramarine, graphite, cobalt blue, navy blue, iron oxide, etc. No. Examples of the organic pigment include toluidine red, permanent carmine FB, fast yellow G, disazo yellow AAA, disazo orange PMP, lake red C, brilliant carmine 6B, phthalocyanine blue, indanthrone blue, quinacridone red, dioxazine violet, and Victoria viewer. Blue, alkali blue toner, aniline black, permanent red 2B, barium lithol red, quinacridone magenta, naphthol red HF4B, phthalocyanine green, benzimidazolone red and the like. Further, dyes include oil-soluble Victoria Blue 4R base, nigrosine, nigrosine base, C.I. I. Solvent Yellow 19, C.I. I. Solvent Orange 45, C.I. I. Solvent Red 8 and the like. In addition, disperse dyes, dyed lake pigments, resin powder containing a dye in a resin, and the like may be mentioned as color material particles having appropriate characteristics.
[0043]
The electrodeposition material contained in the aqueous dispersion has a function of improving the dispersion stability of the colorant particles in the aqueous liquid, and a phenomenon of electrodeposition adsorption to the image holding member, that is, due to the electrochemical change of the environment, It is required to have a function of forming a colored electrodeposition layer (image layer) by precipitation and sedimentation on an image holding member. For this reason, the electrodeposition material needs to be a polymer having both a group that is hydrophilic and easily ion dissociated in an aqueous liquid (hydrophilic group) and a hydrophobic group that dislikes water.
[0044]
Here, the mechanism of forming the colored electrodeposition layer on the image holding member will be described.
In the aqueous dispersion adjusted to a predetermined pH, the hydrophilic group contained in the electrodeposition material is in an ionic dissociation state. On the other hand, since the hydrophobic group contained in the electrodeposition material is partially attached, bound, or associated with the colorant particles, the colorant particles are surrounded by the electrodeposition material in the aqueous dispersion. It is in. Next, when the image holding member is energized, the pH of the aqueous dispersion near the surface of the image holding member changes. For example, when the image holding member serves as an anode, the pH of the aqueous dispersion becomes low, while when the image holding member serves as a cathode, it increases. As a result, ion dissociation of the electrodeposition material near the surface of the image holding member is suppressed, and the electrodeposition material becomes insoluble. At this time, the molecular chains of the electrodeposited material spread in the aqueous dispersion liquid take in the nearby coloring material particles, aggregate and precipitate on the image holding member. This electrochemical deposition phenomenon is a formation phenomenon of the colored electrodeposition layer on the image holding member.
[0045]
When the image holding member serves as an anode, the hydrophilic group contained in the electrodeposited material is a functional group that becomes an anion group by ion dissociation. Among such functional groups, a carboxyl group exhibits high deposition efficiency and is therefore preferable in terms of image fastness. On the other hand, when the image holding member is a cathode, the hydrophilic group contained in the electrodeposited material is a functional group that becomes a cation group by ion dissociation. Among such functional groups, an amino group and an imino group exhibit high deposition efficiency and are therefore preferable in terms of image fastness.
[0046]
In the aqueous liquid, a part of the electrodeposited material which is a polymer having a hydrophilic group and a hydrophobic group is bonded to or adhered to the surface of the coloring material particles, or is associated with the coloring material particles. The dispersion stability of the coloring material particles in the inside is maintained, and a colored electrodeposition layer incorporating the coloring material particles is formed.
[0047]
The electrodeposition material preferably contains a thermoplastic resin component and needs to show sufficient solubility in an aqueous dispersion whose pH has been adjusted. Further, as described above, the electrodeposited material needs to generate a supernatant from a dissolved state and change to a precipitated state in response to a change in the pH of the aqueous dispersion, and is preferably within a range of ± 1 of the pH value. The state changes in response to the change in the pH value, more preferably in the range of ± 0.5 of the pH value. When an electrodeposition material that changes state in an aqueous dispersion in response to a change in pH value within this range is used, a colored electrodeposition layer is instantaneously deposited even when the pH value changes sharply due to energization. In addition, since the cohesive force of the colored electrodeposition layer to be deposited is increased, the rate of re-dissolution in the aqueous dispersion liquid can be reduced. As a result, the resulting image has high water resistance. If the change in the state of the electrodeposited material from the dissolved state to the precipitated state is caused by a change in the pH value of the aqueous dispersion in a range exceeding ± 1, the deposition of the colored electrodeposition layer that forms a sufficient image structure is performed. The time until printing is prolonged, and the printing speed may decrease, or problems in printing characteristics such as lack of water resistance of the image may occur.
[0048]
Examples of the monomer unit containing a hydrophilic group used in the electrodeposition material include, for example, methacrylic acid, acrylic acid, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, acrylamide, maleic anhydride, trimellitic anhydride, phthalic anhydride, hemimelic acid, and succinic acid. , Adipic acid, propiolic acid, propionic acid, fumaric acid, itaconic acid and the like, and derivatives thereof. In particular, methacrylic acid and acrylic acid are preferred because they have a large effect / effect on the electrodeposition phenomenon, have a high electrodeposition efficiency by changing the pH value, and have a high hydrophilization efficiency.
[0049]
Examples of the monomer unit containing a hydrophobic group used in the electrodeposition material include, for example, an alkyl group, a styrene group, an α-methylstyrene group, an α-ethylstyrene group, a methyl methacrylate group, a butyl methacrylate group, an acrylonitrile group, Examples include a vinyl acetate group, an ethyl acrylate group, a butyl acrylate group, a lauryl methacrylate group, and the like, and derivatives thereof. In particular, a styrene group and an α-methylstyrene group are preferable because they have high hydrophobicity-imparting efficiency and electrodeposition deposition efficiency, and also have high controllability during polymerization.
[0050]
The electrodeposition material is a polymer obtained by copolymerizing a monomer containing a hydrophilic group and a hydrophobic group in the above ratio, and the type of each hydrophilic group and hydrophobic group is not limited to one. From the viewpoint of the film properties of the colored electrodeposition layer and the adhesive strength of the film, those having an average molecular weight of from 6,000 to 25,000 are preferred, and particularly preferably from 9,000 to 20,000. If the average molecular weight is less than 6,000, the colored electrodeposition layer tends to be non-uniform, and the water resistance tends to decrease. On the other hand, if the average molecular weight exceeds 25,000, the solubility in the aqueous dispersion becomes insufficient, the solid content concentration of the aqueous dispersion cannot be increased to an appropriate value, or the liquid becomes cloudy or precipitates are formed. There are problems such as the occurrence of the problem and an increase in the liquid viscosity.
[0051]
The electrodeposition material is preferably a polymer having a glass transition point of 10 ° C. or lower, a flow starting point of 180 ° C. or lower, and a thermal decomposition point of 150 ° C. or higher. When a polymer material having such thermal characteristics is used, the transfer process can be easily controlled, and a good transferred image can be obtained. Further, the softening temperature of the polymer material used is preferably 60 ° C. or more and 250 ° C. or less in consideration of the handleability of the material, the relationship with the environmental temperature, and the like.
[0052]
As the aqueous solvent of the aqueous dispersion, water, methanol, ethanol, butanol, alcohols such as isopropyl alcohol, acetone, ketones such as methyl ethyl ketone, ethanolamine, dimethylamine, amines such as triethanolamine, acetic acid, One or more acids such as sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, oxalic acid, phthalic acid, etc. can be used as a mixture. Particularly, a mixed solvent containing water as a main component is used in terms of safety, stability and cost. Very useful.
[0053]
A wetting agent may be added to the aqueous dispersion. Addition of the wetting agent can prevent the electrodeposition liquid (aqueous dispersion) from being altered due to evaporation of the aqueous solvent component. The wetting agent used is preferably a liquid having a high polarity and hydrophilicity, an azeotropic point with water, a high boiling point and a low vapor pressure. The wetting material preferably has a boiling point of 120 ° C. or more and a saturated vapor pressure in the atmosphere of 100 mmHg or less, and particularly preferably a liquid having a boiling point of 150 ° C. or more and a vapor pressure in the atmosphere of 60 mmHg or less. If the ratio is outside the above range, the life of the electrodeposition liquid (aqueous dispersion) tends to be shortened, and the characteristics of the aqueous dispersion may change, making it difficult to obtain stable electrodeposition characteristics. Specifically, representative examples include ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, glycerin, diacetanol, methylcellosolve, ethylcellosolve, butylcellosolve, and ethylene glycol diacetate.
The composition ratio of the wetting material in the aqueous dispersion is in the range of 0.5% by weight to 70% by weight, preferably in the range of 5% by weight to 30% by weight.
[0054]
A polymer additive may be added to the aqueous dispersion. The addition of a polymer additive stabilizes the film formation characteristics during electrolytic deposition and improves the film properties of the colored electrodeposition layer, which is important for controlling the robustness of the colored electrodeposition layer and controlling the electrical resistance of the film. effective.
Examples of polymer additives include gelatin, gum arabic, pectin, casein, starches, microcrystalline cellulose, alginate, polyvinyl alcohol, vinyl acetate copolymer, polyacrylic acid copolymer, methylcellulose-based derivatives, etc. Are typical examples.
The amount added is preferably in the range of 0.2% by weight to 50% by weight, and more preferably in the range of 1% by weight to 15% by weight, based on all solid components in the aqueous dispersion.
[0055]
An emulsion material having the same effect may be added to the aqueous dispersion. Representative examples of the emulsion material include a polyvinyl acetate emulsion, a vinyl acetate copolymer emulsion, an acrylic ester copolymer emulsion, and a synthetic rubber latex.
The amount of addition is the same as that of the polymer additive.
[0056]
In addition, an antiseptic / antifungal agent, a trace amount of a surfactant, a pH adjuster, a liquid viscosity adjuster, and the like may be added to the aqueous dispersion. When an antiseptic / antifungal agent is added, deterioration of the liquid due to propagation of microorganisms and generation of mold can be prevented.
[0057]
The aqueous dispersion is prepared by mixing the colorant particles, the electrodeposition material, and the like in an aqueous solvent and dispersing the mixture using a homogenizer, a propeller stirrer, or the like.
[0058]
Examples of a method of applying a current or an electric field between the counter electrode and the image holding member include a method of applying a predetermined voltage using a DC power supply or the like.
As the DC power supply, a DC power supply having a voltage difference between the counter electrode and the image holding member of less than 9 V is preferably used, more preferably less than 5 V, and further preferably less than 3 V. Is used. When a voltage difference of 9 V or more is applied, bubbles are generated violently from the surface of the electrode (image holding member) by electrolysis, and the electric field distribution on the surface of the electrode (image holding member) becomes non-uniform. The film quality tends to be uneven and the film surface tends to be uneven.
[0059]
Electrodeposition is a technique similar to the image forming process of the present invention. In the electrodeposition coating, generally, an applied voltage is applied in a range of 150 V or more and 300 V or less, and electrodeposition is performed. This is because the generated electrodeposition film may have a high resistance, and if the applied voltage is low, the electrodeposition film formation speed is greatly reduced as the electrodeposition film formation progresses, and the required film thickness cannot be obtained, so avoid this. Therefore, the applied voltage is increased. When the applied voltage is increased, a vigorous bubbling phenomenon occurs due to electrolysis, so that the vicinity of the electrode surface is agitated, the electrode surface comes into contact with a new electrodeposition liquid, and the film thickness required for electrodeposition coating on the electrode surface (generally 20 μm or more) ) Is formed. Since the aim of the present invention is to reproduce a high-quality image, specifically, to reproduce a fine image (400 DPI or more) pattern with a film thickness level of 2 μm or less, foaming by electrolysis of the electrodeposition solution is performed. Since the phenomenon must be prevented or suppressed so as not to affect the reproduction of fine image patterns, it is preferable to apply an applied voltage in a range of less than 9 V.
[0060]
In addition, in order to reproduce each pixel on the image in a sharp manner, a DC pulse having a short width and a signal input by a heavy pulse of the short pulse can be performed.
Furthermore, it is preferable to use a three-electrode method as the voltage applying means in terms of stabilizing the voltage.
[0061]
In order to maintain the uniformity of the liquid property of the aqueous dispersion, the liquid bath may be stirred. Stirring means include stirring with a propeller, stirrer stirring, and ultrasonic stirring. If the stirring is too strong, the formation of the film of the colored electrodeposition layer may be delayed or the liquid may be scattered.
Further, by controlling the temperature of the aqueous dispersion, a colored electrodeposition layer having more uniform film properties can be formed. Specifically, control is performed by providing a liquid temperature control system equipment or the like.
[0062]
The image holding member used in the present invention needs to have both an electrode function capable of supplying an image-like current or an electric field and a function of holding an image.
For inputting an image-like signal to the image holding member, a method of inputting an image-like signal by an optical signal is preferable in terms of stability and resolution of the input signal. As the optical signal, laser light irradiation, flash light irradiation, raster light irradiation, or the like can be used. As a method of inputting such an optical signal imagewise, there are a method of performing scanning exposure using a laser as a light source, a method of performing overall exposure through a mask pattern, and the like. In the latter case, it is preferable to use a uniform light source capable of uniformly irradiating the entire substrate region as the light source. Further, the wavelength of the light of the input signal is determined from the viewpoint of the wavelength at which the semiconductor is sensitive. Usually, mercury lamp, mercury xenon lamp, cannon lamp, He-Cd laser, He-Ne laser, N ₂ Lasers, excimer lasers, semiconductor lasers and the like are preferably used.
[0063]
When an image is input by an optical signal, the image holding member needs to have a material in which the area to which the optical signal is input exhibits conductivity, that is, a photoconductive material. For example, the structure of the image holding member has a structure in which a planar electrode layer and a photoconductive material layer are formed, and a current flows on the surface of the image holding member in the light-irradiated portion to cause an electrolytic adhesion phenomenon of color material particles. Is preferred.
[0064]
The higher the smoothness of the surface of the image holding member, the better the printing characteristics. Particularly, when the image holding member is used repeatedly, this tendency becomes remarkable. Therefore, when the image holding member is used in a repeated use mode, for example, when the image holding member is used in the form of an endless belt, the surface smoothness of the image holding member is reduced. It is important to be high. When the smoothness is increased, the physical cleaning property of the image on the image holding member surface is enhanced, and a printing cycle in which the history of the previously recorded image information does not remain even when a different image is recorded each time can be constructed.
[0065]
Further, the colored electrodeposition layer remaining on the surface of the image holding member can be removed by a cleaning method such as a blade method, a fur brush method, an elastic roller method, and a cleaning web method.
[0066]
For transferring the colored electrodeposition layer from the image holding member to the transfer recording medium, electrostatic force, pressure, adhesive force, heat assist, and the like can be used. In the present invention, since the colored electrodeposition layer contains a suitable amount of the liquid component of the aqueous dispersion, viscous deformation is caused only by pressure and transfer is possible. The method of transferring by pressure is preferable because unnecessary energy is not consumed. As a method of transferring by pressure, there is a method of pressing an image holding member against a transfer recording medium by using an elastic transfer roller.
[0067]
The colored electrodeposition layer transferred to the transfer recording medium is then transferred to the recording medium. In the present invention, the configuration and function of the transfer recording medium are important in terms of realizing efficient transfer and fixing of an image to the recording medium in terms of energy consumption and the like.
[0068]
The transfer recording medium has a configuration in which a heating element is laminated on a heat insulating base material, and a protective layer is further laminated thereon.
The heating element has a configuration in which a heating layer is sandwiched between electrode pairs. Specifically, a heating layer is stacked on one electrode layer, and an opposing electrode layer is further stacked thereon. Although there is no particular limitation on the electrode layer used, the transfer recording medium needs to have a local heat generation function in order to realize efficient and low-energy transfer and fixing of the image to the recording medium. It is preferable to use an electrode pair in which one or both are formed of a pattern electrode layer, from the viewpoint of achieving an excellent function.
[0069]
The pattern electrode layer is a strip, a line, or an electrode layer divided and separated into a combination thereof, and at least one or both of its side edges are exposed to one or both of the side edges of the heat generating layer, This constitutes a part of a current path for locally supplying an input current to a part of the pattern electrode layer. By using such a pattern electrode layer divided and divided into a large number of strips, it is possible to address the input current to the heat generating layer, and to locally generate heat in the heat generating layer, that is, to generate heat locally. A body can be made. As described above, since the pattern electrode layer functions as an addressing input electrode layer, the shape may be any shape that is convenient for addressing, and the above-described band shape, linear shape, or a combination shape thereof is preferable. .
[0070]
Here, as an electrode pair composed of one or both of the patterned electrode layers, for example, an electrode pair in which one is a patterned electrode layer and the other is a uniform conductive layer that is not patterned, or an electrode pair in which two patterned electrode layers are combined. Electrode pairs and the like. Further, a heating element having an electrode pair composed of a uniform conductive layer, one of which is a patterned electrode layer and the other is unpatterned, may be laminated in the order of a patterned electrode layer, a heating layer, and a conductive layer. A layer, a heat generation layer, and a pattern electrode layer may be stacked in this order.
In particular, it is preferable to use an electrode pair in which a pattern electrode layer is combined, because local heat can be more selectively generated and energy consumed for transfer can be reduced.
[0071]
FIG. 2 shows an example of the whole image of the roller-type transfer recording medium (having an electrode pair composed of a combination of pattern electrode layers) according to the present invention. The pattern electrode layer exposed from the left and right sides of the protective layer in FIG. 2 constitutes a part of a current path for supplying the input current.
[0072]
One pattern electrode layer may have a structure composed of only one layer, or may have a laminated structure sandwiching an insulating layer. FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a transfer recording medium having an electrode pair in which a patterned electrode layer having a laminated structure sandwiching an insulating layer and a single patterned electrode layer are combined. The second pattern electrode layer in FIG. 1 is composed of a plurality of layers, a lower second electrode layer 3 patterned in a belt shape in a direction perpendicular to the roll rotation direction, an insulating layer 5 having a conductive hole, and a roll rotation electrode. And an upper second electrode layer 4 patterned in a belt shape extending in the direction. A heat generating layer 6 is laminated thereon, and further, a first pattern electrode layer 7 patterned in a belt shape in a direction perpendicular to the roll rotation direction, and a protective layer 8 is laminated thereon. It is preferable to provide the insulating layer having the conductive holes between the patterned lower electrode layer and the patterned upper electrode layer since the conductive paths can be formed in a matrix.
[0073]
FIG. 3 shows an example of a manufacturing process outline of the transfer recording medium shown in FIG. 1 (FIG. 3 is also a diagram showing an overview of the manufacturing process of the transfer recording medium of Example 1).
First, a plurality of strip-shaped lower second pattern electrode layers extending in the direction perpendicular to the roll rotation direction and separated in the roll rotation direction are formed on the insulating base material. An insulating layer provided with a conducting hole (3b) at a predetermined position is formed thereon so that the right edge of the lower second pattern electrode layer is exposed. Subsequently, a plurality of strip-shaped upper second pattern electrode layers extending in the roll rotation direction and separated in the direction perpendicular to the roll rotation direction are formed on the conducting holes (3b), and the insulating layer is sandwiched therebetween. A second pattern electrode layer is formed. Thereafter, a heating layer is formed uniformly so that the right side edge of the lower second pattern electrode layer is exposed, and a number of strips extending on the direction perpendicular to the roll rotation direction and separated in the roll rotation direction are formed thereon. Is formed. Further, a protective layer is formed so that the left edge of the first pattern electrode layer is exposed, and a transfer recording medium is manufactured.
[0074]
Next, the local heating mechanism of the transfer recording medium of FIG. 3 will be described.
When power is supplied from the current path 3a of the lower second pattern electrode layer, the current passes from the lower second pattern electrode layer to only the through hole 3b secured on the insulating layer and reaches the upper second pattern electrode layer. Since the current path of the upper second pattern electrode layer is cut off in the roll rotation direction, only the area 3c of the heat generating layer locally generates heat. Thereafter, the current flows through the first pattern electrode layer, which is the return electrode layer, and flows into the return current path 3d formed on the left edge. By using an electrode pair in which pattern electrode layers are combined as described above, it is possible to selectively generate heat locally (in a matrix) while suppressing power consumption.
[0075]
FIG. 4 shows an outline of a manufacturing process of a transfer recording medium having an electrode pair in which a pattern electrode layer and a conductive layer are combined (FIG. 4 is also a diagram showing an overview of the manufacturing process of Example 2). The local heating mechanism of the transfer recording medium of FIG. 4 will be described.
When power is supplied from the current path 4a of the second pattern electrode layer, the current flows only in a belt shape perpendicular to the roll rotation because the current path is cut off in the roll rotation direction. The laminated heat generating layer locally generates heat in a band shape (4b). Thereafter, the current flows through the first electrode layer (conductive layer), which is the return electrode, and flows into the return current path 4c formed on the left edge. As described above, by using an electrode pair in which a pattern electrode layer and a conductive layer are combined, it is possible to selectively generate heat locally (in a strip shape) while suppressing power consumption.
[0076]
The energization of the heating element is performed by a normal power supply method.However, in order to control the input power in a short time, the heating element can be energized by an AC, a triangular waveform, a pulse waveform, or a current having a modulation waveform thereof. preferable. In particular, a pulse current is preferable from the viewpoint of temperature control and the like.
As a method of locally supplying power only to a portion requiring heat generation, for example, a roller-shaped dynamic electrode may be provided on a pattern electrode layer exposed at a side edge of the heat generation layer to form a part of a current path. A contact or a tongue-shaped static contact is incorporated to supply power from a predetermined position. The opposing electrode layer, which is exposed on the other side edge of the heat generating layer and forms a part of the return current path, has an appropriate position, for example, relative to a dynamic or static contact on the pattern electrode layer side. At the opposite position, the same dynamic or static contact as described above is incorporated to secure a return path for the current (see FIG. 5). When such a power supply method is used, power supplied for local heat generation can be suppressed to the minimum necessary.
[0077]
The material for forming the pattern electrode layer is not particularly limited as long as it is excellent in conductivity. For example, metal or conductive ceramics is used. Examples of the method for forming the pattern electrode layer include a method in which a film is uniformly formed by sputtering, vacuum deposition, screen printing of a conductive paste, or the like, and then patterned and formed into a predetermined shape by photolithography, screen printing, or the like. Can be Alternatively, a patterned electrode layer can be directly formed by screen-printing a conductive paste.
The thickness of the pattern electrode layer is preferably in the range of 0.3 μm to 5 μm, more preferably in the range of 0.5 μm to 2 μm. If the film thickness exceeds 5 μm, the amount of heat generated by the leakage of the electrode layer increases, and the heat generation efficiency of the heat generation layer with respect to the input current decreases. On the other hand, when the thickness is less than 0.3 μm, the effect of the non-uniform resistance of the film increases, and the conductivity tends to be unstable.
[0078]
When the pattern electrode layer sandwiches the insulating layer having the conducting holes, the insulating layer has a volume resistance of 10%. ⁷ Ω · cm or more, preferably 10 ¹⁰ It is formed using a material in a range of Ω · cm or more. Specifically, SiO ₂ , SiN, Al ₂ O ₃ And various plastic materials. Examples of the method for forming the insulating layer include a vacuum deposition method, a sputtering method, a dip coating method, and a blade coating method. Further, in order to form the conductive holes on the insulating layer, a method using both photolithography and etching, an etching method using plasma, or the like can be used.
[0079]
Even when the counter electrode of the pattern electrode is a uniform conductive layer that is not patterned, the material is not particularly limited as long as it has excellent conductivity. For example, metal or conductive ceramics is used. Examples of the method for forming the conductive layer include a film forming method by sputtering, vacuum deposition, screen printing of a conductive paste, and the like.
The thickness of the conductive layer is preferably in the range of 0.1 μm to 10 μm, more preferably in the range of 0.2 μm to 1.0 μm. If the film thickness exceeds 10 μm, the amount of heat generated by the leakage of the electrode layer increases, and the heat generation efficiency of the heat generation layer with respect to the input current decreases.
[0080]
The heat generating layer sandwiched between the electrode pairs is a layer that is located between the pattern electrode layer and the conductive layer, and that locally generates Joule heat at an input portion thereof by an input current addressed and input therebetween. Further, it has a heat resistance of 200 ° C. or more, preferably 300 ° C. or more in relation to the transfer temperature of an image, and has a volume resistance of 10 ° C. ^-3 More than 10 ⁷ Ω · cm or less, preferably 10 ^-1 More than 10 ¹ Ω · cm or less.
[0081]
The heat-generating layer may be made of one of various conductive materials such as a conductive ceramic material, a conductive carbon material and a metal material, and one of various insulating materials such as an insulating ceramic material and a heat-resistant resin. Alternatively, a mixture of several types or a combination thereof is used. As the conductive material used here, specifically, C, Ni, Au, Ag, Fe, Al, Ti, Pd, Ta, Cu, Co, Cr, Pt, Mo, Ru, Rh, W, Carbon and metal materials such as In, VO ₂ , Ru ₂ O, TaN, SiC, ZrO ₂ , InO, Ta ₂ N, ZrN, NbN, VN, TiB ₂ , ZrB ₂ , HfB ₂ , TaB ₂ , MoB ₂ , CrB ₂ , B ₄ Inorganic compounds such as C, MoB, ZrC, VC, and TiC are exemplified. Further, as the heat-resistant resin, polyimide resin, polyaramid resin, polysulfone resin, polyimideamide resin, polyester-imide resin, polyphenylene oxide resin, poly-p-xylylene resin, polybenzimidazole resin, or a resin composed of these derivatives or Various modified resins can be used.
Furthermore, AlN and SiN are used for controlling the resistance and binding. ₄ , Al ₂ O ₃ , MgO, VO ₂ , SiO ₂ , ZrO ₂ , MO ₂ , Bi ₂ O ₃ , TiO ₂ , MoO ₂ , WO ₂ , NbO ₂ , ReO ₃ Or an insulating material such as the above heat-resistant resin.
Among them, preferable materials for forming the heating layer include, for example, carbon-dispersed polyimide resin, Ni powder-dispersed silicone resin, Ta-SiO ₂ Mixed ceramic material, RuO-SiO ₂ And the like.
[0082]
As a method for forming the heat generating layer, a screen printing method, a photolithographic etching method using a photoresist, or the like can be used. The thickness of the heat generating layer is preferably from 0.2 μm to 20 μm, and more preferably from 1 μm to 5 μm. If the film thickness exceeds 20 μm, there arises a problem that the heat generation efficiency with respect to the input power decreases and the energy consumption increases.
[0083]
Since the heat insulating base material on which the heating element is laminated is exposed to heat from the heating element, it must be formed of a material having heat resistance enough to withstand at least the temperature required for transfer and fixing. Further, since the transfer recording medium itself may play a role of transporting a recording medium such as a sheet in the image forming recording apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the transfer recording medium is formed of a material having excellent workability. . In consideration of economical efficiency, as the heat insulating base material, metal materials such as aluminum, nickel and SUS, plastic materials such as polyimide resin, silicone resin and aramid resin, and ceramic materials such as alumina, silicon oxide and zirconia are used. Is preferred.
[0084]
This heat insulating base material only needs to exhibit heat insulating properties at least with the heating element laminated thereon, so that the entire base material is formed of a heat insulating material such as a plastic material or a ceramic material. It may also be formed by laminating a heat transfer failure layer having excellent heat resistance on the surface of a material having relatively low heat resistance such as a heat conductive material such as a metal material or a plastic material. You may.
As a material used for forming the heat transfer failure layer for such purpose, the amount of heat energy generated in the heat generating layer is suppressed from leaking to the base material side, and the energy efficiency in the heat generating layer is improved. Therefore, the thermal diffusion coefficient is 10 ² mm ² / Sec or less, more preferably 1 mm ² / Sec or less.
Further, in order to suppress a current leak in the pattern electrode layer or the conductive layer, the volume resistance is 10 ⁵ Ω · cm or more, preferably 10 ⁸ Ω · cm or more is preferred. Specific examples of such a heat transfer failure layer material include, for example, ceramics such as silicon oxide and its compound and magnesium oxide and its compound, polyimide resin and its modified compound, polyaramid resin and its modified compound, silicone resin and its Examples thereof include polymers such as modified compounds, and materials containing these as main components.
[0085]
The transfer recording medium of the present invention has a laminated structure in which a protective layer is further laminated on a heat generating layer laminated on a heat insulating base material.
This protective layer has the purpose of preventing the colored electrodeposition layer from remaining on the transfer recording medium and protecting the heating element from physical damage. In order to form a protective layer having such a function, the critical surface tension is preferably in the range of 25 dyne / cm or more and 42 dyne / cm or less, and more preferably in the range of 28 dyne / cm or more and 34 dyne / cm or less. is there. If the critical surface tension exceeds 42 dyne / cm, a part of the colored electrodeposition layer remains, and the surface of the transfer recording medium tends to be contaminated. On the other hand, when the critical surface tension is less than 25 dyne / cm, the adhesion of the image is extremely reduced, and the image tends to flow or be disturbed during the heat transfer.
[0086]
As a material for forming such a protective layer, for example, a heat-resistant rubber material such as fluorine rubber (FEP) or silicone rubber and a heat-resistant resin such as fluorine resin, dimethylsiloxane resin, aramid resin, or polyimide resin are used alone. Alternatively, they can be used as a mixture. In addition, a conductive powder or a ceramic powder can be mixed with these materials for the purpose of controlling the electric resistance and the film strength of the layer itself. In particular, when a rubber-based material is used, the protective layer is provided with an adhesive force, and the efficiency of transferring the colored electrodeposition layer on the image holding member to a transfer recording medium is preferably improved.
Further, for the purpose of improving the effect of preventing offset of the untransferred image, a treatment such as application of a lubricant such as silicone oil may be performed.
The thickness of this protective layer is in the range of 0.1 μm to 10 μm, preferably in the range of 0.2 μm to 3 μm. If the film thickness exceeds 10 μm, the distance from the heat generating layer to the object to be heated increases, the heat transfer loss increases, and the energy efficiency decreases. On the other hand, if it is less than 0.1 μm, it is difficult to obtain uniformity of the film, and the function is reduced.
[0087]
When the protective layer is formed of a material other than the low surface energy material, it is preferable to provide the low surface energy layer on the protective layer. It is possible to prevent deterioration of the transfer recording medium due to physical damage and deterioration due to the remaining of the colored electrodeposition layer. Examples of the material to be used include a heat-resistant rubber material such as fluoro rubber (FEP) and silicone rubber and a fluoro resin, a dimethyl siloxane resin, or a mixture thereof.
[0088]
It is preferable that the surface of the transfer recording medium has smoothness from the viewpoints of image resolution and prevention of remaining of the colored electrodeposition layer. Specifically, it is preferable that the surface roughness (Ra) is in the range of 0.01 μm or more and 1.2 μm or less.
The surface roughness of the transfer recording medium refers to the surface roughness of the protective layer when the outermost layer is a protective layer, and refers to the surface roughness of the layer when the outermost layer has a low surface energy layer.
[0089]
There is no restriction on the shape of the transfer recording medium as long as it can hold the colored electrodeposition layer temporarily. For example, an endless belt shape having flexibility, a rigid roll shape having rigidity, and the like can be given. Above all, it is preferable to form the transfer recording medium into an endless belt because the time for controlling the temperature to the recording medium and the time for heating can be increased.
[0090]
The colored electrodeposition layer on the transfer recording medium is softened or melted by heat generated from the heating element. As described above, the temperature of the heat softening and the heat melting of the electrodeposited material is preferably 60 ° C. or more and 250 ° C. or less in consideration of the material handling properties and the relationship with the environmental temperature. Therefore, when the surface temperature of the transfer recording medium at the time of transferring the colored electrodeposition layer onto the recording medium is also set in a range of 60 ° C. or more and 250 ° C. or less, it is efficient and preferable without energy loss.
[0091]
By controlling the power supplied to the heating element, the surface temperature of the transfer recording medium during transfer can be set to an appropriate range. For example, there is a method in which the temperature of the transfer recording medium is detected by a temperature detecting device or the like, and the power supplied to the transfer recording medium is controlled in accordance with the detected temperature. As described above, it is preferable to control the energization power because a good image can be formed without consuming unnecessary energy.
[0092]
As a specific method of detecting the temperature of the heating element and energizing the heating element with electric power controlled according to the detected amount, for example, a plurality of energization supply contact portions provided on the pattern electrode layer of the heating element are described. In the case where a plurality of divided electrodes are provided, a block dividing circuit for dividing an image signal into blocks corresponding to the divided electrodes, and an image signal from the block dividing circuit and an environmental temperature are detected and each divided circuit is detected. A control circuit (pulse width setting circuit, pulse number / timing setting circuit, etc.) for setting the amount of electric energy supplied to the electrodes, and a pulse driver circuit for generating a heating amount of electricity based on an output signal from the setting circuit. And the like.
[0093]
The colored electrodeposition layer softened and melted by heat on the transfer recording medium can be transferred and fixed from the transfer recording medium to the recording medium by pressing the transfer recording medium and the recording medium. When the transfer recording medium is pressed against the recording medium, for example, when the transfer recording medium is in the form of a rigid roll, the roll and another transfer roll supporting the recording medium from the opposite direction to the roll are rotated in opposite directions. Performed by When the transfer recording medium has an endless belt shape, the transfer is performed by rotating the roll supporting the endless belt and the transfer roll supporting the recording medium in opposite directions.
[0094]
It is preferable that the pressure contact be performed at a pressure in the range of 200 g / cm or more and 7 kg / cm or less because transfer / fixing efficiency is good. In particular, when the pressure is in the range of 400 g / cm or more and 2 kg / cm or less, even better characteristics can be obtained. If it is less than 200 g / cm, the plastic deformation of the image material is small, and the transfer rate and the fixing strength tend to be significantly reduced. On the other hand, if it exceeds 7 kg / cm, the structural strength of the device itself is required, which may cause problems such as an increase in the size of the device and an increase in the weight of the device.
[0095]
It is preferable to perform the pressure contact when local heat is generated from the heating element because printing efficiency can be increased. This method includes, for example, a method of pressing between elastic rolls and a method of pressing between rolls and elastic blades.
[0096]
6 and 7 show examples of the image forming and recording apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 6 schematically illustrates an example in which the transfer recording medium is used in an endless shape, and FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an example in which the transfer recording medium is used as a rigid roll.
The operation of the device will be described with reference to FIG.
The belt-shaped image holding member 12 receives an image signal from the laser scanning system 14 and the laser light source 15 in the aqueous dispersion 13 and simultaneously connects the potentiostat 16 connected to the counter electrode 17 to the image signal. A predetermined applied voltage is applied during the period. An electrodeposition material composed of coloring material particles and a polymer is electrochemically deposited on the image holding member 12 in an image-like manner, and a colored electrodeposition layer 19 is formed. The colored electrodeposition layer 19 is conveyed to a portion where the belt-shaped image holding member 12 and the belt-shaped transfer recording medium 20 are in contact with each other while being adhered to the image holding member 12. Here, the driving roller supporting the belt-shaped image holding member 12 and the driving roller supporting the belt-shaped transfer recording medium 20 rotate in opposite directions to each other, and the colored electrodeposition layer is pressure-transferred to the transfer recording medium 20. Next, the transferred colored electrodeposition layer 21 is conveyed to a portion where the transfer recording medium 20 and the recording medium 22 come into contact with each other while being adhered to the belt-shaped transfer recording medium 20. During that time, the heating element of the transfer recording medium 20 is energized by the power supply source and locally generates heat, and the heat softens the colored electrodeposition layer 21. The softened colored electrodeposition layer 21 is transferred and fixed to the paper 22 by rotating the transfer roller supporting the paper 22 as a recording medium and the driving roller supporting the transfer medium in reverse, and the image 23 is formed on the paper 22. Be recorded.
[0097]
In the image forming / recording apparatus according to the present invention, since the transfer recording medium in the apparatus has a local heating mechanism, energy consumed during transfer can be saved. In addition, since the heat-generating portion and the untransferred image of the image holding member can be brought close to each other, the loss of heat energy generated can be suppressed, and as a result, the amount of heat required for transfer or the like can be reduced. And power consumption can be reduced accordingly.
In addition, the amount of heat generated can be reduced in this way, and since the heat generating element is provided on the heat insulating base material, heat leakage at the time of heat generation can be prevented, and a rise in the temperature inside the device can be suppressed. Since the protective layer is also provided on the surface of the transfer recording medium, it is possible to prevent the colored electrodeposition layer from remaining, and it is possible to repeatedly use the electrodeposited layer for a long time.
Further, since the heat capacity of the heating element is small, the temperature control at the time of fixing becomes easy, so that a stable image quality can be recorded on the recording medium. Further, the temperature can be raised to a required temperature in a short time, and the warm-up time until the image forming / recording apparatus operates can be shortened or omitted. Further, since the temperature drops in a short time, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the entire apparatus from rising.
If necessary, a cooling mechanism for suppressing a rise in temperature of the entire apparatus may be additionally provided.
[0098]
【Example】
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.
[0099]
(Example 1)
16 parts by weight of carbon black powder (average particle diameter 0.08 μm), 11 parts by weight of polyethylene glycol, 6 parts by weight of potassium polyoxyethylene alkyl ether carboxylate, 5 parts by weight of potassium polyethylene glycol dicarboxylate, 2 parts by weight of water-soluble acrylic resin Was mixed with 5 parts by weight of butanol and 65 parts by weight of distilled water, and the mixture was stirred with a medium-strength propeller for 2 hours to sufficiently wet the carbon black powder with a liquid to prepare a coarse dispersion. Next, this dispersion liquid was subjected to a high-intensity forced dispersion treatment for 4 minutes using a homogenizer disperser to prepare a dispersion stock solution. A diluent obtained by mixing 130 parts by weight of distilled water, 7 parts by weight of glycerin, and 0.9 part by weight of a fungicide (“Proxel XL-2” manufactured by ICI) was dropped into the dispersion without stirring with a propeller. An aqueous dispersion was prepared. This solution was adjusted to pH = 6.5 by adjusting the pH with an aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid and an aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide. The pH at the colorant particle precipitation start point of this liquid was 6.0. The resistance value of this liquid is 2 × 10 ² Ω · cm.
[0100]
Next, the image holding member provided with a work electrode capable of inputting an image signal from the back surface is placed in an electrodeposition bath containing the aqueous dispersion so that the back surface is outside the electrodeposition bath. A control electrode using was installed in the bath. The image holding member used has a structure in which a transparent conductive layer of ITO is formed on a 4 mm-thick blue plate glass substrate, and two organic photoconductor layers (perylene-phthalocyanine-based organic photoconductor) are laminated thereon. It is also. The ITO conductive layer functions as a work electrode. The surface of the organic photoconductor layer was smooth. Each electrode is connected to a potentiostat power supply, and an image is input to the optical image input section on the back side of the image holding member. C. Voltage was applied for 2 seconds.
[0101]
Next, the image holding member was taken out of the liquid, and after 10 seconds, the transfer recording medium prepared as described below was placed on the image-like colored electrodeposition layer-adhering surface of the image holding member surface, and a linear pressure was applied using a rubber roller having a diameter of 50 mm. A pressure of 450 g / cm was applied, and a rubber roller was sandwiched from the back of the transfer recording medium to transfer the colored electrodeposition layer to the transfer recording medium. Next, a plain paper is placed on the transfer recording medium to which the colored electrodeposition layer is adhered, and a linear pressure of 600 g / cm is applied while heating the area of the adhered portion to apply the colored electrodeposition layer onto the transfer paper. The image was transferred and fixed to complete the image formation. The heated surface temperature of the transfer recording medium during transfer was 120 ° C. It was confirmed that a high quality image with an optical image density of 1.50 was formed on plain paper.
[0102]
The method for producing the transfer recording medium is described below.
An aluminum tube having a thickness of 2 mm and a diameter of 100 mm is used as a base material, and a ceramic material containing silicon dioxide as a main component is sprayed by a ceramic spraying method on the surface of the base material to form a heat transfer failure layer having a thickness of 0.5 mm. The ceramic layer was covered to form a heat insulating substrate. Next, on the heat transfer failure layer, gold is deposited to a thickness of 1 μm by a vacuum evaporation method, and thereafter, a plurality of bands extending in the length direction with a width of 2 mm and an interval of 0.1 mm by a photolithography method. A strip-shaped pattern was formed, and a lower second pattern electrode layer was formed. Then, on this pattern electrode layer, SiO.sub.2 is formed by sputtering. ₂ Was used to cover an insulating layer having a thickness of 1.5 μm to form an insulating layer having a conducting hole (3b in FIG. 3). On the insulating layer, gold is deposited to a thickness of 1 μm by a vacuum deposition method, and thereafter, a strip-shaped pattern composed of a number of bands extending along the direction of roll rotation with a width of 2 mm and an interval of 0.1 mm is formed by a photolithography method. Then, an upper second pattern electrode layer was formed. . Next, using a dispersion paste composed of a ruthenium compound, a modified silicone resin, an iridium complex, and an acrylic resin, coating is performed by a screen printing method so that both side edge portions of the upper second pattern electrode layer are exposed with a width of 20 mm, and heated at 350 ° C. Fired to a thickness of 3 μm and volume resistivity of 5 × 10 ³ A uniform heating layer of Ω · cm was formed. Further, a gold paste is applied on the heat generating layer in the same shape and size as the lower second pattern electrode layer by a screen printing method, and is baked at 360 ° C. to form a 1 μm thick gold first pattern. An electrode layer was formed. In this manner, the heating element including the lower second pattern electrode layer, the insulating layer having the conductive holes, the upper second pattern electrode layer, the heat generating layer, and the first pattern electrode layer is laminated on the heat insulating base material. did. Onto the heating element, a silicone-modified elastomer liquid was applied, heated and dried at 200 ° C., and a protective layer having a thickness of 4 μm was laminated. When the critical surface tension of this protective layer was measured by the Deissman plot method, it was 28 dyne / cm. The surface roughness was Ra = 1.1 μm.
The recording medium formed in this manner was used as the transfer recording medium of Example 1.
[0103]
(Example 2)
16 parts by weight of carbon black powder (average particle size 0.06 μm), 11 parts by weight of polyethylene glycol, 6 parts by weight of potassium polyoxyethylene alkyl ether carboxylate, 5 parts by weight of potassium polyethylene glycol dicarboxylate, 2 parts by weight of water-soluble acrylic resin , 5 parts by weight of butanol and 65 parts by weight of distilled water were mixed, and the mixture was stirred with a medium-strength propeller for 2 hours to sufficiently wet the carbon bulk powder with a liquid to prepare a coarse dispersion. Next, this dispersion liquid was subjected to a high-intensity forced dispersion treatment for 4 minutes using a homogenizer disperser to prepare a dispersion stock solution. A diluent obtained by mixing 130 parts by weight of distilled water, 7 parts by weight of glycerin, and 0.9 part by weight of a fungicide (“Proxel XL-2” manufactured by ICI) was dropped into the dispersion without stirring with a propeller. An aqueous dispersion was prepared. This liquid was adjusted to pH = 7.5 by adjusting the pH with an aqueous hydrochloric acid solution and an aqueous potassium hydroxide solution. The pH at the colorant particle precipitation start point of this liquid was 6.0. The resistance value of this liquid is 6 × 10 ² Ω · cm.
[0104]
Next, the image holding member provided with a work electrode capable of inputting an image signal from the back surface is placed in an electrodeposition bath containing the aqueous dispersion so that the back surface is outside the electrodeposition bath. A control electrode using was installed in the bath. The image holding member used has a structure in which an ITO transparent conductive layer is formed on a 4 mm-thick blue plate glass substrate, and two organic photoconductor layers (perylene-phthalocyanine-based organic photoconductor) are laminated thereon. It is also. The ITO conductive layer functions as a work electrode. The surface of the organic photoconductor layer was smooth. Each of the electrodes is connected to a potentiostat power supply, and an image is input to the optical image input section on the back side of the image holding member. C. Voltage was applied for 5 seconds.
[0105]
Next, the image holding member was taken out of the liquid, and after 10 seconds, the transfer recording medium prepared as described below was placed on the image-like colored electrodeposition layer-adhering surface of the image holding member surface, and a linear pressure was applied using a rubber roller having a diameter of 50 mm. A pressure of 450 g / cm was applied, and a rubber roller was sandwiched from the back of the transfer recording medium to transfer the colored electrodeposition layer to the transfer recording medium. Next, a plain paper is placed on the transfer recording medium to which the colored electrodeposition layer is adhered, and a pressure of 400 g / cm is applied to the area of the adhered portion while applying heat to apply the colored electrodeposition layer onto the transfer paper. The image was transferred and fixed to complete the image formation. The heated surface temperature of the transfer recording medium at the time of transfer was 130 ° C. It was confirmed that a high-quality image having an optical image density of 1.28 was formed on plain paper.
[0106]
The method for producing the transfer recording medium is described below.
An aluminum tube having a thickness of 2 mm and a diameter of 100 mm is used as a base material, and a ceramic material containing silicon dioxide as a main component is sprayed on the surface of the base material by a ceramic spraying method. The ceramic layer was covered to form a heat insulating substrate.
Next, a gold film having a thickness of 1 μm is formed on the poor heat transfer layer by a vacuum evaporation method, and thereafter, a plurality of films extending along the length direction with a width of 2 mm and an interval of 0.1 mm by a photolithography method. A strip-shaped pattern consisting of a band was formed, and a pattern electrode layer was formed. Then, on the pattern electrode layer, both side edges of the strip-shaped pattern electrode layer are exposed with a width of 20 mm by a screen printing method using a dispersion paste composed of a ruthenium compound, a modified silicone resin, an iridium complex, and an acrylic resin. And fired at 350 ° C. to a thickness of 3 μm and a volume resistivity of 5 × 10 ³ A uniform heating layer of Ω · cm was formed. Further, on the heat generating layer, a gold paste was applied in the same shape and size as the heat generating layer by a screen printing method and fired at 360 ° C. to form a gold conductive layer having a thickness of 1 μm. In this way, a heating element composed of the pattern electrode layer, the heating layer, and the conductive layer was laminated on the heat insulating base material.
On the heating element thus laminated on the heat insulating base material, a chromium layer was laminated to a thickness of 10 μm by plating so that both side edges of the conductive layer were exposed with a width of 20 mm, A silicone-modified elastomer solution was applied on the chromium layer, dried by heating at 200 ° C., and a protective layer having a thickness of 4 μm was laminated. When the critical surface tension of this protective layer was measured by the Deissman plot method, it was 29 dyne / cm. The surface roughness was Ra = 0.7 μm.
The recording medium formed in this manner was used as the transfer recording medium of Example 2.
[0107]
(Example 3)
30 parts by weight of carbon black powder (average particle diameter 0.03 μm), 4 parts by weight of diethylene glycol, 12 parts by weight of ammonium polymethylacrylate dicarboxylate, 8 parts by weight of ammonium polyoxyethylene alkylphenylcarboxylate, 4 parts by weight of water-soluble acrylic resin, 80 parts by weight of distilled water were mixed, and a medium-strength propeller was stirred for 10 hours to sufficiently wet the carbon black powder with a liquid to prepare a coarse dispersion. Next, this dispersion liquid was subjected to a dispersion treatment for 24 hours using a ball mill disperser to prepare a dispersion stock solution. A diluent obtained by mixing 120 parts by weight of distilled water and 0.7 part by weight of a fungicide (“Proxel XL-2” manufactured by ICI) was dropped into the dispersion without stirring with a propeller to prepare an aqueous dispersion. did. This solution was adjusted to pH = 7.0 by adjusting the pH with a phosphoric acid aqueous solution and an ammonia aqueous solution. The pH at the colorant particle precipitation start point of this liquid was 6.2. The conductivity of this liquid is 5 × 10 ² Ω · cm.
[0108]
Next, using the same apparatus as in Examples 1 and 2, the image holding member provided with a work electrode capable of inputting an image signal from the back side is electrodeposited on an electrodeposition bath containing the above electrodeposition solution. It was placed outside the liquid bath, and a counter electrode and a control electrode using a salt bridge were installed in the bath. The image holding member used has a structure in which an ITO transparent conductive layer is formed on a 2 mm-thick quartz substrate, and two organic photoconductor layers (perylene-phthalocyanine-based organic photoconductor layer) are laminated thereon. It is. The ITO conductive layer functions as a work electrode. The surface of the organic photoconductor layer was smooth. Next, each electrode was connected to a potentiostat power supply, and an image was input to the optical image input section on the back side of the image holding member by using a He-Ne laser beam. D. C. A pulse voltage (pulse width 2 ms / pulse period 3 ms) was applied.
[0109]
Next, the image holding member is taken out of the liquid, unnecessary liquid on the image holding member is removed with an air knife, and the transfer recording medium prepared below is attached to the image-like colored electrodeposition layer attachment surface of the image holding member surface. Then, a linear pressure of 340 g / cm was applied using a rubber roller having a diameter of 50 mm to sandwich the image holding member and the transfer recording medium, and the colored electrodeposition layer was transferred to the transfer recording medium. Next, a plain paper is placed on the transfer recording medium to which the colored electrodeposition layer is adhered, and a pressure of 400 g / cm is applied to the area of the adhered portion while applying heat to apply the colored electrodeposition layer onto the transfer paper. The image was transferred and fixed to complete the image formation. The heating temperature of the transfer recording medium surface during the transfer was 130 ° C. It was confirmed that a high quality image having an optical image density of 1.42 was formed on plain paper.
[0110]
Hereinafter, a method for producing a transfer recording medium will be described.
An alumina ceramic roll having a diameter of 30 mm and a thickness of 2 mm was used as a heat insulating base material, and silicon dioxide was deposited as a bonding layer on the surface to a thickness of 1 μm by a vacuum deposition method. A tungsten paste was applied by an immersion method and fired by a high-temperature firing method at 490 ° C. to form a 3 μm-thick conductive layer. A mixed film of tantalum and silicon dioxide was deposited on the conductive layer by a two-source sputtering method to form a heat generating layer having a thickness of 2 μm. Further, on the heat generating layer, molybdenum is deposited to a thickness of 0.3 μm by a sputtering method, and then the molybdenum layer is etched to a 0.9 mm width at a pitch of 1 mm by a dry etching method to form a strip-shaped pattern electrode layer. Was formed.
In this way, a heating element composed of a conductive layer, a heating layer and a pattern electrode layer is laminated on the heat insulating base material, and further, silicon dioxide is deposited thereon as an adhesive layer to a thickness of 0.1 μm by a sputtering method. A silicone elastomer material was applied on the adhesive layer, and a protective layer having a thickness of 2.5 μm was laminated thereon to obtain a transfer recording medium.
The critical surface energy of the transfer recording medium of Example 3 was measured in the same manner as in Example 2, and the result was 31 dyne / cm. The surface roughness was Ra = 0.7 μm.
In the same manner as in the second embodiment, energizing portions are formed on both side edges of the heat generating layer, and a power supply mechanism including an input current supply roller and a return conductive roller is disposed in the energizing portion. A roller was provided to constitute a heat-press type image transfer fixing device.
As a result of performing a transfer and fixing test in the same manner as in Example 1 at a power consumption of 140 W, a good image was obtained by a rubbing test (20 times). At the same time, the temperature reached the temperature at which transfer and fixation was possible.
[0111]
(Example 4)
10 parts by weight of phthalocyanine powder (average particle diameter 0.06 μm), 8 parts by weight of ethyl cellosolve, 8 parts by weight of lithium polyoxyethylene alkylphenylacetate (polymerization molecular weight 12,000), lithium polymethylacrylate dicarboxylate (polymerization molecular weight 11, 000) 4 parts by weight, a water-soluble acrylic resin solution 7 parts by weight, and distilled water 60 parts by weight, and a medium-strength propeller is stirred for 3.5 hours to sufficiently wet the pigment powder into a liquid to obtain a coarse dispersion. Prepared. Next, this dispersion liquid was subjected to a dispersion treatment for 14 minutes using a homogenizer disperser to prepare a dispersion stock solution. A diluent obtained by mixing 200 parts by weight of distilled water and 1.5 parts by weight of a fungicide (“Proxel XL-2” manufactured by ICI) was added dropwise to the dispersion without stirring with a propeller to prepare an aqueous dispersion. did. The pH of this solution was adjusted with a phosphoric acid aqueous solution and a lithium hydroxide aqueous solution to set pH = 7.3. The pH at the colorant particle precipitation start point of this liquid was 6.0. The conductivity of this liquid is 2.6 × 10 ³ Ω · cm.
[0112]
Next, using the same apparatus as in Examples 1 and 2, an image holding member capable of inputting a current image signal from the back side is placed in an electrodeposition bath containing the aqueous dispersion, and the back side is outside the electrodeposition bath. And a counter electrode, a control electrode utilizing a salt bridge, was placed in the bath. This image holding member has a structure in which a transparent conductive layer of ITO is formed on a quartz substrate having a thickness of 2 mm, and two organic photoconductor layers (perylene-phthalocyanine-based organic photoconductor layer) are stacked thereon. there were. The ITO conductive layer was used as a work electrode, and the surface of the organic photoconductor layer as the surface layer of the image holding member was made smooth. Next, each electrode is connected to a potentiostat power source, and a 2.1 V D is applied between the work electrode and the counter electrode by the potentiostat power source while inputting an image with a semiconductor laser beam into the optical image input portion on the back surface of the image holding member. . C. A pulse voltage (pulse width 2 ms / pulse period 3 ms) was applied.
[0113]
Next, the image holding member after the completion of the image formation was taken out of the liquid, and it was confirmed that an imagewise cyan colored electrodeposition layer was formed on the surface of the image holding member. A voltage of 500 V is applied between the planar work electrode of the image holding member and the planar electrode of the transfer recording medium. C. The cyan colored electrodeposition layer on the surface of the image holding member was transferred to a transfer recording medium while applying a pulse and a pressure of 400 g / cm. Next, a plain paper is placed on the transfer recording medium to which the colored electrodeposition layer is adhered, and a linear pressure of 700 g / cm is applied while energizing and heating the area of the adhered portion to apply the colored electrodeposition layer on the transfer paper. The image was transferred and fixed to complete the image formation. The heating surface temperature of the transfer recording medium was 170 ° C. It was confirmed that a high-quality image having an optical image density of 1.20 was formed.
[0114]
This transfer recording medium was manufactured by using a polyimide seamless belt having a thickness of 75 μm, a diameter of 120 mm and a width of 220 mm as a heat insulating base material, and nickel as a conductive layer on the outside thereof by a sputter deposition method. Then, a carbon-dispersed polyimide resin layer is coated on the conductive layer and heat-treated to give a thickness of 2 μm and a volume resistivity of 2 × 10 ² A heat-generating layer of Ω · cm is laminated, and a nickel layer having a thickness of 0.6 μm is laminated on the heat-generating layer by a sputter deposition method, and the nickel layer is spaced at a pitch of 4 mm by photolithography and dry etching. A pattern electrode layer was formed by patterning to a thickness of 0.09 mm and extending in a belt shape in the width direction of the belt, and a heating element was constituted by the conductive layer, the heat generation layer, and the pattern electrode layer.
Further, a protective layer having a thickness of 6.5 μm was laminated on the heat generating layer by applying a silicone rubber-based resin, thereby producing an endless belt-shaped local heat transfer recording medium. The critical surface energy of this protective layer was 28 dyne / cm. The surface roughness was Ra = 1.0 μm.
[0115]
Further, with respect to the transfer recording medium, a heating element including a conductive layer, a heating layer, and a pattern electrode layer is extended along both side edges, and both ends of the conductive layer and both ends of the pattern electrode layer in this portion are formed. The power supply mechanism that contacts the input current supply roller and the return conductive roller is disposed in the current-carrying sections on both side edges of the power-carrying section. The heat transfer recording medium is laid over a pair of drive rollers, and on one drive roller side, the current-carrying portion is pressurized between the drive roller, the input current supply roller of the power supply mechanism, and the return conductive roller. And a web roller is provided on the other drive roller side, and a thin silicone oil layer is applied from the web roller to the protective layer of the local heat transfer recording medium. And constitute an image transfer-fixing device of the heat pressing method according to less belt. In the image transfer fixing device of the fourth embodiment, one of the drive roller and the pressure contact roller is opposed to each other across the transfer recording medium, that is, the roller linear pressure of the transfer fixing portion is 2 kg / cm. As a result of applying a pulse current having a pulse width of 10 ms and a voltage of 15 V to the heat-generating region of the heat-generating layer via the return roller, the portion of the transfer recording medium in contact with the pressure roller immediately heated to 150 ° C. The transferred image was transferred and fixed, and the transferred and fixed image adhered to the sheet, and a stable image was obtained.
[0116]
During this time, no adhesion phenomenon of the image was observed on the protective layer of the transfer recording medium, and the image was not deteriorated by the rubbing test (20 times) of the fixed image, and the optical density did not change. Therefore, it was proved that a robust transfer-fixed image without image disturbance was obtained.
[0117]
(Example 5)
In the same manner as in Example 2, after preparing an aqueous dispersion and depositing an image-like colored electrodeposition layer on the image holding member, the image holding member was taken out of the aqueous dispersion bath, and hot air at 60 ° C. was blown. After blowing for 8 seconds, the surface was dried to obtain a viscous image-like colored electrodeposition layer on the image holding member. Next, using the same transfer recording medium as in Example 2, the colored electrodeposition layer on the surface of the image holding member was pressure-transferred onto the transfer recording medium at a linear pressure of 1200 g / cm. After that, the plain paper is placed on the transfer recording medium, and the heating layer of the transfer recording medium is fed to the area corresponding to the image using the temperature sensor to feed back the surface temperature of the transfer recording medium while controlling the heat generation temperature. Was pressed at a linear pressure of 800 g / cm across the plain paper and the image holding member and conveyed by rotation. When the plain paper was peeled off from the transfer recording medium immediately after pressing, a high-quality image having an optical image density of 1.43 was obtained on plain paper.
[0118]
(Example 6)
15 parts by weight of carbon black powder (average particle diameter 0.1 μm), 5 parts by weight of a styrene-sodium acrylate copolymer (molecular weight 19,000), 3 parts by weight of polyethylene glycol, 1 part by weight of a water-soluble acrylic resin , 95 parts by weight of distilled water, and a medium-strength propeller was stirred for 1 hour to sufficiently wet the carbon bulk powder into a liquid to prepare a coarse dispersion. Next, this dispersion liquid was subjected to a high-strength forced dispersion treatment for 3 minutes using a homogenizer disperser to prepare a dispersion stock solution. 100 parts by weight of distilled water, 10 parts by weight of an aqueous solution of vinyl acetate emulsion, a fungicide ("Proxel XL-2"
0.9 parts by weight of a mixed solution (manufactured by ICI) was added dropwise to the dispersion liquid while stirring with a propeller to complete an electrodeposition solution. This solution was adjusted to pH = 7.1 by adjusting the pH with a phosphoric acid aqueous solution and sodium hydroxide. The pH at the colorant particle deposition start point of this liquid was 6.5. The conductivity of this solution is 6 × 10 ² Ω · cm.
[0119]
Next, using the same apparatus as in Examples 1 and 2, the image holding member provided with a work electrode capable of inputting an image signal from the back side is electrodeposited on an electrodeposition bath containing the above electrodeposition solution. It was placed outside the liquid bath, and a counter electrode and a control electrode using a salt bridge were installed in the bath. This image holding member has a laminated structure in which a transparent conductive layer of ITO is provided on a 3 mm thick soda lime glass substrate, and two organic photoconductor layers are formed thereon. The ITO conductive layer functions as a work electrode. The surface of the organic photoconductor layer had a surface roughness (Ra) of 0.3 μm and a critical surface energy of 30 dyne / cm. Each of the electrodes is connected to a potentiostat power supply, and an image is input to the optical image input section on the back side of the image holding member. C. Voltage was applied for 5 seconds.
[0120]
Next, the image holding member was taken out of the liquid, and after 20 seconds, the transfer recording medium was placed on the image-like colored electrodeposition layer attachment surface of the image holding member surface, and a linear pressure of 250 g / cm was applied using a rubber roller having a diameter of 50 mm. A pressure was applied, and the colored electrodeposition layer was transferred onto the transfer recording medium by sandwiching the image holding member and the transfer recording medium with a rubber roller. Next, a film sheet is placed on the transfer recording medium on which the colored electrodeposition layer is placed, and the area of the transfer recording medium where the colored electrodeposition layer is attached is heated at a heating temperature of 150 ° C. while applying a linear pressure of 700 g / cm. By applying pressure, this image was transferred and fixed on the film, and the image formation was completed.
After the completion of the image formation, it was confirmed that a high-quality image having an optical image density of 1.35 was formed on the film. As a result of performing an eraser rubbing test (20 times), the optical density change amount of this print sample was 0.2. The optical density change of the print sample of Example 2 was 0.4. Thereby, it was confirmed that the fixability was improved by the addition of the emulsion aqueous solution.
[0121]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently form and record an image having a high optical density, a high resolution, and a low image thickness image structure in terms of energy and time. In addition, the obtained image has high adhesiveness and image fastness, and can stably realize image formation and recording, and has an excellent effect of high safety.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing one example of a cross section of a roller-type transfer recording medium according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an entire image of a roller-type transfer recording medium according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a transfer recording medium manufacturing process outline example of the present invention and an example of a transfer recording medium manufacturing step outline example of Example 1.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transfer recording medium manufacturing process outline example of the present invention and an example of a transfer recording medium manufacturing step outline example of Example 2.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a power supply method to a transfer recording medium according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a printing system example (1) of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a printing system example (2) of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Base material in heat insulating material
2 Insulating base layer in heat insulating base material
3 Lower second pattern electrode layer
4 Upper second pattern electrode layer
5 Insulating pattern layer
6 Heating layer
7 First pattern electrode layer
8 Protective layer
9 Pattern electrode layer or conductive layer
10 Conductive layer or pattern electrode layer
11 Power supply roller
12 Image holding member
13 aqueous dispersion
14 Laser scanning system
15 Laser light source
16 potentiostat electrode
17 Counter electrode
18 Control electrode
19 Colored electrodeposition layer
20 Transfer recording medium
21 Colored electrodeposition layer transferred onto transfer recording medium
22 Recording medium
23 Colored electrodeposition layer transferred on recording medium (image)
24 Cleaning brush (blade)
25 Cleaning waste tray
26 Electrodeposition liquid layer
27 Image projector
28 Projection rays

Claims (16)

In a container capable of holding a liquid, an aqueous dispersion containing coloring material particles and an electrodeposition material composed of a polymer is injected, and at least an electrode capable of providing a current or an electric field imagewise and a surface capable of holding an image. An image holding member having a counter electrode which is the other of the pair of electrodes is disposed so as to be in contact with the aqueous dispersion,
An image-wise current or electric field is applied to the image holding member and the counter electrode, and the color material particles near the surface of the image holding member and an electrodeposition material composed of a polymer are electrochemically deposited to form the image. Form a colored electrodeposition layer on the holding member like an image,
Next, the colored electrodeposition layer is formed by laminating a heating element capable of locally generating heat composed of an electrode pair sandwiching the heating layer on a heat insulating base material and laminating a protective layer on the surface of the heating element. Transferred onto a transfer recording medium having a laminated structure,
Further, the heating element is energized to locally generate heat, and the heat causes the colored electrodeposition layer transferred onto the transfer recording medium to be softened or melted, and the colored electrodeposition layer is transferred onto the recording medium and fixed.
An image forming and recording method, comprising: The transfer recording medium, on a heat insulating base material, one or both of which sandwich a heating layer, a heating element comprising an electrode pair that is a pattern electrode layer, and a protective layer is formed by laminating a protective layer. The image forming and recording method according to claim 1. 3. The image forming and recording method according to claim 1, wherein the transfer recording medium has an endless belt shape. The protective layer of the transfer recording medium has a critical surface tension of 25 dyne.
The image forming and recording method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the density is not less than / dyne and not more than 42 dyne / cm. The image forming and recording method according to claim 1, wherein a surface roughness (Ra) of the transfer recording medium is 0.01 μm or more and 1.2 μm or less. 6. The image forming recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a temperature of the transfer recording medium is detected, and a heating element is energized by electric power controlled according to the detected amount. Method. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the heating element is energized by an alternating current, a current having a triangular waveform or a pulse waveform, or a current having a modulation waveform thereof. Recording method. The heating element is energized to locally generate heat. When the heating element locally generates heat, the transfer recording medium and the recording medium are pressed against each other, and the colored electrodeposition layer transferred onto the transfer recording medium is transferred onto the recording medium. 8. The image forming and recording method according to claim 1, wherein fixing is performed. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein a pressure at which the transfer recording medium is brought into pressure contact with the recording medium is a linear pressure of 200 g / cm or more and 6 kg / cm or less. Image formation recording method. 10. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a light image signal is input to said image holding member, so that a current is supplied to a surface of said image holding member in an image-like manner corresponding to the light image signal. An image forming and recording method according to any one of the preceding claims. As the electrodeposition material in the aqueous dispersion, a polymer having a hydrophilic group capable of being ionized in a polarity opposite to the polarity of a portion where the colored electrodeposition layer is formed on the image holding member is used. The colored electrodeposition layer is formed on the image holding member by using an applied voltage in which a potential difference between a portion where the layer is formed and the reference electrode is within ± 9 V. Item 2. The image forming and recording method according to Item 1. In the case where the colored electrodeposition layer on the image holding member is more anodic than the reference electrode, the electrodeposition material ion dissociates in an aqueous dispersion to form one or more anionic groups. The polymer according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a part of the polymer is bonded, attached, or associated with the surface of the colorant particles. Image formation recording method. In the step of transferring and fixing the colored electrodeposition layer transferred on the transfer recording medium to the recording medium by heat generated from a heating element, wherein the electrodeposition material contains a thermoplastic resin component, 13. The image forming and recording method according to claim 1, wherein the temperature of the surface of the recording medium or the temperature of the colored electrodeposition layer is 60 ° C. or more and 250 ° C. or less. A container filled with an aqueous dispersion containing at least colorant particles and an electrodeposition material made of a polymer, an image holding member arranged to be in contact with the aqueous dispersion, and an electrochemical device on the image holding member. Means for precipitating an electrodeposition material comprising colorant particles and a polymer to form a colored electrodeposition layer, a transfer recording medium on which the colored electrodeposition layer formed on the image holding member is transferred, Transferring the colored electrodeposition layer of the recording medium to the recording medium, and a means for fixing, in the image forming recording apparatus,
An image forming and recording apparatus, wherein the transfer recording medium includes a heating element capable of locally generating heat. The transfer recording medium, on a heat insulating base material, one or both of which sandwich a heating layer, a heating element comprising an electrode pair that is a pattern electrode layer, and a protective layer is formed by laminating a protective layer. The image forming and recording apparatus according to claim 14, wherein: 16. The image forming and recording apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the transfer recording medium has an endless belt shape.

Images