JP3673666B2 - Transfer medium, transfer image manufacturing method, and fabric on which transfer image is formed - Google Patents

Description

【００２４】
上記に挙げた（１）の離型処理の態様においては、使用する離型剤が均一な液状を有するため、この方法で液媒体吸収層上に離型処理を施した場合に、液媒体吸収層が特に、先に挙げた液媒体吸収層の（ｂ）の態様の、多孔質構造を有する液媒体吸収層の場合であっても、液媒体吸収層内の微細孔を塞ぐことなく付与することができるため、上記の態様の液媒体吸収層の持つ高い液媒体吸収能が阻害されることがないので好ましい。
【００２５】
但し、液媒体吸収層が、上記のような多孔質構造を有する場合には、液媒体吸収層の機能を低下させることなく、熱転写後の色材保持層との剥離機能を発現させるために、液媒体吸収層の態様によっても異なるが、離型剤の処理量を、従来の離型紙等で通常行なわれている処理量の少なくとも２倍以上にする必要がある。目安としては、１ｇ／ｍ²（固形分）以上とすることが好ましい。但し、処理量の上限は、使用する液媒体吸収層への影響を考慮して決定する必要がある。
【００２６】
又、上記に挙げた（２）の態様の分離層においては、離型処理した場合に離型剤が微細な固体粒子として存在することになるため、液媒体吸収層上に離型剤を有する多孔質の分離層が形成されることになり、離型処理を施した場合に液媒体吸収層の液媒体吸収能が阻害されることがないので好ましい。この（２）の態様の離型処理方法は、先に述べた液媒体吸収層が、（Ａ）及び（Ｂ）いずれの態様の場合においても好適に使用できる。
【００２７】
本発明の転写媒体において、上記離型剤の塗工量としては、液媒体吸収層の有する液媒体吸収能を低下させることなく、転写等後において、液媒体吸収層と色材保持層との剥離機能を有効に発現させるために、１〜３０ｇ／ｍ²の範囲となるようにすることが好ましい。より好ましい範囲としては、１〜２０ｇ／ｍ²の範囲、更に好ましくは、２〜１５ｇ／ｍ²の範囲である。
【００２８】
本発明において、液媒体吸収層と色材保持層との層間に、転写後に両層を剥離するための分離層を形成するにあたっては、特に、上記した（２）の態様における場合のように、エマルジョン型、コンパウンド型や微粉体型のような離型剤を使用する場合には、これらの離型剤の結着材として、従来公知の水溶性樹脂、水膨潤性樹脂、熱可塑性樹脂等を使用することが好ましい。先にも述べたように、この場合においても、先に述べた液媒体吸収層の液媒体吸収能を低下させない範囲で結着材を使用することが必要となる。
【００２９】
本発明の転写媒体において使用する、液媒体吸収層の上に形成する分離層に使用する離型剤の具体的な材質としては、カルナバワックス、パラフィンワックス、マイクロクリスタリンワックス、カスターワックス等のワックス類、ステアリン酸、パルミチン酸、ラウリン酸、ステアリン酸アルミニウム、ステアリン酸鉛、ステアリン酸バリウム、ステアリン酸亜鉛、パルミチン酸亜鉛、メチルヒドロキシステアレート、グリセロールモノヒドロキシステアレート、グリセロールモノヒドロキシステアレート等の高級脂肪酸、或いはその金属塩、エステル等の誘導体、ポリアミド系樹脂、石油系樹脂、ロジン誘導体、クロマン−インデン樹脂、テルペン系樹脂、ノボラック系樹脂、スチレン系樹脂、ポリエチレン、ポリプロピレン、ポリブテン、酸化ポリオレフィン等のオレフィン系樹脂、ビニルエーテル系樹脂等が挙げられる。又、この他に、シリコーン樹脂、フルオロシリコーン樹脂、フルオロオレフィンビニルエーテルターポリマー、パーフルオロエポキシ樹脂、パーフルオロアルキル基を側鎖に持つ熱硬化型アクリル樹脂、テフロン樹脂、フッ化ビニリデン系硬化型樹脂等が挙げられ、これらを単独で、又は複数組み合わせて使用できる。
【００３０】
次に、上記した液媒体吸収層と共に本発明の転写媒体を構成する色材保持層について説明する。かかる色材保持層は、液媒体吸収層の上に設けられるが、インク中の色材を捕捉して保持し、且つ、転写後に、液媒体吸収層が剥離し、分離されて主に色材保持層が被転写体上に転写されて画像が形成されるように構成されるものであればいずれのものでもよい。即ち、本発明の転写媒体を構成する色材保持層は、例えば、インクジェット記録装置等の水性インク記録装置によって転写媒体に画像を記録する場合に使用するインクに侵されることなく、インク中の色材（染料や顔料）をできるだけ多く捕捉し保持できるものであることが好ましい。更に、画像形成に使用するインクの構成成分である色材以外の水や有機溶剤等の液体成分が、色材保持層の下層に設けられている液媒体吸収層へと速やかに導かれるように構成されることが好ましい。又、熱転写の際に容易に熱溶融して被転写体に良好に接着する材料を用い、更に、転写後には液媒体吸収層から容易に剥離されて色材保持層が主に転写されるように構成することが好ましい。
【００３１】
又、かかる色材保持層は、層内に画像が形成された状態で被転写体の表面に転写され、使用に供されることになるので、洗濯や摩擦等に耐え得る材料で構成し、堅牢性に優れた転写画像を与えるものにすることが好ましい。更に、布帛等の被転写体に色材保持層によって転写画像を形成した場合に、布帛等が本来有する柔らかな風合いが、転写画像の形成部分において損なわれることがないように構成することが好ましい。
【００３２】
上記に挙げた種々の要件を満足し得る色材保持層の好ましい態様としては、例えば、色材保持層を熱可塑性樹脂を主体として構成し、インクを付与する側の面から液媒体吸収層に至るまで連通する多孔質構造を有するものとすることが好ましい。更に、染料系のインクを使用する場合には、色材保持層中における染料の捕捉を確実にし、強固に保持されるようにするために、使用する染料のイオン性とは逆の対となるイオン性を有する樹脂を色材保持層中に内在させておくことが好ましい。又、顔料系のインクを使用する場合には、上記した色材保持層の多孔質構造を、使用する顔料粒子の粒径よりも小さい細孔径を有するものとし、色材である顔料粒子のみが色材保持層に捕捉され保持されるように構成することが好ましい。色材保持層中に、できるだけ多くのインク中の色材を捕捉させる態様としては、例えば、従来公知のインクジェット用熱転写媒体の色材保持層の形成の場合と同様に構成すればよい。
【００３４】
本発明の転写媒体を構成する色材保持層の形成材料として使用する熱可塑性樹脂としては、非水溶性の熱可塑性樹脂であれば、いずれも好適に使用することができる。このような熱可塑性の樹脂としては、例えば、ポリエチエレン、ポリプロピレン、ポリエチレンオキサイド、ポリ酢酸ビニル、ポリビニルアルコール、ポリビニルアセタール、ポリ（メタ）アクリル酸、ポリ（メタ）アクリル酸エステル、ポリアクリル酸誘導体、ポリアクリル酸アミド、ポリエーテル、ポリエステル、ポリカーボネート、セルロース系樹脂、ポリアクリルニトリル、ポリイミド、ポリアミド、ポリ塩化ビニル、ポリ塩化ビニリデン、ポリスチレン、ポリチオコール、ポリスルフォン、ポリウレタン、その他これらの樹脂の共重合物、変成物等が挙げられる。中でも、ポリエチエレン、ポリプロピレン、ポリエチレンオキサイド、ポリ（メタ）アクリル酸、ポリ（メタ）アクリル酸エステル、ポリ酢酸ビニル、ポリ塩化ビニル、ポリウレタン、ポリアミド、及びこれらの共重合物や変成物等がより好ましく用いることができる。
【００３５】
又、本発明においては、色材保持層を形成する際に使用する熱可塑性樹脂を微粒子とすることが好ましい。更にこの場合には、形成される色材保持層中に、熱可塑性樹脂微粒子と、被膜を形成するための結着剤、更には、転写時に熱可塑性樹脂微粒子及び／又は結着剤を構成する樹脂を架橋するための架橋剤を含有させることが好ましい。このような態様とすれば、色材の捕捉及び保持が効率よく充分に行なわれ、画像濃度の高い高品位の画像を形成することができるのみならず、被転写体上に色材保持層を転写して転写画像を形成した場合に強固な画像を形成するのに有効である。
【００３６】
更に、本発明で用いる熱可塑性樹脂微粒子としては、汎用のインクジェットプリンタで画像を形成した後、家庭等において手軽に転写することを可能にするような材料を用いることが好ましい。この点から、使用する熱可塑性樹脂は、融点が７０℃〜２００℃の範囲のものが好ましく、より好ましくは８０℃〜１８０℃の範囲のもの、更に好ましくは、１００℃〜１５０℃の範囲のものを使用することが好ましい。７０℃よりも融点が低いものを使用した場合には、物流時又は保管時の条件によっては、微粒子が溶融して連続被膜化してしまう恐れがある。又、塗工後の乾燥温度は、熱可塑性微粒子の融点以下で行う必要があるので、製造効率の点からも７０℃以上のものを使用することが好ましい。一方、融点が２００℃よりも高い樹脂を使用した場合には、転写する際に高いエネルギーが必要となってしまい、本発明の目的の一つでもある、簡単に布帛等の被転写材上に転写画像を形成することが困難となる。
【００３７】
又、本発明で使用する熱可塑性樹脂微粒子は、インク吸収性、画像の鮮明性の点から、その粒径が、０．０５μｍ〜１００μｍの範囲であるものが好ましく、より好ましくは、０．２〜５０μｍの範囲のもの、更に好ましくは５〜２０μｍの範囲のものを使用するとよい。即ち、熱可塑性樹脂微粒子の粒径が０．０５μｍより小さい場合は、色材保持層として形成された場合に粒子間の空隙が小さくなり過ぎ、充分なインク中の色材の捕捉及び保持が効率よく充分に行なわれずに、良好な転写画像が得られない場合がある。一方、１００μｍよりも粒径が大きいと、画像の解像度が低くなり鮮明な画像が得られ難くなる。
【００３８】
更に、本発明においては、熱可塑性樹脂微粒子として多孔性の微粒子を用いることが好ましい。即ち、色材保持層の構成材料として多孔性の熱可塑性樹脂微粒子を用いれば、色材保持層内における比表面積が増加するので、色材保持層でのインク中の色材の捕捉性がより向上し、薄い層厚でより多くの色材を保持することが可能となり、転写後の記録物の画像濃度が高められる。更に、色材保持層厚を薄くできるので、画像の転写がより容易となるだけではなく、特に被転写材として柔軟性に富んだ材料を用いた場合に、例えば、転写画像を布帛等の表面に形成した場合に、転写画像が形成された部分の風合いが損なわれずに柔らかい状態の、より好ましい画像転写物が得られる。
【００３９】
更に、上記した熱可塑性樹脂微粒子と共に、本発明の転写媒体を構成する色材保持層の形成材料として好適に使用する結着材は、上記の粒子同士を結着し、薄膜状の色材保持層を形成できるものであれば特に制限はないが、被転写体への接着性、後述する色材保持層中での色材の捕捉性の点で、上記粒子と同様の非水溶性の熱可塑性樹脂やカチオン変性された熱可塑性樹脂を使用することが好ましい。
【００４０】
又、本発明においては、先に述べたように、色材保持層を形成する場合に、熱可塑性樹脂の微粒子や結着剤又はその他の色材保持層中の材料と、若しくは被転写体と反応して架橋構造を構成し得る架橋剤を用いることが好ましい。架橋剤としては、このような機能を有するものであれば、従来公知のいずれの架橋剤を用いることもできる。例えば、熱又は光等のエネルギーによって、架橋反応を開始させることができるような架橋剤を、適宜に用いることができる。
【００４１】
更に、本発明においては、色材保持層を形成する場合に、上記の構成に加えて、インク中の染料や顔料の色材をより効率よく捕捉させるために色材捕捉剤を用いることが好ましい。一般的に、インクジェット用インクに使用される色材には、アニオン性のものが多いことから、色材捕捉剤としては、カチオン性材料を使用することが好ましい。
【００４２】
この際に使用することができるカチオン性材料としては、具体的には、下記のような材料が挙げられる。
例えば、ポリビニルアルコール、ヒドロキシエチルセルロース、ポリビニルピロリドン等の樹脂のカチオン化変性物、
アリルアミン、ジアリルアミン、アリルスルホン、ジメチルアリルスルホン、ジアリルジメチルアンモニウムクロライド等のアミン系モノマー、ジメチルアミノエチル（メタ）アクリレート、ジエチルアミノエチル（メタ）アクリレート、メチルエチルアミノエチル（メタ）アクリレート、ジメチルアミノスチレン、ジエチルアモノスチレン、メチルエチルアミノスチレン、Ｎ−メチルアクリルアミド、Ｎ−ジメチルアクリルアミド、Ｎ，Ｎ−ジメチルアミノエチルメタアクリルアミド、及びその４級化化合物等、側鎖に１〜３級アミン乃至４級アンモニウム塩基を有するアクリルモノマーの重合物及び共重合物等、
ジシアンアミド等、主鎖に１〜３級アミン乃至４級アンモニウム塩基を有する樹脂等が挙げられる。
【００４３】
インクに使用する色材が顔料系である場合には、色材捕捉材として無機粒子を使用することが好ましい。本発明において使用し得る無機粒子としては、インク中の顔料を捕捉し、インク中の液体成分を吸収することができる連通した多孔質構造を有していれば、従来公知の無機粒子をいずれも使用できる。但し、本発明においては、インク中に含有させる顔料粒子よりも小さな細孔径を持つ無機粒子を使用することが好ましい。具体的には、シリカ、ケイ酸アルミニウム、ケイ酸マグネシム、ハイドロタルサイト、炭酸カルシウム、酸化チタン、クレイ、タルク、（塩基性）炭酸マグネシウム等が挙げられる。又、無機粒子の場合も、より空隙率の高い材料を用いることが好ましい。即ち、このような無機粒子を使用すれば、色材保持層におけるインク中の色材の捕捉及び保持の効率が高くなり、より鮮明な画像を得ることが可能となる。
【００４４】
更に、本発明の転写媒体を構成する色材保持層を形成する場合には、色材保持層に使用する熱可塑性樹脂粒子と、結着材との混合比が、熱可塑性樹脂粒子／結着材＝１／２〜５０／１の範囲にあるようにすることが好ましく、より好ましくは、１／２〜２０／１の範囲、更に好ましくは、１／２〜１５／１の範囲とする。即ち、１／２よりも結着材量が多いと色材保持層における多孔性が低下して、特に、水性インクによって色材保持層に記録した直後におけるインク吸収性が低下するので、画像の解像性が低下し、高品位画像が得られない。一方、５０／１よりも結着材量が少ないと、熱可塑性微粒子間、又は液媒体吸収層及び分離層との接着が充分でなくなり、充分な強度をもつ色材保持層が形成されにくくなるので好ましくない。
【００４５】
本発明の転写媒体は、以上説明した構成を有するようにすることによって、従来の公知の転写媒体の場合よりも、色材を保持するための保持層の層厚を薄くすることが可能となる。即ち、本発明の転写媒体では、色材保持層の下側に設けられる液媒体吸収層が、インクのビヒクルである液体成分を収容する高い液媒体吸収能を有しているため、従来の転写媒体のように転写層のみで、付与されるインク成分のすべてを収容する必要がないからである。
【００４６】
本発明において、色材保持層の厚さは、転写の簡便性や被転写体の風合い維持の向上等の点で薄ければ薄い程好ましいが、色材保持層中における色材の捕捉性や、得られる転写画像の堅牢性の向上を加味して、好ましくは５〜１３０μｍ、より好ましくは１０〜１１０μｍ、更に好ましくは１５〜１００μｍの範囲とするとよい。
【００４７】
本発明の転写媒体を構成する上記した液媒体吸収層、色材保持層、及び分離層を形成する方法としては、上記で好適に挙げた材料を、適当な溶剤に溶解、又は分散させて塗工液を調製し、塗工する方法、フィルムを形成し、支持体上、又は、これらのフィルムを層状にラミネートする方法、或いは押し出し成型する方法等が挙げられる。塗工方式としては、ロールコーター法、ブレードコーター法、エアナイフコーター法、ゲートロールコーター法、バーコーター法、サイズプレス法、シムサイザー法、スプレーコート法、グラビアコート法、カーテンコーター法等の従来公知の方式が使用可能である。
【００４８】
本発明の転写媒体を構成する液媒体吸収層、色材保持層、及び分離層を形成する場合には、上記した材料以外に、その他の添加剤として、先に述べた架橋剤、その触媒、或いは、顔料分散剤、流動改良剤、消泡剤、発泡剤、浸透剤、着色剤、蛍光増白剤、紫外線吸収剤、酸化防止剤、防腐剤、防黴剤、可塑剤等を適宜配合することができる。
【００４９】
特に、色材保持層の転写性を向上させる目的で、先に述べた色材保持層の形成材料として好適な熱可塑性樹脂粒子に最適な可塑剤を配合することが好ましい。この際に使用される可塑剤としては、従来公知のものをいずれも用いることができる。具体的には、例えば、フタル酸ジエチル、フタル酸ジオクチル、フタル酸ジメチル、フタル酸ジブチル等のフタル酸エステル、燐酸トリブチル、燐酸トリフェニル等の燐酸エステル、アジピン酸オクチル、アジピン酸イソノニル等のアジピン酸エステル、セバシン酸ジブチル、セバシン酸ジオクチル等のセバシン酸エステル、クエン酸アセチルトリブチル、クエン酸アセチルトリエチル、マレイン酸ジブチル、マレイン酸ジエチルヘキシル、フマル酸ジブチル、トリメリット酸系可塑剤、ポリエステル系可塑剤、エポキシ系可塑剤、ステアリン系可塑剤、塩化パラフィン、トルエンスルホンアミド及びその誘導体、ｐ−オキシ安息香酸−２−エチルヘキシルエステル等が挙げられる。
【００５０】
又、インク吸収性や物流時の保存性を向上させる目的で、界面活性剤を、色材保持層、液媒体吸収層及び分離層に配合することも好ましい態様である。この際に使用し得る界面活性剤としては、従来公知の物質をいずれも使用できる。例えば、陰イオン系の界面活性剤としては、カルボン酸塩、スルホン酸塩、硫酸エステル塩、りん酸エステル塩が挙げられ、陽イオン系の界面活性剤としては、脂肪族アミン塩、脂肪族４級アンモニウム塩、ベンザルコニウム塩、塩化ベンゼトニウム、ピリジニウム塩、イミダゾリニウム塩等が挙げられ、両性系の界面活性剤としては、カルボキシベタイン型、アミノカルボン酸塩、イミダゾリニウムベタイン、レシチン等が挙げられ、非イオン系の界面活性剤としては、エーテル型、エーテルエステル型、エステル型、含窒素型の界面活性剤等が挙げられる。又、フッ素系の界面活性剤や反応性の界面活性剤等も含まれる。本発明においては、特に、非イオン性の界面活性剤やフッ素系の界面活性剤を使用することが好ましい。
【００５１】
上記のような方法によって作製した本発明の転写媒体は、転写媒体の色材保持層にインクジェット記録方式で所望の画像を有する水性インク記録物を形成するための画像形成工程と、該画像形成工程によって画像が形成されている転写媒体の色材保持層側の面を被転写体の表面に重ね、色材保持層側の面とは逆のインクの液媒体吸収層のある背面から加熱して色材保持層を被転写体表面に転写し、その後、分離層を設けた上記液媒体吸収層を色材保持層から剥離し、分離して転写画像を形成する転写工程とを有する本発明の画像転写物の製造方法に好適に利用することができる。勿論、水性インク以外のインクを使用して画像を形成し、これを被転写体に転写して画像を形成することもできる。
【００５２】
本発明の画像転写物の製造方法では、上記で説明した本発明の転写媒体の色材保持層に、先ずインクジェット記録方法により画像を形成し、次に、形成された画像を、布帛やフィルム等の被転写体と重ねた後、色材保持層側の面とは逆の液媒体吸収層のある転写媒体の背面から、アイロン或いは熱転写機等によって加熱して色材保持層を被転写体表面上に転写し、その後、分離層を設けた液媒体吸収層を色材保持層から剥離し、分離することによって布帛上に転写画像を形成する。この際、インクジェットプリンタは市販のプリンタをそのまま使用することができる。又、画像形成工程で用いるインクも、通常、インクジェットプリンタ用に市販されている水性インクを使用することができる。使用するインクを構成する色材も特に限定されるものではなく、従来公知のアニオン系の色材等を用いることができる。
【００５３】
本発明の画像転写物の製造方法において使用する被転写体としては、特に限定はされないが、転写時における色材保持層との接着性の点で、布帛や紙の様な多孔質構造を持つものが好ましい。上記したように本発明の画像転写物の製造方法は、色材保持層に画像を形成し、該画像を布帛等の被転写体に転写して画像を形成するものであって、直接、布帛に画像を印刷して画像を形成する方式のものではないので、特に、布帛等の被記録材を構成している繊維材料等の種類に合わせて色材を変える必要はない。従って、被転写体に布帛を用い、上記のような画像転写物の製造方法によって、布帛上に転写画像を形成すれば、簡易な方法で、良好な画像が形成された被転写布帛が得られる。
【００５４】
本発明の被転写布帛において使用し得る布帛は、特に限定されるものではなく、布帛を構成する材料としては、例えば、綿、麻、絹、毛、レーヨン、ポリエステル、ナイロン、アクリル、アセテート、トリアセテート、ポリウレタン等、及びこれらの混紡繊維が挙げられる。又、これらの材料から形成される布帛は、織物、編物、不織布等のいずれの形態も使用できる。
【００５５】
【実施例】
以下、実施例及び比較例を挙げて、本発明を更に詳細に説明する。
【００５６】
実施例１
本実施例においては、基体上にコーティングされたインク受容層を有するインクジェット用コート紙（キヤノン製 ＨＲ−１０１）を使用し、このインク受容層を、本実施例における液媒体吸収層に利用した。そして、該液媒体吸収層上に、離型剤として、シリコーンＴＰＲ６７１２、触媒ＣＭ６７０ 東芝シリコーン（株）製を用いて、離型処理（約１ｇ／ｍ²）を施して分離層を形成した。分離層の形成された液媒体吸収層の吸収係数Ｋａは５５であった。
【００５７】
次に、離型処理が施されて分離層が形成された面上に、下記の組成を有する色材保持層用塗工液（塗工液１）をメイヤーバーにより塗工し、その後、８０℃に設定したオーブンにて乾燥して、約４０μｍの厚みの色材保持層を形成して、本実施例の転写媒体を得た。
【００５８】
（塗工液１の組成）
・熱可塑性樹脂粒子：ナイロン樹脂多孔性粒子（オルガソール３５０１ＥＸＤ ＮＡＴ エルフ・アト・ケム（株）製 平均粒径 １２μｍ）１００重量部
・結着材：エチレン−アクリル酸エマルジョン（ハイテックＥ−８７７８ 東邦化学工業（株）製 固形分２５％） ２４０重量部
・水 １００重量部
尚、本実施例では、水性インク記録装置として、後述するインクジェットプリンタＢを使用した。
【００５９】
実施例２
転写媒体の支持体としても機能する液媒体吸収層としてろ紙（Ｎｏ．５ 東洋濾紙（株）製）を使用し、該液媒体吸収層上に、離型剤として、シリコーンＴＰＲ６７１２、触媒ＣＭ６７０ 東芝シリコーン（株）製を用いて、離型処理（約１ｇ／ｍ²）を施して分離層を形成した。分離層の形成された液媒体吸収層の吸収係数Ｋａは６８であった。
【００６０】
次に、この離型処理が施されて分離層が形成された面上に、下記の組成を有する色材保持層の形成用塗工液（塗工液２）をメイヤーバーによって塗工し、その後、８０℃に設定したオーブンにて乾燥して、約６０μｍ厚みの色材保持層を形成して、本実施例の転写媒体を得た。
【００６１】
（塗工液２の組成）
・熱可塑性樹脂粒子：エチレン−酢酸ビニルエマルジョン（ケミパールＶ−３００三井石油化学（株）製 平均粒径 ６μｍ 固形分４０％） ２５０重量部
・結着材：ウレタンエマルジョン（タケラックＷ−６３５Ｃ 武田薬品工業（株）製 固形分３５％） ３０重量部
・カチオン樹脂：アクリル系カチオン樹脂溶液（ＥＬポリマーＮＷＳ−１６ 新中村化学工業（株）製 固形分３５％） ３０重量部
【００６５】
実施例３
転写媒体の支持体として機能し、且つ液媒体吸収層としても機能する層として離型紙を使用した。その際の離型紙としては、ＳＴ６０ＯＫＴ−Ｔ リンテック（株）製を使用し、液媒体吸収層としての機能を有する側、即ち、目止め離型処理のされていない面に、下記のようにして離型処理を施して分離層を形成した。即ち、ポリエチレンエマルジョン（ケミパールＷ−４００ 三井石油化学（株）製 平均粒径６μｍ固形分４０％）を塗工した後、７０℃に設定したオーブンで乾燥して、約２０ｇ／ｍ２の分離層を形成して離型処理を施した。分離層の形成された液媒体吸収層の吸収係数Ｋａは１であった。
【００６６】
次に、離型処理を施した面上に下記の組成の色材保持層用塗工液（塗工液３）をメイヤーバーにより塗工し、８０℃に設定したオーブンにて乾燥し、約５０μｍ厚みの色材保持層を形成して、本実施例の転写媒体を得た。
【００６７】
（塗工液３の組成）
・熱可塑性樹脂粒子：ナイロン粒子（ＶＥＳＴＡＭＥＬＴ ４３０ Ｐ１ ダイセル化学工業（株）製 平均粒径５０μｍ） １００重量部
・結着材：ウレタンエマルジョン（タケラックＷ−６３５Ｃ 武田薬品工業（株）製 固形分３５％） ６０重量部
・無機粒子：アルミナ（ＡＫＰ−１５ 住友化学工業（株）製） ３重量部
・水 ３０重量部
【００６８】
実施例４
実施例３の場合と同様に、転写媒体の支持体として機能し、且つ液媒体吸収層としても機能する離型紙（ＳＴ６０ＯＫＴ−Ｔ リンテック（株）製）を使用し、液媒体吸収層としての機能を有する側に、下記のようにして離型処理を施して分離層を形成した。即ち、ポリエチレンエマルジョン（ケミパールＷ−４００ 三井石油化学（株）製 平均粒径６μｍ固形分４０％）を塗工した後、７０℃に設定したオーブンで乾燥して、約２０ｇ／ｍ２の分離層を形成して離型処理を施した。分離層の形成された液媒体吸収層の吸収係数Ｋａは１であった。
【００６９】
次に、上記のようにして離型処理を施した面上に、下記の組成の色材保持層用塗工液（塗工液４）をメイヤーバーにより塗工し、８０℃に設定したオーブンにて乾燥し、約４０μｍ厚みの色材保持層を形成して、本実施例の転写媒体を得た。
【００７０】
（塗工液４の組成）
・熱可塑性樹脂粒子：ナイロン粒子（ ＶＥＳＴＡＭＥＬＴ ４３０ Ｐ１ ダイセル化学工業（株）製 平均粒径５０μｍ） １００重量部
・結着材：ウレタンエマルジョン（タケラックＷ−６３５Ｃ 武田薬品工業（株）製 固形分３５％） ６０重量部
・無機粒子：シリカ（ミズカシル Ｐ−７８Ａ 水澤化学工業（株）製 平均粒径 ３μｍ） ３重量部
・カチオン樹脂：アクリル系カチオン樹脂溶液（ＥＬポリマーＮＷＳ−１６ 新中村化学工業（株）製 固形分３５％） ３０重量部
・水 ３０重量部
【００７１】
実施例５
実施例３の場合と同様に、転写媒体の支持体として機能し、且つ液媒体吸収層としても機能する離型紙（ＳＴ６０ＯＫＴ−Ｔ リンテック（株）製）を使用し、液媒体吸収層としての機能を有する側に離型処理を施した。即ち、ポリエチレンエマルジョン（ケミパールＷ−４００ 三井石油化学（株）製 平均粒径６μｍ 固形分４０％）を塗工した後、７０℃に設定したオーブンで乾燥して、約２０ｇ／ｍ２の分離層を形成して離型処理を施した。分離層の形成された液媒体吸収層の吸収係数Ｋａは１であった。
【００７２】
次に、上記のようにして離型処理を施した面上に下記色材保持層用塗工液（塗工液５）をメイヤーバーにより塗工し、８０℃に設定したオーブンにて乾燥し、約３０μｍ厚みの色材保持層を形成し、本発明の転写媒体を得た。
【００７３】
（塗工液５の組成）
・熱可塑性樹脂粒子：ナイロン樹脂多孔性粒子（オルガソール３５０１ＥＸＤ ＮＡＴ エルフ・アト・ケム（株）製 平均粒径１２μｍ） １００重量部
・結着材：エチレン−アクリル酸エマルジョン（ハイテックＥ−８７７８ 東 邦化学工業（株）製 固形分２５％） ３６０重量部
・結着材：ウレタンエマルジョン（タケラックＷ−６３５Ｃ 武田薬品工業 （株）製 固形分３５％） ３０重量部
・無機粒子：シリカ（ミズカシル Ｐ−７８Ａ 水澤化学工業（株）製 平均粒径３μｍ） ４重量部
・カチオン樹脂：アクリル系カチオン樹脂溶液（ＥＬポリマーＮＷＳ−１６ 新中村化学工業（株）製 固形分３５％） ３０重量部
・界面活性剤：フッ素系界面活性剤溶液（サーフロンＳ−１３１ セイミケミカル（株）製 固形分３０％） ８重量部
・可塑剤：Ｎ−エチル−ｏ，ｐ−トルエンスルホンアミド（トップサイザー３号 富士アミドケミカル（株）製） ２０重量部
・イソプロピルアルコール ３００重量部
【００７４】
比較例１
実施例１で液媒体吸収層（インク受容層）上に離型処理を施さなかったこと以外は同様にして、比較例の転写媒体を得た。
【００７５】
比較例２
支持体としてポリエチレンテレフタレート（ＰＥＴ）フィルム（Ｑ−８０Ｄ 東レ（株）製 １００μｍ）を使用し、該支持体上に離型処理（約１ｇ／ｍ²）を施した。この際、実施例１で分離層の形成に使用したと同様の、シリコーンＴＰＲ６７１２、触媒ＣＭ６７０ 東芝シリコーン（株）製を離型剤として用いた。分離層の形成された液媒体吸収層の吸収係数Ｋａは０．１であった。
【００７６】
上記のようにして離型処理を施した支持体上に、下記の転写層用塗料（塗工液６）をメイヤーバーにより塗工し、８０℃設定のオーブンにて乾燥し、約６５ｇ／ｍ２（ｄｒｙ）転写層を形成し、本比較例の転写媒体を得た。
【００７７】
（塗工液６の組成）
・熱可塑性樹脂粒子：ポリエステル系樹脂粒子（ニチゴーポリエスター ＭＯＰ８３５Ｆ 日本合成化学（株）製） １００重量部
・結着材：水系エチレン−酢酸ビニル共重合樹脂（パインレックスＯＭ− ４０００（株）クラレ製） ２５重量部
・無機粒子：シリカ（ニップシールＨＤ 日本シリカ工業（株）製） １５重量部
・水： １００重量部
【００７８】
＜評価＞
以上のように作成した実施例１〜５及び比較例１，２の転写媒体に、インクジェットカラープリンタを用いて、バックプリトフィルムモードで記録（鏡像印刷）を行った。この際に使用したインクジェットカラープリンタは、実施例１については、装置Ｂのヒューレットパッカード製 ＤＪ−６９４ｃを用い、他の場合においては、いずれも装置Ａのキヤノン（株）製ＢＪＣ−６００Ｊを用いて記録を行なった。
【００７９】
次に、上記で得られた画像が記録された各転写媒体を用い、綿１００％のＴシャツ（ＢＥＥＦＹ Ｈａｎｅｓ製）に、転写媒体の記録画像が形成されている色材保持層側をＴシャツに重ね合わせ、転写媒体の色材保持層とは反対の液媒体吸収層を有する支持体側から熱転写機を用いて転写を行った。この際の熱転写条件は、熱板表面温度：１８０℃、転写圧力：８０ｇ／ｃｍ²、転写時間：１５秒で転写を行なった。次に、転写媒体が充分に冷めてから、液媒体吸収層又は液媒体吸収層が設けられた基体からなる支持体を剥離し、分離して、被転写体であるＴシャツ表面に転写画像が形成された水性インク記録物（被転写布帛）を得た。
【００８０】
上記のような方法で作成した各被転写布帛について、下記の方法で下記の項目の評価を行った。評価結果を表１に示した。
【００８１】
（１）インクジェット適性
ａ）画像濃度
転写媒体の色材保持層への記録画像として、全画素に１００％の記録密度のブラックインク記録のパッチ画像を転写媒体に形成し、その後、上記に従いＴシャツに転写した。転写物の画像濃度を濃度計（マクべス濃度計ＲＤ−９１８）にてブラック濃度を測定した。
【００８２】
ｂ）画像品位
２色のパッチ画像を隣り合わせて転写媒体に形成し、その境界部の滲みの発生を目視で観察して評価した。その際、パッチ画像として、全画素に１００％記録密度のイエローとシアン、ブルー及びレッドが隣接したものを形成し、夫々の色の境界部の滲みを目視で観察し、転写媒体に形成される画像の品位を評価した。評価基準は、下記の４段階で行った。
【００８３】
Ａ：すべての色同士の境界部で、滲みがなかったもの
Ｂ：２次色同士（ブルーとレッド間）の境界部のみに滲みがあったもの
Ｃ：２次色と１次色間（ブルーとシアン間）でも境界部滲みがあったもの
Ｄ：どのの境界部とも滲みがあった物
【００８４】
（２）転写容易性
前記方法で作成した各Ｔシャツを、３０℃のぬるま湯で２分間もみ洗いし、風乾した後、転写部がＴシャツから脱落したり、浮きや剥がれがなくなるまでの転写時間（秒）を測定し、転写の容易さを評価した。
【００８５】
（３）風合い維持性
上記のようにしてＴシャツ上に画像が形成された各転写物の転写画像の部分について、ＪＩＳ−Ｌ−１０９６ ６．１９．１ Ａ法（４５°カンチレバー法）による剛軟度（ｍｍ）に基づき測定した。そして、同様の方法で測定した転写媒体を転写する前の被転写体の剛軟度との差分を、本発明における風合い維持性とした。この場合には、数値が小さいほど、風合い維持性がよいといえる。
【００８６】
【表１】

【００８７】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、本発明によれば、特に、優れたインクジェット記録適性が維持されて、高濃度の滲みのない高品位画像が形成され、同時に、被転写体への転写性に優れ、誰でもが容易に転写画像を形成することができ、更に、形成される転写画像は、布帛等の被転写体の風合いを損なうことがない転写媒体、及び該転写媒体を使用する画像形成方法及び被転写布帛が提供される。[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a transfer medium used when an image is formed on a transfer target by transfer, a method for producing an image transfer using the transfer medium, and a transfer fabric. More specifically, when an image is formed on the color material holding layer constituting the transfer medium, the transfer medium is preferably used in an ink jet recording method using water-based ink, and the transfer medium is used on the transfer target. The present invention relates to a method for producing an image transfer product in which a color material holding layer having an image is transferred to form a transfer image, and a transfer fabric obtained by the production method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As an ink jet recording system typified by water-based ink recording, there are various ink ejection systems, for example, an electrostatic suction system, a system that applies mechanical vibration or displacement to ink using a piezoelectric element, the ink is heated to foam, There are known methods using pressure, etc., and these ink ejection methods generate and fly ink droplets, and a part or all of them are attached to a recording material for recording. Such an ink jet recording system is attracting attention as a simple system that generates less noise and can perform high-speed printing and color printing. In recent years, ink-jet printers that can easily perform color printing have been widely used.
[0003]
In recent years, with the widespread use of ink jet printers that can easily perform color printing in this way, there is an increasing demand for color printing on various recording materials using the ink jet printer. In response to such a request, a printing method in which an image is formed on a transfer medium (transfer paper) by an inkjet recording method, and then the image is transferred to another recording material, the form on the recording material side is not selected. In other words, it is a technology that has attracted particular attention because it can form an image on a recording material that cannot be directly printed by a printer.
[0004]
  Until now, several types of transfer media that form an image using an inkjet recording method have been proposed. In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-207426, an ink receiving layer is composed of a thermoplastic resin, a crystalline plasticizer, and a tackifier so that a transfer image can be attached to a recording material only by heating. A sheet is proposed. Further, in JP-A-8-207450, in a sheet comprising a support layer and a thermal transfer layer, the thermal transfer layer comprises a granular thermoplastic polymer resin, porous inorganic fine particles and a binder (binder). A transfer medium capable of ink jet recording and capable of thermal transfer has been proposed. Furthermore,US patentNo. 5,501,902 also proposes an ink jet transfer medium having a structure in which a cationic resin, an ink viscosity modifier or the like is added in addition to the above structure.
[0005]
However, in these conventional techniques, the suitability for inkjet recording onto a transfer medium, the ease of transfer, the fastness of the transferred product transferred to the transfer medium, and the like cannot be satisfied at the same time. In view of this, the present inventors have proposed a transfer medium comprising a support, a release layer and a transfer layer in JP-A-10-16382.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-16382The transfer medium was well-balanced in ink jet recording suitability, ease of transfer, and fastness of the transferred material. However, when the recorded image was transferred to a flexible material to be transferred, for example, cloth or paper. However, this is not sufficient in that the portion where the transfer image is formed forms a high-quality transfer image without damaging the texture and feel of the transferred material. In particular, when used in a high-quality color printer, this tendency is significant because the amount of ink shot increases and the transfer layer needs to be thick. Furthermore, since the above transfer medium has a release layer, the support can be easily removed after transfer, and it is excellent in terms of simplicity of transfer image formation. When transferring with a household iron or the like, if the transfer layer is thick as in the above case, it takes a long time to transfer, and it is sufficient that anyone can form a large size transfer image in good condition. It was not a thing.
[0007]
  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to obtain a novel configuration capable of reliably transferring a transfer layer and obtaining an image that is inferior even if the transfer layer is thin or the amount of ink is increased. It is in. Accordingly, as a result of intensive studies to solve this problem, the present inventors have focused on the color material in the ink and the liquid medium for dissolving or dispersing the color material, and the boundary for separating the transfer layer is used as a reference. In addition, if the liquid medium can be transferred between the layer that should capture the coloring material and the layer that should absorb the liquid medium, a high-quality image can be formed at a high density and transfer characteristics can be improved. It was found to be good. ThereforeThe object of the present invention is to transfer an ink recorded material formed on a transfer medium to a transferred material and form a printed image on the transferred material such as a fabric. A transfer medium that not only can be easily formed but also more easily transferable than conventional ones, and a method for manufacturing an image transfer using the transfer medium, and a transfer target obtained by the manufacturing method It is to provide a fabric. Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to improve the ink jet recording suitability using a water-based ink in order to enable formation of a high-concentration and high-quality water-based ink recorded material, and when the water-based ink recorded material is transferred. Another object of the present invention is to provide a transfer medium having a particularly excellent effect for maintaining the texture of a transfer medium such as a cloth, and a transfer cloth obtained by the production method.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The above object is achieved by the present invention described below. That is, the present inventionIn a transfer medium provided with a color material and a color material holding layer formed with an ink containing a liquid medium in which the color material is dissolved or dispersed, the color material holding layer can be separated and the liquid medium is separated. A transfer medium comprising: a separation layer that migrates; and a liquid medium absorption layer that absorbs the liquid medium migrated through the separation layer. According to the present invention, even if the color material holding layer to be transferred is thin or the ink shot amount is increased, the liquid medium can be transferred from the color material holding layer to the liquid medium absorption layer liquid via the separation layer. Therefore, the separation and transfer of the color material holding layer is ensured, and the ink image itself can be in a state of no inferiority.
[0009]
  More preferably, the present invention has an effect described later by having any of the following configurations with respect to the above configuration.
(1)  The separation layer contains a release agent and has a porous structure.
(2)  The separation layer is a transfer medium obtained by coating a dispersion liquid in which a release agent is dispersed while maintaining a shape on the liquid medium absorption layer.
(3)  A transfer medium having an absorption coefficient Ka of 1 or more of the liquid medium absorption layer on which the separation layer is formed.
(4)  A transfer medium in which the color material holding layer has at least thermoplastic resin particles and a binder within a range of 1/2 to 50/1 in a mixing ratio, and can be transferred to a transfer medium by heat.
(5)  A transfer medium in which the binder is a thermoplastic resin and / or a cation-modified product thereof.
(6)  The color material holding layer is a transfer medium having a resin or pores for capturing the ink color material.
(7)  The transfer medium, wherein the color material includes an anionic dye, and the resin is a cationic resin.
(8)  The color material holding layer of the transfer medium is a transfer medium used for transfer to a fabric.
[0010]
  The transfer image production method of the present invention is a transfer medium provided with a color material holding layer separable at least by a color material and an ink containing a liquid medium that dissolves or disperses the color material, A transfer medium comprising: a separation layer capable of separating a color material holding layer and transferring the liquid medium; and a liquid medium absorption layer absorbing the liquid medium transferred through the separation layer. An image forming step of forming an image of the ink on the color material holding layer by an ink jet recording method, and after transferring the color material holding layer to the transfer target body by superimposing the transfer medium on which the image is formed on the transfer target body And a transfer step of peeling and separating the liquid medium absorption layer from the color material holding layer to form a transfer image.In addition, the fabric on which the transfer image is formed according to the present invention is a fabric in which a transfer image is formed on the fabric by the above-described transfer image manufacturing method.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments of the present invention.
[0012]
  As described above, the present invention provides a transfer medium.When the ink is applied when forming the image, the color material holding layer that holds the color material in the ink and the ink liquid medium absorption layer that absorbs the liquid medium in the ink provided below the inklayerStructure and structure so that the liquid medium absorption layer and the colorant holding layer can be peeled off and separated after transfer.To do.For example, when an image is formed using water-based ink, only the color material in the ink is captured in the color material holding layer, while the liquid medium component for dissolving or dispersing the color material is quickly absorbed by the liquid medium. Move to the tierTo do.
  Therefore,High-density and high-quality images can be formed on the color material holding layer. Further, after transfer, the liquid medium absorption layer is easily peeled off and removed from the color material holding layer, so that only the color material is held. As a result of being able to transfer only the thin color material holding layer thus formed onto the transfer target, the texture and softness inherent to the transfer target such as fabric is not impaired when a transfer image is formed.
[0013]
  The transfer medium of the present invention isLiquid medium absorption layerAnd a color material holding layer for holding the ink color material. First, the liquid medium absorption layer will be described.
[0014]
  TakeLiquid medium absorption layerFor example, when an image is formed by applying ink to a transfer medium using a water-based ink recording apparatus, liquid medium components such as water and organic solvent in the applied ink are absorbed as quickly as possible, and Any material may be used as long as it has a capacity (hereinafter referred to as a liquid medium absorption capacity) that can be accommodated in the inside. That is, as described later, a liquid medium absorption layer may be provided on the base material, or the liquid medium absorption layer itself may be formed in a sheet shape or a film shape without using the base material. In addition, the ink absorbing ability may be provided, and at the same time, it may have a function as a support for holding the color material holding layer.
[0015]
In the present invention, when the liquid medium absorption layer having the above-described function is formed, examples of the mode for expressing the ink absorption ability include (a) or (b) or (a) listed below. And a combination of (b).
(A) A mode in which a vehicle (in the present invention, which means a liquid medium component such as water or a solvent) contained in the ink is mainly formed of a material that can be absorbed well.
(B) A mode in which physical voids are formed in the liquid medium absorption layer so that the vehicle can be absorbed and accommodated as quickly as possible.
[0016]
In order to form the liquid medium absorption layer satisfying the aspect (a), a material capable of absorbing the vehicle in the ink satisfactorily is required. As such a material, a conventionally known water-soluble resin can be used. Or a water-swellable resin can be used. As a method for forming the liquid medium absorption layer of the transfer medium of the present invention, for example, these materials are mainly used, and a sheet material or a film shape is formed by a conventionally known technique, and this is used as a liquid medium absorption layer as a coloring material. The liquid may also serve as a support for the holding layer, or may be applied by applying a water-soluble resin or a water-swellable resin to a sheet-like or film-like substrate made of the material described later by a conventionally known method. A method of forming a medium absorption layer can be used.
[0017]
In addition, since the liquid medium absorption layer is formed in the above-described embodiment (b), conventionally known materials and techniques as described below are used even in the case where a void capable of accommodating a vehicle is formed in the liquid medium absorption layer. Can be used. For example, a porous layer mainly composed of pigment particles and a binder, a porous sheet mainly composed of a fiber material and a binder, such as a support for filter paper and inkjet coated paper, and further composed of a filler. And porous sheets such as paper and synthetic paper, and any of them can be used preferably in the present invention. Also, a sheet called a non-woven fabric can be suitably used in the present invention.
[0018]
In the case where the liquid medium absorption layer as described above is formed, in the aspect in which the liquid medium absorption layer itself does not express the function as the support for the color material holding layer, as described above, a separate substrate is prepared, It is preferable to form a liquid medium absorption layer with the material as described above on at least one surface thereof. As the substrate that can be used in this case, any substrate can be used as long as it does not interfere with conveyance in the printer and has heat resistance that can withstand thermal transfer. Specific examples include plastic films and sheets such as polyester, diacetate, triacetate, acrylic polymer, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, polyimide, cellophane, and celluloid, and sheets such as paper, fabric, and nonwoven fabric. In this case, if a flexible substrate is used, the transfer medium can be matched to the shape of the transfer object even when the transfer portion of the transfer object is a curved surface. It is preferable because a good transfer image can be formed on the body.
[0019]
In addition, when a substrate is used for forming the liquid medium absorption layer, the surface of the substrate (surface on which the liquid medium absorption layer is formed) is subjected to chemical treatment such as an anchor agent or physical treatment such as UV irradiation. It is preferable because the adhesion to the liquid medium absorption layer can be strengthened. In the present invention, as will be described later, it is necessary that the liquid medium absorption layer and the colorant holding layer be easily separated and separated after transfer. It is preferable that the adhesion between the substrate and the liquid medium absorption layer is greater than the adhesion between the color material holding layer and the liquid medium absorption layer to be provided. The color material holding layer constituting the transfer medium of the present invention will be described later.
[0020]
  In the transfer medium of the present invention, on the liquid medium absorption layer having a high liquid medium absorption capacity configured as described above,It has a separation layer with the functions described above, and further on this separation layerThe color material holding layer is formed. In the present invention, after transferring the color material holding layer onto the transfer object by applying external energy such as heat or pressure, the liquid medium absorption layer is removed from the color material holding layer. It needs to be easily peeled off.
[0021]
  Below, the mold release process performed with respect to the liquid-medium absorption layer which can be used by this invention is demonstrated. The coloring material holding in which the liquid medium absorption layer is formed on the liquid medium absorption layer after being transferred onto the transfer medium without reducing the liquid medium absorption capability of the liquid medium absorption layer described above. With a structure that is easily peeled off from the layerIn order to do this,In the above, the following aspect (1) or (2) or a combination of the aspects (1) and (2) is used, and both layers are formed after transfer between the liquid medium absorbing layer and the colorant holding layer. It is preferable to provide a separation layer so that it can be easily peeled off.
(1) A mode in which a separation layer is formed by coating and impregnating an oil-type or solvent-type release agent solution on the liquid medium absorption layer described above.
(2) A mode in which a dispersion liquid in which a release agent such as an emulsion type, a compound type or a fine powder type is dispersed while maintaining its shape in the liquid is coated on the liquid medium absorption layer, and the separation layer is laminated.
[0022]
  These modes are also applied to the release processing of general release paper. However, in the conventional release processing, the sealing process is performed in advance on the surface of the base paper that exhibits the release function. There is no equivalent to the liquid medium absorption layer, which is an essential component of the transfer medium of the present invention. In the present invention, it is particularly important that the liquid medium absorption layer and the colorant holding layer be formed so as to be peelable by performing a mold release process so as not to decrease the liquid medium absorption ability of the liquid medium absorption layer. In the present invention, mold release treatmentTo provide a separation layerIt is preferable that the absorption coefficient Ka of the surface of the ink liquid medium absorption layer on the side subjected to the release treatment is 1 or more. Here, the absorption coefficient Ka is obtained by the Bristow method (paper pulp test method No. 51 described in J. TAPPI) using black ink having the following ink composition.
[0023]
[Outside 1]

[0024]
In the aspect of the release treatment (1) listed above, the release agent to be used has a uniform liquid state. Therefore, when the release treatment is performed on the liquid medium absorption layer by this method, the liquid medium absorption is performed. Even when the layer is a liquid medium absorption layer having a porous structure, in particular, the aspect (b) of the liquid medium absorption layer mentioned above, the fine pores in the liquid medium absorption layer are applied without blocking. Therefore, the high liquid medium absorption ability of the liquid medium absorption layer of the above embodiment is not hindered, which is preferable.
[0025]
However, in the case where the liquid medium absorption layer has a porous structure as described above, in order to express the peeling function with the colorant holding layer after thermal transfer without reducing the function of the liquid medium absorption layer, Although different depending on the mode of the liquid medium absorption layer, the processing amount of the release agent needs to be at least twice the processing amount normally performed with conventional release paper or the like. As a guide, 1g / m²(Solid content) or more is preferable. However, the upper limit of the processing amount needs to be determined in consideration of the influence on the liquid medium absorption layer to be used.
[0026]
Further, in the separation layer of the aspect (2) mentioned above, since the release agent exists as fine solid particles when the release treatment is performed, the release agent is provided on the liquid medium absorption layer. A porous separation layer is formed, and it is preferable that the liquid medium absorption capacity of the liquid medium absorption layer is not hindered when the mold release treatment is performed. The mold release treatment method according to the aspect (2) can be suitably used when the liquid medium absorption layer described above is in any of the aspects (A) and (B).
[0027]
In the transfer medium of the present invention, the amount of the release agent applied is such that the liquid medium absorption layer and the colorant holding layer can be applied after the transfer without decreasing the liquid medium absorption capacity of the liquid medium absorption layer. 1-30 g / m for effective release function²It is preferable to be in the range. A more preferable range is 1 to 20 g / m.², More preferably 2 to 15 g / m²Range.
[0028]
In the present invention, in forming a separation layer for separating both layers after transfer between the liquid medium absorption layer and the colorant holding layer, in particular, as in the above-described aspect (2), When using release agents such as emulsion type, compound type and fine powder type, conventionally known water-soluble resin, water-swellable resin, thermoplastic resin, etc. are used as binder for these release agents. It is preferable to do. As described above, even in this case, it is necessary to use a binder within a range in which the liquid medium absorption capacity of the liquid medium absorption layer described above is not reduced.
[0029]
  In the transfer medium of the present inventionLiquid medium absorption layer to be usedSpecific materials for the release agent used in the separation layer formed on the surface include waxes such as carnauba wax, paraffin wax, microcrystalline wax, and castor wax, stearic acid, palmitic acid, lauric acid, and aluminum stearate. , Lead stearate, barium stearate, zinc stearate, zinc palmitate, methyl hydroxystearate, glycerol monohydroxystearate, glycerol monohydroxystearate and other higher fatty acids, or their metal salts, derivatives of esters, polyamides Resins, petroleum resins, rosin derivatives, chroman-indene resins, terpene resins, novolac resins, styrene resins, olefin resins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutene, and polyolefin oxide, vinyl Ether-based resins. In addition, silicone resins, fluorosilicone resins, fluoroolefin vinyl ether terpolymers, perfluoroepoxy resins, thermosetting acrylic resins having a perfluoroalkyl group in the side chain, Teflon resins, vinylidene fluoride curable resins, etc. These can be used alone or in combination.
[0030]
Next, the color material holding layer that constitutes the transfer medium of the present invention together with the liquid medium absorbing layer described above will be described. Such a color material holding layer is provided on the liquid medium absorption layer, but captures and holds the color material in the ink, and after the transfer, the liquid medium absorption layer peels off and is separated mainly. Any holding layer may be used as long as the image is formed by transferring the holding layer onto the transfer target. That is, the color material holding layer constituting the transfer medium of the present invention is not affected by the ink used when an image is recorded on the transfer medium by an aqueous ink recording apparatus such as an ink jet recording apparatus. It is preferable that a material (dye or pigment) can be captured and held as much as possible. Furthermore, liquid components such as water and organic solvents other than the color material, which is a component of the ink used for image formation, are promptly guided to the liquid medium absorption layer provided below the color material holding layer. Preferably, it is configured. In addition, a material that easily melts by heat and adheres well to the transfer target during thermal transfer is used, and after the transfer, it is easily peeled off from the liquid medium absorption layer so that the color material holding layer is mainly transferred. It is preferable to configure.
[0031]
In addition, such a colorant holding layer is transferred to the surface of the transfer target in a state where an image is formed in the layer and is used for use, so it is made of a material that can withstand washing, friction, etc. It is preferable to provide a transfer image excellent in fastness. Further, when a transfer image is formed on a transfer medium such as a fabric by a color material holding layer, it is preferable that the soft texture inherent to the fabric or the like is not damaged in the transfer image forming portion. .
[0032]
As a preferred embodiment of the color material holding layer that can satisfy the various requirements listed above, for example, the color material holding layer is mainly composed of a thermoplastic resin, and the liquid medium absorption layer is formed from the surface to which ink is applied. It is preferable to have a porous structure that communicates to the end. Furthermore, when using a dye-based ink, in order to ensure capture of the dye in the colorant holding layer and to hold it firmly, it is the opposite of the ionicity of the dye used. It is preferable that an ionic resin is included in the coloring material holding layer. In addition, when using pigment-based ink, the porous structure of the color material holding layer described above has a pore size smaller than the particle size of the pigment particles used, and only the pigment particles that are the color material are used. It is preferable that the colorant holding layer be captured and held. An aspect of capturing as much of the color material in the ink as possible in the color material holding layer may be configured in the same manner as in the case of forming the color material holding layer of a conventionally known thermal transfer medium for inkjet.
[0034]
As the thermoplastic resin used as the material for forming the color material holding layer constituting the transfer medium of the present invention, any water-insoluble thermoplastic resin can be suitably used. Examples of such thermoplastic resins include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene oxide, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetal, poly (meth) acrylic acid, poly (meth) acrylic acid ester, polyacrylic acid derivatives, Polyacrylic acid amide, polyether, polyester, polycarbonate, cellulosic resin, polyacrylonitrile, polyimide, polyamide, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polystyrene, polythiocol, polysulfone, polyurethane, copolymer of these resins, Examples include metamorphs. Among these, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene oxide, poly (meth) acrylic acid, poly (meth) acrylic acid ester, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, polyamide, and copolymers or modified products thereof are more preferable. Can be used.
[0035]
In the present invention, it is preferable that the thermoplastic resin used when forming the colorant holding layer is fine particles. Furthermore, in this case, in the formed colorant holding layer, thermoplastic resin fine particles and a binder for forming a film, and further, thermoplastic resin fine particles and / or a binder are formed at the time of transfer. It is preferable to contain a crosslinking agent for crosslinking the resin. According to such an embodiment, the color material can be captured and held efficiently and sufficiently, and not only a high-quality image with high image density can be formed, but also a color material holding layer can be formed on the transfer target. This is effective for forming a strong image when a transfer image is formed by transfer.
[0036]
Furthermore, as the thermoplastic resin fine particles used in the present invention, it is preferable to use a material that enables easy transfer at home after an image is formed by a general-purpose ink jet printer. In this respect, the thermoplastic resin used preferably has a melting point in the range of 70 ° C to 200 ° C, more preferably in the range of 80 ° C to 180 ° C, and still more preferably in the range of 100 ° C to 150 ° C. It is preferable to use one. If a material having a melting point lower than 70 ° C. is used, the fine particles may melt and form a continuous film depending on conditions during distribution or storage. Moreover, since it is necessary to perform the drying temperature after coating below the melting point of a thermoplastic fine particle, it is preferable to use a thing of 70 degreeC or more also from the point of manufacturing efficiency. On the other hand, when a resin having a melting point higher than 200 ° C. is used, high energy is required for transfer, and this is one of the objects of the present invention. It becomes difficult to form a transfer image.
[0037]
The thermoplastic resin fine particles used in the present invention preferably have a particle size in the range of 0.05 μm to 100 μm, more preferably 0.2, from the viewpoint of ink absorbability and image sharpness. It is good to use the thing of the range of -50 micrometers, More preferably, the thing of the range of 5-20 micrometers is used. That is, when the particle diameter of the thermoplastic resin fine particles is smaller than 0.05 μm, the gap between the particles becomes too small when formed as a color material holding layer, and it is efficient to capture and hold the color material in the ink sufficiently. It may not be performed well enough and a good transfer image may not be obtained. On the other hand, if the particle diameter is larger than 100 μm, the resolution of the image is lowered and it becomes difficult to obtain a clear image.
[0038]
Furthermore, in the present invention, it is preferable to use porous fine particles as the thermoplastic resin fine particles. That is, if porous thermoplastic resin fine particles are used as the constituent material of the color material holding layer, the specific surface area in the color material holding layer increases, so that the color material holding layer can more easily capture the color material in the ink. As a result, it becomes possible to hold more color materials with a thin layer thickness, and the image density of the recorded matter after transfer is increased. Furthermore, since the color material holding layer thickness can be reduced, not only is the image transferred more easily, but particularly when a material having high flexibility is used as the material to be transferred, for example, the transferred image is printed on the surface of a cloth or the like. Thus, a more preferable image transfer product in a soft state can be obtained without damaging the texture of the portion where the transfer image is formed.
[0039]
Furthermore, the binder used suitably as a forming material of the color material holding layer constituting the transfer medium of the present invention together with the above-described thermoplastic resin fine particles binds the above particles to hold a thin film-like color material. The layer is not particularly limited as long as it can form a layer, but it has the same water-insoluble heat as the above-mentioned particles in terms of adhesion to a transfer medium and scavenging of a color material in a color material holding layer described later. It is preferable to use a plastic resin or a cation-modified thermoplastic resin.
[0040]
Further, in the present invention, as described above, when forming the color material holding layer, the fine particles of the thermoplastic resin, the binder, or other materials in the color material holding layer, or the transfer object, It is preferable to use a crosslinking agent that can react to form a crosslinked structure. As the crosslinking agent, any conventionally known crosslinking agent can be used as long as it has such a function. For example, a crosslinking agent capable of initiating a crosslinking reaction by energy such as heat or light can be appropriately used.
[0041]
Furthermore, in the present invention, when forming the color material holding layer, it is preferable to use a color material scavenger in order to more efficiently capture the color material of the dye or pigment in the ink in addition to the above-described configuration. . Generally, color materials used in ink jet inks are often anionic, and therefore, it is preferable to use a cationic material as the color material capturing agent.
[0042]
Specific examples of the cationic material that can be used in this case include the following materials.
For example, cationized modified products of resins such as polyvinyl alcohol, hydroxyethyl cellulose, polyvinyl pyrrolidone,
Amine monomers such as allylamine, diallylamine, allylsulfone, dimethylallylsulfone, diallyldimethylammonium chloride, dimethylaminoethyl (meth) acrylate, diethylaminoethyl (meth) acrylate, methylethylaminoethyl (meth) acrylate, dimethylaminostyrene, diethyl Ammonostyrene, methylethylaminostyrene, N-methylacrylamide, N-dimethylacrylamide, N, N-dimethylaminoethylmethacrylamide, and quaternized compounds thereof, such as primary to tertiary amines to quaternary ammonium bases. Polymers and copolymers of acrylic monomers having
Examples thereof include resins having a primary chain to a tertiary amine to a quaternary ammonium base in the main chain, such as dicyanamide.
[0043]
When the color material used for the ink is a pigment, it is preferable to use inorganic particles as the color material capturing material. As the inorganic particles that can be used in the present invention, any conventionally known inorganic particles can be used as long as they have a continuous porous structure capable of capturing the pigment in the ink and absorbing the liquid component in the ink. Can be used. However, in the present invention, it is preferable to use inorganic particles having a pore size smaller than that of the pigment particles contained in the ink. Specific examples include silica, aluminum silicate, magnesium silicate, hydrotalcite, calcium carbonate, titanium oxide, clay, talc, and (basic) magnesium carbonate. In the case of inorganic particles, it is preferable to use a material having a higher porosity. That is, when such inorganic particles are used, the efficiency of capturing and holding the color material in the ink in the color material holding layer is increased, and a clearer image can be obtained.
[0044]
Furthermore, when the color material holding layer constituting the transfer medium of the present invention is formed, the mixing ratio of the thermoplastic resin particles used in the color material holding layer and the binder is such that the thermoplastic resin particles / binders are mixed. The material is preferably in the range of 1/2 to 50/1, more preferably in the range of 1/2 to 20/1, and still more preferably in the range of 1/2 to 15/1. That is, when the amount of the binder is larger than 1/2, the porosity in the color material holding layer is lowered, and in particular, the ink absorbency immediately after recording in the color material holding layer with water-based ink is lowered. The resolution is lowered and a high-quality image cannot be obtained. On the other hand, when the amount of the binder is less than 50/1, adhesion between the thermoplastic fine particles or between the liquid medium absorption layer and the separation layer is not sufficient, and it is difficult to form a color material holding layer having sufficient strength. Therefore, it is not preferable.
[0045]
  By making the transfer medium of the present invention have the above-described configuration, the thickness of the holding layer for holding the color material can be made thinner than in the case of the conventionally known transfer medium. . That is, in the transfer medium of the present invention, the color material holding layer is below.~ sideSince the liquid medium absorption layer provided in the liquid medium has a high liquid medium absorption capacity for accommodating the liquid component that is the vehicle of the ink, all of the ink components applied by the transfer layer only as in the conventional transfer medium It is because it is not necessary to accommodate.
[0046]
In the present invention, the thickness of the color material holding layer is preferably as thin as possible in terms of ease of transfer and improvement in the maintenance of the texture of the transfer target. In consideration of the improvement in fastness of the transferred image to be obtained, it is preferably 5 to 130 μm, more preferably 10 to 110 μm, and still more preferably 15 to 100 μm.
[0047]
  The above-described liquid medium absorption layer, color material holding layer, which constitutes the transfer medium of the present invention,as well asAs a method for forming the separation layer, the above-mentioned materials preferably mentioned above are dissolved or dispersed in an appropriate solvent to prepare a coating solution, a coating method, a film is formed, on a support, or And a method of laminating these films in layers, or a method of extrusion molding. As a coating method, a conventionally known method such as a roll coater method, a blade coater method, an air knife coater method, a gate roll coater method, a bar coater method, a size press method, a shim sizer method, a spray coat method, a gravure coat method, a curtain coater method, etc. The scheme is usable.
[0048]
  Liquid medium absorption layer constituting transfer medium of the present invention,Color material holding layer,as well asIn the case of forming the separation layer, in addition to the above-mentioned materials, as other additives, the above-mentioned crosslinking agents, their catalysts, pigment dispersants, flow improvers, antifoaming agents, foaming agents, penetrating agents. , Colorants, fluorescent brighteners, ultraviolet absorbers, antioxidants, preservatives, antifungal agents, plasticizers, and the like can be appropriately blended.
[0049]
In particular, for the purpose of improving the transferability of the color material holding layer, it is preferable to add an optimum plasticizer to the thermoplastic resin particles suitable as the material for forming the color material holding layer described above. Any conventionally known plasticizer can be used as the plasticizer. Specifically, for example, phthalic acid esters such as diethyl phthalate, dioctyl phthalate, dimethyl phthalate and dibutyl phthalate, phosphate esters such as tributyl phosphate and triphenyl phosphate, adipic acid such as octyl adipate and isononyl adipate Esters, sebacic acid esters such as dibutyl sebacate, dioctyl sebacate, acetyl tributyl citrate, acetyl triethyl citrate, dibutyl maleate, diethylhexyl maleate, dibutyl fumarate, trimellitic acid plasticizer, polyester plasticizer, Examples thereof include epoxy plasticizers, stearin plasticizers, chlorinated paraffin, toluenesulfonamide and derivatives thereof, and p-oxybenzoic acid-2-ethylhexyl ester.
[0050]
It is also a preferable aspect that a surfactant is added to the colorant holding layer, the liquid medium absorbing layer, and the separating layer for the purpose of improving ink absorbability and storage stability during distribution. Any conventionally known substance can be used as the surfactant that can be used in this case. For example, examples of the anionic surfactant include a carboxylate, a sulfonate, a sulfate ester salt, and a phosphate ester salt. Examples of the cationic surfactant include an aliphatic amine salt and an aliphatic 4 salt. Quaternary ammonium salts, benzalkonium salts, benzethonium chloride, pyridinium salts, imidazolinium salts, and the like, and amphoteric surfactants include carboxybetaine type, aminocarboxylate, imidazolinium betaine, lecithin, etc. Examples of the nonionic surfactant include ether type, ether ester type, ester type, and nitrogen-containing type surfactants. Also included are fluorosurfactants and reactive surfactants. In the present invention, it is particularly preferable to use a nonionic surfactant or a fluorosurfactant.
[0051]
  The transfer medium of the present invention produced by the method as described above includes an image forming step for forming a water-based ink recorded product having a desired image on the colorant holding layer of the transfer medium by an ink jet recording method, and the image forming step. The surface on the color material holding layer side of the transfer medium on which the image is formed is superimposed on the surface of the transfer medium, and heated from the back side having the liquid medium absorption layer of ink opposite to the surface on the color material holding layer side. Transfer the colorant holding layer to the transfer surface,Provided a separation layerThe liquid medium absorption layer can be suitably used in the method for producing an image transfer product of the present invention, which includes a transfer step of separating the liquid medium absorption layer from the color material holding layer and separating it to form a transfer image. Of course, it is also possible to form an image by forming an image using an ink other than the water-based ink and transferring the image to a transfer target.
[0052]
  In the method for producing an image transfer product of the present invention, an image is first formed by the inkjet recording method on the color material holding layer of the transfer medium of the present invention described above, and then the formed image is applied to a fabric, a film, or the like. After being overlaid with the transfer material, the color material holding layer is heated from the back side of the transfer medium having the liquid medium absorption layer opposite to the color material holding layer side surface by an iron or a thermal transfer machine, etc. Transcribed on, thenProvided a separation layerThe liquid medium absorption layer is peeled from the color material holding layer and separated to form a transfer image on the fabric. At this time, as the ink jet printer, a commercially available printer can be used as it is. In addition, as the ink used in the image forming process, a water-based ink commercially available for an inkjet printer can be used. The color material constituting the ink to be used is not particularly limited, and a conventionally known anionic color material can be used.
[0053]
The material to be transferred used in the method for producing an image transfer product of the present invention is not particularly limited, but has a porous structure such as fabric or paper in terms of adhesion to the color material holding layer at the time of transfer. Those are preferred. As described above, the method for producing an image transfer product of the present invention forms an image on a colorant holding layer and transfers the image to a transfer medium such as a fabric to form an image. Therefore, it is not necessary to change the color material according to the type of the fiber material constituting the recording material such as the fabric. Therefore, if a transfer image is formed on a fabric by using the fabric as a transfer object and the image transfer product manufacturing method as described above, a transfer fabric on which a good image is formed can be obtained by a simple method. .
[0054]
The fabric that can be used in the transfer fabric of the present invention is not particularly limited, and examples of the material constituting the fabric include cotton, hemp, silk, hair, rayon, polyester, nylon, acrylic, acetate, and triacetate. , Polyurethane and the like, and blended fibers thereof. Moreover, any form, such as a woven fabric, a knitted fabric, and a nonwoven fabric, can be used for the fabric formed from these materials.
[0055]
【Example】
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to Examples and Comparative Examples.
[0056]
Example 1
In this example, a coated paper for ink jet (Canon HR-101) having an ink receiving layer coated on a substrate was used, and this ink receiving layer was used as the liquid medium absorbing layer in this example. Then, on the liquid medium absorption layer, as a release agent, silicone TPR6712, catalyst CM670 manufactured by Toshiba Silicone Co., Ltd. is used, and release treatment (about 1 g / m²) To form a separation layer. The liquid medium absorption layer in which the separation layer was formed had an absorption coefficient Ka of 55.
[0057]
Next, a colorant holding layer coating solution (coating solution 1) having the following composition is applied on the surface on which the separation layer has been formed by the mold release treatment with a Mayer bar. It was dried in an oven set at 0 ° C. to form a colorant holding layer having a thickness of about 40 μm to obtain a transfer medium of this example.
[0058]
(Composition of coating liquid 1)
Thermoplastic resin particles: Nylon resin porous particles (Orgasol 3501EXD NAT Elf at Chem Co., Ltd. average particle size 12 μm) 100 parts by weight
-Binder: Ethylene-acrylic acid emulsion (Hitech E-8778, Toho Chemical Co., Ltd., solid content 25%) 240 parts by weight
・ 100 parts by weight of water
In this embodiment, an inkjet printer B described later was used as the water-based ink recording apparatus.
[0059]
Example 2
A filter paper (No. 5 manufactured by Toyo Filter Paper Co., Ltd.) is used as a liquid medium absorbing layer that also functions as a support for the transfer medium, and a silicone TPR6712 and a catalyst CM670 Toshiba Silicone are used as a release agent on the liquid medium absorbing layer. Using a product made by Co., Ltd., mold release treatment (about 1 g / m²) To form a separation layer. The liquid medium absorption layer in which the separation layer was formed had an absorption coefficient Ka of 68.
[0060]
Next, a colorant holding layer forming coating solution (coating solution 2) having the following composition is applied by a Mayer bar on the surface on which the release layer has been formed by this release treatment, Then, it dried in the oven set to 80 degreeC, the color material holding layer about 60 micrometers thick was formed, and the transfer medium of the present Example was obtained.
[0061]
(Composition of coating liquid 2)
Thermoplastic resin particles: ethylene-vinyl acetate emulsion (Chemical V-300, Mitsui Petrochemical Co., Ltd. average particle size 6 μm, solid content 40%) 250 parts by weight
-Binder: Urethane emulsion (Takelac W-635C Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. solid content 35%) 30 parts by weight
Cationic resin: acrylic cationic resin solution (EL polymer NWS-16, Shin Nakamura Chemical Co., Ltd. solid content 35%) 30 parts by weight
[0065]
  Example3
  Release paper was used as a layer that functions as a support for the transfer medium and also as a liquid medium absorption layer. As the release paper at that time, ST60OKT-T manufactured by Lintec Co., Ltd. is used, and on the side having the function as a liquid medium absorption layer, that is, on the side not subjected to the eye-release release treatment, as follows. A release treatment was performed to form a separation layer. That is, after coating a polyethylene emulsion (Chemical Pearl W-400, Mitsui Petrochemical Co., Ltd. average particle size 6 μm solid content 40%), it was dried in an oven set at 70 ° C. to form a separated layer of about 20 g / m 2. A mold release treatment was performed. The absorption coefficient Ka of the liquid medium absorption layer in which the separation layer was formed was 1.
[0066]
  Next, a colorant holding layer coating solution (coating solution) having the following composition on the surface subjected to the release treatment:3) Was applied with a Mayer bar and dried in an oven set at 80 ° C. to form a colorant holding layer having a thickness of about 50 μm to obtain a transfer medium of this example.
[0067]
  (Coating liquid3Composition)
Thermoplastic resin particles: nylon particles (VESTAMELT 430 P1 manufactured by Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd., average particle size 50 μm) 100 parts by weight
-Binder: Urethane emulsion (Takelac W-635C Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. solid content 35%) 60 parts by weight
・ Inorganic particles: 3 parts by weight of alumina (AKP-15 manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.)
・ 30 parts by weight of water
[0068]
  Example4
  Example3In the same manner as in the above, a release paper (manufactured by ST60OKT-T Lintec Co., Ltd.) that functions as a transfer medium support and also as a liquid medium absorption layer is used, and has a function as a liquid medium absorption layer. Then, a release treatment was performed as follows to form a separation layer. That is, after coating a polyethylene emulsion (Chemical Pearl W-400, Mitsui Petrochemical Co., Ltd. average particle size 6 μm solid content 40%), it was dried in an oven set at 70 ° C. to form a separated layer of about 20 g / m 2. A mold release treatment was performed. The absorption coefficient Ka of the liquid medium absorption layer in which the separation layer was formed was 1.
[0069]
  Next, on the surface subjected to the release treatment as described above, a colorant holding layer coating liquid (coating liquid) having the following composition:4) With a Mayer bar and dried in an oven set at 80 ° C. to form a colorant holding layer having a thickness of about 40 μm to obtain a transfer medium of this example.
[0070]
  (Coating liquid4Composition)
Thermoplastic resin particles: nylon particles (VESTAMELT 430 P1 manufactured by Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd., average particle size 50 μm) 100 parts by weight
-Binder: Urethane emulsion (Takelac W-635C Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. solid content 35%) 60 parts by weight
・ Inorganic particles: Silica (Mizukasil P-78A, Mizusawa Chemical Co., Ltd. average particle size 3 μm) 3 parts by weight
Cationic resin: acrylic cationic resin solution (EL polymer NWS-16, Shin Nakamura Chemical Co., Ltd. solid content 35%) 30 parts by weight
・ 30 parts by weight of water
[0071]
  Example5
  Example3In the same manner as in the above, a release paper (manufactured by ST60OKT-T Lintec Co., Ltd.) that functions as a transfer medium support and also as a liquid medium absorption layer is used, and has a function as a liquid medium absorption layer. A mold release treatment was performed. That is, after coating a polyethylene emulsion (Chemical Pearl W-400, Mitsui Petrochemical Co., Ltd. average particle size 6 μm, solid content 40%), it was dried in an oven set at 70 ° C. to form a separated layer of about 20 g / m 2. A mold release treatment was performed. The absorption coefficient Ka of the liquid medium absorption layer in which the separation layer was formed was 1.
[0072]
  Next, the following colorant holding layer coating solution (coating solution) is applied on the surface subjected to the release treatment as described above.5) With a Mayer bar and dried in an oven set at 80 ° C. to form a colorant holding layer having a thickness of about 30 μm, thereby obtaining a transfer medium of the present invention.
[0073]
  (Coating liquid5Composition)
Thermoplastic resin particles: Nylon resin porous particles (Orgasol 3501EXD NAT Elf at Chem Co., Ltd. average particle size 12 μm) 100 parts by weight
-Binder: Ethylene-acrylic acid emulsion (Hitech E-8778, Toho Chemical Industries, Ltd., solid content 25%) 360 parts by weight
-Binder: Urethane emulsion (Takelac W-635C Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. solid content 35%) 30 parts by weight
Inorganic particles: Silica (Mizukasil P-78A, Mizusawa Chemical Co., Ltd. average particle size 3 μm) 4 parts by weight
Cationic resin: acrylic cationic resin solution (EL polymer NWS-16, Shin Nakamura Chemical Co., Ltd. solid content 35%) 30 parts by weight
・ Surfactant: Fluorosurfactant solution (Surflon S-131 Seimi Chemical Co., Ltd. solid content 30%) 8 parts by weight
Plasticizer: N-ethyl-o, p-toluenesulfonamide (Topsizer No. 3 manufactured by Fujiamide Chemical Co., Ltd.) 20 parts by weight
・ Isopropyl alcohol 300 parts by weight
[0074]
Comparative Example 1
A transfer medium of a comparative example was obtained in the same manner except that the release treatment was not performed on the liquid medium absorption layer (ink receiving layer) in Example 1.
[0075]
Comparative Example 2
A polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film (Q-80D manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc. 100 μm) was used as a support, and a mold release treatment (about 1 g / m) was made on the support.²). At this time, the same silicone TPR6712 and catalyst CM670 manufactured by Toshiba Silicone Co., Ltd. as those used for forming the separation layer in Example 1 were used as the release agent. The absorption coefficient Ka of the liquid medium absorption layer in which the separation layer was formed was 0.1.
[0076]
  On the support subjected to the release treatment as described above, the following coating for transfer layer (coating liquid)6) Was coated with a Mayer bar and dried in an oven set at 80 ° C. to form a transfer layer of about 65 g / m 2 (dry) to obtain a transfer medium of this comparative example.
[0077]
  (Coating liquid6Composition)
Thermoplastic resin particles: polyester resin particles (Nichigo Polyester MOP835F manufactured by Nippon Synthetic Chemical Co., Ltd.) 100 parts by weight
・ Binder: Water-based ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin (Pinerex OM-4000, Kuraray Co., Ltd.) 25 parts by weight
・ Inorganic particles: Silica (Nip seal HD, manufactured by Nippon Silica Industry Co., Ltd.) 15 parts by weight
・ Water: 100 parts by weight
[0078]
  <Evaluation>
  Examples 1 to 1 created as described above5In addition, recording (mirror image printing) was performed on the transfer media of Comparative Examples 1 and 2 using an inkjet color printer in a back prep film mode. The ink-jet color printer used at this time uses DJ-694c manufactured by Hewlett-Packard for apparatus B for Example 1, and uses BJC-600J manufactured by Canon Inc. for apparatus A in all other cases. Recorded.
[0079]
Next, using each transfer medium on which the image obtained above is recorded, the color material holding layer side on which the recorded image of the transfer medium is formed is placed on the T-shirt of 100% cotton T-shirt (manufactured by BEEFY Hanes). Then, transfer was performed using a thermal transfer machine from the support side having the liquid medium absorption layer opposite to the color material holding layer of the transfer medium. The thermal transfer conditions at this time were as follows: hot plate surface temperature: 180 ° C., transfer pressure: 80 g / cm²Transfer time: Transfer was performed in 15 seconds. Next, after the transfer medium has cooled sufficiently, the support made of the liquid medium absorption layer or the substrate provided with the liquid medium absorption layer is peeled off and separated to transfer the transfer image onto the surface of the T-shirt to be transferred. A formed water-based ink recorded matter (transferred fabric) was obtained.
[0080]
About each to-be-transferred fabric created with the above methods, the following item was evaluated by the following method. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1.
[0081]
(1) Inkjet suitability
a) Image density
As a recorded image on the color material holding layer of the transfer medium, a patch image of black ink recording having a recording density of 100% was formed on the transfer medium for all pixels, and then transferred to a T-shirt according to the above. The image density of the transfer was measured with a densitometer (Macbeth densitometer RD-918).
[0082]
b) Image quality
Two-color patch images were formed side by side on a transfer medium, and the occurrence of bleeding at the boundary portion was visually observed and evaluated. At that time, a patch image having 100% recording density of yellow, cyan, blue, and red adjacent to each other is formed, and bleeding at the boundary of each color is visually observed to be formed on the transfer medium. Image quality was evaluated. Evaluation criteria were performed in the following four stages.
[0083]
A: No blur at the boundary between all colors
B: Bleeding only at the boundary between secondary colors (between blue and red)
C: There is a boundary blur between the secondary color and the primary color (between blue and cyan)
D: A thing with bleeding at any boundary
[0084]
(2) Easy transfer
After washing each T-shirt created by the above method with warm water at 30 ° C for 2 minutes and air-drying, measure the transfer time (seconds) until the transfer part does not fall off the T-shirt or lift or peel off. The ease of transfer was evaluated.
[0085]
(3) Texture maintenance
As described above, the transfer image portion of each transfer product on which an image was formed on the T-shirt was subjected to bending resistance (mm) according to JIS-L-1096 6.19.1 A method (45 ° cantilever method). Measured based on. And the difference with the bending resistance of the to-be-transferred body before transferring the transfer medium measured by the same method was made into the texture maintenance property in this invention. In this case, it can be said that the smaller the numerical value, the better the texture maintenance.
[0086]
[Table 1]

[0087]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, in particular, excellent ink jet recording suitability is maintained, a high-quality image without high density bleeding is formed, and at the same time, transferability to a transfer medium is excellent. However, a transfer image can be easily formed, and the transfer image to be formed is a transfer medium that does not impair the texture of the transfer target such as a fabric, and an image forming method and a target using the transfer medium. A transfer fabric is provided.

Claims (11)

In a transfer medium provided with a color material and a color material holding layer formed with an ink containing a liquid medium that dissolves or disperses the color material, the color material holding layer can be separated and the liquid medium can be separated. A transfer medium comprising: a separation layer that migrates; and a liquid medium absorption layer that absorbs the liquid medium migrated through the separation layer . The transfer medium according to claim 1, wherein the separation layer includes a release agent and has a porous structure . 3. The transfer medium according to claim 1, wherein the separation layer is formed by applying a dispersion liquid in which a release agent is dispersed while maintaining a shape on the liquid medium absorption layer . 4. The transfer medium according to claim 3, wherein the liquid medium absorption layer in which the separation layer is formed has an absorption coefficient Ka of 1 or more. The colorant holding layer is characterized in that at least the thermoplastic resin particles and the binder have a mixing ratio of 1/2 to 50/1 and can be transferred to a transfer medium by heat. transfer medium according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The transfer medium according to claim 5, wherein the binder is a thermoplastic resin and / or a cation-modified product thereof. The transfer medium according to claim 5, wherein the color material holding layer has a resin or pores for capturing the color material of the ink . The transfer medium according to claim 7, wherein the color material includes an anionic dye, and the resin is a cationic resin . The transfer medium according to claim 1, wherein the color material holding layer of the transfer medium is used for transfer onto a fabric . An image forming step of forming an image of the ink on the color material holding layer of the transfer medium according to any one of claims 1 to 9 by an ink jet recording method; and the transfer medium on which the image is formed is a transfer target. A transfer step of transferring the color material holding layer to the transfer medium and then peeling and separating the liquid medium absorption layer from the color material holding layer to form a transfer image.   A fabric, wherein a transfer image is formed by the manufacturing method according to claim 10.