JP5293248B2 - Label production method and label production apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a label production method, a label production apparatus, and a label toner, and more particularly, to a label production method and apparatus using an electrophotographic system.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a label producing method is known in which a pattern is printed on a label affixed to a release sheet, and the label is cut into an arbitrary shape with a blade shape (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). However, in this method, in order to create one type of label, it is necessary to create a printing plate and a blade shape. This method is effective when producing a large number of labels, but if the number of labels to be produced is small, the production cost of the plate and blade mold is high, resulting in an increase in the unit price of the label. There is a problem that it ends up.

  In addition, as another method for cutting the label, a method of cutting the label into an arbitrary shape by controlling the operation of the blade has been reported (for example, see Patent Documents 3 and 4). There is a disadvantage that it takes.

  In addition, a method of cutting a label into an arbitrary shape by irradiating a laser has been reported (see, for example, Patent Document 5), but it has disadvantages such as requiring a high-power laser and a slow processing speed. It is not practical.

  In view of this, the present applicant has previously proposed a method of developing a toner into an arbitrary shape by an electrophotographic method and then heat-treating it to produce a label (see, for example, Patent Document 6). According to this method, polyester resins and styrene acrylic resins, which are widely used as toner resins, are fragile resins, so they could not be used because they had poor film properties for use as labels, but polyvinyl acetal resins should be used. Thus, a certain degree of film strength could be imparted and it could be used as a label.

  However, when a polyvinyl acetal resin is selected as a resin for toner, if a resin having a high molecular weight is used, the film strength is improved, but pulverization is difficult when the toner is manufactured, and the productivity of the toner is extremely deteriorated. . On the other hand, when a polyvinyl acetal resin having a low molecular weight and good grindability is used, the film strength becomes weak and a label having sufficient performance cannot be obtained. That is, pulverizability and film strength are trade-off characteristics, and it has been difficult to select a toner resin that satisfies both characteristics.

JP 09-168998 JP 11-033999 JP 09-314495 JP2003-127483 Special table 2004-506240 JP2007-283745

The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances as described above, and uses a label film-forming toner having good pulverizability to form a label toner film having a high film strength and a manufacturing method for the label. The purpose is to provide a device.

To solve the above problems, a first aspect of the present invention, the step of forming a solid image developed label medium by an electrophotographic method toner label film forming comprising a UV curable resin as a binder resin, wherein before or after the step of forming the solid image to form a color toner image process, the row UV irradiation against the toner layer based on the solid image and the color toner image from the toner layer side on the label medium Utodojini A label comprising a step of heating from the back side of the label medium opposite to the toner layer to cure the toner layer and forming a label toner film on the label medium surface. A manufacturing method of is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided means for developing a label film forming toner containing a UV curable resin as a binder resin by an electrophotographic method to form a solid image on a label medium, upstream of the solid image forming means, or downstream, means for forming a color toner image, row Utodojini the toner layer to UV irradiation by UV irradiation means from the toner layer side of the toner layer and the solid image on the label media based on the color toner image A device for producing a label, comprising means for heating the back side of the label medium opposite to the side to cure the toner layer and forming a label toner film on the surface of the label medium I will provide a.

  In the label production method and production apparatus described above, the label toner may include at least a UV curable unsaturated polyester and a polymerization initiator as the UV curable resin.

According to the present invention, using a good label film forming toner grindability, production method and manufacturing equipment of labels makes it possible to form a high label toner film having a film strength is provided.

It is a figure showing roughly the label fabrication device concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the process of producing a label using the label production apparatus shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a label producing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a label producing apparatus 1 includes a magenta toner developing mechanism 2, a cyan toner developing mechanism 3, a yellow toner developing mechanism 4, and a black toner developing mechanism 5 as in a normal color electrophotographic printer. Further, a first heat fixing device 6 is disposed at the subsequent stage of these developing mechanisms. The label producing apparatus 1 is different from a normal color electrophotographic printer in that the label toner developing mechanism 11 is provided after the black toner developing mechanism 5, the UV irradiation mechanism 12 is provided after the first heat fixing device 6, and the UV irradiation mechanism. The second heat fixing device 13 is arranged at a position corresponding to 12.

  In the label toner developing mechanism 11, the magenta toner developing mechanism 2, the cyan toner developing mechanism 3, the yellow toner developing mechanism 4, and the black toner developing mechanism 5 are sequentially developed to form a color image. A solid image with the label toner is formed on the image. Further, in the UV irradiation mechanism 12, after the color image is thermally fixed in the first thermal fixing device 6, the solid image of the label toner is irradiated with UV, and the solid image of the label toner is cured. Heat fixing is performed in the second heat fixing device 13.

  Hereinafter, a process for producing a label using the label producing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, a development medium 21 as shown in FIG. The development medium 21 has a configuration in which, for example, an adhesive layer 23 is formed on a release paper 22 and a coat layer 24 is formed thereon. The development medium 21 is conveyed along the arrow and is subjected to color image development by the label producing apparatus shown in FIG. In color image development, the magenta toner developing mechanism 2, the cyan toner developing mechanism 3, the yellow toner developing mechanism 4 and the black toner developing mechanism 5 sequentially develop the color toner, and as shown in FIG. A toner image 25 is formed.

  In this case, magenta toner, cyan toner, yellow toner, and black toner that are generally used in a color printer can be used as the color toner.

  The development medium 21 on which the color toner image 25 is formed is then subjected to label toner development. In the label toner development, as shown in FIG. 2C, the label toner solid image 26 covering the color toner image 25 is formed by the label toner developing mechanism 11 of the label producing apparatus shown in FIG.

  As the label toner, a toner mainly composed of a UV curable resin can be used. This UV curable resin is a resin that is solid under normal circumstances and is cured when irradiated with UV in a molten state. As the UV curable resin, it is preferable to use a UV curable unsaturated polyester. Since UV curable unsaturated polyester is excellent in grindability, a label toner can be obtained with high productivity. Moreover, UV curable unsaturated polyester is excellent also in the film strength after UV irradiation, and can produce a high quality label. Note that the label toner mainly composed of a UV curable resin may contain a polymerization initiator.

  Thereafter, the color toner image 25 is heat-fixed on the development medium 21 as shown in FIG. 2D by the first heat fixing device 6 of the label producing apparatus shown in FIG. Next, the development medium 21 is irradiated with UV on the solid image 26 of the label toner in the UV irradiation mechanism 12 of the label producing apparatus, and the solid image of the label toner is cured as shown in FIG. At the same time, heat fixing is performed in the second heat fixing device 13, and a label toner film 27 is formed.

  The development medium 21 on which the label toner film 27 is formed as described above is cooled to room temperature and then used by the user. That is, the label 28 in which the color toner image 25 and the label toner film 27 are formed on the coat layer 24 and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23 is formed on the back surface of the coat layer 24 is, as shown in FIG. The work can be peeled off from the release paper 22. Since the label toner film 27 is cured by irradiating the solid image of the toner containing the UV curable resin with UV, the film strength is high, and due to the hardness difference and the strength difference from the surrounding area, Peeling from the release paper 22 can be easily performed. Moreover, it has sufficient strength as a label.

If the upper roll of the pair of fixing rolls constituting the first thermal fixing device is made of a transparent material and the solid image 26 of the label toner can be irradiated with UV through the transparent roll, the thermal fixing is performed. Since UV treatment can be performed simultaneously with heating in the vessel, further efficiency can be achieved. The UV light source is not limited to a mercury lamp, and a UV LED may be used.

  In the label production process described above, the color toner image 25 is formed on the coat layer 24 and then the label toner solid image 26 is formed. However, after the label toner solid image 26 is formed, the color toner image is formed. 25 can also be formed. In any order, a label toner film having a high film strength can be obtained by irradiating the solid image 26 of the label toner with UV.

  As described above, the color image and the label toner film are formed by using the electrophotographic process, but it is also possible to use the solid ink process.

  Examples of the present invention and comparative examples will be shown below to describe the present invention more specifically.

Example 1
93% by mass of UV curable unsaturated polyester resin (Uvecoat 2100: trade name, manufactured by Daicel Cytec Co., Ltd.) as a binder resin, and 3 “Carnava 1” (trade name, manufactured by Hiroyuki Kato) as WAX 1% by mass of “LR-147” (trade name, manufactured by Nippon Carlit Co., Ltd.) as a charge imparting material, and 3% of “Irgacure 2959” (trade name, manufactured by Ciba Japan Co., Ltd.) as a polymerization initiator. % Was mixed with a mixer and then kneaded while applying temperature with a twin screw kneader.

  The obtained kneaded product was pulverized to a particle size of about 2 mm with a mechanical pulverizer, then further pulverized to a small particle size with an airflow pulverizer, and classified to obtain particles having a target particle size. Thereafter, silica particles surface-treated with silicon oil or alkyldisilazane (2% by mass with respect to the kneaded and pulverized product) were externally added to the obtained kneaded and pulverized product, and passed through a sieve to obtain a label toner. The resulting label toner had a softening temperature of 100 ° C. and an average particle size (volume D50) of 9 μm.

Example 2
A label toner was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 93% by mass of UV curable unsaturated polyester resin (“Uvecoat T37621”: trade name, manufactured by Daicel Cytec Co., Ltd.) was used as the binder resin. . The obtained label toner had a softening temperature of 92 ° C. and an average particle size (volume D50) of 9 μm.

Example 3
A label toner was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 93% by mass of UV-curable unsaturated polyester resin (“Uvecoat 9146”: trade name, manufactured by Daicel Cytec Co., Ltd.) was used as the binder resin. . The resulting label toner had a softening temperature of 98 ° C. and an average particle size (volume D50) of 9 μm.

Comparative Example 1
Except that 96 mass% of polyvinyl acetal resin (“ESREC BX-L”: trade name, softening temperature 93 ° C., manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) was used as a binder resin and no polymerization initiator was used. In the same manner as in Example 1, a label toner was prepared. The resulting label toner had a softening temperature of 133 ° C. and an average particle size (volume D50) of 37 μm.

Comparative Example 2
The polyester resin for toner (softening temperature 112 ° C., manufactured by Kao) is 97% by mass as the binder resin, “NP056” (trade name, manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.) is 2% by mass as WAX, and “LR- 147 "(trade name, manufactured by Nippon Carlit Co., Ltd.) was mixed by 1% by mass with a mixer and then kneaded while applying temperature with a twin screw kneader.

  The obtained kneaded product was pulverized to a particle size of about 2 mm with a mechanical pulverizer, then further pulverized to a small particle size with an airflow pulverizer, and classified to obtain particles having a target particle size. Thereafter, silica particles surface-treated with silicon oil or alkyldisilazane (2% by mass with respect to the kneaded and pulverized product) were externally added to the obtained kneaded and pulverized product, and passed through a sieve to obtain a label toner. The resulting label toner had a softening temperature of 113 ° C. and an average particle size (volume D50) of 9 μm.

<Evaluation of grindability>
The pulverizability of the label toner obtained in Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 was evaluated. The pulverization property was judged from the pulverization-classification speed compared with the case where the resin for toner is used (Comparative Example 2). At this time, the pulverization conditions were adjusted so that the volume average particle diameter of the toner was 9 μm, the number ratio of particles of 3 μm or less as fine powder was 5% or less, and the volume ratio of particles of 16 μm or more as coarse powder was 3% or less. .

Evaluation of grindability Compared to the case of using a resin for toner, the grinding-classification speed is
○: Crushing-classification speed 80% or more Δ: Crushing-classification speed 30% or more and less than 80% X: Crushing-classification speed less than 30% <Label formation by electrophotographic printer>
The label toner obtained in Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 is filled in a toner cartridge of an electrophotographic printer (N5 printer manufactured by Casio Computer Co., Ltd.) and developed to form a solid image of the label toner. did. The media used for development was a sheet in which an adhesive layer and a polyester layer were formed on a release sheet, and the development of the label toner was performed on the polyester layer.

  Next, the sheet on which the solid image of the label toner was formed by development was heat-treated with a hot roll heated to 160 to 190 ° C. As a result, the toner powder was melted by heat when passing through the hot roll, and the resin in the particle state became a film to form a toner film.

  When the label toners of Examples 1 to 3 containing UV curable polyester as the binder resin were used, the toner film was subjected to UV irradiation treatment with a mercury lamp while the sheet was heated to 160 to 190 ° C. after the heat treatment. It was.

  After cooling to room temperature, the label having the toner film on the polyester layer having the adhesive layer on the back surface was peeled off from the release sheet by hand.

<Evaluation of film properties>
The film characteristics of the toner films of the labels prepared using the label toners obtained in Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 were evaluated according to the following criteria.

  ○: The film has a strength sufficient to function as a label.

  (Triangle | delta): It has a film strength a little lower than the grade which can function as a label.

  X: The film strength is considerably lower than the level capable of functioning as a label.

Table 1 below shows the evaluation results of the grindability of the label toners obtained in Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 and the film properties of the toner films.

  As shown in Table 1 above, the pulverizability of the label toners according to Examples 1 to 3 containing a UV curable polyester resin as the binder resin is almost satisfactory, whereas the binder resin As a result, the pulverizability of the toner for labeling according to Comparative Example 1 containing polyvinyl acetal was considerably low. Note that the pulverization property of the label toner according to Comparative Example 2 containing polyester for toner as a binder resin was good.

  Further, the film properties of the label toner film produced using the label toner according to Examples 1 to 3 are all excellent, whereas the label produced using the label toner according to Comparative Example 1 The film characteristics of the toner film were slightly low, and the film characteristics of the toner film of the label produced using the label toner according to Comparative Example 1 were considerably low.

  From the above results, the use of UV curable polyester resin as the main component of the binder resin for the label toner, and the UV irradiation treatment after the heat fixing of the label toner, deteriorates the pulverizability during toner production. Thus, it was found that a toner film having excellent film characteristics can be obtained.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Label production apparatus, 2 ... Magenta toner developing mechanism, 3 ... Cyan toner developing mechanism, 4 ... Yellow toner developing mechanism, 5 ... Black toner developing mechanism, 6 ... 1st heat fixing device, 11 ... Label toner developing mechanism , 12 ... UV irradiation mechanism, 13 ... second heat fixing device, 21 ... developing medium, 22 ... release paper, 23 ... adhesive layer, 24 ... coat layer, 25 ... color toner image, 26 ... solid of label toner Image, 27 ... toner film for label, 28 ... label.

Claims (4)

Developing a label film forming toner containing a UV curable resin as a binder resin by an electrophotographic method to form a solid image on a label medium ;
Forming a color toner image before or after the solid image forming step;
The heating from the back side of the opposite side of the label medium and the a solid image for the toner layer based on the color toner image rows Utodojini the toner layer to UV radiation from the toner layer side on the label medium And a step of curing the toner layer to form a label toner film on the surface of the label medium. The method for producing a label according to claim 1, wherein the toner for forming a label film includes at least a UV curable unsaturated polyester and a polymerization initiator as the UV curable resin. Means for developing a label film forming toner containing a UV curable resin as a binder resin by an electrophotographic method to form a solid image on a label medium ;
Means for forming a color toner image upstream or downstream of the solid image forming means;
The rear surface of the label medium opposite to the row Utodojini the toner layer to UV irradiation by UV irradiation means from the toner layer side of the toner layer based on the solid image and the color toner image on the label media An apparatus for producing a label, comprising means for heating from the side to cure the toner layer and forming a label toner film on the surface of the label medium. The label production apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the label film forming toner includes at least a UV curable unsaturated polyester and a polymerization initiator as the UV curable resin.

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