JPH02239981A - Reproduction of ink recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To well reproduce a heat-meltable ink layer by charging the heat- meltable ink layer after the completion of the printing recording of an ink recording medium with the same polarity as that of the charge potential of ink particles. CONSTITUTION:An ink recording medium 1 is fed to a printing recording part by feed rolls 6, 6 and a heat-meltable ink layer is transferred to a transfer material 3 corresponding to the signal current from a printing recording head 2 to perform printing recording. The ink recording medium 1 after the completion of printing recording is charged by a corona charger 9. In this case, the heat-meltable ink layer is charged so as to become the same polarity as the charge polarity of powder ink. Subsequently, the ink recording medium reaches a powder ink supply unit 7 and the powder ink supported on an ink carrier is adhered to the ink transfer mark of the heat-meltable ink layer. Next, the ink recording medium is heated and pressed by an ink layer leveling unit to complete the reproduction of the heat-meltable ink layer.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to an ink recording medium for use in a print recording method that converts an electrical signal into thermal energy and transfers an ink image to a transfer material to perform print recording. Regarding playback methods.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, as an electric thermal transfer recording method, an ink recording medium is formed by laminating an anisotropic conductive layer, a heating resistor layer that generates heat upon input of an electric signal corresponding to an image signal, a conductive layer, and a heat-melting ink layer. In this method, the ink recording medium is supplied with powder ink after the ink in the heat-melting ink layer is transferred after the print recording is performed. The hot-melt ink layer is regenerated and used repeatedly.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic configuration in that case, in which the ink recording medium 1 is conveyed in the direction of the arrow by conveyance rolls 6, 6, and in the printing section, the back pressure contact roll The heat-melting ink is transferred to the transfer material 3 on the transfer material 4, and printing is performed. Note that the current passes through the return contact roll 5 and is grounded. Next, the ink recording medium reaches the powder ink supply unit 7, where powder ink is supplied, and further, the heat-fusible ink layer is leveled in the ink leveling unit 8, completing the regeneration of the ink recording medium. It is used for the next print recording operation.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention In the above-mentioned conventional printing and recording method, when the ink recording medium is recycled, the powder ink leaves only traces of transfer of ink in the heat-melting ink layer of the ink recording medium, that is, traces of ink transfer. However, it also adheres to untransferred areas where powdered ink remains, leading to greater variations in the thickness of the heat-melting ink layer, and as a result, it cannot be used repeatedly over a long period of time. I ran into problems.

The present invention has been made with the object of solving the above-mentioned problems in the conventional method for reproducing ink recording media.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an ink recording medium that prevents ink particles from adhering to the untransferred portion of the heat-fusible ink layer of the ink recording medium, and allows the heat-fusible ink layer to be regenerated well. The purpose of this project is to provide a method for reproducing.

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention provides an ink recording medium in which an anisotropic conductive layer, a heating resistor layer that generates heat upon input of an electric signal, a conductive layer, an ink peeling layer, and a heat-melting ink layer are sequentially laminated. In a method for regenerating an ink recording medium, in which a heat-melting ink layer after the completion of print recording is regenerated using ink particles made of a binder resin and a colorant, the ink recording medium has a film thickness of 0.08.
Using an ink release layer with a thickness of ~3 μm, the hot-melt ink layer after printing of the ink recording medium was charged to the same polarity as the charging potential of the ink particles, and then carried on the ink carrier. It is characterized in that ink particles are attached to the ink transfer traces of the heat-melting ink layer.

In the present invention, the ink particles used for recycling may be powdered ink particles or ink particles dispersed in a liquid carrier. As the ink carrier, when using powdered ink, a conductive carrier such as iron powder or a synthetic resin-coated carrier is used.

Next, the ink recording medium used in the present invention will be explained.

The anisotropic conductive layer has the function of reducing current loss due to current conduction resistance when current is applied in the thickness direction, and also reduces heat loss and heat generation damage due to contact resistance between the needle electrode and the surface of the ink recording medium. Electrode J: It may be a conductive isolated pattern layer, or a conductive path made of a conductive substance such as metal powder or conductive ceramic particles is formed in an insulating material such as ceramic or synthetic resin. It may be a layer.

In the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention, when the anisotropic conductive layer is a layer consisting of a conductive isolated pattern, it is sufficient that the heating resistor layer has a function as a support, and the heating resistor layer is not a conductive isolated pattern. In the case of an anisotropic conductive layer, the anisotropic conductive layer itself may function as a support, and a thin film heating resistor layer may be formed on one surface of the anisotropic conductive layer.

The heating resistor layer is a layer that generates heat by converting the current from the anisotropic conductive layer into Joule heat to melt the ink and transfer it to the transfer material. A conductive layer made of a heat-resistant resin (polyimide resin, polyimide amide resin, silicone resin, fluororesin, Epoquin resin, etc.) in which ZrO2, A1203 is dispersed.
, sho2 and other high-resistance materials and Ti, AI, Ta, C
A thin film formed using a conductive material such as U % A us Z ' is used. It is preferable that the volume resistivity of the heating resistor layer is set in the range of 10-2 to 102 Ω·cm, and the film thickness is set in the range of 1000 to 500 pm. Those within this range have excellent properties in terms of attachment/detachment stability, film adhesion, etc.

The conductive panel serves as an electrode that diffuses and circulates the current flowing into the heating resistor layer, and also serves as a counter electrode during corona charging, and preferably has a surface resistance of 50Ω/□ or less. It is produced by vapor deposition, sputtering, or other thin film forming methods. Its film thickness is 500
It is preferable to set it in the range of human to 5 μm, especially ioo
A range of 0 to 2000 people is preferred in terms of heat leakage and necessary conductive properties.

The ink release layer is a thin film with a critical surface tension adjusted to ensure good ink transfer even at low printing energy, and has a low surface energy function.
Basically, it has a critical surface tension lower than the surface energy of the transfer material, preferably a critical surface tension of 38
It is less than dynes/cm. Further, it is desirable that the ink release layer has heat resistance, that is, a decomposition point or melting point of 180'C or higher.

In the present invention, the ink release layer has a film thickness of 0.08 μm.
m to 3 μm, and the volume resistivity is 1080.
It is necessary to be larger than cm. When the film thickness and volume resistivity are within the above range, the exposed portion of the transfer mark will hardly be charged by corona charging, and the untransferred portion of the heat-melting ink layer will be charged efficiently. .

As the material constituting the ink release layer, for example, thermosetting silicone resin, fluorine-containing resin, etc. can be used.

The heat-melting ink layer provided on the ink release layer is formed by dispersing known dyes and pigments such as carbon black in a thermoplastic resin having a melting point of 140° C. or less. The thickness of the heat-melting ink layer is preferably set in a range of 4 μm to 15 μm.

On the other hand, in the present invention, it is preferable that the thermofusible ink particles used for regenerating the thermofusible ink layer have the same composition as that constituting the thermofusible ink layer.

Next, the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining one embodiment of the print recording method of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining another embodiment, and FIG. It is an explanatory view explaining the state of corona charging of the invention.

In FIG. 1, 1 is an ink recording medium, and as shown in FIG. It is composed of layer 15.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a print recording head, which is configured to slide on the surface of the anisotropic conductive layer of the ink recording medium.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a transfer material, which is pressed against the heat-fusible ink image of the ink recording medium by a back pressure roll 4 . Reference numeral 5 denotes a return contact roll, which is arranged so as to be in contact with the conductive layer exposed on the sidewall of the print recording medium. Reference numerals 6 and 6 are transport rolls for transporting the ink recording medium, 7 is a powder ink supply unit, and 8 is an ink layer leveling unit. Further, 9 is a corona charger for charging the heat-melting ink layer.

In the printing and recording apparatus having the above configuration, the ink recording medium 1 is transported to the printing and recording section by the transport rolls 6, 6, and the heat-melting ink layer is transferred to the transfer material in response to a signal current from the printing and recording head 2. 3, and print recording is performed. The ink recording medium on which printing has been completed is charged by a corona charger 9. In that case, the heat-melting ink layer is charged to have the same polarity as the powder ink. Next, the ink recording medium 1 reaches the powder ink supply unit 7, and the powder ink carried on the ink carrier is transferred to the powder ink supply unit 7.
Powder ink is attached to the ink transfer trace of the heat-melting ink layer. The powder ink supply unit is composed of, for example, a powder ink transport roll having a conductive sleeve, and the powder ink is adhered to and transported on the powder ink transport roll, and the ink transfer of the heat-fusible ink layer is carried out. It sticks to the marks. In that case, it is preferable to apply a bias voltage of, for example, 100 to 500 V to the conductive sleeve with the same polarity as the charged polarity of the ink powder.

Next, the ink recording medium is heated and pressed in the ink layer leveling unit, and the regeneration of the heat-melting ink layer is completed.

In FIG. 2, the print recording medium 1 forms a cylindrical drum. The printing recording medium is rotated in the direction of the arrow by a drive device (not shown), and printing is performed on the transfer material 4 in response to the signal current from the printing recording head 2, as in FIG.

Next, the hot-fusible ink layer is charged by the corona charger 9 and leveled by the powder ink supply unit 7 and the ink layer leveling unit 8, thereby regenerating the hot-fusible ink layer.

In the present invention, after the print recording is completed as described above, the heat-melting ink layer of the ink recording medium is charged by a corona charger, but in this case, the conductive layer of the ink recording medium serves as a counter electrode and is grounded. The ink peeling layer has a film thickness of 1 μm or less and 108Ω・c.
Since it has a volume resistivity of more than m, as shown in FIG. 3, the ink transfer trace 16 of the heat-melting ink @15 is hardly charged due to corona discharge, and the non-transferred portion 17 is the ink recording medium. Because it requires a uniform conductive layer inside, it can be efficiently charged to a high potential. Since the charged potential is the same as the polarity of the charged ink particles, when the ink layer is regenerated, the charged ink particles repel the charge in the untransferred portion 17 and are prevented from adhering to the untransferred portion. . On the other hand, since the ink transfer trace 16 is in a state where the conductive layer is not coated with a thin ink release layer, the Coulomb force necessary for adhesion is generated between the conductive layer in the ink recording medium and the ink powder. Therefore, charged ink particles adhere to the ink transfer trail.

Example Next, the present invention will be explained by examples.

Example 1 Cr was deposited on one side of a conductive polyimide film having a surface resistance of 550 Ω/□ and a thickness of 40 μm by a high-frequency sputter deposition method to form a 6000-layer Cr layer. Next, a photoresist is formed on the formed Cr layer,
After a pre-baking process at 90℃ for 8 minutes, the film thickness was 1.2μ.
A resist film of m was formed. This resist film was exposed through a mask having a 16μRl round polka dot pattern on the entire surface with a pitch of 2CHtm, developed, washed with water, and then heated in an oven at 120'C for 15 minutes under N2 atmosphere to harden the resist film. I let it happen. Next, etching was performed using hydrochloric acid to remove the Cr layer in areas where the photoresist film was not present. Next, it was placed in an acetone bath, thoroughly cleaned with ultrasonic waves, the resist film was removed, and a 16 μm round polka dot pattern with a pitch of 20 μm was provided on one entire surface, completing the creation of an anisotropic conductive layer.

Next, AI was coated on the other side of the conductive polyimide film using a high-frequency sputtering method to achieve a film thickness of 1000.
A conductive layer (0.2Ω/□) was formed.

Thermosetting silicone hard coat resin (1015 Ωcm") was applied onto the formed Ai layer and cured by heating at 180°C for 1 hour to form an ink with a critical surface tension of 33 dynes/cm and a film thickness of 0.2 μm. A release layer was formed.In this case, in order to provide a return contact point, the strip-shaped portions at both ends of the film were
The ink was applied so as not to form an ink release layer.

The obtained film-like material was connected so that the anisotropic conductive layer was on the inside to create an endless belt.

Next, a colored thermofusible ink layer having a thickness of 6 μm and containing a thermoplastic resin having a melting point of 80° C. as a main component was provided on the ink release layer to obtain an ink recording medium.

Using this ink recording medium, it was installed in a printing recorder as shown in FIG. 1, and the following experiment was conducted.

The return contact part of the electrode layer is grounded, and the head part 200SPI
(125 pm pitch, 60 pm mouth electrode), 21
0. A wide stylus head was pressed at a pressure of 800 g/cm, and an endless belt-shaped ink recording medium was moved at a speed of 50 #/Sec without applying a signal current to perform print recording.

After printing was completed, corona discharge with the same polarity as the powder ink was applied to the ink recording medium using a corona charger with an opening width of 25 mm at a corona voltage of -7 KV.

Next, powder ink was applied to the print recording medium in an ink supply unit. 8 as a powder ink transport roll
An aluminum sleeve with a magnet roll disposed inside the sleeve having a diameter of 0#φ was used, and an aluminum roll for applying a bias voltage of 10#φ was provided at the end of the sleeve. Low molecular weight polyester resin (melting point 97°C, glass transition point 58°C)
Average particle size of 10% pigment dispersed in 9. Opm, σ-
Using 5.1μm powder ink, average particle size 130μm
Coating magnetic carrier of 96% against powder ink
They were mixed in weight percent and thoroughly stirred using a magnetic powder conveying roll.

A powder ink regenerating magnetic brush made of a mixture of powder ink and coating carrier was brought into contact with the surface of the ink recording medium using a powder ink transport roll. At that time, a bias voltage of -500 V was applied to the sleeve of the powder ink transport roll to control the adhesion of the powder ink, thereby regenerating the heat-melting ink layer of the ink recording medium.

Next, the powder ink was temporarily fixed on the ink recording medium using heat and pressure in an ink leveling unit.

When the above steps of print recording and regeneration of the heat-melting ink layer were repeated 10,000 times, it was confirmed that the optical reflection density of the solid image area was within the range of ±0.3.

Comparative Example 1 Using the same ink recording medium as in Example 1, print recording and heat-melting ink layer reproduction were performed in the same manner.

However, corona discharge after printing was not performed.

When the process of printing and regenerating the heat-melt ink layer was repeated, the thickness of the heat-melt ink layer became thicker, and the variation in the thickness of the ink layer between the ink transfer trace and the untransferred area became large. At the 130th time, the transferred characters became cut off, and at the 300th time, almost no ink transfer could be seen.

Comparative Example 2 The same ink recording medium as in Example 1 was used except that an ink release layer was not provided, and print recording and heat-fusible ink layer regeneration were performed in the same manner as in Example 1. As a result, the first recorded image had many thin lines and was of poor image quality. Moreover, even after the second time, the degree of adhesion of the recycled powder ink was uneven, and the heat-melting ink layer remained in the ink transfer state during transfer, resulting in extremely low reproduction reliability. Further, due to the contact with the powder ink magnetic brush, the conductive layer of the AI layer was gradually worn away, and the silvery white color of A} disappeared from the ink recording medium at the 500th time.

Comparative Example 3 Same as Example 1 except that the thickness of the ink release layer was 10 μm.
Using the same ink recording medium, print recording and heat-melting ink layer regeneration were performed in the same manner.

In this case, twice the printing energy is required to obtain a print with the same dot diameter as in Example 1, and the pulse resistance of the print recording medium is 1/8th, which is 5% of the resistance value at the 5000th time. A change has occurred. Further, charging occurred due to corona discharge after printing and recording, and the regeneration and adhesion of the heat-melting ink layer could not be performed satisfactorily.

Comparative Example 4 The same ink recording medium as in Example 1 was used except that the thickness of the ink release layer was 0.02 μm, and print recording and heat-fusible ink layer regeneration were performed in the same manner.

In this case, many pinholes were generated in the ink release layer, and uneven ink transfer occurred, and the same phenomenon as in Comparative Example 2 occurred.

Example 2 Inside an At cylinder with a thickness of 100 μm and a diameter of 120 #, p
A sodium hydroxide aqueous solution of H10 was placed in the tank, the tank was placed in an ultrasonic cleaning tank, and ultrasonic waves were applied for 10 seconds to clean and pre-treat the inner surface of the AI cylinder. Next, a 4% by volume phosphoric acid aqueous solution was put inside the A1 cylinder as an electrolyte, and a 10# connected to the negative heir of the DC power supply was connected to the center of the A1 cylinder.
The platinum rod of φ was grounded. Connect the A1 cylinder to the anode of a DC power supply, and apply a current density of 6OA/dm2 between the two poles at 20°C.
Electricity was applied for 150 minutes at the liquid temperature to complete the alumina treatment.

Next, an electrolytic solution containing a nickel salt was placed inside an A1 cylinder whose inner surface was aluminized, and the A1 cylinder and the central platinum rod were used as polar poles, and a current was applied for 100 minutes at a current density of 30 A/dm2 to perform AC electrolysis. , nickel was precipitated and filled into the pores formed in the alumina coating. The treated A1 cylinder was immersed in a liquid having a weight ratio of phosphoric acid: nitric acid: water = 4:2:3, and was left standing under ultrasonic waves for 180 seconds. Through this treatment, AI was removed, and a cylindrical endless belt made of alumina having nickel conductive parts in the form of thin lines in the thickness direction was formed.

A film with a thickness of 0.5 μm was formed on the outside of the obtained endless belt by high-frequency sputtering from a target made of a mixture of BN, Ta, and Sin2 under Ar gas of 1 0 3 Torr in a heated state of 580'C. was formed.

Next, A1 is coated on the above film using a vacuum evaporation method at room temperature,
A conductive layer with a thickness of 1,500 layers was formed. Next formed A
A dimethylsiloxane solution was applied onto the I layer, dried, and then heat-cured at 200'C for 3 minutes to form an ink release layer with a critical surface tension of 33 dynes/cm and a thickness of 02 μm. On top of this ink release layer, an ink layer of 7% by weight of a cyanine pigment dispersed in a polyester base resin with a melting point of 99°C was provided to a thickness of 4 μm to form a heat-sensitive ink layer. A shaped ink recording medium was obtained.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the above drum-shaped ink recording medium is set in a unit equipped with a corona charger,
Printed records were made. Number of wires is 4 at corona voltage -8κV
Book, opening width 60. The same treatment as in Example 1 was carried out under the conditions of a drum linear speed of 350#/sec, and powder ink was adhered to the heat-sensitive ink layer.

Next, the surface was leveled with an ink leveling tool. The surface temperature of the ink leveling roll was 135° C. and the contact pressure was 2K3/cm.

When the above steps of print recording and heat-sensitive ink layer regeneration were repeated, 40,000 good print images were obtained.

Effects of the Invention In the present invention, after printing is completed, the heat-melting ink layer of the ink recording medium is charged to the same polarity as the ink particles used for reproduction by corona discharge, and then the ink particles carried during the ink carrying period are charged. Since the ink particles are used for regeneration, the ink particles effectively adhere to the ink transfer traces of the hot-melt ink layer, while preventing the ink particles from adhering to the untransferred areas.

Therefore, variations in the ink layer thickness between the ink transfer trace and the untransferred portion are reduced, and a good printed image can be obtained even after repeated use over a long period of time.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining one embodiment of the regeneration method of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining another embodiment of the regeneration method of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining another embodiment of the regeneration method of the present invention. FIG. 4, an explanatory diagram showing the charging state due to corona discharge, is a schematic diagram of a conventional print recording method. 1... Ink recording medium, 2... Print recording head, 3
... Transfer material, 4... Back pressure contact roll, 5... Return path contact hole, 6... Conveyance roll, 7... Powder ink supply unit, 8... Ink layer leveling unit , 9...
- Corona charger, 11... Anisotropic conductive layer, 12... Heat generating resistor layer, 13... Conductive layer, 14... Ink peeling layer, 15... Heat-melting ink layer.

Claims (5)

[Claims] (1) Thermal melting after printing of an ink recording medium formed by sequentially laminating an anisotropic conductive layer, a heating resistor layer that generates heat upon input of an electric signal, a conductive layer, an ink peeling layer, and a heat-melting ink layer In a method for regenerating an ink recording medium in which an ink layer is regenerated using ink particles made of a binder resin and a colorant, the ink recording medium has a film thickness of 0.08 to 3.
μm and volume resistivity of 10^8 Ω・cm or more, and the heat-fusible ink layer after printing of the ink recording medium is charged to the same polarity as the charging potential of the ink particles. . A method for recycling an ink recording medium, which comprises: then causing ink particles supported on an ink carrier to adhere to ink transfer traces of the heat-melting ink layer. (2) A method for reproducing an ink recording medium, which comprises applying a bias voltage between the powder ink carrier and the conductive layer of the print recording medium. (3) The method for reproducing an ink recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the heat-fusible ink layer is charged using a corona discharger. (4) The method for recycling an ink recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the ink release layer in the ink recording medium has a critical surface tension of 38 dynes/cm or less and a heat resistance of 180° C. or more. . (5) The method for reproducing an ink recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the conductive layer in the ink recording medium has a surface resistance of 50Ω/□ or less.