JPH023382A - Energization sublimation transfer type printing recording method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reproduce a picture image having a high gradation and high resolution, and to enable repeated printing recording by a method wherein an anisotropic conductive layer, a heating resistor layer, a conductive layer, a deposit composed of a viscoelastic substance and a sublimating dye layer are formed, signal currents are applied and sublimating dyes are transferred onto a transfer material, a medium is brought into contact with the sublimating dyes and the dye layer is regenerated. CONSTITUTION:A printing recording ink medium 1 is shaped by successively laminating an anisotropic conductive layer 21, a heating resistor layer 22 generating heat by inputting an electric signal, a conductive layer 23, a deposit 24 consisting of a viscoelastic substance, and a sublimating dye layer 25. The medium 1 is carried by a roll, and brought into contact with a transfer paper 3 on a rear pressure welding roll 5. An electric signal corresponding to a picture image is applied to the medium 1 from a stylus head 2, and the printing picture image of sublimating dyes is formed onto the transfer paper 3. The medium 1 is conveyed to a regenerating section, a brush roll 10 is turned, sublimating dye powder 11 housed in a box 9 is carried onto a dye powder attaching brush, and the powder 11 is contacted and affixed to the medium 1. Accordingly, the picture image having a high gradation and high resolution is reproduced at high speed and in low energy, thus allowing repeated printing recording.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a print recording method for converting an electrical signal into thermal energy and transferring an ink image to a transfer material.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, when recording an image corresponding to a predetermined digital image signal on a recording medium, such as plain paper, a recording method using a thermal transfer recording medium such as an ink donor film is widely known.

Such recording methods include, for example, 1) thermal head transfer method (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 53-84735@publication), 2) electrical transfer method in which the ink layer is energized (Image Electrophotography Society Journal: 198
2nd year VO1, 11, No, 11. p3-9), 3
) Electrical thermal transfer recording method using a print recording medium having a heat generating layer and a return electrode on an ink support of medium resistance (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1986-
93585 Publication), 4) An electrical thermal transfer recording method, etc., in which a return electrode is provided on the same side as the needle electrode, a current path to the return electrode is formed in the heat generating layer of the print recording medium, and the heat generated in the heat generating layer is utilized. Proposed.

Among these recording methods, the electrical thermal transfer recording methods 3) and 4) have the advantage of relatively fast printing speed, no need to impart conductivity to the ink, and a high degree of freedom in selecting the ink material. Yes, and various proposals have been made. However, in these electrical thermal transfer recording methods, the ink support does not have anisotropic conductivity, so the dots spread, the leakage current is large, the energy efficiency is poor, or the applied current passes through the heat generating layer twice. This causes a lot of energy loss, and since one habitual contact is made twice with the needle electrode and the return electrode, there is also a lot of heat loss due to contact resistance. However, there are disadvantages such as a certain degree of resistance is required in the conductive layer in the print recording medium, and heat loss in the conductive layer becomes large.

In order to solve this problem, an anisotropic conductive layer consisting of an isolated conductive pattern is provided on the heating resistor layer, an ink recording medium with an anisotropic conductive layer as the support layer, and a conductive layer on both side edges. Using an ink recording medium with exposed side end electrodes,
It has been proposed to perform print recording by bringing a conductive sliding member or a conductive roll into contact with the side end electrode portion.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention By the way, ink is formed by laminating an anisotropic conductive layer, a heat-generating resistor layer that generates heat by the manual input of an electric signal corresponding to an image signal, a conductive layer, an ink release layer, and a heat-melting ink layer. Does the recording medium improve the problems of the above conventional techniques?
Due to the use of hot-melt ink, there has not yet been a satisfactory method for reproducing high-gradation, high-resolution images at high speed and with low energy.

On the other hand, a sublimation transfer type thermal head transfer method using a thermal head is also known, but it is not energy efficient and
There was also a problem that the printing speed was low.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems in the prior art.

However, the purpose of the present invention is to enable repeated print recording, high-speed printing, and high-density energy manual operation.
To provide an electric sublimation transfer type print recording method capable of reproducing high-gradation, high-resolution images, performing print recording with high energy efficiency, and performing print recording at low running costs. There is a particular thing.

Means and Effect for Solving the Problems The current-carrying sublimation transfer type printing and recording method of the present invention comprises an anisotropic conductive layer;
A heating resistor layer that generates heat due to the human power of an electric signal, a conductive layer,
A sublimable dye powder is adhered to a print recording ink medium formed by sequentially laminating adhesive layers made of a viscoelastic substance to form a sublimable dye layer, and the sublimable dye layer of the print recording ink medium is brought into contact with a transfer material. , applying a signal current according to the image signal from the anisotropic conductive layer side to transfer the sublimable dye onto the transfer material, and then bringing the print recording ink medium into contact with the sublimable dye,
It is characterized by regenerating the sublimable dye layer.

The present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the print recording method of the present invention. In Figure 1,
Reference numeral 1 denotes a print recording ink medium, which is in the form of an endless belt having the structure shown in FIG. 2 or 3, and is conveyed by being suspended between conveyance rolls 6, 7 and 8. 2 is a stylus head that applies an electric signal corresponding to an image; 3 is a transfer paper supplied from a transfer paper roll 4; and 5 is a back pressure roll. 10 is a dye powder adhesion brush, 11 is a flower dye powder housed in a box 9, and 12 is a surface leveling plate.

Sublimable dye powder is attached to the print recording ink medium to form a sublimable dye layer. That is, the dye powder adhesion brush roll 10 is rotated to carry the sublimable dye powder 11 housed in the box 9 on the dye powder adhesion brush,
By contacting it with a print-recording ink medium,
How many coats of sublimation dye powder should be applied? The adhered sublimable dye powder is uniformly leveled by the leveling blade 12 to form a sublimable dye layer. This print recording ink medium is transported by a transport roll 6.7.8 and brought into contact with the transfer paper 3 supplied from the transfer paper roll 4 on the back pressure roll 5. An electric signal corresponding to the image is applied from the stylus head 2 to the print recording ink medium, and a sublimable dye print image is formed on the transfer paper 3. Next, the print recording ink medium 1 is conveyed to a reproducing section and is regenerated. Regeneration is performed in the same manner as the method for forming the sublimable dye layer. That is, the dye powder adhesion brush roll 10 is rotated to carry the sublimable dye powder 11 housed in the box 9 on the dye powder adhesion brush, and by bringing each of them into contact with the print recording ink medium, the sublimable dye is applied. Apply powder. (
The sublimable dye powder that has been used for four times is uniformly leveled by a leveling blade 12 and is prepared for the next print recording operation.

The print recording ink medium used in the present invention is
It has a configuration as shown in FIG. That is, anisotropic conduction @ 21, a heating resistor layer 22 that generates heat upon input of an electric signal, a conductive layer 23, an adhesion layer 24 made of a viscoelastic material,
and a sublimable dye layer 25 are sequentially laminated. The anisotropic conductive layer may be composed of an isolated conductive pattern 26, as shown in FIG. It may be formed.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the print recording method of the present invention, and is a diagram showing the adhesion and regeneration of sublimable dye in the print recording process. The sublimable dye powder 11 housed in the box 9 is attached to the print recording ink medium by the dye application roll 13.

The surface smoothing is performed by contacting the surface smoothing elastic roll 14.

FIG. 5 shows still another example of the print recording method of the present invention, and does not show the deposition and regeneration of sublimable dye in the print recording process.

In this example, the print recording ink medium 1 is introduced into the sublimable dye powder 11 housed in the box 9, so that the sublimable dye powder directly adheres thereto. Further, the surface leveling is performed by a surface leveling web roll 15.

Note that the attachment of the dye powder and the leveling of the sublimable dye layer may be performed by means other than those described above. For example, a silicone rubber roll having viscoelasticity or a brush roll for leveling the surface can be used.

Next, each component of the print recording ink medium used in the present invention will be described in detail.

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. It may be an isolated conductive pattern layer consisting of an electrode, or it may be a layer in which 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. You can cover it. In the ink 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;
In the case of an anisotropic conductive layer that is not a conductive isolated pattern, the anisotropic conductive layer itself may have a function as a support, and a thin film heating resistor layer may be formed on the negative side of the anisotropic conductive layer.

The heating resistor layer is a layer that generates heat from the current from the anisotropic conductive layer using Joule heat to melt the ink and transfer it to the transfer material, and is a layer in which a conductive substance such as carbon or metal powder is dispersed. Resistor layer made of heat-resistant resin (polyimide resin, polyimide amide resin, silicone resin, fluororesin, epoxy resin, etc.) or ZrO, Al2O3, 5i0
High resistance materials such as 2 and 1'-i, AI, Ha, Qu, A
A thin film formed using a conductive material such as u or Zr is used. The volume resistivity of the heating resistor layer is 10 to 1
The film thickness is set in the range of 0.02Ω・cm, and the film thickness is 1000~
It is preferable to set it in the range of 1100J1. Those within this range have excellent properties in terms of film deposition stability, film adhesion, etc. The conductive layer serves as an electrode that diffuses and circulates the current flowing into the heating resistor layer,
It is made of a material having a volume resistivity of 10 −1 Ω·cm or less, and is created by vapor deposition, sputtering, or other thin film forming methods. The film thickness is preferably set in a range of 500 to 5 μm, and particularly preferably in a range of 1000 to 2000 μm in terms of heat leakage and necessary conductive properties.

The adhesion layer made of a viscoelastic substance is for adhering the sublimable dye powder, and is necessarily made of a substance that has heat resistance of 150° C. or more and is viscoelastic at room temperature. As such materials, silicone elastomers, urethane elastomers, fluororesin elastomers, etc. are used. The thickness of the adhesion layer is set in the range of 0.2 to 20 μm.

The sublimable dye layer is composed of sublimable dye powder. As a sublimable dye that can be used, JP-A-47-3
8205 and other documents, such as anthraquinone dyes such as malachite green, 1-amino 2-methylanthraquinone, and 1,4,5.8-tetraquinone, and triphenylmethane dyes such as Piut Triable B. , azo dyes such as 3-nitrophenylazo-3'-aminobenzene, and nitrodiphenylamine dyes.

Function When performing print recording according to the present invention, a conductive roll is conveyed in contact with the side end conductive portion of the print recording ink medium, and an image signal is input to the anisotropic conductive layer. Current flows from the anisotropic conductive layer to the conductive layer via the heat generating resistor layer, but at this time electricity-to-energy conversion takes place in the heat generating resistor layer, and the generated thermal energy passes through the conductive layer to the sublimable dye. Heat propagates through the layer, sublimates the sublimable dye according to the input signal, and transfers it onto the recording paper. After print recording is completed, sublimation dye powder is attached to the transfer trace of the sublimable dye layer for reproduction.In the present invention, as a print recording ink medium, one provided with an adhesion layer made of a viscoelastic substance is used. Because we use
Sublimable dye powder adheres easily and regeneration is easy and good.

EXAMPLES Next, the print recording method of the present invention will be explained by way of examples.

Example 1 Volume resistivity: 2 Ω·Cm % On one side of a carbon-dispersed conductive polyimide film having a thickness of 35 μm, a rectangular pattern of 13 μm square with a thickness of 3 μm and a pitch of 20 μm was created on the entire surface using a silver paste material.

Next, A1 was deposited on the other side of the conductive polyimide film by a DC sputter deposition method to form a conductive layer having a thickness of 3000 ml. 1. A silicone-based LTU type rubber compound was applied on top of this conductive layer and cured at 120°C for 1 hour, resulting in a film thickness of 5. A silicone rubber layer of Opm was formed.

The obtained film-like material was connected so that the anisotropic conductive layer was on the inside to prepare an endless belt-like print recording ink medium.

A sublimable dye layer was formed on this print recording ink medium.

That is, a box with a base area of 70 m x 300 rrm is filled with sublimable dye powder to a height of 40 mm, and 30 mm is poured from the box. At a height of
Rotated in sec. The direction of rotation was the forward direction of the print recording ink medium. This brush roll caused the sublimable dye powder to collide with and adhere to the silicone rubber layer of the print recording medium. Next, a rubber blade was rubbed against the surface of the print recording ink medium to uniformly and firmly adhere the sublimable dye powder.

The print recording ink medium to which the sublimable dye powder was attached was conveyed at a linear velocity of 100 #/sec and brought into contact with the coated paper on a back pressure roll. A bump-shaped stylus line head with a resolution of 240 SPI was pressed against the anisotropic conductive layer of the print recording ink medium, and 23
An electric signal of mA was applied manually to the anisotropic conductive layer, and a print was recorded on the coated paper that was in contact with the back pressure roller. As a result, a solid image with an optical reflection density of 1.3 was obtained.

After printing is completed, sublimable dye powder is supplied to the transfer trace of the print recording ink medium in the same manner as above to form a sublimable dye layer!
The layer was regenerated and subjected to the next printing process.

Example 2 The same print recording ink medium as in Example 1 was used. However, the sublimable dye layer was formed and reproduced as follows. i.e. a box with a base area of 100 g x 300 mtn and a height of 40. Filled up with sublimable dye powder. 40. The shaft center is at the height of , and the rubber hardness is 2.
5 silicone rubber, outer diameter 30m, rubber wall thickness 8#
The dye supply roll was rotated at a linear speed of 120 #/sec. The sublimable dye powder was conveyed while adhering to the roll surface due to the viscoelasticity of the silicone rubber, and was adhered onto the print recording ink medium by bringing the dye supply roll into pressure contact with the print recording ink medium. In this case, the linear velocity of the print recording ink medium is 100 #/sec, so the difference in linear velocity between the dye supply roll and the print recording ink medium allows the sublimable dye to be uniformly and uniformly applied to the print recording ink medium. I was able to do it solidly.

When the printing was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, the optical reflection density of the solid image was 12.

Example 3 The same print recording ink medium as in Example 1 was used. However, the sublimable dye layer was formed and reproduced as follows. A box having a base area of 100 # x 300 # was filled with sublimable dye powder to a height of 40 #.

A conveyance roll with a diameter of 30# was set so that the axis was centered at a height of 45M, and rotated at a linear speed of 100 g/sec. A print recording ink medium was introduced into the sublimable dye powder in the box, and the sublimable dye powder adhered to the surface of the silicone rubber layer. A smooth brush roll with a wire diameter of 0.3# and a diameter of 40# installed so that the center of the roll is 16# from the surface of the print recording ink medium is moved at a linear speed of 1.2 times the linear velocity of the print recording ink medium. The medium was rotated at a speed of 1, and the surface was leveled by contacting the print recording ink medium to which the sublimable dye powder had adhered. Further, the printing and recording ink medium was held between press-contact rubber rolls made of stainless steel having a rubber layer with a thickness of 2M and a rubber hardness of 30 on the surface, and the printing and recording ink medium to which the sublimable dye powder had adhered was leveled.

When the printing was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, the optical reflection density of the solid image was found to be 1.1.

Effects of the Invention The print recording method of the present invention uses, as a print recording ink medium,
An anisotropic conductive layer, a heating resistor layer that generates heat when an electrical signal is input, a conductive layer, and an adhesive layer made of a viscoelastic substance are laminated in sequence, and a sublimable dye powder is used as the printing recording ink. Therefore, it is possible to reproduce images with high gradation and high resolution, and it is possible to perform print recording with high energy efficiency. Furthermore, since the print recording ink medium can be easily regenerated, it is suitable for repeatedly performing print recording, and has the effect that print recording can be performed at low running costs.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the print recording method of the present invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 are schematic cross-sectional views of a print recording ink medium used in the present invention, and FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively. teeth,
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example of the print recording method of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Print recording ink medium, 2... Print recording head, 3... Transfer paper, 4... Transfer paper roll, 5... Back pressure contact roll, 6.7.8... Conveyance roll ,9...
Box, 10... Dye powder adhesion brush roll, 11
... Sublimable dye powder, 12 ... Flattened blade, 13
...Dye powder adhesion roll, 14...Flat elastic roll,
15... Flat web roll, 21... Anisotropic conductive layer,
22... Heat generating resistor layer, 23... Conductive layer, 24...
- Adhesion layer, 25... Sublimable dye layer, 26... Isolated conductive pattern, 27... Insulator, 28... Conductor. Figure 3 Procedure Ne + Ii Original (spontaneous) September 20, 1999 Director General of the Japan Patent Office Yoshi 1'Jl Moon Takeshi 1, Indication of the case 1988 Patent Application No. 149951 2, Name of the invention Electrical sublimation transfer type Printed Recording Method 3, Relationship with the Amendment Person Case Patent Applicant Address 3-3-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo Name (
549) Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Representative: Yotabe Kobayashi 4, Agent address: 1-8-5-6, Kanda Nishiki-cho, 1-ku, Chiyo-ku, Tokyo 101, Contents of the amendment (1) " 10 corrects the dye powder adhesion plan to "10 dye powder adhering brush roll." (2) As shown in FIG. 1 on the 12th to 13th lines of page 7, "From the isolated conductive pattern 26" is corrected to "From the isolated conductive pattern." G) Delete "26...Isolated conductive pattern" from the 16th line to the 17th line on page 17. that's all

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A sublimable dye powder is attached to a print recording ink medium that is formed by sequentially laminating an anisotropic conductive layer, a heating resistor layer that generates heat when an electric signal is input, a conductive layer, and an adhesive layer made of a viscoelastic substance. The sublimable dye layer of the print recording ink medium is brought into contact with the transfer material, and a signal current corresponding to the image signal is applied from the anisotropic conductive layer side to transfer the sublimable dye onto the transfer material. 1. A print recording method, which comprises: bringing the print recording ink medium into contact with a sublimable dye to regenerate the sublimable dye layer.