JPH03157654A - Image recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the wavelength selectivity of elements and to record a clear color image by coating the outsides of the elements with an absorber having an absorption wavelength region overlapping with the photosensitive wavelength region of other elements. CONSTITUTION:An adhesive 1b is applied to the surface of a base material 1a and plural kinds of image forming elements 1c are arranged on the adhesive 1b. The elements 1c may be yellow, magenta and cyan image forming elements, Y, M, C and an absorbing layer of an absorber which absorbs at least light in the photosensitive wavelength region of other elements is formed on the outer surfaces of the elements 1c. Light having specified wavelength is efficiently absorbed by the absorber and can be prevented from reaching the insides of the elements 1c without adversely affecting the insides and a clear color image can be recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an image recording medium used in printers, copying machines, facsimile machines, etc., on which images are formed using light energy and thermal energy.

[Prior art J: No color shift even in multicolor images (In order to provide a recording method that allows high-quality recording, is highly stable in storage, uses a small device, and consumes little energy, the applicant has developed a method that uses thermal energy and A recording medium whose transfer characteristics change irreversibly due to rapid reaction when light energy is applied is used, and an image is formed on the recording medium due to the difference in the characteristics according to the image signal, and this image is transferred to the recording medium. An image forming method for transferring onto a recording medium was published in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-17.
It was proposed in No. 4195.

A schematic cross section of an example of a recording medium used in this image forming method is shown in FIG. The recording medium 1 includes a binder layer 1b provided on a base material 1a and a distribution layer 1c of an image forming element.
It consists of The type and color tone of the image forming element can be freely selected depending on the application, but in the following explanation, for example, the case where the recording medium 1 for color recording is used, that is, the image forming element constituting the above-mentioned distribution layer 1c is of three types. A case will be described in which each coloring component contains one of yellow (Y), mazetsu (M), and cyan (C).

The image forming element has wavelength selectivity corresponding to the coloring components it contains. That is, for example, an image forming element containing a yellow coloring component undergoes rapid crosslinking and hardening when heat and light with wavelength λ1 are applied. When light with wavelengths other than 'A and l is applied, crosslinking does not proceed.

Next, an image recording method using the recording medium 1 having the above-described configuration will be described.

Referring to the schematic cross-sectional view in the thickness direction of the recording medium in FIG. 2(2), first, the recording medium 1 is stacked on the thermal head 3a,
Light is irradiated to cover the entire heat generating part of the thermal head 3a. In this light irradiation, wavelengths to which the image forming element reacts are sequentially irradiated. For example, if the image forming element is composed of three types of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C), the corresponding wavelengths are 1. λ2. λ, is sequentially irradiated. That is, first, the wavelength is calculated from the distribution layer 1c side of the image forming element of the recording medium 1,
At the same time, for example, the heating resistors S, d, and e of the thermal head 3a are caused to generate heat. Then, among the image forming elements exhibiting yellow color, the image forming element to which both heat and light of wavelength λ were applied (the hatched part in FIG. 2(a); hereinafter, the cured image forming element The body 2 (indicated by hatching) is cured. Next, Fig. 2(b), (C
), the wavelength λ2. Along with irradiating light of λ3,
When the heating resistor is selectively heated, a latent image to be transferred is formed in the distribution layer lc of the image forming element which has not finally been cured.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2(d), the recording medium l on which the latent image has been formed and the recording medium 8 are placed on the distribution layer 1c of the image forming element.
The latent image is transferred onto the recording medium 8 by heating and pressurizing it from the recording medium 1 or the recording medium 8 side, so that the latent image is transferred onto the recording medium 8. Form.

An image forming element whose transfer characteristics change when light energy and thermal energy are applied thereto contains at least a light- and heat-sensitive component, and may consist of the sensitive component, a photopolymerization initiator, and a polymerization component. Preferably, the polymerization component consists of a monomer, oligomer, or polymer having unsaturated double bonds.

In order to form vivid color images using this medium, it is necessary that the photosensitive wavelength ranges of the image forming elements of each color have little overlap.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] The present invention provides a recording medium for further improving the method of forming an image using an image forming element by changing the transfer characteristics using light and thermal energy. An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording medium that can form vivid color images at high speed using an element body with good selectivity.

[Means to solve the problem]

The present invention provides an image recording medium having on a base material a transfer recording layer composed of a plurality of types of image forming elements each having a different photosensitive wavelength range, the transfer characteristics of which change upon application of heat and light energy. An image forming medium characterized in that an absorption layer made of an absorbent that absorbs light in the wavelength range to which at least the other image forming element is sensitive is provided on the outer surface of the image forming element. Since this medium has excellent wavelength selectivity of each constituent element, it is possible to record vivid color images.

According to the present invention, since the absorbent is provided on the outer surface of the element body, it is possible to efficiently absorb light of a specific wavelength and prevent it from reaching the inside of the element body. Therefore, there is almost no negative impact on the internal environment.

In the present invention, the image forming element is a particle such as a powder or a microcapsule, which is composed of at least a compound having an unsaturated double bond, a photopolymerization initiator, and a colorant, and its transfer characteristics change by application of heat and light energy. A plurality of types of image-forming element means that the photopolymerization initiator contained in the element has multiple types of photosensitive wavelength ranges, that is, two or more types of image-forming elements each have different hues. This means that it exhibits.

In addition, an absorbent that absorbs light refers to a substance that strongly absorbs light with wavelengths in the ultraviolet to visible range, and the substance is the surface of at least one type of image forming element (hereinafter simply referred to as element). It adheres uniformly to the top and covers the entire element body to form an absorbent layer. In addition, "uniformly adhered" refers to a state in which the substance is adhered to the outside of the element body in the form of fine particles, a state in which it is covered as a film, or an intermediate state between the two, but it may be in any state in between. There is no need for it to be attached, but it is sufficient that it is attached to the surface of the element while being coated on the base material. Here, "covering the entire surface" does not mean that a layer is formed without any gaps, but also that it covers the entire surface even if there are gaps and the surface of the element is exposed to some extent, the degree of exposure is relatively uniform over the entire surface. This state is called an absorbent layer made of absorbent. Further, the absorbent layer may contain binders, excipients, etc. in addition to the absorbent.

The presence of an absorbent on the surface of the element that absorbs light in the wavelength range that sensitizes elements other than the element means that the wavelength range to which the photopolymerization initiator contained in the element is sensitive is different. In two or more types of element bodies, the photopolymerization initiator in the element body to which the absorbent is attached on the surface has a photosensitive wavelength range different from the absorption wavelength range of the absorber, that is, there is little overlap. or substantially non-overlapping, and the absorption wavelength range has a common portion with the wavelength range that sensitizes a photopolymerization initiator contained in an INi class or higher element whose photosensitive wavelength range is similar to that of the element. It is that you are. In a desirable configuration, each of the plurality of types of element bodies has a layer (absorption layer) made of an absorber, and the absorption wavelength of each absorption layer is within the sensitive wavelength range of the photopolymerization initiator of the element body having the absorption layer. It does not have a common range with the photopolymerization initiators of other types of elements having similar photosensitive wavelength ranges, and even has a common range with the photosensitive wavelength range of photopolymerization initiators of all other types of elements.

However, even if each element body does not have an absorption layer,
A sufficient effect can be obtained by applying the above relationship to elements having similar photosensitive wavelength ranges, that is, by attaching an absorbent having an absorption wavelength range that largely overlaps with the other photosensitive wavelength range to one element.

In other words, it is difficult to completely divide the photosensitive wavelength range of each element, and when one element is irradiated with the corresponding light, other elements are also slightly affected, but the surface of one element is If an absorption layer having an absorption wavelength range similar to the photosensitive wavelength range of another element is provided, even if the other element is irradiated with light corresponding to the light, the element will be able to absorb the light with the absorption layer on its surface. Since light is absorbed, it does not pass through to the inside, suppressing the photo-sensitivity of the photopolymerization initiator and significantly improving the wavelength selectivity between the elements. Furthermore, since the absorbent is attached to the outside of the element body, it does not cause any chemical changes to the compounds inside the element body.

Generally, it is desirable that the wavelength range of light that sensitizes the photopolymerization initiator used is divided into approximately 300 to 600 nm, and the transmittance particularly refers to the transmittance of ultraviolet light in this range. Many photoinitiators contain aromatic rings in their molecules, and the absorption band based on the π→π* transition of the aromatic ring is 30.
Since it exists at a wavelength of 0 nm or less, it is sensitive to light with a wavelength of 300 nm or less, making it difficult to separate the sensitive wavelength range, and it is not sufficiently sensitive to light with a wavelength of 600 nm or more. It is difficult to be (to become).

The recording medium of the present invention is intended for recording in at least two colors, and has photosensitive characteristics in two or more wavelength ranges by dividing the wavelength range of 300 to 600 nm into at least two wavelength ranges. They are constructed by being supported on solid base materials each exhibiting a different hue.

The present invention can be applied to multicolor or full-color recording using two or more colors. For example, when performing two-color recording of A and B, or when printing in hue B, the recording medium is heated and the photosensitive wavelength of the element A is When irradiated with light in the range A, the element A hardens and loses its transfer properties. Therefore, when the recording medium is placed opposite the paper to be transferred and passed through heating and pressing means such as a heat roller, the hue of B appears on the recording paper. In addition, when recording hue A, it is possible to similarly irradiate light in the sensitive wavelength range B.

Next, the element body according to the present invention will be explained.

Examples of the photopolymerization initiator used in the present invention include carbonyl compounds, halogen compounds, azo compounds, and sulfur compounds, such as aromatic ketones such as acetophenone, benzophenone, coumarin, xanthone, thioxanthone, chalcone, and styryl styryl ketone. and their derivatives; dikentones such as benzyl, acenaphthenequinone, and camphorquinone, and their derivatives; halogen compounds such as anthraquinonesulfonyl chloride, quinolinesulfonyl chloride, 2,4.6-tris(trichloromethyl)-5-triazine, etc. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

In addition, the element constituting the transfer recording layer must have wavelength selectivity depending on the type of colorant it contains, and if the transfer recording layer is composed of image forming elements of n types of colors, coloring Light of a different wavelength for each color, that is, n
The distribution layer of the image forming element is composed of a combination of photopolymerization initiators whose polymerization reaction rate changes rapidly with light of different wavelengths. As such a combination of photopolymerization initiators, for example, the following combinations can be used.

A photopolymerization initiator that uses a combination of Met Me 0 t / t etc. and S-triazine having a triheromethyl group has a maximum sensitivity of approximately 430 to 500.
It is around nm.

A photopolymerization initiator using a combination of tertiary amines and the like has a maximum sensitivity of about 370 to 400 nm.

A photopolymerization initiator using a combination of tertiary amines and the like has a maximum sensitivity around 300 to 350 nm.

As described above, by changing the maximum sensitivity wavelength range of the photopolymerization initiator used, wavelength selectivity can be imparted to the element body. Therefore, if the above photoinitiator is used,
It becomes possible to separate three colors. Furthermore, it becomes possible to develop full-color recording.

In addition, a polymerizable compound having an unsaturated double bond in the above-mentioned element is a compound having a small number (at least one unsaturated double bond) in its chemical structure, and has a chemical form such as a monomer, oligomer, or polymer. Examples include monomers such as methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile, and acrylamide, and unsaturated carboxylic acids such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, crotonic acid, incrotonic acid, and maleic acid. esters with aliphatic polyhydric polyol compounds such as ethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, trimethylolpropane, 1,3-butanediol, pentaerythritol, dipantaerythritol, and further polyisocyanates (if necessary, polyols) urethane acrylates, urethane methacrylates, and epoxy resins synthesized by polyaddition reaction of alcohols and amines containing unsaturated double bonds, and addition of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid with epoxy resins. Examples include epoxy acrylates, polyester acrylates, and spin acrylates synthesized by reaction.

In addition, polymers have a backbone of polyalkyl, polyether, polyester, polyurethane, etc. in the main chain, and acrylic groups, methacrylic groups, cinnamoyl groups, cinnamylideneacetyl groups, furyl acryloyl groups, etc. in the side chains. Examples include those into which polymerizable and crosslinkable reactive groups have been introduced, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

In addition, the element body containing the above-mentioned photopolymerization initiator and a polymerizable compound having an unsaturated double bond contains a colorant, and further contains additives such as a known binder, plasticizer, and thermal polymerization inhibitor. It can be included if necessary.

The colorant is a component contained in order to form an optically recognizable image, and various pigments and dyes are used as appropriate. Examples of such pigments and dyes include carbon black, yellow lead, molybdenum red, inorganic pigments such as Red Red, Banza Yellow, Benzine Yellow, Brilliant Carmine 6B, Lake Red C, and Permanent Red F5R.
, organic pigments such as phthalocyanine blue, vichloria blue lake, fast sky blue, and coloring agents such as leuco dyes and phthalocyanine dyes.

Further, a coloring agent that reacts with a color developer to color the image after image formation may be used. The amount of colorant is preferably 0.1 to 30% by weight of the total composition.

Organic polymers are commonly used as binders;
For example, polyacrylic acid alkyl esters such as polymethyl acrylate and polyethyl acrylate, polymethacrylic acid alkyl esters such as polymethyl methacrylate and polyethyl methacrylate, or methacrylic acid copolymers, acrylic acid copolymers, and maleic acid copolymers. chlorinated polyolefins such as chlorinated polyethylene and chlorinated polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyacrylonitrile, or copolymers thereof;
Further examples include polybenyl alkyl ether, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene polyamide, polyurethane, chlorinated rubber, cellulose derivatives, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, etc., but the present invention is not limited thereto.

These polymers may be used alone or in a mixture of two or more in an appropriate ratio. Furthermore, waxes may be used as binders, regardless of whether they are compatible or incompatible. Any amount of these polymers can be mixed into the total composition.

Examples of plasticizers include phthalate esters such as dimethyl phthalate and diethyl phthalate, glycol esters such as dimethyl glycol phthalate and methyl phthalethyl glycolate, phosphoric esters such as triphenyl phosphate, dioctyl adipate, diotyl azelate,
Examples include aliphatic dibasic acid esters such as dibutyl maleate.

Thermal polymerization inhibitors include p-methoxyphenol, hydroquinone, t-butylcatechol cuprous chloride, 2,6-
Di-t-butyl-p-cresol, organic acid copper, etc.0
Next, the element consisting of the above-mentioned components can be used as a particulate element with a particle size of about 3 to about 50 μm, preferably 7 to 15 μm when solid, or about 3 to about 3 μm even when liquid or solid.
A recording medium is prepared by physically and chemically bonding the microcapsules on a support as microcapsules of ~50 μm, preferably 7 to 15 μm. The average particle diameter of the element body is preferably about 10 μm. When the microcapsules are bonded to the base material with an adhesive, the adhesive may be an epoxy adhesive, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyacrylamide, polyester, or urethane adhesive. , acrylic adhesives, urethane acrylic adhesives, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer adhesives, and the like are preferably used. Here, when the element is made into particles and supported on a base material, it is desirable to further provide an oxygen-preventing layer such as a transparent base material in order to prevent inhibition of photopolymerization by oxygen.

A preferred form of the element body is a microcapsule form, which can chemically stabilize the absorbent and the compound in the core because they are held together by the shell and do not react with each other.

In addition, any conventionally known method can be used for microencapsulation, such as simple coacervation method, complex coacervation method, interfacial polymerization method,
1n-situ polymerization method, interfacial precipitation method, phase separation method, spray drying method, air suspension coating method, mechanochemical method, etc. are used.

Examples of the material include polyester, polycarbonate, triacetyl cellulose, nylon polyimide, boethylene terephthalate, aluminum, etc., and these may be in the form of a film, a plate, a drum, or a single sphere.

On the outside of at least one type of element forming the transfer recording layer of the medium of the present invention, there is a light-absorbing substance (absorbing agent) used to react at least another type of element with a similar photosensitive wavelength range. It's attached.

This absorbent can be used in UV to l depending on the wavelength range that the various elements are sensitive to.
You can freely choose from substances that exhibit large absorption in the 'lJ view. For example, as ultraviolet absorbers, 2-chlorothioxanthone (absorption wavelength range 350-400 nm), benzyl (absorption wavelength range 350-400 nm),
350r+m or less), etc., and has at least an absorption wavelength range that is common to the wavelength range of another type of element whose photosensitive wavelength range is similar, and does not have an absorption wavelength range that is common to the photosensitive wavelength range of the element. The absorbent may be attached to the outer surface of the element. The amount of adhesion of the absorbent varies depending on the form of the absorbent used, the absorption wavelength range, etc., but it is usually about 1 to 200% based on the weight of the element body (core in the case of capsules); if it is too small, the above effect will be insufficient. , and if it is too large, it will adversely affect the transfer characteristics. Further, when using a fine particle absorbent, the particle size is preferably 1 μm or less.

In the above configuration, in order to reduce the number of materials used for producing the medium and efficiently improve the wavelength selectivity of each element, it is preferable to use a photopolymerization initiator contained in another type of element as an absorbent.

For example, as an absorbent for use in an element containing a photopolymerization initiator that exhibits an absorption maximum of 430 nm or more, 370 to 400 nm
Select a photopolymerization initiator that has an absorption maximum at 300 to 350 nm (this is contained in the element C) and a photopolymerization initiator that has an absorption maximum at 300 to 350 nm (this is contained in the element C). In this case, wavelength selectivity can be efficiently improved without increasing the types of materials used.

Here, even if the photopolymerization initiator outside the element body absorbs light, it is difficult to cause a chemical reaction with the polymerizable component because it exists outside the element body, but if the element body is a microcapsule, it is difficult to cause a chemical reaction with the polymerizable component. This is preferable because it does not cause a polymerization reaction because it is held up by the shell.

Methods for attaching the absorbent to the outside of the element body include known surface modification methods and microencapsulation methods, such as simple coacervation method, complex coacervation method, interfacial polymerization method, 1n-situ polymerization method, and interfacial polymerization method. This can be carried out by a precipitation method, a phase separation method, a spray drying method, an air suspension coating method, a mechanochemical method, a coating method, a hybridization method, etc.

By these methods, the absorbent may be provided on the outer surface of the element body in the form of fine particles, as a coating, or in an intermediate state between the two, and the thickness is generally 0. It is preferable to set the thickness to about 0.01 to 1.0 μm.

Furthermore, the present invention can be implemented based on known techniques for other configurations.

〔Example〕

Using the components shown in Tables 1 to 3, a microcapsule-shaped image forming element was manufactured by the following method.

First, 100 g of water and 26 g of isobutylene-maleic anhydride copolymer (Isopan-10, manufactured by Kureha Chemical Co., Ltd.)
are mixed, log of sodium hydroxide is added, and the mixture is stirred at 80°C for 6 hours. After further cooling to room temperature, 700 g of a 3.1% pectin aqueous solution was mixed therein and stirred for 20 minutes. The pH of 200 g of the above isopane-pectin mixture was adjusted to 4.0 with a 20% sulfuric acid solution, 0.2 g of Quadrol (manufactured by BASF) was added, and this was mixed with a homomixer for 30 minutes.
While stirring at 000 rpm, a solution prepared by dissolving 20 g of the components shown in Tables 1 to 3 in 30 g of chloroform was added over 10 to 15 seconds, and emulsification was continued for 10 minutes.

Further, add the emulsion to 5. Transfer to an OOmn beaker, continue stirring with a stirring blade for 1 to 2 hours, and distill off the solvent.

Then 8.3 g of urea solution (50% by weight), 0.4 g of resorcinol dissolved in 5 g of water, 10. Add Ig formalin (37%) and 0.6 g ammonium sulfate dissolved in water at 10° C. at 2 minute intervals.

After raising the temperature to 60°C and continuing stirring for 3 hours, the temperature was lowered and the pH was adjusted to 12.0 with 20% caustic soda solution.The capsule liquid was filtered and washed twice with 1000rnJ2 water. Drying is performed to obtain a microcapsule-shaped image forming element.

The image forming element is a microcapsule in which the core shown in Tables 1 to 3 is covered with a shell, and the particle size is 7 to 15 μm.
It is formed to have an average particle size of 10 μm.

Next, on the outside of the capsule whose core is the ingredients listed in Table 1, 2
- 5% by weight of chlorothioxanthone was deposited by stirring and rubbing in the mixer shown in Figure 7, and 4,4'-dimethoxybenzyl was added to the outside of the capsule having the core ingredients listed in Table 2. 5% by weight was deposited in the same manner, and a third
Similarly, 5% by weight of a 1:1 mixture of 2-chlorothioxanthone and 4,4'-dimethoxybenzyl was deposited on the outside of a capsule having the ingredients listed above as a core.

The image forming element formed in this manner is adhered onto a base material la using an adhesive 1b to obtain a transfer recording medium 1.

To explain the attachment method in more detail, for example, 3C of toluene is added to the polyester adhesive Polyester-LP-022 (solid content 50%) LCC manufactured by Nippon Gosei Kagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd.
The adhesive 1b dissolved at a ratio of c is applied onto a base material 1a made of a polyethylene terephthalate film having a thickness of 6 μm.

Thereafter, the solvent is removed by drying to a thickness of about 1 μm. Since the adhesive 1b has a glass transition point of 115° C., a slight tack remains even at room temperature, and the image forming element formed as described above can be easily attached to the base material la.

Next, a microcapsule-shaped image forming element using the materials shown in Tables 1 to 3 obtained as above as a core material was prepared.
: Mix at a ratio of 1:1 and sprinkle this on to adhere. Thereafter, when excess image forming elements are brushed off, the image forming elements are arranged on the adhesion layer in approximately one layer and at a rate of 90%.

Thereafter, the image forming element is firmly fixed on the support la by applying a pressure of about IKgf/cm'' and thermal energy of about 80° C. to form the transfer recording medium 1.

The photoinitiator in the image-forming element shown in Table 1 has the absorption characteristics shown in FIG.
The photoinitiator in the image forming element shown in Table 2 has a wavelength range (peak wavelength The photoinitiator in the image forming element shown in Table 3 starts a reaction by absorbing light at a wavelength of 389 nm (389 nm), and becomes cyan in color during image formation. It absorbs light with a wavelength of 458 nm and starts a reaction, resulting in a yellow color when forming an image.

The recording medium 1 thus obtained was wound and incorporated into the apparatus shown in FIG. 6 so that the PET film side of the recording medium 1 became the heating surface (the surface in contact with the thermal head 3a).

In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a long sheet-like transfer recording medium, which is wound onto a roll and is removably incorporated into the apparatus main body M as a supply roll 2. That is, this supply roll 2 is removably loaded onto a rotatable shaft 2a provided in the main body M of the apparatus.

Therefore, first, the leading edge of this transfer recording medium 1 is placed on the supply roll 2.
, the transfer roller 4a and the pressure roller 4b via the guide roller 12a, the recording head 3a and the guide roller 12b.
From between, the peeling roller 5 and the guide roller 12c change the direction to reach the take-up roll 6, and the tip thereof is locked to the take-up roll 6 by means such as a gripper (not shown). Thereafter, the transfer recording medium 1 is fed out in the direction of arrow a by rotating the transfer roller 4a while applying torque to the take-up roll 6 in the direction of arrow C using a known driving means. In synchronization with this feeding, the recording section 3 selectively applies thermal energy and light energy of a predetermined wavelength to the transfer recording medium 1 to form an image, and the transfer section 4 overlaps it with the recording paper 8 as the recording medium. , the image is transferred to the recording paper 8 by applying heat and pressure. Further, the transfer recording medium 1 after image transfer is wound up on a take-up roll 6, and the recording paper 8 is discharged onto a discharge tray 11 by a pair of discharge rollers 13a and 13b.

Incidentally, when winding up the transfer recording medium 1, a constant pack tension is applied to the supply roll 2 by a known means such as a hysteresis brake (not shown).
This tension and the guide rollers 12a, 12b
Accordingly, the transfer recording medium 1 is conveyed while being pressed against the recording head 3a at a constant pressure and at a constant angle.

Next, the recording section 3 will be explained. In this embodiment, the recording unit 3 has a heating means for applying thermal energy, which is the first energy, to the transfer recording medium 1, and light energy, which is the second energy, to the transfer recording medium 1. and a light irradiation means for applying the light.

The heating means is composed of 1728 line-type heating elements 3b arranged in rows on the surface of the recording head 3a for A-size 8 dots/mm, each having a width of 0.2 mm and generating heat according to an image signal. As described above, the support la side of the transfer recording medium l is configured to be pressed against the heating element 3b with a predetermined pressure due to the pack tension during conveyance. Note that the image signal is emitted from a control unit of a facsimile, an image scanner, an electronic blackboard, or the like, depending on the purpose.

On the other hand, a light irradiation means is provided on the transfer recording layer lb side facing the recording head 3a. This light irradiation means has the characteristics shown in Fig. 4 as a spectral transmittance, and has a thickness of 2 m.
Rotating body 3c consisting of a cylinder made of glass (manufactured by 5CHOTT in West Germany, product name DURAN50) with an inner diameter of 40 mm.
is rotatably supported by three pairs of rollers 3d, 3e, and 3f, and is configured to rotate at a constant speed by driving and rotating the rollers 3d by a motor.

Moreover, three types of phosphors A, B,
C is applied to stripes of 120 degrees (three equal parts) in the circumferential direction. In this example, the main component of the phosphor A is Ca (PO4) Using +Eu (europium activated strontium magnesium birophosphate),
The main components of phosphor C are B a, MgA 11oos
t: Eu (europium activated barium magnesium aluminate) is used.

A light source 3g is disposed inside the rotating body 3c, and when the light source 3g is turned on, the phosphors A and B are illuminated.

C is configured to emit light. In this embodiment, a low-pressure mercury lamp is used as the light source 3g, and when this light source 3g is turned on, the phosphor A is shown in graph A (peak wavelength 335 nm) in FIG. wavelength 390 nm), and phosphor C is shown in graph C (
It emits light having a spectral distribution with a peak wavelength of 450 nm). The light emitted by the phosphors A, B, and C is transmitted to the light shielding plate 3.
The transfer recording layer 1b is irradiated through a slit 31 with a width of 0.5 mm formed at 1 h.

Therefore, while rotating the rotating body 3c, the light source 3g
When light is irradiated from the slit 31, the phosphors A, B, and C are excited and emit light in order, and the transfer recording layer 1b is sequentially irradiated with light having different spectral distributions through the slit 31.

Next, the transfer section 4 will be explained. The transfer section 4 is disposed downstream of the recording section 3 in the conveyance direction of the transfer recording medium 1, and is in pressure contact with a transfer roller 4a that rotates in the direction of the arrow as shown in FIG. and a pressure roller 4b that rotates as a result of rotation.

The transfer roller 4a is composed of an aluminum roller whose surface is coated with silicone rubber having a thickness of 1 mm and a hardness of 70 degrees, and the surface is maintained at a temperature of 90 to 100 degrees Celsius by a built-in 800 W halogen heater 4c. has been done.

The pressure roller 4b is made of an aluminum roller coated with silicone rubber having a hardness of 70 degrees to a thickness of 1 mm, and the pressing force with the transfer roller 4a is 6 to 7 Kgf/cm by a pressure means (not shown) such as a spring. It is set to be.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6(A), recording paper 8, which is a recording medium, is loaded in the cassette 7, and this recording paper 8 is transferred to the feeding roller 9. The recording paper 8 is fed one by one by a pair of registration rollers 10a and 10b, and the leading edge of the fed recording paper 8 is detected by a registration sensor 26 consisting of an LED 26a and a phototransistor 26b, and the feeding timing is controlled. The image area of the recording medium 1 and the recording paper 8 are synchronously fed to the transfer section 4 so that they overlap.

Therefore, in the transfer section 4, pressure and heat are applied to the transfer recording medium 1 and the recording paper 8 when they pass between the rollers 4a and 4b.

Next, a recording method when recording is performed using the recording apparatus configured as described above will be explained.

Note that in this example, heat is applied according to the image signal,
An example in which light is applied uniformly is shown.

The transfer recording medium 1 is sequentially fed out from the supply roll 2 by driving the motor, and an image is formed by applying light and heat to the transfer recording layer 1c of the transfer recording medium 1 in the recording section 3 in accordance with an image signal.

As shown in the timing chart of FIG. 8, when recording magenta color, the heating element 3b corresponding to the complementary color of magenta of the image signal, that is, the green image signal, is
Power is applied for ms, and at the same time, the light source 3g is turned on for 8 ms. At this time, the transfer recording layer 1c located in the slit 31
The phosphor A of the rotating body 3C faces the phosphor A, and the transfer recording layer IC is uniformly irradiated with light energy having a spectral distribution shown in the graph of FIG.

Next, for cyan color recording, 40 m5 after the start of energization to the heating element 3b in the magenta color recording, energization is applied for 12 ms to a portion of the heating element array corresponding to the complementary color of cyan, that is, the red image signal. At the same time, the light source 3g is turned on for 12m5. At this time, slit 3
The transfer recording layer IC located at position 1 has a phosphor B of the rotating body 3c.
are facing each other, and light energy having a spectral distribution as shown in graph B of FIG. 5 is uniformly applied to the transfer recording layer IC.

Next, for yellow color recording, 40 m5 after the start of energization to the heating element 3b in the cyan color recording, 20 m5 of current is applied to a portion of the heating element array corresponding to the complementary color of yellow, that is, the blue image signal. At the same time, light source 3g is turned on for 20m5. At this time, the phosphor C of the rotating body 3C is facing the transfer recording layer 1c located in the slit 31, and the light energy of the spectral distribution shown in the graph C in FIG. 5 is uniformly applied to the transfer recording layer 1c. Ru.

In the manner described above, a transfer image is formed on the transfer recording layer IC by controlling the heat generation of the heating element 3b, the rotation of the rotating body 3c, and the lighting of the light source 3g according to the image signals of complementary colors of magenta, cyan, and yellow. , 120 m5/Li for this image formation
The transfer recording medium is conveyed in synchronization with a repetition period of n5.

As described above, an image is formed on the transfer recording medium 1, and the image is transferred to the recording paper 8 in the transfer section 4 as a color image of magenta, cyan, and yellow.

After the image transfer, the transfer recording medium 1 and the recording paper 8 are separated by the peeling roller 5, and the recording paper 8 on which the image of the desired color has been recorded is discharged to the pair of rollers 13a.

13b to the discharge tray 11. Further, the transfer recording medium 1 is wound onto a winding roll 6.

Through the series of operations described above, an image recording medium of the present invention was manufactured, and when an image was formed using the same, a vivid color recording was obtained.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the wavelength selectivity of the element can be improved by attaching an absorbent having an absorption wavelength range common to the photosensitive wavelength range of other types of element to the outside of the element. This allows vivid color images to be recorded.

In addition, if a photopolymerization initiator contained in another type of element is used as an absorbent, there is no need to increase the variety of raw materials.
Wavelength selectivity can be efficiently improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the basic structure of the transfer recording medium of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the basic structure of the transfer recording medium of the present invention.
) and (d), FIG. 3 is a graph showing the light absorption characteristics of the photoinitiator in the transfer recording medium shown in the example, and FIG. 4 is the light transmission characteristics of the rotating body. FIG. 5 is a graph showing the spectral characteristics of the light irradiation means, FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the recording device used in the example, (A) is a schematic cross-sectional view, and (B) is a schematic diagram. A perspective view, FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view showing the configuration of a device for attaching an absorbent to the outside of the microcapsules used in the examples, and FIG. 8 is a timing chart for applying heat and light in the examples. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Transfer recording body, 1a... Base material, 1b... Adhesive, IC... Image forming element, 2... Supply roll, 2a... Supply roll shaft 3... Recording Part, 3a...
Recording head (thermal head), 3b, (a-f)...
・Heating element row, ・Rotating body, 3e, 3f... Support roller, ・Light source, 3h... Light shielding plate, ・Slit, 4... Transfer section, ・Transfer roller, ・Pressure Roller, 4C... Heater, - Peeling roller, 6... Winding roll, - Cassette, 8
...Recording paper, -Feed roller, tab...Registration roller, -Ejection tray 12b, 12c...Guide roller, 13b...Ejection roller, -Conveyance motor driver/Registration sensor...LED. ...Phototransistor, ...Thermistor, -Device body, A, B, C...phosphor, ...Jacket, 3c, 3d. 3g ・ 31 ・ 4 a ・ 4 b ・ 5 ・ ・ 7 ・ ・ 9 ・ ・ 10 a. 11 ・ ・ 12a. 13 a. 25 ・ ・ 26 ・ 26a. 6b T, ・M ・ ・ 51 ・ 52 ・ 53 ・ 54 ・ 55 ・ 56 ・ 57 ・ 58 ・ 59 ・ 60 ・ 61 ・ ・Stirring blade, ・Motor, ・Lid, ・Base, ・Control board, ・Cylinder, ・Lid lock, ・Cylinder, ・Direction control, ・Discharge port. ○DCD○D

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In an image recording medium having a transfer recording layer on a base material, which is composed of a plurality of types of image forming elements each having a different photosensitive wavelength range and whose transfer characteristics change upon application of heat and light energy. , on the outer surface of at least one imaging element,
An image forming medium comprising an absorbing layer made of an absorbent that absorbs light in a wavelength range sensitive to at least one other type of image forming element. 2. The medium according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent absorbs light in a wavelength range to which all other types of image forming elements are sensitive. 3. The medium according to claim 1 or 2, wherein all types of the element bodies have an absorbent. 4. The medium according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent is a photopolymerization initiator contained in the other type of image forming element. 5. The medium according to claim 1, wherein the element body is a microcapsule.