JPH0781195A - Cassette having therein tape - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a cassette storing therein a tape for use in printing, wherein durability of a thermal head can be increased without causing wear and tear on the thermal head and further improved light resistance and chemical resistance is provided. CONSTITUTION:A tape for use in printing is wound around a tape spool in a tape cassette, and in the tape, a release paper 6 is bonded to one surface of a base material sheet 4 through an adhesive layer 5. A thermosensitive agent layer 3 is formed by coating on the other surface of the sheet 4, and a barrier layer 2 is formed on the layer 3. And a protective layer 1 mainly composed of a room temp. setting type silicone resin wherein an ultraviolet absorbent is dispersed is applied onto the layer 2.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tape storage for storing a printing tape used in a tape printer for producing a tape with characters by printing characters on the printing tape via a thermal head. Regarding cassettes, especially when printing heat on the printing tape with the thermal head, it is possible to prevent wear of the thermal head and prolong the life of the thermal head, as well as printing with excellent light resistance and solvent resistance. The present invention relates to a tape storage cassette that stores tapes.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various kinds of printing tapes have been proposed as this type of printing tape, and such printing tape is generally formed by applying a heat-sensitive agent layer to a tape base material on a film. ing.

As the heat-sensitive agent layer, for example, US Pat. No. 2712507 or US Pat.
It is formed from a mixture of a leuco dye such as crystal violet lactone (CVL) and an organic acid such as a phenolic compound, as described in 30457.

This heat-sensitive agent layer is capable of developing color by being heated via a thermal head or the like. As a result, characters and the like are colored and formed on the printing tape.

Further, the thermal head performs heat generation printing while the printing tape is in contact with and sliding (during relative sliding of the thermal head), and the printing tape is placed on the thermal head. If it is not smoothly slid, printing will be hindered. Therefore, in the conventional printing tape, a lubricant in which fine particles such as calcium oxide are dispersed as a lubricant in a water-soluble resin such as polyvinyl alcohol on the heat-sensitive agent layer. Layers have been formed.

When such a printing tape is stored in a tape cassette and used in a tape printing device, characters or the like are printed on the printing tape via a thermal head provided in the tape printing device. The thermal head is heated by the thermal head while smoothly sliding the thermal head on the lubricant layer.

[0007]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional printing tape, in order to make the slip between the thermal head and the printing tape good, water-soluble such as polyvinyl alcohol is formed on the heat-sensitive agent layer. A lubricant layer formed by dispersing fine particles of calcium oxide or the like as a lubricant in the resin is formed, and the fine particles contained in the lubricant layer are
The thermal head is exposed on the surface of the lubricant layer while sliding relative to the lubricant layer. Then, the surface of the thermal head may be scraped through the fine particles exposed on the surface of the lubricant layer.

As a result, the surface of the thermal head is abraded while the printing operation is repeated using the printing tape, and the life of the thermal head is significantly shortened.

Further, the heat-sensitive agent layer of the printing tape is inferior in light resistance, and turns yellow when exposed to light (especially ultraviolet rays).
There is a problem in that the color-developed portion is discolored and the storage stability of the printing tape on which characters and the like are printed is poor.

Further, the heat-sensitive agent layer is inferior in chemical resistance,
Color develops on contact with alcohol, etc., surfactants,
There are problems that the colored portion is discolored or decolored due to contact with oil, a plasticizer, or the like, or the uncolored portion is not colored.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and when performing color printing of characters and the like while relatively sliding the thermal head on the printing tape,
Printing can be performed while sliding the thermal head smoothly on the printing tape, and the sliding can extend the life of the thermal head without abrading the thermal head. It is an object of the present invention to provide a tape storage cassette in which a printing tape having excellent light resistance and chemical resistance is stored.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, the tape storage cassette of the present invention is a tape storage cassette which is detachably attached to a tape printing device for printing characters on a long printing tape. Which has a cassette case and a tape spool rotatably arranged in the cassette case, and is peeled off around the tape spool via an adhesive layer formed by coating on one surface of the support body. A heat-sensitive agent layer that can be colored by the heating element of the thermal head on the other surface of the support on which the adhesive layer is formed, and a room-temperature-curable silicone resin or a room-temperature-curable silicone resin on the heat-sensitive agent layer. A printing tape having a protective layer in which an ultraviolet absorber is dissolved or dispersed in a resin mixed with is laminated.

In the tape storage cassette,
The printing tape preferably has a barrier layer provided between the heat-sensitive agent layer and the protective layer.

[0014]

In the tape storage cassette of the present invention having the above-mentioned structure, the printing tape wound on the tape spool is drawn out of the cassette case during printing, and characters and the like are printed on the printing tape via the thermal head. Is printed on. At this time, the thermal head performs printing while relatively sliding on the protective layer mainly composed of the room temperature curable silicone resin formed on the heat-sensitive agent layer of the printing tape, thereby printing the base material of the printing tape. The heat-sensitive agent layer formed on the sheet is colored by the heat-generating element of the thermal head, so that characters and the like are formed on the heat-sensitive agent layer.

Here, on the heat-sensitive agent layer of the printing tape,
A protective layer composed mainly of silicone resin is formed,
The thermal head can relatively smoothly slide on the protective layer without being worn due to the slipperiness, heat resistance and flexibility of the protective layer. As a result, a printing tape with characters formed by forming characters and the like is created.

Further, since the ultraviolet absorber dissolved or dispersed in the protective layer formed on the heat-sensitive agent layer of the printing tape absorbs ultraviolet rays, the light resistance of the printing tape is improved.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, the structure of the printing tape T according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a printing tape, in which a release paper 6 is provided on one surface (lower surface in FIG. 1) of a base material sheet 4 constituting a support of the present invention via an adhesive layer 5. It is attached. Further, the heat sensitive agent layer 3 is applied and formed on the other surface (the upper surface in FIG. 1) of the base material sheet 4, and the barrier layer 2 is further formed on the heat sensitive agent layer 3. Further, the protective layer 1 in which an ultraviolet absorber is dispersed and contained is coated on the barrier layer 2.

The heat-sensitive agent layer 3 is a leuco dye, a color developer that causes a color reaction with the leuco dye when heated to develop the leuco dye, and a color accelerator that accelerates the color reaction between these leuco dye and the color developer. , A binder for binding a leuco dye and a color developer, other pigments, auxiliaries and the like.

For example, leuco dyes applicable to the heat-sensitive agent layer 3 are usually colorless or slightly pale leuco dyes, and include the following.

(A) Triphenylmethane dye 3,3-bis (P-dimethylaminophenyl) -phthalide, 3,3-bis (P-dimethylaminophenyl) -6
-Dimethylaminophthalide (also known as crystal violet lactone), 3,3-bis (P-dimethylaminophenyl) -6-chlorophthalide, 3,3-bis (P-dibutylaminophenyl) phthalide (also known as malachite green lactone).

(B) Fluoran dyes 3-dimethylamino-6-methoxyfluorane, 3-dimethylamino-6-methyl-7-chlorofluorane, 3
-Dimethylamino-5-methyl-7-dibenzylaminofluorane, 3-diethylamino-7-chlorofluorane, 3-diethylamino-7-methoxyfluorane, 3
-Diethylamino-7-methylaminofluorane, 3-
Diethylamino-7-dibenzylaminofluorane, 3
-Diethylamino-7- (N-methylanilino) fluorane, 3-diethylamino-7-orthochloroanilinofluorane, 3-diethylamino-7- (3-fluoromethyl) phenylaminofluorane, 3-diethylamino-
7,8 Benzofluorane, 3-diethylamino-6-methyl-7-chlorofluorane, 3-diethylamino-6
-Methyl-7-anilinofluorane, 3-diethylamino-6-methyl-7-P-butylanilinofluorane,
3-diethylamino-5-methyl-7-dibenzylaminofluorane, 3-monophoryl-5,6 benzofluorane, 2-ethyl-6-methyl-7-anilinofluorane, 2-anilino-6-diethyla Monofluoran, 3
-(N-methyl-N-cyclohexylamino) -6-methyl-7-anilinofluorane, 3- (Np-tolyl-N
-Ethylamino) -6-methyl-7- (N-phenylamino)
Fluoran.

(C) Phenothiazine dyes benzoyl leuco methylene blue, 2,2 dimethyl leuco methylene blue, P-anisoyl leuco methylene blue, N-bivalyl leuco methylene blue, (d) rhodamine lactam dyes N-phenyl rhodamine β-lactam, arhodamine β-Salton.

(E) Spiropyran dyes Benzo-β-nastspiropyran, 1,3,3-trimethyl-6'-chloro-8'-methoxy-indolinobezospiropyran.

In addition, 2- [3,6-bis (diethylamino) -9- (o-chloroanilino) xanthyl] and lactam benzoate are applicable.

Further, a phenolic compound is used as the developer, and the phenolic compound is liquefied or vaporized at room temperature or higher and reacts with the leuco dye to develop a color of the leuco dye. Examples of the phenolic compound include the following.

4,4'-isopropylidene diphenol, 4,4'-isopropylidene bis (2-chlorophenol), 4,4'-isopropylidene bis (2-methylphenol), 4,4'-isopropylidene Screw (2
-Tert-butylphenol), 4,4'-sec-
Butylidenephenol, 4,4'-cyclohexylidenephenol, 4-tert-butylphenol, 4-t
ert-octylphenol, 4-tert-octyl caracol, 4-phenylphenol (P-phenylphenol), 4-hydroxydiphenoxide, 2,2-
Bis (p-hydroxyphenyl) propane (also known as bisphenol A), 2,2-bis (p-hydroxylphenyl) butane, 2,2-bis (2,5-dibromo-4-hydroxyphenyl) propane, 2,2 '-Dihydroxydiphenol, 2,2'-methylenebis (4-chlorophenol), α-naphthol, β-naphthol, methyl-4-hydroxydibenzoate, benzyl-4-hydroxydibenzoate, ethyl-4-hydroxydibenzoate,
Propyl-4-hydroxydibenzoate, 4-hydroxy-acetophenol, novolac type phenol resin, halogenated novolac type phenol resin, and other phenolic polymers benzoic acid, salicylic acid, tartaric acid, gallic acid and the like.

Further, as the color-promoting accelerator, stearic acid amide, stearic acid methylenebisamide, oleic acid amide, barmitic acid amide, mackerel oleic acid amide,
Palm fatty acid amide and the like are applicable.

As the binder, the following compounds can be applied.

For example, polyvinylanicol, starch or its variants and derivatives, methylcellulose, methoxycellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, carbuxymethylcellulose, arabic gum, gelatin, casein, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyacrylamide, polyacrylate, styrene / butadiene co-polymer. Water-soluble materials such as polymer, polyvinyl acetate, polyacrylic acid ester,
Alternatively, polystyrene, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, aqueous emulsion of polybutylmethacrylate, etc. may be used.

In addition, the heat-sensitive agent layer 3 includes white pigments such as talc, clay, silica, titanium oxide and urea formalin resin, various waxes, higher fatty acid metal salts, higher fatty acid amides, dispersants, lubricants, and defoamers. Auxiliary agents such as agents may be contained. The heat-sensitive agent layer 3 has a solid content of 2 to 2
0 g / m ^2, in particular, is desired to be applied and formed in the range of 5 to 10 g / m ^2.

Next, the barrier layer 2 is provided as necessary in order to prevent the heat-sensitive agent layer 3 from being attacked by the solvent contained in the room temperature curable silicone resin solution, which will be described later. As the resin forming the layer 2, it is preferable to use various film-forming water-soluble resins. Examples of the compound forming the barrier layer 2 include:
Polyvinyl alcohol, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, polyacrylamide, starch, gelatin,
Polyvinylpyrrolidone, methoxycellulose and the like can be used, and one kind or a mixture of two or more kinds thereof is used as the barrier layer 2.

Further, the barrier layer 2 is mainly intended to protect the heat-sensitive agent layer 3 from moisture, whereby the barrier layer 2 contains a waterproofing agent. Formalin, glyoxal, chrome alum, melamine, melamine formalin, polyamide resin, and polyamide epichlorohydrin resin can be applied as the waterproofing agent. The barrier layer 2 has a solid content of 0.5 to 10 g / m ² , particularly,
It is desirable that the coating is formed in the range of 1 to 5 g / m ² .

The protective layer 1 formed on the barrier layer 2 is
It is a resin protective layer composed mainly of a room temperature curable silicone resin, and such a room temperature curable silicone resin is another resin, for example, polyvinyl series, polyurethane series, polyacrylic series, polyester series, polyethylene series, polyamide series. , A polycarbonate resin, a silicon resin, or the like is used as a mixture, or a room temperature curable silicone resin is used alone.

Suitable room temperature curable silicone resins include room temperature curable resin type silicones and room temperature curable type rubber type silicones. Specifically, various silicone coating agents (for example, Toray Dow Corning Silicone SR2410, SR2411, SE506
0, SE5070, SE1980) can be applied.

Further, the ultraviolet absorber dispersed in the protective layer 1 is preferably a benzotriazole derivative, and the following compounds are applicable as the benzotriazole derivative. For example, 2- (5-methyl-2-hydroxyphenyl) benzotriazole, 2- [2-hydroxy-3,5-bis (α, α-dimethylbenzyl)
Phenyl] -2H-benzotriazole, 2- (3,5
-Di-t-butyl-2-hydroxyphenyl) benzotriazole, 2- (3-t-butyl-5-methyl-2-
Hydroxyphenyl) -5-chlorobenzotriazole, 2- (3,5-di-t-butyl-2-hydroxyphenyl) -5-chlorobenzotriazole, 2- (3
5-di-t-amyl-2-hydroxyphenyl) benzotriazole and the like can be mentioned.

As the base material sheet 4 which is a base material of the printing tape T, a polyethylene film, a polyamide film, a polyester film, a polypropylene film, a vinyl chloride film or the like plastic film, a high quality paper, a Japanese paper or the like is used. It

As the pressure-sensitive adhesive forming the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 5, solvent-type acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives, rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesives, water-soluble pressure-sensitive adhesives, hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesives, emulsion-based pressure-sensitive adhesives and the like are used. .

As the release paper 6, glassine paper, high-quality paper coated with silicon or polyethylene, or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) coated with silicon or polyethylene is preferably used.

1. Creation of Printing Tape Next, a method of creating the printing tape T configured as described above will be briefly described.

To prepare a printing tape T from the above components, first, a dispersion liquid of a leuco dye and a binder, and
A dispersion liquid of a color developer and a binder is prepared, and they are mixed together and stirred to prepare a heat-sensitive agent coating material. Apply such heat-sensitive paint to a bar, air knife, comma, reverse roll,
The heat sensitive agent layer 3 is formed by coating the one surface of the base material sheet 4 with a coating device such as a gravure roll and then drying with hot air.

After that, a barrier agent is applied on the heat-sensitive agent layer 3 by the above-mentioned application device and dried to form the barrier layer 2. The barrier layer 2 protects the heat sensitive agent layer 3 from the solvent when the solvent may affect the heat sensitive agent layer 3 in the room temperature curable silicone resin solution. Then, a room temperature curable silicone resin solution in which an ultraviolet absorber is dispersed is further applied onto the barrier layer and dried to form the protective layer 1. Further, the pressure-sensitive adhesive surface coated with the pressure-sensitive adhesive 5 on the release paper 6 is attached to the other surface of the base sheet 4. As a result, the printing tape T is created.

A specific method of producing the printing tape T will be described below.

(A) Base Material Sheet 4 As the base material sheet 4, a 38 μm thick polyester film (Crisper manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd.) was used.

(B) Preparation of heat-sensitive agent coating solution A solution and B solution having the following compositions are prepared.

[Liquid A] 1. Leuco Dye Crystal Violet Lactone 15 parts by weight 2. Binder 20% polyvinyl alcohol aqueous solution 50 parts by weight 3. Water 435 parts by weight [solution B] 1. Developer bisphenol A 60 parts by weight 2. Color forming accelerator 10 parts by weight of stearic acid amide 3. Binder 20% polyvinyl alcohol aqueous solution 100 parts by weight 4. Calcium carbonate 30 parts by weight 5. Water 300 parts by weight After preparing the liquids A and B having the above composition, the respective liquids A and B
The liquids are separately pulverized and dispersed in a ball mill for 24 hours, and the respective liquids A and B are sufficiently mixed and stirred to prepare a heat-sensitive agent coating material.

(C) Application of heat-sensitive coating material The heat-sensitive coating material prepared as described above is applied to one surface of the base sheet 4 by a gravure roll so that the coating amount when dried is 5 g / m ² . Heat-sensitive agent layer 3 after coating and then drying
To form.

(D) Coating formation of barrier layer 2 As a pretreatment for laminating a silicone resin on the heat sensitive agent layer 3, polyvinyl alcohol (manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd.) and modified NBR are used.
(Nitrile / Butadiene rubber, manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.), and
An aqueous solution containing 20% each of self-crosslinking acrylic emulsion (made by Rohm Endhaas Co., Ltd.) was prepared, and the coating amount at the time of drying was 2 on the heat sensitive agent layer 3 formed as described above.
The barrier layer 2 is formed by coating with a gravure roll so as to be g / m ² and then drying.

(E) Coating formation of protective layer 1 Subsequently, in order to form the protective layer 1, a urethane resin solution mixed with a silicone resin having the following composition was prepared.

[Urethane Resin Solution] 1. Polyurethane (SANYO Kasei UA-90) 100 parts by weight 2. Polyurethane cross-linking agent (SCAT-24 manufactured by Sanyo Kasei Co., Ltd.) 1 part by weight 3. 3. Room temperature curable silicone resin (SR2411 manufactured by Toray Dow Corning Co., Ltd.) 30 parts by weight 4. UV absorber 2- (5-methyl-2-hydroxyphenyl) benzotriazole 3 parts by weight 5. Toluene 100 parts by weight After stirring and mixing the above compositions to prepare a urethane resin solution, the composition is applied onto the barrier layer 2 by a gravure roll so that the coating amount when dried is 2 g / m ^2, and then, The protective layer 1 is formed by drying.

(F) Preparation of Release Paper 6 First, an adhesive having the following composition is prepared.

[Adhesive] 1. Fats and oils (oils and fats AS-2050 manufactured by one company) 100 parts by weight 2 parts by weight of oil and fat (oil and fat B-45 manufactured by one company) 3. Ethyl acetate 30 parts by weight The above components are stirred and mixed to prepare a pressure-sensitive adhesive, and then the pressure-sensitive adhesive is applied to the silicon-coated surface of a release paper 6 having a thickness of 60 μm and coated on one surface with silicon. Agent 2
The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 5 is formed by coating so as to give 0 g / m ² .

(G) Preparation of Printing Tape T The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 5 of the release paper 6 prepared as described above is laminated on one surface with the heat-sensitive agent layer 3, the barrier layer 2, and the protective layer 1. It is attached to the other surface of the base sheet 4. As a result, the printing tape T is created.

2. Preparation of Print Sample Next, a method of preparing a print sample using the printing tape T prepared as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the lower cassette case excluding the upper cassette case of the tape cassette, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tape printer.

First, the printing tape T is attached to the tape cassette C.
When mounted inside, the printing tape T produced as described above is cut into a 12 mm width, and the tape is used as the tape spool 10.
The release paper 6 is wound around the periphery (both the outer diameter and the height are formed to 12 mm) so that the release paper 6 is on the outer side. The tape spool 10 is set in the lower cassette case 11 as shown in FIG. 2 (the tape spool 10 is rotatably held by the lower cassette case 11 and an upper cassette case (not shown)).

In the lower cassette case 11, the printing tape T is fed from the tape spool 10 to the tape guide portion 1.
The printing tape T is guided to the opening 13 via 2 and is fed by a tape feeding roller 14 which is fitted to a tape feeding shaft 21 of a tape printing device 20 described later to feed the printing tape T. To be Also, the opening 1
3, a thermal head 15 (which is fixed to a cassette mounting portion 22 of a tape printing device 20 described later and is provided with a plurality of heating elements in the vertical direction) is arranged.

Further, a roller support member 16 (supported by the tape printer 20 so as to be rotatable about a shaft 19) is arranged opposite to the thermal head 15. The roller supporting member 16 includes a platen roller 17, and
The pressure contact roller 18 is rotatably supported, and when printing characters or the like on the printing tape T by the thermal head 15, the roller support member 16 is rotated counterclockwise around the shaft 19. It As a result, the platen roller 1
7 is pressed against the thermal head 15, and the thermal head 1
5, characters and the like are reliably printed, the pressure contact roller 18 is pressed against the tape feed roller 14, and the printing tape T after printing is sent to the outside of the tape cassette C by the cooperation of both rollers 18, 14. It is a thing.

The tape cassette C is set in the tape mounting portion 22 provided at the rear (right side in FIG. 3) of the tape printer 20 (see FIG. 3). After that, the heating elements of the thermal head 15 are selectively energized to print the tape T for printing.
By heating the heat-sensitive agent layer 3 from the protective layer 1 side of
A color reaction is generated in the heat sensitive agent layer 3 to form a desired character or the like in the heat sensitive agent layer 3.

The printing tape T on which characters and the like are printed in this way is discharged to the outside of the tape cassette C by the cooperation of the tape feed roller 14 and the pressure contact roller 18. The discharged printing tape T is cut by a cutter, and the printing tape T is used as a printing sample.

3. Preparation of Comparative Print Sample Next, a comparative print sample was prepared for comparison with the print sample prepared as described above. Here, the comparative print sample is prepared by using the comparative print tape having basically the same structure as the above-mentioned print tape T. This comparative printing tape is different from the above printing tape T in that the protective layer 1 in which 2- (5-methyl-2-hydroxyphenyl) benzotriazole which is an ultraviolet absorber is dispersed is not provided. The barrier tape 2 is different from the above-mentioned printing tape T in that the barrier layer 2 contains fine particles of calcium oxide in a solid content ratio of 5%.

4. Comparison between Printed Sample and Comparative Printed Sample Regarding the effect produced by the presence or absence of the ultraviolet absorber in the protective layer 1, the printed part (character system western part) and the non-printed part (character formation) in each printed sample are compared. Comparative examination was carried out by measuring the optical density in a portion of the printing tape T other than the portion. The measurement result of such optical density is shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing the measurement results, where the horizontal axis is the ultraviolet (UV) irradiation time and the vertical axis is the optical density. Here, the measurement of the optical density was carried out by applying ultraviolet rays in the wavelength range of 300 nm to 400 nm to the print sample and the print sample for comparison.
Irradiate with a xenon lamp for 72 hours so that the radiant intensity is 50 watts per square meter (W / m ² ), and measure the optical density of the printed and non-printed areas in the printed sample and the comparative printed sample every 24 hours. It was done by.

The optical density is measured by a colorimeter (Minolta C
M-2002) visible light range (400 to 700 nm)
(Wavelength range of), the reflectance of each part is measured every 5 nm, and the logarithm of the reciprocal of each measured reflectance is obtained.
It was calculated by calculating the average value of the obtained values.

In FIG. 4, (□) is the optical density in the print portion of the print sample, (⋄) is the optical density in the non-print portion of the print sample, and (+) is the optical density in the print portion of the comparative print sample. , (Δ) indicate the optical density in the non-printed portion of the comparative print sample.

In FIG. 4, first, comparing the optical densities of the print portion of the print sample and the comparative print sample, the optical densities of the print portions of the print sample were 1.53 to 1 during 72 hours of ultraviolet irradiation. The optical density in the printing portion of the comparative print sample was 1.5%, while the density difference was only 0.22.
It can be seen that the density difference has reached 0.37 by changing from 3 to 1.16.

This is because the protective layer 1 in the comparative print sample did not contain the ultraviolet absorber dispersed and contained therein, and therefore, the fading occurred in the color-developed portion of the characters and the like formed on the heat-sensitive agent layer 3 by the ultraviolet irradiation. It is thought to be due to this. On the other hand, although a slight fading phenomenon occurs in the printed portion of the printed sample, the fading phenomenon is more than that of the comparative printed sample because the protective layer 1 in the printed sample contains the ultraviolet absorber dispersed and contained therein. And it's not that remarkable.

Next, comparing the optical densities of the non-printed portions of the printed sample and the comparative printed sample, the optical densities of the non-printed portion of the printed sample were 0.08 to 0. 18 and the density difference was only 0.1, whereas the optical density in the non-printed portion of the comparative print sample was similarly 0.08 to 0.3.
It can be seen that the density difference changes to 0 and the density difference reaches 0.22.

This is because the protective layer 1 in the comparative print sample did not contain the ultraviolet absorber dispersed and contained in the protective layer 1 as described above, so that the non-printed portion was discolored (yellowed to yellow) by the irradiation of ultraviolet rays. It is thought to be due to. On the other hand, although a slight discoloration phenomenon is observed even in the non-printed portion of the printed sample, since the protective layer 1 in the printed sample contains an ultraviolet absorber dispersed and contained therein, the discolored phenomenon occurs in the case of the comparative printed sample. Is not so remarkable compared to.

As described above, the ultraviolet absorbent dispersed and contained in the protective layer 1 in the printed sample is not only in the printed portion (colored portion formed in the heat-sensitive agent layer 3) but also in the non-printed portion (heat-sensitive layer 3). It also has an effect of effectively protecting the portion which is not colored in (1) from ultraviolet rays.

5. Printing test In order to compare the wear amount of the thermal head 15 when printed using the printing tape T and the wear amount of the thermal head 15 when printed using the comparative printing tape, a printing test Was done.

In this printing test, TR66 manufactured by King Jim Co., Ltd. was used as a printing apparatus having a thermal head, and the amount of wear of the thermal head 15 when each of the printing tape T and the comparative printing tape was successfully printed for 15 km. Was measured by a micrometer. Here, the thermal head 15 (see FIG. 5)
As the amount of wear, the height dimension H of the thermal head 15 before and after printing was measured, and the amount of change obtained by the measurement was taken as the amount of wear.

The measurement result at this time is shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a table showing changes in the amount of wear of the thermal head 15 due to the printing test. As is clear from the table, when the comparative printing tape is used, the height H of the thermal head 15 is It was 2.570 mm before printing but decreased to 2.561 mm after printing. As a result, it was found that the thermal head 15 was worn by 0.009 mm as a result of relative sliding with the comparative printing tape during the printing test.

In the case of the comparative printing tape, such abrasion occurred in the barrier layer 2 as described above.
Since the particles of calcium oxide are contained therein, it is considered that this is because the thermal head 15 was scraped by the particles of calcium oxide during the printing test.

On the other hand, when the printing tape T is used, the height H of the thermal head 15 before printing is 2.621 mm, and the height H of the thermal head 15 after printing. Is 2.620 mm, it can be seen that the thermal head 15 is worn by only 0.001 mm before and after the printing test. From this, it is clear that in the case of the printing tape T, the thermal head 15 hardly wears during the printing test.

As described above, in the case of the printing tape T, the wear of the thermal head 15 does not occur because the thermal head 15 smoothly slides on the protective layer 1 of the room temperature curing type silicone resin during printing. It is considered that the thermal head 15 was hardly worn due to the characteristics of the protective layer 1. Therefore, if the printing tape T is used, the life of the thermal head 15 can be remarkably extended.

As described in detail above, in the printing tape T according to this embodiment, the barrier layer 2 is provided on the heat-sensitive agent layer 3 formed on one surface of the base sheet 4, and the barrier layer 2 is formed on the barrier layer 2. Protective layer 1 in which an ultraviolet absorber is dispersed and contained
Since the print tape T is provided with both, it is possible to effectively protect both the printing portion and the non-printing portion of the printing tape T from ultraviolet rays, and it is also possible to prevent discoloration (yellowing) in the non-printing portion, so that characters, etc. Thus, it is possible to realize the printing tape T which can be stably used for a long period of time without deterioration.

Further, since the protective layer 1 is formed by using a room temperature curing type silicone resin as a main component and the thermal head 15 is slid on the protective layer 1 for printing, printing is performed. Printing can be performed while smoothly sliding relative to the printing tape T, and the life of the thermal head can be extended without abrasion of the thermal head 15 due to such sliding.

Further, since the barrier layer 2 is formed between the heat-sensitive agent layer 3 and the protective layer 1, it is included in the urethane resin solution even when the urethane resin solution constituting the protective layer 1 is applied. It is possible to reliably prevent the solvent from adversely affecting the heat-sensitive agent layer 3.

The printing tape T on which desired characters and the like are printed by the tape printing device is separated from the surface of the base sheet 4 on which the heat-sensitive agent layer 3 is formed by peeling off the release paper 6. Since the pressure-sensitive adhesive surface of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 5 appears on this surface, the adhesive force of the pressure-sensitive adhesive surface allows the adhesive layer to be attached at a desired position.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0081]

As described above, the present invention allows the thermal head to slide smoothly on the printing tape when performing color printing of characters and the like while relatively sliding the thermal head on the printing tape. While printing, it is possible to extend the life of the thermal head without causing wear to the thermal head due to its sliding, and also to provide a printing tape with excellent light resistance and chemical resistance. It is possible to provide the stored tape storage cassette.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a printing tape.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a lower cassette case excluding an upper cassette case of the tape cassette.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a tape printer.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing measurement results of optical densities of a printed portion and a non-printed portion in a printed sample and a comparative printed sample.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a thermal head.

FIG. 6 is a table showing changes in the wear amount of the thermal head due to a print test.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Protective Layer 2 Barrier Layer 3 Heat Sensitive Agent Layer 4 Base Sheet 5 Adhesive Layer 6 Release Paper 10 Tape Spool 11 Lower Cassette Case 15 Thermal Head 20 Tape Printing Device C Tape Cassette

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A tape storage cassette detachably mounted on a tape printing device for printing characters and the like on a long printing tape, the cassette case and a rotatably arranged inside the cassette case. And a release tape attached to the periphery of the tape spool via an adhesive layer formed by coating on one surface of the support, and the other surface of the support on which the adhesive layer is formed. In addition, a heat-sensitive agent layer capable of coloring with a heating element of a thermal head, and a protective layer in which an ultraviolet absorbent is dissolved or dispersed in a resin which is a room-temperature-curable silicone resin or a room-temperature-curable silicone resin is laminated on the heat-sensitive agent layer. A tape storage cassette characterized by winding the printed tape. 2. The tape storage cassette according to claim 1, wherein the printing tape has a barrier layer provided between the heat-sensitive agent layer and the protective layer.