JPH10230684A - Thermal transfer photographic paper - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To considerably simply and accurately form split sheet pieces of a business card size or a label size after a required image or the like is printed without requiring an instrument such as a cuter, a ruler or scissors, by dividing a paper to a plurality of areas by perforations. SOLUTION: A sheet-like base material 2, a receiving sheet part 3 formed on a first primary face 2a of the base material 2 and a back sheet part 6 formed on a second primary face 2b of the base material 2 are layered thereby forming a thermal transfer photographic paper 1. The thermal transfer photographic paper 1 has a predetermined thickness as a whole, and a plurality of longitudinal perforations 10a and lateral perforations 10b provided entirely at equal intervals like a grating. The paper 1 is consequently divided to many rectangular areas 9a, 9b,.... The thermal transfer photographic paper 1 can be cut to many split sheet pieces when the areas are separated along the longitudinal perforations 10a and lateral perforations 10b.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing paper for thermal transfer, and more particularly to a printing paper for thermal transfer capable of easily separating a printed image into a predetermined size without using a tool such as a cutter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A color printer is an output terminal for outputting a display image by being connected not only to a terminal device of a computer device or an image processing device but also to an audiovisual device (AV device) such as a television receiver or a video tape recorder. It is also used for various devices such as equipment. Further, among color printers, low-cost thermal printers that have a thermal head and are relatively easy to carry out maintenance and the like are widely used. Among these thermal printers, in recent years, a dye thermal transfer type color printer capable of printing a clear full-color image or the like has attracted attention.

In this dye thermal transfer type color printer, a dye thermal transfer receiving sheet (thermal transfer printing paper) is supplied so as to be superimposed on a dye ink ribbon, and the dye ink ribbon is controlled by a thermal head controlled based on printing information. Heat. The dye ink ribbon is heated and melted or sublimated at a predetermined concentration in the dye layer at a predetermined location and transferred to the dye receiving layer on the thermal transfer receiving sheet side. Perform printing.

[0004]

In a conventional thermal color printer, paper of a certain size is generally supplied to print output information such as an image. The paper on which images and the like are printed is used not only for ordinary documents and the like, but also cut out to an appropriate size such as a card size, a business card size, a seal size, etc. to produce an original card or an original business card. It has been used for many purposes. Original cards and business cards produced in this way are extremely popular especially among young people because of their color printing and originality.

By the way, in the case of an original card or an original business card, the outer periphery must be cut out neatly with a predetermined outer shape due to its nature, but the processing is extremely troublesome and it is difficult to produce easily. there were. Original papers, such as original business cards, which have been printed easily and easily, have a problem that burrs and the like are generated at the cutting portion and the outer shape is distorted, so that they cannot be used and are often discarded.

In this case, it is considered that, for example, a so-called seal paper in which a large number of seal pieces are adhered to one piece of release paper is used as the printing paper, and the seal pieces are peeled off after printing and used. You. However, in this sticker paper, since a predetermined thickness cannot be secured,
It cannot be used for business cards.

In general, a synthetic resin film such as a polypropylene resin is used on a transfer surface of a photographic paper for thermal transfer in order to obtain a natural color. However, since the synthetic resin film is excellent in flexibility, it is difficult to separate and divide the perforations easily even if the perforations are folded. It needed a tearing motion. In such a case, the dividing sheet piece to be divided often has a dividing line or cannot be divided as intended, which is uneconomical.

Accordingly, the present invention has been proposed for the purpose of providing a thermal transfer photographic paper which can be used for a thermal color printer capable of easily printing a clear full-color image or the like, and which enables a multipurpose use of a printed body. It is a thing. Another object of the present invention is to provide a thermal transfer photographic paper which is excellent in usability when the printer is running and can be easily divided as intended.

[0009]

According to the present invention, there is provided a photographic paper for thermal transfer according to the present invention, in which a dye receiving layer is formed on one main surface of a sheet-like substrate and is divided into a plurality of areas. It is processed.

These perforations have a diameter of 0.2 mm to 0.1 mm.
Preferably, 4 mm holes are formed at intervals of 0.3 mm to 0.4 mm.

When used for business cards and the like, the total thickness is preferably 150 μm to 300 μm. Further, when a polypropylene resin is laminated on a paper base to obtain a natural color, the thickness of the polypropylene resin is preferably set to 50 μm to 130 μm.

The thermal transfer printing paper may have a back coat layer formed on the main surface of the sheet-like substrate opposite to the main surface on which the dye receiving layer is formed. At this time, the perforations are formed so as to penetrate the front and back main surfaces, or are formed in the range between the dye receiving layer and the back coat layer while leaving the sheet-like substrate.

Further, the perforation is formed in a frame shape, or formed in a running direction and a direction perpendicular to the running direction, and has an end formed in a direction perpendicular to the running direction. The printing paper may be formed so as to be located between the perforations in the running direction and the ends of the photographic paper, and the both ends of the photographic paper may be provided with remaining portions where no perforations are formed.

The thermal transfer printing paper according to the present invention having the above-described configuration is supplied to a thermal printer so as to be superimposed on a dye ink ribbon, and is supplied to a thermal printer controlled based on print information. When the ink ribbon is heated, the dye of the dye ink ribbon moves to the dye receiving layer and a predetermined color printing is performed. The thermal transfer printing paper forms a plurality of divided sheet pieces very easily and accurately by being separated into desired regions along the perforations.

[0015] Further, by providing a perforation of a predetermined size, it is possible to easily and as intended and without disturbing the fracture surface.
It can be divided into a plurality of divided sheet pieces.

Further, in the photographic paper according to the present invention, the tension resistance and the bending resistance of the photographic paper can be improved by providing the remaining portions where the perforations are not formed at both ends thereof. Even when printing is performed by the printer, it is possible to prevent the printer from being unable to print due to unexpected division or tearing of the perforations during the printing operation, thereby providing an excellent usability.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the thermal transfer printing paper 1 has a sheet-like substrate 2, a receiving sheet portion 3 formed on a first main surface 2a thereof, 2 and the back sheet portion 6 formed on the main surface 2b.

The thermal transfer printing paper 1 is supplied to the thermal printer such that the receiving sheet portion 3 side is superimposed on the dye ink ribbon. Thermal printer
The thermal head is driven and controlled based on the printing information to heat a part of the dye ink ribbon. The dye ink ribbon is
Dyes of three colors of yellow, magenta and cyan, or four colors including black, or inks containing these dyes are applied to a sheet-like substrate. The dye in the dye ink ribbon heated by the thermal head or the ink containing the dye is heated and melted or sublimated and transferred to the receiving sheet portion 3.

In this way, the thermal printer
Full-color printing of an image or the like is performed by sequentially transferring each color dye of the dye ink ribbon to the printing paper 1 for thermal transfer.
The thermal printer controls the heating temperature or heating time for the dye ink ribbon based on the printing information of the thermal head, so that each color dye is melted or sublimated at a predetermined concentration, and is continuously formed on the thermal transfer photographic paper 1. Color printing with typical gradation.

By the way, the base material 2 of the thermal transfer photographic paper 1 is as follows.
For example, it is made of synthetic paper, high-quality paper, funnel paper, coated paper, cast funnel paper, cellulose fiber paper, or various plastic film sheets such as polyethylene terephthalate, polymethacrylate, and polyolefin. Further, a white opaque film or a foamed sheet to which a white pigment or the like is added is used as the base material 2, and the base material 2 may be formed of a laminate of these materials. The thickness of the substrate 2 is 50 μm
It is good to be -200 μm.

The receiving sheet portion 3 comprises a support layer 4 and a dye receiving layer 5, and is formed on the base material 2 by lamination or the like.

The support layer 4 is made of, for example, synthetic paper, woodfree paper, coated paper, or a synthetic resin such as a polypropylene resin or a polyethylene terephthalate resin in order to obtain a natural color. When the main component of the support layer 4 is a synthetic resin, the thickness is preferably set to 50 μm to 130 μm. The thickness of the support layer 4 made of synthetic resin is 50
If it is smaller than μm, it is too thin to be used as a business card or the like. If the thickness of the support layer 4 made of synthetic resin exceeds 130 μm, it is difficult to divide the support layer 4 from the perforations because the synthetic resin has flexibility.

The dye receiving layer 5 is mainly formed of a synthetic resin material having dye-dyeing properties, and is formed by adding and mixing a sensitizer. The thickness of the dye receiving layer 5 is 5
It is good to be 8 μm to 8 μm.

The photographic paper 1 for thermal transfer constituted as described above.
, The total thickness is preferably 150 μm to 330 μm. If the total thickness is less than 150 μm, the rigidity is insufficient for use as a business card or the like, which is not preferable. On the other hand, when the total thickness exceeds 330 μm, it is difficult to divide the sheet from the perforations.

The synthetic resin material used for the dye receiving layer 5 is generally a thermoplastic synthetic resin, such as a polyester resin, a polycarbonate resin, a polyvinyl chloride resin, a vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer or a vinyl chloride. −
Polyvinyl chloride polymers such as acrylic copolymers, polyvinyl acetanol resins, polyvinyl butyral resins, polyamide resins, vinyl acetate resins, polyurethane resins, polystyrene resins and the like are used. Further, as the resin material, acrylonitrile-styrene resin (AS resin), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin (ABS resin), cellulose resin, cellulose ester resin, polyvinyl alcohol, styrene-butadiene rubber (SB)
R) and rubbers such as butadiene-acrylonitrile rubber (NBR), acrylic resins and the like are used.

Examples of the synthetic resin material include not only the above-mentioned thermoplastic synthetic resins, but also thermosetting synthetic resins such as phenol resins, unsaturated polyester resins, melamine resins, urea resins, ultraviolet curable resins, and electron beam curable resins. A mold resin or the like may be used.

Further, in addition to the synthetic resin material, a sensitizer may be added to the dye receiving layer 5. The sensitizer has the effect of increasing the dyeability of the dye migrating from the dye ink sheet and improving the light fastness. Sensitizers include:
Liquid or solid materials having a melting point of about 50 ° C. to 150 ° C., such as esters, ethers, or hydrocarbon compounds, which are compatible with the above-described resin materials, are used. The sensitizer is compatible with the resin material and becomes an amorphous state. The sensitizer promotes the diffusion of the dye and permeates the inside of the dye-receiving layer 5 to perform the above-described action.

Specific examples of the sensitizer include phthalic acid esters such as dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, dioctyl phthalate, dicyclohexyl phthalate and diphenyl phthalate; Aliphatic dibasic esters are used. Examples of the sensitizer include phosphates such as triphenyl phosphate, tricyclohexyl phosphate and triethyl phosphate, isophthalates such as dimethyl isophthalate, diethyl isophthalate and dicyclohexyl isophthalate, and butyl stearyl phosphate. And higher fatty acid esters such as cyclohexyl laurate. Further, as a sensitizer,
Other silicates and boric acid are used.

Examples of ether sensitizers include diphenyl ether, dicyclohexyl ether, and methyl P-ethoxybenzoate. As carbohydrate sensitizers, camphor, low molecular weight polystyrene and the like are used, and phenols such as P-phenylphenol and O-phenylphenol, N-ethyltoluenesulfonic acid amides and the like are used.

Further, the dye receiving layer 5 has an improved whiteness to enhance the clarity of the printed image,
A fluorescent whitening agent and a white pigment may be added for the purpose of imparting writing characteristics to the surface and preventing retransfer of a printed image. As the fluorescent whitening agent, many commercially available compounds such as Ubitex OB (trade name, manufactured by Ciba Geigy) are used.

Further, an antistatic agent is applied to the surface of the dye receiving layer 5 by coating or the like in order to suppress the generation of static electricity generated during the processing step of the thermal transfer photographic paper 1 or running in the thermal printer. Alternatively, it may be added to the material resin. Examples of the antistatic agent include cationic surfactants such as quaternary ammonium salts and polyamine derivatives, anionic surfactants such as alkyl benzene sulfonates and alkyl sulfate sodium salts, and amphoteric surfactants. Various surfactants such as ionic surfactants are used.

The back sheet portion 6 has a thickness of, for example, 60 μm.
m and a back coat layer 8 having a thickness of 1 μm laminated on the support layer 7.
Are formed by lamination on the main surface 2b. The back sheet portion 6 has an effect of preventing the receiving sheet portion 3 from being damaged when being stacked during transportation or storage.

The back coat layer 8 is formed by dispersing additives such as inorganic and organic fillers in the same binder resin as the synthetic resin constituting the dye receiving layer 5 described above.
The back coat layer 8 is improved in running characteristics by reducing a friction coefficient by being mixed with a lubricant such as silicone oil or fatty acid, for example, during the processing step of the thermal transfer printing paper 1 or during running in a thermal printer. Is configured so that the double feed phenomenon does not occur. The back coat layer 8 is configured to be subjected to an antistatic treatment so that static electricity generated when the thermal transfer printing paper 1 is peeled off from the dye ink ribbon during printing of an image or the like is not charged.

The back coat layer 8 is prepared by mixing the binder resin and the additives described above with a solvent to prepare a back coat layer forming paint, and applying the back coat layer forming paint on the surface of the support layer 7 and drying. Formed by

The back coat layer 8 may be constituted as a writing layer. In this case, the back coat layer 8 has a thickness of about 7 μm to achieve mechanical strength, and the writing characteristics are improved by impregnating with a fluorescent whitening agent and a white pigment.

As shown in FIG. 3, the thermal transfer printing paper 1 has a structure in which the support layer 7 is omitted as necessary.
Perforations 10 may be formed by penetrating the slit portion from the direction.

The above-described thermal transfer printing paper 1 has a predetermined thickness as a whole and has a plurality of vertical perforations 10a and horizontal perforations 1 as shown in FIG.
. 0b are provided in a grid pattern at equal intervals so as to be divided into a number of rectangular areas 9a, 9b,. The thermal transfer printing paper 1 can cut out a large number of divided sheet pieces by separating each area 9 along the vertical perforations 10a and the horizontal perforations 10b.

In this perforation 10, slit portions and bridge portions are alternately formed on a straight line at regular intervals by, for example, rotating and running a slitter or the like having a toothless shape on the photographic printing paper 1. It is configured. Then, as shown in FIG.
It penetrates the base material 2 and the back sheet portion 6. Thus, the thermal transfer printing paper 1 is usually configured as one sheet material by the bridge portion of the perforation 10, and
The slits allow the sheet to be easily separated along the perforations 10 into a number of divided sheet pieces.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the perforation 10 has a hole diameter x of the slit portion of 0.2 mm to 0.5 m.
m, and the dimension y of the bridge portion is 0.3 mm to 3.0 mm.
It should be about. In particular, the total thickness of the photographic paper 1 for thermal transfer should be 1
When the thickness is 50 μm to 300 μm, the hole diameter x of the slit portion is preferably 0.2 mm to 0.4 mm, and the dimension y of the bridge portion is preferably 0.3 mm to 0.4 mm. At this time,
If the hole diameter x of the slit portion is too large, the bridge portion is easily broken. On the other hand, if the dimension y of the bridge portion is too large, the fracture surface becomes coarse, which is not preferable.

The photographic paper 1 for thermal transfer constructed as described above.
Is supplied to a thermal printer, and a predetermined image or the like is printed and formed on each area 9 divided by the perforations 10. The printing paper 1 for thermal transfer is very easily separated as a divided sheet piece by breaking along the perforation 10 the desired individual image printed in each area 9 without using tools such as a cutter, a ruler, and scissors. Can be formed. This divided sheet piece is produced in a good condition without bending or distortion of the outer shape.

Incidentally, in the above-described thermal transfer printing paper 1, the perforations 1 in which each slit portion is penetrated on the front and back surfaces are provided.
Although 0 is provided, the present invention is not limited to such perforations 10. The thermal transfer printing paper 20 shown in FIG.
It consists of a so-called half perforation in which slits 21a and 21b are formed in the range of the receiving sheet portion 3 and the back sheet portion 6 while leaving the portion of the base material 2 from the front and back surfaces.

As a result, the thermal transfer photographic paper 20 is improved in mechanical strength, and the printed portion is divided by the slits 21a, so that a good fracture surface can be obtained. Of course, tools such as a cutter, a ruler, and scissors are not required when cutting out the divided sheet pieces 9 also in the photographic paper 20 for thermal transfer.

Further, in the above-mentioned thermal transfer printing paper 1, a plurality of vertical perforations 10a and horizontal perforations 10b are provided in a grid pattern on the entire surface of the paper to form a large number of rectangular areas 9 in a divided manner. Is not limited to such a configuration.

For example, the photographic paper 30 for thermal transfer shown in FIG.
, A frame-shaped perforation 31 is provided, and a plurality of rectangular regions 32 are formed so as to be separable from the inside.

For example, in the thermal transfer printing paper 40 shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of vertical perforations 41a and a plurality of horizontal perforations 41b are provided, and a plurality of rectangular areas 43 are formed. The vertical perforations 41a are provided over the entire length of the printing paper in the running direction A of the printing paper. On the other hand, the horizontal perforations 41b are provided in the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction A, to the outside of the vertical perforations 41a, and to leave the remaining portion 44 from the end 40a. That is, the end of the horizontal perforation 41b is connected to the vertical perforation 41a and the end 40a.
It is made to be between. The remaining part 44 is 3 m
It is preferable to secure m or more.

The end of the horizontal perforation 41b is at the end of the vertical perforation 41.
However, in order to prevent inconveniences such as the horizontal perforations 41b not reaching the vertical perforations 41a during processing of the perforations, the ends of the horizontal perforations 41b extend on the vertical perforations 41a. It is preferable to design to exceed.

The photographic paper 3 for thermal transfer thus constituted
0 and 40 are, for example, A6 size (postcard size) as a whole
Perforation 31 or vertical perforation 41
a, for example, an original business card original is printed in a business card size area formed by the horizontal perforations 41b, and the original business cards 32 and 43 can be formed extremely easily by cutting out the original. Of course, photographic paper 3 for thermal transfer
The divided area formed in 0 and 40 is not limited to the business card size, and may be formed in an appropriate size such as a card size or a label size.

The photographic printing papers 30 and 40 thus configured are applied to, for example, a reciprocating thermal printer 50 shown in FIG. 8 to perform good full-color printing.

In the thermal printer 50 shown in FIG. 8, a thermal head 52 for partially heating the ink ribbon 51, a cartridge holder 53 for accommodating the ink ribbon 51, and a printing paper 54 for driving the printing paper 54 as described later. And rollers. A supply spool 54 around which the ink ribbon 51 is wound and a take-up spool 55 around which the transferred ink ribbon 51 is wound are attached to the cartridge holder 53.

The photographic paper 54 is supplied in the direction B by paper feed rollers 56 and 57 from a paper feed tray (not shown) at the lower left of FIG. The leading end of the fed photographic paper 54 is sandwiched between the capstan roller 58 and the pinch roller 59 and advances to the position of the sensor 60. At this time, the rear end of the printing paper 54 is sandwiched between the capstan roller 58 and the pinch roller 59.

In the thermal printer 50 configured as described above, the thermal head 52 is lowered toward the platen 61 (FIG. 8 shows a lowered state), and the printing paper 54 and the ink surface of the ink ribbon 51 are separated. Pressed in close contact.

At the time of the printing operation, the thermal head 52 moves the ink ribbon 51 in accordance with the image information of the yellow component of the image.
Is heated, and the printing paper 54 is transferred to the capstan roller 5.
8 and is driven by the pinch roller 59 to move one screen in the C direction.

As a result, the dye of the ink ribbon or the ink containing this dye is heated and melted or sublimated, and the photographic paper 5
Then, the image is transferred to the dye receiving layer No. 4 and the image of the yellow component for one screen is transferred.

Then, the thermal head 52 rises and separates from the platen 61, and the leading end of the printing paper 54 returns to the position of the sensor 60 again. Similarly, an image of another component such as magenta and cyan is transferred. Full color printing is performed.

In the printing operation, the printing paper 54 is held between the capstan roller 58 and the pinch roller 5 while being sandwiched between the thermal head 52 and the platen 61 during the transfer of the dye.
9 is subjected to a large tension because it is driven.

However, in the photographic paper 30 for thermal transfer,
Since the perimeter of the photographic paper is not perforated, it has tensile strength. Therefore, even when the thermal transfer printing paper 30 is used for the thermal printer 50 of the reciprocating motion type, it does not break or tear from the perforation during the printing operation, and the printer does not become unable to print.

Similarly, in the photographic paper 40 for thermal transfer,
Since the non-perforated remaining portion 44 is provided at both ends in the direction perpendicular to the running direction of the photographic paper, it has tensile strength. Therefore, even when the thermal transfer printing paper 40 is used for the thermal printer 50 of the reciprocating motion type, the printer does not break or tear from the perforations during the printing operation, and the printer does not become unable to print. further,
Since the thermal transfer photographic paper 40 is provided with the vertical perforations 41a over the entire length of the photographic paper in the traveling direction, after the image is formed, the thermal transfer photographic paper 40 is cut along the vertical perforations 41a to be compared with the thermal transfer photographic paper 30. Thus, each divided sheet piece can be more easily cut out.

On the other hand, in this reciprocating motion type thermal printer 50, since the photographic paper only repeats a reciprocating motion returning to a predetermined position for full-color printing, invalid operation is performed three or four to five times. Therefore, there is a limit in shortening the printing time.

Therefore, as a method of shortening the printing time, a method of winding a printing paper around a drum (platen) and sequentially transferring each dye has been spotlighted.

In a thermal printer 70 of the type in which photographic paper is wound around this drum, as shown in FIG.
Thermal head 72 for partially heating ink ribbon 71
, A cartridge holder 73 for accommodating the ink ribbon 71, and a drum 75 which is wound around a photographic paper 74 and rotates as described later. Thermal head 72
Is attached to an arm 76 having a shaft 76a as a fulcrum. The ink ribbon 7 is attached to the cartridge holder 73.
1, a take-up spool 78 for winding the ink ribbon 71 after transfer is attached.

The photographic paper 74 is fed in the direction D from a paper feed tray (not shown) at the lower right of the figure, and the leading end is fixed to a photographic paper chuck 79 provided on the cylindrical surface of the drum 75 in the width direction. It rotates in the direction E together with the drum 75 and is wound with the dye receiving layer surface facing outward. The rear end of the printing paper 74 is not chucked. The drum 75 is provided with rubber on the surface of a metal cylindrical body, so that adhesion is ensured.

In the thermal printer 70 constructed as described above, the printing paper 74 is fixed to the printing paper chuck 79 and rotates together with the drum 75 to rotate the thermal head 72.
Immediately after passing, the thermal head 72 attached to the tip of the arm 75 moves in the F direction,
The ink surface of the ink ribbon 71 and the dye receiving layer of the printing paper 74 are pressed against the drum 75 in a state of being in close contact with each other.

In the printing operation, first, the thermal head 72
Heats a part of the ink ribbon 71 in accordance with the image information of the yellow component of the image, and the photographic paper 74, the leading end of which is fixed to the photographic paper chuck 79, rotates with the drum 75 to transfer one screen. Next, the thermal head 72 separates from the drum 75 only when the photographic paper chuck 79 passes, and after the photographic paper chuck 79 passes, the thermal head 7
2 moves in the F direction, and similarly, images of magenta and cyan components are transferred, and full-color printing is performed.

In the thermal printer of the type in which the photographic paper is wound around the drum, the printing start end and the printing end of the photographic paper are adjacent to each other. For example, after transferring yellow, the magenta printing is immediately performed without reversing the drum. ,
The cyan can then be transferred. In other words, with a thermal printer that winds photographic paper around the drum, the time required to return the photographic paper to a predetermined position, which was indispensable for a reciprocating thermal printer, is no longer necessary, and printing time is reduced by half, reducing time. It is extremely effective.

However, the photographic paper 74 is formed of the ink ribbon 7.
In the state sandwiched between the thermal head 72 and the drum 75 together with 1, the leading end is fixed to the photographic paper chuck 79 and receives a large tension to rotate and run. In the method of winding the printing paper 74 around the drum 75 in this way, when the diameter of the drum 75 is small, for example, about 50 mm in A6 (postcard) size, the printing paper 74 is largely bent.

However, as described above, the thermal transfer printing paper 30 does not have perforations at the periphery of the printing paper, and therefore has tensile strength and bending resistance. Therefore, even when the thermal transfer printing paper 30 is used for the wrapping type thermal printer 70, the printer is not cut off or cut off from the perforation during the printing operation, and the printer cannot be printed.

Similarly, in the photographic paper 40 for thermal transfer,
Since the unperforated remaining portion is provided at both ends in the direction perpendicular to the running direction of the photographic paper, tensile strength,
Has bending resistance. Therefore, even when the thermal transfer printing paper 40 is used for the thermal printer 70 of the wrapping system, the printer does not split or tear from the perforations during the printing operation, and the printer does not become unable to print. Furthermore, since the thermal transfer printing paper 40 is provided with the vertical perforations 41a over the entire length of the printing paper in the running direction, the thermal transfer printing paper 40 is cut more easily along the vertical perforations 41a than the thermal transfer printing paper 30. Each of the divided sheet pieces can be cut out.

As described above, in the thermal transfer photographic paper 30 and the thermal transfer photographic paper 40, the remaining portions where no perforations are formed are provided at both ends of the photographic paper. In addition, inconveniences such as division from the perforation are eliminated.

[0070]

The total thickness of the thermal transfer printing paper, the hole diameter x of the perforated slit portion, and the dimension y of the bridge portion will be examined below.

[0071] Example 1 thermal transfer paper 40 in the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, in which perforations 41 is applied, leaving the remainder 44.

The thermal transfer printing paper 40 is manufactured as follows. First, on the main surfaces 2a and 2b of the base material 1 made of coated paper having a thickness of 50 μm,
The support layers 4 and 7 made of a μm polypropylene film are laminated. Then, a layer obtained by adding a sensitizer to a synthetic resin material to a thickness of about 7 μm is coated on the support layer 4 to form a dye receiving layer 5. Further, a material obtained by dispersing an inorganic filler in a synthetic resin material and further blending a lubricant such as a fatty acid with a silicone oil to a thickness of about 13 μm is applied on the support layer 7 to form a back coat layer 8. Here, commercially available synthetic paper (trade name: YUPO; manufactured by Oji Yuka Synthetic Paper Co., Ltd.) is used.

The perforations 41 are processed by a micro perforation so that the slits penetrate from the dye receiving layer 5 side. The hole diameter x of the perforation is 0.2 mm, and the dimension y of the bridge portion is 0.3 mm.

Example 2 In Example 2, the hole diameter x of the perforation is set to 0.3 mm, and the dimension y of the bridge portion is set to 0.3 mm. Otherwise, the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

Embodiment 3 In Embodiment 3, the hole diameter x of the perforation is 0.3 mm, and the dimension y of the bridge portion is 0.4 mm. Otherwise, the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

Example 4 In Example 4, a coated paper having a thickness of 50 μm was used for the base material 2.
A 130 μm-thick polypropylene film is used for the support layer 4 (here, the support layer 7 is omitted as shown in FIG. 3). The hole diameter x of the perforation is set to 0.4 mm, and the dimension y of the bridge portion is set to 0.4 mm. Otherwise, the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

Example 5 In Example 5, a 90 μm-thick coated paper was used for the base material 2.
A 60 μm thick polypropylene film is used for the support layer 4. Except for this, the configuration is the same as that of the fourth embodiment.

Example 6 In Example 6, a coated paper having a thickness of 180 μm was used for the substrate 2 and a polypropylene film having a thickness of 60 μm was used for the support layers 4 and 7. Except for this, the configuration is the same as that of the fourth embodiment.

Example 7 In Example 6, a coated paper having a thickness of 50 μm was used for the base material 2.
A 130 μm thick polypropylene film is used for the support layers 4 and 7. Except for this, the configuration is the same as that of the fourth embodiment.

Comparative Example 1 In Comparative Example 1, the hole diameter x of the perforation was 0.5 mm, and the dimension y of the bridge portion was 0.3 mm. Otherwise, the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

Comparative Example 2 In Comparative Example 2, the hole diameter x of the perforation was 0.3 mm, and the dimension y of the bridge portion was 0.5 mm. Otherwise, the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

Comparative Example 3 In Comparative Example 3, the hole diameter x of the perforation was 0.4 mm, and the dimension y of the bridge portion was 0.1 mm. Otherwise, the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

Comparative Example 4 In Comparative Example 4, the hole diameter x of the perforation was 0.1 mm, and the dimension y of the bridge portion was 0.4 mm. Otherwise, the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

Comparative Example 5 In Comparative Example 5, a coated paper having a thickness of 50 μm was used
A 150 μm thick polypropylene film is used for the support layers 4 and 7. Except for this, the configuration is the same as that of the fourth embodiment.

Comparative Example 6 In Comparative Example 6, a 200 μm-thick coated paper was used for the base material 2 and an 80 μm-thick polypropylene film was used for the support layers 4 and 7. Except for this, the configuration is the same as that of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows the photographic paper 40 for thermal transfer of the evaluation example and the comparative example.
Is printed by the thermal printer shown in Fig. 7, and after printing, both sides of the perforation 41 are gripped by hand to fold the printing screen and observe whether the bridge portion is broken. Judgment is made as 印 if the photographic paper is divided within three times the number of times of folding, △ if the paper can be divided but the fracture surface is slightly rough, and × if it is difficult to divide the paper within three times. The results are shown in Tables 1 and 2.

[0087]

[Table 1]

[0088]

[Table 2]

From the results shown in Tables 1 and 2, the hole diameter x of the slit portion is 0.2 mm to 0.4 mm, the dimension y of the bridge portion is 0.3 mm to 0.4 mm, and the total thickness is 15 mm.
0 to 330 μm thermal transfer printing paper (Examples 1 to 3)
In Example 7), the bridge portion was broken at the first mountain fold, and the fracture surface could be divided without being disturbed.

On the other hand, the thermal transfer printing paper (Comparative Example 1) in which the hole diameter x of the perforated slit portion is too large is not preferable because the fracture surface becomes coarse. In the thermal transfer photographic paper (Comparative Example 2 and Comparative Example 4) in which the dimension y of the bridge was too large or the hole diameter x of the slit portion was too small, the number of times of folding was large and division was difficult. In the case of the thermal transfer printing paper (Comparative Example 3) in which the dimension y of the bridge portion was too small, it was broken during printing running, making printing impossible.

Further, in the thermal transfer printing paper (Comparative Example 5) in which the total thickness was 370 μm and the thickness of the polypropylene film was 150 μm, it was difficult to divide at a stretch, and the fracture surface due to tearing was rough. Further, in the thermal transfer printing paper having a total thickness of 380 μm (Comparative Example 6) even when the thickness of the polypropylene film was small, it was difficult to break the bridge portion by the first mountain fold.

As can be seen from the above results, the hole diameter x of the slit portion of the perforation is set to 0.2 mm to 0.4 mm,
The dimension y of the bridge portion is 0.3 mm to 0.4 mm, and the total thickness is 150 μm to 330 μm (thickness 50 μm to 1 μm).
By laminating with a 30 μm polypropylene film), it is possible to obtain a photographic paper for thermal transfer that can be divided easily and finely as intended, and that has little disruption in the fracture surface. Further, it is possible to obtain a thermal transfer printing paper excellent in usability without any trouble during running of the printer despite the perforation.

[0093]

As described above, according to the thermal transfer printing paper according to the present invention, since a plurality of areas are divided by perforations, after printing a desired image or the like, a cutter, ruler, scissors or the like is printed. Such a tool is unnecessary, and a divided sheet piece having a size such as a business card size or a label size can be produced extremely easily and accurately, so that it is versatilely used.

Further, according to the photographic paper for thermal transfer according to the present invention, since it is perforated with a predetermined size, it can be divided easily and finely as intended, and there is little disturbance in the fracture surface. .

Further, according to the printing paper for thermal transfer according to the present invention, since the printing paper is provided with the remaining portions on both ends of which the perforations are not formed, the printing can be performed by any type of thermal printer. It is possible to prevent the thermal printer from being unable to print by dividing from the perforation during operation,
Excellent usability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a printing paper for thermal transfer according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part of the photographic printing paper for thermal transfer.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part of another thermal transfer printing paper.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a perforated state of the thermal transfer printing paper.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of an essential part of another thermal transfer printing paper.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of another photographic paper for thermal transfer.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of another thermal transfer printing paper.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a reciprocating thermal printer.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a thermal printer of a type in which photographic paper is wound around a drum.

[Explanation of symbols]

1,20,30,40 Photographic paper for thermal transfer, 2 substrates, 3
Receiving sheet, 5 dye receiving layer, 6 back sheet, 9
Separation area, 10, 21 perforation 50 reciprocating thermal printer, 70 thermal printer with photographic paper wound around drum

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A thermal transfer photographic paper which is formed by laminating a dye receiving layer on a main surface of a sheet-like base material and supplied to a thermal printer so as to be superimposed on a dye ink ribbon. A photographic paper for thermal transfer, characterized in that a perforation process for dividing an area is performed so that it can be separated into a plurality of divided sheet pieces. 2. The perforation according to claim 1, wherein said perforation has a diameter of 0.2 mm to 0.2 mm.
2. The photographic paper for thermal transfer according to claim 1, wherein 4 mm holes are formed at intervals of 0.3 mm to 0.4 mm. 3. The thermal transfer printing paper according to claim 1, wherein the total thickness is 150 μm to 300 μm. 4. The sheet-like base material has a thickness of 50% on a paper base material.
The photographic paper for thermal transfer according to claim 3, wherein the photographic paper is a substrate on which a polypropylene resin having a thickness of from 1 to 130 µm is laminated. 5. A back coat layer is formed on the main surface of the sheet-like substrate opposite to the main surface on which the dye receiving layer is formed, and the perforations are formed penetrating the front and back main surfaces. The photographic paper for thermal transfer according to claim 1, wherein: 6. A back coat layer is formed on the main surface of the sheet-like substrate opposite to the main surface on which the dye-receiving layer is formed. The photographic paper for thermal transfer according to claim 1, wherein the photographic paper is constituted by half perforations formed in a range between the receiving layer and the back coat layer. 7. The thermal transfer printing paper according to claim 1, wherein the perforations are formed in a frame shape that allows a plurality of sheet pieces to be separated from the inside. 8. The perforation according to claim 1, wherein the perforation is a direction in which the printing paper travels.
The end of the perforation formed in the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction and the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction is located between the perforation in the traveling direction and the end of the printing paper. The photographic printing paper for thermal transfer according to claim 1.