JPH10272825A - Image forming sheet and method for forming image - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a color image through a single round of operation like monochromatic printing. SOLUTION: On the surface of the image forming sheet 1, a color area printed in a striped pattern of tricolor such as cyan, magenta and yellow is formed. Each of the stripes is printed in a specified width and also alternately in a constant sequence without a gap. Further, on the color area, a light scattering layer 2 composed of laminated light-transmitting particle layers is formed. Because of the wrapping of the color area by the light scattering layer 2, the proper color of the color area does not appear on the surface of the image forming sheet 10. The image forming sheet 10 looks white due to the scattering of a light. A light transmitting ink 3 is printed on the light scattering layer 2. The ink 3 is packed into a space between particles and the part on which the ink 3 is printed makes the color area visible.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming sheet and an image forming method capable of obtaining an image of a desired color by simple means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the field of printing, for example, in order to obtain images of various color tones, a method of overprinting using a plurality of types of inks having different colors is used. For example, in color printing, a method of obtaining a desired color image by separating at least three primary colors and sequentially overprinting them is common.

[0003]

In the conventional method, a plurality of plate making or printing operations are required to obtain one color image, which is complicated. Compared to the case of forming a monochrome image, manual printing requires three times as much labor, and using a printing device requires a device of three times the size.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple image forming sheet capable of obtaining a color image by a single operation equivalent to monochrome printing, and an image forming apparatus using the image forming sheet.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming sheet comprising: a sheet having a color area in which a plurality of colors are regularly arranged; and a light provided on the color area of the sheet. A scattering layer.

[0006] The image forming sheet according to claim 2 is
2. The image forming sheet according to claim 1, wherein the light scattering layer is composed of light transmitting particles.

The image forming sheet according to claim 3 is
2. The image forming sheet according to claim 1, wherein the light-scattering layer is constituted by a layer having a light-transmitting surface with irregularities formed thereon.

[0008] The image forming sheet according to claim 4 is
The image forming sheet according to claim 2, wherein the light scattering layer is heat-fusible.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming method comprising: a sheet having a color region in which a plurality of colors are regularly arranged; and a light scattering layer provided on the color region of the sheet. In an image forming method for forming an image on an image forming sheet, the light scattering layer is subjected to light transmission processing in a pattern that matches the regularity of the color region.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method of the fifth aspect, the light transmitting process is a process of supplying a light transmitting filler to the light scattering layer. It is characterized by having.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method of the fifth aspect, the light transmitting process is a heating process performed on the heat-fusible light scattering layer. Features.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming method according to the fifth aspect, wherein the light transmitting process is performed by using a light transmitting filler in a light scattering layer comprising a plurality of light transmitting particles. This is characterized in that it is a process of filling in.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method of the fifth aspect, the light transmitting process is a process of heating and melting a light scattering layer composed of a plurality of light transmitting particles. It is characterized by:

[0014] According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming method comprising:
6. The image forming method according to claim 5, wherein the light transmitting process is a process of printing a light transmitting filler on the surface of the light scattering layer having the unevenness formed on the surface of the light transmitting layer. .

[0015] The image forming method according to the eleventh aspect,
6. The image forming method according to claim 5, wherein the light transmitting process is a process of heating and melting a light scattering layer having irregularities formed on the surface of the light transmitting layer.

[0016]

The image forming sheet is observed as white as a whole due to the light scattering layer, and the color area under the image forming sheet is not visible. This light scattering layer is subjected to light transmission processing in a pattern that matches the regularity of the color region of the image forming sheet. The light scattering layer in the portion subjected to the light transmission processing becomes light transmissive, and an image of a desired color is displayed on the image forming sheet by the color mixture of the colors in the color region seen from the portion.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present embodiment relates to a method for forming an image of any color on a white sheet by one operation, and an image forming sheet used in the method. First Embodiment
Will be described. First, the image forming sheet 1 used in this example
0 will be described. The sheet 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a plurality of colors regularly arranged on the surface of a sheet-like substrate such as paper. The area in which the pattern with this color is formed is called a color area. Specifically, three primary color inks of cyan (indigo) C, magenta (red) M, and yellow (yellow) Y are printed in stripes on the substrate.

As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 1, the stripes of the three primary colors are alternately printed in a fixed order so that each color has a predetermined width. In the present embodiment, the printing width of each band of each color is 0.1 to 0.22 mm, and thus each color is repeated at a pitch of 0.3 to 0.66 mm. When this sheet is observed from a clear viewing distance, the colors are black, gray,
It looks light brown, light pink, etc.

As shown in FIG. 2, a light-scattering layer 2 is formed on the color region of the sheet by laminating a plurality of light-transmitting particles. Specifically, 5 parts by weight of silicon oxide having an average particle size of 5 μm, 5 parts by weight of ethyl cellulose, and 90 parts by weight of isopropyl alcohol were mixed, and this liquid was applied to the surface (color region side) of the sheet 1 by a roll coater. .
The adhesion amount after drying was 7 g / m ² . The average roughness of the unevenness of the light scattering layer 2 was 3 μm.

The color area of the image forming sheet 10 is the light scattering layer 2
Therefore, the colors inherent in the color regions do not appear on the surface of the image forming sheet 10. The image forming sheet 10 is observed white due to light scattering.

Next, an image forming method using the image forming sheet 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the light scattering layer 2 of the image forming sheet 10 is subjected to a light transmission process. The light transmission processing of this example is printing. That is, the light transmitting ink 3 which is a light transmitting paste is printed on the light scattering layer 2.

The composition of the light transmissive ink 3 of this embodiment is, for example, 20 parts by weight of an alkyd resin and 80 parts by weight of a petroleum solvent. The light transmissive ink 3 of the present example is known as a medium ink which is a transparent ink containing no pigment. The light transmitting ink 3 is printed on the light scattering layer 2 of the image forming sheet 10 using, for example, a stencil printing machine.

As shown in FIG. 3, the printed light transmissive ink 3 is filled between a number of particles constituting the light scattering layer 2. Since the refractive index of the light-transmitting ink 3 is substantially the same as that of the particles, and the light from the color region travels straight between the light-transmitting ink 3 and the particles, the color of the portion on which the light-transmitting ink 3 is printed is The area becomes visible.

The amount of the light-transmitting ink 3 to be printed is much larger than the diameter of the particles constituting the light-scattering layer 2 and the thickness of the light-scattering layer 2 (thickness of the particle layer). Even if all the liquid to be evaporated evaporates, a sufficient amount of the solid component of the ink remains to fill the gaps between the particles. Therefore, even after the light transmitting ink 3 is dried, the space between the particles is filled with the dried ink, and the printed portion of the image forming sheet 10 maintains the light transmitting property.

The printing pattern of the light transmitting ink 3 is as follows:
The pattern may be a pattern that matches the regularity of the color area.
That is, in this example, since the color region is a stripe having a predetermined width and a predetermined pitch, the light transmissive ink 3 is printed on the light scattering layer 2 in a stripe shape according to the width or pitch of the stripe.

The light scattering layer 2 of the image forming sheet 10
If the light transmissive ink 3 is superimposed and printed, the color of the color region of the printed portion appears, and the colors are mixed and a certain color appears. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, as a result of printing the light-transmitting ink 3 on the light-scattering layer 2 in a stripe shape, light of a portion corresponding to cyan C and magenta M among the stripes of three colors constituting the color region is obtained. The scattering layer 2 became transparent, and only this portion became visible. Due to the mixed color of cyan C and magenta M, the image forming sheet 10 became blue (or purple) as a whole.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, as a result of printing the light-transmitting ink 3 on the light-scattering layer 2 in the form of a stripe, a portion of the yellow Y in the color region and a portion of the light-scattering layer 2 corresponding to magenta M are obtained. Became transparent, and only this part became visible. Due to the color mixture of a part of yellow Y and magenta M, the image forming sheet 10 became red as a whole.

As described above, by printing the translucent ink 3 on the image forming sheet 10 in a stripe shape corresponding to the stripe of the image forming sheet 10, an arbitrary color can be obtained.
Of course, images of different patterns and colors can be formed in different regions on the light scattering layer 2 of one image forming sheet 10. Color is Cyan (Indigo) C / Magenta (Red) M
Any color that can be obtained by mixing the three primary colors of yellow (yellow) Y can be represented. Image forming sheet 1
A full-color image can be displayed in 0.

In the case of ordinary color printing, a plate of a plurality of colors is prepared and overprinted. In contrast to this, the image forming sheet 10 which appears white due to the light scattering layer 2 in this embodiment. By printing the transparent ink only once, images of various colors can be displayed on the image forming sheet at once, which is surprising.

In the example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, since the light-transmitting ink 3 is printed on the light scattering layer 2 in parallel with the stripes of the color area on the image forming sheet 10, the color appearing in the predetermined area is constant. Became. However, when the band of the light transmissive ink 3 is printed with a slight inclination with respect to the stripes of the color region, a rainbow-like color effect appears in which a plurality of colors change continuously. This is because the transparent stripe portion of the light scattering layer 2 is inclined with respect to the color stripe in the color region, so that the visible color is not constant.
It is considered that the moire effect occurs because the stripes continuously change in the longitudinal direction. The same effect can be obtained even when the printing width of the light-transmitting ink 3 is made non-uniform, without inclining both stripe patterns.

In the example described above, the image forming sheet 10
The color region was composed of stripes of three primary colors of cyan (indigo), magenta (red), and yellow (yellow). However, the colors constituting the color region are not limited to this, and any other color can be adopted, and the pattern is not limited to the stripe.

A second example of the embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, in the image forming sheet 20 of the present example, the light scattering layer 22 is constituted by one layer of light transmitting particles.
The light scattering layer 22 is heat-sensitive, and when heated, melts to a liquid. The light-scattering layer 22 is formed by applying a mixture of 5 parts by weight of polyethylene wax having an average particle diameter of 7 μm having a melting point of 70 ° C., 5 parts by weight of styrene resin, and 90 parts by weight of ethyl acetate to the surface (color region side) of the sheet 1. It was applied with a roll coater. The adhesion amount after drying was 10 g / m ² . The average roughness of the unevenness of the light scattering layer 22 was 4 μm.

The light transmission processing for forming an image on the image forming sheet 20 is performed using a thermal head 23 as a heating means. An image is recorded by a thermal printer having a thermal head 23. As shown in FIG.
The recorded portion of the light scattering layer 22 is melted by the heat of the thermal head 23 and then solidified to form a transparent layer having a smooth surface and a constant thickness. This part is transparent and the color area of the sheet 1 can be seen. According to this example, an image of any color can be formed on the image forming sheet 20 as in the first example.

A third example of the embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, the light scattering layer 32 of the image forming sheet 30 of this example
Is made of a light-transmitting material, but has irregularities formed on the surface thereof to be light-scattering. As the light-transmitting material, various materials including the resins described in the above examples can be used. A layer made of such a resin material or the like is formed on the color region of the sheet 1 with a predetermined thickness, and then irregularities are formed on the surface to complete the light scattering layer 32. Examples of the method of forming the unevenness include a method using a mold, a method of colliding fine particles after solidification, and a method of using polishing means such as a file.

The image forming method of this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, light transmission processing is performed on the unevenness of the light scattering layer 32 of the image forming sheet 30. The light transmission processing of this example is printing. That is, a silicone paste 33 that is a light transmitting filler is printed on the surface of the light scattering layer 32. The printed silicone paste 33 fills a large number of irregularities on the surface of the light scattering layer 32. The refractive index of the material forming the light scattering layer 32 and the refractive index of the silicone paste 33 are substantially the same, and the light from the color region goes straight on the boundary between the material forming the light scattering layer 32 and the silicone paste 33. The color area becomes visible for the portion where is printed. The material used for printing as the light transmission process is not limited to the silicone paste 33, but may be any material that can be printed on the light scattering layer 32 to make it transparent.

A fourth example of the embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, the structure of the image forming sheet 40 of the present example is the same as the structure of the image forming sheet 30 of the third example. However, the material of the light-scattering layer 42 in this example is heat-sensitive, and when heated, melts to a liquid.

The light transmission processing for forming an image on the image forming sheet 40 is performed using the thermal head 23 as a heating means. An image is recorded by a thermal printer having a thermal head 23. As shown in FIG.
The recorded portion of the light scattering layer 42 is melted by the heat of the thermal head 23 and then solidified to become a transparent layer having a smooth surface and a constant thickness. This part is transparent and the color area of the sheet 1 can be seen. According to this example, an image of any color can be formed on the image forming sheet 40 as in the first example.

[0038]

The color areas of the image forming sheet of the present invention are not visible due to the light scattering layer, and the image forming sheet looks white. If this light scattering layer is subjected to light transmission processing in a pattern that matches the regularity of the color region of the image forming sheet, the light scattering layer in the portion where the light transmission processing has been performed becomes light transmissive, and An image of a desired color is displayed on the image forming sheet by the color mixture of the colors in the color region. As described above, according to the present invention, there is a surprising effect that an image of a desired color can be formed on a white sheet by one operation, and there is an effect that convenience in color image printing is remarkably improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a base of an image forming sheet as a first example of an embodiment, and a partially enlarged view thereof.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming sheet of the first example.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming sheet according to a first example on which light transmitting ink is printed.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an image forming sheet on which light transmitting ink is printed, and a partially enlarged view thereof.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an image forming sheet on which light transmitting ink is printed, and a partially enlarged view thereof.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an image forming sheet and light transmission processing according to a second example of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an image forming sheet and light transmission processing according to a third example of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an image forming sheet and light transmission processing according to a fourth example of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 sheet 2, 22, 32, 42 light scattering layer 3 light transmissive ink 10, 20, 30, 40 image forming sheet 23 thermal head 33 silicon paste

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An image forming sheet comprising: a sheet having a color region in which a plurality of colors are regularly arranged; and a light scattering layer provided on the color region of the sheet. 2. The image forming sheet according to claim 1, wherein the light scattering layer is constituted by light transmitting particles. 3. The image forming sheet according to claim 1, wherein the light scattering layer is formed of a layer having light transmitting properties and having irregularities formed on the surface. 4. The image forming sheet according to claim 2, wherein the light scattering layer is heat-fusible. 5. An image forming an image on an image forming sheet including a sheet having a color region in which a plurality of colors are regularly arranged and a light scattering layer provided on the color region of the sheet. An image forming method, wherein the light scattering layer is subjected to light transmission processing in a pattern that matches the regularity of the color region. 6. The image forming method according to claim 5, wherein the light transmitting process is a process of supplying a light transmitting filler to the light scattering layer. 7. The image forming method according to claim 5, wherein the light transmitting process is a heating process performed on the heat-fusible light scattering layer. 8. The image forming method according to claim 5, wherein the light transmitting process is a process of filling a light scattering layer formed of a plurality of light transmitting particles with a light transmitting filler. 9. The method according to claim 5, wherein the light transmitting process is a process of heating and melting a light scattering layer composed of a plurality of light transmitting particles.
The image forming method as described in the above. 10. The image forming method according to claim 5, wherein the light transmitting process is a process of printing a light transmitting filler on the surface of the light scattering layer having the unevenness formed on the surface of the light transmitting layer. 11. The image forming method according to claim 5, wherein the light transmitting process is a process of heating and melting the light scattering layer having the irregularities formed on the surface of the light transmitting layer.