JPH11301117A - Transfer foil and image forming material using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming material which enables easy attainment of an image of high durability and prevents occurrence of jamming at the time of carriage and a transfer foil used therefor. SOLUTION: In regard to a transfer foil for protecting an image of an image forming material prepared by providing on a substrate a colorant layer in which a color agent is contained in a binder and of which the thickness is t1 , the transfer foil has a heat-sensitive transfer layer which is obtained by applying on a separate substrate a coating solution containing a thermoplastic resin binder emulsion dispersed in a single solvent or two or more kinds of solvents and by drying the solution and which has a thickness of t2 , and satisfies the relation of t2 >2×t1 . The binder of the heat-sensitive transfer layer of this transfer foil contains preferably the thermoplastic resin of Tg 20-70 deg.C by 50% or above.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transfer foil from which a highly durable image can be obtained and an image forming material using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, light energy such as fusion-type thermal transfer, electrophotography, or laser light has been focused and irradiated on a recording material having a colorant layer, thereby causing a part of the colorant layer to be melt-deformed, scattered or burned. Alternatively, an image recording method for removing by evaporation (called an ablation method) is known. These images are formed by imagewise transferring or remaining ink or toner having a colorant on the recording paper, and the image is formed with irregularities on the recording paper, so the surface is formed with nails or sharp metal. Scratching is relatively easy.

As a method for protecting these images, a so-called laminate in which a heat-sensitive or pressure-sensitive resin protective layer which generates adhesiveness by heat or pressure on a support is laminated together with the support or only the resin protective layer is laminated on the image. A technique for improving image durability by using a material or a transfer foil is known.

However, as the definition of an image increases, it becomes difficult to adhere to the surface of the colorant layer and the concave portions of the uneven image, and an image protective layer having sufficient durability and high quality is formed. Had become difficult. Further, the conventional laminating material or transfer foil has poor slipperiness when the recording material is conveyed in the apparatus, frequently causes jamming, and has insufficient adhesiveness of the image protective layer, resulting in insufficient durability.

[0005]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made under the above circumstances.
An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming material which can easily obtain a highly durable image and has good transportability in the apparatus, and a transfer foil used therefor.

[0006]

The object of the present invention has been attained by the following constitutions.

(1) A transfer foil for protecting an image formed on an image forming material provided with a colorant layer having a thickness of t _{1 in which} a colorant is contained in a binder on a support. , said transfer Utsushihaku thermal transfer layer of thickness t ₂ which is obtained by coating and drying a coating solution containing a thermoplastic resin binder emulsion dispersed in one or two or more solvents on a separate support And a transfer foil satisfying the relationship of t ₂ > 2 × t ₁ .

(2) The transfer foil according to (1), wherein the thermoplastic resin binder emulsion comprises a polyester resin.

(3) The transfer foil according to (1) or (2), wherein the surface of the transfer foil coated with the heat-sensitive transfer layer has a glossiness at 60 degrees of 40 to 90.

(4) The surface of the transfer foil support on which the heat-sensitive transfer layer is coated has a glossiness at 60 degrees of 40 to 90 (1).
The transfer foil according to (2) or (3).

(5) The transfer foil according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein a lubricant is added to the heat-sensitive transfer layer.

(6) The transfer foil according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein fine particles are added to the heat-sensitive transfer layer.

(7) On the support, a colorant layer in which a colorant capable of absorbing the wavelength light of the exposure light source is dispersed in a binder is provided, and if necessary, an image protection layer is further provided thereon. The transferred sheet is superimposed on the colorant layer side of the image forming material obtained, and image exposure is performed by irradiating heat energy, and then the transferred sheet is peeled off, thereby transferring only the exposed portion of the colorant layer to the transferred sheet. The transfer foil according to any one of (1) to (6) is brought into close contact with the colorant layer surface of the image forming material for forming an image by heating and pressing, and then the support is peeled off. An image forming material having a protective layer on the surface.

(8) On the support, a colorant layer in which a colorant capable of absorbing the wavelength light of the exposure light source is dispersed in a binder is provided, and if necessary, an image protective layer is provided thereon. The transferred sheet is superimposed on the colorant layer side of the image forming material obtained, and image exposure is performed by irradiating heat energy, and then the transferred sheet is peeled off, thereby transferring only the exposed portion of the colorant layer to the transferred sheet. A transfer foil for protecting the surface of an image forming material on which an image is to be formed, the transfer foil having at least a support and a heat-sensitive transfer layer transferable by heat and pressure; A transfer foil having a dynamic friction coefficient between 0.4 and 1.0 with the colorant layer of the image forming material.

(9) The transfer foil of (8), wherein the transfer layer is obtained by applying and drying a coating solution containing a thermoplastic resin binder emulsion dispersed alone or in two or more solvents.

(10) The transfer layer contains a thermoplastic resin binder emulsion dispersed alone or in two or more solvents, and the thermoplastic resin has a glass transition temperature of 20 to 70 ° C.
The transfer foil of (8), which is obtained by applying and drying a coating liquid having a content of 50% by weight or more of the total solids.

(11) On the support, a colorant layer in which a colorant capable of absorbing the wavelength light of the exposure light source is dispersed in a binder is provided, and if necessary, an image protective layer is further provided thereon. The transferred sheet is superimposed on the colorant layer side of the image forming material obtained, and image exposure is performed by irradiating heat energy, and then the transferred sheet is peeled off, thereby transferring only the exposed portion of the colorant layer to the transferred sheet. The transfer foil according to any one of (8) to (10) is brought into close contact with the colorant layer surface of the image forming material for forming an image by heating and pressing, and then the support is peeled off. An image forming material having a protective layer on the surface.

Hereinafter, the transfer foil, image forming material, sheet to be transferred, and image forming method used in the present invention will be sequentially described in detail.

<Transfer Foil> The transfer foil of the present invention has a heat-sensitive transfer layer on a support. In this heat-sensitive transfer layer, a colorant layer is present on another support in an imagewise manner in an uneven manner (after image formation).
After being brought into face-to-face contact with the surface of the image forming material (the heat-sensitive transfer layer surface and the colorant layer surface) and heated and pressed, the transfer is performed so as to protect the surface of the image by peeling off the support holding the heat-sensitive transfer layer. You.

Examples of the support for the transfer foil include acrylates, methacrylates, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polycarbonate, polyarylate, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, nylon, and aromatic polyamide. And resin films such as polyetheretherketone, polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polyimide, and polyetherimide, and resin films obtained by laminating two or more of the above resins. The thickness of the support is usually 5 to 100 μm.
Degree, preferably 10 to 50 μm.

In order to adjust the surface gloss after transfer of the heat-sensitive transfer layer, the glossiness of the support can be set to a specific value so that the surface can be made a high-quality matte surface. When using a matte surface having a glossiness of 90 or less in a 60-degree measurement, a good matte surface can be obtained. Further, the difference in glossiness between the back side and the back side greatly facilitates the distinction between the front and back of the image forming material. In addition, the glossiness is 40
If the ratio is less than, in the case of a transmission image, transparency may be insufficient.

The method for measuring glossiness in the present invention is according to ASTM D2457-97.

The heat-sensitive transfer layer of the transfer foil is obtained by applying a resin emulsion. The resin emulsion used in the present invention is a dispersion in which resin fine particles having a certain particle size distribution, which are not completely dissolved in a solvent, are dispersed using a dispersing aid such as a surfactant as necessary. Means the state. When a thermoplastic resin that completely dissolves in a solvent is used, the coating film after coating and drying becomes uniform and flat, so that the adhesiveness with the transfer foil support is increased, so that the film is heated and pressed on the image forming material. The transferability of the toner is reduced, so that the adhesiveness after transfer becomes insufficient.

As the resin used for the resin emulsion,
Polyester resin, urethane resin, styrene-rubber copolymer resin such as styrene-butadiene copolymer and styrene-isobutylene copolymer; acrylic resin, vinyl acetate resin, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene- Ethylene resins such as ethyl acrylate copolymer; polyvinyl acetal resins such as polyvinyl butyral; and PVC resins such as vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer. Among them, a polyester resin is particularly preferable in terms of adhesiveness and durability.

In the present invention, the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the thermoplastic resin is preferably 20 to 70 ° C., and the content thereof is preferably at least 50% by weight of the total solids of the heat-sensitive transfer layer. As a result, slippage during transportation in the apparatus is reduced, jams are reduced, and adhesion (adhesion) with the image forming layer is increased.

In order for the resin to be present in the form of a fine particle dispersion in the solvent, a solvent having poor resin solubility may be used alone or in the form of a solvent.
It is preferable to use a mixture of two or more species.

As the dispersion solvent for the resin emulsion which is preferably used, water or alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, linear or branched propanol and butanol are preferable. In addition to these, other organic solvents may be mixed and used as long as the dispersibility is not impaired.

The thickness t ₂ of the heat-sensitive transfer layer of the transfer foil used in the present invention is usually 0.1 to ₂₀ μm, preferably 0.5 to 10 μm. If the thickness is less than this, sufficient durability cannot be secured, and if the thickness is greater than this, sufficient adhesion cannot be obtained when the support is peeled off after heating and pressurizing the transfer foil. There is.

For the purpose of improving the durability of the transfer foil after the transfer of the heat-sensitive transfer layer, it is preferable to add a lubricant such as a silicone compound, a wax, a solid molybdenum compound, or Teflon powder. The addition amount of these lubricants is usually 0.1 to 50% by weight, preferably 1 to 10% by weight, based on the total solid content of the thermal transfer layer.

Fine particles are preferably added for the purpose of adjusting the glossiness of the transfer foil after transfer of the heat-sensitive transfer layer. Examples of such fine particles include melamine and PMM in organic compounds.
Resin fine particles such as A and inorganic compounds include titanium oxide, zinc oxide, calcium carbonate, aluminum oxide, kaolin, clay, silica, talc, mica and the like.
Silica is preferred from the viewpoints of dispersibility and matting properties, and those having a large oil absorption (specific surface area, bulk specific gravity) are particularly preferred. When the support of the transfer foil has high smoothness, a good matte surface can be obtained by adjusting the amount of these fine particles to be added.
The addition amount is usually 0.1 to 4 with respect to the total solid content of the thermal transfer layer.
0% by weight, preferably 1 to 30% by weight.

In this way, by adjusting the glossiness of the surface of the transfer foil before the transfer to 40 to 90 by measuring at 60 degrees, the transparency as the image after the transfer of the transfer foil and the matte surface are compatible. Can be. Furthermore, the addition of the fine particles makes it possible to significantly reduce the incorporation of bubbles and the occurrence of wrinkles during transfer to the image forming material.

After the image forming material and the transfer foil after image formation are faced to each other and pressurized or heated and pressurized, only the heat-sensitive transfer layer is transferred onto the image forming material to form an image protective layer.

In order to perform this treatment, the adhesiveness is excellent.
It can be used without any particular limitation as long as it can be pressurized or heated / pressed without mixing air bubbles, etc. , A thermal head, a heat roll, a hot stamp and the like can be used.

When a pressure roll is used, the pressure is usually 0.1.
1 to 20 kg / cm ² , preferably 0.5 to 10 kg / cm ²
cm ² , and the conveying speed is usually 0.1 to 200 mm
/ Sec, preferably 0.5 to 100 mm / sec, and the pressure when using a stamper is usually 0.05 to 10 mm / sec.
kg / cm ^2, preferably from 0.5 to 5 kg / cm ^2, also,
The pressurizing time is usually 0.1 to 50 seconds, preferably 0.5 to 2 seconds.
0 seconds. The heating temperature when using a heat roll is usually in the range of 60 to 200 ° C., preferably 80 to 180 ° C., and the pressure is usually 0.1 to 20 kg / cm ² , preferably 0.5 to 10 kg / cm ² . The conveying speed is usually 0.1 to 200 mm / sec, preferably 0.5 to 100 mm / sec.
mm / sec.

As a method of peeling after pressing or heating / pressing, a peeling plate, a peeling angle fixing method using a peeling roll,
Various peeling methods can be used as long as they do not affect image formation, such as a hand peeling method in which the transfer sheet and the image forming material are peeled off without fixing by hand.

Further, in the present invention, the dynamic friction coefficient between the surface of the transfer layer and the colorant layer of the image forming material is preferably 0.4 to 1.0. By setting the coefficient of kinetic friction in this range, it is possible to improve the transportability in the apparatus and prevent the occurrence of jam.

The dynamic friction coefficient can be adjusted by adjusting the calendar conditions of the colorant layer to control the surface smoothness, or by controlling the Tg of the thermoplastic binder resin in the heat-sensitive transfer layer.
Alternatively, it is possible to change the composition ratio of a plurality of binder resins used.

<Image Forming Material> Representative examples of image forming materials for using the transfer foil of the present invention are described below.

As a typical image forming material, a support has a colorant layer composed of a colorant capable of absorbing at least wavelength light of an exposure light source and a binder.

The support may be the same as the support for the transfer foil. The thickness of the support is 10
The thickness is about 500 μm, preferably 15 to 250 μm.

The colorant used may be any colorant capable of absorbing the wavelength light of the exposure light source. For example, carbon black is preferably used because it has a wide absorption range from the ultraviolet region to the visible and infrared regions. Further, if necessary, it may be used in combination with a dye or pigment which does not absorb the wavelength light of the exposure light source.

In addition, inorganic or organic pigments and dyes are used, and are composed of a single-color, two-color, and three-color pigment compound. Inorganic pigments include titanium dioxide, carbon black, zinc oxide, Prussian blue, cadmium sulfide, iron oxide and chromates of lead, zinc, barium and calcium and iron, chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, titanium And a metal-containing powder such as a metal such as silver, aluminum, gold, and platinum, or a compound such as an oxide thereof.

Preferred examples of the metal-containing powder include a ferromagnetic iron oxide powder, a ferromagnetic metal powder, and a cubic plate-like powder. Among them, a ferromagnetic metal powder is preferable.

The binder resin can be used without any particular limitation as long as it can sufficiently retain a colorant capable of absorbing the wavelength light of the exposure light source and a metal-containing powder. Representative examples of such a binder resin include vinyl chloride resins such as polyurethane, polyester, and vinyl chloride copolymer. The binder resin may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Other binder resins include vinyl chloride resins such as vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyolefin resins such as butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymer, polyvinyl acetal resins such as polyvinyl butyral, and celluloses such as nitrocellulose. Resin, styrene resin such as styrene-butadiene copolymer, acrylic resin such as polymethyl methacrylate, polyamide,
A phenol resin, an epoxy resin, a phenoxy resin or the like may be used in combination.

The content of the binder resin in the colorant layer is as follows:
It is about 1 to 50% by weight, preferably 5 to 40% by weight, based on the total weight of the colorant layer forming components.

In the colorant layer, a lubricant, a durability improver, a dispersant, an antistatic agent,
An additive such as a filler or a curing agent may be contained. The amount of these additives is about 0 to 20% by weight, preferably 0 to 20% by weight.
１５15% by weight.

The thickness of the colorant layer is in the range of about 0.05 to 5.0 μm, preferably in the range of 0.1 to 3.0 μm. or,
The colorant layer may be composed of a single layer or multiple layers having different compositions.

The colorant layer includes, for example, a magnetic powder, a binder resin, and if necessary, a lubricant, a durability improver, a dispersant,
An antistatic agent, a filler, a filler, a curing agent, etc. are kneaded with a solvent to prepare a high-concentration paint, and then the high-concentration paint is diluted to be a coating for application, applied on a support, and dried. Form. The formation of the colorant layer on the support is performed, for example, by applying and drying with an extrusion-type extrusion coater. If necessary, calendering may be performed to align the orientation of the magnetic powder or to make the surface of the colorant layer uniform. In particular, in order to obtain a high-resolution image, it is preferable to orient the magnetic powder because the cohesive force in the layer can be easily controlled.

The thickness of the colorant layer t ₁ is 0.05 to 5.0 μm.
m, preferably in the range of 0.1 to 3.0 μm.
The colorant layer may be composed of a single layer or multiple layers having different compositions.

It is also a preferred embodiment to further provide an overcoat layer on the colorant layer of the image forming material.

One form of the overcoat layer used in the present invention is mainly composed of a resin binder.
Specifically, polyurethane, polyester, vinyl chloride resin such as vinyl chloride copolymer, vinyl chloride resin such as vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyolefin resin such as butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymer, polyvinyl Polyvinyl acetal resin such as butyral, cellulose resin such as nitrocellulose, styrene resin such as styrene-butadiene copolymer, acrylic resin such as polymethyl methacrylate, polyamide, phenol resin, epoxy resin, phenoxy resin, polyvinyl butyral , Polyvinyl acetoacetal, acetal resins such as polyvinyl formal, polyvinyl alcohol,
Examples include water-soluble resins such as gelatin. The binder resin may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

In order to increase the durability of the overcoat layer, it is preferable to add a curing agent such as polyisocyanate.

In the image forming step, the overcoat layer is imagewise exposed by irradiating it with heat energy imagewise.
Ablation occurs in the exposed portion of the colorant layer, and when the unnecessary colorant layer is transferred onto the transfer sheet, the overcoat layer on the exposed portion of the colorant layer is transferred onto the transfer sheet together. .

The relationship between the transfer foil of the present invention and the image forming material for protection must satisfy the following relationship.

A transfer foil for protecting an image of an image forming material provided with a colorant layer having a thickness of t _{1 in which} a colorant is contained in a binder on a support, the transfer foil being another transfer foil has a thermal transfer layer having a thickness of t ₂ to obtain a coating solution containing a thermoplastic resin binder emulsion dispersed in one or two or more solvents on a support by coating and drying, and t ₂ > 2 × t ₁ is satisfied.

If t ₂ is not more than twice as large as t ₁ , or if the heat-sensitive transfer layer does not use a thermoplastic resin binder emulsion, the unevenness of the image will be insufficiently followed, resulting in poor durability after transfer. It is enough.

Even when an overcoat layer is provided on the image forming material in the present invention, the thickness of only the colorant layer which does not match the overcoat layer is defined as t ₁ .

Therefore, the thickness of the overcoat layer used in the present invention needs to be a thickness that does not hinder the effects of the present invention. Specifically, in the case of using an overcoat layer in the embodiment of the present invention, its thickness is important not to exceed the thickness t ₁ of the coloring agent layer. More preferably, it is less than half the thickness of t _1, it can significantly exhibit the effect of the more the present invention.

In the present invention, the effect of the present invention can be further exhibited by calendering the surface of the colorant layer.

In the present invention, the term “calendering” means that after a colorant layer is laminated on a support, the colorant layer usually has a diameter of 1 to 100.
cm and a heatable nip roller and the roller facing it are treated by applying temperature and pressure, so that the colorant layer generated in the application and drying process of the colorant layer coating liquid This refers to a process of reducing voids and increasing the density of the colorant layer itself.

The conditions for the calendering treatment are as follows. In order to reduce the porosity of the colorant layer, the linear pressure is usually 5 to 500 kg / cm, preferably 10 to 400 kg / cm.
It is preferable to apply a nip pressure of cm. The heating temperature is usually 40 to 200 ° C, preferably 50 to 200 ° C.
Although the heating temperature is 120 ° C., since the optimum heating temperature varies depending on the transport speed, it is usually set so that the maximum instantaneous temperature at which the colorant layer rises during calendering is about 30 to 100 ° C.

When the linear pressure and the heating temperature of the calendering treatment are lower than the above ranges, the effects of the present invention are small. This is not preferable because defects will occur.

The calendering treatment is preferably performed immediately after the application of the colorant layer regardless of the presence or absence of the curing treatment of the colorant layer. However, if necessary, the calendering treatment may be performed after the overcoat layer is applied and laminated. .

<Transfer-Received Sheet> The transfer-receiving sheet used in the present invention is a member that can be brought into contact with an image forming material at the time of image exposure and receive an unnecessary colorant layer ablated by exposure energy.

In an image forming method to be described later, a transfer sheet provided for receiving an image by peeling after image exposure is formed by forming a layer with a resin having self-supporting properties, or a resin film used as the support. Is used as a transfer sheet support, and a layer containing a thermoplastic resin is laminated thereon.

When the transfer sheet is brought into contact with the colorant layer or the overcoat layer of the image forming material, if the transfer sheet is a resin having a self-supporting property, the transfer sheet formation resin is dissolved in a solvent to be colored. It can be provided by coating and drying like the agent layer. In addition, when a resin film such as that used for a support is used as a sheet to be transferred, if the film has heat sealing properties such as polypropylene, a colorant layer surface and a film are laminated and a heat roll or hot stamp is used. By subjecting the sheet to heat and pressure treatment, a sheet to be transferred can be obtained.

When a film having no heat sealing property is used, an adhesive layer is provided on the colorant layer, and the films are laminated. That is, the adhesive layer-forming composition is applied and dried on the colorant layer to laminate the resin film, or the adhesive layer-forming composition is applied and dried on the resin film, or the adhesive layer-forming composition is heated and melted, and extruded. After the lamination, the surface of the adhesive layer is superimposed on the colorant layer, and bonded by heat / pressure treatment using a heat roll or a hot stamp to provide a transfer-receiving sheet.

The thickness of the sheet to be transferred is preferably 5 to 300 μm, more preferably 10 to 100 μm.

The heat treatment is performed at room temperature to about 180 ° C. with a heat roll, preferably at 30 to 160 ° C. for 0.1 to 0.1 ° C.
About 20 kg / cm ² , preferably 0.5 to ¹⁰ kg /
1 to 500 mm / sec at a pressure of cm ² , preferably 5 to 3
It is performed while transporting at a speed of 00 mm / sec. The hardness of the rubber used for the roller is 40 to 90 degrees (JIS-6301).
A type). When using a hot stamp, room temperature ~
180 ° C., preferably 0.05 to 30 ° C. to 150 ° C.
About 10 kg / cm ² , preferably 0.5 to ⁵ kg / c
0.1 to 50 seconds at a pressure of m ² , preferably 0.5 to 50 seconds.
Heat for 20 seconds.

<Image Forming Method> Using the above-described image forming material in which a colorant layer is laminated on a support, a transfer receiving sheet is brought into face-to-face contact with the colorant layer surface before exposure, and image exposure is performed.
After causing ablation in the exposed portion of the colorant layer, the transfer sheet is peeled off, and only the ablated portion of the colorant layer is transferred to the transfer sheet side to form an image on the colorant layer.

The image exposure can be used without any particular limitation as long as it is a light source that causes ablation. However, in order to obtain high resolution, an electromagnetic wave whose energy application area can be narrowed down, in particular, ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 1 nm to 1 mm, visible light , Infrared rays are preferred, and light sources that can apply such light energy include lasers, light-emitting diodes, xenon flash lamps, halogen lamps, carbon arc lamps,
Examples include a metal halide lamp, a tungsten lamp, a quartz mercury lamp, a high-pressure mercury lamp, and the like. At this time, the energy to be applied can appropriately select an exposure distance, time, and intensity depending on the type of the image forming material.

When a laser beam is used as a light source, a wavelength of 60
It is preferable in terms of sensitivity to use a laser in the range from visible light of 0 to 1200 nm to a near infrared region since light energy can be efficiently converted to heat energy.

After the image-wise exposure is performed by bringing the ablated portion of the colorant layer into contact with the transfer sheet by image exposure, the transfer sheet is peeled off to transfer only the ablated portion of the colorant layer to the transfer sheet side. Then, an image is formed by pulling out. The transfer sheet in this case, in order to efficiently remove the ablated unnecessary colorant layer in the exposed portion, the image forming material and the transfer sheet face each other, and before or after exposure, pressurizing or heating·
Pressing further improves the image quality.

Examples of the method of peeling include a peeling angle fixing method using a peeling plate and a peeling roll, and a manual peeling method of peeling off the transfer sheet and the image forming material without fixing them by hand.
Various peeling methods can be used as long as they do not affect image formation.

[0076]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to examples, but embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. In the following, “parts” means “parts by weight as active ingredients” unless otherwise specified.

Example 1 (Preparation of Image Forming Material) An image forming material of the present invention and a comparative example were prepared by using an image recording medium comprising a support, a colorant layer and an overcoat layer shown below, and a transfer sheet. Produced. This image forming material was designated as E-1.

<< Image forming medium >><Support> A transparent polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film (T-60, manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc.) having a thickness of 100 μm and having one surface subjected to corona discharge treatment is used.

<Colorant layer> The following composition was kneaded and dispersed using an open kneader to prepare a colorant layer coating liquid containing a magnetic powder composed of metal, which was applied onto the support by extrusion coating. After that, a magnetic field orientation treatment is performed while the coating film is not dried, and subsequently, after drying, a surface treatment is performed with a calendar at a linear pressure of 300 kg / cm.
By performing heat treatment for a time, a colorant layer having a thickness of 0.8 μm was formed.

Colorant layer coating liquid Fe-Al-based ferromagnetic metal powder (coloring material and metal-containing powder) (Fe: Al atomic ratio = 100: 4 (entire), 50:50 (surface), average length) 100 parts Vinyl chloride resin containing potassium sulfonate group (manufactured by Zeon Corporation: MR-110) 10 parts Polyurethane resin containing sodium sulfonate group (manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd .: UR-8700) 10 parts α- Alumina (Average particle size 0.15 μm) 8 parts Stearic acid 1 part Butyl stearate 1 part Polyisocyanate compound (manufactured by Nippon Polyurethane Industry Co., Ltd .: Coronate L) 5 parts Cyclohexanone 100 parts Methyl ethyl ketone 100 parts Toluene 100 parts <Overcoat layer> Prepare a coating solution for the overcoat layer consisting of the following composition and dry it on the colorant layer surface by wire bar application Amount with the coating solution by coating and drying so that 10 g / m @ 2, to form an overcoat layer of the biasing amount 0.1 g / m @ 2.

Coating solution for overcoat layer Phenoxy resin (Phenoxy Associates: PKHH) 1 part Cyclohexanone 250 parts Toluene 749 parts << Transferred sheet >><Support> A transparent PET film having a thickness of 24 μm and having one surface easily adhered. Diafoil Hoechst: T-10
0E).

<Adhesive Layer> A coating liquid for the adhesive layer of the sheet to be transferred comprising the following composition is prepared, and the amount after drying is 1.5 g / m 2 on the above-mentioned easily adhered surface of the support by wire bar application. Then, a transfer-receiving sheet was prepared.

Coating solution for adhesive layer Polyurethane resin (manufactured by Nippon Polyurethane Industry: Nipporan 3116, solid content: 21%) 115 parts Silicone fine particles (manufactured by Toshiba Silicone Co., Ltd .: Tospearl 120) 1 part Cyclohexanone 24 parts Toluene 36 parts Methyl ethyl ketone 30 parts ( Image formation) Each of the above image recording media and the sheet to be transferred face each other, and are brought into close contact with each other by heating and pressing with a facing heat roller, and the adhesive strength is JIS C21.
It was adjusted so as to fall within the range of 5 to 15 gf / cm by the 180 degree peeling method of 07 (JIS Z 0237).

Using a semiconductor laser (manufactured by Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd .: TCP-1080, dominant wavelength: 830 nm), the surface of the colorant layer was focused on, and 32 mm from the colorant layer support side.
An image was formed by scanning and exposing a line and space image having a width of 3 dots by scanning exposure with an energy of 0 mJ / cm ² and transferring an unnecessary colorant layer in an exposed portion to a transfer-receiving sheet.

(Preparation of Transfer Foil) Preparation of Samples 1 to 10 <Support> A 26 μm-thickened PET film (E-180 manufactured by Diafoil Hoechst) with a roughened surface was used.

A coating solution for the heat-sensitive transfer layer having the following composition was applied and dried on the above-mentioned support with a wire bar so that the thickness after drying was as shown in Table 1.

Coating solution for thermal transfer layer Polyester resin emulsion (manufactured by Takamatsu Yushi Co., Ltd .: Pesresin A-515G, solid content 30%) 293 parts Polyethylene resin emulsion (manufactured by Toho Chemical Co., Ltd .: Hitec E-1000, solid content 35%) 30 Part (Transfer of Transfer Foil) The colorant layer of the image forming material E-1 on which the image was formed was opposed to the heat-sensitive transfer layer of each transfer foil, and the diameter was 140 mm around which heat-resistant silicon rubber having a thickness of 1 mm and a rubber hardness of 60 was wound. After performing heat treatment at a linear pressure of 6 kg / cm, a heat roll temperature of 170 ° C., and a transfer speed of 2.5 cm / sec using a transfer device equipped with a metallic heat roll and a metal roll having a diameter of 140 mm on the opposite side. Then, a protective layer of a heat-sensitive transfer layer was laminated on the image forming material by peeling off the transfer foil support.

The following characteristics were evaluated for each sample.

<< Glossiness >> According to ASTM D2457-97.

<< Scratch Durability >> The sample after transfer of the transfer foil was fixed on a horizontal desk, sandpaper (# 1500) was faced, a load of 20 g / cm2 was applied thereon, and the sandpaper was placed at 10 cm / sec. After moving horizontally at a speed of 2, the scratches on the sample surface were observed and evaluated on a 4-step scale.

◎: No scratch reaching transmission was observed. ：: Only pinhole-shaped (dot-shaped) transmission scratch was found. Δ: Two to three linear transmission scratches were found. X: Many scratches were found.

<< Adhesiveness >> Nichiban Cellotape (No.
409) on the transfer foil transfer surface, and then tape 1
The surface properties at the time of peeling at an angle of 80 degrees at a speed of 30 cm / sec were observed and evaluated on a 4-point scale.

◎: No change was observed at all. ：: Surface gloss slightly changed but no peeling occurred. ：: Transfer foil protective layer was peeled only in space part (exposed part). The protective layer peels off.

<< Surface Properties >> The transfer foil transfer surface was visually observed,
It was evaluated on a 4-point scale.

：: good uniformity ：: only small bubbles that can be confirmed by magnifying with a loupe are seen △: bubbles are visible enough to be seen visually ×: bubbles and wrinkles are generated It is shown in FIG.

Preparation of Sample 11 The coating solution for the transfer foil heat-sensitive transfer layer used in Samples 1 to 10 was changed as follows, and coated on the following support (dry film thickness: 3.0 μm).
Sample 11 was obtained in the same manner except that m) was performed.

<Support> PET film having a surface roughness of 24 μm and having a roughened surface (mentioned above: E-180).

Coating solution for thermal transfer layer Polyester resin (manufactured by Toyobo Co .: Byron 200) 48.5 parts Polyethylene wax dispersion (manufactured by Gifu Shellac Manufacturing Co., Ltd .: T-15P-2, solid content 15%) 10 parts Toluene 120 parts 71.5 parts of methyl ethyl ketone Preparation of Sample 12 Sample 12 was prepared in the same manner except that the transfer foil thermal transfer layer coating solution used in Samples 1 to 10 was changed as follows.

Thermal transfer layer coating liquid Urethane resin emulsion (manufactured by ZENECA: NeoRez R-960, solid content 33%) 266 parts Polyethylene resin emulsion (supra: Hitec E-1000) 30 parts Preparation of Samples 13 to 16 Samples Samples 13 to 13 were prepared in the same manner except that the transfer foil supports used in 1 to 10 were changed to the following supports having different gloss levels.
16 was set.

13: PET film having a thickness of 26 μm (E-130 manufactured by Diafoil Hoechst) gloss: 28 14: PET film having a thickness of 26 μm (E-150 manufactured by Diafoil Hoechst) gloss: 41 15: 25 μm Thick PET film (D-Foil Hoechst: T-100) Gloss = 151 16: 23 μm thick PET film (Dia-Foil Hoechst: T-600E) Gloss = 171 Preparation of Samples 17 to 24 Samples 17 to 24 were prepared in the same manner except that the transfer foil (support + thermal transfer layer) used in 10 was changed as follows.

<Support> A 25 μm PET film (T-100 manufactured by Diafoil Hoechst) was used. Silica fine particles (Fuji Silysia Ltd .: Sylysia 320) so that the glossiness of the surface after coating and drying of the transfer foil is as shown in Table 1.
Was adjusted.

Coating solution for thermal transfer layer Polyester resin emulsion (supra: Pesresin A-515G) 293 parts Polyethylene resin emulsion (supra: Hitec E-1000) 30 parts Silica fine particles (above) An appropriate amount according to the glossiness Preparation Preparation of Sample 25 Hitech E-1 of polyethylene resin emulsion which is a lubricant of the transfer foil thermal transfer layer coating liquid used in Samples 1 to 10
Sample 25 was prepared in the same manner except that 000 was removed.

Samples 1 to 10 were also used for samples 1 to 25.
Each characteristic was evaluated in the same manner as described above. The results are also shown in Table 1.

[0104]

[Table 1]

The sample of the present invention is excellent in all of durability, adhesiveness and surface properties.

Example 2 Preparation of Samples 26 to 32 Table 2 shows the thickness of the colorant layer of the image forming material E-1 of Example 1.
The image forming materials E-2 to E-8 were produced by changing as shown in the following, and samples 26 to 32 were prepared using the transfer foil of the sample 4.

These samples were evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. Table 2 shows the results.

[0108]

[Table 2]

When the ratio of the thickness of the heat-sensitive transfer layer (t ₂ ) of the transfer foil to the thickness of the colorant layer (t ₁ ) of the image forming material is within the range of the present invention (t ₂ > 2 × t ₁ ), Is excellent.

Example 3 (Preparation of image forming material)
An image recording medium comprising a colorant layer and an overcoat layer;
An image forming material E-1 was prepared using the transfer-receiving sheet.

(Image formation) An image was formed on the colorant layer of the image forming material under the same conditions as in Example 1.

(Preparation of Transfer Foil) <Support> A PET film (the above-mentioned: E-180) having the same roughened surface as in Example 1 was used.

On the above-mentioned support, a heat-sensitive transfer layer coating solution (including binders B-1 to B-7) having the following composition was coated with a wire bar and dried so as to have a thickness of 2.4 μm. Thus, nine types of transfer foils were obtained.

Thermal transfer layer coating liquid (B-1) Takamatsu Yushi Co., Ltd .: Pesresin A-110, solid content 15%, Tg 20 ° C. 586 parts Toho Chemical Co., Ltd .: Hitec E-1000, solid content 35% 30 parts Thermal transfer layer coating liquid (B-2) manufactured by Takamatsu Yushi Co., Ltd .: Pesresin A-510, solid content 25%, Tg 35 ° C 352 parts manufactured by Toho Chemical Co .: Hitec E-1000, solid content 35% 30 parts Thermal transfer layer coating Liquid (B-3) manufactured by Takamatsu Yushi Co., Ltd .: Pesresin A-124S, solid content 23%, Tg 55 ° C 382 parts, manufactured by Toho Chemical Co .: Hitec E-1000, solid content 35% 30 parts Thermal transfer layer coating liquid (B- 4a) Takamatsu Yushi Co., Ltd .: Pesresin A-515G, solid content 30%, Tg 62 ° C. 293 parts Toho Chemical Co., Ltd .: Hitec E-1000, solid content 35% 30 parts Thermal transfer layer coating liquid (B-4b) Takamatsu Oil Made by Yushi: Pesresin A-515G, solid content 30%, Tg 62 ° C 293 parts Made by Takamatsu Yushi Co .: Pesresin A-193G, solid content 30%, Tg-20 ° C 133 parts Toho Chemical Co .: Hitec E-1000, solid 35% 30 parts Gifu Shellac: Wax X-8126, solid content 10% 215 parts Thermal transfer layer coating liquid (B-4c) Takamatsu Yushi Co., Ltd .: Pesresin A-515G, solid content 30%, Tg 62 ° C 293 parts Manufactured by Takamatsu Yushi Co., Ltd .: Pesresin A-193G, solid content 30%, Tg-20 ° C. 200 parts Toho Chemical Co., Ltd .: Hitec E-1000, solid content 35% 30 parts Gifu Shellac: Wax X-8126, solid content 10% 369 parts Coating solution for thermal transfer layer (B-5) Manufactured by Takamatsu Yushi Co., Ltd .: Pesresin A-615G, solid content 25%, Tg 65 ° C 352 parts Manufactured by Toho Chemical Co., Ltd .: Hitec E-1000, solid content 35% 30 parts Thermal transfer layer coating solution (B-6) Takamatsu Yushi Co., Ltd .: Pesresin A-193G, solid content 30%, Tg-20 ° C 293 parts Toho Chemical Co., Ltd .: Hitec E- 1000, solid content 35% 30 parts Thermal transfer layer coating solution (B-7) manufactured by Takamatsu Yushi Co., Ltd .: Pesresin A-123D, solid content 20%, Tg 75 ° C 440 parts manufactured by Toho Chemical Co .: Hitec E-1000, solid content 35% 30 parts (Transfer of Transfer Foil) Using the above transfer foil, a protective layer of a heat-sensitive transfer layer was laminated on the colorant layer of the image-forming material on which an image was formed in exactly the same manner as in Example 1.

The following characteristics were evaluated for each sample.

<< Dynamic friction coefficient >> Tribogear HEIDON
It measured using TYPE14DR (made by Shinto Kagaku). As conditions, the image forming material was fixed on a measurement table, the transfer foil was fixed on a jig so that the contact area became 9.0 cm ^2, and the moving speed was 10 mm / sec under a load of 100 g.

<< Jam in the Device >> Helios Li-141
Using 7D (manufactured by Konica), 50 sheets were continuously transferred in the apparatus, and the transferability was evaluated. A sample having no problem was evaluated as ○, and a sample in which a jam occurred even once was evaluated as ×.

<< Adhesion >> Same as in Example 1 << Surface >> Same as in Example 1 Regarding the adhesion and surface properties, ◎ and 、 were judged to be acceptable in practical use.

Table 3 shows the experimental results obtained by using the same transfer foil and changing the calendering conditions, and Table 4 shows the experimental results obtained by using the same transfer foil and using different transfer foils under the same calender conditions.

[0120]

[Table 3]

The transfer foil having a coefficient of kinetic friction in the range of 0.4 to 1.0 is excellent in both jam in the apparatus and adhesiveness.

[0122]

[Table 4]

When the transfer foil binder has a Tg of 20 to 70 ° C. and a content in the solid content of 50% or more, both the jam in the apparatus and the adhesiveness are excellent.

[0124]

By using the transfer foil of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming material capable of easily obtaining a highly durable image. Further, slippage during transportation in the apparatus is reduced, and jams are reduced. Adhesion (adhesion) also increases.

Claims (11)

[Claims] A transfer foil for protecting an image formed on an image forming material provided with a colorant layer having a thickness of t _{1 in which} a colorant is contained in a binder on a support, said transfer Utsushihaku the thermal transfer layer of thickness t ₂ which is obtained by coating and drying a coating solution containing a thermoplastic resin binder emulsion dispersed in one or two or more solvents on a separate support And a transfer foil satisfying a relationship of t ₂ > 2 × t ₁ . 2. The transfer foil according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic resin binder emulsion comprises a polyester resin. 3. The transfer foil according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the transfer foil coated with the heat-sensitive transfer layer has a glossiness at 60 degrees of 40 to 90. 4. The transfer foil according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the transfer foil support on which the heat-sensitive transfer layer is coated has a glossiness at 60 degrees of 40 to 90. 5. The transfer foil according to claim 1, wherein a lubricant is added to the heat-sensitive transfer layer. 6. The transfer foil according to claim 1, wherein fine particles are added to the heat-sensitive transfer layer. 7. A colorant layer in which a colorant capable of absorbing wavelength light of an exposure light source is dispersed in a binder is provided on a support, and an image protection layer is further provided thereon if necessary. The transferred sheet is superimposed on the colorant layer side of the image forming material, and image exposure is performed by irradiating heat energy, and then the transferred sheet is peeled off, thereby transferring only the exposed portion of the colorant layer to the transferred sheet. The transfer foil according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is closely adhered to the surface of the colorant layer of the image forming material for forming an image by heating and pressing, and then the support is peeled off to protect the surface. An image forming material comprising a layer. 8. A colorant layer in which a colorant capable of absorbing wavelength light of an exposure light source is dispersed in a binder is provided on a support, and an image protection layer is further provided thereon if necessary. The transferred sheet is superimposed on the colorant layer side of the image forming material, and image exposure is performed by irradiating heat energy, and then the transferred sheet is peeled off, thereby transferring only the exposed portion of the colorant layer to the transferred sheet. A transfer foil for protecting the surface of the image forming material for forming an image, the transfer foil having at least a support and a heat-sensitive transfer layer that can be transferred by heat and pressure. A transfer foil, wherein the coefficient of kinetic friction between the image forming material and the colorant layer is 0.4 to 1.0. 9. The transfer foil according to claim 8, wherein the transfer layer is obtained by applying and drying a coating solution containing a thermoplastic resin binder emulsion dispersed alone or in two or more solvents. 10. The transfer layer contains a thermoplastic resin binder emulsion dispersed alone or in two or more solvents, the thermoplastic resin has a glass transition temperature of 20 to 70 ° C., and the content thereof is all The transfer foil according to claim 8, wherein the transfer foil is obtained by applying and drying a coating liquid having a solid content of 50% by weight or more. 11. A colorant layer in which a colorant capable of absorbing wavelength light of an exposure light source is dispersed in a binder is provided on a support, and an image protection layer is further provided thereon if necessary. The transferred sheet is superimposed on the colorant layer side of the image forming material, and image exposure is performed by irradiating heat energy, and then the transferred sheet is peeled off, thereby transferring only the exposed portion of the colorant layer to the transferred sheet. The transfer foil according to any one of claims 8 to 10 is adhered to the surface of the colorant layer of the image forming material for forming an image by heating and pressurizing, and then the support is peeled off to protect the surface. An image forming material comprising a layer.