JPS62181188A - Thermal transfer recording method and heat-generating member for use in said method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable favorable two-color images to be recorded on an ordinary paper or the like, by a method wherein when applying heat with heat-generating elements, thermal energy is applied while relatively varying the pressure of contact of the heat- generating elements to a base of a thermal transfer medium. CONSTITUTION:At a point A at which the close contact condition of a thermal transfer material 100 with a heat-generating member 4 and a recording material 8 is best, the transfer material 100 is supplied with thermal energy from heat-generating elements 5 of the member 4, and after the transfer material 100 is released from the recording material 8, both a first ink layer 1 and a second ink layer 2 are transferred to the material 8 to form a recorded image 12a, as shown in Fig. (a). On the other hand, when thermal energy is applied from the elements 5 at a point C on the downstream side [respect to the feeding direction (a) of the member 4] of a point B which is the best contact position for the member 4, only the second ink layer 2 is transferred onto the material 10 to form a recorded image 2a. Accordingly, by applying thermal energy to the thermal transfer material at one of positions at which the close contact condition of the transfer material 100 with the recording material 10 differ, the transfer of only the second ink layer 2 or the transfer of both the first ink layer 1 and the second ink layer 2 can be selectively performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a thermal transfer two-color recording method for transferring two-color recorded images onto a recording medium.

In addition to the general characteristics of thermal recording methods, such as the equipment used is lightweight, compact, noiseless, and has excellent operability and maintainability, the thermal transfer recording method does not require colored processed paper. In addition, it is characterized by excellent durability of recorded images, and has recently begun to be widely used.

This heat-sensitive transfer recording method generally uses a heat-sensitive transfer material in which a heat-transferable ink consisting of a colorant dispersed in a heat-melting binder is coated on a sheet-like support. The ink layer is superimposed on the recording medium so that it is in contact with the recording medium.

A transfer ink image corresponding to the shape of the heat supply is formed on the recording medium by applying heat from the support side of the thermal transfer material using a thermal head to transfer the melted ink layer onto the recording medium.

Furthermore, there is a strong market demand for two-color printing while taking advantage of the advantages of the thermal transfer recording method, and various techniques for obtaining two-color printing have been proposed.

Conventionally, as a method for printing in two colors on plain paper using a thermal transfer recording method, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 148591/1983 describes
Two heat-melting high melting point ink layers A and a low melting point ink layer B containing different colorants are sequentially laminated on the base material from the base material side, and in the case of low heat applied energy, the low melting point ink A two-color thermal transfer recording element is disclosed in which only layer B is transferred onto plain paper, and when high thermal energy is applied, both heat-fusible ink layers A and B are transferred to obtain a two-color record.

Furthermore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-64389 discloses a two-color thermal transfer in which an ink layer consisting of an ink that melts and leaches by heating and an ink that melts and peels off at a temperature higher than the melting and leaching temperature is provided on a base material. An ink sheet is disclosed.

In these methods, two-color printing is performed by changing the temperature of the ink layer by changing the energy and energy applied to the thermal head in two stages. In this case, due to heat diffusion, a relatively low temperature area is created around the high temperature area, which results in fringing of colors printed at a low temperature around the area printed at a high temperature.Furthermore, the high energy of the thermal head is generated. If a high temperature is applied, it takes a relatively long time for the temperature to decrease, and this has the disadvantage that the color printed at a low temperature tends to trail behind a portion printed at a high temperature.

Furthermore, in either method, there is a restriction that a material with a relatively low melting point must be used as the ink material for printing at a low temperature, which causes problems such as staining and reduced maintainability.

11 The purpose of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional two-color printing method, and in particular to provide a two-color printing record that can obtain beautiful two-color printing on plain paper, etc. with a particularly simple method. The present invention provides a method and a heat generating member for the same.

As a result of research for the above purpose, the present inventors found that when heat is applied by the heating element provided on the surface of the heating member, the contact pressure between the heating element and the support of the thermal transfer medium is relatively The present inventors have discovered that the above object can be achieved by applying thermal energy while changing the temperature, and have arrived at the present invention.

That is, in the thermal transfer recording method of the present invention, a first ink layer and a second ink layer having mutually different tones are provided on a support from the support side, and the second ink layer of a thermal transfer material is applied to a recording medium. When the heating element contacts the support and applies thermal energy in accordance with the recorded information, the heating element applies thermal energy while making the contact pressure between the heating element and the support relatively different. It is characterized in that two ink layers, or both the first ink layer and the second ink layer, are selectively transferred to the recording medium.

Thereby, preferably, when the application of thermal energy from the heating element is performed when the contact pressure between the heating element and the support is relatively small, the second ink layer is transferred to the recording medium, and the second ink layer is transferred to the recording medium. When energy is applied when the contact pressure between the heating element and the support is relatively large, it becomes possible to transfer both the first ink layer and the second ink layer to the recording medium.

When carrying out the method of the present invention, the relative change in the contact pressure between the heat generating element on the heat generating member and the support of the thermal transfer material is, for example, from the heat generating member side to the thermal transfer material (therefore, the recording medium This can also be achieved by adjusting the pressing force (to the platen supporting the platen via the platen) using, for example, a spring or the like. (In this specification, the term "heat generating member" refers to a structural material that includes a heat generating element and a supporting member that supports it, and the term "heat generating element" refers to the smallest unit that generates heat by itself, for example, by resistance heat generation. Also, the term "heating element" described later refers to the addition of so-called glaze, etc., formed by firing glass, for example, on a local part of the support member or on the support member in one heat generation member for forming the heating element as a part thereof. However, in order to cause a relative change in contact pressure stably and with good reproducibility, it is necessary to provide a heat generating element on the heat generating member. At least one of the body and the platen that supports the recording medium has a convex surface (for example, a spherical or cylindrical surface), and the maximum contact position between the heat-sensitive transfer material and the heating element is determined by contact between the two through the heat-sensitive transfer material and the recording medium. It is preferable to realize the relative change in the contact pressure by relatively changing the formation position of the heating element on the heating element.

In addition, it is preferable that the above-mentioned convex surface is realized with a relatively small radius of curvature (or an equivalent radius of curvature).In this sense, when either the platen or the heating element is made convex, the heating element is It is preferable to do so.

The uninvented heat-generating member for thermal transfer recording is based on such knowledge, and more specifically, the heat-generating member having a convex surface is held slidably relative to the heat-sensitive transfer material, and the heat-generating member of the convex surface A heating element is attached to a part of the material, and the maximum contact position of the heating element and the attachment position of the heating element are relatively changed so that heat can be applied from the heating element to the thermal transfer material. It is characterized by:

Note that the pressure ratio of the contact pressure is preferably in the range of 1.5 to 5 when the contact pressure of the heating element is large and small.
If the pressure ratio is smaller than 1.5, the separation between the two layers will not be achieved stably, and if the pressure ratio is larger than 5, the quality of the recorded image when only the second ink layer is transferred and the quality of the first ink layer will be affected. This is not very preferable since there may be a difference in the quality of the recorded image when both the ink layer and the second ink layer are transferred.

1. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings as necessary. In the following description, "1%" and "part" expressing quantitative ratios are based on weight unless otherwise specified.

FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b) are schematic cross-sectional views in the thickness direction of a thermal transfer material for explaining a preferred embodiment of the recording method of the present invention. An example in which the present invention is applied to a thermal transfer material 100 formed by sequentially laminating a first ink layer 1 and a second ink layer 2 will be described. 1st
The embodiment shown in Fig. (a) has a heating element 4 having a convex surface that is approximately a partially spherical surface or a partially cylindrical surface extending in the thickness direction of the drawing near the tip, and a heating element 5 is deposited, for example, on a part of the heating element 4. While moving the substantially rod-shaped heat generating member 6 (the supporting structure thereof is not shown) formed by the above method, the heat generating element 4 is brought into contact with the recording medium 8 on the platen 7. When applying heat by pressing the thermal transfer material 100 into contact with the support 10 side, the maximum contact position of the heating element 4 (the position on the heating element 4 where the heating member 6 exerts maximum contact pressure on the support 10 in a stationary state) This figure shows the case where the position where the convex surface of the heating element 4 contacts the platen 7 via the thermal transfer material 100 and the recording medium 8 matches the mounting position of the heating element 4. That is, thermal energy is applied to the thermal transfer material 100 from the heating element 5 of the heating member at point A (maximum contact point) where the heating element 4 and the recording medium 8 are in the best contact state, and the thermal transfer material 100 is heated. After the recording medium is peeled off, both the first ink layer 1 and the second ink layer 2 are transferred to the recording medium, forming a recorded image 12a. This is because when heat is applied, the pressure applied from the heating member 6 to the thermal transfer material 100 at point A is extremely high, so the adhesion state at the interface between the thermally softened first ink layer and the second ink layer 2 is extremely poor. It is presumed that this is to improve the condition. Incidentally, such a simultaneous transfer phenomenon of the first ink layer 1 and the second ink layer 2 is shown in FIG. 1(a).
Not only is there a positional relationship where the maximum contact position between the support 10 of the thermal transfer material 100 and the heating element 4 matches the mounting position of the heating element 5 as shown in , but also the mounting position of the heating element 5 is
Upstream in the direction of movement of the heat generating member 6 with respect to the maximum contact position (i.e.

(in any case, it is a position on the heating element 4, for example, 0.5 to 1
It can also be seen up to an anterior position of about mm). The reason why such a phenomenon occurs is that the platen 7 is
Alternatively, the position at which the maximum contact pressure is applied is shifted upstream from the maximum contact position due to deformation of the thermal transfer material, or the thermal energy applied to the thermal transfer material 100 by the heating element 4 is applied to the interface or inside of the ink layer 1.2. This is due to a delay in heat transfer to or a heat storage effect.

FIG. 1(b) shows that when heat is applied by one heating element 5 using the thermal transfer material 10O shown in FIG. This shows the case where there is a shift to the downstream side. In other words, the thermal transfer material 100 is placed at a point 0 downstream of point B, which is the maximum contact position of the heating element 4, with respect to the running direction A of the heating element.
Thermal energy is applied from the heating element 5 at the point.

As a result, the thermal transfer material 1oO and the recording medium 10
After peeling off, the second ink layer? Only the recorded image 2a is transferred to the recording medium 10, and a recorded image 2a is formed. This is 0 when heat is applied.
At point B, heat is applied from the heating element 5 with the pressure applied from the heating element 4 to the thermal transfer material lOO being reduced compared to at point B, so the first ink is thermally softened! 1 and 2
This is because the adhesion state at the interface with the ink layer 2 is in a poor state.

As explained above, by applying thermal energy to the thermal transfer material 100 and the heating element 4 in different states of adhesion, a second It becomes possible to selectively transfer the ink layer 2 alone or both the first ink layer and the second ink layer to the recording medium.

The above-described thermal transfer recording method of the present invention is particularly effectively achieved by the heat-generating member (thermal head) for thermal transfer recording of the present invention having the above-described configuration.

Such a heat generating member can be realized in various ways.
For example, the heat generating member 6 shown in FIG.
It has a heating element 4 having a convex surface that is almost a part of a spherical surface near one end, and a heating element 5 is provided in a part of the heating element 4 (particularly in a part in the running direction of the heating member), and a supporting member 6a. It is configured such that the angle θ formed between the extending direction of the representative heat generating member 6 and the extending direction of the recording medium 8 (therefore, the platen 7) can be changed. In this case, it is preferable that the heating element 5 is structurally located at a position that is offset from the top of the convex surface of the heating element 4 in the opposite direction to the base of the support member 6a, and in the example of FIG. Heating elements 5a and 5b are respectively provided at the second position in the running direction of the heating member 6 on the convex surface of No. 4 (for example, at the top of the convex surface and a position offset from these), and these heating elements 5a and 5b can selectively generate heat. This is the configuration. Furthermore, in FIGS. 5 and 6, heating elements 4a and 4b are provided at two positions along the traveling direction (A) of the heating member 6 on the support member 6a, respectively.

Heat generating elements 5a, 5 are placed at relatively different positions on the convex surfaces (for example, at the top of the convex surfaces and at positions offset from the top).
This figure shows an example in which each of b is embedded. The examples shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 are suitable for providing a recorded image in which two colors are mixed in one thermal transfer operation.

The convex shape of the heating element 4.4a or 4b is not only the above-mentioned substantially partially spherical or cylindrical shape, but also the substantially partially spherical or cylindrical shape of the heating element with a relatively large radius of curvature, and also a relatively small curvature. A shape in which heating elements having a partially spherical or cylindrical surface shape are superimposed on each other, or a shape in which one edge of a prism is chamfered diagonally to form an aaa element at the chamfered part is also used.For example, as mentioned above, In the case of a substantially spherical or partially cylindrical heating element, it is preferable to form one with a radius of curvature of 1 to 5 mm and a height of 20 JLm or more.

In the above example, the explanation was given assuming that the heat generating members 6 move in the direction A in the figure, but as long as the relationship between the maximum contact position of the heat generating element 4 and the formation position of the heat generating element 5 is maintained, It is also possible to move in a direction opposite to that of the supporting member (that is, in a direction opposite to that of the supporting member).

Next, the thermal transfer material 100 used in the present thermal transfer recording method will be described in some detail. As shown in FIG. 2, the thermal transfer material consists of a coloring agent of a first tone and a binder on a support lO. First ink layer1. A second ink layer 2 is formed by sequentially laminating a colorant of a second tone and a binder from the support side.

If you want to obtain the color tone of the first ink layer l and the color tone of the second ink layer 2, you can apply a dark color such as black to the first ink layer l,
It is preferable to arrange a bright color such as yellow in the second ink layer 2,
The color tone of the first ink layer l, and the color tone of the first ink layer and the second ink layer l.
When it is desired to obtain a mixed color tone of the ink layer 2, for example, the first
If the ink layer 1 is colored yellow and the second ink layer 2 is colored magenta, magenta and red can be obtained. In addition, by changing the pigment concentration or layer thickness ratio of each layer, various recordings of two different colors can be obtained.

Furthermore, the heat-sensitive transfer material can also form an adhesive layer in addition to the first ink layer and the second ink layer. Such embodiments are shown in FIGS. 7 to 9. That is, for the purpose of controlling the adhesiveness between the support 10 and the first ink layer l as shown in FIG. The first ink layer 1 and the second ink layer
A second adhesive layer 9b is required for the purpose of improving the separation of the ink layer 2, and a third adhesive layer 9C is required for the purpose of controlling the adhesiveness between the second ink layer 2 and the recording medium as shown in Figure 1O. It can be provided accordingly.

The first ink layer l, the second ink layer 2, and the first adhesive layer 9a
, the second adhesive layer 9b, and the third adhesive layer 9c preferably have a thickness in the range of 0.2 to 104 m, respectively, as the entire thermal transfer layer (1+
2+9a, 9b and/or 9c) thickness is 2-20
JLm is preferred.

As the support 10, conventionally known films and papers can be used as they are; for example, films of relatively heat-resistant plastics such as polyester, polycarbonate, triacetylcellulose, nylon, polyimide, cellophane or parchment paper. , condenser paper, etc. can be suitably used.

The thickness of the support 10 is desirably about 1 to 15 mm thick when considering a thermal head as a heat generating member during thermal transfer.

In addition, when using a thermal head, the surface of the support that comes into contact with the thermal head may be coated with silicone resin, fluororesin, polyimide resin, epoxy resin, phenol resin, melamine resin,
By providing a heat-resistant protective layer made of nitrocellulose or the like, the heat resistance of the support can be improved, or it is also possible to use a support material that could not be used conventionally. ′ Colorants include carbon black, nigrosine dye,
Lamp black, Sudan black SM, alkali blue, First Niro-G, benzidine yellow, pigment
Yellow, India First Orange, Irgazine Red, Varanitro 7 Nilin Red, Toluidine Red, Paranitroaniline Φ Red, Toluidine Red, Carmine FB, Permanent Bordeaux FRR, Pigment Orange R, Lysol Red 2G, Lake・
Les FC, Rhodamine FB, Rhodamine B Lake, Methyl Violet B Lake, Phthalocyanine Blue, Pigment Blue, Priyanto Green B, Phthalocyanine Green, Oil Yellow GG, Zapon φ First Yellow GG, Kayaset Y963, Kayaset Y
G, Sumiplast Yellow GG, Zapon First Orange RR, Oil Scarlet, Sumiplast Orange G, Orazole Brown B, Pomelo First Scarlet CG, Eisenspiron Red BEH, Oil Pink OP, Victoria Blue F4R, First Gen Blue 5007. All known dyes and pigments such as Sudan Blue and Oil Peacock Blue can be used. In addition, metal powder such as copper powder, aluminum powder, mineral powder such as mica, etc. can be used. As other additives, surfactants, plasticizers, mineral oils, vegetable oils, etc. may be added as appropriate.

The binder used for the first ink layer and the second ink layer and the material used for the first, second and third adhesive layers include whale wax,
Natural waxes such as beeswax, lanolin, carnauba wax, candelilla wax, montan wax, and ceresin wax; petroleum waxes such as halaffin wax and microcrystalline wax; synthetic waxes such as oxidized wax, ester wax, low molecular weight polyethylene, and Fischer-Tropsch wax. , higher resin acids such as lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, behenic acid, higher alcohols such as stearyl alcohol and behenyl alcohol, esters such as sucrose fatty acid ester and sorbitan fatty acid ester, amides such as oleylamide. , polyolefin resin, polyamide resin, polyester resin, epoxy resin, polyurethane resin, polyacrylic resin, polyvinyl chloride resin,
Elastomers such as cellulose resin, polyvinyl alcohol resin, petroleum resin, phenol resin, polystyrene resin, vinyl acetate resin, natural rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, imprene rubber, chloroprene rubber, polyisobutylene, polyzapon, etc. is used.

Coloring, that is, the content of the colorant in the first ink layer and the second ink layer is 1 to 9 for each of the first and second ink layers.
A range of 0%, preferably 2 to 80% is suitable.

Next, the softening temperature and melt viscosity of each layer will be described. The first, second, and third adhesive layers, and the second ink layer when the third adhesive layer is not provided, each have a softening temperature of 60 to 1
It is preferable to use one at 80°C.

Those having a melting temperature of 60° C. or lower have poor storage stability. Moreover, those having a melting temperature of 180° C. or higher have poor sensitivity to heat. When the third adhesive layer is provided, the second ink layer and the first ink layer may be adhesive at room temperature, have a very high melting temperature, or may not melt.

In addition, the softening temperature referred to in the present invention refers to the softening temperature of Shimadzu Flow Tester C.
Using FT500 type, load 10Kg, temperature increase rate 2℃/
The apparent appearance of the sample ink is determined as the outflow start temperature when the viscosity-temperature curve is determined under the conditions of 100 min.

The melt viscosity of the second ink layer when the first, second, and third adhesive layers and the third adhesive layer are not provided is the rotational viscosity at a temperature 30°C higher than the softening temperature of the layer material including additive fillers, etc. The viscosity measured by a meter is preferably in the range of 10 to 1,000,000,000 cps, preferably 100 to 50,000,000 cps.

The melt viscosity of the second ink layer when the first ink layer and the third adhesive layer are not provided is preferably 50 cps or more at a temperature 30° C. higher than the softening melting temperature. Second,
It is desirable that the ink layer is higher than the second ink layer in the case where the third contact layer 27 and the third contact layer are not provided.

When the second adhesive layer is not provided, it is desirable to use incompatible materials for the first ink layer and the 52 ink layer in order to improve separation, but when the second adhesive layer is provided, it is desirable to use incompatible materials. However, this is not the case; the separability can also be improved by creating a difference in melt viscosity.

In manufacturing the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention, a coating solution is prepared by mixing the materials constituting each of the layers described above with an organic solvent capable of dissolving the binder such as methyl ethyl ketone, xylene, or tetrahydrofuran, and each layer is sequentially coated. Just do it.

Alternatively, after mixing the materials constituting each layer, they may be heated and melted, and a so-called hot melt coating may be performed in the molten state.

Furthermore, the materials constituting each layer may be mixed and coated as an aqueous emulsion by adding a dispersant such as a surfactant, or each layer may be coated by a different method using these methods. The planar shape of the thermal transfer material used in the present invention is not particularly limited, but it is generally used in the form of a typewriter ribbon or a wide tape used for line printers. Ru.

As described above, according to the present invention, the heat application position by the heating element provided on the convex heating element surface of the thermal transfer material and the maximum pressure between the heating element and the thermal transfer material can be adjusted. By performing thermal transfer recording while changing the contact position relative to the contact position, the present invention provides a thermal transfer recording method that can record good double-pack images on plain paper, etc., and a heat generating member suitable for the same.

L cliff j Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to examples.

Note that the number average molecular weight of polyethylene oxide shown in Examples was measured by the following measuring method.

[Molecular weight measurement method]

VPO (Vapor Pressure
Osmometry Method)
For example, using benzene as a solvent, polyethylene oxide is mixed with 0.
2-1. Concentration (C) in the range of Og/100 intestine 1 benzene
are dissolved at several different points, the osmotic pressure (π/C) of each is measured, and the relationship between concentration C and osmotic pressure π/C is plotted. The osmotic pressure (π/C)o at infinite dilution is read from this plot, (π/C). Calculate the number average molecular weight Mn from the formula = RT / Mn.

"Ink 1" Polyethylene oxide aqueous dispersion 60 parts (average molecular weight: 5000, softening temperature: 140°C, particle size: lm) Ethylene-vinyl acetate resin aqueous dispersion 20 parts (softening point 105°C 1 particle size o, 5 gm) carbon black aqueous dispersion 20
(In addition, in the ":" and the following descriptions, the amount of dispersion, softening point, and particle size all indicate values for solid content.) Each component of the above formulation was thoroughly mixed to prepare ink 1. did.

This was coated on a polyethylene terephthalate film support (hereinafter referred to as PET) with a thickness of 6 ILm, and
The mixture was dried to form a first ink layer having a thickness of 3 m.

Ink? 〉 Carnauba wax wood dispersion 80 parts Temperature 7
7°), (particles 1glILm) Red pigment aqueous dispersion
20 parts silicone surfactant
0.1 part of the above ink 2 was applied onto the previously provided first ink layer, and moisture was released at 70° C. to form a second ink layer with a thickness of 3 pm.Thermal transfer material (I) I got it.

Ink 3 Polyamide resin aqueous dispersion 80 parts (softening temperature 90'C) Red pigment aqueous dispersion 20 parts Fluorine surfactant 0.1 part Ink 1 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1. After forming a first ink layer with ink 3, a second ink layer was formed with ink 3, and the thermal transfer material (II)
I got it.

Ink 4 Paraffin wax aqueous dispersion 100 parts (softening temperature 75°C) Fluorine surfactant 0.1 part Ink 5
〉 60 parts of acidified polyethylene wax aqueous dispersion (number average molecular weight: 2000°, softening point: 110°C, particle size: lILm) 20 parts of ethylene-vinyl acetate resin aqueous dispersion (softening point: 105°C, particle size: 0.5ILm) ) Cyanine blue aqueous dispersion
20 parts In the same manner as in Example 1, 2μ
Form a thick first ink layer, and then add 15g of ink 4.
A second adhesive layer with a thickness of m and a second ink layer with a thickness of 3 m were formed using ink 5 to obtain a thermal transfer material (m).

1 Presentation'' (Ink 6) Polyethylene oxide aqueous dispersion 100 parts (number average molecular weight: 5000, softening temperature: 140°C) Fluorine surfactant 0.1 part Thickness 6 pm
Coat ink 6 on the polyethylene film, dry it,
After forming the first adhesive layer with a thickness of 1.5 pm, a first ink layer with a thickness of 27 parts m was formed using ink 1 and 1.5 pm thick with ink 4.
A second adhesive layer with a thickness of 5 pm and a second ink layer with a thickness of 2#Lm were formed using ink 5 to obtain a thermal transfer material 1r).

<Ink 7> Polyethylene oxide aqueous dispersion 60 parts (a average molecular weight: 1800, softening point: 104°C1 particle size: 1 g, m) ethylene-
Vinyl acetate resin aqueous dispersion 40 parts (softening point: 105°C,
Particle size: 0.5 ILm) On the second ink layer of the thermal transfer material (IV) obtained in Example 4, ink 7 was further applied and dried to form a third adhesive layer. V) was obtained.

Printing was performed using an English typewriter (Typestar 6 manufactured by Canon Inc.). The thermal head has a shape (partially spherical shape with a radius of curvature of 2 mm) as shown in Figure 1 (a), (b) or Figure 3, and has a width of 140 lm located 1007 m behind the top of the heating element. The head was replaced with a ROHM Co., Ltd. head (prototype) equipped with a heating element, and the head was modified so that the pressing angle (Fig. 3) could be varied from 0 to 5 degrees. Further, the distance from the center of the heating element 5 to the terminal end 6b of the thermal head was 30 m.

When printing on high-quality paper using the thermal transfer material (I) at 0 = 5'', a black print was obtained, and when printing at θ = 2°, a beautiful red print was obtained, although there were some black spots. .

When printing was carried out in the same manner using the thermal transfer material (II), a more beautiful red printed image was obtained than when the thermal transfer material (I) was used.

When printing was performed using the thermal transfer material (m) at θ=5°, black printing was obtained, and stable and beautiful blue printing was obtained in the range of θ=θ to 4°. When printed using the thermal transfer material (TV) under the same conditions as the thermal transfer material (III), 0 =
The quality of black printing at 5° became extremely clear.

Printing was performed on high-quality paper and paperback paper (smoothness: 10 seconds) using a thermal transfer material (IV). An extremely clear black print was obtained at θ=5°, and a stable blue print image was obtained in the range of 0=0 to 4°. Furthermore, the print quality on pound paper was extremely close to the print quality on high-quality paper.

YoJJL2 <Ink 8> Polyethylene oxide water 1 solution 80 parts (number average molecular weight: 500Q.

Softening point: 140°C1 Particle size: 1gm) Ethylene-vinyl acetate resin aqueous dispersion 20 parts (Softening point: 95°C1 Particle size: 0.5pm) Fluorine surfactant 0
．． 1 part (Ink 9) Polyethylene oxide aqueous dispersion 80 parts (number average molecular weight: IBOO1, softening point: 105°C, particle size: lpm) Carbon blank aqueous dispersion 20 parts Fluorine surfactant 0.1? B (Ink 10) Carnauba wax aqueous dispersion 100 parts (softening point near 7°C) Base surfactant 0.1 part (Ink 1)
1) Oxidized polyethylene wood dispersion 60 parts (number average molecular weight: 2000° Softening temperature = 110°C5 particles 11:1 gm) Ethylene-
IlrI vinyl resin aqueous dispersion part (softening temperature: 1
05℃.

Particle i'-diameter = 0.5 pot m) Red pigment aqueous dispersion 20 parts Fluorine-based surfactant 0.1 part Ink 8 was applied to a polyethylene film L having a thickness of 6 ALm, dried, and 1.
After forming the second adhesive layer with a thickness of 2 gm, ink 9 was applied to the second adhesive layer.
A first ink layer having a thickness of gm was formed using ink 10, a second contact layer having a thickness of 1.5 gm, and a second ink layer having a thickness of 2.5 gm were formed using ink 11 to obtain a thermal transfer material (Vl).

1 shift 1] On the second ink layer of the thermal transfer material (Vl) obtained in Example 6, ink 7 was further coated and dried to form a third adhesive layer to form a thermal transfer material (VI[). Obtained.

When printing on L-page paper 1- using a thermal transfer material (Vl) at 0 = 5°, a clear black print was obtained, and a bright red print was obtained at θ = 0 to 4''. When printing on high quality paper and pound paper using material (■),
The print quality on pound paper was extremely close to the print quality on high-quality paper.

XJJ11 In the English typewriter, when the torsion coil spring that governs the pressing force of the thermal head against the platen during printing was changed from 8 Kg @ mm to 3 Kg @ mm, the pressing force of the thermal head was 200
The weight changed from 75g to 75g.

(...1) The suppression force is measured by using a tension gauge to pull back the thermal head that is in suppressing contact with the platen, and obtain the reading value of the tension gauge when the thermal head separates from the platen.)
Thermal transfer recording was performed using the thermal transfer material (ff) obtained in Example 4 described above. In this case, 0=5”, pressing force 20
When printing at 0g, a clear black print was obtained as before.
When printing was performed by changing the pressing force to 75 g, beautiful printing in one color could be obtained.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 9 are schematic cross-sectional views in the thickness direction of a thermal transfer material, and FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b) show an embodiment of the thermal transfer recording method of the present invention. FIGS. 2 and 7 to 9 show examples of the layer structure of the heat-sensitive transfer material used, respectively.
Is each of Figures 3 to 6 the origin of the present invention? % Indicates the composition of the members. l...First ink layer 2...Second ink layer 4a, 4b...Heating element 5.5a, 5b...Heating element 6...Heating member (6a...Support) 7. ...Platen 8...Recording medium 9a, 9b, 9c-Adhesive layer 10...Thermal transfer material support 100...Thermal transfer material ΩJ: Figure 1 (a), (b) Agent Saruwatari ζ o Male 4 @ 1 Figure (Q) gl 5 (b) 2 Figure Fan 3 Figure 1s 4 Figure I5 Figure g7 Figure 1K8 Figure ll9rl! J

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. On the support, from the support side, first
When the second ink layer of the thermal transfer material provided with an ink layer and a second ink layer is brought into contact with a recording medium and thermal energy is applied from the support side by a heating element according to recorded information, the heating element and the By applying thermal energy from the heating element while relatively varying the contact pressure with the support, the second ink layer or both the first and second ink layers are selectively applied to the recording medium. A thermal transfer recording method characterized by transferring to. 2. When the application of thermal energy from the heating element is performed when the contact pressure between the heating element and the support is relatively small, the second ink layer is transferred to the recording medium, and the application of thermal energy generates heat. Claim 1, characterized in that both the first ink layer and the second ink layer are transferred to the recording medium when the contact pressure between the element and the support is relatively large. The thermal transfer recording method described in section. 3. The application of the thermal energy is performed by using a heating element provided on a part of the heating element having a convex surface, by relatively changing the maximum contact position of the heating element and the position at which the heating element is applied. A thermal transfer recording method according to claim 1. 4. When the application of thermal energy from the heating element is performed downstream of the maximum contact position of the heating element in the running direction of the heating element, the second ink layer is transferred to the recording medium, and the thermal energy is applied. characterized in that both the first ink layer and the second ink layer are transferred to the recording medium when this is performed at the maximum contact position of the heating element or upstream in the relative running direction of the heating element with respect to the support. A thermal transfer recording method according to claim 3. 5. A heating element having a convex surface is held slidably relative to the thermal transfer material, and a heating element is provided on a part of the convex surface, and the maximum contact position of the heating element and the provision of the heating element are determined. 1. A heating member for thermal transfer recording, characterized in that the heating element is configured to be able to apply heat to a thermal transfer material by changing its position relative to the heating element. 6. The heating element has a convex surface on the supporting member, and the heating element is embedded in a part of the heating element, and the angle between the extending direction of the supporting member and the extending direction of the recording medium can be changed. A heat generating member according to claim 5, which comprises: 7. The heat generating member according to claim 5, wherein heat generating elements are provided at two positions on the convex surface of the heat generating body, and these heat generating elements are configured to be able to selectively generate heat. 8. The heat generating device according to claim 5, wherein heating elements each having a convex surface are provided at two positions on the support member, and heating elements are provided at relatively different positions on the convex surfaces of these heating elements. Element.