JPH07214930A - Thermal transfer sheet - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a thermal transfer sheet being a many-time printing type recording data showing the number of times of printing. CONSTITUTION:A lead tape 12 or end tape 11 composed of a reversible thermal sheet 20 is connected to one end of a many-type printing thermal transfer sheet 10 having a near end mark 30 provided to the central part thereof and the end tape 11 or lead tape 12 is connected to the other end thereof.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

The present invention relates to a thermal transfer sheet,
In particular, it relates to a thermal transfer sheet of a thermal transfer printer used as a hard copy output device such as a personal computer or a word processor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when printing an output print of a personal computer, a word processor or the like by a thermal transfer method, a thermal transfer sheet provided with a heat-meltable ink layer on one surface of a substrate sheet is often used.
These thermal transfer sheets have a thickness of 10 to 10 as a base sheet.
Paper such as condenser paper or paraffin paper having a thickness of about 30 μm or a plastic film having a thickness of about 3 to 20 μm such as polyester or cellophane is used, and one surface of the base sheet is coated with a pigment such as a heat-melting wax. Apply ink consisting of dyes and other color materials with a coating device,
A heat-fusible ink layer is provided. Then, from the back side of the base material sheet, heat the specified area with a thermal head.
Printing is performed by applying pressure and transferring the heat-meltable ink layer to a transfer material such as paper.

However, in such a conventional thermal transfer sheet, all of the heat-meltable ink layer of the portion pressed and heated by the thermal head is transferred to the transfer material by one use. Therefore, when reprinting was performed at the same location, the pattern had a missing portion. Therefore,
There is a problem that the consumption of the thermal transfer sheet is large and the running cost is high. To solve this problem,
Various thermal transfer sheets that can be used many times have been developed. For example, a layer in which a transfer amount adjusting layer made of a thermoplastic resin is provided on a heat-meltable ink layer to prevent the entire ink layer from being transferred in the first printing (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-2081).
No. 89). A resin layer containing a polycaprolactone-based polymer as a main component is formed between the base sheet and the heat-fusible ink layer to prevent the entire ink layer from being transferred in the first printing (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. HEI-2). ─45995). However, since the number of times printing is possible is limited in the multi-time printing ribbon, it is necessary to detect the number of times printing is performed with a thermal transfer printer to determine whether or not it can be used, and a thermal transfer sheet having a configuration that enables this has been devised. It was For example, each time a thermal transfer sheet end mark is detected, holes are sequentially formed in the sheet, the number of holes is counted, and a notification is given when the maximum number of uses is reached. Kaihei 3-9869). A claw for confirming the number of times of use of the multi-ink film is integrally molded in the cassette for storing the thermal transfer sheet, and the user can fold the claw after the multi-ink film has completed one cycle so that the number of times of use can be confirmed. ─178078 publication)
and so on. Further, the thermal transfer sheet is reciprocated and provided with two means to be detected (near end marks) at both ends in the longitudinal direction so that the thermal transfer sheet can be used many times (actual flat plate 2-13).
9755).

[0004]

The method of forming holes in order to express the number of times of printing on a thermal transfer sheet capable of printing many times is called wrinkling or cutting of the sheet when the transfer target is inserted. There was a problem. Further, the method of providing the mark on the cassette has a problem that it is not always accurate because it is forgotten to provide it. Since it is necessary to provide two end marks in order to perform printing a large number of times, the end mark manufacturing process must be performed twice, which increases manufacturing loss and ribbon cost. was there. Also, in the case where two near end marks are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction, two end mark forming devices are required, which not only increases the loss during manufacturing and increases the ribbon cost, but also confirms the number of times of use. It wasn't possible.

According to the present invention, the near-end mark of a thermal transfer sheet that can be printed many times can be manufactured at a low cost, and the number of times of printing can be accurately recorded without damaging the transfer sheet. A thermal transfer printer (hereinafter, the thermal transfer printer is simply referred to as a printer)
It is an object of the present invention to provide a thermal transfer sheet having the above-described detectable structure and a detecting means therefor.

[0006]

To achieve the above object, in a thermal transfer sheet of the present invention capable of printing many times, near-end marks are provided at both ends of the central portion in the running direction, and one end is The end tape, or the lead tape at the other end, or the ribbon in which the end tape is connected, and the end tape and the lead tape have a reversible thermosensitive recording layer.

[0007]

[Function] A multi-time printing thermal transfer sheet obtained by continuing a reversible heat-sensitive sheet (hereinafter simply referred to as a reversible heat-sensitive sheet) having a reversible heat-sensitive recording layer at the end of a multi-time printing thermal transfer sheet provided with a near end mark is When the printer detects that all printing is completed, the thermal head records data indicating the number of prints on the reversible thermosensitive film, and further,
Represents the number of prints of the multiple-print thermal transfer sheet recorded on the reversible heat-sensitive film when the printer detects that the near-end mark of all the multiple-print thermal transfer sheets that have run in the opposite direction has been printed. It records data. Then, by reading the record with a printer, it is possible to judge whether or not the thermal transfer sheet can be used. Also, the near-end mark provided at the center of the running direction of the end tape or the lead tape should be read by a single detection unit provided at the center of the printer in both the reciprocating direction because it is in the center. Is something that can be done.

The thermal transfer sheet of the present invention is capable of slitting a large number of printing thermal transfer sheets to a desired width and length, and at the same time,
The near end mark can be provided at the center of the end portion in the traveling direction by one end mark forming device. The forming method is not particularly limited to the ordinary gravure printing method, flexographic printing method, silk screen printing method, or marking with a thermal transfer ribbon. Further, it can be provided by one end mark forming device placed at a fixed position, which does not increase ribbon cost.

(Multi-Print Thermal Transfer Sheet) As shown in FIG. 1, the multi-print thermal transfer sheet of the present invention has an end formed of a reversible heat-sensitive film having the same width at the winding start and winding end of the multi-print thermal transfer sheet 10, respectively. The tape 11 or the lead tape 12 is provided so as to be connected at the joint portion 15.
As shown in FIG. 2, the multi-print thermal transfer sheet used in the present invention has a first ink layer 2 on one surface of a substrate sheet 1,
It has a heat-meltable ink layer composed of the second ink layer 3 thereon, and further, if necessary, a primer layer 4 is provided between the base sheet and the ink layer. The back surface layer 5 is provided on the surface. The base sheet 1 may be the same as the base sheet used in the conventional thermal transfer sheet, and is not particularly limited. Examples of preferable substrate sheets include plastics such as polyester, polypropylene, cellophane, polycarbonate, cellulose acetate, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, nylon, polyimide, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, fluororesin, chlorinated rubber, and ionomer. Paper such as film, condenser paper, paraffin paper,
Examples thereof include non-woven fabric, and may be a composite of any of these.

The thickness of the base sheet is appropriately selected depending on the material used so that the strength and thermal conductivity are appropriate, and is preferably about 2 to 25 μm, for example. Further, the back surface of the substrate film may be provided with a back surface layer 5 for preventing the thermal head from sticking and improving the slipperiness.

The heat-meltable ink layer is composed of two layers, and the first ink layer 2 is composed of a heat-meltable component as a binder and a coloring material, and various additives are added as necessary. Is.

Examples of the heat-meltable component include waxes such as microcrystalline wax, paraffin wax, various low-molecular-weight polyethylene, wood wax, carnauba wax, beeswax, spermaceti wax, ivowa wax and wool wax, fatty acid ester, fatty acid amide, polyamide, Thermoplastic compounds such as polyester and polyurethane are used. Among these, a thermoplastic substance or wax having a freezing point of 50 to 70 ° C. and a melt viscosity at 100 ° C. of 10 to 1000 mPas is particularly preferable.

The colorant can be appropriately selected from known organic or inorganic pigments or dyes. For example, it has a sufficient concentration, light resistance, heat resistance, and discoloration.
Those that do not fade are preferable. Further, it may be a substance that develops a color by heating or a substance that develops a color by coming into contact with a component applied to the surface of the transfer target. Further, the color material is not limited to cyan, magenta, yellow and black, and colorants of various colors can be appropriately selected and used. Incidentally, in order to stabilize the adhesion between the base sheet and the first ink layer, the first ink layer may be provided via a primer layer, if necessary. The primer may be composed of an acrylic resin, a vinyl-based copolymer, a polyester resin, a urethane resin or the like, and the thickness thereof may be the minimum that forms a layer, and usually 0.1 to 1 It is preferably about 0.0 g / m ² .

The resin used as the binder of the second ink layer provided on the first ink layer is a supercooling resin which is incompatible with the wax used in the first ink layer and has a melting point of 58 to 75 ° C. Those having a freezing point in the range of 20 to 55 ° C are preferable. More specifically, the average molecular weight is 100
It is in the range of 0 to 40,000, preferably 5000 to 30000, and the melt viscosity at 100 ° C. is 100 to 3000.
The one in the range of 0 mPas is the first of the appropriate amount at the time of thermal transfer.
Suitable for exuding the ink layer. Examples include polyesters such as polycaprolactone, polyethylene glycols, and silicone modified products thereof.

The coloring material used for the second ink layer is the above-mentioned first coloring material.
The same thing as what is used for an ink layer can be mentioned.

To form such an ink layer, the wax component which is the binder of the first ink layer is heated and melted,
A coating solution in which a coloring material is dispersed is applied onto a substrate sheet by a hot melt coating method to form a first ink layer, and then a supercooling resin and a coloring material as a binder of the second ink layer are added to methyl ethyl ketone and acetic acid. A second ink layer is formed by applying and drying a coating solution dissolved in a polar solvent such as ethyl having a low solubility in wax, which is the main component of the first ink layer, by a gravure coating method or the like. It should be noted that this is an example of a multiple-printing thermal transfer sheet, and in addition to this, a multiple-printing thermal transfer sheet as shown in the prior art can also be used.

[0017]

【Example】

[Example 1] (Multi-time thermal transfer transfer sheet) As a base sheet 1, a back surface layer 5 having the following composition was formed on one surface of a polyethylene terephthalate film (Lumirror manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc.) having a thickness of 6 µm, and On the surface, a primer having the following composition was provided by a gravure coating method, and a first ink layer 2 and a second ink layer 3 were sequentially provided by a guaia coating method to obtain a thermal transfer sheet. The coating amount in terms of solid matter was 0.3 g / m ² , 2 g / m ² , 3 g / m ^{2 respectively.}
A thermal transfer sheet of the same type was formed. The first ink layer also softens the primer layer by the heat applied when it is applied by the hot melt coating method, but maintains the form as a layer. Since the ink for the second ink layer is a solvent type of MEK, MEK does not dissolve the waxes which are the main components of the first ink layer, so that the first
The ink layer can maintain the form as a layer. The thus obtained multi-pass printing thermal transfer sheet was slit into a desired width and length, and a thermal transfer ribbon was formed at the center of the end in the running direction,
A near end mark 30 is provided. (Composition of primer) 15 parts by weight of melamine resin filler (Eposta S manufactured by Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.) 15 parts by weight of polyester resin (Elitel 3200 manufactured by Unitika Ltd.) 48 parts by weight of toluene 22 parts by weight of MEK Composition of coating liquid for ink layer] ・ Carbon black (Diamond Black manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Co., Ltd.) 7 parts by weight ・ Ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer (Evaflex 310 manufactured by Mitsui Polychemical Co., Ltd.) 10 parts by weight ・ Carnauba wax 9 parts by weight Paraffin wax (freezing point = 70 ° C., melt viscosity = 80 mPas) 70 parts by weight [composition of coating solution for second ink layer] carbon black (diamond black manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation) 3 parts by weight Praxel H1P (Supercooling component) (manufactured by Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd., freezing point = 30 ° C.) 21 parts by weight Ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer ( It made well Polychemical Co. Evaflex 45X) 2 parts · MEK 74 parts by weight

(Reversible Heat Sensitive Sheet) The reversible heat sensitive sheet 20 provided with the reversible heat sensitive layer of the present invention is used for the lead tape 12 and the end tape 11 as shown in FIG. 1, and in FIG. Base sheet 1L as shown
The reversible thermosensitive recording layer 2L is provided on one surface. If necessary, a primer layer 4L is provided between the base sheet and the reversible thermosensitive recording layer, a protective layer 3L is provided on the surface of the reversible thermosensitive recording layer, and a back layer 5L is provided on the other surface of the base sheet. To form. The base sheet may be the same as the base sheet used for the conventional thermal transfer sheet, and is not particularly limited. Preferred substrate sheets are polyester, polypropylene, cellophane, polycarbonate, cellulose acetate, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride,
Polystyrene, nylon, polyimide, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, fluororesin, chlorinated rubber,
Examples include plastic sheets such as ionomers, condenser paper, papers such as paraffin paper, and non-woven fabrics.
Further, it may be a substrate sheet that is a composite of any of these. The thickness of such a base sheet can be appropriately selected so that the strength is appropriate according to the material used, and for example, about 2 to 30 μm is preferable.

The reversible thermosensitive recording layer 2L is a recording layer capable of continuously changing from a transparent state to a cloudy state depending on its temperature history. Usually, when heated to a white turbidity temperature T ₂ or higher higher than the specific temperature T ₀ and then cooled to a temperature T ₀ or lower, a white turbid state is obtained, and in the white turbid state, a transparent temperature T ₁ between T ₀ and T ₂ is reached. A transparent state is obtained when heated and then cooled to T ₀ or lower. The specific temperature T ₀ is a temperature at which the recorded state does not change at T ₀ or less, and the cloudiness temperature T ₂ is a temperature at which the cloudiness is saturated to the maximum cloudiness at T ₂ or more and is transparent. The temperature T ₁ is a temperature at which the degree of transparency is changed to the maximum.

As a recording material having such a property, there is a material called a low-molecular / high-polymer matrix system. For example, an organic low-molecular compound is dispersed in a high-molecular material such as polyester or polyvinyl chloride in a matrix form. It is a thing. Organic low molecular weight compounds include alcohols, glycols, halogenated alcohols, halogenated glycols,
Alkylamines, saturated hydrocarbons, olefinic hydrocarbons, acetylene hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons, halogenated olefinic hydrocarbons, halogenated acetylenic hydrocarbons, cyclosaturated hydrocarbons, cycloolefinic hydrocarbons, saturated or There are unsaturated monocarboxylic acids, saturated or unsaturated dicarboxylic acids and their esters, amides and ammonium salts. Halogenated allyl carboxylic acids, or their esters, amides, ammonium salts, thioalcohols, thiocarboxylic acids, and their esters, amides and ammonium salts, carboxylic acid esters of thioalcohols, etc., either alone or in mixture. can do.

The polymer matrix material is polyester, polyamide, polyacrylate, polymethacrylate, silicone resin or the like. As the auxiliary material, a vinylidene chloride copolymer such as polyvinylidene chloride-acrylonitrile copolymer, polyvinyl chloride, vinyl chloride / vinyl acetate copolymer, vinyl chloride copolymer,
A vinyl acetate-based copolymer, polyester, a mixture thereof, or the like can be used.

As a method of dispersing the organic low molecular weight compound in the polymer matrix material, a polymer matrix material and a monomer, oligomer or prepolymer of the organic low molecular weight compound or a material obtained by combining them are mixed and dispersed and then polymerized. Method of reacting, method of dispersing organic low molecular weight compound in the state of heating polymer matrix substance above melting temperature, dissolving polymer matrix substance in organic solvent, evaporating and drying organic solvent after dispersing organic low molecular weight compound Any method such as a method of doing can be adopted.
At this time, in the polymer matrix material, the organic low-molecular weight compound does not form a completely molten state, but is in a phase-separated state, and the organic low-molecular weight compound exists as a fine particle state in the polymer matrix material. It is what Extrusion coating of the material thus mixed and dispersed,
By coating on the base material sheet with a coating device such as hot melt coat, roll coat, gravure coat,
A reversible heat-sensitive sheet can be manufactured.

As shown in FIG. 1, the reversible heat-sensitive sheet thus obtained was provided with a rear layer of the reversible heat-sensitive sheet and a large number of layers at the end of the multi-printable thermal transfer sheet provided with a near end mark in the center. The back surface layer of the thermal transfer sheet for printing is placed on the same surface as the back surface layer, and is adhered with an adhesive tape or the like. The near-end mark can be provided by a printing method such as gravure printing, flexo printing, silk screen printing, or by foil stamping with a transfer film having aluminum vapor deposition. Then, the end tape, the heat transfer sheet capable of printing many times, and the lead tape are wound around the core in this order, and the heat transfer sheet housed in the cassette is manufactured to be completed in a form usable by a printer.

(Detection of Number of Prints) Next, an example of a mechanism for detecting the number of prints by using the thermal transfer sheet having the above-described structure will be described with reference to FIG. After printing the thermal transfer sheet a number of times, the printer detects the end with the near end mark and then prints 1 times on the reversible thermosensitive film provided as an end tape.
The print mark 21 is made by the thermal head to indicate the time. First return, after printing the thermal transfer sheet many times again and after the printer detects another end with the near end mark, initially the reversible thermosensitive film provided as the lead tape returns to the reversible thermosensitive sheet with the thermal head. The print mark 22 representing the number of times of printing of is recorded. At this time, it is preferable to distinguish the forward pass and the return pass by a method of providing a notched core as shown in FIG. 5 on one core of the thermal transfer sheet. Second pass, multiple prints After printing all the thermal transfer sheets and the printer detects the end, when the printer sensor detects the data indicating the number of prints recorded on the reversible thermosensitive film, the printer prints once this time. The printer can determine that it is the second outbound path since the data representing the above is recorded, and then the print mark 22 indicating the number of times of printing is recorded on the thermoreversible thermosensitive sheet by the thermal head. By repeating this, the print marks 23, 24, 25, ... Are marked to detect that the printer has reached the specified number of prints. Then, the result can be notified to the user by a warning display or the like.

(Function of Assisting Detection of Number of Printings) As a function of assisting detection of the number of printings provided in the thermal transfer sheet of the present invention, it is sufficient if the supply side and the winding side can be identified, and the means is mechanical or magnetic. Optical or optical means may be used. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the recesses and protrusions provided on the core on the supply side or the winding side, the near-end mark of the present invention previously provided on the reversible thermosensitive film, and the cassette for setting the thermal transfer sheet are provided. Identification notch 3
1 and so on.

(One Example of Print Count Detection Unit After Printing and Printer Equipped with It) Next, an example of print number detection unit after printing and a printer equipped with this will be described. In the thermal transfer sheet of the present invention, which is provided with a reversible heat-sensitive sheet at the end of the thermal transfer sheet capable of multiple printing, printing is performed by providing a notch on one core as shown in FIG. 5 as a function of assisting detection of the number of times of printing. It is possible to distinguish whether the number of times is an odd number or an even number. As the notch detecting means, a limit switch can be used, or another contact or non-contact sensor can be used. When a notch is detected, 0 is added to the count value of the counter, and when a notch is not detected, 1 is added to the count value of the counter.

As a means for detecting the end of the thermal transfer sheet,
Uses a light transmissive sensor that consists of a light emitting and receiving unit,
Detects the difference in the amount of transmitted light at the end of a thermal transfer sheet that can be printed multiple times. This sensor, as shown in FIG.
Two pieces are provided so that both ends in the width direction of the thermal transfer sheet can be detected, and when two sensors simultaneously detect that they are transparent, they are identified as the ends. When the end of the thermal transfer sheet is reached, the printer records data indicating the number of prints with the thermal head. In this data, the print marks 21 to 25 as shown in FIG. 2 are recorded as a pattern.

Table 1 shows the count value and the total value given by the presence or absence of notches and the number of patterns recorded on the thermoreversible thermosensitive film.

[0029]

[Table 1]

Although the method of detecting the number of times of printing by adding the mark has been described above, the reversible thermosensitive sheet can erase the written information and repeatedly perform rewriting. With this function, the thermal transfer sheet of the present invention is not limited to simply displaying a mark, but if the numbers of the number of times of printing such as “print once”, “print twice”, and “print end” are written, the thermal transfer sheet The number of prints can be read directly by a person without using it by setting it in the printer. Further, by using the above reversible thermosensitive sheet, unlike the irreversible thermosensitive coloring sheet, these character information can be repeated, erased and rewritten, so that new information can be recorded and displayed in the same portion. For example, "High print quality", "Low print quality",
It is possible to display the print quality such as “printable for customer” or “for document for review”. Needless to say, the features of the present invention that allows new information to be recorded and displayed in the same portion are not limited to the above, and can be applied in various ways.

[0031]

In the end detection method for a multi-print thermal transfer sheet, by combining the near end mark and the reversible heat-sensitive sheet, when the multi-print thermal transfer sheet is completely printed, the printer detects it and the thermal head The number of times of printing is recorded on the reversible heat sensitive sheet by the
The printer can detect it, and the printer can read the number of printings of the multiple times printed thermal transfer sheet recorded on the reversible thermosensitive sheet, and the number of printings of the thermal transfer sheet can be detected. Whether or not to use can be determined.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a thermal transfer sheet in which a reversible thermosensitive sheet and a multi-printed thermal transfer sheet provided with a near end mark are joined together.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a cross section of a multi-print sheet in which a near end mark is provided at an end in the traveling direction.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a cross section of a reversible thermosensitive sheet.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a thermal transfer sheet of the present invention after recording data representing the number of times of printing on a thermoreversible thermosensitive sheet with a thermal head. (a) A thermoreversible heat-sensitive sheet provided with a marking after printing once. (b) A thermoreversible thermosensitive sheet provided with markings after printing twice. (c) A thermoreversible heat-sensitive sheet provided with markings after printing three times. (d) A thermoreversible heat-sensitive sheet provided with markings after printing four times. (e) A thermoreversible thermosensitive sheet provided with markings after printing five times.

FIG. 5 is a diagram in which a thermal transfer sheet is provided with a winding core that assists detection of the number of times of printing.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a sensor for reading the number of prints recorded on a reversible thermosensitive sheet.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Base material sheet 1L Reversible heat sensitive film base material sheet 2 1st ink layer 2L Reversible heat sensitive layer 3 2nd ink layer 3L Reversible heat sensitive sheet protective layer 4 Primer layer 4L Reversible heat sensitive sheet primer layer 5 Back layer 5L Back layer of reversible heat-sensitive sheet 10 Multiple-time printing sheet 11 End tape 12 Lead tape 15 Joint part 20 Reversible heat-sensitive sheet 21-25 Print mark after printing 1 to 5 times 30 Near end mark 31 Notched core 41 42 Sensor 43 Light emitting unit 44 Light receiving unit

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI technical display location B41J 35/36 B41M 5/36

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A thermal transfer sheet capable of printing a large number of times, provided with near-end marks at both ends of a central portion in the traveling direction, and an end tape or a lead tape at one end and a lead tape at the other end, or A thermal transfer sheet that features a ribbon that connects end tapes. 2. A thermal transfer sheet, wherein the end tape and the lead tape according to claim 1 have a reversible thermosensitive recording layer.