Intermediate transfer medium

Abstract

This invention provides a technology that reduces the likelihood of transfer defects when transferring a portion of the transfer material layer from an intermediate transfer medium to a printing substrate. [Solution] The intermediate transfer medium 60A comprises a substrate and a transfer material layer 62A that is peelably supported by the substrate and on which an image is recorded by a transfer method, wherein the transfer material layer 62A includes a release layer 621 provided on the substrate to promote the peeling of the transfer material layer 62A from the substrate and a plurality of protective layers 622 arranged spaced apart from each other on the release layer 621.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an intermediate transfer medium.

Background Art

[0002] Many personal authentication media such as passports and identification (ID) cards are issued by printing and typing with a printer. Some printers used for manufacturing printed matter such as personal authentication media employ an intermediate transfer method.

[0003] In the intermediate transfer method, a part of the transfer material layer is transferred from the intermediate transfer medium to the printing substrate. Therefore, in a printed matter obtained by using the intermediate transfer method, a part of the transfer material layer constitutes a part of the surface of the printed matter. Therefore, it is required that the transfer material layer achieves high durability against external factors such as physical stress. Patent Document 1 describes an intermediate transfer medium that achieves excellent durability.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The inventors of the present invention have found that when the above-mentioned durability is enhanced, the foil cutting property of the transfer material layer deteriorates. Specifically, when a transfer material part as a part of the transfer material layer is transferred from the intermediate transfer medium to the printing substrate, transfer defects such as burrs with a large protruding length and trailing occur at the end of the transfer material part.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that makes it difficult to cause transfer defects when transferring a part of the transfer material layer from the intermediate transfer medium to the printing substrate.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, an intermediate transfer medium is provided, comprising a substrate and a transfer material layer that is peelably supported by the substrate and on which an image is recorded by a transfer method, wherein the transfer material layer is provided on the substrate and includes a release layer that promotes the peeling of the transfer material layer from the substrate and a plurality of first protective layers arranged spaced apart from each other on the release layer.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, an intermediate transfer medium is provided in which the substrate has a strip shape and the plurality of first protective layers are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the substrate.

[0009] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, each of the plurality of first protective layers is provided with an intermediate transfer medium relating to the surface that extends across the entire width of the substrate.

[0010] Alternatively, according to yet another aspect of the present invention, each of the plurality of first protective layers provides an intermediate transfer medium relating to the side spaced apart from the edge of the substrate.

[0011] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, an intermediate transfer medium is provided relating to the above aspect, wherein the transfer material layer further includes a pair of adjacent strip-shaped layers, each extending in the longitudinal direction of the substrate and sandwiching the plurality of first protective layers between them on the release layer.

[0012] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, an intermediate transfer medium is provided wherein the plurality of first protective layers comprises an acrylic polyol resin cured by reaction with an isocyanate, the equivalent ratio NCO / OH of the isocyanate groups of the isocyanate to the hydroxyl groups of the acrylic polyol resin is in the range of 1.0 to 4.0, and the indentation hardness measured by nanoindation from the surface side of the transfer material layer is 0.26 GPa or more.

[0013] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, an intermediate transfer medium is provided relating to the above aspect, wherein the plurality of first protective layers comprises at least one of a polyester resin and an epoxy resin, and the total amount of the polyester resin and the epoxy resin in the plurality of first protective layers is within the range of 1 part by mass or more and 30 parts by mass or less per 100 parts by mass of the acrylic polyol resin in the plurality of first protective layers.

[0014] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the plurality of first protective layers are provided as an intermediate transfer medium relating to any of the above aspects, comprising a filler.

[0015] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, an intermediate transfer medium is provided relating to any of the above aspects, wherein the plurality of first protective layers have a thickness in the range of 0.5 μm to 20 μm.

[0016] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, an intermediate transfer medium according to any of the above aspects is provided, wherein the transfer material layer further includes an image receiving layer as the outermost surface layer.

[0017] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, an intermediate transfer medium is provided which further includes, in any of the above aspects, a transfer material layer comprising a relief layer having a relief structure on its surface, covering the release layer with the plurality of first protective layers sandwiched in between; a reflective layer covering the surface of the relief layer; and a plurality of second protective layers facing the plurality of first protective layers with the reflective layer and the relief layer sandwiched in between, and arranged spaced apart from each other in correspondence with the plurality of first protective layers.

[0018] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, an intermediate transfer medium is provided wherein the plurality of second protective layers include an acrylic polyol resin cured by reaction with a polyisocyanate, the equivalent ratio NCO / OH of the isocyanate groups of the polyisocyanate to the hydroxyl groups of the acrylic polyol resin is in the range of 1.0 to 4.0, and the indentation hardness measured from the surface side of the transfer material layer by nanoindation is 0.26 GPa or more.

[0019] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, an intermediate transfer medium is provided relating to the above aspect, wherein the plurality of second protective layers comprises at least one of a polyester resin and an epoxy resin, and the total amount of the polyester resin and the epoxy resin in the plurality of second protective layers is within the range of 1 part by mass or more and 30 parts by mass or less per 100 parts by mass of the acrylic polyol resin in the plurality of second protective layers.

[0020] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the plurality of second protective layers are provided as an intermediate transfer medium relating to any of the above aspects, which includes a filler.

[0021] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, an intermediate transfer medium relating to any of the above aspects is provided, wherein the sum of the thicknesses of the plurality of first protective layers and the thicknesses of the plurality of second protective layers is in the range of 0.5 μm to 20 μm.

[0022] A method for manufacturing a printed material is provided, comprising recording an image on the surface of the transfer material layer provided in an intermediate transfer medium according to any of the above aspects by a transfer method, and then transferring the transfer material portion as part of the transfer material layer from the intermediate transfer medium to a printing substrate, wherein the transfer of the transfer material portion is performed such that at least a portion of one of the plurality of first protective layers is located in the center of the transfer material portion, and the transfer material portion has an area at its peeling end that does not include any portion of the plurality of first protective layers.

[0023] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method for manufacturing a printed material is provided, in which the transfer of the transfer material portion is performed such that the end portion on the peeling end side does not include any portion of the plurality of first protective layers.

[0024] According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printer system including a primary transfer unit that records an image by a transfer method onto the surface of the transfer material layer included in the intermediate transfer medium according to any one of the above aspects, and a secondary transfer unit that transfers a transfer material portion as a part of the transfer material layer from the intermediate transfer medium to a printing substrate. The secondary transfer unit performs the transfer of the transfer material portion such that at least a part of one of the plurality of first protective layers is located at the center of the transfer material portion, and the transfer material portion has a region that does not include any part of the plurality of first protective layers at an end on the peeling end side.

[0025] According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printer system according to the above aspect, in which the secondary transfer unit performs the transfer of the transfer material portion such that the end on the peeling end side does not include any part of the plurality of first protective layers.

[0026] According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printed matter including a printing substrate and a transfer material portion provided on the printing substrate and having an image recorded on a surface on the printing substrate side. The transfer material portion includes a peeling layer and a protective layer interposed between the peeling layer and the printing substrate. At least a part of the protective layer is located at the center of the transfer material portion, and the transfer material portion has a region that does not include any part of the protective layer at at least one end thereof.

Advantages of the Invention

[0027] According to the present invention, there is provided a technique that makes it difficult to cause transfer defects when transferring a part of a transfer material layer from an intermediate transfer medium to a printing substrate.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a printer that can be used in a method for manufacturing a printed matter according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a printer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a top view of an intermediate transfer medium according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the thermal transfer medium in Figure 3 along line IV-IV. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a top view showing an example of a printing substrate that can be used in a method for manufacturing printed materials according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a top view showing an example of a printed material that can be manufactured by a method according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a top view of the intermediate transfer medium according to the first modified example. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a top view of the intermediate transfer medium according to the second modified example. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a top view of the intermediate transfer medium according to the third modified example. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate transfer medium according to the fourth modified example. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate transfer mediums related to Comparative Examples 1 and 2. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate transfer medium according to Comparative Example 3. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate transfer mediums related to Comparative Examples 4 and 5. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0029] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are more specific to any of the above aspects. The matters described below can be incorporated into each of the above aspects, individually or in combination.

[0030] Furthermore, the embodiments shown below illustrate configurations for realizing the technical concept of the present invention, and the technical concept of the present invention is not limited by the material, shape, and structure of the components described below. Various modifications can be made to the technical concept of the present invention within the technical scope defined by the claims described in the patent claims.

[0031] Elements with similar or identical functions are given the same reference numerals in the drawings referenced below, and redundant explanations are omitted. Furthermore, the drawings are schematic, and the relationships between dimensions in one direction and those in another, and the relationships between the dimensions of one component and those of other components, may differ from reality.

[0032] <1> Printer system Figure 1 shows an example of a printer that can be used in a method for manufacturing printed materials according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] The printer 100 shown in Figure 1 is an indirect transfer type thermal transfer printer. This printer 100 includes unwinding devices 30 and 70, winding devices 40 and 80, a primary transfer unit 50, a secondary transfer unit 90, a transport device (not shown), and a processing / control device (not shown).

[0034] The unwinding device 30 is equipped with a wound thermal transfer medium 10. Here, the thermal transfer medium 10 is a film. The unwinding device 30 includes a shaft that rotatably supports a roll made of the thermal transfer medium 10. The unwinding device 30 enables the unwinding of the thermal transfer medium 10. The unwinding device 30 may further include a brake to adjust the tension applied to the unwinded thermal transfer medium 10.

[0035] The winding device 40 winds up the thermal transfer medium 10 that has been unwound from the unwinding device 30 and passed through the primary transfer section 50. The winding device 40 is equipped with a winding motor.

[0036] The unwinding device 70 is equipped with a wound intermediate transfer medium 60. Here, the intermediate transfer medium 60 is a film. The intermediate transfer medium includes a base material and a transfer material layer provided on one of its main surfaces. The unwinding device 70 includes a shaft that rotatably supports a roll made of the intermediate transfer medium 60 and a motor that rotates the shaft in forward / reverse directions. The unwinding device 70 enables the unwinding and unwinding of the intermediate transfer medium 60.

[0037] The winding device 80 winds up the intermediate transfer medium 60 that has been unwound by the unwinding device 70 and passed through the primary transfer section 50 and the secondary transfer section 90. The winding device 80 is equipped with a shaft for winding up the intermediate transfer medium 60 and a motor for rotating the shaft.

[0038] The primary transfer unit 50 includes a thermal print head 51, a platen roller 52, a laser (not shown), and a plurality of optical sensors (not shown). The thermal print head 51 and the platen roller 52 are positioned facing each other, with the thermal transfer medium 10 unwound from the unwinding device 30 and the intermediate transfer medium 60 unwound from the unwinding device 70 in between. The thermal print head 51 applies heat and pressure to the thermal transfer medium 10 to cause ink transfer from the thermal transfer medium 10 to the intermediate transfer medium 60. The laser irradiates the thermal transfer medium 10 and the intermediate transfer medium 60 with laser light. The optical sensors detect the intensity of the laser light that has passed through the thermal transfer medium 10 or the laser light reflected by the thermal transfer medium 10. Other optical sensors detect the intensity of the laser light that has passed through the intermediate transfer medium 60 or the laser light reflected by the intermediate transfer medium 60. The outputs of these optical sensors are used for aligning the thermal transfer medium 10 and the intermediate transfer medium 60 with respect to the thermal print head 51, etc. The primary transfer unit 50 may include an imaging device instead of a laser and optical sensor. The imaging device may be used to image the thermal transfer medium 10 and the intermediate transfer medium 60, and the resulting image may be used for aligning the thermal transfer medium 10 and the intermediate transfer medium 60 with respect to the thermal print head 51, etc.

[0039] The secondary transfer unit 90, together with the primary transfer unit 50, constitutes the transfer unit. The secondary transfer unit 90 includes a heat roller 91, a platen roller 92, and an imaging device (not shown). The heat roller 91 and the platen roller 92 are positioned facing each other with the intermediate transfer medium 60, which is fed from the primary transfer unit 50, and the printing substrate 20 in between. The heat roller 91 applies heat and pressure to the intermediate transfer medium 60, causing the transfer of the laminate of the ink layer and the transfer material portion as part of the transfer material layer from the intermediate transfer medium 60 to the printing substrate 20. The imaging device images the intermediate transfer medium 60. The image acquired by this imaging device is used to align the intermediate transfer medium 60 with respect to the printing substrate 20.

[0040] The conveying device conveys the printing substrate 20 to the secondary transfer section 90. The conveying device may include one or more conveying rollers, one or more conveying belts, or a combination thereof, and a motor to drive them.

[0041] The processing and control unit can control the operation of the unwinding devices 30 and 70, the winding devices 40 and 80, the primary transfer unit 50, the secondary transfer unit 90, and the transport device based on the output from the optical sensor and the imaging device. The processing and control unit includes a central processing unit, a main memory, and an auxiliary memory, similar to the computer main unit 310 described later. The processing and control performed by the processing and control unit will be described in detail later.

[0042] Figure 2 is a block diagram of a printer system according to one embodiment of the present invention. The printer system shown in Figure 2 includes the printer 100 described above and the computer 300.

[0043] The computer 300 includes a computer main unit 310, a network device 320, an input device 330, a display device 340, and a network device 350 connected to the printer 100.

[0044] The computer main unit 310 includes a central processing unit 311, a main memory 312, and an auxiliary memory 313.

[0045] The central processing unit 311 is a large-scale integrated circuit and includes an arithmetic unit 311A ​​and a control unit 311B. The arithmetic unit 311A ​​performs arithmetic operations such as logical operations and basic arithmetic operations. The control unit 311B decodes the instructions to be executed and controls the operation of each device. Specifically, it receives commands and information sent from the input device 330 and the network device 320, and controls the operation of the arithmetic unit 311A, the main memory 312, the auxiliary memory 313, and the network device 350.

[0046] The main memory 312 temporarily stores information to be processed, programs, and calculation results. The main memory 312 can be composed of a volatile memory chip and a memory controller. A specific example of volatile memory is random access memory.

[0047] The auxiliary storage device 313 is a non-volatile storage device. The auxiliary storage device 313 is capable of storing programs and various data for long periods. Specifically, the auxiliary storage device 313 is a magnetic storage device or a flash memory storage device. The auxiliary storage device 313 may include one or more hard disk drives and solid-state drives.

[0048] The network device 320 enables wired or wireless connection between the computer 300 and external devices. The computer main unit 310 receives information from external devices via the network device 320. External devices include, for example, a digital camera or a flash memory storage device.

[0049] The input device 330 is for inputting commands and information to the computer main unit 310 through operator operation. The input device 330 is a human interface. The input device 330 can consist of one or more of a keyboard, mouse, touchpad, touch panel, and voice input device.

[0050] The display device 340 displays the results of calculations performed by the central processing unit 311. The operator performs operations according to the display. The display device 340 can be a flat panel display.

[0051] The network device 350 enables wired or wireless connection between the computer 300 and the printer 100. The computer unit 310 transmits data and commands to the printer 100 via the network device 350.

[0052] <2> Thermal transfer medium The thermal transfer medium 10 is a thermal transfer ribbon. The thermal transfer medium 10 includes a substrate, a plurality of panel units, alignment marks, and position detection marks.

[0053] The substrate is a film or sheet having a strip shape. The substrate has sufficient resistance to heat during transfer. The substrate can be a polymer film. As this substrate, the substrate exemplified as the substrate for the intermediate transfer medium 60 can be used.

[0054] The panel units are arranged along the length of the substrate on one main surface of the substrate. The panel units are equal in dimensions along the length of the substrate.

[0055] Each panel unit contains multiple panel sections arranged along the length of the substrate. These panel sections are, for example, ink layers of different colors.

[0056] Alignment marks and position detection marks are provided on the substrate. Alignment marks and position detection marks are sensor marks. Specifically, alignment marks and position detection marks are marks that can be read optically and distinguished from each other.

[0057] Position detection marks can be provided at a frequency of once per panel unit. The relative positions of position detection marks with respect to adjacent panel units are equal between position detection marks.

[0058] Alignment marks are provided in panel sections other than those adjacent to the position detection marks. The relative positions of the alignment marks with respect to adjacent panel sections are equal between the alignment marks.

[0059] <3> Intermediate transfer medium Figure 3 is a top view of an intermediate transfer medium according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the thermal transfer medium of Figure 3 along the line IV-IV.

[0060] The intermediate transfer medium 60A shown in Figures 3 and 4 is an example of the intermediate transfer medium 60 used in the printer 100 described with reference to Figure 1. In this case, the intermediate transfer medium 60A has a strip shape. Such an intermediate transfer medium 60A can be distributed in a rolled form. In Figures 3 and 4, arrow MD indicates the transport direction (forward direction) of the intermediate transfer medium 60 from the unwinding device 70 to the winding device 80 in the printer 100 shown in Figure 1.

[0061] The intermediate transfer medium 60A includes a base material 61 and a transfer material layer 62A. The base material 61 is, in this case, a film or sheet having a strip shape. The base material 61 has sufficient resistance to heat during transfer.

[0062] The base material 61 can be a polymer film. Examples of this base material include films made from plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polypropylene, cellophane, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyimide, nylon, and polyvinylidene chloride, as well as papers such as condenser paper and paraffin paper. Particularly preferred are polyester films such as polyethylene terephthalate film and polyethylene naphthalate film. The thickness of the base material 61 is preferably within the range of 3 μm to 100 μm.

[0063] The transfer material layer 62A is peelably supported by the substrate 61. An image is recorded on the surface of the transfer material layer 62A, i.e., the back surface of the surface supported by the substrate 61, by a transfer method.

[0064] As shown in Figure 3, the transfer material layer 62A includes a transfer material portion 62T, which is the portion transferred from the intermediate transfer medium 60 to the printing substrate 20. The transfer material portions 62T are arranged spaced apart from each other on the substrate 61. Here, the transfer material portions 62T are arranged spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the substrate 61. Also, each of the transfer material portions 62T is spaced apart from the edge of the substrate 61. The transfer material portion 62T has a dimension L1 in the longitudinal direction of the intermediate transfer medium 60 and a dimension W1 in the width direction of the intermediate transfer medium 60. In Figure 3, the outline of the transfer material portion 62T is shown by a dashed line, but the actual intermediate transfer medium 60A may or may not have features that allow the outline of the transfer material portion 62T to be identified.

[0065] As shown in Figure 4, the transfer material layer 62A includes a release layer 621 and a plurality of protective layers 622.

[0066] The release layer 621 is provided on the substrate 61 and promotes the peeling of the transfer material layer 62A from the substrate 61. The release layer 621 is a continuous, strip-shaped film that extends in the longitudinal direction of the substrate 61. Here, the release layer 621 covers the entire surface of one side of the substrate 61. The release layer 621 does not need to cover the peripheral edges of one side of the substrate 61, as long as it covers the central part in the width direction of that side.

[0067] The release layer 621 can be obtained by coating one side of the substrate 61 with a resin composition and curing the coating film. As the material for the release layer 621, a thermoplastic resin, a thermosetting resin, or an ultraviolet or electron beam curable resin can be used. From the viewpoint of flexibility and foil tearability, a thermoplastic resin is preferred. As the material for the release layer 621, for example, thermoplastic polyacrylic acid ester resin, chlorinated rubber resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin, cellulose resin, chlorinated polypropylene resin, epoxy resin, polyester resin, nitrocellulose resin, styrene acrylate resin, polyether resin, and polycarbonate resin can be used individually or in combination.

[0068] The release layer 621 may further contain one or more of the following for the purpose of improving foil tearability and abrasion resistance: various waxes such as petroleum-based waxes and plant-based waxes, metal salts of higher fatty acids such as stearic acid, lubricants such as silicone oil, organic fillers such as Teflon® powder, polyethylene powder, silicone-based fine particles, acrylonitrile-based fine particles, and inorganic fillers such as silica fine particles. The thickness of the release layer 621 is preferably within the range of 0.1 μm to 5 μm.

[0069] The protective layer 622 is the first protective layer. The protective layer 622 plays a role in increasing the durability of the printed material, such as its abrasion resistance. In addition, the protective layer 622 also acts as an image receiving layer to which ink is transferred from the thermal transfer medium 10. The ink transferred from the thermal transfer medium 10 to the protective layer 622 forms the printed pattern.

[0070] The protective layers 622 are arranged spaced apart from each other on the release layer 621. Here, the protective layers 622 are arranged spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the substrate 61. Also, each of the protective layers 622 is spaced apart from the edge of the substrate 61.

[0071] When the intermediate transfer medium 60 is observed from its thickness direction, the protective layers 622 are each located inside the contour of the transfer material portion 62T and spaced apart from the contour of the transfer material portion 62T. That is, each protective layer 622 is located only in the center of the transfer material portion 62T, and the end on the peeling start side, the end on the peeling end side, and the pair of side edges of the transfer material portion 62T are not included in any part of the protective layer 622.

[0072] In Figure 3, the end of the transfer material portion 62T on the peeling start side and the end of the peeling end side are the right end and left end of the transfer material portion 62T, respectively. Also in Figure 3, the side edges of the transfer material portion 62T are the upper edge and lower edge of the transfer material portion 62T.

[0073] The protective layer 622 preferably contains an acrylic polyol resin cured by reaction with a polyisocyanate. The polyisocyanate is preferably a xylylene diisocyanate (XDI) type or a hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) type.

[0074] Such a protective layer 622 can be obtained by forming a coating film containing polyisocyanate and acrylic polyol resin on the release layer 621 and then heat-curing it. It is preferable to mix the polyisocyanate and acrylic polyol resin so that the equivalent ratio NCO / OH of the isocyanate groups of the polyisocyanate to the hydroxyl groups of the acrylic polyol resin is within the range of 1.0 to 4.0. If the equivalent ratio NCO / OH is small, the curing reaction may not proceed sufficiently, and high durability may not be achieved. If the equivalent ratio NCO / OH is large, a large amount of unreacted curing agent may remain in the coating film, and this residue may reduce durability.

[0075] The protective layer 622 preferably contains a filler. Adding a filler can improve durability and foil tearability. The amount of filler is preferably in the range of 5 parts by mass or more and 50 parts by mass or less per 100 parts by mass of the protective layer 622.

[0076] The filler may be an organic filler, an inorganic filler, or an organic-inorganic hybrid filler. The coating liquid for forming the release layer 621 may contain a filler in powder form or a filler in sol form. Examples of powdered organic fillers include acrylic particles such as non-crosslinked acrylic particles and crosslinked acrylic particles, melamine particles, polyamide particles, silicone particles, and polyethylene wax. Examples of powdered inorganic fillers include calcium carbonate particles, silica particles, and metal oxide particles such as titanium dioxide. An example of an organic-inorganic hybrid filler is one in which silica particles are hybridized with acrylic resin. Examples of sol-type fillers include silica sol-type and organosol-type fillers. These fillers may be used individually or mixed in combination of two or more types.

[0077] The particle size of the filler can be in the range of 0.01 μm to 3 μm. Fillers having such a particle size are preferred from the viewpoint of suppressing detachment from the protective layer 622 and forming a protective layer 622 with a smooth surface.

[0078] Here, "filler particle size" refers to the volume-average particle size. Filler particle size can be measured, for example, by the BET method or by analyzing the results of electron microscopy observations using image analysis-based particle size distribution measurement software.

[0079] The protective layer 622 may further contain resin components other than acrylic polyol resin as additive resins. If the protective layer 622 mainly consists of acrylic polyol resin and further contains at least one of polyester resin and epoxy resin, the adhesion between the protective layer 622 and other layers is improved. The total amount of these resins is preferably within the range of 1 part by mass or more and 30 parts by mass or less per 100 parts by mass of acrylic polyol resin.

[0080] The protective layer 622 preferably has a thickness in the range of 0.5 μm to 20 μm, and more preferably in the range of 1 μm to 10 μm. Increasing the thickness of the protective layer 622 improves durability, but increases the thickness of the transfer material layer 62A.

[0081] The intermediate transfer medium 60A further includes alignment marks (not shown). The alignment marks are provided on the substrate 61. The alignment marks are sensor marks. Specifically, the alignment marks are optically readable marks.

[0082] Alignment marks can be provided at a frequency of once per protective layer 622. The relative positions of the alignment marks with respect to adjacent protective layers 622 are equal between the alignment marks.

[0083] <4> printing base material Figure 5 is a top view showing an example of a printing substrate that can be used in a method for manufacturing printed materials according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0084] The printing substrate 20 shown in Figure 5 is card-shaped. In this case, the orthogonal projection of the printing substrate 20 onto a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction is approximately rectangular. The printing substrate 20 may also be in the form of a sheet or booklet.

[0085] Specific examples of the core material of the printing substrate 20 include paper, polymer, metal, inorganic powder, or a composite containing one or more of these. The printing substrate 20 may have a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure.

[0086] The printing substrate 20 has a front and back main surface. The printing substrate 20 has at least one of its main surfaces as a recording surface. Here, as an example, we assume that the printing substrate 20 has one of its front and back main surfaces as a recording surface.

[0087] The recording surface of the printing substrate 20 includes a recording area R. The contour of the recording area R is the contour of the effective area on the recording surface. The placement of the image on the recording surface can be determined within the contour of the recording area R. That is, the transfer material portion 62T is transferred to this recording area R. Here, it is described as if the contour of the recording area R exists, but the actual recording surface of the printing substrate 20 may or may not have features that allow the contour of the recording area R to be identified.

[0088] The recording area R has a dimension L2 in the direction parallel to the long side of the orthogonal projection, which is approximately equal to the dimension L1 of the transfer material portion 62T in the longitudinal direction of the intermediate transfer medium 60A. For example, dimension L2 is slightly smaller than dimension L1.

[0089] The recording area R has a dimension W2 in the direction parallel to the short side of the orthogonal projection, which is approximately equal to the dimension W1 of the transfer material portion 62T in the width direction of the intermediate transfer medium 60A. For example, dimension W2 is slightly smaller than dimension W1.

[0090] <5> printed matter Figure 6 is a top view showing an example of a printed material that can be manufactured by a method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0091] The printed material 200 shown in Figure 6 is in the form of a card, such as an identification (ID) card. The printed material 200 may also be in the form of a sheet or a booklet.

[0092] The printed material 200 includes the above-described printing substrate 20 and a display element which is a transfer layer supported thereon. This printed material 200 allows, for example, observation of the image displayed by the display element through the printing substrate 20.

[0093] The transfer layer includes a transfer material portion 62T and a printed pattern formed on its protective layer 622. The protective layer 622 of the transfer material portion 62T is interposed between the release layer 621 and the printing substrate 20. The printed pattern is interposed between the protective layer 622 and the printing substrate 20. The printed pattern displays an image IM.

[0094] <6> Manufacturing method of printed materials (anti-counterfeiting media) The above-mentioned printed material 200 can be manufactured using the printer system and thermal transfer medium 10 described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, the intermediate transfer medium 60 described with reference to Figures 3 and 4, and the printing substrate 20 described with reference to Figure 5, as described below.

[0095] First, the operator connects the computer 300 shown in Figure 2 with external devices such as a digital camera and flash memory storage device via a network device 320 using a wired or wireless connection. Next, the operator uses input devices 330, such as a keyboard and mouse, to supply image data from the external devices to the computer main unit 310 and to input text data.

[0096] The central processing unit 311 generates print data from the above image data according to the program stored in the main memory 312. The computer 300 sends the print data and print command to the printer 100 via the network device 350.

[0097] The printer 100 records an image onto the recording surface of the printing substrate 20 based on the print data and print command.

[0098] In other words, the processing and control device controls the operation of the winding devices 40 and 80, the unwinding devices 30 and 70, and the thermal print head 51 so that thermal transfer from the thermal transfer medium 10 to the intermediate transfer medium 60 is performed for each panel section. Specifically, the processing and control device controls the operation of the winding devices 40 and 80, the unwinding devices 30 and 70, and the thermal print head 51 so that thermal transfer of ink from the panel sections contained in one panel unit is performed sequentially to the same transfer material section 62T of the intermediate transfer medium 60. In this way, a printed pattern is formed on the intermediate transfer medium 60.

[0099] Subsequently, the processing and control device controls the operation of the winding device 80 so that the transfer material portion 62T of the intermediate transfer medium 60 moves forward to the secondary transfer portion 90. At the same time, the processing and control device controls the operation of the transport device so that the printed substrate 20 is transported to the secondary transfer portion 90 with its recording surface aligned with the position of the transfer material portion 62T. Next, the processing and control device controls the operation of the winding device 80, the transport device, and the heat roller 91, etc., so that the heat roller 91 and the platen roller 92 sequentially apply heat and pressure to the intermediate transfer medium 60 and the printed substrate 20 sandwiched between them, from one end of the transfer material portion 62T to the other end.

[0100] Through this operation, the print pattern and transfer material portion 62T are transferred from the intermediate transfer medium 60 onto the printing substrate 20. In this way, the printed material 200 described with reference to Figure 6 is obtained.

[0101] In the method described above, secondary transfer is performed without rupturing the protective layer 622. Therefore, it is possible to prevent transfer defects such as large burrs or trailing edges at the end of the transfer material portion 62T caused by the protective layer 622.

[0102] The secondary transfer is preferably performed such that the distance D1 from the contour of the transfer material portion 62T to the protective layer 622 on the peeling start side of the transfer material portion 62T is 0 mm or more, and more preferably 0.5 mm or more considering positional misalignment during the secondary transfer. Furthermore, the secondary transfer is preferably performed such that the distance D2 from the contour of the transfer material portion 62T to the protective layer 622 on the peeling end side of the transfer material portion 62T is 0 mm or more, and more preferably 0.5 mm or more considering positional misalignment during the secondary transfer. In addition, the secondary transfer is preferably performed such that the distance D3 from the contour of the transfer material portion 62T to the protective layer 622 on the upper and lower edges of the transfer material portion 62T is 0 mm or more, and more preferably 0.5 mm or more considering positional misalignment during the secondary transfer. It is preferable to perform the secondary transfer so that distance D1 to D3 is 0.5 mm or greater. In particular, it is preferable to perform the secondary transfer so that distance D2 is greater than or equal to the lower limit mentioned above. This makes it less likely for transfer defects such as large burrs or trailing edges to occur at the end of the transfer material portion 62T, even if misalignment occurs during the secondary transfer.

[0103] The secondary transfer is preferably performed such that the distance D1 to D3 is 10 mm or less, and more preferably such that the distance D1 to D3 is 5 mm or less. Increasing the distance D1 to D3 reduces the area of ​​the protective layer 622.

[0104] <7> effect The printed material 200 obtained by the above method has a transfer material portion 62T that includes a protective layer 622. Therefore, the transfer material portion 62T has excellent durability, and the printed material 200 is less susceptible to damage to the printed pattern due to abrasion or the like.

[0105] Furthermore, the above method performs secondary transfer without rupturing the protective layer 622. Therefore, it is possible to prevent transfer defects such as large burrs or trailing edges at the end of the transfer material portion 62T caused by the protective layer 622.

[0106] In other words, according to the technology described above, it is possible to achieve excellent durability while making it less likely for transfer defects to occur when transferring a portion of the transfer material layer 62A from the intermediate transfer medium 60A to the printing substrate 20.

[0107] <8> Variation The techniques described above can be modified in various ways.

[0108] <8.1> First Variation Figure 7 is a top view of the intermediate transfer medium according to the first modified example.

[0109] The first modification is the same as the embodiment described above with reference to Figures 1 to 6, except that the intermediate transfer medium 60B shown in Figure 7 is used instead of the intermediate transfer medium 60A described with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

[0110] The intermediate transfer medium 60B is the same as the intermediate transfer medium 60A described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, except for the following: the intermediate transfer medium 60B includes a transfer material layer 62B instead of a transfer material layer 62A. The transfer material layer 62B is the same as the transfer material layer 62A, except that each of the protective layers 622 extends across the entire width of the substrate 61.

[0111] Transfer defects originating from the protective layer hardly occur at the side edges of the transfer material portion 62T. Therefore, even when using the intermediate transfer medium 60B instead of the intermediate transfer medium 60A, it is possible to achieve excellent durability while minimizing the occurrence of transfer defects when transferring a portion of the transfer material layer 62B from the intermediate transfer medium 60B to the printing substrate 20.

[0112] Furthermore, when using the intermediate transfer medium 60B, it is not necessary to improve the positional accuracy in the width direction during primary and secondary transfer to the same extent as when using the intermediate transfer medium 60A.

[0113] This effect can be obtained even if each of the protective layers 622 is spaced apart from the edge of the base material 61, as long as each of the edges of the protective layer 622 along the length direction of the base material 61 is located between the edge of the base material 61 and the transfer material portion 62T. To ensure this effect is obtained, the difference between the width dimension of the protective layer 622 and the dimension W1 is preferably 0 mm or more, and more preferably 0.5 mm or more.

[0114] <8.2> Second Variation Figure 8 is a top view of the intermediate transfer medium according to the second modified example.

[0115] The second modification is the same as the above embodiment described with reference to Figures 1 to 6, except that the intermediate transfer medium 60C shown in Figure 8 is used instead of the intermediate transfer medium 60A described with reference to Figures 3 and 4, and a secondary transfer is performed as described later.

[0116] The intermediate transfer medium 60C is the same as the intermediate transfer medium 60B described with reference to Figure 7, except for the following: the intermediate transfer medium 60C includes a transfer material layer 62C instead of a transfer material layer 62B. The transfer material layer 62C is the same as the transfer material layer 62B, except that the dimensions of the protective layer 622 in the longitudinal direction of the substrate 61 are longer than those of the transfer material layer 62B. By using the intermediate transfer medium 60C, the effects described above in the first modification can be obtained.

[0117] Furthermore, in the second modified example, the secondary transfer is performed such that the edge of the transfer material portion 62T and the edge of the protective layer 622 coincide at the peeling start side of the transfer material portion 62T. That is, in the second modified example, the distance D1, as explained with reference to Figure 3, is set to zero.

[0118] On the side where peeling of the transfer material portion 62T begins, transfer defects are less likely to occur than on the side where peeling of the transfer material portion 62T ends. Therefore, the distance D1 may be zero. Alternatively, secondary transfer may be performed in such a way that the protective layer 622 breaks off on the side where peeling of the transfer material portion 62T begins. However, the possibility of transfer defects occurring on the side where peeling of the transfer material portion 62T begins is higher than on the side edges of the transfer material portion 62T. Therefore, it is preferable to perform secondary transfer in such a way that the protective layer 622 does not break off on the side where peeling of the transfer material portion 62T begins.

[0119] <8.3>Third Variation Figure 9 is a top view of the intermediate transfer medium according to the third modified example.

[0120] The third modification is the same as the above embodiment described with reference to Figures 1 to 6, except that the intermediate transfer medium 60D shown in Figure 9 is used instead of the intermediate transfer medium 60A described with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

[0121] The intermediate transfer medium 60D is the same as the intermediate transfer medium 60A described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, except for the following: the intermediate transfer medium 60D includes a transfer material layer 62D instead of a transfer material layer 62A. The transfer material layer 62D is the same as the transfer material layer 62A, except that it further includes a pair of adjacent strip-shaped layers 622L that extend in the longitudinal direction of the substrate 61 and are separated by a protective layer 622 on the release layer 621.

[0122] According to the third modified example, similar to the embodiments described with reference to Figures 1 to 6, excellent durability can be achieved while making it less likely for transfer defects to occur when transferring a portion of the transfer material layer 62D from the intermediate transfer medium 60D to the printing substrate 20.

[0123] Furthermore, the intermediate transfer medium 60A lacks a protective layer 622 at a pair of edges along its length. Therefore, the intermediate transfer medium 60A may be thicker in the center in its width direction and thinner on both sides. An intermediate transfer medium 60A having such a structure is prone to wrinkles and other defects when wound into a roll.

[0124] By providing the strip-shaped layer 622L, the thickness can be made approximately equal in the center and on both sides in the width direction. Therefore, the intermediate transfer medium 60D is less likely to develop problems such as wrinkles when wound into a roll.

[0125] The material of the strip-shaped layer 622L may be the same as the material of the protective layer 622. The material of the strip-shaped layer 622L may be different from the material of the protective layer 622.

[0126] The thickness of the strip-shaped layer 622L may be the same as the thickness of the protective layer 622. The thickness of the strip-shaped layer 622L may be different from the thickness of the protective layer 622.

[0127] In this example, each of the strip-shaped layers 622L is separated from the protective layer 622, but one or both of the strip-shaped layers 622L may be connected to the protective layer 622.

[0128] <8.4> Fourth Variation Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate transfer medium according to the fourth modified example.

[0129] The fourth modification is the same as the above embodiment described with reference to Figures 1 to 6, except that the intermediate transfer medium 60E shown in Figure 10 is used instead of the intermediate transfer medium 60A described with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

[0130] The intermediate transfer medium 60E is the same as the intermediate transfer medium 60A described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, except for the following: the intermediate transfer medium 60E includes a transfer material layer 62E instead of a transfer material layer 62A. The transfer material layer 62E is the same as the transfer material layer 62A except that it includes multiple first protective layers 622A instead of multiple protective layers 622, and further includes a relief layer 623, a reflective layer 624, multiple second protective layers 622B, and an image receiving layer 625.

[0131] The first protective layer 622A is the same as the protective layer 622, except that it may have a smaller thickness than the protective layer 622.

[0132] The relief layer 623 covers the release layer 621 with the first protective layer 622A in between. The relief layer 623 is a continuous strip-shaped film that extends in the longitudinal direction of the substrate 61. A relief structure is provided on the surface of the relief layer 623. The relief structure is, for example, at least one of a hologram and a diffraction grating.

[0133] The relief layer 623 is made of a cured product of a light-transmitting resin such as a thermoplastic resin, a thermosetting resin, or a radiation-curable resin.

[0134] Examples of thermoplastic resins include polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polycarbonate, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose propionate acetate, nitrocellulose, polyethylene, polypropylene, acrylic styrene copolymer, vinyl chloride, or polymethyl methacrylate.

[0135] Examples of thermosetting resins include polyimide, polyamide, polyester urethane, acrylic urethane, epoxy urethane, silicone, epoxy resin, or melamine resin.

[0136] Radiation-curable resins are resins that harden by radical polymerization upon irradiation with radiation, and are, for example, acrylic resins having acryloyl groups in their molecules. Thermosetting resins are, for example, oligomers or polymers of epoxy acrylate, urethane acrylate, polyester acrylate, or polyol acrylate systems, monofunctional, difunctional, or polyfunctional polymerizable (meth)acrylic monomers (e.g., tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, 2-hydroxy-3-phenoxypropyl acrylate, polyethylene glycol diacrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, pentaerythritol triacrylate, or pentaerythritol tetraacrylate), or their oligomers or polymers.

[0137] The relief layer 623 can be formed, for example, by providing a layer made of the above-mentioned resin on the first protective layer 622A and curing it while pressing a printing plate against it. Preferably, the relief layer 623 has a thickness in the range of 0.1 μm to 5 μm.

[0138] The reflective layer 624 covers the surface of the relief layer 623 on which the relief structure is provided. The reflective layer 624 may cover the entire surface of the relief layer 623 on which the relief structure is provided, or it may cover only a portion of this surface.

[0139] The reflective layer 624 can be a metal-containing layer. The metal-containing layer consists of, for example, a metal or alloy such as aluminum and copper. The metal-containing layer can also be an oxide layer.

[0140] The reflective layer 624 can be formed by physical deposition methods such as vacuum deposition and sputtering. Preferably, the reflective layer 624 has a thickness in the range of 10 nm to 100 nm.

[0141] The second protective layer 622B faces the first protective layer 622A with the reflective layer 624 and the relief layer 623 in between, and is arranged spaced apart from each other in accordance with the first protective layer 622A.

[0142] As the material for the second protective layer 622B, the same material as exemplified for protective layer 622 can be used. The material for the second protective layer 622B may be the same as or different from the material for the first protective layer 622A.

[0143] The resin contained in the second protective layer 622B may have the same or different degree of crosslinking as the resin contained in the first protective layer 622A. By changing the degree of crosslinking, the toughness of the film can be adjusted. For example, if protection of the printed pattern is important, the degree of crosslinking of the resin contained in the first protective layer 622A is made greater than that of the resin contained in the second protective layer 622B. If protection of the relief structure is important, the degree of crosslinking of the resin contained in the second protective layer 622B is made greater than that of the resin contained in the first protective layer 622A.

[0144] The sum of the thickness of the first protective layer 622A and the thickness of the second protective layer 622B is preferably within the range described above for the protective layer 622. The ratio of the thickness of the second protective layer 622B to this sum is preferably within the range of 10% to 90%.

[0145] The image-receiving layer 625 is the outermost layer of the transfer material layer 62E. Here, the image-receiving layer 625 covers the upper surface of the second protective layer 622B and the upper surface of the reflective layer 624. In this case, the image-receiving layer 625 is a continuous strip-shaped film that extends in the longitudinal direction of the substrate 61. Instead of providing a single image-receiving layer 625, multiple image-receiving layers 625, each covering the second protective layer 622B, can also be provided.

[0146] Ink is transferred from the thermal transfer medium 10 to the image receiving layer 625. The image receiving layer 625 holds a printed pattern consisting of the transferred ink.

[0147] A resin can be used as the material for the image receiving layer 625. Examples of such resins include polyolefin resins such as polypropylene, halogenated resins such as polyvinyl chloride and polyvinylidene chloride, vinyl resins such as polyvinyl acetate, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers and polyacrylic acid esters, polyester resins such as polyethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate, polystyrene resins, polyamide resins, copolymer resins of olefins such as ethylene or propylene and other vinyl polymers, ionomers, cellulose resins such as cellulose diastase, polycarbonate, and epoxy resins. In particular, vinyl chloride resins, acrylic-styrene resins, or polyester resins are preferred for transfer using sublimation-type thermal transfer ribbons, and epoxy resins are preferred for transfer using melt-type thermal transfer ribbons.

[0148] When transferring the image receiving layer 625, etc., to the printing substrate 20 via an adhesive layer, adhesiveness is not necessarily required for the image receiving layer 625 itself. When transferring the image receiving layer 625, etc., to the printing substrate 20 without an adhesive layer, it is preferable to form the image receiving layer 625 using a resin that has adhesive properties.

[0149] The image-receiving layer 625 can be formed by applying a coating solution containing one or more resins selected from the above-mentioned materials and a solvent or dispersion medium onto the second protective layer 622B and the reflective layer 624, and then drying the coating film. Water or an organic solvent can be used as the solvent or dispersion medium. This coating solution may further contain various additives. The coating solution can be applied by solvent coating methods such as bar coating, blade coating, air knife coating, gravure coating, and roll coating. The thickness of the image-receiving layer 625 is preferably in the range of 0.1 μm to 10 μm, and more preferably in the range of 0.2 μm to 8 μm.

[0150] In the embodiments described with reference to Figures 1 to 6, excellent durability was mainly achieved by the protective layer 622. In the fourth modified example, excellent durability is mainly achieved by a combination of the first protective layer 622A and the second protective layer 622B. Composing the protective layers with multiple layers spaced apart from each other improves foil tearability. Therefore, by using the intermediate transfer medium 60E instead of the intermediate transfer medium 60A, it is possible to achieve excellent durability while further reducing the likelihood of transfer defects when transferring a portion of the transfer material layer 62E from the intermediate transfer medium 60E to the printing substrate 20.

[0151] Furthermore, the intermediate transfer medium 60E includes a relief layer 623 and a reflective layer 624. The relief layer 623 and the reflective layer 624 can improve the anti-counterfeiting properties of the printed material 200.

[0152] <8.5>Other variations One or more of the above-mentioned features can be combined with each other. For example, the layer configuration described above for the intermediate transfer medium 60E in the fourth modified example can also be used for the intermediate transfer media 60A to 60D.

[0153] In the intermediate transfer media 60A to 60E, the portion of the protective layer 622's contour on the peeling end side is a line segment parallel to the width direction. This portion may include one or more tapered sections, each tapering outwards from the area enclosed by the contour. By adopting this structure, even if the protective layer 622 breaks at its peeling end due to misalignment during secondary transfer, transfer defects at the end of the transfer material 62T are less likely to occur.

[0154] To improve the adhesion between the layers contained in the intermediate transfer medium, an anchor layer may be interposed between those layers. In this case, one of the panel sections in each panel unit of the thermal transfer medium 10 can be used as the anchor layer.

[0155] Each panel unit of the thermal transfer medium 10 may include a panel section containing at least one of a diffraction grating and a hologram, instead of, or in addition to, a panel section containing an ink layer. That is, the image IM displayed by the printed material 200 may include an image displayed by a pattern consisting of at least one of a diffraction grating and a hologram, instead of, or in addition to, an image displayed by a printed pattern consisting of ink. [Examples]

[0156] Specific examples of the present invention are described below. In the following, "parts" refers to parts by mass.

[0157] (Example 1) First, the intermediate transfer medium 60A, as explained with reference to Figures 3 and 4, was prepared.

[0158] Here, a polyethylene terephthalate film with a thickness of 19 μm was used as the base material 61.

[0159] As a coating liquid for forming the release layer 621, a solution having the following composition was prepared. • Coating solution for release layer Paraloid® A21 (manufactured by DOW Corporation) 20 copies Methyl ethyl ketone 60 parts Toluene 20 copies This release layer coating liquid was applied to the substrate 61 by gravure coating, and the coating film was dried at 100°C for 1 minute. This yielded a release layer 621 with a thickness of 1.0 μm.

[0160] As a protective coating liquid for forming the protective layer 622, a solution having the following composition was prepared. • Coating liquid for protective layer 6AN-5000 (manufactured by Taisei Fine Chemical Co., Ltd.) 41 units Takenate® D-110 (manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.) 24 units Silicone filler (particle size 0.5 μm) 2 parts jER(registered trademark)1004 (manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation) 5 copies Ethyl acetate 80 parts This protective coating liquid was applied onto the release layer 621 by gravure coating, and the coating film was dried at 100°C for 1 minute. This yielded a protective layer 622 with a thickness of 6.0 μm.

[0161] Subsequently, the protective layer 622 was cured at 50°C for two days to cure the acrylic polyol. In this manner, the intermediate transfer medium 60A was obtained.

[0162] Next, using this intermediate transfer medium 60A, the printed material 200 described with reference to Figure 6 was manufactured using the apparatus and method described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. Here, each of the distances D1 to D3 was set to 0.5 mm or more.

[0163] (Example 2) First, we prepared the intermediate transfer medium 60E, as explained with reference to Figure 10.

[0164] Here, the same substrate 61 used in Example 1 was used. The release layer 621 was formed by the same method as in Example 1.

[0165] The first protective layer 622A was formed in the same manner as the protective layer 622 of Example 1, except that its thickness was 3.0 μm.

[0166] The relief layer 623 was formed by the following method. First, a coating liquid having the following composition was prepared for forming the relief layer. • Coating liquid for forming the relief layer Acrydic® A817 (manufactured by DIC Corporation) 20 copies Duranate® D24A100 (manufactured by Asahi Kasei Corporation) 4 parts Butyl acetate / toluene (mass ratio 1 / 1) 76 parts Next, a relief layer forming coating liquid was applied to the release layer 621 and the first protective layer 622A by gravure coating. This coating film was dried at 100°C for 1 minute, and then a mold (stamper) heated to 200°C was pressed onto the coating film to transfer the mold's uneven pattern to the coating film. After that, the coating film was cured to obtain a relief layer 623 with a thickness of 1.5 μm and having a relief-type diffraction grating on its surface.

[0167] A zinc sulfide layer with a thickness of 50 nm was formed as the reflective layer 624. The reflective layer 624 was formed by sputtering.

[0168] The second protective layer 622B was formed in the same manner as the protective layer 622 of Example 1, except that its thickness was 3.0 μm. The shape, dimensions, and position of the second protective layer 622B were matched to the shape, dimensions, and position of the corresponding first protective layer 622A.

[0169] A coating solution having the following composition was prepared for forming the image-receiving layer 625. • Coating liquid for the image receiving layer jER(registered trademark)1004 (manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation) 25 copies jER(registered trademark)1007 (manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation) 10 copies Methyl ethyl ketone 60 parts This image-receiving layer coating solution was applied to the reflective layer 624 and the second protective layer 622B by gravure coating, and the coating film was dried at 100°C for 1 minute. This yielded an image-receiving layer 625 with a thickness of 3.0 μm. In this way, the intermediate transfer medium 60E was obtained.

[0170] Next, using this intermediate transfer medium 60E, the printed material 200 described with reference to Figure 6 was manufactured using the apparatus and method described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. Here, each of the distances D1 to D3 was set to 0.5 mm or more.

[0171] (Comparative Example 1) Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate transfer mediums related to Comparative Examples 1 and 2. The intermediate transfer medium 60X shown in Figure 11 is the same as the intermediate transfer medium 60A described with reference to Figures 3 and 4, except that it contains a transfer material layer 62X instead of the transfer material layer 62A. Furthermore, the transfer material layer 62X is the same as the transfer material layer 62A of the intermediate transfer medium 60A, except that it contains one protective layer 622 instead of multiple protective layers 622, and this protective layer 622 extends over the entire length and width of the substrate 61.

[0172] In this example, the intermediate transfer medium 60X was manufactured in the same manner as the intermediate transfer medium 60A in Example 1, except that the protective layer 622 adopted the above structure and its thickness was set to 0.4 μm.

[0173] Next, using this intermediate transfer medium 60X, and using the apparatus described with reference to Figures 1 to 6, a printed material 200, as described with reference to Figure 6, was manufactured in a manner similar to that described with reference to Figures 1 to 6.

[0174] (Comparative Example 2) The intermediate transfer medium 60X described with reference to Figure 11 was manufactured in the same manner as the intermediate transfer medium 60X of Comparative Example 1, except that the thickness of the protective layer 622 was set to 6.0 μm.

[0175] Next, using this intermediate transfer medium 60X, and using the apparatus described with reference to Figures 1 to 6, a printed material 200, as described with reference to Figure 6, was manufactured in a manner similar to that described with reference to Figures 1 to 6.

[0176] (Comparative Example 3) Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate transfer medium according to Comparative Example 3. The intermediate transfer medium 60Y shown in Figure 12 is the same as the intermediate transfer medium 60E described with reference to Figure 10, except that it contains a transfer material layer 62Y instead of the transfer material layer 62E. Furthermore, the transfer material layer 62Y is the same as the transfer material layer 62E of the intermediate transfer medium 60E, except that it does not contain the first protective layer 622A and the second protective layer 622B.

[0177] In this example, the intermediate transfer medium 60Y was manufactured in the same manner as the intermediate transfer medium 60E in Example 2, except that the first protective layer 622A and the second protective layer 622B were omitted.

[0178] Next, using this intermediate transfer medium 60Y, and using the apparatus described with reference to Figures 1 to 6, and in a manner similar to that described with reference to Figures 1 to 6, printed material 200, as described with reference to Figure 6, was manufactured.

[0179] (Comparative Example 4) Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate transfer mediums related to Comparative Examples 4 and 5. The intermediate transfer medium 60Z shown in Figure 13 is the same as the intermediate transfer medium 60E described with reference to Figure 10, except that it contains a transfer material layer 62Z instead of the transfer material layer 62E. Furthermore, the transfer material layer 62Z is ​​the same as the transfer material layer 62E of the intermediate transfer medium 60E, except that it contains one first protective layer 622A instead of multiple first protective layers 622A, and one second protective layer 622B instead of multiple second protective layers 622B, and each of these first protective layers 622A and second protective layers 622B extends over the entire length and width of the substrate 61.

[0180] In this example, the intermediate transfer medium 60Z was manufactured in the same manner as the intermediate transfer medium 60E in Example 2, except that the first protective layer 622A and the second protective layer 622B were made with the above structure and the thickness of each of them was set to 0.2 μm.

[0181] Next, using this intermediate transfer medium 60Z, and using the apparatus described with reference to Figures 1 to 6, and in a manner similar to that described with reference to Figures 1 to 6, printed material 200, as described with reference to Figure 6, was manufactured.

[0182] (Comparative Example 5) The intermediate transfer medium 60Z described with reference to Figure 13 was manufactured in the same manner as the intermediate transfer medium 60Z of Comparative Example 4, except that the thickness of the first protective layer 622A and the second protective layer 622B were set to 3.0 μm.

[0183] Next, using this intermediate transfer medium 60Z, and using the apparatus described with reference to Figures 1 to 6, and in a manner similar to that described with reference to Figures 1 to 6, printed material 200, as described with reference to Figure 6, was manufactured.

[0184] (evaluation) The foil tearability and durability of the intermediate transfer media produced in Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5 were evaluated by the following method.

[0185] (Foil tearing ability) The edges of the printed materials 200 produced in Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5 were observed using a Keyence VHX-1000 digital microscope, and the maximum protrusion length of the burr at the edge of the transfer material portion 62T was measured. Then, the foil tearability was evaluated by referring to the following evaluation criteria based on these maximum protrusion lengths. A: The maximum protrusion length of the burr is less than 100 μm. B: The maximum protrusion length of the burr is 100 μm or more. The evaluation results regarding foil tearability are shown in Table 1 below.

[0186] (Durability: Taber abrasion test) A Taber test was performed on the printed materials 200 manufactured in Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5, in accordance with JIS K 7204:1999. A rotary abrasion tester manufactured by Toyo Seiki Co., Ltd. was used as the test machine. A CF-10F manufactured by Toyo Seiki Co., Ltd. was used as the abrasion wheel. The load was set to 500 gf and the rotation speed to 60 rpm. The durability was evaluated by checking whether defects occurred in the image IM displayed on the printed material 200 before the abrasion wheel reached 1000 rotations, and referring to the following evaluation criteria based on the results.

[0187] A: No image loss occurred on the transfer material after 1000 rotations of rotational wear. B: Rotational wear of less than 1000 revolutions resulted in defects in the image on the transfer. The evaluation results regarding durability are shown in Table 1 below.

[0188] [Table 1]

[0189] As shown in Table 1, the intermediate transfer media produced in Comparative Examples 1, 3, and 4 exhibited excellent foil tearing properties but did not achieve high durability. Furthermore, the intermediate transfer media produced in Comparative Examples 2 and 5 achieved high durability but lacked foil tearing properties.

[0190] In contrast, the intermediate transfer media manufactured in Examples 1 and 2 exhibited excellent foil tearing properties and achieved high durability. [Explanation of symbols]

[0191] 10...Thermal transfer medium, 20...Printing substrate, 30...Unwinding device, 40...Turning device, 50...Primary transfer section, 51...Thermal print head, 52...Platen roller, 60...Intermediate transfer medium, 60A...Intermediate transfer medium, 60B...Intermediate transfer medium, 60C...Intermediate transfer medium, 60D...Intermediate transfer medium, 60E...Intermediate transfer medium, 60X...Intermediate transfer medium, 60Y...Intermediate transfer medium, 60Z...Intermediate transfer medium, 61...Substrate, 62A...Transfer material layer, 62B...Transfer material layer, 62C...Transfer material layer, 62D...Transfer material layer, 62E...Transfer material layer, 62T...Transfer material section, 62X...Transfer material layer, 62Y...Transfer material layer, 62Z...Transfer material layer, 70...Unwinding device, 80...Take-up device, 90...Secondary transfer section, 91...Heat roller, 92...Platen roller, 100...Printer, 200...Printed material, 300...Computer, 310...Computer main unit, 311...Central processing unit, 311A...Arithmetic unit, 311B...Control unit, 312...Main memory, 313...Auxiliary memory, 320...Network device, 330...Input device, 340...Display device, 350...Network device, 621...Release layer, 622...Protective layer, IM...Image, L1...Dimensions, L2...Dimensions, R...Recording area, W1...Dimensions, W2...Dimensions.

Claims

1. The device comprises a substrate and a transfer material layer that is peelably supported by the substrate and on which an image is recorded by a transfer method. The aforementioned transfer material layer is A release layer provided on the substrate, which promotes the peeling of the transfer material layer from the substrate, A plurality of first protective layers arranged spaced apart from each other on the aforementioned release layer An intermediate transfer medium containing [the specified element].

2. The intermediate transfer medium according to claim 1, wherein the substrate has a strip shape, and the plurality of first protective layers are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the substrate.

3. Each of the plurality of first protective layers extends over the entire width of the substrate in the intermediate transfer medium according to claim 2.

4. Each of the plurality of first protective layers is spaced apart from the edge of the substrate in the intermediate transfer medium according to claim 2.

5. The intermediate transfer medium according to claim 4, wherein the transfer material layer further includes a pair of adjacent strip-shaped layers, each extending in the longitudinal direction of the substrate, with the plurality of first protective layers sandwiched between them on the release layer.

6. The plurality of first protective layers include an acrylic polyol resin cured by reaction with a polyisocyanate, and the equivalent ratio NCO / OH of the isocyanate groups of the polyisocyanate to the hydroxyl groups of the acrylic polyol resin is in the range of 1.0 to 4.

0. The intermediate transfer medium according to claim 1, wherein the indentation hardness measured from the surface side of the transfer material layer by nanoindation is 0.26 GPa or more.

7. The intermediate transfer medium according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of first protective layers include at least one of a polyester resin and an epoxy resin, and the total amount of the polyester resin and the epoxy resin in the plurality of first protective layers is within the range of 1 part by mass or more and 30 parts by mass or less with respect to 100 parts by mass of the acrylic polyol resin in the plurality of first protective layers.

8. The intermediate transfer medium according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of first protective layers include a filler.

9. The intermediate transfer medium according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of first protective layers have a thickness in the range of 0.5 μm to 20 μm.

10. The intermediate transfer medium according to claim 1, wherein the transfer material layer further includes an image receiving layer as the outermost surface layer.

11. The aforementioned transfer material layer is A relief layer having a relief structure on its surface, is formed by covering the release layer with the plurality of first protective layers sandwiched in between, A reflective layer covering the surface of the relief layer, A plurality of second protective layers are arranged facing the plurality of first protective layers with the reflective layer and the relief layer in between, and are spaced apart from each other in correspondence with the plurality of first protective layers. The intermediate transfer medium according to claim 1, further comprising the above.

12. The intermediate transfer medium according to claim 11, wherein the sum of the thicknesses of the plurality of first protective layers and the thicknesses of the plurality of second protective layers is in the range of 0.5 μm or more and 20 μm or less.

13. Recording an image on the surface of the transfer material layer of the intermediate transfer medium according to any one of claims 1 to 12 by a transfer method, Subsequently, the transfer material portion, which is part of the transfer material layer, is transferred from the intermediate transfer medium to the printing substrate. Includes, A method for manufacturing a printed material, wherein the transfer of the transfer material portion is performed such that at least a portion of one of the plurality of first protective layers is located in the center of the transfer material portion, and the transfer material portion has an area at its peeling end that does not include any portion of the plurality of first protective layers.

14. The method for manufacturing a printed article according to claim 13, wherein the transfer of the transfer material portion is performed such that the end portion on the peeling end side does not include any portion of the plurality of first protective layers.

15. A primary transfer unit that records an image on the surface of the transfer material layer of the intermediate transfer medium according to any one of claims 1 to 12 by a transfer method, The transfer material portion, which is part of the transfer material layer, includes a secondary transfer portion that performs transfer from the intermediate transfer medium to the printing substrate. Equipped with, The secondary transfer unit is a printer system that performs the transfer of the transfer material such that at least a portion of one of the plurality of first protective layers is located in the center of the transfer material unit, and the transfer material unit has an area at its peeling end that does not include any portion of the plurality of first protective layers.

16. The printer system according to claim 15, wherein the secondary transfer section performs the transfer of the transfer material such that the end on the peeling end side does not include any portion of the plurality of first protective layers.

17. The device comprises a printing substrate and a transfer material portion provided on the printing substrate, on which an image is recorded on the surface facing the printing substrate. The aforementioned transfer material portion is The delamination layer, A protective layer interposed between the release layer and the printing substrate. Includes, A printed material wherein at least a portion of the protective layer is located in the center of the transfer material portion, and the transfer material portion has at least one end thereof a region that does not include any portion of the protective layer.

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