Thermal transfer medium and information recording medium

Abstract

Provided is a technique with which it is possible to achieve an excellent forgery-prevention effect. A heat-sensitive transfer medium (1) comprises a support body (2) and a plurality of ink panels each comprising a heat transfer ink, the plurality of ink panels including two or more ink panels selected from the group consisting of: a first luminous ink panel (A) in which the heat transfer ink is a first luminous ink containing, as a colorant, a luminous pigment that includes a core formed from synthetic mica, and a coating formed from iron oxide covering the core; a second luminous ink panel (B) in which the heat transfer ink is a second luminous ink containing, as a colorant, a second luminous pigment that includes a second core formed from the synthetic mica, a second coating formed from titanium oxide covering the second core, and a third coating formed from iron oxide covering the second coating; and a third luminous ink panel in which the heat transfer ink is a third luminous ink containing, as a colorant, a third luminous pigment that includes a third core formed from the synthetic mica, a fourth coating formed from silicon oxide covering the third core, and a fifth coating formed from iron oxide covering the fourth coating.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a thermal transfer medium for producing personal authentication media that require security, are difficult to counterfeit or tamper with, and can easily be authenticated, such as passports, identification (ID) cards, tickets, bankbooks, etc. The present invention also relates to an information recording medium produced using the thermal transfer medium. [Background technology]

[0002] Printed materials on which characters and pictures are printed by various methods include personal authentication media such as passports and ID cards, credit cards, bankbooks, and other information recording media that require security. In addition to facial images and text images, such information recording media may also record images with special visual effects to provide security to make counterfeiting or tampering difficult, authenticity to show that the product is genuine, or design.

[0003] As a method for recording an image having a special visual effect, a transfer foil is widely used to attach an optical device such as a hologram or a diffraction grating to a recording medium. These optical devices can exhibit special visual effects such as rainbow display, three-dimensional (3D) image display, color change with change in observation direction, and pattern change with change in observation direction (so-called image changing). In addition, the manufacture of these optical devices is difficult due to the need for a vacuum process. For these reasons, the above optical devices are known to have a certain effect in preventing counterfeiting and are widely used.

[0004] However, as these optical devices have come into widespread use, it has become easier to obtain similar products. In addition, due to manufacturing process reasons, it is usually difficult to record individual patterns such as personal information in optical devices, and only identical patterns can be recorded. Therefore, the effectiveness of these optical devices in preventing counterfeiting and tampering is limited. In addition, these optical devices have the problem that when a similar visual effect is substituted, it is difficult for anyone other than an expert to determine the authenticity.

[0005] Furthermore, color copiers and home color printers have become widespread, and it has become possible to easily perform high-precision color printing with these devices. For this reason, recording of patterns that are difficult to reproduce with these devices, for example, recording of patterns using special color inks, gold and silver inks, or pearl inks with brilliance, has also been performed. However, these inks have become easier to obtain, and therefore simple patterns have become easy to reproduce. Therefore, the security achieved by the above inks has become insufficient.

[0006] There is also a technique for recording a pattern by combining normal color inks and color shifting inks. For example, such a pattern can be formed such that a portion formed with normal color inks and a portion formed with color shifting inks appear to be the same color under certain observation conditions, and appear to be different colors when the observation direction is changed. This technique is often used to enhance design. This technique is sometimes used to provide security. However, since the texture of normal inks and color shifting inks is different, it is easy to see that different types of inks are combined. Therefore, information recorded by combining these inks lacks confidentiality and has insufficient security.

[0007] Patent Document 1 describes a method of recording a latent image using fluorescent ink. In this method, a latent image is formed by printing a colorless fluorescent ink containing a fluorescent substance on a card using a conventional printing technique such as offset printing. This method is suitable for recording a latent image common to cards of the same type. Such a latent image can be used, for example, to identify whether a card substrate is genuine. However, in order to record individual information such as personal information with fluorescent ink, it is necessary to create a different printing plate for each card. Such recording is not practical.

[0008] Patent Document 2 describes a card in which a first colored ink layer with high light transmittance, a second colored ink layer with low light transmittance and patterned, and a third colored ink layer with the same color as the second colored ink layer and high light transmittance are formed in this order on a transparent card substrate. When the reflected light from this card is observed, the pattern of the second colored ink layer is not visible. When the transmitted light from this card is observed, contrast is generated in the transmitted image due to the difference in transmittance between the part corresponding to the second colored ink layer and the other part. Therefore, the pattern shape of the second colored ink layer can be confirmed visually. However, the technology of Patent Document 2 requires the formation of first to third colored ink layers, and is similar to the technology described above in that only common images such as patterns can be recorded on the same type of card. In addition, this technology requires the use of a transparent card substrate, and the range of application is limited. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Japan Utility Model Registration No. 3029273 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2007-30391 Summary of the Invention

[0010] To provide a technology that can achieve a high degree of anti-counterfeiting effect by making it easy to determine whether each information recording medium is genuine and by enabling highly secure patterns to be recorded individually on demand.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a support and a plurality of ink panels each provided on the support and each made of a thermal transfer ink, the plurality of ink panels being a first glittering ink panel in which the thermal transfer ink is a first glittering ink containing as a coloring material a first glittering pigment including a first flaky core made of a first transparent material and a first coating made of a first coloring material covering the first core; a second flaky core made of a second transparent material, a second coating made of a first transparent inorganic compound covering the second core, and a first coating made of a second coloring material covering the second coating; and a third photoluminescent ink panel, which is a third photoluminescent ink comprising a third photoluminescent ink containing as a colorant a second photoluminescent pigment including a third coating consisting of a third transparent material and a scale-like third core consisting of a third transparent material, a fourth coating consisting of a second transparent inorganic compound covering the third core, and a fifth coating consisting of a third coloring material covering the fourth coating, wherein the fourth coating has an optical film thickness different from that of the second coating.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a support and a plurality of ink panels each formed on the support and each made of thermal transfer ink, the plurality of ink panels including a first glittering ink panel in which the thermal transfer ink is a first glittering ink containing as a coloring material a first glittering pigment including a first core made of synthetic mica and a first coating made of iron (III) oxide covering the first core, a second core made of synthetic mica, a second coating made of titanium oxide covering the second core, and a third glittering ink panel in which the thermal transfer ink is a second glittering ink containing as a coloring material a first glittering pigment including a first core made of synthetic mica and a first coating made of titanium oxide covering the second coating, and a third photochromic ink panel, the thermal transfer ink being a third photochromic ink containing as a colorant a third photochromic pigment comprising a third core made of synthetic mica, a fourth coating made of silicon dioxide covering the third core, and a fifth coating made of iron (III) oxide covering the fourth coating.

[0013] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium and a glittering pattern provided on the recording medium, the glittering pattern comprising a first glittering ink containing as a coloring material a first glittering pigment including a first flaky core made of a first transparent material and a first coating made of a first coloring material covering the first core, and a second glittering pigment including a second flaky core made of a second transparent material, a second coating made of a first transparent inorganic compound covering the second core, and a third coating made of a second coloring material covering the second coating. The present invention provides an information recording medium that contains as a coloring material a third photoluminescent pigment including a second photoluminescent ink and a third transparent material having a scale-like third core, a fourth coating made of a second transparent inorganic compound covering the third core, and a fifth coating made of a third coloring material covering the fourth coating, the fourth coating including two or more types of photoluminescent inks selected from the group consisting of third photoluminescent inks having an optical film thickness different from that of the second coating, and individual information recorded in the photoluminescent pattern with at least one of the two or more types of photoluminescent inks.

[0014] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information recording medium comprising a recording medium and a glittering pattern provided on the recording medium, the glittering pattern including two or more glittering inks selected from the group consisting of a first glittering ink containing as a colorant a first glittering pigment including a first core made of synthetic mica and a first coating made of iron (III) oxide covering the first core, a second glittering ink containing as a colorant a second glittering pigment including a second core made of synthetic mica, a second coating made of titanium oxide covering the second core, and a third coating made of iron (III) oxide covering the second coating, and a third glittering ink containing as a colorant a third glittering pigment including a third core made of synthetic mica, a fourth coating made of silicon dioxide covering the third core, and a fifth coating made of iron (III) oxide covering the fourth coating, and the glittering pattern includes individual information recorded by at least one of the two or more glittering inks.

[0015] The above-mentioned heat-sensitive transfer medium is made of a glittering ink containing a glittering pigment as a coloring material, and includes two or more ink panels in which at least one of the structure and composition of the glittering pigment is different. By using this heat-sensitive transfer medium, for example, in the manufacture of the above-mentioned information recording medium, a glittering pattern can be formed on demand. And, individual information such as personal information can be recorded as the glittering pattern or as a part thereof. That is, the above-mentioned heat-sensitive transfer medium makes it possible to record highly secure patterns individually on demand.

[0016] Moreover, the first luster pigment does not exhibit an interference color. On the other hand, each of the second and third luster pigments can exhibit an interference color. And, since the optical film thickness or composition of the coating covering the core is different between the second and third luster pigments, the conditions for constructive interference are different. Therefore, the luster pattern can be such that, for example, the parts made of different types of luster inks display the same color when observed with the naked eye from the front, and display different colors when observed with the naked eye from an oblique direction. That is, these parts can form a latent image that cannot be distinguished when observed with the naked eye from the front, but becomes visible when the observation direction is tilted. Information recorded as such a latent image can be easily confirmed with the naked eye by tilting the observation direction. Therefore, by adopting the above configuration, it becomes easy to determine whether each information recording body is genuine or not. Therefore, a high degree of anti-counterfeiting effect can be achieved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a thermal transfer medium according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a thermal transfer medium according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which an observer is observing an information recording medium. [Figure 4] 13 is a hue chart obtained for a glitter pattern according to an example. [Diagram 5] 11 is a spectral reflectance chart obtained for a glittering pattern according to an example. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an indirect transfer recording device that can be used to manufacture an information recording medium. [Figure 7] 1 is a plan view of an information recording medium according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view that shows an example of a structure that can be adopted in the information recording medium shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 8 is a cross-sectional view that shows roughly another example of a structure that can be employed in the information recording medium shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 10A]9 is a diagram showing an image displayed by an information recording medium employing the structure of FIG. 8 when observed from substantially the front. [Figure 10B] 9 is a diagram showing an image displayed by the information recording medium having the structure shown in FIG. 8 when observed at an observation angle of 30°. [Figure 11A] 10 is a diagram showing an image displayed by an information recording medium employing the structure of FIG. 9 when observed from substantially the front. [Figure 11B] 10 is a diagram showing an image displayed by the information recording medium having the structure shown in FIG. 9 when observed at an observation angle of 30°. [Figure 11C] 10 is a diagram showing an image displayed by an information recording medium having the structure shown in FIG. 9 when observed at an observation angle of 60°. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following, the same components or components that perform the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations may be omitted. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a thermal transfer medium according to one embodiment of the present invention. The thermal transfer medium 1 shown in Fig. 1 has a band shape. In Fig. 1, the thermal transfer medium 1 is in the form of a roll with one end unwound. The thermal transfer medium 1 may have other shapes.

[0020] The thermal transfer medium 1 includes a support 2 and ink panels Bk, Cy, Ma, Ye, A and B.

[0021] The support 2 has a band shape. The support 2 may have other shapes. The support 2 has sufficient resistance to heat during transfer. The support 2 is, for example, a polymer film such as a polyethylene terephthalate film. The support 2 may have a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure.

[0022] The ink panels Bk, Cy, Ma, Ye, A, and B are provided on one of the main surfaces of the support 2. More specifically, on the main surface of the support 2, a plurality of ink panel groups each consisting of ink panels Bk, Cy, Ma, Ye, A, and B are arranged in the in-plane direction, here in the longitudinal direction of the support 2. In each ink panel group, the ink panels Bk, Cy, Ma, Ye, A, and B are arranged in the in-plane direction. Here, in each ink panel group, the ink panels Bk, Cy, Ma, Ye, A, and B are arranged in this order in the longitudinal direction of the support 2. Also, here, the ink panels Bk, Cy, Ma, Ye, A, and B each have a band shape extending in the width direction of the support 2.

[0023] The ink panels Bk, Cy, Ma, and Ye are color ink panels of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, respectively. Each of the ink panels Bk, Cy, Ma, and Ye is made of a thermal transfer ink. Here, the thermal transfer ink is a color ink containing a color material and a binder resin. The color material contained in the ink panels Bk, Cy, Ma, and Ye is one or more pigments, one or more dyes, or a combination thereof. The binder resin contained in the ink panels Bk, Cy, Ma, and Ye is, for example, a thermoplastic resin such as a polyester resin. The color ink constituting the ink panel Bk, the color ink constituting the ink panel Cy, the color ink constituting the ink panel Ma, and the color ink constituting the ink panel Ye exhibit black, cyan, magenta, and yellow colors, respectively, when illuminated with white light.

[0024] Ink panels A and B are first and second glitter ink panels, respectively. Each of the first and second glitter ink panels is made of a thermal transfer ink containing a color material and a binder resin. The binder resin is, for example, a thermoplastic resin such as a polyester resin.

[0025] The thermal transfer ink of the ink panel A is a first glittering ink containing a first glittering pigment as a coloring material. The first glittering pigment includes a first core made of synthetic mica and a first coating made of iron oxide (Fe2O3) that covers the first core.

[0026] The thermal transfer ink of the ink panel B is a second photoluminescent ink containing a second photoluminescent pigment as a coloring material. The second photoluminescent pigment includes a second core made of synthetic mica, a second coating made of titanium oxide (TiO2) covering the second core, and a third coating made of iron oxide (III), i.e., Fe2O3, covering the second coating.

[0027] The dimensions of each of the ink panels Bk, Cy, Ma, Ye, A and B can be set appropriately, for example, to match the dimensions of the recording area on the recording medium to which the thermal transfer ink is to be transferred from the thermal transfer medium 1.

[0028] The thermal transfer medium 1 further includes a sensor mark S. The sensor mark S may be omitted.

[0029] The thermal transfer medium 1 may further include a backcoat layer, such as a heat-resistant layer and a lubricating layer, on the side of the support 2 opposite the ink panels Bk, Cy, Ma, Ye, A and B.

[0030] As described above, the first glittering pigment has a structure in which a first core made of synthetic mica is covered with a first coating made of iron (III) oxide. Synthetic mica is a transparent dielectric and is a scaly particle having a pair of main surfaces parallel to each other. Therefore, light incident on one main surface of the synthetic mica can be repeatedly reflected within the synthetic mica. However, since the synthetic mica is thick, strong interference light is not generated due to repeated reflection interference within the synthetic mica. In addition, in the first glittering pigment, the first core made of synthetic mica is covered with a first coating made of iron (III) oxide. Each time the light incident on the first core is reflected at the interface between the first core and the first coating, a part of the light is absorbed by the first coating. Therefore, the first glittering pigment appears reddish brown, which is the color of iron oxide, regardless of the observation direction. Therefore, in the glittering pattern formed by transferring the glittering ink onto the recording medium, the part made of the first glittering ink also appears reddish brown.

[0031] On the other hand, the second luster pigment has a structure in which the second core made of synthetic mica is covered with the second coating made of titanium oxide, which is further covered with the third coating made of iron (III) oxide, as described above. That is, in the second luster pigment, the second coating made of titanium oxide is interposed between the second core made of synthetic mica and the third coating made of iron (III). Since titanium oxide is a transparent dielectric, light incident on the second coating can be reflected by the interface between the second core and the second coating. In addition, the second coating is a thin layer having a substantially uniform thickness. Therefore, the light incident on the second coating causes repeated reflection interference with the surface of the second coating and the interface between the second core and the second coating as the reflection surfaces, and as a result, strong interference light can be generated. The wavelength of the light that causes constructive interference changes depending on the optical path length. And the optical path length changes depending on the observation angle θ. That is, the interference color changes depending on the observation angle θ.

[0032] In addition, the surface of the second glittering pigment is conformal to the surface of the second core. That is, the second glittering pigment is a scaly particle having the same thickness direction as the second core. Therefore, in the ink panel B or the portion of the glittering pattern formed by transferring the glittering ink onto a recording medium that is made of the second glittering ink, the second glittering pigment is oriented so that its thickness direction approximately coincides with the thickness direction of the ink panel B or the thickness direction of the glittering pattern.

[0033] Therefore, in the glitter pattern formed by transferring the glitter ink onto the recording medium, the portion formed of the second glitter ink exhibits a different hue depending on the observation angle θ.

[0034] For example, as shown in Fig. 3, when an observer OB observes an information recording medium P having a glittering pattern at an observation angle θ in the range of 0° to 15°, i.e., when the information recording medium P is observed from almost the front, the portion of the glittering pattern made of the second glittering ink appears reddish brown, which is the color of iron oxide, with almost no interference color. When the observation angle θ is about 30°, interference colors become visible, and the portion of the glittering pattern made of the second glittering ink appears green. When the observation angle θ is about 60°, the portion of the glittering pattern made of the second glittering ink appears blue.

[0035] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a heat-sensitive transfer medium according to another embodiment of the present invention. The thermal transfer medium 3 shown in Fig. 2 has a band shape, similar to the above-mentioned thermal transfer medium 1. In Fig. 2, the thermal transfer medium 3 is in the form of a roll with one end unwound. The thermal transfer medium 3 may have other shapes.

[0036] The thermal transfer medium 3 includes a support 4 and ink panels Bk, Cy, Ma, Ye, B, and C.

[0037] The support 4 has a band shape. The support 4 may have other shapes. As the support 4, for example, those described above for the support 2 can be used.

[0038] Ink panels Bk, Cy, Ma, Ye, B, and C are provided on one main surface of the support 2. More specifically, on the main surface of the support 2, a plurality of ink panel groups each consisting of ink panels Bk, Cy, Ma, Ye, B, and C are arranged in the in-plane direction, here in the longitudinal direction of the support 2. In each ink panel group, the ink panels Bk, Cy, Ma, Ye, B, and C are arranged in the in-plane direction. Here, in each ink panel group, the ink panels Bk, Cy, Ma, Ye, B, and C are arranged in this order in the longitudinal direction of the support 2. Also, here, the ink panels Bk, Cy, Ma, Ye, B, and C each have a band shape extending in the width direction of the support 2. That is, the ink panel group of the thermal transfer medium 3 is the same as the ink panel group of the thermal transfer medium 1, except that it includes ink panel C instead of ink panel A, and ink panel B is located between ink panels Ye and C.

[0039] Ink panel C is a third glitter ink panel. The third glitter ink panel is made of a thermal transfer ink containing a color material and a binder resin. The binder resin is, for example, a thermoplastic resin such as a polyester resin.

[0040] The thermal transfer ink of ink panel C is a third photoluminescent ink containing a third photoluminescent pigment as a coloring material. The third photoluminescent pigment includes a third core made of synthetic mica, a fourth coating made of silicon dioxide (SiO2) covering the third core, and a fifth coating made of iron oxide (III) covering the fourth coating. The third core is a scaly particle like the first and second cores. Here, as an example, the thickness of the third core is approximately equal to the thickness of the second core.

[0041] The dimensions of each of the ink panels Bk, Cy, Ma, Ye, B and C can be set appropriately, for example, to match the dimensions of the recording area on the recording medium to which the thermal transfer ink is to be transferred from the thermal transfer medium 3.

[0042] The thermal transfer medium 3 further includes a sensor mark S. The sensor mark S may be omitted.

[0043] The thermal transfer medium 3 may further include a backcoat layer, such as a heat-resistant layer and a lubricating layer, on the side of the support 4 opposite the ink panels Bk, Cy, Ma, Ye, B and C.

[0044] As described above, the third luster pigment has a structure in which the third core made of synthetic mica is covered with a fourth coating made of silicon dioxide, which is further covered with a fifth coating made of iron (III) oxide. That is, in the third luster pigment, the fourth coating made of silicon dioxide is interposed between the third core made of synthetic mica and the fifth coating made of iron (III) oxide. Since silicon dioxide is a transparent dielectric, light incident on the fourth coating can be reflected by the interface between the third core and the fourth coating. In addition, the fourth coating is a thin layer having a substantially uniform thickness. Therefore, the light incident on the fourth coating causes repeated reflection interference with the surface of the fourth coating and the interface between the third core and the fourth coating as reflection surfaces, and as a result, strong interference light can be generated. The wavelength of the light that causes constructive interference changes depending on the optical path length. And the optical path length changes depending on the observation angle θ. That is, the interference color changes depending on the observation angle θ.

[0045] In addition, the surface of the third glittering pigment is conformal to the surface of the third core. That is, the third glittering pigment is a scaly particle having the same thickness direction as the third core. Therefore, in the ink panel C or the portion of the glittering pattern formed by transferring the glittering ink onto a recording medium that is made of the third glittering ink, the third glittering pigment is oriented so that its thickness direction approximately coincides with the thickness direction of the ink panel C or the thickness direction of the glittering pattern.

[0046] Therefore, in the glitter pattern formed by transferring the glitter ink onto the recording medium, the portion formed of the third glitter ink exhibits a different hue depending on the observation angle θ.

[0047] In the second luster pigment, the second coating covering the second core is made of titanium oxide, whereas in the third luster pigment, the fourth coating covering the third core is made of silicon dioxide. Titanium oxide and silicon dioxide have different refractive indices.

[0048] Therefore, in the photoluminescent pattern formed by transferring the photoluminescent ink onto a recording medium, the portion made of the second photoluminescent ink and the portion made of the third photoluminescent ink appear to be the same color, for example, when the information recording medium is observed from approximately the front, but appear to be different colors when the observation direction is tilted.

[0049] For example, as shown in Fig. 3, when an information recording medium P having a glittering pattern is observed at an observation angle θ in the range of 0° to 15°, i.e., when the information recording medium P is observed from almost the front, the portion of the glittering pattern made of the second glittering ink appears reddish brown, which is the color of iron oxide, with almost no interference color. When the observation angle θ is about 30°, interference colors become visible, and the portion of the glittering pattern made of the second glittering ink appears green. When the observation angle θ is about 60°, the portion of the glittering pattern made of the second glittering ink appears blue.

[0050] Also, as shown in Fig. 3, when the information recording medium P having the glitter pattern is observed at an observation angle θ in the range of 0° to 15°, that is, when the information recording medium P is observed from almost the front, the portion of the glitter pattern made of the third glitter ink also appears reddish brown, which is the color of iron oxide, with almost no interference color. When the observation angle θ is set to about 30°, the interference color becomes visible, and the portion of the glitter pattern made of the third glitter ink appears green. However, even when the observation angle θ is set to about 60°, the portion of the glitter pattern made of the third glitter ink remains green without a significant color change.

[0051] Fig. 4 is a hue chart obtained for an example of a glittering pattern. In Fig. 4, curve C21 represents the color change according to the observation angle θ of the portion of the glittering pattern made of the second glittering ink. Curve C31 represents the color change according to the observation angle θ of the portion of the glittering pattern made of the third glittering ink.

[0052] As described above, the portion of the glitter pattern made of the first glitter ink does not change color even when the observation angle θ is changed. In the portion of the glitter pattern made of the second glitter ink, when the observation angle θ is in the range of about 0° to 15°, the interference color is weak and has a strong yellow hue, so it is not noticeable because it blends in with the reddish-brown iron oxide color. In this portion, as the observation angle θ increases, the interference color has a greater effect on the display color, and when the observation angle θ is about 30°, it appears green, and when the observation angle θ is about 60°, it appears blue. In contrast, in the portion of the glitter pattern made of the third glitter ink, when the observation angle θ is in the range of about 0° to 15°, the interference color is not noticeable as described above, but as the angle increases, the interference color has a greater effect on the display color, and when the observation angle θ is about 30°, it appears green, but even when the observation angle θ is further increased to about 60°, there is little change in hue and it appears green.

[0053] Fig. 5 is a spectral reflectance chart obtained for an example of a glittering pattern. In Fig. 5, curves C2a and C2b represent the spectral reflectance of the portion of the glittering pattern made of the second glittering ink when the observation angles θ are 15° and 60°, respectively. Curves C3a and C3b represent the spectral reflectance of the portion of the glittering pattern made of the third glittering ink when the observation angles θ are 15° and 60°, respectively.

[0054] As shown in Figure 5, when the observation angle θ is changed, the portion of the glitter pattern containing the second glitter pigment and the portion of the glitter pattern containing the third glitter pigment each experience a shift in the reflectance peak and a change in hue. It can be seen that the portion of the glitter pattern containing the second glitter pigment experiences a greater shift in the reflectance peak in response to changes in the observation angle θ than the portion of the glitter pattern containing the third glitter pigment.

[0055] In the above embodiments, the display color of the glittering pigment first changes to green and then to blue as the observation angle θ increases, but the display color is not limited to the above examples. By changing the thickness of the coating that covers the synthetic mica core, the optical path length can be changed to display, for example, red or blue interference colors, and glittering ink and ink panels that display corresponding colors can be formed.

[0056] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an indirect transfer recording device that can be used in the manufacture of an information recording medium.

[0057] The information recording medium according to the embodiment of the present invention can be manufactured by using the above-mentioned thermal transfer medium and a thermal transfer printer. Figure 6 shows an example in which the thermal transfer printer is an indirect transfer type printer.

[0058] 6, the thermal transfer medium 1 is unwound from an unwinding roll 5, passes between a thermal head 7 and a platen roller 12 in a primary transfer section 101 where thermal transfer printing is performed on an intermediate transfer film 8, and is then taken up by a take-up roll 6. The intermediate transfer film 8 is unwound from an unwinding roll 9, passes between the thermal head 7 and a platen roller 12 in the primary transfer section 101, then passes between a heat roller 11 and a platen roller 12 in a secondary transfer section 102 where thermal and pressure transfer is performed on a recording medium 13, which is a transfer target, and is then taken up by a take-up roll 10.

[0059] In the primary transfer section 101, a color image, a pattern such as a character, etc. is transferred from the ink panels Bk, Cy, Ma, and Ye of four colors, black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, onto the overlay layer, which also serves as the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer film 8, and a glittering pattern is transferred from an ink panel using a glittering pigment as a coloring material. The intermediate transfer film 8 on which each pattern is formed is transported to the secondary transfer section 102, and is thermally and pressure-bonded to the recording medium 13 by the heat roller 11, so that each pattern formed in the primary transfer section 101 is transferred to the recording medium 13 together with the overlay layer. The color image, the pattern such as a character, and the glittering pattern can be formed into any shape and arrangement by appropriately controlling the operation of the thermal head 7. Therefore, any individual information can be recorded on the intermediate transfer film 8 and then on the recording medium 13.

[0060] FIG. 7 is a plan view of an information recording medium according to one embodiment of the present invention. The information recording medium 14 shown in Fig. 7 is in the form of a card such as an ID card. The information recording medium may be in the form of a sheet or booklet, and is not particularly limited as long as it has a flat recording surface. The information recording medium 14 is formed with a pattern 15 that is transferred from ink panels Bk, Cy, Ma, and Ye of four colors, black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, and displays color images, characters, etc., and a glittering pattern 16 that is a combination of patterns transferred from ink panels of two types of glittering inks that use glittering pigments as coloring materials.

[0061] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a structure that can be adopted in the information recording medium shown in FIG. FIG. 8 shows an information recording medium 14' on which a glittering pattern 16' is formed by an indirect transfer recording method using the thermal transfer medium 1 shown in FIG.

[0062] This information recording medium 14 ′ includes a recording medium 13 as a substrate, an adhesive layer 18 , a pattern 15 , a glittering pattern 16 ′, and an overlay layer 17 .

[0063] The recording medium 13 is a card made of plastic. The recording medium 13 may be in other forms such as a sheet. There is no particular limitation on the material of the recording medium 13. The material of the recording medium 13 is, for example, a polymer such as plastic, paper, metal, or a combination thereof.

[0064] The adhesive layer 18 is provided on the recording medium 13. The pattern 15 and the glittering pattern 16' are provided on the adhesive layer 18. The adhesive layer 18 is made of an adhesive. The adhesive layer 18 can be omitted.

[0065] Pattern 15 is transferred from thermal transfer medium 1 to the intermediate transfer film, and displays color images, characters, etc. Pattern 15 is composed of a combination of patterns PBk, PCy, PMa, and PYe. Patterns PBk, PCy, PMa, and PYe are transferred from thermal transfer medium 1 to the intermediate transfer film, and further transferred from the intermediate transfer film to recording medium 13. Patterns PBk, PCy, PMa, and PYe are made of color inks of ink panels Bk, Cy, Ma, and Ye, respectively.

[0066] The glittering pattern 16' is composed of a first glittering pattern PA made of a first glittering ink using a first glittering pigment as a coloring material, and a second glittering pattern PB made of a second glittering ink using a second glittering pigment as a coloring material. The first glittering pattern PA and the second glittering pattern PB are transferred from the thermal transfer medium 1 to an intermediate transfer film, and then further transferred from the intermediate transfer film to the recording medium 13. The first glittering pattern PA and the second glittering pattern PB are made of the first glittering ink of the ink panel A and the second glittering ink of the ink panel B, respectively.

[0067] The overlay layer 17 is provided on the adhesive layer 18, the pattern 15, and the photoluminescent pattern 16'. The overlay layer 17, together with the pattern 15 and the photoluminescent pattern 16', is transferred from the intermediate transfer film onto the adhesive layer 18. The overlay layer 17 is made of a transparent polymer, for example, an epoxy resin. The overlay layer 17 can be omitted.

[0068] FIG. 10A is a diagram showing an image displayed by an information recording medium employing the structure of FIG. 8 when observed from approximately the front.

[0069] For example, when the observation angle θ is 0°, both the first and second glittering patterns PA and PB appear to be reddish brown, which is the color of iron oxide. Therefore, the image B1 (here, a T-shaped image) displayed by the second glittering pattern PB cannot be distinguished from the image A1 displayed by the first glittering pattern PA, and they constitute a latent image.

[0070] FIG. 10B is a diagram showing an image displayed by an information recording medium employing the structure of FIG. 8 when observed at an observation angle of 30°.

[0071] When this information recording medium 14' is observed at an angle of about 30° as shown in FIG. 10B, the image displayed by the first glittering pattern PA appears to be the same color as the image A1 displayed when the observation angle is 0°. That is, the image displayed by the first glittering pattern PA does not undergo any perceptible color change and remains reddish brown. In contrast, the image displayed by the second glittering pattern PB exhibits stronger interference colors, changing from a reddish brown image B1 to a green image B2. Therefore, by switching the observation conditions between a state in which the image is observed from the front and a state in which the image is observed at an angle of about 30°, the T-shaped image may disappear or appear green.

[0072] Such a change in the image can be used, for example, as a security feature for determining authenticity. The shape of the second glittering pattern PB is not limited to a T-shape, and can be, for example, a pattern of any individual information such as a name and an ID number.

[0073] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view that shows, in outline, another example of a structure that can be employed in the information recording medium shown in FIG. FIG. 9 shows an information recording medium 14 ″ on which a glittering pattern 16 ″ is formed by an indirect transfer recording method using the thermal transfer medium 3 exemplified in FIG.

[0074] The structure of this information recording medium 14" is basically the same as that of the information recording medium 14'. However, the glittering pattern 16" is composed of a combination of a second glittering pattern PB made of a second glittering ink using a second glittering pigment as a coloring material, and a third glittering pattern PC made of a third glittering ink using a third glittering pigment as a coloring material. The overlay layer 17 of the intermediate transfer film is transferred onto the adhesive layer 18 together with the pattern 15 and the glittering pattern 16".

[0075] FIG. 11A is a diagram showing an image displayed by an information recording medium employing the structure of FIG. 9 when observed from approximately the front. For example, when the observation angle θ is 0°, the second glittering pattern PB and the third glittering pattern PC both appear reddish brown, which is the color of iron oxide. Therefore, the image B1 (here, a T-shaped image) displayed by the second glittering pattern PB cannot be distinguished from the image C1 displayed by the third glittering pattern PC, and they constitute a latent image.

[0076] FIG. 11B is a diagram showing an image displayed by an information recording medium employing the structure of FIG. 9 when observed at an observation angle of 30°. When this information recording medium 14" is observed tilted at an angle of approximately 30° as shown in Figure 11B, the image displayed by the second glossy pattern PB exhibits intensified interference colors, changing from a reddish-brown image B1 to a green image B2. On the other hand, the image displayed by the third glossy pattern PC exhibits intensified interference colors, changing from a reddish-brown image C1 to a green image C2. Images B2 and C2 are almost the same color, and they constitute a latent image. In other words, when the observation angle is changed from 0° to 30°, the image displayed by the second glossy pattern BP and the image displayed by the third glossy pattern PC undergo a color change while still forming a latent image.

[0077] FIG. 11C is a diagram showing an image displayed by an information recording medium employing the structure of FIG. 9 when observed at an observation angle of 60°. When this information recording medium 14" is observed at an angle of approximately 60° as shown in Figure 11C, the color of the image C2 displayed by the third glittering pattern PC does not change significantly and remains green. In contrast, the image displayed by the second glittering pattern PB changes from the green image B2 to the blue image B3. As a result, a T-shaped image becomes visible. Therefore, by switching the observation conditions between observing from the front, observing at an angle of approximately 30°, and observing at an angle of approximately 60°, the color of the latent image changes between reddish brown and green, and a T-shaped blue image is visualized.

[0078] Such a change in the image can be used, for example, as a security feature for determining authenticity. As described above, the shape of the second glittering pattern PB is not limited to a T-shape and can be any pattern of individual information.

[0079] As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, by forming a glittering pattern on an information recording medium, individual information can be recorded on the recording medium. The glittering pattern can be formed on the recording medium on demand. Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to individually record a highly secure pattern on demand.

[0080] Furthermore, the image displayed by the glittering pattern can be switched between a latent image and a visible image by changing the viewing angle. By utilizing such image changes as a security feature, it becomes easier to determine whether each information recording medium is genuine.

[0081] Therefore, according to the above embodiment, a high anti-counterfeiting effect can be achieved.

[0082] The above-mentioned thermal transfer medium and information recording medium can be modified in various ways. The heat-sensitive transfer medium shown in FIG. 1 includes first and second photoluminescent ink panels. The photoluminescent pattern of the information recording medium obtained using this heat-sensitive transfer medium includes the first and second photoluminescent inks. On the other hand, the heat-sensitive transfer medium shown in FIG. 2 includes second and third photoluminescent ink panels. The photoluminescent pattern of the information recording medium obtained using this heat-sensitive transfer medium includes the second and third photoluminescent inks. The heat-sensitive transfer medium may include the first to third photoluminescent ink panels. And the photoluminescent pattern of the information recording medium may include the first to third photoluminescent inks.

[0083] The first core does not have to be made of synthetic mica as long as it is made of a first transparent material and is flaky. The second core does not have to be made of synthetic mica as long as it is made of a second transparent material and is flaky. The third core does not have to be made of synthetic mica as long as it is made of a third transparent material and is flaky. As the first to third transparent materials, mica other than synthetic mica may be used, and transparent materials other than mica, for example, transparent inorganic compounds other than mica may be used.

[0084] The first to third transparent materials may be equal to each other or different from each other, preferably the first to third transparent materials are equal to each other.

[0085] Each of the first to third cores has an average dimension L in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction preferably in the range of 0.1 to 0.9 μm, more preferably in the range of 0.2 to 0.7 μm. Also, each of the first to third cores has a ratio d / L of the thickness d to the average dimension L preferably in the range of 0.004 to 0.18, more preferably in the range of 0.008 to 0.14. The average dimension L is a value obtained by photographing a large number of cores with an electron microscope, measuring the areas of the main surfaces perpendicular to the thickness direction of the cores, and calculating the diameter of a circle having an area equal to the average value of these areas.

[0086] The second coating may be a layer made of a material other than titanium oxide, provided that it is made of the first transparent inorganic compound and has a surface conformal to the surface of the second core. The fourth coating may be a layer made of a material other than silicon dioxide, provided that it is made of the second transparent inorganic compound and has a surface conformal to the surface of the third core.

[0087] The first and second transparent inorganic compounds may be transparent inorganic dielectrics or transparent inorganic conductors. Examples of the first and second transparent inorganic compounds include Sb2O3 (refractive index n=3.0), FeO3 (n=2.7), TiO2 (n=2.6), CdS (n=2.6), CeO2 (n=2.3), ZnS (n=2.3), PbCl2 (n=2.3), CdO (n=2.2), Sb2O3 (n=2.0), WO3 (n=2.0), SiO (n=2.0), SiO3 (n=2.5), In2O3 (n=2.0), PbO (n=2.6), Ta2O3 (n=2.4), ZnO (n=2.1), ZrO2 (n=2.2), SnO (n=2.0), ITO (indium tin oxide; n=2.0), MgO (n=1.6), SiO2 (n=1.5), MgF2 (n=1.4), CeF3 (n=1.6), CaF2 (n=1.3 to 1.4), AlF3 (n=1.6), Al2O3 (n=1.6), and GaO (n=1.7).

[0088] The first transparent inorganic compound preferably has a refractive index that is significantly different from that of the first transparent material. The second transparent inorganic compound preferably has a refractive index that is significantly different from that of the second transparent material. Increasing the refractive index difference increases the reflectance at the interface between the core and the coating layer.

[0089] The first and second transparent inorganic compounds may be the same or different. In the former case, the thicknesses of the second and fourth coatings are made different so that they have different optical thicknesses. In the latter case, the second and fourth coatings may be equal in thickness or different in thickness. In either case, the second and fourth coatings have different optical thicknesses at any wavelength in the visible range. The "optical thickness" of a layer is the product n×d of the refractive index n of the material of the layer and the thickness d of the layer. The refractive index n is the refractive index for light with a wavelength of 550 nm. The optical thicknesses of the second and fourth coatings are preferably within the range of 100 to 900 nm.

[0090] The first coating may not be made of iron(III) oxide as long as it is a layer made of a first coloring material covering the first core. The third coating may not be made of iron(III) oxide as long as it is a layer made of a second coloring material covering the second coating and capable of transmitting light that generates constructive interference in the second coating. The fifth coating may not be made of iron(III) oxide as long as it is a layer made of a third coloring material covering the fourth coating and capable of transmitting light that generates constructive interference in the fourth coating.

[0091] As the first to third coloring materials, colored metal oxides, for example, iron oxides such as iron(III) oxide, copper oxides such as copper(I) oxide, cobalt oxides such as cobalt(II) oxide, chromium oxides such as chromium(VI) oxide, and nickel oxides such as nickel(II) oxide, can be used. The first to third coloring materials can be equal to each other or different from each other. Preferably, the first to third coloring materials are equal to each other. It is particularly preferred that the first to third coloring materials are iron(III) oxide.

[0092] The optical thickness of the first, third and fifth coatings is preferably 250 nm or less, more preferably 210 nm or less. If these optical thicknesses are large, their transmittance for visible light decreases, and as a result, the structural color becomes difficult to see. For example, when the first, third and fifth coatings are made of iron oxide (refractive index n=3.0), their geometric thickness is preferably 80 nm or less, more preferably 50 nm or less.

[0093] The optical thickness of the first, third and fifth coatings is preferably 50 nm or more, more preferably 70 nm or more. For example, when the first, third and fifth coatings are made of iron oxide (refractive index n=3.0), their geometric thickness is preferably 20 nm or more, more preferably 25 nm or more.

[0094] The first, third and fifth coatings may have the same optical thickness as each other or may differ from each other, preferably the first, third and fifth coatings have the same optical thickness as each other.

[0095] The first to third photoluminescent inks or the first to third photoluminescent ink panels may further include a phosphor. The phosphor is dispersed in a binder. As the phosphor, for example, blue phosphors such as perylene, 1,1,4,4-tetraphenyl-1,3 butadiene, and poly(9,9-dialkylfluorene), green phosphors such as coumarin-based dyes, quinacridone-based dyes, poly(p-phenylenevinylene), and poly(fluorene), or red phosphors such as 4-dicyanomethylene-4H-pyran derivatives, 2,3-diphenylfumaronitrile derivatives, and coumarin-based dyes can be used.

[0096] Specific examples of the present invention are described below. <Example 1> (Preparation of photoluminescent pigment) [First glittering pigment] The following first bright pigment was prepared. Iron(III) oxide / synthetic mica This first bright pigment was obtained by covering a first core made of synthetic mica (synthetic glass) with a first coating made of iron (III) oxide. The first bright pigment exhibited a reddish brown color, which is the color of iron (III), from any observation angle.

[0097] [Preparation of second brilliant pigment] The following second bright pigments were prepared. Iron(III) oxide / titanium oxide / synthetic mica This second brilliant pigment is obtained by covering a second core made of synthetic mica (synthetic glass) with a second coating made of titanium oxide, and further covering this with a third coating made of iron oxide (III).

[0098] (Manufacture of thermal transfer media) A polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film with a thickness of 12 μm was prepared as a support. On one side of this film, an ink containing a polyester resin as a binder resin and a pigment was applied by a gravure coater to form four color ink panels containing pigments of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, a first photoluminescent ink panel consisting of a first photoluminescent ink containing a first photoluminescent pigment, and a second ink panel consisting of a second photoluminescent ink containing a second photoluminescent pigment. The composition of the ink used to form these ink panels was as follows. The color ink panel was formed to have a thickness of 1.0 μm when dried, the first photoluminescent ink panel was formed to have a thickness of 1.0 μm when dried, and the second ink panel was formed to have a thickness of 1.5 μm when dried. In this manner, a thermal transfer medium was obtained. In the compositions shown below, "MEK" stands for methyl ethyl ketone.

[0099] [Cyan Ink Composition] Cyan pigment 5 parts by weight Vylon (registered trademark) 500 (Toyobo Co., Ltd.) 15 parts by weight MEK (Toyo Ink Co., Ltd.) 80 parts by weight

[0100] [Magenta Ink Composition] Magenta pigment 5 parts by weight Vylon (registered trademark) 500 (Toyobo Co., Ltd.) 15 parts by weight MEK (Toyo Ink Co., Ltd.) 80 parts by weight

[0101] [Yellow Ink Composition] Yellow pigment 5 parts by weight Vylon (registered trademark) 500 (Toyobo Co., Ltd.) 15 parts by weight MEK (Toyo Ink Co., Ltd.) 80 parts by weight

[0102] [Composition of Black Ink] Carbon black pigment 5 parts by weight Vylon (registered trademark) 500 (Toyobo Co., Ltd.) 15 parts by weight MEK (Toyo Ink Co., Ltd.) 80 parts by weight

[0103] [Composition of first glittering ink] First glitter pigment 5 parts by mass Vylon (registered trademark) 500 (Toyobo Co., Ltd.) 15 parts by weight MEK (Toyo Ink Co., Ltd.) 80 parts by weight

[0104] [Composition of second glittering ink] Second glitter pigment 5 parts by mass Vylon (registered trademark) 500 (Toyobo Co., Ltd.) 15 parts by weight MEK (Toyo Ink Co., Ltd.) 80 parts by weight

[0105] (Manufacturing intermediate transfer film) An ink containing an epoxy resin was applied to one side of a 12 μm thick PET film using a gravure coater to form an overlay layer with a thickness of 0.8 μm. This resulted in an intermediate transfer film. The composition of the ink used to form the overlay layer is shown below.

[0106] [Composition of ink for forming overlay layer] jER1003 (Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation) 20 parts by weight MEK (Toyo Ink Co., Ltd.) 80 parts by weight

[0107] (Production of information recording media) Using the thermal transfer medium and intermediate transfer film manufactured as described above, a pattern similar to that illustrated in FIG. 10A was printed on one side of a card-shaped recording medium made of vinyl chloride. For this printing, a card printer CP500 (Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.), which is an indirect transfer recording type printer, was used. In this manner, an information recording body was obtained.

[0108] (verification) This information recording body was observed visually. When this information recording body was observed from the front, both the first and second glittering patterns appeared reddish brown and could not be distinguished from each other. When this information recording body was observed tilted at about 30°, the first glittering pattern remained reddish brown. On the other hand, the second glittering pattern was green. As a result, a T-shaped image was seen. That is, a glittering pattern was formed that displays an image that switches between a latent image and a visible image by changing the observation angle. In addition, the part of the information recording body corresponding to the first glittering pattern and the part corresponding to the second glittering pattern have no difference in texture, and the provision of these two types of glittering patterns was not noticed by people who did not know that the above-mentioned color change would occur and did not confirm this color change.

[0109] <Example 2> (Preparation of photoluminescent pigment) [Second Luster Pigment] A second bright pigment similar to that in Example 1 was prepared.

[0110] [Third Luster Pigment] The following third bright pigments were prepared.

[0111] Iron(III) oxide / Silicon dioxide / Synthetic mica This third brilliant pigment is obtained by covering a third core made of synthetic mica (synthetic glass) with a fourth coating made of silicon dioxide, and further covering this with a fifth coating made of iron oxide (III).

[0112] (Manufacture of thermal transfer media) A polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film having a thickness of 12 μm was prepared as a support. On one side of this film, an ink containing a polyester resin as a binder resin and a pigment was applied by a gravure coater to form four color ink panels containing dyes of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, a second glittering ink panel consisting of a second glittering ink containing a second glittering pigment, and a third ink panel consisting of a third glittering ink containing a third glittering pigment. The composition of the ink used to form these ink panels was as follows. The color ink panel was formed to have a thickness of 1.0 μm when dried, the second ink panel was formed to have a thickness of 1.5 μm when dried, and the third ink panel was formed to have a thickness of 1.8 μm when dried. In this manner, a thermal transfer medium was obtained.

[0113] [Composition of cyan, magenta, yellow and black inks] The compositions of the cyan, magenta, yellow and black inks were the same as in Example 1.

[0114] [Composition of second glittering ink] The composition of the second glittering ink was the same as in Example 1.

[0115] [Composition of third glittering ink] Tertiary bright pigment 5 parts by mass Vylon (registered trademark) 500 (Toyobo Co., Ltd.) 15 parts by weight MEK (Toyo Ink Co., Ltd.) 80 parts by weight

[0116] (Manufacturing intermediate transfer film) An intermediate transfer film similar to that in Example 1 was prepared.

[0117] (Production of information recording medium) Using the thermal transfer medium and intermediate transfer film manufactured as described above, a pattern similar to that illustrated in FIG. 11A was printed on one side of a card-shaped recording medium made of vinyl chloride. For this printing, a card printer CP500 (Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.), which is an indirect transfer recording type printer, was used. In this manner, an information recording body was obtained.

[0118] (verification) This information recording body was observed visually. When this information recording body was observed from the front, both the second and third glittering patterns appeared reddish brown and could not be distinguished from each other. When this information recording body was observed tilted at about 30°, both the second and third glittering patterns were green. When this information recording body was observed tilted further to about 60°, the third glittering pattern remained green, but the second glittering pattern was blue. As a result, a T-shaped image was seen. That is, by changing the observation angle, a glittering pattern was formed that displays an image that switches between a latent image and a visible image. In addition, there was no difference in texture between the part of the information recording body corresponding to the second glittering pattern and the part corresponding to the third glittering pattern, and the provision of these two types of glittering patterns was not noticed by people who did not know that the above-mentioned color change would occur and did not confirm this color change. The invention as originally claimed is set forth below. [1] A support; a plurality of ink panels each formed on the support, each of the ink panels being made of a thermal transfer ink; Equipped with The plurality of ink panels include a first glittering ink panel, in which the thermal transfer ink is a first glittering ink containing, as a coloring material, a first glittering pigment including a first scaly core made of a first transparent material and a first coating made of a first coloring material covering the first core; a second glittering ink panel, the thermal transfer ink being a second glittering ink containing a second glittering pigment as a coloring material, the second glittering ink including a second scaly core made of a second transparent material, a second coating made of a first transparent inorganic compound covering the second core, and a third coating made of a second coloring material covering the second coating; A third photoluminescent ink panel, in which the thermal transfer ink contains a third photoluminescent pigment as a coloring material, the third photoluminescent pigment including a scale-like third core made of a third transparent material, a fourth coating made of a second transparent inorganic compound covering the third core, and a fifth coating made of a third coloring material covering the fourth coating, the fourth coating being a third photoluminescent ink having an optical film thickness different from that of the second coating. A thermal transfer medium comprising two or more ink panels selected from the group consisting of: [2] 2. The thermal transfer medium according to item 1, wherein the plurality of ink panels include the first and second glitter ink panels. [3] 3. The thermal transfer medium according to item 2, wherein the second coloring material is equal to the first coloring material. [4] 4. The thermal transfer medium according to item 2 or 3, wherein the second transparent material is the same as the first transparent material. [5] 2. The thermal transfer medium according to item 1, wherein the plurality of ink panels include the second and third glitter ink panels. [6] 6. The thermal transfer medium according to item 5, wherein the third coloring material is equal to the second coloring material. [7] 7. The thermal transfer medium according to item 5 or 6, wherein the third transparent material is the same as the second transparent material. [8] 8. The thermal transfer medium according to any one of items 5 to 7, wherein the second transparent inorganic compound is different from the first transparent inorganic compound. [9] 2. A thermal transfer medium according to item 1, wherein the first to third transparent materials are synthetic mica, the first to third coloring materials are iron (III) oxide, the first transparent inorganic compound is titanium oxide, and the second transparent inorganic compound is silicon dioxide.

[10] A support; a plurality of ink panels each formed on the support, each of the ink panels being made of a thermal transfer ink; Equipped with The plurality of ink panels include a first glittering ink panel, the thermal transfer ink being a first glittering ink containing, as a coloring material, a first glittering pigment including a first core made of synthetic mica and a first coating made of iron (III) oxide covering the first core; A second glittering ink panel, in which the thermal transfer ink is a second glittering ink containing, as a coloring material, a second glittering pigment including a second core made of synthetic mica, a second coating made of titanium oxide covering the second core, and a third coating made of iron (III) oxide covering the second coating; and A third photoluminescent ink panel, in which the thermal transfer ink is a third photoluminescent ink containing a third photoluminescent pigment as a coloring material, the third photoluminescent pigment including a third core made of synthetic mica, a fourth coating made of silicon dioxide covering the third core, and a fifth coating made of iron (III) oxide covering the fourth coating. A thermal transfer medium comprising two or more ink panels selected from the group consisting of:

[11] A recording medium; A glittering pattern provided on the recording medium; Equipped with The glittering pattern is a first glittering ink containing, as a coloring material, a first glittering pigment including a first scaly core made of a first transparent material and a first coating made of a first coloring material covering the first core; a second glittering ink containing, as a coloring material, a second glittering pigment including a scaly second core made of a second transparent material, a second coating made of a first transparent inorganic compound covering the second core, and a third coating made of a second coloring material covering the second coating; and A third glittering ink containing a third glittering pigment as a coloring material, the third glittering pigment including a scale-like third core made of a third transparent material, a fourth coating made of a second transparent inorganic compound covering the third core, and a fifth coating made of a third coloring material covering the fourth coating, the fourth coating having an optical thickness different from that of the second coating. The ink contains two or more types of glitter ink selected from the group consisting of An information recording medium, in which individual information is recorded in the glittering pattern with at least one of the two or more types of glittering ink.

[12] Item 12. An information recording medium according to item 11, wherein the glittering pattern contains the first and second glittering inks.

[13] Item 13. The information recording medium according to item 12, wherein the second coloring material is equal to the first coloring material.

[14] Item 14. The information recording medium according to item 12 or 13, wherein the second transparent material is the same as the first transparent material.

[15] Item 12. An information recording medium according to item 11, wherein the glittering pattern contains the second and third glittering inks.

[16] Item 16. The information recording medium according to item 15, wherein the third coloring material is equal to the second coloring material.

[17] Item 17. The information recording medium according to item 15 or 16, wherein the third transparent material is the same as the second transparent material.

[18] 18. The information recording medium according to any one of items 15 to 17, wherein the second transparent inorganic compound is different from the first transparent inorganic compound.

[19] Item 12. An information recording medium according to item 11, wherein the first to third transparent materials are synthetic mica, the first to third coloring materials are iron (III) oxide, the first transparent inorganic compound is titanium oxide, and the second transparent inorganic compound is silicon dioxide.

[20] A recording medium; A glittering pattern provided on the recording medium; Equipped with The glittering pattern is a first glittering ink containing, as a coloring material, a first glittering pigment including a first core made of synthetic mica and a first coating made of iron (III) oxide covering the first core; a second glittering ink containing, as a coloring material, a second glittering pigment including a second core made of synthetic mica, a second coating made of titanium oxide covering the second core, and a third coating made of iron (III) oxide covering the second coating; and A third glittering ink containing, as a coloring material, a third glittering pigment including a third core made of synthetic mica, a fourth coating made of silicon dioxide covering the third core, and a fifth coating made of iron (III) oxide covering the fourth coating. The ink contains two or more types of glitter ink selected from the group consisting of An information recording medium, in which individual information is recorded in the glittering pattern with at least one of the two or more types of glittering ink. [Explanation of symbols]

[0119] 1...thermal transfer medium, 2...support, 3...thermal transfer medium, 4...support, 5...unwinding roll, 6...take-up roll, 7...thermal head, 8...intermediate transfer film, 9...unwinding roll, 10...take-up roll, 11...heat roller, 12...platen roller, 13...recording medium, 14...information recording body, 14'...information recording body, 14"...information recording body, 15...pattern, 16...photoluminescent pattern, 16'...photoluminescent pattern, 16"...photoluminescent pattern, 17...overlay layer, 18...adhesive layer, 100...indirect transfer recording device, 101...primary transfer section, 102...secondary transfer section, A...first photoluminescent photoluminescent ink panel, A1...image, B...second photoluminescent ink panel, B1...image, B2...image, B3...image, Bk...ink panel, C...third photoluminescent ink panel, C1...image, C2...image, C2a...curve, C2b...curve, C21...curve, C3a...curve, C3b...curve, C31...curve, Cy...ink panel, Ma...ink panel, P...information recording body, PA...first photoluminescent pattern, PB...second photoluminescent pattern, PBk...pattern, PC...third photoluminescent pattern, PCy...pattern, PMa...pattern, PYe...pattern, S...sensor mark, Ye...ink panel.

Claims

1. A support, a plurality of ink panels each formed on the support, each of the ink panels being made of a thermal transfer ink; Equipped with The plurality of ink panels include a second glittering ink panel, the thermal transfer ink being a second glittering ink containing, as a coloring material, a second glittering pigment including a second scaly core made of a second transparent material, a second coating made of a first transparent inorganic compound covering the second core, and a third coating made of a second coloring material covering the second coating; A third glittering ink panel, in which the thermal transfer ink contains a third glittering pigment as a coloring material, the third glittering pigment including a scale-like third core made of a third transparent material, a fourth coating made of a second transparent inorganic compound covering the third core, and a fifth coating made of a third coloring material covering the fourth coating, the fourth coating being a third glittering ink having an optical film thickness different from that of the second coating. wherein the second transparent inorganic compound is different from the first transparent inorganic compound.

2. 2. The thermal transfer medium of claim 1, wherein the third coloring material is equal to the second coloring material.

3. 3. The thermal transfer medium according to claim 1, wherein the third transparent material is the same as the second transparent material.

4. A support, a plurality of ink panels each formed on the support, each of the ink panels being made of a thermal transfer ink; Equipped with The plurality of ink panels include a first glittering ink panel, the thermal transfer ink being a first glittering ink containing as a coloring material a first glittering pigment including a first scaly core made of a first transparent material and a first coating made of a first coloring material covering the first core; a second glittering ink panel, the thermal transfer ink being a second glittering ink containing, as a coloring material, a second glittering pigment including a second scaly core made of a second transparent material, a second coating made of a first transparent inorganic compound covering the second core, and a third coating made of a second coloring material covering the second coating; A third glittering ink panel, in which the thermal transfer ink contains a third glittering pigment as a coloring material, the third glittering pigment including a scale-like third core made of a third transparent material, a fourth coating made of a second transparent inorganic compound covering the third core, and a fifth coating made of a third coloring material covering the fourth coating, the fourth coating being a third glittering ink having an optical film thickness different from that of the second coating. Two or more ink panels selected from the group consisting of: A thermal transfer medium, wherein the first to third transparent materials are synthetic mica, the first to third coloring materials are iron (III) oxide, the first transparent inorganic compound is titanium oxide, and the second transparent inorganic compound is silicon dioxide.

5. A support; a plurality of ink panels each formed on the support, each of the ink panels being made of a thermal transfer ink; Equipped with The plurality of ink panels include a first glittering ink panel, the thermal transfer ink being a first glittering ink containing, as a coloring material, a first glittering pigment including a first core made of synthetic mica and a first coating made of iron (III) oxide covering the first core; A second glittering ink panel, in which the thermal transfer ink is a second glittering ink containing, as a coloring material, a second glittering pigment including a second core made of synthetic mica, a second coating made of titanium oxide covering the second core, and a third coating made of iron (III) oxide covering the second coating; and A third glittering ink panel, in which the thermal transfer ink is a third glittering ink containing a third glittering pigment as a coloring material, the third glittering pigment including a third core made of synthetic mica, a fourth coating made of silicon dioxide covering the third core, and a fifth coating made of iron (III) oxide covering the fourth coating. A thermal transfer medium comprising two or more ink panels selected from the group consisting of:

6. A recording medium, A glittering pattern provided on the recording medium; Equipped with The glittering pattern is a first glittering ink containing, as a coloring material, a first glittering pigment including a scaly first core made of a first transparent material and a first coating made of a first coloring material covering the first core; a second glittering ink containing, as a coloring material, a second glittering pigment including a scaly second core made of a second transparent material, a second coating made of a first transparent inorganic compound covering the second core, and a third coating made of a second coloring material covering the second coating; and a third glittering ink containing a third glittering pigment as a coloring material, the third glittering pigment including a third scaly core made of a third transparent material, a fourth coating made of a second transparent inorganic compound covering the third core, and a fifth coating made of a third coloring material covering the fourth coating, the fourth coating having an optical film thickness different from that of the second coating; The ink contains two or more glitter inks selected from the group consisting of individual information is recorded in the glittering pattern using at least one of the two or more types of glittering ink; the glitter pattern includes the second and third glitter inks, The second transparent inorganic compound is different from the first transparent inorganic compound.

7. 7. An information recording medium according to claim 6, wherein the third coloring material is equal to the second coloring material.

8. 8. The information recording medium according to claim 6, wherein the third transparent material is the same as the second transparent material.

9. A recording medium, A glittering pattern provided on the recording medium; Equipped with The glittering pattern is a first glittering ink containing, as a coloring material, a first glittering pigment including a scaly first core made of a first transparent material and a first coating made of a first coloring material covering the first core; a second glittering ink containing, as a coloring material, a second glittering pigment including a scaly second core made of a second transparent material, a second coating made of a first transparent inorganic compound covering the second core, and a third coating made of a second coloring material covering the second coating; and a third glittering ink containing a third glittering pigment as a coloring material, the third glittering pigment including a third scaly core made of a third transparent material, a fourth coating made of a second transparent inorganic compound covering the third core, and a fifth coating made of a third coloring material covering the fourth coating, the fourth coating having an optical film thickness different from that of the second coating; The ink contains two or more glitter inks selected from the group consisting of individual information is recorded in the glittering pattern using at least one of the two or more types of glittering ink; An information recording medium, wherein the first to third transparent materials are synthetic mica, the first to third coloring materials are iron (III) oxide, the first transparent inorganic compound is titanium oxide, and the second transparent inorganic compound is silicon dioxide.

10. A recording medium; A glittering pattern provided on the recording medium; Equipped with The glittering pattern is a first glittering ink containing, as a coloring material, a first glittering pigment including a first core made of synthetic mica and a first coating made of iron (III) oxide covering the first core; a second glittering ink containing, as a coloring material, a second glittering pigment including a second core made of synthetic mica, a second coating made of titanium oxide covering the second core, and a third coating made of iron (III) oxide covering the second coating; and A third glittering ink containing, as a coloring material, a third glittering pigment including a third core made of synthetic mica, a fourth coating made of silicon dioxide covering the third core, and a fifth coating made of iron (III) oxide covering the fourth coating. The ink contains two or more glitter inks selected from the group consisting of An information recording medium, wherein individual information is recorded in the glittering pattern using at least one of the two or more types of glittering ink.

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