Manufacturing method of a recorded material having a three-dimensional image, manufacturing device of a recorded material having a three-dimensional image, and foaming promoting liquid

Abstract

To provide a production method of a recorded matter comprising a three-dimensional image capable of easily forming a three-dimensional image on which a clear uneven feeling is expressed and suppressing peeling of a foam formation layer from a substrate.SOLUTION: A production method of a recorded matter having a three-dimensional image comprises the steps of: applying foam formation promotion fluid which contains a foam formation promotion component and water to a recording medium which has a substrate and a foam formation layer including foam formation particles and a binder resin and provided on the substrate; and heating the foam formation layer for foaming the foam formation particles thereby forming a three-dimensional image. The foam formation particles include a shell layer containing a thermoplastic resin, and a volatile material encapsulated in the shell layer, the foam formation promotion component includes a compound having no hydroxy group, and a temperature at which the foam formation layer of the recording medium to which the foam formation promotion fluid is applied, is equal to or greater than a foam formation start temperature of the foam formation particles on which the foam formation promotion component acts, and less than a maximum foam formation temperature of the foam formation particles.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for producing a recorded matter having a three-dimensional image, and a foaming-promoting liquid. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, three-dimensional images such as wallpaper and Braille have been formed by printing methods using UV ink overlay, physical extrusion methods such as embossing, 3D printers, and thermally expandable plastic foams, etc. Among them, thermally expandable plastic foams are known to exhibit functions such as heat insulation, heat insulation, sound insulation, sound absorption, vibration prevention, and weight reduction depending on the foam material and the state of the bubbles formed.

[0003] In the field of wallpaper, a technique is known in which an azo compound such as azodicarbonamide (ADCA) is used as a foaming agent, and a foam layer containing such a foaming agent and a resin such as polyvinyl chloride is foamed to form a concave-convex structure. For example, a method has been proposed in which an image is recorded with ink containing a light-absorbing coloring material, and then light is irradiated to generate a heating difference according to the light absorbency, thereby selectively raising the foam layer to form a three-dimensional image (Patent Document 1).

[0004] Also, a planar image is recorded on the surface of the foamable sheet, and a gradation image (light absorbing pattern) based on distance image data expressing a three-dimensional shape is formed on the surface of the base layer of the foamable sheet. Then, a method has been proposed in which light is irradiated from the base layer side to generate heat according to the gradation of the image, and the foamable sheet is expanded according to the distance image data (Patent Document 2). Furthermore, a method has been proposed in which a liquid that suppresses, prevents, or promotes expansion is attached to a thermal expansion layer containing polyvinyl chloride or acrylic resin and a chemical foaming agent, and then heated to form a concave-convex structure (Patent Document 3). Also, a method has been proposed in which a plasticizer for the shell wall resin of the foamable capsule is applied or printed on a three-dimensional image forming layer of a recording material for three-dimensional image formation provided with a three-dimensional image forming layer containing foamable capsules, and then the foamable capsules are heated and foamed to form a three-dimensional image (Patent Document 4). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-207428 [Patent Document 2] JP 2001-150812 A [Patent Document 3] Special Publication No. 2014-514187 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-129116 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in the method proposed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to apply an ink containing a coloring material with high light absorption, such as black ink, to the part to be thermally foamed. Therefore, it is difficult to foam the part to which the ink containing a coloring material with low light absorption is applied. In addition, in the case of the method proposed in Patent Document 2, since the light absorbing pattern is not directly formed on the foam layer, it is difficult to foam sufficiently. Furthermore, since the method proposed in Patent Document 3 uses a chemical foaming agent, the foaming part is likely to vary, making it difficult to express a clear uneven feeling. In addition, in the method proposed in Patent Document 4, the three-dimensional image forming layer may peel off from the support when the foaming capsule is foamed, so further improvement was necessary.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a recorded matter having a three-dimensional image, which can easily form a three-dimensional image expressing a clear unevenness and can suppress peeling of a foam layer from a substrate. Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for producing a recorded matter having a three-dimensional image, which can easily form a three-dimensional image expressing a clear unevenness and can suppress peeling of a foam layer from a substrate. Another object of the present invention is to provide a foaming-promoting liquid used in the method for producing a recorded matter having a three-dimensional image. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] That is, according to the present invention, a method for producing a recording medium includes the steps of: applying a foaming-promoting liquid containing a foaming-promoting component that lowers the foaming initiation temperature of the foamed particles and water to a recording medium having a substrate and a foaming layer that is provided on the substrate and contains foamed particles that are foamed by heat and a binder resin; While suppressing the expansion of the foam particles in the foam layer of the recording medium to which the foaming-promoting component is not applied due to heating, Heating the foam layer of the recording medium; The foam-promoting component is allowed to act and forming a three-dimensional image by foaming the foamed particles, wherein the foamed particles have a shell layer containing a thermoplastic resin and a volatile material encapsulated in the shell layer, the binder resin contains a water-insoluble resin, the foaming-promoting component contains a compound having no hydroxyl group, the temperature at which the foamed layer of the recording medium to which the foaming-promoting liquid has been applied is heated is equal to or higher than the foaming initiation temperature of the foamed particles to which the foaming-promoting component has been applied, and The foam-promoting component is not used. The present invention provides a method for producing a recorded matter having a three-dimensional image, the temperature of which is lower than the maximum foaming temperature of the foamed particles.

[0009] According to the present invention, there is also provided a recording medium having a substrate and a foaming layer provided on the substrate, the foaming layer containing foaming particles that expand when heated and a binder resin. A foaming-promoting liquid applying means applies a foaming-promoting liquid containing a foaming-promoting component that lowers the foaming initiation temperature of the foaming particles and water to the recording medium. While suppressing the expansion of the foam particles in the foam layer of the recording medium to which the foaming-promoting component is not applied due to heating, Heating the foam layer of the recording medium; The foam-promoting component is allowed to actand a heating means for foaming the foamed particles to form a three-dimensional image, wherein the foamed particles have a shell layer containing a thermoplastic resin and a volatile material encapsulated in the shell layer, the binder resin contains a water-insoluble resin, the foaming-promoting component contains a compound having no hydroxyl group, the temperature at which the foamed layer of the recording medium to which the foaming-promoting liquid has been applied is heated is equal to or higher than the foaming start temperature of the foamed particles to which the foaming-promoting component has been applied, and The foam-promoting component is not used. There is also provided an apparatus for producing a recorded matter having a three-dimensional image, the temperature of which is lower than the maximum foaming temperature of the foamed particles. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a method for producing a recorded material having a three-dimensional image, which can easily form a three-dimensional image with a clear uneven texture and suppress peeling of a foam layer from a substrate.

[0012] Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an apparatus for manufacturing a recorded matter having a three-dimensional image, which is capable of easily forming a three-dimensional image with a clear expression of unevenness and suppressing peeling of the foam layer from the substrate.

[0013] Furthermore, according to the present invention, there can be provided a foaming promoting liquid used in the above-mentioned method for producing a recorded matter having a three-dimensional image. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic example of a recording medium used in the method for producing a recorded matter having a stereoscopic image of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a production apparatus for a recorded matter having a three-dimensional image according to the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to preferred embodiments. Hereinafter, the aqueous ink for inkjet printing may be referred to simply as "ink." Physical property values ​​are those at room temperature (25°C) unless otherwise specified.

[0016] <Method of manufacturing a recorded material having a stereoscopic image> The method for producing a recorded matter having a three-dimensional image of the present invention (hereinafter, also simply referred to as "the method for producing a recorded matter") includes a step of applying a foaming-promoting liquid to a recording medium and a step of foaming the foamed particles to form a three-dimensional image. The recording medium used has a substrate and a foamed layer provided on the substrate, the foaming layer containing foamed particles that foam when heated and a binder resin. In the step of applying the foaming-promoting liquid to the recording medium, a foaming-promoting liquid containing a foaming-promoting component that lowers the foaming start temperature of the foamed particles is applied to the recording medium. In the step of foaming the foamed particles to form a three-dimensional image, the foamed layer of the recording medium to which the foaming-promoting liquid has been applied is heated, and the foamed particles are foamed to form a three-dimensional image. The foamed particles have a shell layer containing a thermoplastic resin and a volatile material enclosed in the shell layer. The temperature at which the foamed layer of the recording medium to which the foaming-promoting liquid has been applied is heated is equal to or higher than the foaming start temperature of the foamed particles to which the foaming-promoting component has been applied, and is lower than the maximum foaming temperature of the foamed particles. Here, the maximum foaming temperature of the foamed particles means the maximum foaming temperature of the foamed particles to which the foaming-promoting component has not been applied.

[0017] In the method for producing a recorded matter of the present invention, a foaming promoting liquid containing a foaming promoting component is applied to a recording medium having a foam layer containing foamed particles. The foaming promoting component is a component capable of lowering the foaming start temperature of the foamed particles. That is, the foaming start temperature of the foamed particles in the foam layer of the recording medium to which the foaming promoting liquid is applied is lowered. Therefore, when the foam layer of the recording medium is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the foaming start temperature of the foamed particles to which the foaming promoting component is applied and lower than the maximum foaming temperature of the foamed particles after the foaming promoting liquid is applied, the foamed particles in the foam layer to which the foaming promoting liquid is applied can be efficiently foamed. As a result, a three-dimensional image with a clear uneven structure is formed, and the desired recorded matter can be obtained. In addition, a compound having no hydroxyl group is used as the foaming promoting component. The reason why the foaming promoting component promotes the foaming of the foamed particles when heated is not necessarily clear. However, the present inventors speculate that the foaming promoting component further promotes the softening of the shell layer of the foamed particles and the binder resin in the foam layer, thereby improving the foamability of the foamed particles. In addition, the temperature at which the foamed layer to which the foaming-promoting liquid is applied is preferably equal to or higher than the foaming start temperature of the foamed beads to which the foaming-promoting component has been applied, and equal to or lower than the maximum foaming temperature of the foamed beads to which the foaming-promoting component has been applied. This allows the foaming of the foamed beads to which the foaming-promoting component has been applied to be effectively performed by heating, so that a three-dimensional image with a clearer uneven structure can be formed. In addition, the temperature at which the foamed layer to which the foaming-promoting liquid is applied is preferably equal to or higher than the foaming start temperature of the foamed beads to which the foaming-promoting component has been applied, and equal to or lower than the foaming start temperature of the foamed beads to which the foaming-promoting component has not been applied. This allows the foaming of the foamed beads to which the foaming-promoting component has been applied to be performed by heating while suppressing the foaming of the foamed beads to which the foaming-promoting component has not been applied to be heated, so that a three-dimensional image with a clearer uneven structure can be formed.

[0018] The foaming-promoting liquid contains water together with the foaming-promoting component. In contrast, by using a water-insoluble resin as the binder resin contained in the foamed layer of the recording medium, it is possible to suppress dissolution of the binder resin by the water in the foaming-promoting liquid. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the adhesion between the substrate and the foamed layer, and to suppress peeling of the foamed layer from the substrate when the foamed particles are foamed.

[0019] The expansion start temperature and maximum expansion temperature of the expanded beads treated with the expansion promoting component can be measured by the following method. First, in order to make the expanded beads treated with the expansion promoting component, the expanded beads are immersed in an expansion promoting liquid containing the expansion promoting component for 10 seconds. 25 μg of the expanded beads immersed in the expansion promoting liquid are placed as a sample in an aluminum container with a diameter of 7 mm and a depth of 1 mm. The aluminum container is attached to a thermomechanical analyzer, and in a state in which a load of 0.1 N is applied from above to the expanded beads, the container is heated from 60° C. to 200° C. at a heating rate of 5° C. / min, and the vertical displacement of the measuring terminal (the displacement of the height of the part occupied by the sample) is measured. The temperature at the time when the displacement starts is the expansion start temperature of the expanded beads treated with the expansion promoting component. The temperature at the time when the displacement is maximized is the maximum expansion temperature of the expanded beads treated with the expansion promoting component. The expansion start temperature and maximum expansion temperature of the expanded beads not treated with the expansion promoting component mean the following temperatures. In other words, they refer to the temperature at which the displacement begins and the temperature at which the displacement amount is maximized, measured in the same manner as in the case of expanded beads treated with the above-mentioned expansion-promoting component, except that expanded beads not treated with the expansion-promoting component are used as samples.

[0020] The method for heating the foamed layer to which the foaming-promoting liquid has been applied may be any method that uses a heating device capable of heating the foamed particles in the foamed layer to a desired temperature.

[0021] Before or after applying the foaming-promoting liquid to the foam layer, or before or after heating the foam layer to which the foaming-promoting liquid has been applied, an ink containing a dye or pigment as a coloring material may be applied to the recording medium to record (print) any image. The printing is not limited to the inkjet recording method in which ink is applied by the inkjet method, and may be, for example, an electrophotographic method using a toner, latex, UV, or sublimation transfer printing method. Among these, it is preferable to record an image by the inkjet recording method, since it is possible to record a finer image.

[0022] (Recording medium) Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic example of a recording medium used in the method for producing a recorded matter having a stereoscopic image of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, a recording medium 10 has a substrate 11 and a foamed layer 12 provided on the substrate 11 and containing foamed particles 13 that expand when heated. The recording medium used in the method for producing a recorded matter of the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0023] [Base material] The substrate 11 functions as a support for supporting the foam layer 12 (FIG. 1). The type of substrate is not particularly limited. Examples of the substrate include paper made of normal natural pulp; kenaf paper; plastic film sheets such as polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyester; so-called synthetic paper and nonwoven fabric made by treating synthetic fiber, synthetic pulp, and synthetic resin film as imitation paper; and the like.

[0024] [Foam layer] As shown in Fig. 1, the foamed layer 12 is a layer containing foamed particles 13 and a binder resin 14, which is provided on at least one surface of the substrate 11. The foamed particles 13 are thermally expandable microcapsules having a capsule-shaped shell layer 15 containing a thermoplastic resin and a volatile material 16 encapsulated in the shell layer 15. When heat is applied to the foamed particles 13, the thermoplastic resin constituting the shell layer 15 softens and the volatile material 16 encapsulated in the shell layer 15 vaporizes and expands in volume. As a result, the foamed particles 13 expand like a balloon.

[0025] Examples of the thermoplastic resin contained in the shell layer include polystyrene, styrene-acrylic acid ester copolymers, polyamide resins, polyacrylic acid esters, polyvinylidene chloride, polyacrylonitrile, polymethyl methacrylate, vinylidene chloride-acrylonitrile, methacrylic acid ester-acrylic acid copolymers, vinylidene chloride-acrylic acid copolymers, and vinylidene chloride-acrylic acid ester copolymers.

[0026] Examples of the volatile material include low molecular weight hydrocarbons such as ethane, ethylene, propane, propene, n-butane, isobutane, n-pentane, isopentane, neopentane, n-hexane, heptane, and petroleum ether; chlorofluorocarbons such as CCl3F, CCl2F2, CClF3, and CClF2-CClF2; and tetraalkylsilanes such as tetramethylsilane, trimethylethylsilane, trimethylisopropylsilane, and trimethyl-n-propylsilane. Among them, the volatile material is preferably a hydrocarbon having a molecular weight of 120 or less. There is no particular restriction on the lower limit of the molecular weight of the volatile material (hydrocarbon), but it is preferably 50 or more. The content of the foamed particles in the foam layer is preferably 5% by mass or more and 95% by mass or less based on the total mass of the foam layer.

[0027] The foam layer 12 contains a binder resin 14 to enhance adhesion to the substrate 11 (FIG. 1). The binder resin plays an important role in suppressing peeling of the foam layer from the substrate when the foam particles in the foam layer are expanded by heat. A water-insoluble resin is used as the binder resin. By including a water-insoluble resin in the binder resin, the binder resin is less likely to be dissolved by the water in the foaming-promoting liquid, so that the decrease in adhesion between the foam layer and the substrate due to the foaming-promoting liquid can be suppressed. Furthermore, even if an aqueous ink containing water is applied to the recording medium, the decrease in adhesion between the foam layer and the substrate can be suppressed for the same reason. Here, the water-insoluble resin refers to a resin that remains at 95% by mass or more when immersed in warm water at 80° C. for 2 hours. The water-insoluble resin is preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of acrylic resins and urethane resins. In addition, the water-insoluble resin is more preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of acrylic resins not having an ester group and urethane resins not having an ester group. The water-insoluble resin is preferably a non-water-absorbent resin. The content of the water-insoluble resin in the foam layer is preferably 10% by mass or more and 95% by mass or less based on the total mass of the foam layer. The foam layer may contain a water-soluble resin together with the water-insoluble resin as long as the effects of the present invention are achieved. The glass transition temperature of the binder resin is preferably -10°C or more and 30°C or less. By setting the glass transition temperature of the binder resin within the above range, it is possible to suppress the binder resin from interfering with the expansion of the expanded particles.

[0028] The mass ratio of the expanded particles to the binder resin is preferably 5:95 to 90:10. By setting the mass ratio of the expanded particles to the binder resin within the above range, both the expandability of the expanded particles and the binding ability of the binder resin to the substrate can be improved. The foam layer can further contain components such as pigments, antioxidants, dyes, and surfactants within a range that does not impair the expandability.

[0029] (Method of manufacturing recording medium) To manufacture a recording medium, first, a coating liquid for a foaming layer containing foamed particles is applied to the surface of a substrate to form a coating layer. Then, the formed coating layer is dried to form a foaming layer, thereby obtaining a recording medium. To apply the coating liquid for a foaming layer to the surface of a substrate, a conventional air knife coater, die coater, blade coater, gate roll coater, bar coater, rod coater, roll coater, gravure coater, curtain coater, etc., can be used. Examples of methods for drying the coating layer include a method of blowing hot air. Drying conditions (temperature, air volume, time, etc.) may be appropriately set depending on the type of substrate and the composition of the coating liquid. However, the temperature during drying must be lower than the foaming start temperature of the foamed particles used.

[0030] 2g / m per side of substrate 2 It is preferable to provide a foam layer of 2 g / m or more. 2 By providing the foamed layer, the foaming property can be further improved. Note that a recording medium (product) on which a foamed layer containing foamed particles is previously provided may be used.

[0031] A backcoat layer may be provided on the surface of the substrate opposite to the surface on which the foam layer is provided. The backcoat layer may be the same layer as the foam layer containing the foam particles, or may be a layer other than the foam layer. In addition, an adhesive layer containing an adhesive resin such as an acrylic resin or an ink receiving layer for fixing a coloring material may be formed.

[0032] (Foaming promoter liquid) The foaming-promoting liquid of the present invention is used in the above-mentioned method for producing a recorded matter. The foaming-promoting liquid will be described in detail below.

[0033] [Foam-promoting ingredient] The foaming-promoting liquid contains a foaming-promoting component that lowers the foaming start temperature of the foamed beads. When the foaming-promoting liquid containing the foaming-promoting component is applied to the foamed layer of the recording medium by a method such as ejection or coating using an inkjet method, the thermoplastic resin contained in the shell layer of the foamed beads can be softened. As a result, it is presumed that the foaming start temperature and maximum foaming temperature of the foamed beads can be shifted to the lower temperature side.

[0034] The foaming-promoting component may be a component capable of softening the thermoplastic resin contained in the shell layer of the expanded beads and a compound having no hydroxyl group, and may be appropriately selected and used according to the type of thermoplastic resin. Examples of the foaming-promoting component include 2-pyrrolidone, dimethyl sulfoxide, N,N-dimethylformamide, and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. The boiling point of the foaming-promoting component, which has no hydroxyl group, is preferably higher than the temperature at which the foam layer is heated. By having the boiling point of this compound higher than the temperature at which the foam layer is heated, this compound is less likely to be vaporized even when the foam layer is heated, and can contribute to the softening of the thermoplastic resin of the shell layer of the expanded beads. The content of the foaming-promoting component, which has no hydroxyl group, is preferably 10% by mass or more and 70% by mass or less based on the total mass of the foaming-promoting liquid.

[0035] The absolute value of the difference (|SP1-SP2|) between the solubility parameter (SP1) of the thermoplastic resin forming the shell layer of the expanded particle (microcapsule) and the solubility parameter (SP2) of the expansion-promoting component is preferably 3.5 or less. When the absolute value of the difference in solubility parameters is within the above numerical range, the foamability of the region of the foam layer to which the expansion-promoting liquid containing the expansion-promoting component is applied can be further improved.

[0036] In addition, the absolute value of the difference (|HSP1-HSP2|) between the Hansen solubility parameter (HSP1) of the thermoplastic resin forming the shell layer of the expanded particles (microcapsules) and the solubility parameter (HSP2) of the foaming-promoting component is preferably not more than 20. When the absolute value of the difference in Hansen solubility parameters is within the above numerical range, the foamability of the region in the foam layer to which the foaming-promoting liquid containing the foaming-promoting component is applied can be further improved.

[0037] The solubility parameters (SP values) of the thermoplastic resin forming the shell layer and the foaming-promoting component are both calculated values. The Hansen solubility parameters (HSP values) of the thermoplastic resin forming the shell layer and the foaming-promoting component are both actual values ​​measured and calculated by dynamic light scattering.

[0038] [Other ingredients] When the foaming-promoting component is liquid at room temperature (25°C), the foaming-promoting component itself may be used as the foaming-promoting liquid. The foaming-promoting liquid may further contain a component (other component) other than the foaming-promoting component. For example, in order to improve the ejection stability of the foaming-promoting liquid, it is preferable to further contain a liquid component such as a solvent. As the solvent, water and various water-soluble organic solvents can be used. As the water, it is preferable to use deionized water (ion-exchanged water). As the water-soluble organic solvent, alcohols, glycols, glycol ethers, and nitrogen-containing compounds can be mentioned.

[0039] As the components other than the liquid components, water-soluble organic compounds that are solid at a temperature of 25° C., such as urea or its derivatives, trimethylolpropane, and trimethylolethane, can be used. Furthermore, various additives such as a pH adjuster, an antifoaming agent, an antirust agent, an antiseptic, an antifungal agent, an antioxidant, an antireducing agent, and a chelating agent may be contained in the foaming-promoting liquid, if necessary.

[0040] <Production device for recording material having a three-dimensional image> The apparatus for producing a recorded material having a three-dimensional image of the present invention (hereinafter, also simply referred to as "apparatus for producing a recorded material") has a foaming-promoting liquid applying means for applying a foaming-promoting liquid to a recording medium, and a heating means for heating a foam layer of the recording medium to which the foaming-promoting liquid has been applied. The recording medium has a substrate, and a foam layer provided on the substrate, which contains foam particles that foam when heated and a binder resin. The foaming-promoting liquid contains a foaming-promoting component that lowers the foaming start temperature of the foam particles, and water. The heating means is a means for heating the foam layer of the recording medium and foaming the foam particles to form a three-dimensional image. The foam particles have a shell layer containing a thermoplastic resin, and a volatile material enclosed in the shell layer. The binder resin in the foam layer contains a water-insoluble resin, and the foaming-promoting component contains a compound that does not have a hydroxyl group. The temperature at which the foam layer of the recording medium to which the foaming-promoting liquid has been applied is heated is equal to or higher than the foaming start temperature of the foam particles to which the foaming-promoting component has been applied, and is lower than the maximum foaming temperature of the foam particles. The ink, the foaming-promoting liquid, and the recording medium used in this recording production apparatus are the same as the ink, the foaming-promoting liquid, and the recording medium used in the above-mentioned recording production method. The recording production apparatus of the present invention can be suitably used in the above-mentioned recording production method.

[0041] The recording medium manufacturing apparatus may also include an ink storage section that stores ink, and an ink application means for ejecting ink from an inkjet recording head to record an image on a recording medium. The recording medium manufacturing apparatus may also include a foaming-promoting liquid storage section that stores a foaming-promoting liquid. Furthermore, the recording medium manufacturing apparatus may also include a transport means for transporting the recording medium.

[0042] The arrangement of the foaming-promoting liquid applying means, the ink applying means, and the heating means can be appropriately adjusted. The arrangement of the foaming-promoting liquid applying means, the ink applying means, and the heating means in the recording material production apparatus will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0043] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of an apparatus for producing a recorded matter having a three-dimensional image according to the present invention. In the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 2, the recording medium 21 is transported in the direction of the arrow A by a transport means for transporting the recording medium. The ink supplying means 24 may be disposed either upstream or downstream of the foaming-promoting liquid supplying means 22 with respect to the transport direction A of the recording medium 21, and may be disposed either upstream or downstream of the heating means 23. FIG. 2(a) shows a configuration in which the ink supplying device 24 is disposed downstream of the foaming-promoting liquid supplying means 22 and downstream of the heating means 23 with respect to the transport direction A of the recording medium 21. FIG. 2(b) shows a configuration in which the ink supplying means 24 is disposed downstream of the foaming-promoting liquid supplying means 22 and upstream of the heating means 23 with respect to the transport direction A of the recording medium 21. FIG. 2(c) shows a configuration in which the ink supplying means 24 is disposed upstream of the foaming-promoting liquid supplying means 22 and upstream of the heating means 23 with respect to the transport direction A of the recording medium 21.

[0044] The foaming-promoting liquid can be applied to the foamed layer of the recording medium 21 by ejecting the foaming-promoting liquid from an inkjet recording head provided in the foaming-promoting liquid applying means 22 arranged at a predetermined position along the transport direction of the recording medium 21 (the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 2). The heating means 23 is a means for heating the foamed layer of the recording medium 21 to which the foaming-promoting liquid has been applied. The heating means 23 may be any heating device capable of heating the foamed particles in the foamed layer to a desired temperature. Examples of such heating devices include a dryer, an oven, a heater, and an iron. EXAMPLES

[0045] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to examples and comparative examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples without departing from the gist of the present invention. "Parts" and "%" used to describe the amounts of components are based on mass unless otherwise specified.

[0046] <Preparation of foam particles> Expanded particles X, Y, and Z were prepared. Expanded particles X was a product called "Advancel EMH204" (manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd., volatile material: isopentane (molecular weight 72.2)). Expanded particles Y was a product called "Expancel 007-40" (manufactured by Nippon Phillite Co., Ltd., volatile material: isobutane (molecular weight 58.1)). Expanded particles Z was a product called "Matsumoto Microsphere F-30" (manufactured by Matsumoto Yushi Seiyaku Co., Ltd., volatile material: isopentane (molecular weight 72.1)). The shell layers of expanded particles X, Y, and Z were all formed of thermoplastic resin. Using a thermomechanical analyzer (TMA) (trade name "TMA2940", manufactured by TA instruments), the expansion start temperature and maximum expansion temperature of expanded particles X, Y, and Z were measured in the following manner. 25 μg of sample was placed in an aluminum container with a diameter of 7 mm and a depth of 1 mm, and a load of 0.1 N was applied from above. In this state, the sample was heated from 60°C to 200°C at a heating rate of 5°C / min, and the displacement of the measuring probe in the vertical direction was measured. The temperature at which the displacement started was determined as the "foaming start temperature," and the temperature at which the maximum displacement was reached was determined as the "maximum foaming temperature." The results are shown in Table 1.

[0047] TIFF0007652683000001.tif43170

[0048] <Measurement of foaming start temperature and maximum foaming temperature of foamed beads treated with foaming-promoting components> (Preparation of foaming-promoting liquid used when foaming-promoting component acts on foamed beads) Components A to I of the types shown in Table 2 were prepared. 10 g of each of components A to I was mixed with 90 g of water, and liquids containing 10 g of each component and 90 g of water (100% water for component E) were used as foaming-promoting liquids A' to I'. These foaming-promoting liquids A' to I' were applied to 20 g of each of the types of expanded particles (expanded particles X, Y, and Z) shown in Table 2 and allowed to act on them. Thereafter, the foaming start temperature and maximum foaming temperature of each expanded particle treated with the foaming-promoting component were measured in the same manner as in the case of expanded particles not treated with the foaming-promoting component. The measurement results are shown in Table 2. The meanings of the abbreviations in Table 2 are as follows: DMSO: Dimethyl sulfoxide DMF: N,N-Dimethylformamide ·NMP: N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone iPrOH: Isopropanol ·PGME: Propylene glycol monomethyl ether

[0049] TIFF0007652683000002.tif132170

[0050] <Preparation of recording medium> (Recording medium X) As a substrate, polypropylene synthetic paper (product name "New Yupo FGS110", manufactured by Yupo Corporation) was prepared. 100 parts of an acrylic resin with a glass transition temperature of 0°C and 50 parts of expanded particles X were added to ion-exchanged water and thoroughly stirred to obtain coating liquid X. The obtained coating liquid X was applied in an amount of 40 g / m 2 After that, the mixture was dried in an oven at 80° C. for 5 minutes to form a foamed layer, and a recording medium X was obtained. The acrylic resin used in producing the recording medium X was a water-insoluble and non-water-absorbent resin. R .

[0051] (Recording medium Y) A recording medium Y was obtained in the same manner as in the case of the recording medium X described above, except that the expanded particles Y were used instead of the expanded particles X to obtain the coating liquid Y, and the coating liquid Y was used instead of the coating liquid X.

[0052] (Recording medium Z) The expanded particles Z were used instead of the expanded particles X, and the water-absorbent resin polyvinylpyrrolidone was used instead of the acrylic resin to obtain a coating liquid Z. Then, the coating liquid Z was applied onto a substrate instead of the coating liquid X, and the substrate was dried for 5 minutes in an oven at 60° C. Other than these, the recording medium Z was obtained in the same manner as the recording medium X described above.

[0054] <Preparation of foaming-promoting liquid to be applied to recording medium> 30 parts of component A, 0.5 parts of a nonionic surfactant (product name "Acetylenol E100", manufactured by Kawaken Fine Chemicals), and 69.5 parts of ion-exchanged water were mixed. After thorough stirring, the mixture was pressure-filtered through a filter with a pore size of 1.2 μm to obtain foaming-promoting liquid A. In addition, foaming-promoting liquids B to I were obtained in the same manner as in the case of the foaming-promoting liquid A, except that components B to I were used instead of component A.

[0055] <Production of Recorded Materials> The foaming-promoting liquids A to I were filled into cartridges, and the cartridges were installed in an inkjet recording device (product name "PIXUS MG3630", manufactured by Canon). In this embodiment, the recording duty of an image recorded under the condition that two ink droplets of about 11.2 ng are applied to a unit area of ​​1 / 600 inch x 1 / 600 inch is defined as 100%.

[0056] Example 1 Using the above-mentioned inkjet recording device, the foaming-promoting liquid A was applied to the foam layer of the recording medium X so that the recording duty was 100%. Then, using a hot air gun (product name "HL2010E1", manufactured by Sakaguchi Denketu Co., Ltd.), the foam layer to which the foaming-promoting liquid A was applied was heated to 150°C. As a result, the foam particles X in the foam layer to which the foaming-promoting liquid A was applied were expanded to form a three-dimensional image, and a recorded matter 1 was obtained.

[0057] (Examples 2 to 8, Comparative Examples 1 to 18 ) Recorded materials 2 to 8 and 10 to 12 were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the conditions shown in Table 3 were used. 27 obtained.

[0058] Example 9 The foaming-promoting liquid B was applied to the foam layer of the recording medium Y using a poly dropper. Then, the foam layer to which the foaming-promoting liquid B was applied was heated to 80° C. using a hot air gun (product name "HL2010E1", manufactured by Sakaguchi Denketu Co., Ltd.). This caused the foam particles Y in the foam layer to which the foaming-promoting liquid B was applied to foam, forming a three-dimensional image, and recorded matter 9 was obtained.

[0059] <Evaluation> (Uneven feeling) The surfaces of the produced recorded matter were visually observed and the unevenness was evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria. The results are shown in Table 3. A: I was able to see the unevenness. C: No irregularities were observed.

[0060] (Peeling of foam layer from substrate after heating) The surface of the produced recorded matter was visually observed to check whether the foam layer peeled off from the substrate after heating according to the following evaluation criteria. The results are shown in Table 3. A: No peeling of the foam layer from the substrate was observed. C: Peeling of the foam layer from the substrate was observed.

[0061] TIFF0007652683000003.tif189170 [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 10: Recording media 11: Base material 12: Foam layer 13: Foam particles 14: Binder resin 15: Shell layer 16: Volatile materials 21: Recording media 22: Foaming promotion liquid applying means 23: Heating means 24: Ink application means

Claims

1. applying a foaming-promoting liquid containing water and a foaming-promoting component that lowers the foaming initiation temperature of the foamed particles to a recording medium having a substrate and a foaming layer that is provided on the substrate and contains foamed particles that foam when heated and a binder resin; a step of heating the foamed layer of the recording medium while suppressing foaming due to heating of the foamed particles in the foamed layer of the recording medium to which the foaming-promoting component has not been applied, and foaming the foamed particles to which the foaming-promoting component has been applied to form a stereoscopic image, comprising: the expanded beads have a shell layer containing a thermoplastic resin and a volatile material encapsulated within the shell layer; The binder resin includes a water-insoluble resin, The foam-promoting component contains a compound having no hydroxyl group, a temperature at which the foamed layer of the recording medium to which the foaming-promoting liquid has been applied is heated is equal to or higher than the foaming start temperature of the foamed particles to which the foaming-promoting component has been applied, and is lower than the maximum foaming temperature of the foamed particles to which the foaming-promoting component has not been applied.

2. 2. The method for producing a recorded matter having a three-dimensional image according to claim 1, wherein the volatile material is a hydrocarbon having a molecular weight of 120 or less.

3. 3. The method for producing a recorded matter having a three-dimensional image according to claim 1, wherein a content of the foamed particles in the foamed layer is 5% by mass or more and 95% by mass or less based on a total mass of the foamed layer.

4. The method for producing a recorded matter having a three-dimensional image according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the water-insoluble resin is a non-water-absorbent resin.

5. The method for producing a recorded matter having a three-dimensional image according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the water-insoluble resin is an acrylic resin.

6. The method for producing a recorded matter having a three-dimensional image according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the content of the water-insoluble resin in the foam layer is 10% by mass or more and 95% by mass or less, based on the total mass of the foam layer.

7. The method for producing a recorded matter having a three-dimensional image according to claim 1 , wherein the boiling point of the compound is higher than a temperature at which the foamed layer of the recording medium to which the foaming-promoting liquid has been applied is heated.

8. The method for producing a recorded matter having a three-dimensional image according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the compound is at least one selected from the group consisting of 2-pyrrolidone, dimethylsulfoxide, N,N-dimethylformamide, and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone.

9. The method for producing a recorded matter having a three-dimensional image according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the content of the compound in the foaming-promoting liquid is 10% by mass or more and 70% by mass or less, based on the total mass of the foaming-promoting liquid.

10. The solubility parameter (SP １ ) and the solubility parameter (SP ２ ) and the absolute value of the difference (|SP １ -SP ２ The method for producing a recorded matter having a three-dimensional image according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein |) is 3.5 or less.

11. The Hansen Solubility Parameter (HSP) of the thermoplastic resin １ ) and the Hansen solubility parameter (HSP) of the foaming promoting component ２ ) and the absolute value of the difference (|HSP １ -HSP ２ The method for producing a recorded matter having a three-dimensional image according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein |) is 20 or less.

12. a foaming-promoting liquid applying means for applying a foaming-promoting liquid containing a foaming-promoting component for lowering the foaming initiation temperature of the foamed particles and water to a recording medium having a substrate and a foaming layer provided on the substrate and containing foamed particles that are foamed by heat and a binder resin; a heating means for heating the foamed layer of the recording medium while suppressing foaming caused by heating of the foamed particles in the foamed layer of the recording medium to which the foaming-promoting component has not been applied, and foaming the foamed particles to which the foaming-promoting component has been applied to form a stereoscopic image, the expanded beads have a shell layer containing a thermoplastic resin and a volatile material encapsulated within the shell layer; The binder resin includes a water-insoluble resin, The foam-promoting component contains a compound having no hydroxyl group, The temperature at which the foamed layer of the recording medium to which the foaming-promoting liquid has been applied is heated is equal to or higher than the foaming start temperature of the foamed particles to which the foaming-promoting component has been applied, and is lower than the maximum foaming temperature of the foamed particles to which the foaming-promoting component has not been applied.

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