Heat transfer material manufacturing method and heat transfer material manufacturing device

Abstract

To provide a thermal transfer material manufacturing method and a thermal transfer material manufacturing device for a thermal transfer material for thermally transferring patterns onto an object article such as a fabric product, where patterns subjected to thermal transferring and a thermally fusible adhesive part or the like with respect to the object article can be formed effectively without using a plate.SOLUTION: A thermal transfer material manufacturing device A includes: a driving system D that drives a band-like substrate R with an ink receiving layer formed on one side thereof along a predetermined path; an ink image formation part E that forms an ink image layer m at an ink image layer forming position 10; a holding layer formation part F that forms a holding layer n at a holding layer forming position 20 at the same position; a hot-melt resin powder layer formation part G that forms a hot-melt resin powder layer P at a powder layer forming position 30 on the front; an unnecessary hot-melt resin powder removal part H that removes unnecessary hot-melt resin powder at a resin powder removing position 40 on the more front; and a hot-melt resin layer formation part J that forms a hot-melt resin layer q at a resin layer forming position 50 on the further front.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for producing a heat transfer material for thermally transferring a pattern or the like onto an object such as a textile product including clothing. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, when producing transfer paper for transferring patterns onto textile products such as clothing, the desired pattern layer, adhesive layer, etc. have been formed by screen printing on a substrate such as paper or synthetic resin film that has been subjected to a release treatment.

[0003] To form the design layer, it was necessary to prepare a screen plate corresponding to each color constituting the design, and then use a separate screen plate for each color ink to perform printing using a screen printing machine.

[0004] Furthermore, in order to prevent the transferred pattern from being affected by the background color of the object to be transferred, it was necessary to perform screen printing using a separately prepared screen plate to form a concealing white ink layer over the pattern layer.

[0005] Furthermore, in order to form an adhesive layer for adhering to the transfer target, it was necessary to perform screen printing of hot-melt resin ink using a separately prepared screen plate, or to perform heat treatment by scattering hot-melt resin powder.

[0006] However, producing transfer paper by such a conventional method requires many days and costs for the production of each screen plate, and is extremely inefficient, expensive, and low in productivity, particularly when producing a wide variety of small lots.

[0007] JP 2010-64354 A discloses a method for producing transfer paper without plate making using an inkjet printing method, in which a pattern or the like is transferred by sublimation onto a polyester fiber cloth or the like using transfer paper on which a sublimation dye is printed on a paper base.

[0008] However, this method is limited to transfer onto transfer objects made of polyester fiber, and it is not possible to provide an opaque white ink layer that would prevent transfer by sublimation, so it is difficult to use this method for anything other than transferring patterns, etc. onto transfer objects made of white (or light-colored) polyester fiber that are hardly affected by the background color.

[0009] On the other hand, International Publication No. 2019 / 142657 discloses a method for producing transfer paper without plate-making, in which a transfer paper is obtained by printing a pattern layer on an adhesive layer formed so as to be peelable on one or more specified post-printing area portions on a specified surface of a substrate using an inkjet printing method without plate-making.

[0010] However, in this method, a screen plate is prepared and screen printing is performed to form the adhesive layer, so that it cannot be said to be a method of producing transfer paper without a plate.

[0011] In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-39082 discloses a method for producing a transfer printing ink containing a pigment and a fixing resin, an image forming step of forming an image by ejecting the transfer printing ink onto a transfer paper using an inkjet recording device; a drying step of drying the transfer paper on which the image has been formed in the image forming step at a temperature lower than the crosslinking temperature of the fixing resin; a transfer step in which the transfer paper dried in the drying step is superimposed on a fabric and the image formed on the transfer paper is transferred to the fabric by applying pressure while heating at a temperature higher than the crosslinking temperature of the fixing resin; a peeling step of peeling the transfer paper from the fabric after the image has been transferred in the transfer step; A transfer printing method comprising: the transfer paper has a hydrophilic ink-receiving layer and a surface layer formed of a release layer-forming agent comprising an emulsion of hydrophobic particles whose surface is coated with a hydrophilic emulsifier; There is disclosed a transfer printing method in which the release layer forming agent is heated in the drying step or the transfer step to form a hydrophobic release layer in the vicinity of the ink receiving layer.

[0012] However, in this method, adhesion to the fabric to be transferred is achieved solely by the fixing resin contained in the transfer printing ink that forms the image on the transfer paper substrate, and therefore the robustness required of the transferred image is thought to be insufficient for textile products and the like that require durability.

[0013] Furthermore, since the transfer paper does not have a concealing layer that can adequately prevent the influence of the background color of the textile product to which the image is to be transferred, it is difficult to use it on textile products other than white (or light-colored) products.

[0014] Furthermore, transfer paper is obtained by drying at a temperature lower than the crosslinking temperature of the fixing resin, and when the transfer paper is used to transfer an image to the target fabric, it is heated and pressurized at a temperature higher than the crosslinking temperature of the fixing resin, so it is expected that inconveniences will arise due to the gradual crosslinking of the fixing resin in the transfer paper before use.

[0015] In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-1233 discloses a method for decorating at least one of a fabric and a textile product as a decoration target, a preparation step of preparing a thermal transfer sheet including a release sheet and a transfer layer formed on the release sheet and containing thermoplastic resin particles and decorative particles for decorating the object to be decorated; a transfer step of heating the thermal transfer sheet with the transfer layer side thereof in contact with the object to be decorated, and then peeling off the release sheet to fix the transfer layer to the surface of the object to be decorated; an image forming step of forming an image by penetrating ink into at least the transfer layer; and a decorating method using an inkjet printer in the image forming step.

[0016] According to this method, by using a concealing pigment such as a white pigment ink layer in the transfer layer, it is possible to prevent the background color of the textile product to be transferred from affecting the transferred image.

[0017] However, in this decoration method, a transfer layer formed on a release sheet is transferred to a fabric, textile product, etc., and then an image is formed on the transfer layer transferred to the transfer target by a method such as inkjet printing, which can be said to be an extremely inefficient and complicated manufacturing process.

[0018] Furthermore, since the transfer sheet layer is formed on the entire surface of the fabric or fiber, problems with texture and breathability are also a concern. To improve the breathability and texture problems, it becomes necessary to cut the pattern into individual pieces, remove the unnecessary parts, and then thermally transfer the transfer sheet to form the image. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0019] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-64354 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2019 / 142657 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-39082 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-1233 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0020] The present invention aims to provide a method and apparatus for manufacturing a thermal transfer material that can efficiently form a thermal transfer material for thermally transferring a pattern or the like onto a target object such as a textile product, and a pattern or the like to be thermally transferred and a hot-melt adhesive portion or the like onto the target object without plate-making. [Means for solving the problem]

[0021] The present invention can be expressed, for example, as follows.

[0022] (1) Driving or conveying a thin substrate along a predetermined path; forming an ink image layer by inkjet printing using an ink image forming ink to represent a desired image on an ink receiving layer provided on one surface of the substrate directly or via another layer, at an ink image layer forming position in the path; at a retention layer forming position which is located ahead of the ink image layer forming position in the path or which is the same position as the ink image layer forming position, a retention layer is formed on all or a required portion of the ink image layer and / or a portion of the ink receiving layer other than the ink image layer by inkjet printing using a retention layer forming ink for retaining hot melt resin powder; forming a hot-melt resin powder layer from hot-melt resin powder on one or both of the retention layer and the ink image layer on which no retention layer is present at a powder layer formation position which is a position ahead of the retention layer formation position in the path; after forming a hot melt resin powder layer on one or both of the retention layer and the ink image layer on which no retention layer is present, unnecessary hot melt resin powder that may be present on the retention layer on the substrate or on a portion other than the ink image layer on which no retention layer is present is removed from the substrate at a resin powder removal position that is a position ahead of the powder layer formation position on the path or that is the same position as the powder layer formation position, before the heat treatment of the hot melt resin powder; and, At a resin layer forming position that is ahead of the resin powder removal position in the path or the same position as the resin powder removal position, the hot melt resin powder that constitutes the hot melt resin powder layer is melted and solidified by heat treatment to form a hot melt resin layer. Including, A method for manufacturing a thermal transfer material, in which an ink-receiving layer is provided directly on one side of the substrate, or if an ink-receiving layer is provided via another layer, the other layer is provided so as to have releasability to assist in peeling off the substrate during thermal transfer.

[0023] (2) The method described in (1) above, in which the formation of the hot melt resin powder layer is carried out in a state in which the hot melt resin powder can adhere to both the ink for forming a retention layer that forms the retention layer on which the hot melt resin powder layer is formed and the ink for forming an ink image that forms an ink image layer that does not have a retention layer.

[0024] (3) The ink image layer is formed by inkjet printing at the ink image layer forming position after detecting that the thermal transfer position on the substrate is located at the ink image layer forming position, the formation of the retention layer by inkjet printing at the retention layer formation position is performed after detecting that the thermal transfer location is located at the retention layer formation position, the formation of the hot-melt resin powder layer at the powder layer formation position is carried out after detecting that the thermal transfer location is located at the powder layer formation position; The removal of unnecessary hot melt resin powder at the resin powder removal position is performed after detecting that the thermal transfer location is located at the resin powder removal position, The method described in (1) or (2) above, wherein the formation of the hot melt resin layer by heat treatment of the hot melt resin powder at the resin layer formation position is carried out after detecting that the thermal transfer location is located at the resin layer formation position.

[0025] (4) The method according to any one of (1) to (3) above, wherein the substrate is made of a polyester resin film.

[0026] (5) At least the portion of the ink receiving layer on which ink for forming an ink image is to be ink-jet printed is 0.3 cm 3 The method according to any one of (1) to (4) above, wherein the porous material contains a porous material having a pore volume of 1000 sq. m / g or more.

[0027] (6) The surface free energy of at least the portion of the ink receiving layer on which inkjet printing with ink for forming an ink image is performed is 25 (mJ / m 2) to 35 (mJ / m 2 The method according to any one of (1) to (5) above, wherein

[0028] (7) The method according to any one of (1) to (6) above, wherein the ink receiving layer contains a cationic compound monomer, a cationic compound polymer, or a basic inorganic metal salt as an ionic gelling agent.

[0029] (8) The method according to any one of (1) to (7) above, wherein the ink for forming an ink image is a water-based ink and has a surface tension of 23 to 35 (mN / m).

[0030] (9) The method according to any one of (1) to (8) above, wherein the ink for forming the retention layer is a water-based ink and has a surface tension of 23 to 35 (mN / m).

[0031] (10) The method according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein all or a portion of the hot melt resin powder used to form the hot melt resin powder layer that is not retained on the substrate is reused for forming the hot melt resin powder layer.

[0032] (11) Driving or conveying a thin substrate along a predetermined path; forming an ink image layer by inkjet printing using an ink image forming ink to represent a desired image on an ink receiving layer provided on one surface of the substrate directly or via another layer, at an ink image layer forming position in the path; forming a hot-melt resin powder layer on the ink image layer at a powder layer forming position which is a position ahead of the ink image layer forming position in the path; after forming a hot-melt resin powder layer on the ink image layer, unnecessary hot-melt resin powder that may be present in portions other than the ink image layer on the substrate is removed from the substrate at a resin powder removal position that is a position ahead of the powder layer formation position on the path or the same position as the powder layer formation position, before the heat treatment of the hot-melt resin powder; and, At a resin layer forming position that is ahead of the resin powder removal position in the path or the same position as the resin powder removal position, the hot melt resin powder that constitutes the hot melt resin powder layer is melted and solidified by heat treatment to form a hot melt resin layer. Including, A method for manufacturing a thermal transfer material, in which an ink-receiving layer is provided directly on one side of the substrate, or if an ink-receiving layer is provided via another layer, the other layer is provided so as to have releasability to assist in peeling off the substrate during thermal transfer.

[0033] (12) A drive or conveying system for driving or conveying a thin substrate along a predetermined path; an ink image layer forming section for forming an ink image layer by inkjet printing using an ink image forming ink to represent a desired image on an ink receiving layer provided on one surface of the substrate directly or via another layer, at an ink image layer forming position in the path; a retention layer forming section for forming a retention layer by inkjet printing using a retention layer forming ink for retaining hot melt resin powder on all or a required portion of the ink image layer and / or a portion of the ink receiving layer other than the ink image layer, at a retention layer forming position which is located ahead of the ink image layer forming position in the path or at the same position as the ink image layer forming position; a hot-melt resin powder layer forming section for forming a hot-melt resin powder layer on one or both of the retention layer and the ink image layer on which no retention layer is present, at a powder layer forming position which is a position ahead of the retention layer forming position on the path; a resin powder removal section for removing unnecessary hot melt resin powder that may be present on the retention layer on the substrate or on portions other than the ink image layer on which no retention layer is present, at a resin powder removal position that is a position ahead of the powder layer formation position on the path or the same position as the powder layer formation position, from the substrate before heat treatment of the hot melt resin powder, after forming a hot melt resin powder layer on one or both of the retention layer and the ink image layer on which no retention layer is present; a hot melt resin layer forming section for melting and solidifying the hot melt resin powder constituting the hot melt resin powder layer by heat treatment at a resin layer forming position that is a position ahead of the resin powder removal position on the path or the same position as the resin powder removal position, to form a hot melt resin layer; Includes A thermal transfer material manufacturing apparatus in which an ink receiving layer is provided directly on one side of the substrate, or if an ink receiving layer is provided via another layer, the other layer is provided so as to have releasability to assist in peeling off the substrate during thermal transfer.

[0034] (13) The apparatus described in (12) above, wherein the formation of the hot melt resin powder layer by the hot melt resin layer forming section is carried out in a state in which the hot melt resin powder can adhere to both the ink for forming a retention layer that forms the retention layer on which the hot melt resin powder layer is formed and the ink for forming an ink image that forms an ink image layer that does not have a retention layer.

[0035] (14) A detecting means is provided for detecting that the thermal transfer position on the substrate is located at the ink image layer forming position, and the ink image layer is formed by the ink jet printing after the detecting means detects that the thermal transfer position is located at the ink image layer forming position, a detection means for detecting that the thermal transfer location is located at the retention layer formation position, and after the detection means detects that the thermal transfer location is located at the retention layer formation position, the retention layer is formed by the inkjet printing; a detection means for detecting that the thermal transfer portion is located at the powder layer formation position, and after the detection means detects that the thermal transfer portion is located at the powder layer formation position, a hot melt resin powder layer is formed using the hot melt resin powder; a detection means for detecting that the thermal transfer location is located at the resin powder removal position, and after the detection means detects that the thermal transfer location is located at the resin powder removal position, the unnecessary hot melt resin powder is removed; The apparatus described in (12) or (13) above has a detection means for detecting that the thermal transfer location is located at the resin layer formation position, and after detecting that the thermal transfer location is located at the resin layer formation position using the detection means, forms a hot melt resin layer by heat treating the hot melt resin powder. [Effects of the Invention]

[0036] According to the thermal transfer material manufacturing method and thermal transfer material manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, thermal transfer materials capable of thermally transferring ink images, etc. to an object can be efficiently manufactured by forming an ink image layer, a hot melt resin layer, etc. without plate making. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0037] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a heat transfer material manufacturing device that uses a belt-shaped substrate. [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are schematic plan and cross-sectional views of a process for manufacturing a heat transfer material using a belt-shaped substrate. [Figure 3] 1A to 1C are schematic plan, side and cross-sectional views of a manufacturing process for a heat transfer material using a belt-shaped substrate. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a T-shirt onto which an ink image has been transferred using a thermal transfer material. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of VV in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a heat transfer material manufacturing device that uses a sheet-shaped substrate. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are schematic plan and cross-sectional views of a process for manufacturing a heat transfer material using a sheet-like substrate. [Figure 8] 1A and 1B are schematic plan and cross-sectional views of a process for manufacturing a heat transfer material using a sheet-like substrate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] [1] An embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0039] The method for producing a thermal transfer material of the present invention comprises the steps of: Driving or conveying the substrate along a predetermined path; At each predetermined position on the route, forming an ink image layer by inkjet printing on an ink-receiving layer provided on one surface of the substrate; forming a retention layer by inkjet printing using a retention layer-forming ink for retaining hot melt resin powder on one or both of the entire ink image layer or a required portion thereof and the portion of the ink receiving layer other than the ink image layer; forming a hot melt resin powder layer on one or both of the retention layer and the ink image layer where no retention layer is present; removing unwanted hot melt resin powder from the substrate; and The hot melt resin powder is melted and solidified by heat treatment to form a hot melt resin layer. It includes:

[0040] Another method for producing a heat transfer material of the present invention comprises the steps of: Driving or conveying the substrate along a predetermined path; At each predetermined position on the route, forming an ink image layer by inkjet printing on an ink-receiving layer provided on one surface of the substrate; forming a hot melt resin powder layer on the ink image layer; removing unwanted hot melt resin powder from the substrate; and The hot melt resin powder is melted and solidified by heat treatment to form a hot melt resin layer. It includes:

[0041] The thermal transfer material manufacturing apparatus of the present invention further comprises: a drive or transport system that drives or transports the substrate along a predetermined path; At each predetermined position on the route, an ink image layer forming unit for forming an ink image layer by inkjet printing on an ink receiving layer provided on one surface of the substrate; a retention layer forming section for forming a retention layer by inkjet printing using a retention layer forming ink for retaining hot melt resin powder on one or both of the entirety or a required portion of the ink image layer and the portion of the ink receiving layer other than the ink image layer; a hot-melt resin powder layer forming section for forming a hot-melt resin powder layer on one or both of the retention layer and the ink image layer on which the retention layer is not present; a resin powder removal unit for removing unwanted hot melt resin powder from the substrate; and, A hot melt resin layer forming section for forming a hot melt resin layer by melting and solidifying the hot melt resin powder through heat treatment. It has.

[0042] (1) Base material

[0043] The substrate has a small thickness (for example, a strip or sheet).

[0044] (1-1) The material of the substrate is not particularly limited, but may be one having heat resistance and strength (pressure resistance, etc.) that can withstand the conditions of heat and pressure transfer (e.g., transfer temperature 100 to 200°C, transfer time 2 to 30 seconds, transfer pressure 10 to 200 kPa).

[0045] Specific examples of substrate materials include, but are not limited to, synthetic resin films (e.g., 20 to 400 μm thick) such as polyester resin and polyimide resin, and paper. Examples of polyester resins include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), and polybutylene naphthalate (PBN).

[0046] Synthetic resin films such as polyester resin films including PET are preferred because they are less susceptible to the effects of humidity changes due to seasons and regions than paper.

[0047] (1-2) An ink-receiving layer is provided on one side of the strip-shaped substrate, either directly or via another layer, and an ink image layer or a retention layer is formed on the ink-receiving layer, for example, at intervals of a predetermined length of the strip-shaped substrate or at intervals of other divisions, and further a hot-melt resin layer is formed thereon. For example, the strip-shaped substrate can be used for thermal transfer of ink image layers, etc., at intervals of the divisions, or can be cut into individual intervals or individual ink image layers and used for thermal transfer.

[0048] The other surface of the strip-shaped substrate may be subjected to an anti-blocking treatment (for example, provided with a release layer for preventing blocking) as required.

[0049] Furthermore, the strip-shaped substrate may be continuous over a length at least equal to or greater than the length required for use in the method and apparatus of the present invention, and may be, for example, continuous over a length that is 5 to 1000 times the length of the specified path along which the strip-shaped substrate is driven, but is not limited to this.

[0050] A strip-shaped substrate generally has a constant width at any position in the continuous direction, but it can also have a width (dimension in the direction perpendicular to the continuous direction) that varies depending on the position in the continuous direction.

[0051] The strip-shaped substrate is preferably a continuous strip-shaped substrate that is in advance in the form of a roll (for example, wound around a reel or a core, etc.), but this is not limited thereto. A continuous strip-shaped substrate in the form of a roll can also be used by cutting a sheet into strips, joining them in the longitudinal direction with adhesive tape (for example, water-soluble adhesive tape in the case of paper, or thermal adhesive tape in the case of polyester film), or adhesive, and winding it up.

[0052] (1-3) An ink-receiving layer is provided on one side of the sheet-like substrate, either directly or via another layer, and an ink image layer or a retention layer is formed on the ink-receiving layer, and further a hot-melt resin layer is formed thereon. For example, the substrate can be used for thermal transfer as is, or two or more ink image layers can be provided on one sheet-like substrate, and thermal transfer can be performed separately for each ink image layer, or the substrate can be cut into individual ink image layers for use.

[0053] The other surface of the sheet substrate may be subjected to an anti-blocking treatment (for example, provided with a release layer for preventing blocking) as required.

[0054] The shape of the sheet-like substrate may be rectangular, or may be, for example, any of various polygonal shapes, circles, ellipses, or other shapes surrounded by closed curves.

[0055] (2) Drive or transport system

[0056] (2-1) The drive system can be, for example, capable of advancing or stopping the strip-shaped substrate in a continuous direction of the strip-shaped substrate along a predetermined path (for example, it can also be capable of advancing the strip-shaped substrate at intervals of the predetermined length or at intervals separated by other intervals, and can also be capable of reversing the strip-shaped substrate if necessary).

[0057] This allows each thermal transfer location, which can be set sequentially in the continuous direction of the strip-shaped substrate (for example, at predetermined lengths or at sections separated by other delimiters), to be sequentially advanced to an ink image layer formation position, a retention layer formation position (including when there is no retention layer formation position or when it is the same position as the ink image layer formation position), a powder layer formation position, a resin powder removal position (including when it is the same position as the powder layer formation position), and a resin layer formation position (including when it is the same position as the resin powder removal position), and the processing steps of ink image layer formation, retention layer formation, hot melt resin powder layer formation, unnecessary hot melt resin powder removal, and hot melt resin layer formation can be performed at each position. Note that if there are multiple positions where any of the processing steps are performed on the thermal transfer locations while the strip-shaped substrate is stopped, it is desirable to set the arrangement of each thermal transfer location, the position where each processing step is performed, and the path for driving the substrate so that different thermal transfer locations are simultaneously located at two or more of the multiple positions and each processing step can be performed while the strip-shaped substrate is stopped.

[0058] (a) The drive system can be, for example, a system in which the strip-shaped substrate is set in a winding section, and the strip-shaped substrate is stretched between the winding section and the unwinding section, and if necessary, a guide section, tension maintaining section, intermediate drive section, etc. is provided in between to maintain the path or change the direction of the strip-shaped substrate.

[0059] The guide portion may be, for example, a guide roller.

[0060] The intermediate drive unit may be, for example, a drive roller and a pinch roller that clamp the strip-shaped substrate, or a pair of drive rollers, whose rotation and stopping are controlled by an electric motor controlled by the control unit.

[0061] The tension of the strip-shaped substrate between the unwinding section and the winding section (or tension at required locations such as other tension maintaining sections, intermediate driving sections, ink image layer forming positions, retention layer forming positions, powder layer forming positions, resin powder removal positions, and resin layer forming positions) can be controlled, for example, by controlling the rotation of driven rollers or drive rollers such as the unwinding section or other guide rollers using a brake section or electric motor controlled by the control section, or by controlling the rotation axis positions of driven rollers or drive rollers such as guide rollers using various actuators controlled by the control section.

[0062] (b) The strip-shaped substrate may be provided with a detectable portion by printing, perforation or other means, which allows alignment by photoelectric marks, punched holes or other detection (for example, optical detection or electromagnetic detection) so that the strip-shaped substrate can be driven and stopped (or driven backward if necessary) by the required length in the continuous direction of the strip-shaped substrate to align the thermal transfer locations located at intervals in the continuous direction of the strip-shaped substrate with each of the above-mentioned positions, such as the ink image layer formation position.

[0063] In addition, as a detection means for detecting the position of the thermal transfer point on the strip-shaped substrate, a sensor can be installed at a necessary location on a specified path, or the driving distance can be measured by a winding section, a drive roller, a driven roller, etc.

[0064] Alignment by detecting the detectable portion on the strip-shaped substrate can be performed, for example, by providing each thermal transfer location at each predetermined continuous length on the strip-shaped substrate and maintaining the required tension on the strip-shaped substrate, thereby performing alignment by the drive system only at the ink image layer formation position, thereby simultaneously aligning the retention layer formation position (including when there is no retention layer formation position or when it is the same position as the ink image layer formation position), the powder layer formation position, the resin powder removal position (including when it is the same position as the powder layer formation position), and the resin layer formation position (including when it is the same position as the resin powder removal position). Furthermore, a fine adjustment device that can individually align each position (for example, alignment with the required tension applied) can be provided at a location corresponding to each position on the drive system.

[0065] (2-2) The conveying system can be capable of advancing or stopping the sheet-like substrate along a predetermined path (for example, by a fixed length [for example, a length corresponding to the length of the sheet-like substrate being conveyed in the conveying direction]) (it can also be capable of moving backward if necessary).

[0066] This allows the thermal transfer locations that can be set on the sheet-like substrate (multiple locations can be set on a single sheet-like substrate if necessary) to be sequentially advanced to each of the ink image layer formation position, retention layer formation position (including when there is no retention layer formation position or when it is the same location as the ink image layer formation position), powder layer formation position, resin powder removal position (including when it is the same location as the powder layer formation position), and resin layer formation position (including when it is the same location as the resin powder removal position), and the processing steps of ink image layer formation, retention layer formation, hot melt resin powder layer formation, unnecessary hot melt resin powder removal, and hot melt resin layer formation can be performed at each position. Note that if there are multiple positions where any of the processing steps can be performed on the thermal transfer locations while the sheet-like substrate is stopped, it is desirable to set the processing step execution positions and the path for driving the sheet-like substrate so that the thermal transfer locations of different sheet-like substrates are simultaneously located at two or more of the multiple positions and the respective processing steps can be performed while the sheet-like substrates are stopped.

[0067] The conveying system may, for example, have a drive roller and a pinch roller or a pair of drive rollers that clamp the sheet-like substrate to move the sheet-like substrate forward or stop (or move backward if necessary) along a predetermined path at required locations on the path, and a guide section (such as a guide roller) or a conveyor belt for maintaining the path or changing direction.

[0068] In addition, as a detection means for detecting the position and posture of the sheet-like substrate, sensors can be provided at necessary locations on a specified path, or the conveying distance can be measured using a drive roller, a driven roller, a conveyor belt, etc.

[0069] The sheet-like substrate may have edges such as a leading edge, a trailing edge, and side edges that can be detected to advance or stop (or retreat if necessary) the sheet-like substrate along a predetermined path and align the thermal transfer point of the sheet-like substrate with each of the positions, such as the ink image layer formation position (or to correct the posture), and may also have detectable portions provided by printing, perforating, or other means that enable alignment by photoelectric marks, punched holes, or other detection (e.g., optical detection or electromagnetic detection).

[0070] The conveyor belt is intended for transporting, for example, a sheet-like substrate placed or held on its upper surface (for example, by holding the substrate by negative pressure such as by air suction through suction holes provided in the conveyor belt, or by holding the substrate by a pressure body that moves together with the conveyor belt and sandwiches the sheet-like substrate between the conveyor belt and the belt, etc.).

[0071] The orientation of the sheet-like substrate is, for example, the inclination of the long side or short side of a rectangular sheet-like substrate being transported along a predetermined transport surface with respect to the transport direction.

[0072] The sensor may, for example, detect one or more locations on the leading edge, trailing edge, and side edge of a sheet-like substrate, or may detect photoelectric marks, punch holes, or other detection marks (e.g., optical or electromagnetic detection) provided on the sheet-like substrate.

[0073] Furthermore, the conveying system may, for example, detect or measure the attitude, such as the inclination, of the sheet-like substrate relative to the conveying direction as necessary, and have the drive roller perform an operation to correct the inclination, or may provide a correction means such as a separate correction roller, or may provide a means such as a guide member for detecting lateral deviation of the sheet-like substrate relative to a specified path and correcting the lateral deviation.

[0074] (2-3) Such a drive or conveying system can be controlled, for example, by a control unit (e.g., a computer such as a personal computer or other digital control device) controlling electric motors and other actuators based on the detection information from each sensor.

[0075] (3) Releasability to aid in the removal of the substrate during thermal transfer

[0076] The ink receiving layer is provided on one side of the substrate directly or via another layer, and when the ink receiving layer is provided directly on one side of the substrate or via the other layer, the other layer is provided so as to have releasability to assist in peeling off the substrate during thermal transfer.

[0077] Peeling of the substrate during thermal transfer refers to the peeling of the substrate after the hot melt resin layer is brought into contact with the transfer target and the thermal transfer material is heated and pressurized between the back surface of the substrate of the thermal transfer material and the transfer target when thermally transferring an ink image or the like to a transfer target such as a fabric product using the thermal transfer material obtained by the method or apparatus of the present invention.Releasability that aids in the peeling of the substrate refers, for example, to releasability that makes it possible to peel the substrate smoothly or easily, or that prevents damage to the transferred ink image or the like due to the peeling of the substrate.

[0078] Examples of the ink receiving layer provided directly on one surface of the substrate or the ink receiving layer provided via the other layer, in which the other layer is provided so as to have releasability to assist in peeling off the substrate during thermal transfer, include: When an ink-receiving layer or another layer is provided on one surface of the substrate via a release layer, When an ink-receiving layer having releasability or the other layer having releasability is provided on one surface of the substrate, When the substrate itself or at least one surface of the substrate itself has releasability Examples include:

[0079] An example of the other layer is a colorless and transparent protective layer, and the other layer may have releasability.

[0080] (4) Ink-receiving layer

[0081] At least the portion of the ink receiving layer on which ink for forming an ink image is to be ink-jet printed (preferably the entire ink receiving layer) is to be printed with ink for forming an ink image by ink-jet printing, and the ink for forming an ink image by ink-jet printing is to be printed with a thickness of, for example, 0.3 cm. 3 / g or more, preferably 0.5 cm 3 The ink-receiving layer may contain a porous substance having a pore volume of 1 / g or more (for example, a porous substance containing the porous substance sufficiently or evenly to the extent that the aforementioned clarity, sharpness, anti-bleeding, and anti-color-mixing properties can be exhibited). The same applies to a portion of the ink-receiving layer where no ink image layer is formed and where inkjet printing with the ink for forming the retention layer is performed.

[0082] Examples of the porous material include crystalline silica, non-crystalline silica, and aluminum silicate. Two or more of these may be used in combination, but the material is not necessarily limited to these.

[0083] Furthermore, in the ink receiving layer, at least the portion where inkjet printing with ink for forming an ink image is performed has a surface free energy of 25 (mJ / m 2 ) to 35 (mJ / m 2 The same applies to the portion of the ink receiving layer where the ink image layer is not formed and where ink jet printing with the ink for forming the retention layer is performed.

[0084] The surface free energy is measured by a measurement method using a contact angle measuring device (CAX-150, manufactured by Kyowa Interface Science Co., Ltd.).

[0085] The contact angle of each liquid on the film was measured using three types of liquid: water, diiodomethane, and n-hexadecane, and calculated using the Kitazaki-Hata formula.

[0086] The surface free energy can be adjusted using a surface tension modifier.

[0087] The surface tension adjuster is preferably one that does not impair the physical properties required for the ink receiving layer (for example, physical properties that can exhibit the clarity, sharpness, bleeding prevention, and color mixing prevention properties of the ink for forming the ink image), and examples thereof include various oils, surfactants, and silicone-grafted surfactants.

[0088] The ink-receiving layer can be formed (fixed) by coating or other means on the entire surface or a required portion of one side of the substrate directly or via another layer with an ink-receiving layer-forming treatment agent, which is prepared by converting the porous material, surface tension adjuster, and other components into an ink together with a fixing resin. Examples of fixing resins that can be used include acrylic resins, polyester resins, polyurethane resins, ethylene vinyl acetate resins, polyamide resins, and rosinate ester resins, which can be used in the form of emulsions, dispersions, or organic solvent solutions.

[0089] An ink-receiving layer having releasability can be formed using an ink-receiving layer-forming treatment agent in which a releasable component selected from, for example, various waxes, paraffin, silicone resin, silicone oil, fluororesin, etc. is blended with the components that form the ink-receiving layer.

[0090] When an ink receiving layer or another layer is provided on one side of a substrate via a release layer, the release layer can be formed by, for example, coating one side of the substrate with a release treatment agent containing a releasable component selected from various waxes, paraffin, silicone resin, silicone oil, fluororesin, etc.

[0091] Furthermore, in order to improve the clarity, sharpness, anti-bleeding properties, and anti-color mixing properties of the ink for forming an ink image by inkjet printing (or the ink for forming a retention layer), the components forming the ink-receiving layer may contain one or, if appropriate, two or more of the following ionic gelling agents: a cationic compound monomer, a cationic compound polymer, a basic inorganic metal salt, and the like.

[0092] Examples of the cationic compound monomer include dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride, dodecylbenzyldimethylammonium chloride, and cetylpyridinium chloride. Examples of the cationic polymer include polyallylamine hydrochloride, diallylamine hydrochloride polymer, methyldiallylamine hydrochloride polymer, diallyldimethylammonium chloride polymer, 2-(acryloyloxy)ethyltrimethylammonium chloride polymer, dimethylamine-epichlorohydrin condensate, cationized starch, and cationized cellulose. Examples of the basic inorganic metal salt include, but are not limited to, calcium nitrate, calcium chloride, magnesium nitrate, and magnesium chloride. Furthermore, two or more of each of these may be used in combination.

[0093] (5) Ink image layer forming section

[0094] (5-1) The ink image layer forming unit, at an ink image layer forming position on a predetermined path (not necessarily when the substrate is stopped), detects, as necessary, by a detection means that the thermal transfer location on the substrate is located at the ink image layer forming position, and then forms an ink image layer on the ink receiving layer by inkjet printing using ink for forming an ink image to represent a required image, in accordance with input printing data (for example, printing data input via a control unit of a computer such as a personal computer or other digital control device). The printing data is usually based on the premise that the ink image formed on the ink receiving layer will be reverse-transferred to a transfer target such as a fabric product.

[0095] (5-2) Inkjet printing can be performed using, for example, an inkjet printing device equipped with a multicolor printing inkjet head, but is not limited to this. For example, inks for forming ink images in multicolor printing can be four colors: the three basic primary colors (cyan, magenta, and yellow) and black. However, the color gamut can be expanded by adding special color inks such as green, orange, purple, and white to these four colors.

[0096] (5-3) The inkjet method used in inkjet printing is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a charge control method that uses electrostatic attraction to eject ink, a drop-on-demand method (pressure pulse method) that uses the vibration pressure of a piezoelectric element, an acoustic inkjet method that uses radiation pressure to convert an electric signal into an acoustic beam and irradiate the ink with it, and a thermal inkjet method that heats the ink to form bubbles and uses the resulting pressure. Of these, the piezoelectric method is preferred.

[0097] (5-4) The print head of an inkjet printer may be, for example, a serial head that prints by moving the head in the width direction of the substrate (a direction perpendicular to the direction of the predetermined path), or a line head that does not require head movement in the width direction because the head covers the required range in the width direction of the substrate.

[0098] With regard to the path direction of the substrate, the head can be one that prints while moving the substrate in the path direction at a fixed position in the path direction, or one that prints by moving the head in the path direction of the substrate while the substrate is stationary (for example, in the case of a serial head, the head is moved in the width direction of the substrate at a fixed position in the path direction to print, then the serial head is moved a required distance in the path direction of the substrate, and the head is moved in the width direction of the substrate at that position to print, repeating this process as many times as necessary to perform the required printing; in the case of a line head, printing is performed at a fixed position in the path direction of the substrate, then the line head is moved a required distance in the path direction of the substrate, and printing at that position, repeating this process as many times as necessary to perform the required printing).Furthermore, for example, the head can be one that covers the required range in both the width direction and the path direction of the substrate, and required printing can be performed while both the substrate and head are stationary.

[0099] (5-5) In order to print with high precision, it is preferable to perform the inkjet printing as described above while the substrate is stationary.

[0100] When inkjet printing is performed with the substrate stationary, printing accuracy can be maximized by temporarily positioning and supporting the substrate at a predetermined printing position on a predetermined path.

[0101] An example of such temporary positioning support for a strip-shaped substrate is a predetermined path near the printing position. (a) One side edge and the other side edge of the strip-shaped substrate are guided in a state where they pass through the grooves of a pair of groove-shaped guide parts that face each other inward, thereby preventing the substrate from meandering in the width direction; (b) Providing holding sections that press and hold the belt-shaped substrate in the thickness direction (for example, by air pressure, hydraulic pressure, electromagnetic force, etc.) at multiple locations across the ink image layer forming section, and pressing and holding the substrate with these holding sections during printing (the pressing and holding is released after printing); (c) Applying negative pressure by air suction or other means to the back side of the strip-shaped substrate to hold it in place during printing (the negative pressure is released after printing). or a combination of two or more of these.

[0102] An example of such temporary positioning support for a sheet-like substrate is stopping the substrate with the required tension applied between one end and the other end in the path direction, and stopping in such a state can be achieved by pinching one end of the substrate in a stationary state with a drive roller and a pinch roller, and pinching the other end in a stationary state with a drive roller or a driven roller whose rotation is controlled to stop and a pinch roller.

[0103] (6) Ink for forming ink images

[0104] As the ink for forming an ink image, an aqueous ink is preferred because it places less strain on the environment and on workers. As the colorant for the aqueous ink, it is preferred to use a pigment in order to achieve good fastness.

[0105] As a water-based ink for forming an ink image using a pigment as a colorant, for example, an ink made by dispersing the pigment in water and using a fixing resin can be used. By fixing such an ink for forming an ink image on a substrate by inkjet printing, an ink image layer having good fastness such as washing resistance after thermal transfer can be obtained.

[0106] Examples of preferred pigments for aqueous inks include azo-, indanthrene-, or imidazolone-based yellow pigments; azo-, quinacridone-, cromophthalic-, or diketopyrrolopyrrole-based red pigments; phthalocyanine-based blue pigments; carbon black; phthalocyanine-based green pigments; indanthrene-based orange pigments; oxazoline-based purple pigments; and white pigments such as titanium oxide, aluminum silicate, and zinc oxide.

[0107] The fixing resin in the aqueous ink is not particularly limited, but preferred examples of fixing resins that can achieve robustness as a thermal transfer material include acrylic resins, polyester resins, polyurethane resins, ethylene vinyl acetate resins, etc. Of these, polyurethane resins are more preferred in terms of good adhesion of the hot melt resin powder and robustness after thermal transfer.

[0108] Furthermore, the surface tension of the aqueous ink for forming an ink image can be, for example, in the range of 23 to 35 (mN / m). To achieve clarity, sharpness, prevention of bleeding, and prevention of color mixing (prevention of mixing of inks such as multicolor inks) for the ink image layer formed on the ink-receiving layer on the substrate (particularly a synthetic resin film substrate such as a polyester resin film including PET), the surface tension is preferably 24 to 30 (mN / m), and more preferably 24 to 27 (mN / m). These surface tensions are determined by the Wilhelmy method using a surface tension measuring device (DY-300: Kyowa Interface Science Co., Ltd.).

[0109] The surface tension of the aqueous ink for forming an ink image can be adjusted, for example, by using a surface tension adjuster. The surface tension adjuster is not particularly limited as long as it does not impair the physical properties of the ink for forming an ink image, which is an inkjet ink, and examples of the surface tension adjuster that can be used include silicone-based surface adjusters, acrylic-based surface adjusters, vinyl-based surface adjusters, fluorine-based surface adjusters, and acetylene glycol-based surface adjusters.

[0110] (7) Retention layer forming part

[0111] (7-1) The retention layer forming unit, at a retention layer forming position (not limited to when the substrate is stopped) that is located between the ink image layer forming position and the powder layer forming position on a predetermined path or that is the same position as the ink image layer forming position, detects, as necessary, by a detection means that the thermal transfer point on the substrate is located at the retention layer forming position, and then (similar to the ink image layer forming unit), forms a retention layer by inkjet printing using a retention layer forming ink for retaining hot melt resin powder on all or required parts of the ink image layer (for example, so as to cover the ink image layer) and / or parts of the ink receiving layer other than the ink image layer, according to the printing data input.

[0112] The retention layer is preferably formed on the entire surface of the ink image layer. In this case, the retention layer may not be formed on the portion other than the ink image layer, but the retention layer may be formed from the retention-layer-forming ink on the portion of the ink-receiving layer other than the ink image layer.

[0113] The retention layer may also be formed in a required portion on the ink image layer. In this case, the retention layer may not be formed in the portion other than the ink image layer, but the retention layer may be formed from the retention-layer-forming ink in the portion of the ink-receiving layer other than the ink image layer.

[0114] It is also possible to manufacture a heat transfer material without forming a retaining layer in the retaining layer forming section, or to provide a heat transfer material manufacturing apparatus that does not have a retaining layer forming section.

[0115] (7-2) Inkjet printing using the ink for forming a retention layer to form a retention layer can be carried out while the inkjet-printed ink for forming an ink image is still wet (for example, within 60 seconds, preferably within 30 seconds, more preferably within 10 seconds after printing the ink for forming an ink image). However, this is not a limitation, and printing with the ink for forming a retention layer can also be carried out when the ink for forming an ink image is dry.

[0116] (7-3) The ink for forming the retention layer is preferably an aqueous ink, as it has a low environmental impact and a low burden on workers, similar to the ink for forming the ink image. When a colorant is used in the aqueous ink for forming the retention layer, it is preferable to use a pigment in order to achieve good fastness.

[0117] The ink for forming the retention layer can be, for example, a white concealing ink containing a white pigment such as titanium oxide, or it can be a colored ink using pigments of various colors exemplified as those that can be used in ink for forming ink images, or it can be one that does not contain a colorant such as a pigment (for example, an uncolored ink or a colorless transparent ink).

[0118] By covering the ink image layer with a white opaque ink as the ink for forming the retention layer, the portion of the ink image transferred to the transfer target object where the white opaque retention layer is present on the back side (for example, the entire ink image) can be prevented from being affected by the background color of the transfer target object, and the ink image itself can be clearly displayed.

[0119] A retention layer formed using a white-opacifying retention layer-forming ink in the part of the ink-receiving layer other than the ink image layer can be made to be one in which, when transferred to an object to be transferred, the influence of the background color of the object to be transferred, etc. is prevented and the white color appears clearly.

[0120] As an aqueous ink for forming a retention layer that uses a pigment as a colorant, for example, an ink made by dispersing a pigment in water and using a fixing resin can be used. Alternatively, an ink made by using a fixing resin without using a pigment can also be used as the ink for forming a retention layer. By fixing such an ink for forming an ink image on a substrate by inkjet printing, a retention layer having good fastness, such as washing resistance, after thermal transfer can be obtained.

[0121] As with the ink for forming an ink image, the fixing resin that can be blended into the aqueous ink is not particularly limited, but preferred examples of fixing resins that can achieve robustness as a thermal transfer material include acrylic resins, polyester resins, polyurethane resins, ethylene vinyl acetate resins, etc. Of these, polyurethane resins are more preferred in terms of good adhesion of the hot-melt resin powder and robustness after thermal transfer.

[0122] The surface tension of the aqueous ink for forming a retention layer, like the ink for forming an ink image, can be set to, for example, a range of 23 to 35 (mN / m). The surface tension of the aqueous ink for forming a retention layer is preferably 24 to 30 (mN / m), more preferably 24 to 27 (mN / m), in order to achieve clarity, sharpness, prevention of bleeding, and prevention of color mixing (prevention of mixing of inks to be layered, such as multicolor inks) for the retention layer formed with the ink for forming a retention layer on an ink image layer formed on an ink-receiving layer (or the ink for forming a retention layer printed on an ink-receiving layer on which no ink image layer is formed). The surface tension of the aqueous ink for forming a retention layer can be adjusted using a surface tension adjuster, like the ink for forming an ink image.

[0123] (8) Hot melt resin powder layer forming section

[0124] (8-1) At a powder layer formation position (not necessarily when the substrate is stopped) that is a position ahead of the ink image layer formation position and the retention layer formation position on a predetermined path, the hot melt resin powder layer forming unit detects, if necessary, by a detection means that the thermal transfer point on the substrate is located at the powder layer formation position, and then forms a hot melt resin powder layer using hot melt resin powder on one or both of the retention layer and the ink image layer where no retention layer is present (preferably on the retention layer) (if necessary, according to data input in the same way as the ink image layer forming unit).

[0125] In addition, if there is no retention layer formation position, the hot melt resin powder layer forming section forms a hot melt resin powder layer made of hot melt resin powder on the ink image layer at a powder layer formation position which is a position forward of the ink image layer formation position on the specified path.

[0126] (8-2) The hot-melt resin powder layer is formed by applying the hot-melt resin powder onto the retention layer while the inkjet-printed retention layer-forming ink is still wet. The application of the hot-melt resin powder can be performed, for example, within 90 seconds after inkjet printing of the retention layer-forming ink. Preferably, the application is within 60 seconds, and more preferably, within 30 seconds.

[0127] In the case where an ink image layer is present on which no retention layer is formed (is not coated), the hot-melt resin powder is applied to the ink image layer and the retention layer while the ink image forming ink in the ink image layer and the retention layer forming ink in the retention layer are still wet. The application of the hot-melt resin powder can be carried out, for example, within 90 seconds after inkjet printing of the ink image forming ink, preferably within 60 seconds, and more preferably within 30 seconds.

[0128] (8-3) Examples of means for supplying and adhering hot melt resin powder onto the retention layer (or ink image layer) while the retention layer forming ink (or ink image forming ink) is in a wet state include, but are not limited to, means for sprinkling hot melt resin powder onto the retention layer (or ink image layer) to adhere it to the retention layer (or ink image layer), means for causing the hot melt resin powder to reach the retention layer (or ink image layer) and adhere thereto by an air current, means for causing the hot melt resin powder to reach the retention layer (or ink image layer) and adhere thereto by electrostatic force, and means for causing the hot melt resin powder to pass through a pool of hot melt resin powder to adhere to the retention layer (or ink image layer).

[0129] The hot-melt resin powder is preferably applied uniformly to the retaining layer (or ink image layer) to form a hot-melt resin powder layer of as uniform a thickness as possible. Examples of equipment for this purpose include a container containing the hot-melt resin powder and a pipe through which the hot-melt resin powder is fed, which can feed the hot-melt resin powder through a slit-shaped hole (for example, a slit-shaped hole of a constant narrow width along a straight line that crosses the entire retaining layer (or ink image layer)) at a substantially constant feed rate (amount of resin powder fed per unit time) over the entire length of the hole.

[0130] It is also possible to use a container or a pipeline equipped with a mesh-like supply section that can identify the area where the hot melt resin powder is sprayed, or to use a mesh-like or slit-like head that can supply the hot melt resin powder from a container or pipeline, and move it (or move it and open / close the head opening to supply and stop the supply of hot melt resin powder) according to input data from the control unit, thereby controlling the area where the hot melt resin powder is sprayed and supplying the hot melt resin powder to the retention layer (or ink image layer).

[0131] (8-4) If necessary, a resin powder leakage prevention section for preventing leakage of the hot melt resin powder from the powder layer formation position to the retention layer formation position or the ink image layer formation position, such as a curtain-like section or air curtain section that can be opened or closed to prevent leakage in response to an instruction from the control section, can be provided (for example, in the case of a strip-shaped substrate, a section that can prevent resin powder leakage in the section between the strip-shaped substrate and the retention layer (or ink image layer) that follows behind in the path, or in the case of a sheet-shaped substrate, a section that can prevent resin powder leakage in the section between the strip-shaped substrate and the sheet-shaped substrate that follows behind in the path).

[0132] (8-5) The hot-melt resin powder is not particularly limited, but is preferably one that exhibits sufficient robustness when transferred and adhered to a thermal transfer target (such as various textile products). Considering the heat resistance during thermal transfer of a thermal transfer target (such as fibers constituting various textile products), it is preferable to use a powder of polyurethane resin, polyester resin, polyamide resin, ethylene vinyl acetate resin, or the like, having a melting point of 100 to 140°C and a particle size of approximately 30 to 300 μm. In particular, considering stretchability, washability, etc., polyurethane resin powder, for example, a polyurethane resin powder having a melting point of 100 to 140°C, is preferred. The hot-melt resin may be, for example, one that becomes colorless and transparent after heating and pressing and cooling, but is not necessarily limited to this.

[0133] (9) Unwanted hot melt resin powder removal section

[0134] After forming a hot-melt resin powder layer on one or both of the retention layer and the ink image layer on which no retention layer is present, any unnecessary hot-melt resin powder that may be present on the retention layer on the substrate or in areas other than the ink image layer on which no retention layer is present (not covered with a retention layer) (or, if any other unnecessary hot-melt resin powder is present, that hot-melt resin powder) can be removed from the substrate before the heat treatment of the hot-melt resin powder, after detecting, as necessary, that the thermal transfer location on the substrate is located at the resin powder removal position at a position ahead of the powder layer formation position on the specified path or at a resin powder removal position which is the powder layer formation position (not limited to a state where the substrate is stopped).

[0135] The unnecessary hot-melt resin powder removing section that removes the unnecessary hot-melt resin powder from the substrate is required to be capable of removing the unnecessary hot-melt resin powder without damaging the ink image layer and the retention layer.

[0136] Examples of devices used to remove unwanted hot melt resin powder include devices that apply vibration to the substrate (preferably from the back side of the substrate) by striking it, rotating contact with a rotating brush, or other means to cause the hot melt resin powder to fall off from the substrate, suction devices that act on the front side (and back side) of the substrate to suck and remove the hot melt resin powder, and airbrush devices that remove the hot melt resin powder from the substrate by using a gas flow.Combinations of two or more of these devices are also possible, but the invention is not limited to these.

[0137] As the airbrush device, for example, one can be used in which a number of airflow nozzles are arranged in a matrix to apply a vertical or oblique airflow to one surface of the substrate, and the airflow is ejected from a nozzle selected based on data on the peripheral position of the retention layer (or ink image layer).

[0138] In addition, of the hot melt resin powder used to form the hot melt resin powder layer, all or part of the hot melt resin powder that was not retained on the substrate, such as the hot melt resin powder that was removed from the substrate (for example, that fell to a designated location below), the hot melt resin powder that did not adhere to or rest on the substrate (for example, that fell to a designated location below), and the hot melt resin powder that was suctioned and removed from the substrate, can be returned to the hot melt resin powder supply location by a recovery and circulation device, etc., and reused (for example, automatically) for forming the hot melt resin powder layer.

[0139] (10) Hot melt resin layer forming section

[0140] The hot melt resin layer forming section is at a resin layer forming position (not limited to a state where the substrate is stopped) which is a position ahead of the resin powder removal position on the specified path or the same position as the resin powder removal position (preferably a position ahead of the resin powder removal position), and if necessary, detects using a detection means that the thermal transfer point on the substrate is located at the resin layer forming position, and then melts and solidifies the hot melt resin powder that constitutes the hot melt resin powder layer by heat treatment (after melting, the molten resin is solidified by cooling, such as by natural cooling or cooling by a forced cooling device), thereby forming a hot melt resin layer.

[0141] By subjecting the ink image layer or the ink image layer and the retention layer on the substrate to heat treatment, together with the hot melt resin powder constituting the hot melt resin powder layer, the drying of the ink image layer or the ink image layer and the retention layer can be accelerated or made more complete, thereby enhancing the unity with the hot melt resin layer and improving the physical properties of the transferred image after thermal transfer to the transfer target (textile product, etc.).

[0142] The heat treatment can be carried out at a temperature of 100 to 160° C. for about 1 to 5 minutes, for example.

[0143] The heat treatment device used to form the hot melt resin layer may be, for example, a box-type or tunnel-type heat treatment device, with a tunnel-type heat treatment device being preferred for a strip-shaped substrate (e.g., a roll-shaped or other continuous substrate) and a box-type heat treatment device being preferred for a sheet-shaped substrate.

[0144] When a roll-shaped or other continuous strip-shaped substrate is used, the obtained thermal transfer material can be perforated (using a perforation processing device) or slit (using a slitter machine) before the hot melt resin layer forming section, and then wound up or cut into multiple sheets.

[0145] The perforation process is a process in which the strip-shaped heat transfer material is cut in a direction perpendicular to the continuous direction (or in another intersecting direction), for example, at predetermined intervals in the continuous direction, so that it can be later separated.The cutting process is a process in which the material is immediately cut in the same direction.

[0146] On the other hand, the slitting process involves dividing the strip-shaped thermal transfer material into two or more pieces of a predetermined width (for example, half the width) over the entire length in the continuous direction.

[0147] (11) Heat and pressure transfer

[0148] Thermal transfer of an ink image or the like using a thermal transfer material obtained by the method or apparatus of the present invention can be carried out by contacting the hot melt resin layer with an object to be transferred, such as a fabric product, and then heating and pressing the thermal transfer material between the back surface of the substrate of the thermal transfer material and the object to be transferred (for example, by heat pressing at 100 to 200°C using a heat press or hot iron), and then peeling off the substrate while it is hot or after cooling (depending on the physical properties of the substance that causes releasability between the substrate and the ink receiving layer).

[0149] Examples of objects to be transferred include, but are not limited to, various colored fabrics, white fabrics, clothing (e.g., sportswear, T-shirts, underwear, sweatshirts, socks), and other textile products made from various fibers.

[0150] (12) Control unit

[0151] The control unit may be, for example, a computer such as a personal computer, or other digital control device.

[0152] The control unit detects, for example, detected portions or edge portions of the belt-shaped substrate or sheet-shaped substrate at required locations using a detection device (for example, an optical detection device or an electromagnetic detection device) provided at required positions along a predetermined path, or measures the driving distance of the belt-shaped substrate using a winding unit, a driving roller, a driven roller, or the like, or measures the conveying distance of the sheet-shaped substrate using a driving roller, a driven roller, a conveyor belt, or the like, and detects each thermal transfer location of the belt-shaped substrate at each section separated by, for example, a predetermined length or by other divisions. It is possible to identify the position of the substrate, the position (or posture) of the sheet-like substrate and the position of the thermal transfer location, the positions on the strip-like substrate or sheet-like substrate where ink image layer formation, retention layer formation, hot melt resin powder layer formation should be performed, and the positions where unnecessary hot melt resin powder removal, hot melt resin layer formation, etc. should be performed, so that the control unit can give instructions to the drive or conveying system while also giving instructions to the ink image layer formation unit, retention layer formation unit, hot melt resin powder layer formation unit, unnecessary hot melt resin powder removal unit, and hot melt resin layer formation unit, allowing thermal transfer materials to be manufactured efficiently.

[0153] (13) As described above, according to the thermal transfer material manufacturing method and thermal transfer material manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, thermal transfer materials capable of thermally transferring ink images, etc. to an object can be efficiently manufactured by forming ink image layers and hot melt resin layers, etc., without plate making, and automatic manufacturing of thermal transfer materials is also possible.

[0154] [2] An example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0155] The drawings all relate to a method and an apparatus for producing a heat transfer material as an embodiment of the present invention.

[0156] (1) Heat transfer material manufacturing equipment for strip-shaped substrates

[0157] The thermal transfer material manufacturing apparatus A includes a drive system D that can advance or stop (and, if necessary, move backward) along a predetermined path the band-shaped substrate R that is unwound from an unwinding section D1 where a wound band-shaped substrate R is set and stretched between the unwinding section D1 and a winding section D2, an ink image layer forming section E that forms an ink image layer m at an ink image layer forming position 10 on the path, a retention layer forming section F that forms a retention layer n at a retention layer forming position 20 adjacent to and forward of the ink image layer forming position 10 on the path, a hot melt resin powder layer forming section G that forms a hot melt resin powder layer p at a powder layer forming position 30 that is lowered forward of the retention layer forming position 20 on the path, and an unwanted hot melt resin powder removal section 40 that rises steeply forward of the powder layer forming position 30 on the path. the hot melt resin powder removal unit H, the unwanted hot melt resin powder receiving unit I for receiving unwanted hot melt resin powder, the unwanted hot melt resin powder circulation unit C for circulating the hot melt resin powder received in the unwanted hot melt resin powder receiving unit I for reuse, the hot melt resin layer forming unit J for forming a hot melt resin layer q at a resin layer forming position 50 which is a horizontal position after rising forward from the resin powder removal position 40 on the path, and a control unit and necessary detection means (not shown) which are programmed to instruct the drive system based on position information etc. detected at key points about the strip-shaped substrate R driven along a predetermined path, and to instruct the ink image layer forming unit, the retention layer forming unit, the hot melt resin powder layer forming unit, the unwanted hot melt resin powder removal unit, and the hot melt resin layer forming unit, thereby enabling the thermal transfer material manufacturing process to be carried out.

[0158] The path may be horizontal without descending or ascending, or the descending and ascending may be small or gentle.

[0159] (2) Heat transfer material manufacturing equipment for sheet-type substrates

[0160] The thermal transfer material manufacturing apparatus B has a conveying system T that can advance or stop (and, if necessary, move backward) the sheet-like substrate S along a predetermined path, and, like the thermal transfer material manufacturing apparatus A, has an ink image layer forming section E, a retention layer forming section F, a hot melt resin powder layer forming section G, an unnecessary hot melt resin powder removing section H, an unnecessary hot melt resin powder receiving section I, an unnecessary hot melt resin powder circulating section C, a hot melt resin layer forming section J, as well as a control section and a detection means (not shown). The path can be horizontal, without descending or ascending, as shown in Figure 6, or the descending and ascending can be small or gradual. [Example]

[0161] 1. Preparation of a substrate with an ink-receiving layer

[0162] (1) Base material R(1)

[0163] An ink-receiving layer forming agent containing silica, silicone oil, polyurethane resin, and silicone wax was applied to the entire surface of one side of a strip-shaped substrate made of polyester resin film (thickness 100 μm). This resulted in a surface free energy of 26 mJ / m 2 Thus, a substrate R(1) was obtained on which an ink-receiving layer having releasability was formed.

[0164] (2) Base material R(2)

[0165] A release agent containing silicone wax and an ink-receiving layer-forming agent containing silica, silicone oil, and polyurethane resin were applied in this order to the entire surface of one side of a strip-shaped substrate made of polyester resin film (thickness 100 μm). This resulted in a surface free energy of 28 mJ / m 2 A substrate R(2) was obtained on which an ink-receiving layer having the formula:

[0166] (3) Base material S(3)

[0167] The substrate R(1) was cut into a rectangular sheet of 500 mm x 400 mm to obtain the substrate S(3).

[0168] (4) Comparison base material R(4)

[0169] By coating the entire surface of one side of a strip-shaped substrate made of polyester resin film (thickness 100 μm) with a release treatment agent containing silicone wax, the surface free energy was reduced to 19 mJ / m 2 A comparative substrate R(4) was obtained on which a release layer of the formula shown below was formed.

[0170] (5) Comparison base material R(5)

[0171] No release agent or ink-receiving layer forming agent is applied, and the surface free energy is 70 mJ / m 2 A strip-shaped substrate made of a polyester resin film (thickness: 100 μm) was used as comparative substrate R(5).

[0172] 2. Preparation of ink for ink image formation

[0173] (1) Ink for forming ink images

[0174] An aqueous blue ink containing a phthalocyanine blue pigment, polyurethane resin, and a silicone surface conditioner and having a surface tension of 26.7 mN / m; an aqueous red ink containing a quinacridone red pigment, polyurethane resin, and a silicone surface conditioner and having a surface tension of 26.2 mN / m; an aqueous yellow ink containing an azo yellow pigment, polyurethane resin, and a silicone surface conditioner and having a surface tension of 28.2 mN / m; and an aqueous black ink containing carbon black, polyurethane resin, and a silicone surface conditioner and having a surface tension of 25.6 mN / m were prepared, and named ink image forming inks J-1C, J-1M, J-1Y, and J-1K, respectively.

[0175] (2) Comparative ink image forming ink

[0176] An aqueous blue ink containing a phthalocyanine blue pigment and a polyurethane resin and having a surface tension of 37.8 mN / m, an aqueous red ink containing a quinacridone red pigment and a polyurethane resin and having a surface tension of 38.3 mN / m, an aqueous yellow ink containing an azo yellow pigment and a polyurethane resin and having a surface tension of 37.5 mN / m, and an aqueous black ink containing carbon black and a polyurethane resin and having a surface tension of 38.1 mN / m were prepared, and named comparative ink image forming inks H-1C, H-1M, H-1Y, and H-1K, respectively.

[0177] 3. Preparation of ink for forming the retention layer

[0178] (1) Retaining layer forming ink 1

[0179] An opacifying water-based white ink containing titanium oxide white pigment, polyurethane resin, and a silicone-based surface conditioner and having a surface tension of 24.9 mN / m was prepared and designated as opacifying retention layer forming ink J-1W.

[0180] (2) Retaining layer forming ink 2

[0181] An aqueous clear ink containing a polyurethane resin and a silicone-based surface conditioner and having a surface tension of 25.3 mN / m was prepared and designated as ink J-2CL for forming a retention layer.

[0182] (3) Comparative ink for forming retention layer 1

[0183] A water-based white ink with opacifying properties containing titanium oxide white pigment and polyurethane resin and having a surface tension of 38.4 mN / m was prepared and designated comparative retention layer forming ink H-1W.

[0184] 4. Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3

[0185] (1) Example 1

[0186] Using the thermal transfer material manufacturing device A, the substrate R(1) was driven along a predetermined path by the drive system D under the instructions of the control unit based on position information detected at key points, and the following process was performed to manufacture the thermal transfer material.

[0187] When a detection means detects that any one of the thermal transfer locations Ra set sequentially in the continuous direction of the strip-shaped substrate R(1) is located at the ink image layer forming position 10, the substrate R(1) is stopped, and an ink image layer m (an inverted image of the letter M) is formed on the ink receiving layer by inkjet printing using ink image forming inks (J-1C, J-1M, J-1Y, J-1K) by an ink image layer forming unit E (inkjet printing device).

[0188] Next, while maintaining the substrate R(1) in a stopped state, at the retention layer forming position 20, which is the same position as the ink image layer forming position 10, an opaque retention layer n was formed by inkjet printing using retention layer forming ink J-1W by the retention layer forming unit F (inkjet printing device) on the wet ink image forming ink that forms the ink image layer m and the ink receiving layer in the area that protrudes 1 mm wide from the outer periphery of the ink image layer m (the protruding area is omitted in the drawing).

[0189] Next, the substrate R(1) was driven forward and the detection means detected that the thermal transfer location Ra was located at the powder layer formation position 30, which was ahead of the retention layer formation position 20 in the specified path. While the ink for forming the retention layer was still wet, the hot melt resin powder layer forming section G sprayed hot melt resin powder p1 onto the retention layer n, thereby forming a hot melt resin powder layer p.

[0190] Next, the substrate R(1) was driven forward, and with the thermal transfer location Ra positioned at a resin powder removal position 40 ahead of the powder layer formation position 30 in the specified path, the substrate R(1) was vibrated from its backside by the unnecessary hot melt resin powder removal section H, thereby removing hot melt resin powder p1 that may be present in parts of the substrate R(1) other than the retaining layer n.

[0191] The substrate R(1) is further driven forward, and at a resin layer forming position 50, which is ahead of the resin powder removal position 40 on the specified path, the hot melt resin layer forming unit J applies heat treatment to the thermal transfer area Ra at 150°C for 3 minutes, thereby sufficiently drying the ink image layer m and the retention layer n and melting the hot melt resin powder p1 that makes up the hot melt resin powder layer p. The molten resin is then solidified by natural cooling to form a hot melt resin layer q, thereby obtaining a thermal transfer area Ra in which the ink image layer m (an image of a reversed letter M) formed on the ink receiving layer having releasability of the substrate R(1) is covered with the hot melt resin layer q.

[0192] The above-mentioned process was carried out for each thermal transfer location while the substrate R(1) was driven along a predetermined path by the drive system D, and then wound up by a winding device, whereby each thermal transfer location Ra set sequentially in the continuous direction of the substrate R(1) was similarly processed to obtain a strip-shaped thermal transfer material with the image of the letter M that was wound up.

[0193] (2) Example 2

[0194] A band-shaped thermal transfer material with an image of the letter M was obtained by the same process as in Example 1, except that the substrate R(1) was changed to the substrate R(2).

[0195] (3) Comparative Example 1

[0196] A band-shaped thermal transfer material with an image of the letter M was obtained by the same process as in Example 1, except that the substrate R(1) was changed to comparative substrate R(4).

[0197] (4) Comparative Example 2

[0198] A band-shaped thermal transfer material with an image of the letter M was obtained by the same process as in Example 1, except that the substrate R(1) was changed to comparative substrate R(5).

[0199] (5) Example 3

[0200] A band-shaped thermal transfer material with an image of the letter M was obtained by the same process as in Example 1, except that the opaque retaining layer forming ink J-1W was changed to the retaining layer forming ink J-2CL.

[0201] (6) Comparative Example 3

[0202] A band-shaped thermal transfer material with an image of the letter M was obtained by processing in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the ink image forming inks (J-1C, J-1M, J-1Y, J-1K) and the opaque retaining layer forming ink J-1W were replaced with comparative ink image forming inks (H-1C, H-1M, H-1Y, H-1K) and comparative retaining layer forming ink H-1W, respectively.

[0203] (7) Example 4

[0204] Using the thermal transfer material manufacturing device B, the substrate S (3) was held on the conveyor belt of the conveying system T and transported along a predetermined route under the instructions of the control unit based on position information detected at key points, and the following process was performed to manufacture the thermal transfer material.

[0205] When the detection means detected that the thermal transfer point of the sheet-like substrate S(3) was located at the ink image layer forming position 10, the substrate S(3) was stopped, and an ink image layer m (an inverted image of the letter M) was formed on the ink receiving layer by inkjet printing using ink image forming inks (J-1C, J-1M, J-1Y, J-1K) by the ink image layer forming unit E (inkjet printing device).

[0206] Next, while maintaining the substrate S (3) in a stopped state, at the retention layer forming position 20, which is the same position as the ink image layer forming position 10, a concealing retention layer n was formed by inkjet printing using retention layer forming ink J-1W by the retention layer forming unit F (inkjet printing device) on the wet ink image forming ink that forms the ink image layer m and the ink receiving layer in the area that protrudes 1 mm wide from the outer periphery of the ink image layer m.

[0207] Next, the substrate S (3) was transported forward, and the detection means detected that the thermal transfer location was located at the powder layer formation position 30, which was ahead of the retention layer formation position 20 in the specified path. While the ink for forming the retention layer was still wet, the hot melt resin powder p1 was sprayed by the hot melt resin powder layer forming section G and adhered to the retention layer n, thereby forming a hot melt resin powder layer p.

[0208] Next, the substrate S(3) was conveyed forward, and with the thermal transfer location positioned at a resin powder removal position 40 ahead of the powder layer formation position 30 on the specified path, the unnecessary hot melt resin powder removal section H, which blows out an air flow from above, removed hot melt resin powder p1 that may be present in areas other than the retaining layer n on the substrate S(3).

[0209] The substrate S(3) is further conveyed forward, and at a resin layer forming position 50, which is located ahead of the resin powder removal position 40 on the specified path, the hot melt resin layer forming unit J applies heat treatment to the thermal transfer area at 150°C for 3 minutes, thereby sufficiently drying the ink image layer m and the retention layer n and melting the hot melt resin powder p1 that makes up the hot melt resin powder layer p. The molten resin is then solidified by natural cooling to form a hot melt resin layer q, thereby obtaining a sheet-like thermal transfer material in which the ink image layer m (image of a reversed letter M) formed on the ink receiving layer, which has releasability, of the substrate S(3) is covered with the hot melt resin layer q.

[0210] (8) Example 5

[0211] A band-shaped thermal transfer material with a white image of the letter M was obtained by processing in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the ink image layer m was not formed by inkjet printing using an ink image forming ink, and an inverted image of the letter M made of an opaque retaining layer n was formed by inkjet printing using a retaining layer forming ink J-1W by a retaining layer forming unit F (inkjet printing device) on the ink receiving layer at the retaining layer forming position 20 in the part corresponding to the ink image layer m in Example 1 and in the area extending 1 mm out from the outer periphery of the ink image layer m.

[0212] (9) Example 6

[0213] A band-shaped thermal transfer material with an image of the letter M was obtained by processing in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the retention layer n was not formed by inkjet printing using the retention layer forming ink J-1W.

[0214] (10) Thermal transfer

[0215] Each of the heat transfer materials obtained in Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 was applied to a white or black cotton knit fabric T-shirt X with the hot melt resin layer q in contact with the T-shirt. The T-shirts were then heat pressed at 160°C and 300 g / cm 2 The substrates were then peeled off, thereby forming an image of the letter M on each of the cotton knit fabric T-shirts X. 5. Evaluation of physical properties and performance in each example and comparative example

[0216] (1) Table 1 shows the surface free energy of the ink-receiving layer or release layer formed on the substrate or the substrate itself, as well as the surface tension of the ink for forming the ink image and the ink for forming the retention layer.

[0217] The surface free energy was measured by a method using a contact angle measuring device (CAX-150, manufactured by Kyowa Interface Science Co., Ltd.).

[0218] The contact angles of three liquids, water, diiodomethane, and n-hexadecane, on the film were measured and calculated using the Kitazaki-Hata formula.

[0219] The surface tension was measured by the Wilhelmy method using a surface tension measuring device (DY-300: Kyowa Interface Science Co., Ltd.).

[0220] [Table 1]

[0221] (2) Table 2 shows the evaluation of the printed image and transferred image of the thermal transfer material in each Example and Comparative Example, as well as the evaluation of the releasability during transfer, the hiding power and the selectivity fastness after transfer.

[0222] The hiding power after transfer was evaluated for an image heat-transferred onto a black cotton knit T-shirt X.

[0223] The symbols in Table 2 have the following meanings: ○Excellent △...inferior ×...Defective

[0224] [Table 2] [Explanation of symbols]

[0225] 10 Ink image layer formation position 20 Retention layer formation position 30 Powder layer formation position 40 Resin powder removal position 50 Resin layer formation position A. Heat transfer material manufacturing equipment for strip-shaped substrates B. Heat transfer material manufacturing equipment for sheet-type substrates C Unnecessary hot melt resin powder circulation section D Drive System D1 Unwinding section D2 Winding section E Ink image layer forming section F Retaining layer forming part G Hot melt resin powder layer forming section H Unwanted hot melt resin powder removal section I Unnecessary hot melt resin powder receiving part J Hot melt resin layer forming section R Strip-shaped substrate Ra Thermal transfer area S Sheet-shaped substrate T Conveyor System X T-shirt m Ink image layer n retention layer p Hot melt resin powder layer p1 Hot melt resin powder q Hot melt resin layer

Claims

1. Driving or conveying a thin substrate along a predetermined path; forming an ink image layer by inkjet printing using an ink image forming ink to represent a desired image on an ink receiving layer provided on one surface of the substrate directly or via another layer, at an ink image layer forming position in the path; forming a retention layer by inkjet printing using a retention layer forming ink for retaining hot melt resin powder on at least the entirety or a required portion of the ink image layer at a position ahead of the ink image layer forming position in the path or at the retention layer forming position which is the same position as the ink image layer forming position; forming a hot-melt resin powder layer from hot-melt resin powder on one or both of the retention layer and the ink image layer on which no retention layer is present at a powder layer formation position which is a position ahead of the retention layer formation position in the path; after forming a hot melt resin powder layer on one or both of the retention layer and the ink image layer on which no retention layer is present, unnecessary hot melt resin powder that may be present on the retention layer on the substrate or on a portion other than the ink image layer on which no retention layer is present is removed from the substrate at a resin powder removal position that is a position ahead of the powder layer formation position on the path or that is the same position as the powder layer formation position, before the heat treatment of the hot melt resin powder; and, At a resin layer forming position that is ahead of the resin powder removal position in the path or the same position as the resin powder removal position, the hot melt resin powder that constitutes the hot melt resin powder layer is melted and solidified by heat treatment to form a hot melt resin layer. Including, Inkjet printing using a retention layer-forming ink to form the retention layer can be performed while the inkjet-printed ink image-forming ink is in a wet state, A method for manufacturing a thermal transfer material, in which an ink-receiving layer is provided directly on one side of the substrate, or if an ink-receiving layer is provided via another layer, the other layer is provided so as to have releasability to assist in peeling off the substrate during thermal transfer.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein a release component selected from waxes, paraffin, silicone resins, silicone oils and fluororesins is used to provide the release properties.

3. Driving or conveying a thin substrate along a predetermined path; forming an ink image layer by inkjet printing using an ink image forming ink to represent a desired image on an ink receiving layer provided on one surface of the substrate directly or via another layer, at an ink image layer forming position in the path; at a retention layer forming position which is located ahead of the ink image layer forming position in the path or which is the same position as the ink image layer forming position, a retention layer is formed on all or a required portion of the ink image layer and / or a portion of the ink receiving layer other than the ink image layer by inkjet printing using a retention layer forming ink for retaining hot melt resin powder; forming a hot-melt resin powder layer from hot-melt resin powder on one or both of the retention layer and the ink image layer on which no retention layer is present at a powder layer formation position which is a position ahead of the retention layer formation position in the path; after forming a hot melt resin powder layer on one or both of the retention layer and the ink image layer on which no retention layer is present, unnecessary hot melt resin powder that may be present on the retention layer on the substrate or on a portion other than the ink image layer on which no retention layer is present is removed from the substrate at a resin powder removal position that is a position ahead of the powder layer formation position on the path or that is the same position as the powder layer formation position, before the heat treatment of the hot melt resin powder; and, At a resin layer forming position that is ahead of the resin powder removal position in the path or the same position as the resin powder removal position, the hot melt resin powder that constitutes the hot melt resin powder layer is melted and solidified by heat treatment to form a hot melt resin layer. Including, The ink-receiving layer corresponds to one or both of the following i) and ii): i) The surface free energy of at least the surface on which inkjet printing with ink for forming an ink image is performed is 25 (mJ / m 2 ) to 35 (mJ / m 2 ) ii) Those containing cationic compound monomers, cationic compound polymers, or basic inorganic metal salts as ionic gelling agents A method for manufacturing a thermal transfer material, in which an ink-receiving layer is provided directly on one side of the substrate, or if an ink-receiving layer is provided via another layer, the other layer is provided so as to have releasability to assist in peeling off the substrate during thermal transfer.

4. Driving or conveying a thin substrate along a predetermined path; forming an ink image layer by inkjet printing using an ink image forming ink to represent a desired image on an ink receiving layer provided on one surface of the substrate directly or via another layer, at an ink image layer forming position in the path; at a retention layer forming position which is located ahead of the ink image layer forming position in the path or which is the same position as the ink image layer forming position, a retention layer is formed on all or a required portion of the ink image layer and / or a portion of the ink receiving layer other than the ink image layer by inkjet printing using a retention layer forming ink for retaining hot melt resin powder; forming a hot-melt resin powder layer from hot-melt resin powder on one or both of the retention layer and the ink image layer on which no retention layer is present at a powder layer formation position which is a position ahead of the retention layer formation position in the path; after forming a hot melt resin powder layer on one or both of the retention layer and the ink image layer on which no retention layer is present, unnecessary hot melt resin powder that may be present on the retention layer on the substrate or on a portion other than the ink image layer on which no retention layer is present is removed from the substrate at a resin powder removal position that is a position ahead of the powder layer formation position on the path or that is the same position as the powder layer formation position, before the heat treatment of the hot melt resin powder; and, At a resin layer forming position that is ahead of the resin powder removal position in the path or the same position as the resin powder removal position, the hot melt resin powder that constitutes the hot melt resin powder layer is melted and solidified by heat treatment to form a hot melt resin layer. Including, the ink for forming the retention layer is a water-based ink having a surface tension of 23 to 35 (mN / m), A method for manufacturing a thermal transfer material, in which an ink-receiving layer is provided directly on one side of the substrate, or if an ink-receiving layer is provided via another layer, the other layer is provided so as to have releasability to assist in peeling off the substrate during thermal transfer.

5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the formation of the hot melt resin powder layer is carried out in a state in which the hot melt resin powder can adhere to both the ink for forming a retention layer that forms the retention layer on which the hot melt resin powder layer is formed and the ink for forming an ink image that forms an ink image layer that does not have a retention layer.

6. forming an ink image layer by inkjet printing at the ink image layer forming position after detecting that a thermal transfer location on the substrate is located at the ink image layer forming position, the formation of the retention layer by inkjet printing at the retention layer formation position is performed after detecting that the thermal transfer location is located at the retention layer formation position, the formation of the hot-melt resin powder layer at the powder layer formation position is carried out after detecting that the thermal transfer location is located at the powder layer formation position; The removal of unnecessary hot melt resin powder at the resin powder removal position is performed after detecting that the thermal transfer location is located at the resin powder removal position, A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the formation of the hot melt resin layer by heat treatment of the hot melt resin powder at the resin layer formation position is carried out after detecting that the thermal transfer location is located at the resin layer formation position.

7. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ink for forming the ink image is a water-based ink having a surface tension of 23 to 35 (mN / m).

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein all or a portion of the hot melt resin powder used to form the hot melt resin powder layer that is not retained on the substrate is reused to form the hot melt resin powder layer.

9. Driving or conveying a thin substrate along a predetermined path; forming an ink image layer by inkjet printing using an ink image forming ink to represent a desired image on an ink receiving layer provided on one surface of the substrate directly or via another layer, at an ink image layer forming position in the path; forming a hot-melt resin powder layer on the ink image layer at a powder layer forming position which is a position ahead of the ink image layer forming position in the path; after forming a hot-melt resin powder layer on the ink image layer, unnecessary hot-melt resin powder that may be present in portions other than the ink image layer on the substrate is removed from the substrate at a resin powder removal position that is a position ahead of the powder layer formation position on the path or the same position as the powder layer formation position, before the heat treatment of the hot-melt resin powder; and, At a resin layer forming position that is ahead of the resin powder removal position in the path or the same position as the resin powder removal position, the hot melt resin powder that constitutes the hot melt resin powder layer is melted and solidified by heat treatment to form a hot melt resin layer. Including, The ink-receiving layer corresponds to one or both of the following i) and ii): i) The surface free energy of at least the surface on which inkjet printing with ink for forming an ink image is performed is 25 (mJ / m 2 ) to 35 (mJ / m 2 ) ii) Those containing cationic compound monomers, cationic compound polymers, or basic inorganic metal salts as ionic gelling agents A method for manufacturing a thermal transfer material, in which an ink-receiving layer is provided directly on one side of the substrate, or if an ink-receiving layer is provided via another layer, the other layer is provided so as to have releasability to assist in peeling off the substrate during thermal transfer.

10. An ink image layer is formed by ink jet printing using an ink image forming ink to represent a desired image on an ink receiving layer provided on one side of a thin substrate directly or via another layer; forming a retention layer on at least the entire surface of the ink image layer or on a required portion thereof by inkjet printing using a retention layer-forming ink for retaining the hot melt resin powder; forming a hot-melt resin powder layer on one or both of the retention layer and the ink image layer on which the retention layer is not present; after forming a hot melt resin powder layer on one or both of the retention layer and the ink image layer on which no retention layer is present, removing unnecessary hot melt resin powder that may be present on the retention layer on the substrate or on a portion other than the ink image layer on which no retention layer is present from the substrate before heat treatment of the hot melt resin powder; and, The hot melt resin powder constituting the hot melt resin powder layer is melted and solidified by heat treatment to form the hot melt resin layer. Including, Inkjet printing using a retention layer-forming ink to form the retention layer can be performed while the inkjet-printed ink image-forming ink is in a wet state, A method for manufacturing a thermal transfer material, in which an ink-receiving layer is provided directly on one side of the substrate, or if an ink-receiving layer is provided via another layer, the other layer is provided so as to have releasability to assist in peeling off the substrate during thermal transfer.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein a release component selected from waxes, paraffin, silicone resins, silicone oils and fluororesins is used to provide the release properties.

12. An ink image layer is formed by ink jet printing using an ink image forming ink to represent a desired image on an ink receiving layer provided on one side of a thin substrate directly or via another layer; forming a retention layer by inkjet printing using a retention layer-forming ink for retaining hot melt resin powder on one or both of the entirety or a required portion of the ink image layer and the portion of the ink receiving layer other than the ink image layer; forming a hot-melt resin powder layer on one or both of the retention layer and the ink image layer on which the retention layer is not present; after forming a hot melt resin powder layer on one or both of the retention layer and the ink image layer on which no retention layer is present, removing unnecessary hot melt resin powder that may be present on the retention layer on the substrate or on a portion other than the ink image layer on which no retention layer is present from the substrate before heat treatment of the hot melt resin powder; and, The hot melt resin powder constituting the hot melt resin powder layer is melted and solidified by heat treatment to form the hot melt resin layer. Including, The ink-receiving layer corresponds to one or both of the following i) and ii): i) The surface free energy of at least the surface on which inkjet printing with ink for forming an ink image is performed is 25 (mJ / m 2 ) to 35 (mJ / m 2 ) ii) Those containing cationic compound monomers, cationic compound polymers, or basic inorganic metal salts as ionic gelling agents A method for manufacturing a thermal transfer material, in which an ink-receiving layer is provided directly on one side of the substrate, or if an ink-receiving layer is provided via another layer, the other layer is provided so as to have releasability to assist in peeling off the substrate during thermal transfer.

13. An ink image layer is formed by ink jet printing using an ink image forming ink to represent a desired image on an ink receiving layer provided on one side of a thin substrate directly or via another layer; forming a retention layer by inkjet printing using a retention layer-forming ink for retaining hot melt resin powder on one or both of the entirety or a required portion of the ink image layer and the portion of the ink receiving layer other than the ink image layer; forming a hot-melt resin powder layer on one or both of the retention layer and the ink image layer on which the retention layer is not present; after forming a hot melt resin powder layer on one or both of the retention layer and the ink image layer on which no retention layer is present, removing unnecessary hot melt resin powder that may be present on the retention layer on the substrate or on a portion other than the ink image layer on which no retention layer is present from the substrate before heat treatment of the hot melt resin powder; and, The hot melt resin powder constituting the hot melt resin powder layer is melted and solidified by heat treatment to form the hot melt resin layer. Including, the ink for forming the retention layer is a water-based ink having a surface tension of 23 to 35 (mN / m), A method for manufacturing a thermal transfer material, in which an ink-receiving layer is provided directly on one side of the substrate, or if an ink-receiving layer is provided via another layer, the other layer is provided so as to have releasability to assist in peeling off the substrate during thermal transfer.

14. a drive or conveying system for driving or conveying the thin substrate along a predetermined path; an ink image layer forming section for forming an ink image layer by inkjet printing using an ink image forming ink to represent a desired image on an ink receiving layer provided on one surface of the substrate directly or via another layer, at an ink image layer forming position in the path; a retention layer forming section for forming a retention layer by inkjet printing using a retention layer forming ink for retaining hot melt resin powder on at least the entirety or a required portion of the ink image layer at a position ahead of the ink image layer forming position in the path or at the retention layer forming position which is the same position as the ink image layer forming position; a hot-melt resin powder layer forming section for forming a hot-melt resin powder layer on one or both of the retention layer and the ink image layer on which no retention layer is present, at a powder layer forming position which is a position ahead of the retention layer forming position on the path; a resin powder removal section for removing unnecessary hot melt resin powder that may be present on the retention layer on the substrate or on portions other than the ink image layer on which no retention layer is present, at a resin powder removal position that is a position ahead of the powder layer formation position on the path or the same position as the powder layer formation position, from the substrate before heat treatment of the hot melt resin powder, after forming a hot melt resin powder layer on one or both of the retention layer and the ink image layer on which no retention layer is present; a hot melt resin layer forming section for melting and solidifying the hot melt resin powder constituting the hot melt resin powder layer by heat treatment at a resin layer forming position that is a position ahead of the resin powder removal position on the path or the same position as the resin powder removal position, to form a hot melt resin layer; Includes Inkjet printing using a retention layer-forming ink to form the retention layer can be performed while the inkjet-printed ink image-forming ink is in a wet state, A thermal transfer material manufacturing apparatus in which an ink receiving layer is provided directly on one side of the substrate, or if an ink receiving layer is provided via another layer, the other layer is provided so as to have releasability to assist in peeling off the substrate during thermal transfer.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein a release component selected from waxes, paraffin, silicone resin, silicone oil and fluororesin is used to provide the device with the release properties.

16. a drive or conveying system for driving or conveying the thin substrate along a predetermined path; an ink image layer forming section for forming an ink image layer by inkjet printing using an ink image forming ink to represent a desired image on an ink receiving layer provided on one surface of the substrate directly or via another layer, at an ink image layer forming position in the path; a retention layer forming section for forming a retention layer by inkjet printing using a retention layer forming ink for retaining hot melt resin powder on all or a required portion of the ink image layer and / or a portion of the ink receiving layer other than the ink image layer, at a retention layer forming position which is located ahead of the ink image layer forming position in the path or at the same position as the ink image layer forming position; a hot-melt resin powder layer forming section for forming a hot-melt resin powder layer on one or both of the retention layer and the ink image layer on which no retention layer is present, at a powder layer forming position which is a position ahead of the retention layer forming position on the path; a resin powder removal section for removing unnecessary hot melt resin powder that may be present on the retention layer on the substrate or on portions other than the ink image layer on which no retention layer is present, at a resin powder removal position that is a position ahead of the powder layer formation position on the path or the same position as the powder layer formation position, from the substrate before heat treatment of the hot melt resin powder, after forming a hot melt resin powder layer on one or both of the retention layer and the ink image layer on which no retention layer is present; a hot melt resin layer forming section for melting and solidifying the hot melt resin powder constituting the hot melt resin powder layer by heat treatment at a resin layer forming position that is a position ahead of the resin powder removal position on the path or the same position as the resin powder removal position, to form a hot melt resin layer; Includes The ink-receiving layer corresponds to one or both of the following i) and ii): i) The surface free energy of at least the surface on which inkjet printing with ink for forming an ink image is performed is 25 (mJ / m 2 ) to 35 (mJ / m 2 ) ii) Those containing cationic compound monomers, cationic compound polymers, or basic inorganic metal salts as ionic gelling agents A thermal transfer material manufacturing apparatus in which an ink receiving layer is provided directly on one side of the substrate, or if an ink receiving layer is provided via another layer, the other layer is provided so as to have releasability to assist in peeling off the substrate during thermal transfer.

17. a drive or conveying system for driving or conveying the thin substrate along a predetermined path; an ink image layer forming section for forming an ink image layer by inkjet printing using an ink image forming ink to represent a desired image on an ink receiving layer provided on one surface of the substrate directly or via another layer, at an ink image layer forming position in the path; a retention layer forming section for forming a retention layer by inkjet printing using a retention layer forming ink for retaining hot melt resin powder on all or a required portion of the ink image layer and / or a portion of the ink receiving layer other than the ink image layer, at a retention layer forming position which is located ahead of the ink image layer forming position in the path or at the same position as the ink image layer forming position; a hot-melt resin powder layer forming section for forming a hot-melt resin powder layer on one or both of the retention layer and the ink image layer on which no retention layer is present, at a powder layer forming position which is a position ahead of the retention layer forming position on the path; a resin powder removal section for removing unnecessary hot melt resin powder that may be present on the retention layer on the substrate or on portions other than the ink image layer on which no retention layer is present, at a resin powder removal position that is a position ahead of the powder layer formation position on the path or the same position as the powder layer formation position, from the substrate before heat treatment of the hot melt resin powder, after forming a hot melt resin powder layer on one or both of the retention layer and the ink image layer on which no retention layer is present; a hot melt resin layer forming section for melting and solidifying the hot melt resin powder constituting the hot melt resin powder layer by heat treatment at a resin layer forming position that is a position ahead of the resin powder removal position on the path or the same position as the resin powder removal position, to form a hot melt resin layer; Includes the ink for forming the retention layer is a water-based ink having a surface tension of 23 to 35 (mN / m), A thermal transfer material manufacturing apparatus in which an ink receiving layer is provided directly on one side of the substrate, or if an ink receiving layer is provided via another layer, the other layer is provided so as to have releasability to assist in peeling off the substrate during thermal transfer.

18. An apparatus described in any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the formation of the hot melt resin powder layer by the hot melt resin layer forming section is carried out in a state in which the hot melt resin powder can be adhered to both the ink for forming a retention layer that forms the retention layer on which the hot melt resin powder layer is formed and the ink for forming an ink image that forms an ink image layer that does not have a retention layer.

19. a detection means for detecting that a thermal transfer position on the substrate is located at the ink image layer forming position, and after the detection means detects that the thermal transfer position is located at the ink image layer forming position, the ink image layer is formed by the inkjet printing, a detection means for detecting that the thermal transfer location is located at the retention layer formation position, and after the detection means detects that the thermal transfer location is located at the retention layer formation position, the retention layer is formed by the inkjet printing; a detection means for detecting that the thermal transfer portion is located at the powder layer formation position, and after the detection means detects that the thermal transfer portion is located at the powder layer formation position, a hot melt resin powder layer is formed using the hot melt resin powder; a detection means for detecting that the thermal transfer location is located at the resin powder removal position, and after the detection means detects that the thermal transfer location is located at the resin powder removal position, the unnecessary hot melt resin powder is removed; An apparatus as described in any one of claims 14 to 18, which has a detection means for detecting that the thermal transfer location is located at the resin layer formation position, and after detecting that the thermal transfer location is located at the resin layer formation position using the detection means, forms a hot melt resin layer by heat treating the hot melt resin powder.

Images