Image Recording Medium Texture Transfer via Resin Glass Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for preparing image recording media using electrophotographic techniques fail to effectively transfer the rugged texture of an image supporting member to the outermost surface of a transparent supporting member, resulting in a decrease in surface ruggedness and texture quality.
Innovation Solution
An image recording medium is created with an image supporting member having a surface roughness of 3 μm or more, an image receiving layer containing a first thermoplastic resin with a glass transition temperature of 60° C. or more and a second thermoplastic resin with a glass transition temperature of 15° C. or less, and a transparent supporting member, where the image receiving layer deforms to maintain the ruggedness of the image supporting member on the outermost surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a transparent supporting member is used in the image recording medium, then transparency and visual quality are improved, but the surface ruggedness of the image supporting member cannot be effectively transferred to the outermost surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic resin in the image receiving layer. By selecting a resin with a glass transition temperature between -50°C and 0°C, the material remains flexible at room temperature to conform to the rugged surface of the image supporting member, yet maintains sufficient strength. This parameter selection enables effective transfer of surface ruggedness to the outermost surface while preserving transparency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure combining a transparent supporting member with an image receiving layer made of thermoplastic resin. This composite material system allows the transparent supporting member to provide optical properties while the thermoplastic resin layer conforms to and transfers the surface ruggedness pattern, achieving both transparency and texture preservation.
2Manufacturing precision
If the surface ruggedness of the image supporting member is transferred to the outermost surface, then texture quality is improved, but the surface roughness may decrease during the lamination process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the glass transition temperature parameter of the thermoplastic resin to be between -50°C and 0°C. This parameter range ensures that during the lamination process, the resin remains in a flexible state that conforms to the rugged surface without excessive deformation, thereby maintaining surface roughness stability while achieving effective texture transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by ensuring that the image receiving layer has specific local properties (controlled glass transition temperature) that enable it to conform to the rugged surface of the image supporting member. This localized material property allows the surface ruggedness to be preserved in the outermost surface while maintaining overall structural integrity.
3Temperature
If a thermoplastic resin with high glass transition temperature is used in the image receiving layer, then heat resistance is improved, but the ability to conform to the rugged surface and transfer texture is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the glass transition temperature parameter of the thermoplastic resin to a specific range (-50°C to 0°C). This parameter change balances two opposing requirements: the resin must be flexible enough at room temperature to conform to the rugged surface and transfer texture, yet maintain sufficient thermal stability. This optimized parameter range resolves the contradiction between heat resistance and surface conformance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach ensures that the surface ruggedness of the image supporting member is accurately transferred to the transparent supporting member, maintaining the distinctive texture and preventing a decrease in surface roughness, resulting in a high-quality image recording medium with improved scratch resistance and heat resistance.
Implementation Method 1
an image receiving layer which includes a first thermoplastic resin having a glass transition temperature of 60° C. or more and a second thermoplastic resin having a glass transition temperature of 15° C. or less
Implementation Method 2
a first thermoplastic resin having a glass transition temperature of 60° C. or more
Implementation Method 3
a second thermoplastic resin having a glass transition temperature of 15° C. or less
Data Source
AI summary
An image recording medium includes an image supporting member that has a ruggedness on a surface and has a surface roughness Rz of 3 μm or more, an image receiving layer that includes a first thermoplastic resin having a glass transition temperature of 60° C. or more and a second thermoplastic resin having a glass transition temperature of 15° C. or less, and a transparent supporting member, in this order, wherein an image formed of an image forming material is provided between the image supporting member and the image receiving layer and a ruggedness corresponding to the ruggedness of the image supporting member is formed on an outermost surface of the image recording medium on a side of the transparent supporting member.