Thermal Transfer Image-Receiving Sheet Barrier Layer Adhesion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current thermal transfer image-receiving sheets face challenges in achieving both excellent adhesiveness and solvent resistance due to the poor compatibility between the polyvinyl alcohol barrier layer and the receiving layer, leading to adverse effects on image quality and durability.

Innovation Solution

A thermal transfer image-receiving sheet comprising a porous layer, a barrier layer with a combination of specific resins such as core-shell type acrylic resin, polyester resins, polyvinyl pyrrolidone type resins, and polyester type urethane resin, which provides enhanced adhesiveness and solvent resistance by using a specific blending ratio and cross-linking of polyvinyl pyrrolidone type resin.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If polyvinyl alcohol is used as the barrier layer material to achieve high solvent resistance, then the porous layer is protected from solvent damage, but the adhesiveness between the barrier layer and the receiving layer deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesolvent resistanceVSAvoidadhesiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier layer is constructed as a composite material containing both polyvinyl alcohol (providing solvent resistance) and acrylic resin particles (providing adhesiveness). This composite structure allows simultaneous achievement of high solvent resistance and good adhesiveness to the receiving layer, resolving the contradiction between these two properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If adhesion promoters are added to the polyvinyl alcohol barrier layer to improve adhesiveness, then the bonding between barrier layer and receiving layer is enhanced, but the solvent resistance of the barrier layer deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadhesivenessVSAvoidsolvent resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adding adhesion promoters to polyvinyl alcohol, the invention uses a composite approach where acrylic resin particles serve as the adhesion promoter and polyvinyl alcohol serves as the solvent-resistant matrix. This composite structure achieves both adhesion and solvent resistance without the trade-off inherent in adding promoters to pure PVA systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the compositional parameters of the barrier layer by controlling the ratio of acrylic resin particles to polyvinyl alcohol, and by controlling the crosslinking degree of the polyvinyl alcohol. This parameter optimization allows simultaneous achievement of adhesion and solvent resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Temperature

If foamed film is used to provide heat resistance and cushioning, then the functional requirements are met, but the film shrinks by heat during manufacturing causing curl

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat resistanceVSAvoidcurl
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a porous layer containing hollow particles instead of foamed film. The porous structure provides heat resistance and cushioning functions through the air-filled voids, while avoiding the thermal shrinkage and curling problems associated with foamed films during manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

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

The proposed solution effectively enhances the adhesiveness and solvent resistance of the barrier layer, preventing damage from solvents and ensuring the integrity of the porous layer, thereby improving the overall image quality and durability of the thermal transfer image-receiving sheet.

Implementation Method 1

the barrier layer comprises (i) (A) a first acrylic resin and (B) one or more kinds of resins selected from the group consisting of polyester resins, polyvinyl pyrrolidone type resins, polyester type urethane resin, and a second acrylic resin which differs from the first acrylic resin; or (ii) a polyvinyl pyrrolidone type resin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolvent resistance:

Implementation Method 2

the porous layer comprises a binding resin and hollow particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2684701B1Thermal transfer image-receiving sheet and method for manufacturing thermal transfer image-receiving sheet
Publication Date: 2016.05.18 DAI NIPPON PRINTING CO LTD
  • EP2684701B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2684701B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention provides a thermal transfer image-receiving sheet which excels in adhesiveness to a receiving layer and solvent resistance, and a manufacturing method thereof. In the thermal transfer image-receiving sheet, which comprises a porous layer, a barrier layer, a receiving layer which are stacked in this order on a substrate, the porous layer includes a binder resin and hollow particles, and the barrier layer includes (i) (A) a first acrylic resin and (B) one or more kinds of resins selected from the group consisting of polyester resins, polyvinyl pyrrolidone type resins, polyester type urethane resin, and a second acrylic resin which differs from the first acrylic resin; or (ii) a polyvinyl pyrrolidone type resin.