Thermal Transfer Sheet Primer Layer for High-Density Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing thermal transfer methods face challenges in forming high-density thermal transfer images without thermal damage to the receiving layer, leading to reduced transferability and durability of the printed images due to the need for high energy application, which results in poor adhesion and potential solvent infiltration.
Innovation Solution
A combination of a thermal transfer sheet with a primer layer containing colloidal inorganic particles, polyvinyl alcohol resins, or polyurethane resins, and an intermediate transfer medium with a receiving layer having a specific molecular weight and glass transition temperature, along with a protective layer, to facilitate energy-efficient image formation and improved adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If high energy is applied to form high-density thermal transfer images, then image density is improved, but thermal damage to the receiving layer occurs leading to reduced transferability and durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a primer layer as an intermediary between the thermal transfer sheet and the receiving layer. This primer layer contains specific resins (polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, or polyurethane) that facilitate colorant transfer while protecting the receiving layer from excessive thermal damage, enabling high-density imaging without compromising transferability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the primer layer by incorporating specific resins with defined molecular weights and glass transition temperatures. These parameter changes enable the primer layer to optimize heat distribution and colorant release characteristics, achieving high image density while preventing receiving layer degradation
2Productivity
If the receiving layer is heated to transfer colorant, then image formation is achieved, but adhesion between receiving layer and transfer article deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The primer layer serves as a mediator that remains on the thermal transfer sheet after colorant transfer, acting as an adhesive promoter between the transferred colorant and the receiving layer. This intermediary layer maintains strong bonding even after thermal processing, preventing image cracking or peeling
Solution Approach 2:
The primer layer is pre-applied to the thermal transfer sheet before colorant transfer. This preliminary action ensures that the adhesive interface is already prepared and optimized for bonding, so that subsequent thermal transfer processes do not compromise adhesion
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 allows for the formation of high-density thermal transfer images without excessive energy application, enhancing transferability and durability of the printed images by reducing thermal damage and improving adhesion between the receiving layer and the transfer article.
Implementation Method 1
the back side of the thermal transfer sheet is heated by a heating means such as a thermal head with a shape of an intended image, and thereby the colorant included in the colorant layer is selectively transferred to the thermal transfer image-receiving sheet
Implementation Method 2
the sublimation transfer method is another image forming method wherein a thermal transfer sheet, in which a colorant layer comprising a colorant which is able to be transferred thermally by sublimation
Implementation Method 3
the primer layer contains one or more selected from the group consisting of particles derived from colloidal inorganic particles, polyvinyl alcohol resins, polyvinyl pyrrolidone resins, and polyurethane resins
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal transfer sheet and intermediate transfer medium, and a print forming method, capable of forming a thermal transfer image having good transferability when transferring a transfer layer including a receiving layer onto a transfer receiving article, and capable of improving the durability of a print obtained by transferring the transfer layer including the receiving layer, on which the thermal transfer image has been formed, onto a transfer receiving article. The thermal transfer sheet includes a substrate, primer layer and colorant layer, wherein the primer layer contains one or more selected from the group consisting of particles derived from colloidal inorganic particles, polyvinyl alcohol resins, polyvinyl pyrrolidone resins, and polyurethane resins. The intermediate transfer medium includes another substrate, a protective layer, and a receiving layer, wherein the protective layer and the receiving layer are layered in this order on one surface of the another substrate.