Thermal Transfer Sheet Adhesive Copolymer UV Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermal transfer sheets face issues with abrasion resistance and light fastness, and the migration of dyes to the back side of the sheet can lead to deterioration in print quality and transferability.
Innovation Solution
A thermal transfer sheet with a layered structure comprising a protective layer and an adhesive layer, where the adhesive layer contains a copolymer of a reactive ultraviolet absorbing agent and an acrylic monomer, and the protective layer includes a binder resin and talc, providing enhanced abrasion resistance and light fastness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a protective layer is transferred onto the receiving layer to improve durability, then abrasion resistance is improved, but the complexity of the thermal transfer sheet structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the protective layer transfer sheet and dye layer transfer sheet into a single integrated thermal transfer sheet. The protective layer and dye layer are provided on different surfaces of the same substrate, allowing both image formation and durability enhancement to be achieved with one sheet structure, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining improved abrasion resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal transfer sheet is segmented into distinct functional layers: a protective layer on one surface for durability, and a dye layer on the opposite surface for image formation. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function independently while being integrated in a single substrate, resolving the contradiction between added protection and structural complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the thermal transfer sheet is stored in a rolled-up state, then ease of storage is improved, but dye migration to the back side occurs causing deterioration in print quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a back face layer as an intermediary barrier between the dye layer and the back surface of the substrate. This back face layer prevents dye molecules from migrating to the back side during rolled-up storage, thereby maintaining print quality while allowing the sheet to be stored in a convenient rolled-up state.
3Manufacturing precision
If dyes with low molecular weight are used for sublimation transfer, then image quality with high gradation is improved, but physical durability including abrasion resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the image formation function (performed by the low molecular weight dye layer) from the durability function (performed by the protective layer). The dye layer maintains excellent gradation and transparency characteristics, while the transferred protective layer provides the necessary physical durability and abrasion resistance, resolving the contradiction between image quality and durability.
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 solution effectively inhibits dye migration to the back side, improving the durability and light fastness of the transfer layer, thereby maintaining print quality and transferability.
Implementation Method 1
one of the two or more resin components is a copolymer of a reactive ultraviolet absorbing agent and an acrylic monomer
Implementation Method 2
the protective layer includes a binder resin and talc, providing enhanced abrasion resistance and light fastness
Implementation Method 3
heat is applied by a thermal head from the back side of the thermal transfer sheet to allow the dye in the dye layer to migrate
Data Source
Figure 1~3(b)
AI summary
Disclosed is a thermal transfer sheet capable of imparting sufficient abrasion resistance and light fastness simultaneously to a transfer layer and capable of inhibiting a dye that has been kicked to the back side of the thermal transfer sheet from backing to the surface of the transfer layer. A thermal transfer sheet 100 comprising a dye layer 7 and a transfer layer 10 provided on one surface of a substrate 1, as being frame sequentially, wherein: the transfer layer 10 has a layered structure comprising a protective layer 2 and an adhesive layer 3 layered in this order from the side of the substrate 1; the adhesive layer 3 contains two or more resin components; one of the two or more resin components is a copolymer of a reactive ultraviolet absorbing agent and an acrylic monomer; in the copolymer of the reactive ultraviolet absorbing agent and the acrylic monomer, the copolymerization ratio of the reactive ultraviolet absorbing agent is in the range of 10% or more and 50% or less on a molar ratio basis and the copolymerization ratio of the acrylic monomers is in the range of 50% or more and 90% or less on a molar ratio basis; and the content of the copolymer of the reactive ultraviolet absorbing agent and the acrylic monomer is specified in the range of 50% by mass or more and 90% by mass or less on the basis of the total mass of the adhesive layer.