Transfer Material Cationic Resin Molecular Weight Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The thermal transfer system faces challenges in productivity, information security, and economic efficiency due to the need for repeated forward and backward movements of the transfer body, residual information on the thermal transfer film, and high recording costs, while the inkjet system struggles with adhesiveness and transferability of the coloring material-receiving layer onto various objects.

Innovation Solution

A transfer material with a laminated structure comprising a base material sheet, a releasing layer, and a coloring material-receiving layer containing inorganic fine particles, a water-soluble resin, and a cationic resin with a controlled molecular weight, which is thermally pressure-bonded onto an image support and then peeled, allowing for improved adhesiveness and transferability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a thermal transfer system is used to form images on objects, then the image can be formed with good quality, but the productivity is low due to repeated forward and backward movements of the transfer body

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidproductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The transfer body is divided into multiple transfer materials, each carrying a different color image (cyan, magenta, yellow, black). Instead of moving a single transfer body back and forth, multiple transfer materials are simultaneously transferred onto the image support in one pass, dramatically improving productivity while maintaining image quality through the segmented color transfer approach

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Color images are pre-formed on separate transfer materials before the actual transfer process. This preliminary preparation of color images on transfer materials allows for efficient simultaneous transfer onto the image support, eliminating the need for repeated forward and backward movements and significantly boosting productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If a thermal transfer system is used, then images can be formed on various objects, but information security is compromised due to residual information remaining on the thermal transfer film

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to form images on various objectsVSAvoidresidual information on thermal transfer film
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The transfer materials after use are completely removed and disposed of, extracting the potential information security risk from the system. By using disposable transfer materials that are discarded after a single use, residual information cannot remain on the transfer film, thereby protecting information security while maintaining the versatility of the thermal transfer system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Disposable transfer materials are used for each transfer operation. These low-cost, single-use transfer materials eliminate the need for cleaning and information security concerns associated with reusable transfer films, while still enabling image formation on various objects through the thermal transfer process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a thermal transfer system is used, then images can be formed on objects, but recording costs are high due to the need for thermal transfer films covering the entire recording surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to form images on objectsVSAvoidrecording cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The transfer body is segmented into multiple separate transfer materials, each carrying a specific color image. This segmentation allows for precise transfer of only the necessary color information to the image support, reducing the quantity of transfer material required compared to using a single large thermal transfer film covering the entire recording surface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using thermal transfer films that cover the entire recording surface, the invention uses transfer materials that contain only the necessary color image information. This partial action approach transfers only the required information to the image support, significantly reducing the quantity of transfer material and associated recording costs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Productivity

If an inkjet system is used to form images, then productivity is improved, but adhesiveness and transferability of the coloring material-receiving layer onto various objects are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoidadhesiveness and transferability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The molecular weight of the cationic resin in the coloring material-receiving layer is controlled within a specific range (1,000 to 15,000). This parameter optimization enhances the adhesiveness and transferability of the coloring material-receiving layer onto various objects while maintaining the high productivity of the inkjet system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The coloring material-receiving layer is formulated as a composite material containing inorganic fine particles, water-soluble resin, and cationic resin with controlled molecular weight. This composite structure provides both good adhesiveness and transferability to various objects, resolving the reliability issue while preserving the productivity benefits of the inkjet system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite 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

This solution enhances productivity, improves the weatherability and durability of the recorded matter, and reduces recording costs by ensuring reliable transfer and bonding of the coloring material-receiving layer onto diverse objects, addressing the limitations of both thermal transfer and inkjet systems.

Implementation Method 1

a transfer material, including: a coloring material-receiving layer; a releasing layer; and a base material sheet, wherein the transfer material has a laminated structure in which the base material sheet, the releasing layer and the coloring material-receiving layer are sequentially laminated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal pressure bonding:

Implementation Method 2

the coloring material-receiving layer contains at least inorganic fine particles, a water-soluble resin, and a cationic resin having a weight-average molecular weight of 1,000 to 15,000

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 3

the coloring material-receiving layer contains at least inorganic fine particles, a water-soluble resin, and a cationic resin having a weight-average molecular weight of 1,000 to 15,000

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 4

a releasing layer; and a base material sheet, wherein the transfer material has a laminated structure in which the base material sheet, the releasing layer and the coloring material-receiving layer are sequentially laminated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRelease mechanism:

Data Source

PatentEP3012113B1Transfer material, image support with coloring material-receiving layer and recorded matter, and manufacturing methods and manufacturing apparatus for the same
Publication Date: 2020.04.15 CANON FINETECH NISCA INC
  • EP3012113B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3012113B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3012113B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

Provided is a transfer material, including: a coloring material-receiving layer; and a base material sheet. The transfer material has a laminated structure in which the base material sheet and the coloring material-receiving layer are sequentially laminated, the coloring material-receiving layer contains at least inorganic fine particles, a water-soluble resin, and a cationic resin having a weight-average molecular weight of 15,000 or less, and a difference SP2 between a SP value of an image support onto which the transfer material is transferred and a SP value of the coloring material-receiving layer to be brought into abutment with the image support satisfies a relationship of 0≤SP2≤1.0.