JP2000043368A - Image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] High adhesion between a protective layer and a recording layer, adhesion at a relatively low temperature during heating and pressure bonding after recording, anti-blocking under high temperature environment during storage and use before recording Provided is a method for forming a print with a protective layer having excellent properties. SOLUTION: A protective member having a first latex layer formed on a first base material, and an ink jet printing apparatus having an ink absorbing layer formed on a second base material and a second latex layer formed thereon. A second latex layer formed of a single-particle layer and having a minimum film-forming temperature higher than the minimum film-forming temperature of the first latex layer; In the method of forming an image, a step of ejecting ink onto a recording member, the recording member and the protective member after the ink ejection are contacted with each other on the latex layer surfaces at a temperature equal to or higher than the minimum film forming temperature of the first latex layer and the second temperature. A step of thermocompression bonding at a temperature lower than the minimum film forming temperature of the latex layer and a step of peeling the first base material from the recording member after thermocompression bonding are performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming method, an ink jet recording media set, and an ink jet recording medium set for forming a high quality print by transferring and forming a protective layer on a recorded image surface after recording by an ink jet printer. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, it has been widely practiced to improve the color saturation and durability of an image by laminating a protective layer on an output print of a digital printer, for example, a sublimation printer or an ink jet printer.

For example, the applicant of the present invention has disclosed Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 58-2247.
No. 79, an ink jet printer and a laminate coating device are integrally formed, an image is recorded on a roll-shaped ink jet recording paper, and then the recording paper and the laminate layer supported by the roll-shaped backing paper are heated and pressed. After that, a configuration is disclosed in which the mount is peeled from the laminate layer on the recording paper to form a print with a protective layer.

[0004] In addition, in order to improve the image quality of ink jet recording media, it is required that ink solvents be rapidly absorbed and ink dyes be adsorbed near the surface of the media. The media surface is coated with an ink absorbing layer containing a.

[0005]

In such an ink jet recording medium for forming a high quality image, it is extremely important to securely adhere and fix the protective layer in terms of the quality of the finished print, such as image quality and durability. It is. At the same time, it is required that this close contact and fixation be reliably performed in a short time in a device that performs image recording and lamination.

[0006] Further, this type of ink jet recording medium is required to have durability in a high temperature environment during storage and use, such as transportation by a ship beyond the equator, before recording. Furthermore, it is necessary that the completed prints can be handled in the same way as ordinary photographs.

Therefore, in order to satisfy these requirements, (1) high adhesion between the protective layer and the recording layer, (2)
Adhesion at a relatively low temperature during thermal compression bonding after recording, and (3) anti-blocking properties in a high-temperature environment during storage and use before recording are required.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an image forming method, an ink jet recording medium, and an image forming apparatus using the same, which satisfy these requirements.

[0009]

According to the present invention, there is provided a protective member having a first latex layer formed on a first base material, and an ink absorbing layer formed on a second base material having an ink absorbing layer formed thereon. An ink-jet recording member having a second latex layer formed thereon, wherein the second latex layer is formed into a single particle layer and has a minimum film forming temperature higher than a minimum film forming temperature of the first latex layer. An image forming method for forming a print with a protective layer using a media set, comprising: a step of ejecting ink onto the recording member; Thermocompression bonding at a temperature equal to or higher than the minimum film forming temperature of the latex layer and lower than the minimum film forming temperature of the second latex layer;
The present invention relates to an image forming method including a step of peeling a first base material from a recording member after thermocompression bonding.

The present invention also provides a protective member having a first latex layer formed on a first base material, and an ink absorbing layer formed on a second base material and a second latex layer formed thereon. After the ink is injected onto the recording member, the recording member and the protective member are heat-pressed between the latex layers, and then the first base material is peeled off. An ink-jet recording media set for forming a print with a protective layer, wherein the second latex layer formed on the ink-absorbing layer is formed as a single-particle layer, and has a minimum film-forming temperature of the first latex layer. The present invention relates to an ink jet recording media set characterized by being higher than a minimum film forming temperature of a layer.

The present invention also provides a protective member having a first latex layer formed on a first substrate, and an ink absorbing layer formed on a second substrate and a second latex layer formed thereon. A second latex layer formed of a single particle layer and having a minimum film formation temperature higher than the minimum film formation temperature of the first latex layer. An image forming apparatus, comprising: an image forming unit that ejects ink onto the recording member; a supply unit that supplies the protection member onto the recording member after ink ejection; and the recording member and the protection member. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a thermocompression bonding means for performing thermocompression bonding between surfaces of latex layers at a temperature equal to or higher than the minimum film forming temperature of the first latex layer and lower than the minimum film forming temperature of the second latex layer.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a recording member and a protective member of the ink jet recording medium set of the present invention. In the drawing, reference numeral 101 denotes a base member of the recording paper 1 (recorded member). In this embodiment, paper is used as the base member 101, but a film made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or the like may be used. An ink absorbing layer 102 includes at least silica particles and a binder for binding the silica particles. Examples of silica particles and binders are listed in Table 1. The thickness of the ink absorbing layer 2 is preferably 20 to 50 μm when the base member is paper, and preferably 30 to 60 μm when the base member is PET.

[0014]

[Table 1]

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 103 denotes an ink absorbing layer 10;
A second latex layer coated on 2;
It is formed into a single particle layer. By forming a single particle layer, the ejected ink is favorably absorbed by the ink absorbing layer 102 without being hindered by the second latex layer.
That is, the printability is favorably maintained without deterioration.

In the present invention, the term "single-particle layer" refers to a state in which a single-particle layer of latex particles is formed on the surface of a recording layer (ink-absorbing layer). For example, a single particle layer may be formed in an island shape. The second latex layer formed in a single particle layer as described above may be formed on the surface of the recording layer to such an extent that the protective member and the recording member can be sufficiently bonded. Preferably, the state is from a state in which the latex particles are arranged in a close-packed manner and covers the entire surface of the recording layer, to a state in which this state is 100% and the coverage is up to 50%.

The particle size of the latex particles arranged in a single particle layer is preferably in the range of 80 to 500 nm.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 201 denotes a heat-resistant base material 11A.
This is a film-formed latex layer coated and formed on the surface, and forms a surface layer of a protective layer of a completed print by lamination on the recording surface of the recording paper 1. This film-formed latex layer is formed on the substrate 11A using a latex material that allows the substrate 11A to be easily peeled off after heating and pressing. As a result, the film-formed latex layer 201 after the heat and pressure bonding is only physically attached to the base material 11A, and thus remains on the recording paper 1 side when the base material 11A is peeled off, thereby protecting the print. The surface layer of the layer can be formed. The thickness of the formed latex layer is preferably 1 to 5 μm.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 202 denotes a first latex layer coated on the film-formed latex layer 201. The first latex layer has a function of bonding to the recording surface of the recording paper 1 by heat and pressure during the lamination process. Having. In addition, it has a function of melting at the time of thermocompression bonding, adapting to irregularities on the recording surface, and improving adhesion. The thickness of the first latex layer is preferably 5 to 10 μm.

When the formed latex layer is not used, the first latex layer also constitutes the surface of the protective layer of the completed print.

The substrate 11A only needs to be able to withstand the temperature at the time of thermocompression bonding, and PET, preferably annealed, can be used. The thickness of the base material 11A is 25
~ 50 μm is preferred.

For each latex layer, a latex material satisfying the following conditions is used.

A film-formed latex layer 201 for a protective member
Forms the surface layer of the print protection layer while the base material 11A is peeled off after the thermocompression bonding. For this purpose, it is desirable that the minimum film forming temperature is the highest in all the latex layers, and that the minimum film forming temperature is sufficiently higher than the normal use temperature of the completed print. Preferably 8
The temperature is 0 ° C or higher, more preferably 100 ° C or higher.

The first latex layer 202 is a layer for adhering to the recording surface with good adhesion.
In order to adapt to the unevenness of the recording layer surface of the opposing recording paper 1,
It is necessary to be able to sufficiently melt and express fluidity.
For that purpose, the minimum film forming temperature of the first latex layer must be appropriately low.

When the protective member has a film-formed latex layer, the first latex layer, when wound into a roll,
The minimum film forming temperature may be lower than normal temperature as long as it can be easily peeled off from the back surface of the substrate 11A. Preferably 60 ° C
Below, it is more preferably 0 ° C to 60 ° C. Even if the film is formed before recording because the minimum film forming temperature is low (for example, lower than normal temperature), the protective member is not related to the ink ejection, and therefore, regardless of the image recording, the protective member is not heated. At a temperature, even if a film is once formed, it melts again and can exhibit fluidity.

When the protective member does not have a film-formed latex layer, the first latex layer also forms a protective layer surface of a completed print, so that a latex material having a relatively higher minimum film forming temperature than the above case is used. Preferably, it is used. For example, for the first latex layer, the minimum film formation temperature is 75 ° C.
(For example, Acrylic Emulsion A manufactured by JSR Corporation)
E119) can be used. In this case, the second latex layer having a minimum low film-forming temperature of 100 ° C. (for example, VinyBlan 680 manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) or a film having a minimum film-forming temperature of 130 ° C. (For example, Nisshin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., VinyBlan 602) can be used. When the protective member does not have a formed latex layer, the thickness of the first latex layer is preferably 5 to 15 μm.

The second latex layer 10 on the surface of the recording paper 1
No. 3 is strongly bonded to the silica and the binder of the recording layer at the time of coating, and adheres to the first latex layer 202 of the protective member at the time of heat-compression bonding to ensure the adhesion between the protective layer and the recording layer. It is a layer for making.

In order to secure printability, it is necessary that the second latex layer is formed during storage or use (before recording) of the recording paper 1 so as not to completely cover the ink absorbing layer. . If the second latex layer is not formed as a single particle layer but is formed on the entire recording surface with a certain thickness and is formed before recording, the ink is hindered by this film during ink ejection and is not absorbed by the ink absorbing layer. Such a problem is easily solved if the second latex layer is formed in a single particle layer.

If the second latex layer is formed as a single particle layer, even if the entire surface of the recording layer is covered most densely by latex particles, when the printing surface is observed from directly above, a substantially spherical shape is obtained. Since there is a gap between the latex particles, the ink can easily pass through. Here, even if the particles are heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the latex particles, the particles soften, and the bonding between the particles starts, the gap between the particles does not change significantly. The ink can pass through the gaps between the particles to reach the ink absorbing layer. If the coverage of the recording layer surface with the single particle layer is low, the permeability of the ink is less affected by the heating. Therefore, by forming the second latex layer into a single particle layer, the storage stability of the recording member is improved. At this time, sufficient adhesion is performed between the recording member and the protective layer even if the single particle layer does not completely cover the entire surface of the recording layer.

The second latex layer needs to have a minimum film forming temperature higher than the minimum film forming temperature of the first latex layer. Further, the temperature is preferably higher than the temperature in the storage / use environment. It is preferably at least 40 ° C, more preferably at least 75 ° C, and the preferred upper limit is at most 130 ° C, more preferably at most 100 ° C.

Further, since the second latex layer is formed in the form of a single particle layer, even if the thermocompression bonding is performed at a temperature lower than the minimum film formation temperature of the latex material constituting the second latex layer, the first If the temperature is not lower than the minimum film forming temperature of the latex layer, sufficient adhesion and adhesion can be achieved. Preferably, the thermocompression bonding is performed at a temperature equal to or higher than the minimum film forming temperature of the first latex layer, lower than the minimum film forming temperature of the second latex layer, and equal to or higher than the softening point of the polymer of the latex material forming the second latex layer. Do. More preferably, it is not less than the lowest film forming temperature of the first latex layer, less than the lowest film forming temperature of the second latex layer, and not less than the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the polymer of the latex material constituting the second latex layer. Thermocompression bonding is performed at a temperature. When the second latex layer is softened in bonding, it can be sufficiently bonded to the first latex layer having fluidity. The softening of the latex particles generally starts below Tg, but heating to Tg sufficiently softens, so it is preferable to heat to Tg.

FIG. 2 shows a cross section when the recording paper 1 and the protective member 11 pass through and adhere to a heat roller pair 14 of an image forming apparatus described later. FIG. 3 shows that the base material 11A further passes through the pair of conveying rollers 16 and is peeled off.
1 shows a cross section when the surface of No. 1 formed the surface of the print protection layer. In the state shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, all the latex layers are completely formed into a colorless and transparent protective film.

Table 2 shows a selection example of the actual latex. Needless to say, the manufacturing companies and product grades described in the table can be replaced with other latexes having the same minimum film forming temperature.

[0034]

[Table 2]

According to the above construction, both the first latex layer of the protective member and the second latex layer of the ink jet recording member are lower than the minimum film forming temperature of the latex material constituting the second latex layer. Since the film can be formed at a temperature, adhesion with excellent adhesion is performed at the low temperature (however, not less than the minimum film forming temperature of the first latex layer). At this time, both the protective member and the recording member have a latex layer, and they adhere to each other, whereby the protective layer and the recording member after thermocompression bonding are strongly adhered to each other.

In addition, since thermocompression bonding can be performed at a relatively low temperature, cooling is facilitated, and the base material of the protective member can be peeled immediately after thermocompression bonding.

When the minimum film forming temperature of the first latex layer is set sufficiently higher than the storage temperature of the completed print,
Or especially when a latex layer forming the protective layer surface of the completed print is separately provided and the film is formed in advance before thermocompression bonding,
When using the completed print, the problem of blocking, such as adhesion to other prints, is unlikely to occur, and the surface has high hardness and excellent durability in a normal use temperature range.

Further, the unevenness of the recording surface is absorbed by the first latex layer, so that the surface of the protective layer formed by the first latex layer is kept smooth and a high quality image is obtained. In particular, when a film-formed latex layer is provided, the minimum film-forming temperature can be set relatively high and the minimum film-forming temperature of the first latex layer can be set relatively low, so that this effect is remarkable.

Further, since the second latex layer constituting the surface of the member to be recorded before recording is formed in the form of a single particle layer, the second latex layer on the surface is formed during storage before recording. It is possible to prevent the recording from becoming impossible.

Next, an example of the configuration of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4, and an embodiment of the image forming method of the present invention will be described.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 1 denotes a roll-shaped ink jet recording paper, which is the aforementioned ink jet recording member. 2 is a guide roller for guiding the recording paper 1, 3 and 4 are transport roller pairs for transporting the recording paper 1, 5, 6 and 7 are the recording paper 1
Is a transport guide for smoothly transporting the ink along the transport path, and 8 is an ink jet recording head. The inkjet recording head 8 performs image recording on the transported recording paper 1 based on an image signal from a host computer (not shown) and / or an image processing circuit inside the printer.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 11 denotes the roll-shaped protective member, which has a latex layer formed on a heat-resistant base material. 11A is a heat-resistant base material constituting the protection member 11, which is indicated by a broken line. Reference numeral 12 denotes a guide roller for guiding the protection member 11, and reference numeral 13 denotes a pair of conveyance rollers. These are a recording surface of the inkjet recording paper 1 and the protection member 11.
Of the latex layer is sandwiched in a state of facing and laminating.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 14 denotes a heating roller pair, which has a heating device 15 therein. This heating roller pair 1
4 heat-presses the recording surface of the inkjet recording paper 1 that is stacked and conveyed and the latex surface of the protective member 11.
As a result, the latex layer of the protective member 11 melts and adheres to and adheres to the recording surface of the recording paper 1 to form an image protective layer.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 16 denotes a pair of conveying rollers, 17 denotes a conveying guide, and 18 denotes a cutter. The recording paper 1 on which the protective layer is laminated by the heating roller pair 14 is transported by the transport roller pair 16 and the transport guide 17 and cut by the cutter 18 at a predetermined location and timing. The cut print in sheet form is discharged to a discharge tray 20 by a discharge roller pair 19.

On the other hand, when the base material 11A of the protective member 11 comes out of the transport roller 16, it is peeled / separated from the recording paper 1 on which the protective layer is formed by the take-up roller 21 and wound up.

In the above embodiment, the case where the ink jet recording paper 1 and the protective member 11 are in the form of a roll is described, but both or any one of them may be in the form of a sheet.

[0047]

As apparent from the above description, the following effects can be obtained according to the present invention.

[0048] The first latex layer of the protective member and the second latex layer of the recording member are heated and pressed at a temperature lower than the minimum film forming temperature of the latex material constituting the second latex layer. At a low temperature, adhesion with excellent adhesion is performed. At this time, since the latex layers adhere to each other, the protective layer after thermocompression bonding strongly adheres to the recording member.

When the minimum film forming temperature of the first latex layer is set high (for example, 75 ° C. or more), or when the minimum film forming temperature is high (for example, 80 ° C. or more, further 100 ° C.)
In particular, when a film-formed latex layer is provided, the printing surface having a high surface hardness and a high durability is used within the operating temperature range of the completed printing, that is, in a normal temperature range in which humans can appreciate the printing. Can be provided. Further, the problem of blocking with other prints and the like is less likely to occur.

According to the present invention, the thermocompression bonding can be performed at a relatively low heating temperature and the cooling can be easily performed, so that the base material 11A of the protective member can be peeled immediately after the thermocompression bonding. That is, according to the present invention, a completed print can be produced in a short time.

The recording member of the media set according to the present invention can be stably stored for a long time before recording since the latex layer on the surface is formed in a single particle state. In particular, when the minimum film formation temperature of the second latex layer is set to 75 ° C. or higher, storage at a very high temperature becomes possible, and transportation by a ship passing under the equator and leaving in a car during summer days are possible. No problem. Since the other protective member is not related to the recording, the film formation during storage does not matter, and the low film formation temperature of the first latex layer has no relation to the preservability before recording.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an ink jet recording media set of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a state where the ink jet recording paper of the present invention and a protective member are adhered.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the ink jet recording paper of the present invention and a protective member are adhered, and a base material of the protective member is peeled off and removed.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus including the inkjet recording medium set of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ink jet recording paper 2 Guide roller 3, 4 Transport roller pair 5, 6, 7 Transport guide 8 Ink jet recording head 11 Protective member 11A Heat resistant base material 12 Guide roller 13 Transport roller pair 14 Heating roller pair 15 Heating device 16 Transport roller Pair 17 transport guide 18 cutter 19 discharge roller pair 20 discharge tray 21 take-up roller 22 leading edge of recording paper 101 base member 102 ink absorbing layer 103 second latex layer 201 formed latex layer 202 first latex layer

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Ochiai 148-1 Kadosawabashi, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside the lab (72) Inventor Yoshinari Yasui 148-1 Kadozawabashi, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa Inside the lab (72 ) Inventor Hiroshi Miyamura 148-1, Kadosawabashi, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa F-term in the laboratory of a stock company (reference) 2C056 EA13 EA21 FC06 2C061 AQ05 AS06 BB26 CK02 2H086 BA05 BA16

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A protective member having a first latex layer formed on a first base material, and an ink absorbing layer formed on a second base material and a second latex layer formed thereon. A second latex layer formed of a single-particle layer and having a minimum film forming temperature higher than the minimum film forming temperature of the first latex layer, provided with a protective layer using an ink jet recording medium set An image forming method for forming a print, comprising: a step of ejecting ink onto the recording member, the recording member and the protective member after the ink ejection, between the latex layer surfaces, and the minimum film forming temperature of the first latex layer. An image forming method, comprising: a step of thermocompression bonding at a temperature lower than the minimum film forming temperature of the second latex layer; and a step of peeling the first base material from the recording member after thermocompression bonding. 2. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the thermocompression bonding is performed at a heating temperature equal to or higher than a softening point of a polymer of a latex material constituting the second latex layer. 3. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the thermocompression bonding is performed at a heating temperature equal to or higher than a glass transition temperature of a polymer of a latex material constituting the second latex layer. 4. The protective member has a film-formed latex layer having a minimum film-forming temperature higher than that of the second latex layer formed on the first base material, and the first latex layer formed thereon. The image forming method according to claim 1, 2 or 3. 5. A protective member having a first latex layer formed on a first base material, and an ink absorbing layer formed on a second base material and a second latex layer formed thereon. An ink jet recording member, after the ink is injected onto the recording member, the recording member and the protective member are heated and pressed together between the latex layer surfaces, and then the first base material is peeled and protected. An ink jet recording media set for forming a layered print, wherein the second latex layer formed on the ink absorbing layer comprises:
An ink jet recording media set formed in a single particle layer, wherein the minimum film forming temperature is higher than the minimum film forming temperature of the first latex layer. 6. The protective member has a film-formed latex layer having a minimum film-forming temperature higher than that of the second latex layer formed on the first base material, and the first latex layer formed thereon. An ink jet recording media set according to claim 5. 7. A protective member having a first latex layer formed on a first base material, and an ink absorbing layer formed on a second base material and a second latex layer formed thereon. An image forming apparatus comprising an ink jet recording medium set, comprising an ink jet recording member, wherein the second latex layer is formed in a single particle layer form and the minimum film forming temperature is higher than the minimum film forming temperature of the first latex layer. An image forming means for ejecting ink onto the recording member, a supply means for supplying the protection member onto the recording member after ink ejection, and a latex layer surface between the recording member and the protection member. Thermocompression bonding means for thermocompression bonding at a temperature not lower than the minimum film forming temperature of the first latex layer and lower than the minimum film forming temperature of the second latex layer. 8. After the thermocompression bonding, the first recording material is removed from the recording member.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a mechanism for peeling the base material. 9. The protective member has a film-formed latex layer having a minimum film-forming temperature higher than that of the second latex layer formed on the first base material, and the first latex layer formed thereon. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7.