JP2003034084A - Thermal transfer image receiving sheet - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Object] To provide a thermal transfer image-receiving sheet capable of forming a sublimation transfer image having excellent resistance to plasticizers and oils and fats. SOLUTION: In the thermal transfer image receiving sheet, an intermediate layer and a dye receiving layer are sequentially laminated on one surface of a base sheet,
A thermal transfer image-receiving sheet, wherein the intermediate layer is a resin layer containing flat particles having an average particle diameter of not more than 6.0 μm and a thickness of not more than half of the particle diameter.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a thermal transfer image-receiving sheet that receives a coloring material transferred from a thermal transfer sheet by heating, and more specifically, to a plasticizer resistance and a plasticizer resistance of a sublimation transfer image formed in a receiving layer. An object is to provide a thermal transfer image-receiving sheet excellent in oil and fat resistance.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a system for directly printing still images such as video images, television images, computer graphics and the like in full color has advanced, and the market thereof has expanded rapidly. Among them, a method in which a sublimable dye is used as a recording material, which is superposed on an image receiving sheet and heated by a thermal head according to a recording signal to transfer the dye onto the image receiving sheet to obtain an image, has been attracting attention. This recording method is extremely vivid because the coloring material used is a dye and has excellent transparency, so the resulting image is excellent in reproducibility of intermediate colors and gradation, and can be used in conventional full-color offset printing or It is the same as the image by gravure printing, and it is possible to form a high quality image comparable to a photographic image. Further, in order to improve durability such as abrasion resistance and light resistance of the obtained thermal transfer print, a protective layer is often transferred by thermal transfer onto a receptor layer on which a dye image is formed.

[0003]

The sublimation transfer image formed as described above has excellent durability.
A plasticizer or an object containing a plasticizer on the image surface, for example, when the image is stored in a file made of a soft vinyl chloride resin, when the image is in contact with a plastic eraser for a long time, or when mechanical oil or castor oil is used. When such fats and oils adhere for a long period of time, when those plasticizer components and fats and oils permeate from the surface of the protective layer and reach the receiving layer and intermediate layer, distortion due to heating during printing occurs in the intermediate layer. In that case, the strain is released, a crack is generated in the intermediate layer, and the receiving layer and the protective layer laminated on the intermediate layer are also cracked, and a minute crack is generated on the printing screen, The problem that the image quality is significantly deteriorated has occurred. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a thermal transfer image-receiving sheet which can solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and can form a sublimation transfer image having excellent plasticizer resistance and oil and fat resistance.

[0004]

Conventionally, for such cracks, it is conceivable to use a flexible resin or a highly flexible resin for the intermediate layer and the receiving layer.
In this method, when the printed matter is stored for a long time, problems such as bleeding occur, so in the present invention,
In a thermal transfer image-receiving sheet comprising an intermediate layer and a dye receiving layer which are sequentially laminated on one surface of a base sheet, flat particles having an average particle size of 6.0 μm or less and a thickness of half the particle size or less are provided in the intermediate layer. A thermal transfer image-receiving sheet comprising a resin layer containing the same.

The present invention also provides the above-mentioned thermal transfer image-receiving sheet in which the amount of flat particles used is 20 to 100 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the resin forming the intermediate layer; the flat particles are inorganic particles such as talc and mica. And the resin used for the intermediate layer is a urethane-based, polyolefin-based, polyester-based, acrylic-based, or epoxy-based adhesive resin;
And a thermal transfer image-receiving sheet containing the above flat particles together with a white pigment such as titanium oxide or potassium titanate in an intermediate layer in order to maintain the whiteness of the image-receiving paper; and a transition metal ion complex compound in the receiving layer. The above thermal transfer image-receiving sheet containing the metal source is provided.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The materials and forming method of each layer constituting the thermal transfer image-receiving sheet of the present invention will be described below. (Base Material Sheet) It is desirable that the base material sheet has a role of holding the receiving layer, and has mechanical properties that endure heat applied during image formation and do not hinder handling. The material for such a base sheet is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include polyester, polyarylate, polycarbonate, polyurethane, polyimide, polyetherimide, cellulose derivative, polyethylene, ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer, polypropylene, polystyrene, acrylic, Polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl butyral, nylon, polyether ether ketone, polysulfone, polyether sulfone, tetrafluoroethylene / perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer, polyvinyl fluoride, tetrafluoroethylene / ethylene copolymer Polymer,
Various plastic films or sheets such as tetrafluoroethylene / hexafluoropropylene copolymer, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, etc. can be used and are not particularly limited.

[0007] The above-mentioned plastic film or sheet, a white film formed by adding a white pigment or a filler to these synthetic resins, or a sheet having microvoids inside the substrate sheet, as well as condenser paper, glassine paper, and sulfuric acid paper. , Synthetic paper (polyolefin-based, polystyrene-based), high-quality paper, art paper, coated paper, cast-coated paper, synthetic resin or emulsion-impregnated paper, synthetic rubber latex-impregnated paper, synthetic resin internal-addition paper, cellulose fiber paper, etc. You can Further, a laminated body formed by any combination of the above-mentioned substrate sheets can also be used. Representative examples include a laminate of cellulose fiber paper and synthetic paper, and cellulose fiber paper and plastic film.

Further, a base sheet having the front surface and / or the back surface of the above-mentioned base sheet treated for easy adhesion can also be used. The thickness of these base sheets is usually about 3 to 300 μm, and in the present invention, it is preferable to use a base sheet having a thickness of 75 to 175 μm in consideration of mechanical suitability and the like. Further, when the adhesion between the base sheet and the layer provided thereon is poor, it is preferable to subject the surface thereof to an easy adhesion treatment or a corona discharge treatment.

(Intermediate Layer) The intermediate layer according to the present invention has a thickness of not more than half the particle diameter, preferably 1/2 to 1/20 of the particle diameter.
Is a resin layer containing flat particles. The average particle diameter [D50] of these flat particles measured by a laser diffraction method is 6.0 μm.
m or less is preferable, and 0.9 to 5.1 μm is more preferable. Among these flat particles, talc is L-1, LG, P-3, P-4, P-5, P from Nippon Talc Co., Ltd.
-6, C-3, SG-2000, SG-1000, SG
They are available under trade names such as -200 and SG-95 and can be used in the present invention. Mica is Corp Chemical Co., Ltd.
From MK-100 to A-1 from Tsuchiya Kaolin Co., Ltd.
It is available under trade names such as 1 and can be used in the present invention.

The binder resin used for the intermediate layer is
Examples of the adhesive resin include urethane-based, polyolefin-based, polyester-based, acrylic-based, and epoxy-based adhesive resins. Among these resins, those having active hydrogen can be further used as a binder of an isocyanate cross-linked product thereof. Further, in order not to cause problems such as image bleeding, the Tg of the resin is preferably 40 ° C. or higher. The flat particles are used in an amount of 20 to 100 parts by mass, preferably 25 to 100 parts by mass, per 100 parts by mass of the resin forming the intermediate layer.

In the present invention, a white pigment such as titanium oxide, zinc oxide, magnesium carbonate, calcium carbonate or potassium titanate is added to the intermediate layer in order to impart whiteness or hiding power. Can
The mixing ratio with the flat particles is flat particles / white pigment = 30 /
70-70 / 30, preferably 33 / 67-50
/ 50. Furthermore, in order to enhance the whiteness of the intermediate layer, a stilbene compound, a benzimidazole compound, a benzoxazole compound, etc. are added as a fluorescent whitening agent, or in order to enhance the light resistance of the print, a hindered amine compound, Hindered phenolic compounds,
Add benzophenone compounds, benzotriazole compounds, etc. as UV absorbers or antioxidants, or add cationic acrylic resins, polyaniline resins, various conductive fillers, etc. to impart antistatic properties. You can

The intermediate layer may be provided in two layers. Particularly, in the case of providing two layers, adding flat particles to the layer closer to the base sheet exerts an excellent effect of preventing cracking, and the layer is provided in that layer. For the purpose of imparting whiteness, cushioning properties, hiding properties, anti-curl properties, antistatic properties, etc., a white pigment, an ultraviolet absorber, an antioxidant, and various conductive fillers may be added to form an intermediate layer. In addition, the addition of flat particles to the second intermediate layer further exerts the above effect.

The intermediate layer may be formed by dissolving and dispersing the resin and additives as described above in a suitable organic solvent such as acetone, ethyl acetate, methyl ethyl ketone, toluene, xylene, cyclohexanone, or water / isopropyl alcohol (IPA). An ink is prepared by dispersing it in a water / alcohol mixed solvent such as water or ethanol, and the ink is prepared by a known method such as a gravure printing method, a screen printing method, or a reverse roll coating method using a gravure plate. The intermediate layer is formed by coating and drying on at least one surface of the material sheet, and further by crosslinking and curing if necessary. The coating amount of the intermediate layer formed in this manner, 0.5~10.0g / m ² on a solids, and preferably from 1.0 to 3.0 g / m ^2. If the thickness is too thin, the performance required as the intermediate layer cannot be obtained. On the other hand, if the thickness is too large, the effect as the intermediate layer is not further improved and it is not preferable in terms of cost.

(Receiving Layer) The dye receiving layer formed on the upper surface of the intermediate layer is for receiving the sublimable dye transferred from the thermal transfer sheet and maintaining the formed thermal transfer image. Examples of the resin used in the receiving layer include polyvinyl chloride, halogenated polymers such as polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl acetate, ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer, vinyl chloride / vinyl acetate copolymer, polyacrylic ester, Vinyl-based resins such as polystyrene and polystyrene / acrylic copolymers, acetal-based resins such as polyvinyl formal, polyvinyl butyral and polyvinyl acetoacetal, various saturated or unsaturated polyester-based resins, polycarbonate-based resins, cellulose-based resins such as cellulose acetate Polyamide resins such as polyolefin resins, urea resins, melamine resins, and benzoguanamine resins. These resins can be used alone or can be arbitrarily blended within the range of compatibility.

Preferred releasing agents to be mixed with the above resins include silicone oils, phosphate ester type surfactants and fluorine type surfactants, with silicone oils being preferable. As the silicone oil,
Modified silicone oils such as epoxy modified, alkyl modified, amino modified, carboxyl modified, alcohol modified, fluorine modified, alkylaralkylpolyether modified, epoxy / polyether modified, and polyether modified are desirable.

As the release agent, one type or two or more types are used. In addition, a reaction product of a vinyl-modified silicone oil and a hydrogen-modified silicone oil, a reaction-cured product of an amino-modified silicone oil and an epoxy-modified silicone oil, or a plurality of modified silicone oils can be cured by reaction or modified with active hydrogen. A reaction cured product of a silicone oil and a curing agent that reacts with active hydrogen is also used. The amount of the releasing agent added is the resin for forming the dye receiving layer 1
0.5 to 30 parts by mass is preferable with respect to 00 parts by mass. If the addition amount range is not satisfied, problems such as fusion of the thermal transfer film and the dye receiving layer or deterioration of printing sensitivity may occur. By adding such a releasing agent to the dye receiving layer, the releasing agent bleeds out on the surface of the receiving layer after transfer to form a releasing layer.

Further, the receiving layer may contain a metal source composed of a complex compound of a transition metal ion,
Examples of the metal source in the present invention include compounds represented by the following general formula (1). General formula (1); M ²⁺ (X) _n 2Y ⁻ (In the formula, M ²⁺ represents a divalent transition metal ion. X is coordinate-bonded to the transition metal ion M ²⁺ to form a complex. And n represents an integer of 2 or 3. The plurality of coordination compounds X may be the same or different from each other, and Y ⁻ is a transition metal ion M ² Represents a counter ion of ⁺ .)

In the compound represented by the general formula (1), M ²⁺ represents a divalent transition metal ion. Examples of the transition metal ion include cobalt ( ²⁺ ) and nickel ( ²⁺ ). , Copper ( ²⁺ ), zinc ( ²⁺ ) and iron ( ²⁺ ). Among these, nickel ( ²⁺ ), copper ( ²⁺ ) and zinc ( ²⁺ ) are particularly preferable. In the compound represented by the general formula (1), (X) _n can coordinate to a transition metal to form a complex 2
Or, it represents a coordination compound of 3 and can be selected from the coordination compounds described in, for example, “Chelate Chemistry (5)” (edited by Nanundou). Among these, ethylenediamine derivatives, picolinamide derivatives, 2-aminomethylpiperidine derivatives and glycineamide derivatives are preferable, and ethylenediamine derivatives and glycineamide derivatives are particularly preferable.

In the compound represented by the general formula (1), Y ⁻ represents a counter anion of the transition metal ion M ²⁺ ,
This counter anion is an organic or inorganic anion, and in particular, the complex formed by the transition metal ion M ²⁺ and the coordination compound (X) _n is dissolved in an organic solvent such as methyl ethyl ketone or tetrahydrofuran (THF). Compounds that enable are preferred. Specific examples of the counter anion include alkylcarboxylic acid, arylcarboxylic acid, alkylsulfonic acid, arylsulfonic acid, alkylphosphoric acid,
Organic salts such as aryl phosphoric acid and aryl boric acid can be mentioned. Of these, the salts of arylboronic acid and arylsulfonic acid are particularly preferable.

The receiving layer of the present invention preferably contains a metal source represented by the following general formula (2). General formula (2); M ²⁺ (X ⁻ ) ₂ (In the formula, M ²⁺ represents a divalent transition metal ion. X ⁻ is
It represents the coordination compound represented by the general formula (1). Also,
The compound represented by the general formula (2) may have a neutral ligand depending on the central metal, and a typical ligand is H ₂
Examples include O and NH ₃ . ). Further, in the metal source of the above general formula (2), a coordination compound in which X is represented by the following general formula (3) can be mentioned.

In the compound represented by the general formula (3),
Z represents an alkyl group, an aryl group, an alkoxyl group, an acyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, a carbamoyl group, a halogen atom or a hydrogen atom. Z is preferably an electron-withdrawing group such as an aryloxycarbonyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group or a halogen atom because it stabilizes the metal ion-supplying compound, and among them, an aryloxycarbonyl group and an alkoxycarbonyl group are more preferable in terms of solubility. .

Examples of the aryloxycarbonyl group include a phenoxycarbonyl group, and examples of the alkoxycarbonyl group include a methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, pentyloxycarbonyl, 2-ethylhexyloxycarbonyl group and the like having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. Examples thereof include an alkoxycarbonyl group having a chain or a branch, and these alkoxycarbonyl groups may be substituted with a halogen atom, an aryl group or an alkoxyl group.

R and R'represent an alkyl group and an aryl group, which may be the same or different, and R and Z, or R'and Z may combine to form a ring.
When Z is a hydrogen atom, neither R nor R'becomes a methyl group. Examples of the alkyl group represented by Z, R and R'include, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl,
Isopropyl, butyl, sec-butyl, t-butyl,
Examples thereof include linear or branched alkyl groups having 1 to 20 carbon atoms such as hexyl, octyl, and 2-ethylhexyl groups, and these alkyl groups may be substituted with a halogen atom, an aryl group, an alkoxyl group, or the like. May be.

Examples of the aryl group represented by Z, R and R'include a phenyl group and a naphthyl group, which may have a substituent. As the alkoxyl group represented by Z,
Mention may be made of a straight-chain or branched alkoxyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms such as methoxy, ethoxy and butoxy. Examples of the acyl group represented by Z include acetyl, propionyl, chloroacetyl, phenacetyl and benzoyl groups. The halogen atom represented by Z is preferably a chlorine atom.

The metal source used in the present invention is added in an amount of 20 to 50% by mass based on the binder resin in the receiving layer.
Is more preferable, and 25-40 mass% is more preferable.
The metal source in the present invention is not limited to the general formula (1) and the general formula (2). By adding such a metal source to the receptor layer, when the dyes that coordinate with these metals are transferred, the bleeding resistance, light resistance and other physical properties of the dye are improved, and the formed image Various types of durability are improved.

The receptive layer is formed by adding the necessary additives such as a release agent to the above resin on the upper surface of the above intermediate layer,
Applying and drying a dispersion dissolved in an appropriate organic solvent or dispersed in an organic solvent or water by a forming means such as a gravure printing method, a screen printing method, a reverse roll coating method using a gravure plate, etc. Formed by. The coating amount is 1.5 to 15 g / m
² , preferably in the range of 1.5 to 5.0 g / m ² . In the thermal transfer image-receiving sheet of the present invention, the intermediate layer is characterized, and the receiving layer is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to select a resin that is as colorless and highly transparent as possible for forming the receiving layer.

(Back surface layer) Further, for the purpose of imparting transportability, writability, stain resistance, anti-curl property, antistatic property, etc. to the surface of the substrate sheet opposite to the surface provided with the receiving layer, it has been publicly known. Any backside layer can be provided. Regarding the antistatic property, an antistatic layer containing a conventionally known antistatic agent may be further provided on the receiving layer and / or the back surface layer.

The image forming method for the thermal transfer image-receiving sheet of the present invention as described above is carried out by using a sublimation type thermal transfer sheet in which a dye layer containing one color or multiple colors of sublimable dyes is formed on the surface of a substrate film. These sublimation type thermal transfer sheets are well known, and any commercially available thermal transfer sheet can be used. In addition, printers are well known, and any commercially available printer can be used. For example, the recording time can be controlled by a recording device such as a thermal printer (for example, Olympus digital color printer P-400). 5 to 100 mJ / mm ²
A desired mono-color or full-color image is formed by applying a certain amount of heat energy. Further, the method for forming a protective layer on the surface of the printed matter formed in this manner is followed by the formation of an image using a conventionally known protective layer transfer film or a composite thermal transfer sheet having a dye layer and a protective layer in a face-sequential manner. The protective layer can also be formed by transfer.

[0029]

EXAMPLES Next, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to Examples and Comparative Examples. In the text, “part” or “%” is based on mass unless otherwise specified.

[0030]

[Example 2] <Substrate> The same as Example 1. <Intermediate layer> ・ Polyester resin (PE-723, manufactured by Futaba Fine Chemical Co., Ltd., Tg = 68 ° C) 72.5 parts ・ PVA (Gosenol KM11, manufactured by Nippon Synthetic Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 3.3 parts ・ Talc ( Microace P3, manufactured by Nippon Talc Co., Ltd., particle size 5.1 μm) 10.0 parts / water 32.1 parts / IPA 32.1 parts Dry coating amount = 1.5 g / m ² <Receiving layer> Example Same as 1.

[Example 3] <Substrate> The same as Example 1. <Intermediate layer> ・ Polyester resin (PE-723, manufactured by Futaba Fine Chemical Co., Ltd., Tg = 68 ° C) 72.5 parts ・ PVA (Gosenol KM11, manufactured by Nippon Synthetic Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 3.3 parts ・ Mica ( Micromica MK100F, manufactured by Coop Chemical Co., Ltd., average particle size 4.0 μm) 10.0 parts / water 32.1 parts / IPA 32.1 parts Dry coating amount = 1.5 g / m ² <Receiving layer> Same as example 1.

[Example 4] <Substrate> The same as Example 1. <Intermediate layer 1> (near the base material) -Polyurethane resin (Hydran AP-40, manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Co., Tg = 49 ° C) 72.7 parts-Talc (Microace L1, Nippon Talc Co., Ltd.) Made, particle size 4.9 μm) 16.0 parts / water 30.6 parts / IPA 30.7 parts dry coating amount = 1.5 g / m ²

<Mid layer 2> Polyurethane resin (Hydran AP-40, manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals, Tg = 49 ° C.) 100.0 parts water 25.0 parts IPA 25.0 parts dry coating amount = 1.5 g / m ²

[0035]

[0036]

[Example 5] <Substrate> The same as in Example 1. <Intermediate layer 1> (near the base material) Polyurethane resin (Hydran AP-40, manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Co., Ltd., Tg = 49 ° C) 72.3 parts Talc (Microace L1, Nippon Talc Co., Ltd.) Made, particle size 4.9 μm) 5.3 parts, white pigment (titanium oxide) 10.6 parts, water 30.9 parts, IPA 30.9 parts dry coating amount = 1.5 g / m ²

<Intermediate Layer 2> Polyurethane resin (Hydran AP-40, manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals, Tg = 49 ° C.) 100.0 parts, water 25.0 parts, IPA 25.0 parts Dry coating amount = 1.5 g / m ² <Receiving layer> The same as in Example 4.

[Example 6] <Substrate> The same as Example 1. <Intermediate layer 1> (near the base material) Polyurethane resin (Hydran AP-40, manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Co., Tg = 49 ° C) 72.7 parts Talc (Microace L1, Nippon Talc Co., Ltd.) Made, particle size 4.9 μm) 8.0 parts / white pigment (titanium oxide) 8.0 parts / water 30.6 parts / IPA 30.7 parts dry coating amount = 1.5 g / m ²

<Intermediate layer 2> Polyurethane resin (Hydran AP-40, manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals, Tg = 49 ° C.) 100.0 parts water 25.0 parts IPA 25.0 parts dry coating amount = 1.5 g / m ² <Receiving layer> The same as in Example 4.

Example 7 <Substrate> The same as Example 1. <Intermediate layer 1> (near the base material) -Polyurethane resin (Hydran AP-40, manufactured by Dainippon Ink Co., Ltd., Tg = 49 ° C) 72.7 parts-Talc (SG2000, manufactured by Nippon Talc Co., Ltd.) Particle size 1.0 μm) 8.0 parts / white pigment (titanium oxide) 8.0 parts / water 30.6 parts / IPA 30.7 parts Dry coating amount = 1.5 g / m ²

[0042]

[0043]

[0044]

Example 9 <Substrate> The same as in Example 1. <Intermediate layer 1> (near the base material) -Polyester resin (Polyester WR905, manufactured by Nippon Synthetic Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Tg = 70 ° C) 80.0 parts-Talc (SG200, manufactured by Nippon Talc Co., Ltd.) Particle size 3.2 μm) 16.0 parts White pigment (titanium oxide) 16.0 parts Water 19.0 parts IPA 19.0 parts Dry coating amount = 1.5 g / m ²

[0046]

[Comparative Example 1] <Substrate> Same as Example 1. <Primer layer> ・ Polyurethane resin (Hydran AP-40, Dainippon Ink Co., Ltd. 136.4 parts ・ IPA 13.6 copies <Receiving layer> The same as in Example 1.

Comparative Example 2 <Substrate> Same as Example 1. <Intermediate layer> Polyester resin (PE-723, manufactured by Futaba Fine Chemical Co., Ltd., Tg = 68 ° C.) 130.4 parts IPA 19.6 parts Dry coating amount = 1.5 g / m ² <Receiving layer> Implementation Same as example 1.

Comparative Example 3 <Substrate> The same as in Example 1. <Intermediate layer 1> (near the base material) -Polyurethane resin (Hydran AP-40, Dainippon Ink and Chemicals, Tg = 49 ° C) 72.7 parts-White pigment (titanium oxide) 16.0 parts- Water 30.6 parts / IPA 30.7 parts Dry coating amount = 1.5 g / m ²

<Intermediate layer 2> Polyurethane resin (Hydran AP-40, manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals, Tg = 49 ° C.) 100.0 parts water 25.0 parts IPA 25.0 parts dry coating amount = 1.5 g / m ² <Receiving layer> The same as in Example 4.

[0051]

[0052]

Examples of Use For the thermal transfer image-receiving sheets of Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2, a commercially available YMC and an integrated thermal transfer sheet with a protective layer (ink ribbon: P-400 manufactured by Olympus Corporation) are used.
The ink ribbon pack RBN attached to the printer (cyan portion) was used for printing. In addition, Examples 4 to 9 and Comparative Example 3 to
For the thermal transfer image receiving sheet of No. 4, a cyan thermal transfer sheet was prepared as described below and used for printing. The above Olympus printer was used to form the protective layer.

[Composition of dye layer coating solution] <Substrate sheet> Polyethylene terephthalate film having a back layer and a thickness of 6 μm <Cyan dye layer> -Chelating cyan dye (the following formula) 4.0 parts-Polyvinyl butyral resin 4. 0 parts / methyl ethyl ketone 46.0 parts / toluene 46.0 parts Dry coating amount = 1.0 g / m ²

[0055]

[Method for producing printed matter] The dye layer side of the thermal transfer sheet obtained or produced by the above-mentioned procedure and the receiving layer side of the image receiving sheet are superposed on each other, and a thermal head and platen roller having a resolution of 12 dots / mm and an average resistance value of 3100Ω are used. By pressing, a solid pattern of cyan with a printing energy of 80 mJ / mm ² was heated from the back surface of the dye layer portion under the condition of a feed speed of 10 msec / line to form an image on the receiving layer. Then, a protective layer was superposed on the image-formed receiving layer, and the thermal head and the platen roller of the same kind as those described above were pressed to each other to give a printing energy of 80 mJ / mm ² .
The protective layer was transferred onto the receptor layer by heating from the back surface of the protective layer portion under the condition of a feed rate of 10 msec / line. A solid cyan image was obtained by the above procedure. The solid image of cyan is used as an evaluation image because, when a crack occurs, the dye in the cracked portion is taken by the reagent, causing color loss and clear contrast.

[Test Method] Printed matter, petrolatum with DOP
20% of the reagent was spread thinly with a cotton swab or the like and spread, and the sample was allowed to stand in a room temperature environment for observation. The results are shown in Table 1 below.

Evaluation result ◯: No crack was generated. Δ: Cracking occurred in 12 to 24 hours. X: Cracking occurred within 12 hours.

[0059]

[0060]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a thermal transfer image-receiving sheet capable of forming a sublimation transfer image having excellent plasticizer resistance and oil and fat resistance.

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Takenori Omata             1-1-1, Ichigaya-Kagacho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo             Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tatsuya Kita             1-1-1, Ichigaya-Kagacho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo             Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2H111 AA08 AA27 CA03 CA04 CA31                       CA33 CA38 CA41 CA49

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A thermal transfer image-receiving sheet comprising an intermediate layer and a dye-receiving layer which are sequentially laminated on one surface of a base sheet,
A thermal transfer image-receiving sheet, characterized in that the intermediate layer is a resin layer containing flat particles having an average particle diameter of 6.0 μm or less and a thickness of half or less of the particle diameter. 2. The thermal transfer image-receiving sheet according to claim 1, wherein the flat particles are used in an amount of 20 to 100 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the resin forming the intermediate layer. 3. The thermal transfer image-receiving sheet according to claim 1, wherein the flat particles are inorganic particles such as talc and mica. 4. The resin used for the intermediate layer is urethane type, polyolefin type, polyester type, acrylic type,
Alternatively, the thermal transfer image-receiving sheet according to claim 1, which is an epoxy adhesive resin. 5. The thermal transfer image-receiving sheet according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate layer contains the flat particles together with a white pigment such as titanium oxide or potassium titanate in order to maintain the whiteness of the image-receiving paper. 6. The thermal transfer image-receiving sheet according to claim 1, wherein the dye receiving layer contains a metal source composed of a complex compound of a transition metal ion.