Image receiving sheet

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

0001The present invention relates to an image receiving sheet, particularly for a multi-color image.

2. Description of the Prior Art

0002In recent years, a high quality color image has been required to perform a presentation or the like. Also research and development of the electrophotography has a requirement for improving the quality of the image including the color reproducibility and image density. In order to improve the saturation, image density and luster of the color image, an image receiving sheet, such as glossy paper, can be available as exclusive paper. The image receiving sheet is structured to embed toner into a resin layer on the sheet in order to prevent deformation and shift of dots when toner is fixed with heat and attain luster of the surface of the image. Since the image receiving sheet is required to have luster, light resistance and water resistance equivalent to the silver salt photography, toner must be deeply embedded into the resin layer by fixing and smoothness of the surface of the image must be realized. An image receiving sheet of a type to embed the toner uses a transparent sheet as the base thereof so as to be applied as a sheet for an over head projector (OHP). If the image receiving sheet is used as the OHP sheet, the difference in the smoothness of the surface determines the color development characteristic of the projected image. Accordingly, the image receiving sheet for electrophotography must have smoothness on the surface of the fixed image and therefore embedding of the toner into the resin layer is a critical factor.

0003To satisfy the above-mentioned requirements, Japanese Patent Publication No.<patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="JPHEI4125567B"><text> Hei. 4-125567</text></patcit> has a structure in which an image receiving layer is formed which contains thermoplastic resin having a softening point lower than that of the color toner and a print in which the toner has been embedded in the image receiving layer and thus irregularity is prevented is obtained so as to solve the above-mentioned problem.

0004If a resin layer having a low softening point as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No.<patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="JPHEI4125567B"><text> Hei. 4-125567</text></patcit> is applied to the surface of the image receiving sheet, the weak coagulation force of the melted resin results in that offset of the toner layer and the image receiving layer to the fixing roller easily takes place. When the image is stored, there arises a problem of fusion of the image receiving sheet due to blocking or the like.

0005Document <patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="US5055371A"><text>US-A-5,055,371</text></patcit> discloses a receiver sheet including a microvoided base layer and a thermoplastic image receiving layer, which may be used for thermally assisted transfer of small particle size toners.

0006Document <patcit id="pcit0004" dnum="WO9113385A"><text>WO-A-91/13385</text></patcit> discloses a thermally assisted, non-electrostatic process for transferring toner particles to a thermoplastic receiver, wherein particles smaller than 8 µm are transferred from the surface of an element having a surface layer comprising a film-forming electrically insulating polyester or polycarbonate resin matrix, to a receiver comprising a polymeric coating.

0007As described above, although a variety of structures of the image forming apparatus for outputting a color image and the image receiving sheet to be applied to the foregoing apparatus have been suggested, there arises a problem in that a high quality image having the color development characteristic and transparency equivalent to the silver salt photography cannot be obtained.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

0008In view of the foregoing, an object of the present invention is to provide an image receiving sheet capable of obtaining satisfactory color development characteristic, transparency, surface smoothness and offset resistance.

0009There is provided an image receiving sheet as claimed in claim 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0010In the accompanying drawings: <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li><figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1(a)</figref> shows a structure in which an image receiving layer is formed on a base, and <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1(b)</figref> shows a structure in which the image receiving layer is composed of two types of resins having different distribution of the molecular weights;</li><li>and Fig. 5 shows a graph showing distribution of molecular weight of the resin according to the present invention measured by GPC.</li></ul>

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERED EMBODIMENTS

0011An image receiving sheet according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. <figref idref="f0001">Figs. 1(a) and 1(b)</figref> show the basic structures of the image receiving sheet according to the present invention, and <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1 (a)</figref> shows a structure in which an image receiving layer 42 is formed on a base 41.

0012<figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1 (b)</figref> shows a structure in which the image receiving layer 42 is composed of two types of resins having different distribution of the molecular weights. It is preferable that the two types of the resins be resins in the same system having approximate degrees of refractivity. The above-mentioned structure is able to obtain an excellent offset and blocking resistance if high molecular weight component is employed to form an upper layer portion 44. If low molecular weight component is employed to form the upper layer portion 44, an advantage is realized to embed the toner. Thus, an images having excellent surface smoothness and satisfactory transparency can be obtained after the toner has been fixed. Therefore, change of the relationship of the molecular weight enables the characteristic of the image receiving sheet to easily be controlled. If solvent for dissolving a lower layer portion 43 is used when the upper layer portion 44 is applied, the interface between the upper layer portion 44 and the lower layer portion 43 are harmoniously integrated and thus the refractivity is changed smoothly from the upper layer to the lower layer. Therefore, scattering of light can be prevented and therefore the transparency can furthermore be improved.

0013The structure of <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1(a)</figref> is applied to the all embodiments in this invention, and the structure of <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1(b)</figref> is applied to the embodiments in section (1) described later.

0014The base 41 for use in the image receiving sheet according to the present invention may be known resin, paper or the like. For example, any one of the following materials are employed: a polyester film, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET); a polyolefin film, such as a polyethylene film or a polypropylene film; any one of various acrylic films including a polycarbonate film, a triacetate film, a polyether sulfon (PES) film, a polyether etherketone (PEEK) film, a vinyl chloride film and methylmethacrylate; and a cellophane film. It is preferable that a colorless and transparent base be employed. When the image receiving sheet is employed as the image receiving sheet for an OHP, it must be transparent. If necessary, luster paper prepared by dispersing white pigment, such as titanium oxide, in the foregoing resin may be employed as reflecting member.

0015As the material for the base, it is preferable to use the polyester film because of its mechanical strength and thermal strength and coast. The thickness of the base sheet for use in the above-mentioned purpose is arbitrarily determine in consideration of the recording means and the required strength, the thickness is usually 50 µm to 300 µm, preferably 80 µm to 120 µm. In this embodiment, a member formed into a film having a thickness of 100 µm is employed unless otherwise specified.

0016The resin for forming the image receiving layer 42 contains transparent resin as the main component thereof and preferably it is resin which can be formed into a coating film. For example, polyester resin, polystyrene resin, polyacrylate, styrene-methacrylate resin, polyamide resin, cellulose resin, such as cellulose acetate, polycarbonate resin, polyolefin resin, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl acetate, vinyl chloride/vinyl acetate copolymer, copolymer of olefin, such as ethylene and propylene and another vinyl monomer, ionomer and ethylcellulose. Among the foregoing materials, it is the most preferable that resin in the same system as that of the resin forming the tone be employed in consideration of the compatibility with the toner and the wettability. In order to prevent the resin forming the image receiving layer together with the toner when fixing is performed to form an interface, it is an important fact that the resin for forming image receiving layer is softened when fixing is performed. Therefore, it is preferable that thermoplastic resin be employed as the resin which is fused with heat when fixing is performed. In view of a fact that the resin for forming image receiving layer is softened when fixing is performed, a thermosetting resin (for example, a mixture prepared by mixing a crosslinking agent with thermoplastic resin) which has not been hardened may be employed. Although the foregoing material has wear resistance of the surface of the fixed image superior to that of the thermoplastic resin, the foregoing resin has a problem of reservation stability (natural hardening due to environment temperature or deactivation of the crosslinking material) in a pre-fixed state. Therefore, it is preferable that thermoplastic resin be employed. Specifically, the base of the image receiving sheet or the image receiving layer is exemplified by any one of the following transparent resin: polyethylene terephthalate may be, for example, FR-PET (having Rockwell hardness R of 127 to 130) manufactured by Teijin Limited, polyallylate resin may be, for example, U-Polymer manufactured by Unichika Ltd. (having Rockwell hardness R of 125), polycarbonate resin may be, for example, U-Pylon S2000 (having Rockwell hardness R of 122 to 124) manufactured by Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company Inc., polyether sulfonic resin may be, for example, resin of this type manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited (having Rockwell hardness R of 120), ethylene-vinyl chloride copolymer may be, for example, Nissan Vinyl E manufactured by Nissan Chemical Industries, Ltd. (having Rockwell hardness R of 114), polyvinyl chloride may be, for example, PE1095 manufactured by Nippon Zeon Co., Ltd. (having Rockwell hardness R of 108), ABS resin may be, for example, Denka ABS (having Rockwell hardness R of 105) manufactured by Denki Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, polymethylpentene resin may be, for example, TPX manufactured by Mitsui Petrochemical Industries, Ltd. (having Rockwell hardness R of 100), polypropylene may be, for example, Chisso Polypro (having Rockwell hardness R of 95) manufactured by Chisso Corporation, cellulose acetate resin may be, for example, Acecti (having Rockwell hardness R of 91) manufactured by Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd., aromatic polyester resin may be, for example, Econol E2000 (having Rockwell hardness R of 88) manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited. If necessary, a variety of additives may be dispersed or solved to the base of the images receiving sheet for an OHP or the image receiving layer in a quantity which does not deteriorate transparency. If necessary, white pigment, such as titanium oxide, may, of course, be dispersed in the resin forming the base of the image receiving sheet similar to general paper.

0017The image receiving layer 42 may, if necessary, contain antistatic agent, surface active agent, dispersant, lubricant, matting agent and plasticizer may be added in a range which does not critically inhibit the transparency. Then, a composition is prepared by dissolving the foregoing material into an adequate solvent or by dispersing the same, followed by applying the composition by a known method such as bar coating, and followed by drying the product.

0018If necessary, an antistatic layer, a blocking preventive layer, an adhesive layer and a surface protective layer having wear resistance may be provided for the image receiving sheet.

0019In this embodiment, layers formed on the surface on the base for receiving the toner and arranged to receive the toner when fixing is performed are collectively treated as an image receiving layer .

0020It is preferable that the thickness of the image receiving layer be larger than 50 % of the volume average particle size of the toner. By employing the foregoing structure to sufficiently embed the toner in the image receiving layer when fixing is performed, the surface of the fixed toner image can be smoothed because the toner is embedded in the image receiving layer, in addition to the fact that the image deceiving layer serves as an adhesive layer for only improving the adhesivity between the base and the toner. Moreover, gaps between toner particles are plugged by the resin for forming the image receiving layer so that an image having excellent color development characteristic and transparency is formed. If the thickness is smaller than the above-mentioned value, irregular surfaces of the image and gaps between toner particles cannot satisfactorily be plugged when the toner has been embedded. The average value of the minimum particle size of a marketing toner is about 6 µm to 7 µm. Therefore, the thickness of the image receiving layer is required to be 3 µm or larger, preferably 10 µm or larger. If the image receiving layer is too thick, shift and deformation of the image take place when the image is fixed and thus the quality of the image is adversely affected. Therefore, it is preferable that the thickness of the image receiving layer be about 100 µm or smaller, preferably 50 µm or smaller.

0021The image receiving sheet according to this embodiment has a multi-layered structure consisting of the base and the image receiving layer as shown in <figref idref="f0001">Figs. 1(a) and 1(b)</figref>. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, a single structure may be employed in which the base also serves as the image receiving layer. However, it is preferable that a multi-structured image receiving sheet formed by stacking the image receiving layer on the base be employed.

0022The various physical property values employed in the present invention are value measured by the following methods. And referring to examples and comparative examples, the present invention will be described further in detail. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following description. <u style="single">(1) With respect to the distribution of the molecular weight:</u>

[Molecular Weight]

0023An apparatus structured such that a column is attached to gel permeation chromatography (GPC) measuring apparatus was used at temperature of 20°C and a flow rate of 1 material/minute. It is preferable that the column for use in the measurement be formed by combining a plurality of marketing polystyrene gel columns. For example, it is preferable that combination of µ-styragel 500, 103, 104 and 105 manufactured by Water Co., combination of shodex KF-80M, KF-801, 803, 804 and 805 manufactured by Showa Denko K.K., combination of KA-802, 803, 804 and 805 or combination of TSKgel G1000H, G2000H, G25000H, G3000H, G4000H, G5000H, G6000H, G7000H and GMH manufactured by Tosoh Corporation be employed. Samples to be measured were dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at a concentration of 0.2 wt%, and then filtered by a 0.45 µm-filter. The distribution of the molecular weight of the sample was measured such that measuring conditions were selected in such a manner that the molecular weight of the sample was included in a range in which the logarithm of the molecular weight of analytical curves processed by a variety of monodisperse reference samples and counts formed straight lines.

[Insoluble Matter of THF]

0024Resin in a quantity of 0.5 g is stirred for about 30 hours so as to be dissolved in a state where the resin is enclosed hermetically in a container in which THF solution is, by about 100 ml is enclosed. Then, the insoluble matter is removed by filtration from the THF solution, followed by being vacuum-dried at 100°C for about 90 minutes. Then, the sample was weighed to obtain the weight ratio of the insoluble resins in the THF.

[Acid Value]

0025The acid value of the resin for use in the image receiving layer is measured by a method conforming to JISK-0070.

0026To compensate the saturation, image density and luster of a color image with the image receiving sheet, the surface of the image must be made smooth and an image receiving layer having a low softening point must be used. However, the image receiving layer having a low softening point arises a problem of offset of the toner and the image receiving layer to the fixing roller when the fixing process is performed. Therefore, the resin for use in the image receiving layer must have smoothness and offset resistance which are antithetic characteristics. That is, since a portion which is fused at a relative low temperature and a portion capable of maintaining the coagulation force even at high temperatures are required, it can be considered that resin in the image receiving layer having distribution of the molecular weight which has a low molecular weight portion and a high molecular weight portion is advantageous.

0027When the distribution of the molecular weight of the resin is measured by the GPC measurement method, a curve as shown in <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 2</figref> is generally measured. For example, the curve shown in <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 2</figref> has peaks 1,000 and 100,000 and a shoulder 40,000. That is, the total number of the peaks and the shoulders is not smaller than two. In the graph showing the distribution of the molecular weight shown in <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 2</figref>, axis of abscissa stands for the molecular weight and axis of ordinate stands for the intensities detected by a differential refractometer.

0028The molecular weight component (region A) in the region in which the molecular weight is less than 10,000 is mainly an effective component for embedding toner into the image receiving layer. The component (region B) in the region of 10,000 or more has a coagulation force even when thermal fusion is performed and has an effect to prevent offset. Therefore, the foregoing structure realizes an image receiving sheet having excellent effect to embed toner and preventing offset.

0029The insoluble matter of THF is considered to be gel components of the resin generated due to crosslinking. The foregoing insoluble matter causes the coagulation force of the image receiving layer to be strengthened. Thus, offset resistance and the blocking resistance can furthermore be improved. If the insoluble matter exceeds 40 wt%, the coagulation force of the image receiving layer becomes too strong. When it is applied to the base sheet, the film forming characteristic deteriorates and thus a problem arises in manufacturing. It is furthermore preferable that the insoluble matter of THF be 20 wt% or less.

0030If the resin has an acid value greater than 100 mgKOH/g, water can easily be adsorbed by the surface of the images receiving layer. Therefore, the image receiving layer can easily be affected by the environment if the temperature and humidity are high or those are low. In this case, a tendency is detected that the image deteriorates. What is worse, the crosslinking reactions proceed after it has been applied to the base sheet, in particular, when the drying process is performed. Therefore, a problem similar to that in the description of the insoluble matter of THF arises. It is further preferable that the acid value be 50 mgKOH/g or lower.

0031The reason why the heights Ha and Hb of the maximum peaks (or shoulders) in the low molecular weight portion and the high molecular weight portion are specified as shown in <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 2</figref> is that embedding of toner and improvement in the offset resistance must be balanced in principle. If Ha/Hb is less than 0.2, toner cannot satisfactorily be embedded and realized surface smoothness after fixing has been performed is unsatisfactory. If Ha/Hb is larger than 5, the offset resistance deteriorates. Therefore, a preferred range is 0.25 to 4.

0032Next, examples and comparative examples of which the aforementioned physical properties were measured will be described.

(Example 1-1)

0033A transparent polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film (having a thickness of 100 µm) was employed as the base sheet. On the base sheet, coating solution for the image receiving layer having the following composition was applied by using a bar coater in such a manner that the dry thickness is 10 µm to 15 µm so that an image receiving sheet was obtained. The enlarged cross sectional view showing an essential portion corresponds to <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1 (a)</figref><tables id="tabl0001" num="0001"><table frame="none"><title>Coating Solution 1</title><tgroup cols="2"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="50mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="25mm" /><tbody><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">polyester resin</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">30 Parts</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">distribution of molecular weight:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">peak 100,000,</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">shoulder</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">50,000</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">insoluble matter of THF:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">18 %</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Acid value:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">51 mgKOH/g</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Ha/Hb:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">0.32</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">methylethylketone:toluene = 1:1</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">70 parts</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

(Example 1-2)

0034Similarly to Example 1-1, the following coating solution 2 for the image receiving layer was applied to the base so that an image receiving sheet according to Example 1-2 was manufactured. The enlarged cross sectional view corresponds to <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1 (a)</figref>. <tables id="tabl0002" num="0002"><table frame="none"><title>Coating Solution 2</title><tgroup cols="2"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="50mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="32mm" /><tbody><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">polyester resin</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">30 parts</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">distribution of molecular weight:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">peak 70,000, 2,000</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">insoluble matter of THF:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">8 %</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Acid Value:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">35 mgKOH/g</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Ha/Hb:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">0.45</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">methylethylketone:toluene = 1:1</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">70 parts</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

0035Then, a toner image was formed on each of the thus-obtained image receiving sheets according to Examples 1-1 and 1-2 by a known electrophotographic method. Then, each of the image receiving sheets having the formed toner images was allowed to pass through a heat roller fixing apparatus so a to be subjected to heating and pressing process. Note that the toner contains polyester resin as the binder thereof and formed into particles colored by pigment.

0036The offset resistance and surface smoothness of the obtained images were evaluated. The offset of the image was evaluated such that samples having no offset in the image portion were evaluated to be ○, samples having partial offset were evaluated to be Δ, and samples having offset were evaluated to be ×. Since the surface smoothness is greatly reflected on the transparency, a haze meter (NDH-1001DP manufactured by NIPPON DENSYOKU KOGYO Co., LTD.) was used to measure the haze of a solid image. Results of evaluation of the obtained images were shown in Table 1. <tables id="tabl0003" num="0003"><table frame="all"><title>[Table 1]</title><tgroup cols="3"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="23mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="30mm" /><colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="13mm" /><thead><row><entry align="center" valign="middle" /><entry align="center" valign="middle">Offset Resistance</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">Haze</entry></row></thead><tbody><row rowsep="0"><entry align="center" valign="middle">Example 1-1</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">○</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">30%</entry></row><row><entry align="center" valign="middle">Example 1-2</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">○</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">20%</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

0037As shown in Table 1, the image receiving sheets according to Examples 1-1 and 1-2 had excellent offset resistance and transparency as compared with the following Comparative Example 1-1. The resin according to Example 1-2 enables the toner to be deeply embedded in the image receiving layer. Thus, the surface smoothness can be improved and an image having excellent transparency can be obtained.

(Comparative Example 1-1)

0038In Comparative Example 1-1, experimental resin having distribution of the molecular weight which had no shoulder or the like and which had one peak was employed to form the image receiving sheet in comparison to Examples 1-1 and 1-2. The following coating solutions 3 and 4 for the image receiving layers for forming the image receiving sheets according to Comparative Example 1-1 were used to evaluate the offset resistance of the image and haze. Results were shown in Table 2. <tables id="tabl0004" num="0004"><table frame="none"><title>Coating Solution 3</title><tgroup cols="2"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="50mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="23mm" /><tbody><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">polyester resin</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">30 parts</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">distribution of molecular weight:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">peak 70,000</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">insoluble matter of THF:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">22 %</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Acid Value:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">40 mgKOH/g</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">methylethylketone:toluene = 1:1</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">70 parts</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables><tables id="tabl0005" num="0005"><table frame="none"><title>Coating Solution 4</title><tgroup cols="2"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="50mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="23mm" /><tbody><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">polyester resin</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">30 parts</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">distribution of molecular weight:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">peak 5,000</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">insoluble matter of THF:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">15 %</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Acid Value:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">38 mgKOH/g</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">methylethylketone:toluene = 1:1</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">70 parts</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables><tables id="tabl0006" num="0006"><table frame="all"><title>[Table 2]</title><tgroup cols="3"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="64mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="30mm" /><colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="13mm" /><thead><row><entry align="center" valign="middle" /><entry align="center" valign="middle">Offset Resistance</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">Haze</entry></row></thead><tbody><row rowsep="0"><entry align="center" valign="middle">Comparative Example (coating solution 3)</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">○</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">60%</entry></row><row><entry align="center" valign="middle">Comparative Example (coating Solution 4)</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">X</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">X</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

0039If the resin having the distribution of the molecular weight which has not shoulder or the like and which has one peak is used to form the image receiving layer, the realized transparency, that is, embedding of toner, is unsatisfactory though satisfactory offset resistance can be obtained in a case of the image receiving sheet manufactured by, for example the coating solution 3. Therefore, a high haze value is realized. If resin having a low molecular weight is employed to embed the toner, offset takes place. The haze of the image receiving sheet of the comparative example (coating solution 4) was evaluated to be example because of image offset and right evaluation could not be performed.

(Example 1-3)

0040The following resins A to E respectively containing insoluble matters of THF by 10 %, 20 %, 30 %, 40 % and 50 % were employed as the resins for the image receiving layers so as to be applied to the base, similarly to Example 1-1 so that images receiving sheets according to Example 1-3 were manufactured. The offset resistance and haze of the images on the obtained image receiving sheets were evaluated, similarly to Example 1-1. Results were shown in Table 3. The enlarged cross sectional view corresponds to <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1 (a)</figref>. <tables id="tabl0007" num="0007"><table frame="none"><title>Polyester Resin A (Comparative)</title><tgroup cols="2"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="50mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="45mm" /><tbody><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Distribution of Molecular Weight:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">peak 70,000, shoulder 2,000</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Insoluble Matter of THF:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">10 %</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Acid Value:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">48 mg KOH/g</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Ha/Hb:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">0.55</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables><tables id="tabl0008" num="0008"><table frame="none"><title>Polyester Resin B (Comparative)</title><tgroup cols="2"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="50mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="39mm" /><tbody><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Distribution of Molecular Weight:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">peak 30,000, peak 2,000</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Insoluble Matter of THF:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">20 %</entry></row><row rowsep="0"><entry colsep="0">Acid Value:</entry><entry colsep="0">40 mg KOH/g</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0">Ha/Hb:</entry><entry colsep="0">0.63</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables><tables id="tabl0009" num="0009"><table frame="none"><title>Polyester Resin C</title><tgroup cols="2"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="50mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="39mm" /><tbody><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Distribution of Molecular Weight:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">peak 95,000, peak 5,000</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Insoluble Matter of THF:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">30 %</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Acid Value:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">36 mg KOH/g</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Ha/Hb:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">0.37</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables><tables id="tabl0010" num="0010"><table frame="none"><title>Polyester Resin D</title><tgroup cols="2"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="50mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="46mm" /><tbody><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Distribution of Molecular Weight:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">shoulder 110,000, peak 8,000</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Insoluble Matter of THF:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">40 %</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Acid Value:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">29 mg KOH/g</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Ha/Hb:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">1.98</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables><tables id="tabl0011" num="0011"><table frame="none"><title>Polyester Resin E (Comparative)</title><tgroup cols="2"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="50mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="42mm" /><tbody><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Distribution of Molecular Weight:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">peak 150,000, peak 8,000</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Insoluble Matter of THF:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">50 %</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Acid Value:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">27 mg KOH/g</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Ha/Hb:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">1.58</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables><tables id="tabl0012" num="0012"><table frame="all"><title>[Table 3]</title><tgroup cols="3"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="38mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="30mm" /><colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="13mm" /><thead><row><entry align="center" valign="middle">Insoluble Matter of THF</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">Offset Resistance</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">Haze</entry></row></thead><tbody><row rowsep="0"><entry align="center" valign="middle">10%</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">○</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">20%</entry></row><row rowsep="0"><entry align="center" valign="middle">20%</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">○</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">25%</entry></row><row rowsep="0"><entry align="center" valign="middle">30%</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">○</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">30%</entry></row><row rowsep="0"><entry align="center" valign="middle">40%</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">○</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">40%</entry></row><row><entry align="center" valign="middle">50%</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">○</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">60%</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

0041If the insoluble matter of THF exceeds 40 % as shown in Table 3, the viscoelasticity of the image receiving layer is not lowered when fixing is performed. Thus, toner cannot sufficiently be embedded and thus the haze cannot be lowered. To lower the haze, it is preferable that the insoluble matter of THF be 20 % or lower.

(Example 1-4)

0042The following resins F to I respectively having acid values of 50, 75, 100 and 125 mgKOH/g were employed as the resins for the image receiving layers so as to be applied to the base, similarly to Example 1-1 so that image receiving sheets according to Example 1-1 were manufactured. The obtained image receiving sheets were used to form toner images by the known electrophotographic method under high temperature and high humidity condition (35°C/65 %RH). The quality of each of the formed images was evaluated. The quality of the images were evaluated to be ○, Δ and X such that disorder such as dispersion and lacking of the transferred image was evaluated. <tables id="tabl0013" num="0013"><table frame="none"><title>Polyester Resin F</title><tgroup cols="2"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="50mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="44mm" /><tbody><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Distribution of Molecular Weight:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">shoulder 70,000, peak 2,000</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Insoluble Matter of THF:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">13 %</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Acid Value:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">50 mg KOH/g</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Ha/Hb:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">1.58</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables><tables id="tabl0014" num="0014"><table frame="none"><title>Polyester Resin G</title><tgroup cols="2"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="50mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="44mm" /><tbody><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Distribution of Molecular Weight:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">peak 70,000, shoulder 5,000</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Insoluble Matter of THF:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">15 %</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Acid Value:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">75 mg KOH/g</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Ha/Hb:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">0.83</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables><tables id="tabl0015" num="0015"><table frame="none"><title>Polyester Resin H</title><tgroup cols="2"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="50mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="44mm" /><tbody><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Distribution of Molecular Weight:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">peak 65,000, shoulder 5,000</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Insoluble Matter of THF:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">22 %</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Acid Value:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">100 mg KOH/g</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Ha/Hb:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">0.71</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables><tables id="tabl0016" num="0016"><table frame="none"><title>Polyester Resin I (Comparative)</title><tgroup cols="2"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="50mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="40mm" /><tbody><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Distribution of Molecular Weight:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">peak 50,000, peak 4,000</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Insoluble Matter of THF:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">12 %</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Acid value:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">125 mg KOH/g</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Ha/Hb:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">1.41</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables><tables id="tabl0017" num="0017"><table frame="all"><title>[Table 4]</title><tgroup cols="2"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="21mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="42mm" /><thead><row><entry align="center" valign="middle">Acid Value</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">Evaluated Quality of Image</entry></row></thead><tbody><row rowsep="0"><entry align="center" valign="middle">50</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">○</entry></row><row rowsep="0"><entry align="center" valign="middle">75</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">△</entry></row><row rowsep="0"><entry align="center" valign="middle">100</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">△</entry></row><row><entry align="center" valign="middle">125</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">X</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

0043As shown in Table 4, if the acid value exceeds 100 mgKOH/g, the surface characteristic, such as the resistance, is changed due to moisture absorption of the resin in the image receiving layer when the toner and humidity are high. This leads to disorder of the transferred image. It is furthermore preferable that the acid value be 50 mgKOH/g or lower.

(Example 1-5)

0044Resigns J to O having the following ratio Ha/Hb were employed as the resin for the image receiving layer when the height of the maximum peak or shoulder in region A in which the molecular weight is less than 10,000 in the distribution of the molecular weight measured by GPC is Haze and the height of the maximum peak or shoulder in region Brightness in which the molecular weight is 10,000 or more. The resin was applied to the base, similarly to Example 1-1 so that the image receiving sheets according to Example 1-5 were manufactured. The offset resistance and haze of the images formed on the obtained image receiving sheets were evaluated similarly to Examples 1-1. Results were shown in Table 5. The enlarged cross sectional view corresponds to <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1 (a)</figref>. <tables id="tabl0018" num="0018"><table frame="none"><title>Polyester Resin J (Comparative)</title><tgroup cols="2"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="50mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="41mm" /><tbody><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Distribution of Molecular Weight:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">peak 110,000, peak 8,000</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Insoluble Matter of THF:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">13 %</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Acid Value:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">27 mg KOH/g</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Ha/Hb:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">0.1</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables><tables id="tabl0019" num="0019"><table frame="none"><title>Polyester Resin K</title><tgroup cols="2"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="50mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="44mm" /><tbody><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Distribution of Molecular Weight:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">peak 65,000, shoulder 8,000</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Insoluble Matter of THF:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">10 %</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Acid Value:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">28 mg KOH/g</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Ha/Hb:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">0.2</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables><tables id="tabl0020" num="0020"><table frame="none"><title>Polyester Resin L</title><tgroup cols="2"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="50mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="44mm" /><tbody><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Distribution of Molecular Weight:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">peak 25,000, shoulder 5,000</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Insoluble Matter of THF:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">16 %</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Acid Value:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">34 mg KOH/g</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Ha/Hb:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">0.25</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables><tables id="tabl0021" num="0021"><table frame="none"><title>Polyester Resin M</title><tgroup cols="2"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="50mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="39mm" /><tbody><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Distribution of Molecular Weight:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">peak 70,000, peak 7,000</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Insoluble Matter of THF:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">19 %</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Acid Value:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">35 mg KOH/g</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Ha/Hb:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">4</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables><tables id="tabl0022" num="0022"><table frame="none"><title>Polyester Resin N (Comparative)</title><tgroup cols="2"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="50mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="39mm" /><tbody><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Distribution of Molecular Weight:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">peak 81,000, peak 7,000</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Insoluble Matter of THF:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">11 %</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Acid Value:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">24 mg KOH/g</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Ha/Hb:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">5</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables><tables id="tabl0023" num="0023"><table frame="none"><title>Polyester Resin O (Comparative)</title><tgroup cols="2"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="50mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="39mm" /><tbody><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Distribution of Molecular Weight:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">peak 81,000, peak 7,000</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Insoluble Matter of THF:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">19 %</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Acid Value:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">44 mg KOH/g</entry></row><row><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">Ha/Hb:</entry><entry colsep="0" rowsep="0">10</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables><tables id="tabl0024" num="0024"><table frame="all"><title>[Table 5]</title><tgroup cols="3"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="14mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="30mm" /><colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="13mm" /><thead><row><entry align="center" valign="middle">Ha/Hb</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">Offset Resistance</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">Haze</entry></row></thead><tbody><row rowsep="0"><entry align="center" valign="middle">0.1</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">○</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">60%</entry></row><row rowsep="0"><entry align="center" valign="middle">0.2</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">○</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">30%</entry></row><row rowsep="0"><entry align="center" valign="middle">0.25</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">○</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">20%</entry></row><row rowsep="0"><entry align="center" valign="middle">4</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">○</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">20%</entry></row><row rowsep="0"><entry align="center" valign="middle">5</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">△</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">15%</entry></row><row><entry align="center" valign="middle">10</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">X</entry><entry align="center" valign="middle">X</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

0045As shown in Table 5, if the Ha/Hb is included in the range from 0.2 to 5, both of the offset resistance and haze can be improved. If it is 0.25 to 4, an image receiving sheet having balanced offset resistance and surface smoothness can be obtained,

0046If the resin in the image receiving layer has an acid value of 100 mgKOH/g or less, deterioration in the transferred image attributable to change in the environment can be prevented.

0047Since distribution of molecular weight of the resin in the image receiving layer measured by GPC has at least one peak or shoulder in region A in which the molecular weight is less than 10,000 and region B in which the same is 10,000 or more, and 0.2 ≤ Ha/Hb &lt; 5 is satisfied when the height of the maximum peak or shoulder in the region A is Haze and the maximum peak or shoulder in the region B is Hb, balance of the surface smoothness and offset resistance attributable embedding of toner can satisfactorily be set.