New method for forming pictorial pattern on magnetic recording medium, laminate for transfer/magnetic recording medium to be used for this method

The present invention relates to a method of forming a pattern on a laminated body obtained by transferring a layered transfer material containing a magnetic recording layer onto a base material, and particularly using a transfer material having a magnetic recording layer such as a credit card or a bank card as a base material. A pattern was formed by a novel pattern forming method for forming an identifiable pattern from the surface of the magnetic card transferred onto the magnetic card on the magnetic recording layer side, a transfer laminate used for the pattern, and the pattern forming method. Regarding magnetic recording media.

For magnetic cards such as credit cards and bank cards that require high design, a colored layer is provided on the magnetic recording layer of the magnetic stripe to completely hide the black and brown colors derived from the magnetic powder originally possessed by the magnetic recording layer. Colored magnetic stripes have been conventionally known, and in recent years, magnetic stripes with a pattern in which a pattern is further formed on a magnetic recording layer or a colored layer provided on the magnetic recording layer are also known. To form this magnetic stripe, as shown in the process diagram of FIG. 11, a release layer, a protective layer, or a protective layer having a release function is formed on the transfer substrate, a pattern is formed on the release layer, and then the magnetic stripe is further formed. A colored layer that hides the hue of the recording layer, a magnetic recording layer, and an adhesive layer are formed in this order to prepare a laminate, and the laminate is cut to a desired width to obtain a transfer laminate for a magnetic stripe. The transfer laminate for the magnetic stripe thus obtained is transferred to the oversheet of the card base material, and heat-pressed together with the center core with the pattern on the card and the oversheet on the opposite surface, and the magnetic stripe is applied. Obtain a magnetic stripe card with a pattern in which the transfer material for the card is embedded in the oversheet, which is the base material of the card (see Fig. 1).

Since the magnetic stripe with a pattern formed in this way is a pattern printing portion located on the surface layer side of the card, the distance between the magnetic head and the magnetic recording layer at the time of recording / playback is the distance between the pattern portion and the non-pattern portion. Although some spacing is different, this change in spacing tends to cause fluctuations in the magnetic output, increasing the likelihood of errors when reading information. Further, in the production of the transfer laminate, the pattern printing of the transfer laminate for the magnetic stripe with a pattern is used to form a release layer, a protective layer or a protective layer having a release function on the transfer substrate. This is then done, after which a colored layer, a magnetic recording layer and an adhesive layer are formed. The pattern printing must be performed at the initial stage of the manufacturing process of the transfer laminate for the magnetic stripe, and after the pattern is determined and manufactured, more steps and time are required to obtain the transfer laminate for the magnetic stripe. It is made. Therefore, if it is necessary to correct the pattern after the transfer material for the magnetic stripe with the pattern is completed, the pattern cannot be corrected in a short time, and the pattern correction causes a large delay in delivery and deterioration of efficiency. .. In order to solve these problems, in order to eliminate the step between the pattern portion and the non-pattern portion due to the pattern printing, a negative pattern of the print portion is used so as to fill the space of the non-print portion, and the entire upper part of the pattern portion is formed. A method of printing an ink having the same hue as that of the concealing layer to fill the space of the non-patterned portion is disclosed (Patent Document 1).

However, although this method has the effect of suppressing output fluctuations, it is not perfect, and it is impossible to shorten the manufacturing process time from the determination of the pattern to the completion of the transfer material. It is inevitable that it will take the same amount of time as when remaking from the first step. Furthermore, a new coating process was required to fill the non-patterned part, and a decrease in production efficiency was unavoidable.<patcit num="1"><text>Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-155937</text></patcit>

<p> The problem to be solved by the present invention is a method of forming an identifiable pattern from the surface on a magnetic stripe including a magnetic recording layer of a magnetic card, and the delivery time from the formation of the pattern to the production of the magnetic card is short, and the pattern is formed. To provide a method for manufacturing a magnetic card whose magnetic output does not fluctuate depending on a pattern, a transfer laminate used for manufacturing the magnetic card, and a magnetic card manufactured by the manufacturing method, which can respond quickly to changes. With the goal.</p>

<p> The present invention is a method for forming a pattern on a magnetic recording layer of a magnetic recording medium obtained by transferring a layered transfer material including a magnetic recording layer formed on a transfer substrate onto the substrate. The colorant of the pattern-forming region previously formed in the transfer material or on the substrate diffuses in the transfer material in a direction close to the surface after transfer, so that the pattern in the pattern-forming region can be identified. Provided is a pattern forming method characterized by becoming. Further, the present invention is a transfer laminate in which a layered transfer material having a magnetic recording layer and a pattern forming region is formed on a transfer base material, and the pattern forming region is formed above the magnetic recording layer. Provided is a transfer laminate characterized by the above. Further, the present invention is a layer including a magnetic recording layer on a base material for carrying out the pattern forming method, and a transfer laminate for forming a pattern identifiable from the magnetic recording layer side. A transfer laminate having a layered transfer material including a magnetic recording layer on a transfer substrate, and the colorant forming the pattern is distributed at least over the entire width of the magnetic recording layer in the film thickness direction. Provide the body. The present invention also provides a magnetic recording medium characterized in that a pattern is formed by the pattern forming method. Furthermore, the present invention is a magnetic card having a magnetic recording layer on a base material and a pattern recognizable from the magnetic recording layer side, and the colorant forming the pattern is at least at a position corresponding to the pattern. Provided is a magnetic card distributed over the entire width of the magnetic recording layer in the film thickness direction.</p>

<p> According to the pattern forming method of the present invention, the pattern can be identified by diffusing the colorant in the pattern forming region through the transfer material including the magnetic recording layer in a direction close to the surface of the transfer material after transfer. Therefore, the colorants forming the pattern are distributed not on the surface of the transfer material but in the film thickness direction in the transfer material to form the pattern. Therefore, the surface of the transfer material is not formed with irregularities due to the pattern, and the smoothness is maintained. When a magnetic card having a pattern on the magnetic recording layer is produced by using the pattern forming method of the present invention, the colorant of the pattern forming region formed in the transfer material or on the card substrate, or both of them is used. By heating in the card manufacturing process or heating in the aging step before card manufacturing, it passes through the transfer material, diffuses toward the surface of the transfer material after card formation, and is distributed in the film thickness direction of the transfer material. The pattern becomes identifiable. For this reason, the colorant does not localize on the surface of the card, and the formation of the pattern does not cause fluctuations in spacing, which is the distance between the colorant and the magnetic head during recording and reproduction, on the surface of the laminate. No fluctuations occur. Further, since the pattern forming region can be formed in the transfer material of the transfer laminate or on the card substrate, it can be formed at the final stage of the manufacturing process of the transfer laminate or individually from the transfer laminate. is there. For this reason, the delivery time from pattern formation to card production can be shortened, and it is possible to quickly respond to changes in the pattern.</p>

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail. In the present invention, the pattern forming region is provided at an arbitrary portion in the transfer material or at an arbitrary position selected from the substrate surface portion at the position where the transfer material is transferred, except for the portion that becomes the uppermost layer of the transfer material after transfer. Can be formed. However, the step of forming a pattern-forming region where design changes are frequently made is preferably as final as possible in the step of forming a laminate, for example, forming a pattern on a magnetic stripe on a card substrate. In some cases, it is preferable that the pattern forming region is formed on, for example, the adhesive layer of the transfer laminate for forming the magnetic stripe, or on the substrate side on which the magnetic stripe is transferred. In this way, for example, by creating a transfer laminate for a plain magnetic stripe that does not print a pattern in advance, as soon as the design of the magnetic card including the magnetic stripe pattern is decided, the transfer laminate or the card base Since it is possible to print a pattern on a material and manufacture a card through a transfer process and a thermal pressure pressing process, it is possible to manufacture a magnetic card with a pattern magnetic stripe in a short delivery time from an order.

Further, in the pattern forming method of the present invention, since the coloring agent in the pattern forming region is diffused in the surface direction of the transfer material to form an identifiable pattern, the coloring agent is diffused on the pattern forming region and is held in an identifiable manner. Area is required. If the film thickness of the region is too thin, the pattern is not sufficiently formed, and the colorant is diffused in the lateral direction, and the pattern tends to be unclear. On the other hand, if the film thickness of the region is too thick, the diffusion region may become too wide and the pattern may become unclear. Therefore, the total film thickness of the laminate located above the pattern forming region is preferably about 2 to 50 μm, more preferably about 3 to 20 μm, excluding the film thickness of the colorant diffusion prevention layer.

Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing a magnetic card as an example of a magnetic recording medium using the pattern forming method of the present invention will be described in detail. As one of the embodiments of the pattern forming method of the present invention, a method of forming a pattern that can be identified after transfer using the pattern forming method on a transfer material for a magnetic stripe of a magnetic card is shown in FIG. 2 and a process diagram. The explanation will be given with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the transfer laminate used in the production method of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a flow of the production method. In FIG. 9, the case where the pattern forming region is provided on the heat-sensitive transfer agent layer, which has the smallest number of work constants from the pattern formation to the card production and is the most advantageous in the process, is shown. In this method, as shown in FIG. 2, a colorant diffusion prevention layer 1 and a color layer 3 are formed on the transfer substrate 9 as needed, a magnetic recording layer 4 is formed on the layer, and a magnetic recording layer 4 is formed on the layer, if necessary. The heat-sensitive adhesive layer 5 is laminated and formed to prepare a transfer laminate for a plain magnetic stripe. As soon as the pattern to be formed on the magnetic stripe is determined, the pattern is printed on the heat-sensitive adhesive provided on the magnetic recording layer of the transfer material for the magnetic stripe to prepare a transfer laminate having a pattern forming function. The transfer laminate for the magnetic stripe is heated in the state of the transfer material for the magnetic stripe (Fig. 9- (1)), so that the colorant in the pattern forming region diffuses toward the transfer substrate of the transfer laminate. After transfer, it is peeled off from the transfer substrate and becomes identifiable from the surface of the transfer material transferred onto the substrate (see Fig. 3). Alternatively, the colorant in the pattern forming region is a heat pressing step in which the transfer material for the magnetic stripe is transferred to the oversheet and then combined with the center core and the oversheet on the opposite side of the center core to integrate the card substrate. According to (Fig. 9- (2)), when the transfer material for magnetic stripe is embedded in the card substrate, the colorant diffuses toward the surface of the transfer material after transfer to the oversheet, and the pattern is transferred from the surface of the magnetic stripe. It becomes identifiable. It is preferable to perform the aging step (FIG. 9- (1)) in the state of the transfer laminate because the colorant can be diffused more reliably.

Further, as another embodiment of the pattern forming method of the present invention, FIGS. 4 and 10 show a method of forming the pattern on the portion where the magnetic stripe of the oversheet, which is the base material for the card, is transferred. This method is the same as the method shown in FIG. 9 up to the part where the transfer laminate for the magnetic stripe that does not print the pattern is prepared in advance, but as soon as the pattern of the magnetic stripe is determined, the pattern is used as the base for the card. A heat pressing process in which the magnetic stripe of the material is formed on the part to be transferred, the transfer material for the magnetic stripe is transferred to the oversheet, and then combined with the center core to integrate the card substrate together with the oversheet on the opposite side of the center core. Is performed, and the transfer material for magnetic stripe is embedded in the card base material. At this time, the colorant diffuses in the surface direction of the transfer material transferred to the oversheet through the magnetic recording layer, so that the pattern can be identified from the surface of the magnetic stripe. As shown in the cross-sectional view (FIG. 5) of the magnetic stripe portion of the magnetic card manufactured in this manner, the card base material oversheet 6 laminated on the oversheet surface of the center core 7 protects the transfer material for the magnetic stripe. The colorant diffusion prevention layer 1 that also serves as a layer is exposed on the card surface and the transfer material for the magnetic stripe is embedded, and the thickness direction of the color layer 3, the magnetic recording layer 4, and the heat-sensitive adhesive layer 5 of the transfer material for the magnetic stripe. It has a pattern colorant diffusion region 2 in which the colorant is diffused all over. Therefore, the pattern can be identified from the colorant diffusion prevention layer 1 side.

A magnetic card having a pattern on the magnetic stripe portion can be formed by the above procedure, but the pattern forming method of the present invention can be applied to a place other than the magnetic stripe, or to a magnetic recording medium other than the magnetic card. It can also be applied to a laminated body having no magnetic recording layer. The pattern forming method in such a case can be dealt with by omitting the magnetic recording layer in the process diagrams of FIGS. 9 and 10, adding another layer in terms of configuration, or replacing the magnetic recording layer with another functional layer. be able to. Further, the transfer laminate for the magnetic stripe only covers a part of the base material, but a transfer laminate that covers the entire surface of the base material may be used.

Hereinafter, each component of the transfer laminate used in the pattern forming method and the method for producing a magnetic recording medium of the present invention will be described in more detail step by step. The transfer laminate for magnetic stripes, which is one of the aspects of the transfer laminate of the present invention, is colored as needed on the transfer substrate 9 as shown in the cross-sectional configuration diagram of FIG. It can be produced by sequentially laminating an agent diffusion prevention layer 1, a colored layer 3 formed as needed, a magnetic recording layer 4, and a heat-sensitive adhesive layer 5 formed as needed. Then, the pattern printing 10 can be provided on the heat-sensitive adhesive layer.

In the transfer laminate used in the pattern forming method of the present invention, any known and commonly used film can be used as the transfer base film. For example, polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyolefins such as polypropylene, cellulose derivatives such as cellulose triacetate, and plastics such as polyamide can be mentioned. Of these, polyethylene terephthalate, which has both tensile strength and heat resistance, is preferable. The thickness of the transfer base film is not particularly limited, but is usually 3 to 100 μm, preferably 5 to 50 μm.

A colorant diffusion prevention layer can be used in the transfer laminate used in the pattern forming method of the present invention. The colorant diffusion prevention layer has a property of preventing the colorant of the pattern diffused through the heat-sensitive adhesive layer, the magnetic recording layer, and the coloring layer by heat from further diffusing beyond the colorant diffusion prevention layer to the outside, and further. In the transfer step of the transfer material, the colorant in the pattern forming region is prevented from adhering to the metal plate for hot pressure pressing. In addition, the colorant diffusion prevention layer functions as a protective layer for the magnetic stripe transfer material. Further, the colorant diffusion prevention layer is preferably substantially transparent so that the pattern of the colorant that has diffused to just below the colorant diffusion prevention layer can be identified.

Examples of the binder resin constituting the colorant diffusion prevention layer include a cellulose resin, a butyral resin, an acrylic resin, a polyurethane resin, a polyester resin, a copolymer of vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate, or vinyl alcohol and anhydrous. Examples thereof include vinyl chloride resins such as copolymers containing maleic acid or acrylic acid, epoxy resins, phenol resins, melamine resins, and mixtures of these resins. In order to effectively prevent the colorant, it is preferable to use a resin having a glass transition point higher than the transfer laminate heating temperature or the hot pressure press temperature when the colorant diffuses.

Examples of the solvent used for the paint for the colorant diffusion prevention layer include ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone and cyclohexanone, esters such as methyl acetate, ethyl acetate and butyl acetate, alcohols such as ethanol, hexane, toluene and xylene. The above-mentioned hydrocarbons can be mentioned, and two or more kinds of these solvents can be mixed and used. Further, soybean lecithin, microsilica, wax or the like can be added as a film modifier to the colorant diffusion prevention layer, if necessary. Further, it is preferable to add a curing agent such as a polyisocyanate compound to crosslink the resin binder molecules in order to improve the durability of the colorant diffusion prevention layer. It is important that the colorant diffusion prevention layer does not have a porous shape so that the colorant diffusion can be effectively prevented, and it is preferable that the colorant diffusion prevention layer does not contain various fillers that easily cause pores in the layer.

The colorant diffusion prevention layer is obtained by applying the diffusion prevention layer paint adjusted as described above onto the temporary support film by a known and conventional method such as a reverse method, a gravure method, and a die coat method. The thickness of the dry coating film of the colorant diffusion prevention layer is better as it is thinner in terms of recording / reproducing characteristics, but it is preferably 0.1 to 5 μm, more preferably 0.3 to 2 μm in consideration of the balance with strength, durability and the like.

The transfer laminate used in the pattern forming method of the present invention may have a coloring layer (concealing layer), contains a binder resin and a coloring agent as components, and hides the hue in the magnetic recording layer. Fabrication of a fluorescent pattern with a fluorescent agent that diffuses in the colored layer. Pigments used for colorants include alumina, titanium oxide, chromium oxide, iron oxide, zinc oxide, barium sulfate, etc. as inorganic pigments, and azo-based, phthalocyanine-based, quinacridone-based, perylene-based, and anthraquinone-based pigments as organic pigments. There are many types such as thioindigo type and indanthrone type, but they are not particularly limited. Further, a dye such as a phthalocyanine dye, an azo dye, a nitro dye, a quinoline dye, a methine dye, an azine dye, or a fataline dye can be used in place of or in combination with the above pigment. In addition, as a pigment capable of effectively hiding the hue of the magnetic layer, flaky metal powder can also be used, and as the metal, aluminum, gold, silver, copper, brass, titanium, chromium, nickel, nickel chromium, stainless steel, etc. Can be used. The phosphorus flake metal powder is adjusted into a plate shape by a ball mill or the like, and the size of these shapes in the plane direction is preferably 5 to 25 μm, more preferably 10 to 15 μm. The thickness is about 0.1 to 1 μm.

As the binder resin used for the paint for the colored layer, a known and commonly used binder resin can be used. For example, in addition to the binder resin described in the case of the protective layer, polyimide resin, polyamide resin, rosin-modified maleic acid resin, polystyrene resin, cellac, alkyd resin and the like can be mentioned. It can also be thermoset using an isocyanate compound. The colorant in the pattern forming region can be diffused toward the surface of the transfer material through the colored layer. The speed and difficulty of diffusion differ depending on the type of resin used for the colored layer, but the temperature applied to the transfer material and the resin used for the colored layer can be appropriately selected and adjusted. In order to facilitate the diffusion of the colorant, it is preferable that the Tg of the binder resin used for the color layer is lower than the temperature applied to the transfer material. As the solvent used for the paint for the colored layer, a known and commonly used solvent can be used, and for example, the solvent already described in the case of the protective layer can be used. For the formation of the colored layer, the colorant is mixed alone or in a solvent that dissolves the binder resin and two or more kinds, and known as a two-roll mill, a three-roll mill, a ball mill, a sand mill, a dispersion, and the like. It can be carried out by dispersing the paint by a conventional method to prepare a paint for a colored layer, applying the paint by a known conventional method such as a reverse method, a gravure coating method, and a die coating method, and drying the paint.

The film thickness of the colored layer is preferably thick to cover the brown or black color of the magnetic recording layer. However, when it is made into a card, it is located on the surface layer side of the card rather than the magnetic recording layer. Therefore, if the film thickness of the colored layer is made too large, the spacing loss becomes large, the reproduction output characteristic deteriorates, and information Increases the likelihood of reading errors. Therefore, the film thickness of the colored layer is preferably 2 to 5 μm, particularly preferably 3 to 4 μm.

The magnetic recording layer in the pattern forming method and the transfer laminate of the present invention is, for example, a magnetic recording layer coating material containing a magnetic powder, a binder resin and a solvent that dissolves the binder resin, on a transfer substrate, or. It can be formed by coating on the colorant diffusion prevention layer or on the colorant layer. As the magnetic powder contained in the magnetic recording layer, known magnetic powders such as γ-iron oxide, magnetite, cobalt-coated iron oxide, chromium dioxide, iron-based metal magnetic powder, barium ferrite, and strontium ferrite are used. be able to. A coercive force in the range of 20 to 320 kA / m is preferable. As the binder resin used for the magnetic recording layer, a known and commonly used binder resin can be used. For example, in general, the binder resin or the like described in the section on the colored layer can be used. It can also be thermoset using an isocyanate compound. Further, as the solvent used for the coating material for the magnetic recording layer, for example, the solvent described in the case of the protective layer can be generally used. The colorant in the pattern forming region can be diffused to the surface of the transfer material through the magnetic recording layer. The speed and difficulty of diffusion differ depending on the type of resin, but the temperature applied to the transfer material and the resin used for the magnetic recording layer can be appropriately selected and adjusted. In order to facilitate the diffusion of the colorant, it is preferable that the Tg of the binder resin used for the magnetic recording layer is lower than the temperature applied to the transfer material.

If necessary, auxiliaries such as surfactants, silane coupling agents, plasticizers, waxes and silicone oils, and carbon black and other fillers can be added to the magnetic paint. The paint for the magnetic recording layer can be obtained, for example, by kneading and dispersing the above magnetic powder, binder resin, and solvent by a known and commonly used method. Examples of the kneading and dispersing machine include a two-roll mill, a three-roll mill, and a ball mill. , Henschel mixer, cobol mill, sand mill, dispersion, homogenizer, kneader, etc. can be used. The method for applying the paint for the magnetic recording layer is not particularly limited, and a known and commonly used coating method may be used. After applying a predetermined amount of the magnetic paint, the direction in which the magnetic powder is easily magnetized is the direction in which the magnetic recording layer is applied. Orientation treatment is performed so as to be, and drying is performed. As the coating method, for example, a gravure method, a reverse method, a transfer coater method, a kiss coater method, a die coater method and the like can be used. Further, after coating by the above coating method, it is preferable to perform the magnetic field orientation treatment before the coating film dries from the viewpoint of recording / reproducing characteristics. As the magnetic field orientation method, a known method, for example, a repulsive opposed permanent magnet, a solenoid type electromagnet, or the like can be used. The magnetic field strength is preferably in the range of 1000 to 6000 G. The dry film thickness of the magnetic recording layer is preferably in the range of 2 to 50 μm, more preferably in the range of 5 to 20 μm.

In the pattern forming method and the transfer laminate of the present invention, a heat-sensitive adhesive layer can be used for the purpose of adhering the transfer laminate and the card base material. The thermal adhesive layer generally contains a resin exhibiting thermal adhesiveness. Examples of the resin exhibiting heat-sensitive adhesiveness include a vinyl chloride-based resin such as a copolymer of vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate, or a copolymer obtained by further adding vinyl alcohol, maleic anhydride, acrylic acid, or the like, or a polyester resin. , Acrylic resin, polyimide resin, polyurethane resin and the like. Further, as the solvent used for the heat-sensitive adhesive layer, for example, the solvent described in the case of the protective layer can be used. In the heat-sensitive adhesive layer, a resin exhibiting heat-sensitive adhesiveness is dissolved in a solvent, mixed and stirred to prepare an adhesive paint, and this adhesive paint is placed on a magnetic recording layer on a known method such as a reverse method, a gravure method, or a die coat method. It is obtained by applying and drying according to the method. The film thickness of the heat-sensitive adhesive layer is preferably 0.5 to 15 μm, particularly preferably 0.5 to 5 μm. The colorant in the pattern forming region can be diffused toward the surface of the transfer material through the heat-sensitive adhesive layer. The speed and difficulty of diffusion differ depending on the type of resin used for the heat-sensitive adhesive layer, but the temperature applied to the transfer material and the resin used for the magnetic recording layer can be appropriately selected and adjusted. In order to facilitate the diffusion of the colorant, it is preferable that the Tg of the binder resin used for the heat-sensitive adhesive layer is lower than the temperature applied to the transfer material.

The pattern forming method of the present invention and the pattern forming region in the transfer laminate can be formed by printing the following pattern forming ink. The pattern-forming ink contains a binder resin, a colorant, and a solvent. As colorants for pattern forming inks, oil-soluble dyes such as monoazo, disazo, metal complex salt, anthraquinone, phthalocyanine, triarylmethane, and perylene, which are conventionally used in various coloring fields, and inorganics. Pigments include alumina, titanium oxide, chromium oxide, iron oxide, zinc oxide, barium sulfate, etc. Organic pigments include azo, phthalocyanine, quinacridone, perylene, anthraquinone, thioindigo, indanthrone, etc. However, it is preferable that it has a property of being able to satisfactorily diffuse in the magnetic recording layer and the colored layer by heat. Dyes are preferably used, and oil-soluble dyes are particularly preferable. As the binder resin used for the pattern forming ink, a known and commonly used binder resin can be used. For example, as described in the pattern colorant diffusion prevention layer, the colorant, the magnetic recording layer, and the heat-sensitive adhesive layer, the heat-sensitive adhesive for printing the pattern and the adhesiveness to the oversheet base material for cards can be mentioned. A binder resin that does not hinder the adhesiveness of the transfer material for magnetic stripe to the card substrate oversheet is preferable, and the binder resin for heat-sensitive adhesive can be preferably used. As the solvent used for the pattern forming ink, a known and commonly used solvent can be used, and for example, the solvent already described in the case of the pattern colorant diffusion prevention layer, the colorant, the magnetic recording layer, and the thermal adhesive layer can be used.

The pattern-forming ink is known as a two-roll mill, a three-roll mill, a ball mill, a sand mill, a disper, etc., in which a colorant is mixed alone or in a solvent that dissolves the binder resin and the binder resin. Disperse by a conventional method to prepare a pattern-forming ink. Known printing methods such as gravure printing, flexo printing, offset printing, screen printing, and inkjet can be used for pattern printing, but gravure printing is particularly suitable from the viewpoint of print quality and productivity. The film thickness of the pattern forming area is not particularly limited, but if the film thickness is too thick, the transfer material for the magnetic stripe is generally wound up in a reel shape, so that a step due to the film thickness difference between the non-printing area and the printed area If the film thickness is large, the transfer material may be deformed and the adhesiveness between the transfer material for magnetic stripe and the card substrate may be deteriorated, and the film thickness is preferably 0.5 to 5 μm, particularly preferably 0.5 to 2.0 μm. In this way, the pattern forming ink is used to form a pattern on, for example, the heat-sensitive adhesive surface of the transfer material for magnetic stripes or the portion where the magnetic stripes of the card substrate are transferred.

As a method of diffusing the pattern thus formed in the transfer material, the transfer material is left on the transfer substrate in a high temperature environment of 40 to 80 ° C for several hours to several days before the transfer step. A method of diffusing the colorant by this heat to diffuse the colorant to the transfer substrate side so that the colorant can be identified from the transfer material side after the transfer material is transferred, and the transfer material is applied to the oversheet of the card substrate. After transfer, it is sandwiched between a metal plate for hot pressure pressing together with an oversheet on the opposite side of the center core with the pattern on the card, and heat pressed at a temperature of 100 to 160 ° C for several tens of minutes to several hours. , There is a method of diffusing the colorant on the surface side of the transfer material after transfer to make it identifiable from the surface of the magnetic card.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to Examples and Comparative Examples, but the present invention is not limited to the Examples, and the parts below shall represent parts by mass. The transfer base film and each paint shown below are used in Examples and Comparative Examples. A. Transfer substrate film Polyethylene terephthalate film with a thickness of 24 μm B. Colorant Diffusion prevention layer paint (also functions as a protective layer) 8 parts of cellulose acetate resin ("L-20" manufactured by Daicel Chemical Co., Ltd.) Cellulose Acetate Propionate Resin 2 Parts ("CAP-504-0.2" manufactured by Eastman Chemical Company 25 parts of acetone 25 parts of ethyl acetate toluene 20 copies 20 parts of cyclohexanone 4 parts of polyisocyanate (Dai Nippon Ink and Chemicals Co., Ltd. "Hardener No.50 (active ingredient: 50%)" Sufficiently stir all of the above materials except polyisocyanate with a disper. After being dissolved in, the above polyisocyanate was added, and the mixture was further stirred and homogenized with a disper to prepare a paint for a colorant diffusion prevention layer.

C. Paint for colored layer Phosphorus flaky metal powder: 20 parts of aluminum powder (Showa Aluminum Powder "210EA") 16 parts of vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin (Union Carbide "VAGH") 4 parts of polyurethane resin ("TS-03" manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals Co., Ltd.) 75 parts of methyl ethyl ketone 75 parts of toluene Cyclohexanone 17 parts 5 parts of polyisocyanate ("Hardener No.50 (active ingredient: 50%)" manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals Co., Ltd.) All of the above materials except polyisocyanate are sufficiently dissolved by stirring with a disper. After that, the above polyisocyanate was added, and the mixture was further stirred and homogenized with a disper to prepare a paint for a colored layer.

D. Paint for magnetic recording layer 100 parts of barium ferrite magnetic powder ("MC-127" manufactured by Toda Kogyo Co., Ltd .; coercive force 220kA / m) 15 parts of vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin (Zeon Corporation "MR-110") 10 parts of polyurethane resin ("TS-03" manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals Co., Ltd.) MEK 50 copies 50 parts of toluene Cyclohexanone 25 parts 10 parts of polyisocyanate ("Hardener No.50 (active ingredient: 50%)" manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals Co., Ltd.) Using the above materials, a paint for a magnetic recording layer was prepared by the method shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 09-059541.

E. Paint for thermal adhesive layer 1 part of polyurethane resin ("TS-03" manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals Co., Ltd.) Vinyl Chloride-Vinyl Acetate Copolymer Resin 4 Parts ("Solvine C5" manufactured by Nissin Chemical Co., Ltd.) MEK 45 copies 50 parts of toluene The above materials were stirred with a disper to be sufficiently dissolved and homogenized to prepare a heat-sensitive adhesive paint.

F. Pattern ink [A] 4 parts of amine salt of chromium complex salt dye &lt;CI Solvent Black 43&gt; ("Eisenspiron Black GMH Special" manufactured by Hodogaya Chemical Co., Ltd.) 2 parts of polyurethane resin ("TS-03" manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals Co., Ltd.) 8 parts of vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin ("Solvine C5" manufactured by Nissin Chemical Co., Ltd.) MEK 43 copies 43 parts of toluene The above materials were stirred with a disper to be sufficiently dissolved and homogenized to prepare a pattern ink [A].

G. Pattern ink [B] Copper Phthalocyanine Dye &lt;CI Solvent Blue 70&gt; 4 Parts (BASF's "Neozapon Blue 807") 2 parts of polyurethane resin ("TS-03" manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals Co., Ltd.) 8 parts of vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin ("Solvine C5" manufactured by Nissin Chemical Co., Ltd.) MEK 43 copies 43 parts of toluene The above materials were stirred with a disper to be sufficiently dissolved and homogenized to prepare a pattern ink [B].

H. Pattern ink [C] 10 parts of carbon black (CABOT CORPORATION "REGAL99R") 8 parts of vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin (Union Carbide "VAGH") 2 parts of polyurethane resin ("TS-03" manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals Co., Ltd.) MEK 40 copies 40 parts of toluene 4 parts of polyisocyanate (Dainichi this Ink Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. "Hardener No.50 (active ingredient: 50%)") Pre-kneaded meat was carried out on two rolls together with carbon black and a vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin, and then passed through a sand mill together with other materials to prepare a pattern ink [C].

I. Pattern ink [D] 10 parts of copper phthalocyanine pigment 8 parts of vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin (Union Carbide "VAGH") 2 parts of polyurethane resin ("TS-03" manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals Co., Ltd.) MEK 40 copies 40 parts of toluene 4 parts of polyisocyanate ("Hardener No.50 (active ingredient: 50%)" manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals Co., Ltd.) Pre-kneaded meat was carried out on two rolls together with a copper phthalocyanine pigment and a vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin, and then passed through a sand mill together with other materials to prepare a pattern ink [D].

J. Paint for filling non-patterned parts Phosphorus flaky metal powder: 20 parts of aluminum powder (Showa Aluminum Powder "210EA") 16 parts of vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin (Union Carbide "VAGH") 4 parts of polyurethane resin ("TS-03" manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals Co., Ltd.) 75 parts of methyl ethyl ketone 75 parts of toluene Cyclohexanone 17 parts 5 parts of polyisocyanate ("Hardener No.50 (active ingredient: 50%)" manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals Co., Ltd.) All of the above materials except polyisocyanate are sufficiently dissolved by stirring with a disper. After that, the above polyisocyanate was added, and the mixture was further stirred and homogenized with a disper to prepare a paint for a colored layer.

(Example 1) A 24 μm-thick polyethylene terephthalate film is used as the transfer substrate, and the above-mentioned colorant diffusion prevention layer paint, color layer paint, magnetic recording layer paint, and heat-sensitive adhesive paint are applied on one side of the film. In order, all of them were applied and dried using a reverse coater, and a colorant diffusion prevention layer, a coloration layer, a magnetic recording layer, and a heat-sensitive adhesive layer were provided, respectively. The film thickness of each layer after drying was set to 1 μm for the colorant diffusion prevention layer, 4 μm for the colored layer, 9 μm for the magnetic recording layer, and 1.5 μm for the adhesive layer. As the pattern forming region, the pattern ink [A] was printed on the surface of the heat-sensitive adhesive layer of the transfer material prepared above by a gravure printing method so that the film thickness of the pattern portion was 1 μm, and the pattern was printed as shown in FIG. It was left in a high temperature room at ° C for 24 hours. After cutting the transfer material to a predetermined width using the transfer laminate for magnetic stripes produced above, an oversheet for a card substrate made of polyvinyl chloride (manufactured by Taihei Kagaku Co., Ltd.) using a heat seal tester (manufactured by Tester Sangyo Co., Ltd.) After transferring the transfer material to), the temporary support film is removed, and together with the oversheet on the opposite side of the center core for the card substrate, a flat pressure press (test vulcanization press) It was heat-pressed under the conditions of 140 ° C., 1.3 MPa, 20 to 30 minutes using (manufactured by Toyo Seimitsu Seisakusho), and then punched into a card shape to prepare a magnetic card Fig. 8.

(Example 2) In the pattern printing of Example 1, a magnetic card was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the pattern forming ink was the pattern forming ink [B]. (Example 3) In the pattern printing of Example 1, a magnetic card was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the transfer material for magnetic stripe after pattern printing was not left in a high temperature chamber at 60 ° C. for 24 hours. (Example 4) In the pattern printing of Example 2, a magnetic card was produced in the same manner as in Example 2 except that the transfer material for magnetic stripe after pattern printing was not left in a high temperature chamber at 60 ° C for 24 hours. (Example 5) In the first embodiment, the transfer material for the magnetic stripe is prepared in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and the pattern printing is performed using the pattern ink [A] on the portion where the magnetic stripe of the oversheet which is the base material for the card is transferred. As shown in FIG. 7, the pattern was printed by the gravure printing method. After that, a magnetic card was created in the same manner as the magnetic card creation method of Example 1. (Example 6) In the pattern printing of Example 3, a magnetic card was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the pattern ink was the pattern ink [B].

(Comparative example 1) A polyethylene terephthalate film with a thickness of 24 μm is used as the transfer base film, and the above-mentioned paint for the colorant diffusion prevention layer (for the protective layer) is applied on one side of this film, and a reverse coater is applied so that the film thickness after drying is 1 μm. It was applied and dried using. Then, using the pattern ink [C], the pattern was formed by gravure printing so that the film thickness of the pattern after drying was 1 μm. After that, using a gravure plate that becomes a negative pattern of the above pattern, the paint for filling the non-pattern portion is applied to a portion other than the pattern portion formed with the pattern ink [C] so that the film thickness after drying becomes 1 μm. I printed it to fit. After that, the paint for the colored layer, the paint for the magnetic recording layer, and the paint for the thermal adhesive are all applied and dried in this order using a reverse coater, and the colorant diffusion prevention layer, the colored layer, and the magnetic recording layer are applied, respectively. And a heat-sensitive adhesive layer was provided. The film thickness of each layer after drying was set to 4 μm for the colored layer, 9 μm for the magnetic recording layer, and 1.5 μm for the adhesive layer. After cutting the magnetic stripe transfer material produced above to a predetermined width, the transfer material is transferred to a polyvinyl chloride card substrate oversheet (manufactured by Taihei Kagaku Co., Ltd.) using a heat seal tester (manufactured by Tester Sangyo Co., Ltd.). , Remove the temporary support film, and use a flat pressure press (test vulcanization press manufactured by Toyo Seiki Seisakusho Co., Ltd.) with an oversheet on the opposite side of the center core for the card substrate. , Heat-pressed under the conditions of 20 to 30 minutes, and then punched into a card shape to prepare a magnetic card. (Comparative example 2) In Comparative Example 1, a magnetic card was produced in the same manner as in Comparative Example 2 except that the pattern ink was the pattern ink [D].

The magnetic cards of Examples 1 to 6, Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 were evaluated by the following evaluation methods. (Creativity) The magnetic stripe portion of the magnetic card was visually evaluated. : Both contrast and color development are good. The contrast is not clear or the color is insufficient. ×: The contrast is unclear and the color is insufficient.

(Variation of magnetic card output) By measuring the fluctuation of the reproduction output caused by the unevenness of the surface of the magnetic card, the step and the size of the unevenness of the magnetic card as a laminated body were evaluated. The obtained magnetic card conformed to ISO / IEC 7811-6, and its recording / playback characteristics were measured using MAGTESTER2000 manufactured by BARNES, and the output fluctuation was calculated by the following formula. Regarding the transfer type magnetic tape used to prepare this magnetic card sample, the film thickness of the magnetic recording layer was adjusted according to each spacing, and the average output value was adjusted to be equal to the reference card output. went. Output fluctuation (%) = ((maximum output value-minimum output value) / average output value) x 100 Less than 5%. 5% or more, less than 10%. × 10% or more. (Delivery date from pattern determination and ease of pattern change) The number of steps to complete the card is shown (see Fig. 9, Fig. 10 and Fig. 11). The number of processes from pattern formation to card completion is small, and it is possible to quickly respond to card delivery dates and pattern changes. × Since the number of steps from pattern formation to card completion is large and it takes time to complete the card, it is not possible to quickly respond to the card delivery date and the pattern change. The results are shown in Table 1.

<tables num="1"><img file="JP4780378B2_D0001.tif" /></tables>

As is clear from the results in Table 1, in Examples 1 to 6, the same design as the conventional pattern forming method can be ensured, and the dye used for pattern printing is the void portion of the magnetic recording layer and the colored layer. Since the color is diffused and colored, the distance between the magnetic stripe surface and the magnetic recording layer does not substantially change between the patterned portion and the non-patterned portion, so that the output fluctuation due to the pattern does not occur at all. In addition, since the number of steps from pattern determination to card completion is small, the delivery time can be significantly shortened, and it is possible to respond quickly to pattern changes. In addition, in order to eliminate the change in spacing from the magnetic stripe surface of the completed card to the magnetic recording layer in the pattern part and non-picture part due to the pattern printing that has been used conventionally, a concealing layer is used for the non-printed part with a negative pattern of the printing part. The method of printing ink with the same hue as the above can theoretically combine printing of the pattern part and filling printing of the non-picture part, but in reality, it is affected by the elongation of the transfer substrate used. In response to this, it is inevitable that print alignment runout will occur in the longitudinal direction and width direction of printing, and it is impossible to eliminate output fluctuations. Further, in this method, the number of steps for forming the negative pattern is increased, and the number of steps from the pattern forming step to the completion of the card is large, so that it is not possible to quickly respond to the delivery date or the pattern change.

<figref num="1">It is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a conventional magnetic card in which a pattern is formed with a magnetic recording layer by a transfer material for a magnetic stripe.</figref><figref num="2">It is sectional drawing which shows one Embodiment of the transfer laminate used in the pattern forming method of this invention.</figref><figref num="3">It is sectional drawing which conceptually showed how the colorant of a pattern diffuses when the transfer laminate is aged.</figref><figref num="4">It is sectional drawing which conceptually showed the case where the colored layer portion is formed on the oversheet base material side which is one embodiment of the pattern forming method of this invention.</figref><figref num="5">It is sectional drawing which shows one Embodiment of the magnetic card formed by the pattern forming method of this invention.</figref><figref num="6">It is a conceptual diagram which showed the transfer laminate for magnetic stripe formation and the pattern formation region manufactured in Examples 1 to 4.</figref><figref num="7">It is the schematic which showed the pattern formation area in the manufacturing of Example 5.</figref><figref num="8">It is a schematic diagram which shows one Embodiment of the magnetic card which formed the pattern by using the pattern forming method of this invention.</figref><figref num="9">It is a figure which shows an example of the process at the time of manufacturing a magnetic card which has a magnetic recording layer and a pattern by using the pattern forming method of this invention using a stack for transfer.</figref><figref num="10">It is a figure which shows another example of the process at the time of manufacturing the magnetic card which has a magnetic recording layer and a pattern by using the pattern forming method of this invention, using a stack for transfer.</figref><figref num="11">It is a figure which shows the conventional manufacturing method of the magnetic card which has a magnetic recording layer and a pattern.</figref>

Code description

1 Colorant diffusion prevention layer 2 Picture colorant diffusion area 3 Colored layer 4 Magnetic recording layer 5 Thermal coloring layer 6 overseat 7 Center core 8 Design part on the card 9 Transfer substrate 10 Pattern part in the pattern formation area