Thermo sensitive transfer recording material

#This invention relates to thermo-sensitive transfer recording materials which are useful as a recording material for video printers and other similar devices and, more particularly, to a thermo-sensitive transfer recording material which includes a heat-resistant lubricating layer capable of substantially reducing sticking between the thermo-sensitive transfer recording material and a thermal recording head at the time of thermo-sensitive transfer recording, twisting of the thermo-sensitive transfer recording material and the occurrence of abnormal operation of associated equipment.

#Thermo-sensitive recording processes have been hitherto used as an image-formation process wherein a thermo-sensitive color-developing sheet is selectively heated and color developed by heating means, such as a thermal head, according to image information. The thermo-sensitive color developing sheet used in these processes includes a structure having a base sheet and a layer of a colorless or light colored leuco dye at normal temperatures and a color developer. On heating, the leuco dye and the color developer react with each other, thereby forming a colored image.

#However, problems are involved in that the colored image formed on the thermo-sensitive color-developing disappears on storage over a long time and that the background or image-free portions of the thermo-sensitive color-developing sheet suffer color development. In addition, there is another problem that it is very difficult to obtain color images whose gradation is continuous.

#FIGURE 1 shows an illustrative view of a method of measuring a frictional force of a heat-resistant lubricating layer.

#We found that when a heat-resistant lubricating layer is formed of a polymer having a specific type of three-dimensional structure, the lubricity and heat resistance of the layer can be remarkably improved without addition of phosphoric esters for imparting lubricity.

#According to a first embodiment of the invention, there is provided a thermo-sensitive transfer recording material of the type which comprises a base sheet, an ink layer and a heat-resistant lubricating layer, wherein the heat-resistant lubricating layer includes a polymer compound which is obtained by reaction between a hydrocarbon compound having at least two hydroxyl groups in one molecule and/or a silicone compound having a hydroxyl group, and an isocyanate compound having at least two isocyanate groups in one molecule.

#According to a second embodiment of the invention, there is also provided a thermo-sensitive transfer recording material of the type which comprises a base sheet, an ink layer and a heat-resistant lubricating layer, wherein the heat-resistant lubricating layer includes a polymer compound which is obtained by reaction between a Silicone compound having an amino group and an isocyanate compound having at least two isocyanate groups in one molecule.