Transfer sheet bearing a thermally transferable ink composition and article made therefrom
AssigneeMinnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
InventorsRobert C. Fitzer, Frank L. Deyak, Charles J. Fabbrini
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A process and composition are provided that provide for thermal transfer of ink compositions and eliminate the need to prepare articles such as sign faces, particularly flexible sign faces, by painting with ink compositions that contain solvents. The present process and composition permit thermal transfer from a carrier to a receptor at low temperatures with the use of vacuum pressure. The transferred ink adheres tenaciously to the receptor and is flexible.
Claims24
A transfer sheet comprising a dimensionally stable carrier having a dry layer of a thermally-transferable ink composition, said carrier being strippable from said dry layer, wherein said ink composition has a 20% elongation temperature of less than about 85.degree. C. and an elongation at break of at least about 15%, said ink composition comprising:
- (a) from about 50 to 95% by weight of a thermoplastic polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, copolymers thereof, and blends thereof;
- (b) from about 50 to 5% by weight of a flexibilizer for said thermoplastic polymer that is compatible with said thermoplastic polymer;
- and
- (c) up to about 40% by weight of a colorant
- wherein said composition is thermally transferable from a carrier to a receptor at a temperature in the range of 75.degree. C. to 110.degree. C.
An article of manufacture comprising a receptor and a dry area of a thermally-transferred ink composition, said dry area being non-transferable from said receptor, wherein said ink composition, prior to thermal transfer, has a 20% elongation temperature of less than about 85.degree. C. and an elongation at break of at least about 15%, and comprises:
- (a) from about 50 to 95% by weight of a thermoplastic polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, copolymers thereof, and blends thereof;
- (b) from about 50 to 5% by weight of a flexibilizer for said thermoplastic polymer that is compatible with said thermoplastic polymer;
- and
- (c) up to about 40% by weight of a colorant
- wherein said composition is thermally transferable from a carrier to a receptor at a temperature in the range of 75.degree. C. to 110.degree. C.
A sign comprising a receptor surface having image areas thereon which comprises a thermally-transferred composition wherein, prior to thermal transfer, said composition has a 20% elongation temperature of less than about 85.degree. C. and an elongation at break of at least about 15% and comprises:
- (a) from about 50 to 95% by weight of a thermoplastic polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, copolymers thereof, and blends thereof;
- (b) from about 50 to 5% by weight of a flexibilizer for said thermoplastic polymer that is compatible with said thermoplastic polymer;
- and
- (c) up to about 40% by weight of a colorant
- wherein said composition is thermally transferable from a carrier to a receptor at a temperature in the range of 75.degree. C. to 110.degree. C.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.