Thermal transfer printing dyesheet
AssigneeImperial Chemical Industries PLC
InventorKenneth W. Hutt
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Abstract
A dyesheet for light-induced thermal transfer printing comprises a substrate having on one side a dyecoat comprising a polymeric binder containing at least one thermal transfer dye dissolved or dispersed therein, an absorber coat of polymeric material comprising an absorber for the inducing light, and between the dyecoat and the absorber coat an interlayer of organic polymer through which the dye molecules diffuse less readily under printing conditions than they do through the dyecoat binder.
Claims15
A dye sheet for use in light-induced thermal transfer printing wherein inducing light is absorbed to provide the thermal energy required for effecting transfer of dye from the dyesheet to a receiver, comprising
- a substrate,
- a dyecoat on one side of the substrate comprising a polymeric binder containing at least one thermal transfer dye dissolved or dispersed therein,
- an absorber coat between the dyecoat and the substrate comprising a polymeric material and a material which is an absorber for the inducing light to convert it into the required thermal energy, and
- an interlayer between the dyecoat and the absorber coat comprising a hydrophilic polymer or crosslinked polymer which is different from that of the dyecoat binder and through which the dye molecules diffuse less readily under printing conditions than they do through the dyecoat binder, said dyecoat having a smooth surface for contact with a receiver having a smooth surface such that, when the dyesheet is used in a process of light-induced thermal transfer printing, the smooth surface of the dyecoat and the receiver are pressed into intimate contact during printing, whereby the heated dye molecules can diffuse directly from the dyecoat into the receiver.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.