Element and associated process for use with inkjet hot melt inks for thermal image transfer
AssigneeRexam Graphics Inc.
InventorsDene Harvey Taylor, Douglas Allan Cahill
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Abstract
An element for using hot melt inks in an image transfer system is disclosed. The element has a particular structure which can be imaged with inkjet apparatus and hot melt ink, and the image may be transferred onto a substrate which is difficult to image directly, using heat and pressure. The resulting imaged article and process of obtaining it is also disclosed. The element contains, in order, a temporary carrier sheet, a protective layer and an image receptive adhesive layer, both layers having well defined composition and properties.
Claims8
An element for use with a hot melt ink jet imaging apparatus comprising:
- a dimensionaly stable temporary carrier;
- a flexible, transparent protective layer over said temporary carrier;
- and
- a hot melt ink jet receptive, temperature activated, adhesive layer over said protective layer;
- wherein said adhesive layer:
- is at least 1 micron thick;
- exhibits greater adhesion to said protective layer than said protective layer exhibits to said temporary carrier;
- is non-tacky at room temperature up to a temperature of 150.degree. F.;
- has an activation temperature of between about 150.degree. F. and about 185.degree. F.;
- is transparent;
- and
- has at least the same flexibility and crease resistance as said protective layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.