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US 6,143,451 AGranted
Imaged laserable assemblages and associated processes with high speed and durable image-transfer characteristics for laser-induced thermal transfer
AssigneeE. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
InventorGraciela Beatriz Blanchet-Fincher
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Improved processes for laser thermal imaging and imaged laserable assemblages obtained using the improved processes of this invention are described. These improved processes operate effectively at high speeds and also afford high image densities and good durability of images present on receiver elements upon thermal imaging done in accordance with these improved processes.
Claims58
A laser-induced, thermal transfer process which comprises:
- (1) imagewise exposing to laser radiation a laserable assemblage comprising:
- (A) a donor element comprising in the order listed:
- (a) at least one flexible ejection layer comprising a first polymer;
- (b) at least one heating layer;
- and
- (c) at least one transfer layer having an outer surface and comprising (i) a second polymer having a decomposition temperature T less than 350.degree. C. and (ii) an imageable component;
- with the proviso that the donor element during the transfer process does not include a support;
- and
- (B) a receiver element in contact with the outer surface of the transfer layer (c) of the donor element,
- wherein the imagewise exposing to laser radiation is effected at a laser fluence of less than or equal to approximately 440 mJ/cm.sup.2, in which a substantial portion of the transfer layer is transferred to the receiver element;
- and
- (2) separating the donor element from the receiver element.
9 more elements
A laser-induced, thermal transfer process which comprises:
- (1) imagewise exposing to laser radiation a laserable assemblage comprising:
- (A) a donor element comprising in the order listed:
- (a) a flexible bottom layer having a tensile modulus of less than or equal to 2.5 Gigapascals;
- (b) at least one ejection layer comprising a first polymer;
- (c) at least one heating layer;
- and
- (d) at least one transfer layer having an outer surface and comprising (i) a second polymer having a decomposition temperature T less than 350.degree. C. and (ii) an imageable component;
- with the proviso that the donor element during the transfer process does not include a support;
- and
- (B) a receiver element in contact with the outer surface of the transfer layer (d) of the donor element,
- wherein the imagewise exposing to laser radiation is effected at a laser fluence of less than or equal to approximately 440 mJ/cm.sup.2, in which a substantial portion of the transfer layer is transferred to the receiver element;
- and
- (2) separating the donor element from the receiver element.
10 more elements
A laser-induced, thermal transfer process which comprises:
- (1) imagewise exposing to laser radiation a laserable assemblage comprising:
- (A) a donor element comprising in the order listed:
- (a) a support;
- (b) at least one flexible ejection layer comprising a first polymer;
- (c) at least one heating layer;
- and
- (d) at least one transfer layer having an outer surface and comprising (i) a second polymer having a decomposition temperature T less than 350.degree. C. and (ii) an imageable component;
- and
- (B) a receiver element in contact with the outer surface of the transfer layer (d) of the donor element,
- wherein the imagewise exposing to laser radiation is effected at a laser fluence of less than or equal to approximately 440 mJ/cm.sup.2, in which a substantial portion of the transfer layer is transferred to the receiver element;
- and
- (2) separating the donor element from the receiver element.
9 more elements
A laser-induced, thermal transfer process which comprises:
- (1) imagewise exposing to laser radiation a laserable assemblage comprising:
- (A) a photosensitive receiver element comprising in order:
- (A1) a receiver support;
- (A2) a photohardenable layer comprising a binder, at least one photohardenable component, and an initiator;
- (A3) optionally a barrier layer;
- and
- (A4) optionally a cover sheet;
- (B) a donor element comprising in order:
- (B1) at least one flexible ejection layer comprising a first polymer;
- (B2) at least one heating layer;
- (B3) at least one transfer layer having an outer surface and comprising (i) a second polymer having a decomposition temperature T less than 350.degree. C. and (ii) an imageable component;
- wherein the outer surface of the transfer layer (B3) is adjacent to and in contact with a layer of the photosensitive receiver element selected from the group consisting of the photohardenable layer (A2), the optional barrier layer (A3), and the optional coversheet (A4);
- the imagewise exposure results in exposed areas of the transfer layer (B3) being transferred to the adjacent layer of the photosensitive receiver element;
- and
- wherein the imagewise exposing to laser radiation is effected at a laser fluence of less than or equal to approximately 440 mJ/cm.sup.2, in which a substantial portion of the transfer layer is transferred to the receiver element;
- and
- (2) separating the donor element from the receiver element, thereby forming a photomask on the photosensitive receiver element.
14 more elements
A method for improving durability of a transferred image on a receiver laserable assemblage comprising (a) a donor element comprising at least one transfer layer having an outer surface and comprising a low decomposition temperature polymer having a decomposition temperature of less than about 350.degree. C., and (b) the receiver element in contact with the outer surface of the transfer layer,
- the method comprising the exposure step is performed at a laser fluence of at most approximately 440 mJ/cm.sup.2.
A transfer process which comprises:
- an exposure step of imagewise exposing to laser radiation a laserable assemblage comprising:
- (A) a donor element comprising in the order listed:
- (a) at least one ejection layer;
- (b) at least one heating layer;
- and
- (c) at least one transfer layer having an outer surface and comprising a low decomposition temperature polymer having a decomposition temperature less than about 350.degree. C.;
- with the proviso that the donor element during the transfer process does not include a support;
- and
- (B) a receiver element in contact with the outer surface of the transfer layer
- (c) of the donor element,
- wherein the exposure step is effected at a laser fluence of less than or equal to approximately 280 mJ/cm.sup.2.
8 more elements
A transfer process which comprises:
- an exposure step of imagewise exposing to laser radiation a laserable assemblage comprising:
- (A) a donor element comprising in the order listed:
- (a) a support;
- (b) at least one ejection layer comprising a first polymer;
- (c) at least one heating layer;
- and
- (d) at least one transfer layer having an outer surface and comprising a second polymer having a decomposition temperature less than 350.degree. C.;
- and
- (B) a receiver element in contact with the outer surface of the transfer layer
- (c) of the donor element, wherein the exposure step is effected at a laser fluence of less than or equal to approximately 440 mJ/cm.sup.2.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.