Dye-donor element containing transferable protection overcoat
US6362132B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 6, 2000 |
| Grant date | Mar 26, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 6, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/254
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A dye-donor element for thermal dye transfer comprising a support having thereon at least one dye layer area comprising an image dye in a binder and another area comprising a transferable protection layer, the transferable protection layer area being approximately equal in size to the dye layer area, wherein the transferable protection layer contains inorganic particles, a polymeric binder and unexpanded synthetic thermoplastic polymeric microspheres, the microspheres having a particle size in the unexpanded condition of from about 5 to about 20 &mgr;m, and which expand to about 20 to about 120 &mgr;m upon application of heat during transfer of the protection layer to an image-receiving layer to provide a matte surface thereon, the microspheres comprising a mixture of low softening point microspheres and high softening point microspheres, the low softening point microspheres having a softening point less than about 105° C., the high softening point microspheres having softening point greater than about 110° C., and the ratio of the low softening point microspheres to the high softening point microspheres being from about 9:1 to about 1:6.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.