Abstract: An image transfer assembly (12) receives an image printed from an ink jet printer. The assembly (12) provides a device to transfer the printed image onto an image-receiving surface. The assembly (12) has a flexible substrate (16) on one side, and an upper surface (20) on the other side that is substantially permeable to ink jet printer ink and that is non-tacky prior to printing. The assembly (12) has an adhesive or polymer layer (14) in between the upper surface (20) and the flexible substrate (16). After printing with a water-based ink jet printer ink, the user may apply the assembly (12) to a substrate, such as a window or other surface, and remove the flexible substrate (16), thereby leaving the layer (14) that bears the image on the substrate. In one of several alternative embodiments, the layer (14) is divided into discrete zones that are separated from one another along boundaries.

Abstract: A versatile method for the manufacturing of image transfer sheets which provide users with cold transferring images without using supplemental heat in the course of image transfer to a wide variety of substrates includes printing an image with water-based ink onto an image transfer sheet that has a coating of water-accepting adhesive. A method of manufacturing image transfer sheets includes first applying a water impermeable layer onto a flexible substrate. A layer of water-activatable adhesive is applied upon the water impermeable layer. The adhesive is then dried in a dryer with dehumidified air. A water permeable detack layer is then applied upon the layer of adhesive. In a particular embodiment, the sheet further includes a water-accepting image holding layer in between the water-accepting adhesive layer and the water impermeable layer. The image holding layer becomes water-resisting when heated to within a range of activation temperatures.

Abstract: Water-activatable acrylic polymers and image transfer constructions made therewith are provided. The polymers are non-tacky to the touch when dry, but become tacky when activated by water, such as the water in the ink of an ink jet printer. The polymers are acrylic copolymers prepared by emulsion polymerization of a monomer mixture that preferably includes at least one alkyl acrylate, methyl acrylate, vinyl acetate, methacrylic acid and acrylic acid. Image transfer sheets made with the water-activatable polymers include a flexible backing, at least one water-impermeable layer, at least one layer of water-activatable polymers, and a protective detack layer.

Abstract: A versatile method of cold transferring images without using supplemental heat in the course of image transfer to a wide variety of substrates includes printing an image with water-based ink onto an image transfer sheet that has a coating of water-accepting adhesive. The sheet is then applied to the substrate to transfer only the portions of the adhesive that bear the image onto the substrate, with the remainder of the adhesive remaining attached to the sheet. A method of manufacturing image transfer sheets includes first applying a water impermeable layer onto a flexible substrate. A layer of water-activatable adhesive is applied upon the water impermeable layer. The adhesive is then dried in a dryer with dehumidified air. A water permeable detack layer is then applied upon the layer of adhesive.

Abstract: A versatile method of cold transferring images without using supplemental heat in the course of image transfer to a wide variety of substrates includes printing an image with water-based ink onto an image transfer sheet that has a coating of water-accepting adhesive. The sheet is then applied to the substrate to transfer only the portions of the adhesive that bear the image onto the substrate, with the remainder of the adhesive remaining attached to the sheet. A method of manufacturing image transfer sheets includes first applying a water impermeable layer onto a flexible substrate. A layer of water-activatable adhesive is applied upon the water impermeable layer. The adhesive is then dried in a dryer with dehumidified air. A water permeable detack layer is then applied upon the layer of adhesive.

Abstract: General purpose permanent, environmentally benign, pressure-sensitive adhesives and self-adhesive postage stamps and other laminate constructions are provided. In one embodiment, the PSA is an inherently, acrylic copolymer prepared by emulsion polymerization of 27 to 29% di-(2-ethylhexyl) maleate, 19 to 21% vinyl acetate, 40 to 43% ethylhexyl acrylate, 5 to 10% methyl methacrylate, 1% acrylic acid, and 1% methacrylic acid. Notably, no multifunctional monomers having a cyanurate or phosphate moiety are included in the polymer, and the polymer is substantially uncrosslinked.

Abstract: Repulpable PSA compositions and constructions that exhibit high adhesive performance on a wide range of substrates are provided. In one embodiment, a PSA composition comprises a blend of two emulsion acrylic copolymers. The first type is a repulpable, emulsion acrylic copolymer that passes TAPPI UM 213. Preferably, the copolymer is prepared by sequential polymerization. The second type of copolymer is a non-repulpable, gpp or removable, repositionable, emulsion acrylic copolymer, also preferably prepared by sequential polymerization. The PSA compositions are inherently tacky and can be used in labels and tapes. In addition, they can be added to other PSAs as external tackifiers.

Abstract: Water-activatable acrylic polymers and image transfer constructions made therewith are provided. The polymers are non-tacky to the touch when dry, but become tacky when activated by water, such as the water in the ink of an ink jet printer. The polymers are acrylic copolymers prepared by emulsion polymerization of a monomer mixture that preferably includes at least one alkyl acrylate, methyl acrylate, vinyl acetate, methacrylic acid and acrylic acid. Image transfer sheets made with the water-activatable polymers include a flexible backing, at least one water-impermeable layer, at least one layer of water-activatable polymers, and a protective detack layer.

Abstract: Water dispersible, hydrophilic, repulpable, water-activatable, acrylic polymers are provided. The polymers are non-tacky when dry, but become tacky when wet, and exhibit high peel strength on a variety of substrates. The polymers comprise an acrylic-based polymer prepared by emulsion polymerization of 40 to 70% by weight of one or more alkyl acrylates, the alkyl group of which has from 4 to 8 carbon atoms; 10 to 20% by weight of methacrylate; 2 to 15% by weight of vinyl acetate; and 10 to 25 percent by weight of methacrylic acid and/or acrylic acid; and a positive amount up to about 30% by weight of methyl methacrylate. Some embodiments also include a short chain hydroxyalkyl methacrylate. Also provided are ink jet-imprintable, water-activatable constructions comprising a layer of water-activatable polymer, coated on a release liner or other surface. Optionally, a water-resistant transparent film layer is disposed between the polymer and release liner or used in place of the release liner.

Abstract: A low viscosity hot melt acrylic pressure sensitive adhesive polymer is formed by bulk polymerization of at least one alkyl acrylate monomer containing from about 4 to 8 carbon atoms in the alkyl group and present in an amount of from about 60 to about 95% by weight of the polymer, from 1 to about 10% by weight of a copolymerizable amide monomer, from 1 to 10% by weight of a copolymerizble carboxylic acid, and a positive amount up to about 6% by weight of the monomers of a copolymerizable anhydride, said polymer formed thermally reversible crosslinks with a metal cation having a valence of from 2 to 4. Viscosity of the polymer is typically from 2 to 8 Pa.s at 150.degree. C. as formed and increases up to 100 Pa.s at 150.degree. C. on addition of the metal cation.