Abstract: In order to provide an extremely cost-advantageous laminated white film for use as a recording material that is an information printing medium in place of paper such as copy paper, proposed is a laminated white film having a functional layer comprising an antistatic agent on at least one surface of a polyester film having an apparent density of 0.7 to 1.3 g/cm3 and a thickness of 10 to 1000 ?m, wherein the polyester film comprises a polyester-incompatible polymer.

Abstract: A surface treatment method for a composite surface of a basic casing is provided. The composite surface is cooperatively formed by an outer surface and four sidewalls surrounding the outer surface. The surface treatment method includes following steps. A heat transferring film is provided. A printing pattern film is formed on a portion of the heat transferring film via a digital inkjet printing process. The heat transferring film is formed on the composite surface via a vacuum heat transfer process, with edges of the heat transferring film being wrapped around the sidewalls and the printing pattern firm being attached to the outer surface.

Abstract: The invention relates wax blends containing long-chain hydrocarbons and alcohols, to printing ink compositions and thermal transfer ribbons containing the wax blends, and to the use of said wax blends as additives in printing inks.

Abstract: A laminate including a plurality of layers, wherein one of the layers is a heat-activatable expandable layer including a thermally expandable composition. The heat-activatable expandable layer includes a plurality of microcapsules containing the thermally expandable composition. This thermally expandable composition includes an easily volatilizable hydrocarbon, and a binder resin. When subjected to high temperatures during the process of applying a label, the microcapsules rupture and the thermally expandable composition “foams,” which can be used to provide a texture to the label, and can raise or surround the graphics of the label.

Abstract: A process for the production of a polymeric article comprises: (a) forming a ply having successive layers, namely, (i) a first layer made up of strands of an oriented polymer material; (ii) a second layer of a polymeric material; (iii) a third layer made up of strands of an oriented polymeric material, wherein the second layer has a lower peak melting temperature that of the first and third layers; (b) subjecting the ply to conditions of time, temperature, and pressure sufficient to melt a proportion of the fits layer, to melt the second layer entirely, and to melt a proportion of the third layer, and to compact the ply; and (c) cooling the compacted ply. The resultant articles have good mechanical properties yet may be made at a lower compaction temperature than articles not employing the second layer, leading to a more controllable manufacturing process.

Abstract: The present invention includes an article and method for transferring an image from one substrate to another. The method includes providing or obtaining an image transfer sheet that is comprised of a substrate layer, a release layer and an image-imparting layer that may comprise a low density polyethylene or other polymeric component having a melting temperature within a range of about 90 degrees C. to about 700 degrees C. An image is imparted to the low density polyethylene area with an image-imparting medium. A second image-receiving substrate can be provided. The second image-receiving substrate is contacted to the first image transfer sheet at the polymer, image-imparting layer. Heat is applied to the image transfer sheet so that the low density polyethylene encapsulates the image-imparting medium and transfers the encapsulates to the image-receiving substrate, thereby forming a mirror image on the image-receiving substrate.

Abstract: A heat transfer label assembly includes a heat transfer label including ink and adhesive, and a releasable support joined to the heat transfer label. The adhesive may include at least one of a polyketone resin and a polyamide resin. The heat transfer label may be used to decorate a metal article.

Abstract: A method for labeling fabrics, such as fabric garments, and a heat-transfer label well-suited for use in said method. In one embodiment, the heat-transfer label comprises (i) a support portion, the support portion comprising a carrier and a release layer; (ii) a wax layer, the wax layer overcoating the release layer; and (iii) a transfer portion, the transfer portion comprising an adhesive layer printed onto the wax layer and an ink design layer printed onto the adhesive layer. Preferably, at least a portion of the ink design layer is printed using a variable printing technique, such as thermal transfer printing.

Abstract: A transfer film includes a substrate, a decorative layer, and an adhering layer. The decorative layer is positioned by solidifying ultraviolet curing ink on the substrate. The adhering layer is positioned on the decorative layer.

Abstract: A thermal transfer recording medium including a support, a release layer and an ink layer, the release layer and the ink layer being disposed in this order over the support, wherein the ink layer contains carnauba wax, an organic fatty acid having an acid value of 90 to 200, and at least one of a long-chain alcohol represented by Formula (1) and a long-chain alcohol represented by Formula (2), where R denotes a group containing 28 to 38 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A coated paper suitable for cold-set as well as heat-set printing applications and methods for producing the coated paper. In accordance with one aspect, the coated paper comprises a cellulosic substrate and a coating on at least one side of the substrate wherein the coating comprises a binder and a pigment such that the coated side exhibits surface characteristics such that the surface accepts cold-set inks.

Abstract: A thermal transfer sheet includes a thermal transfer dye layer containing a dye on one surface of a base material sheet and a heat-resistant lubricating layer on the other surface, wherein the heat-resistant lubricating layer contains at least one type of silicone compound represented by Chemical formula 1 or Chemical formula 2 described below. In Chemical formula 1 and Chemical formula 2, R1 contains an alkyl group, an alkylene group, or a phenyl group and may have an ether or ester bond, R2 represents an alkyl group or an alkylene group having the carbon number of 1 to 50, and n and m represent individually an integer of 1 or more, and or less.

Abstract: A process for the production of a polymeric article comprises the steps of: (a) forming a ply having successive layers, namely (ii) a first layer made up of strands of an oriented polymeric material; (ii) a second layer of a polymeric material; (iii) a third layer made up of strands of an oriented polymeric material, wherein the second layer has a lower peak melting temperature than that of the first and third layers; (b) subjecting the ply to conditions of time, temperature and pressure sufficient to melt a proportion of the first layer, to melt the second layer entirely, and to melt a proportion of the third layer; and to compact the ply; and (c) cooling the compacted ply. The resultant articles have good mechanical properties yet may be made at lower compaction temperatures than articles not employing the second layer, leading to a more controllable manufacturing process.

Abstract: A melt thermal transfer recording paper suitable for melt thermal transfer recording comprising a stretched resin film, wherein stretched resin film contains from 30 to 75% by weight of an inorganic fine powder and/or an organic filler and from 25 to 70% by weight in total of a thermoplastic resin having a Vicat softening point of not higher than 140° C. and a polyolefin-based resin having a Vicat softening point of higher than 140° C.; the stretched resin film contains more than 75 parts by weight and at most 900 parts by weight of the thermoplastic resin relative to 100 parts by weight of the polyolefin-based resin.

Abstract: A belt unit includes a belt whose surface has critical surface tension in a range from 15 N/m to 36 N/m, and a plurality of rollers around which the belt is stretched. With such a configuration, high image quality can be obtained.

Abstract: An ink-jet transfer system is disclosed, as well as a transfer printed product which is highly wash-resistant, colour-fast and environment-friendly, and a process for producing the same and its use in a printing process by means of the disclosed ink-jet transfer system. The disclosed ink-jet transfer system has a substrate, a hot-melt layer applied on the substrate and at least one ink-absorbing layer which comprises a mixture of a highly porous pigment and a binder. The molecules of the pigment and if required of the binder and hot-melt layer can form chemical bonds with the dyeing molecules of the ink.

Abstract: A heat transfer label assembly includes a heat transfer label including ink and adhesive, and a releasable support joined to the heat transfer label. The adhesive may include at least one of a polyketone resin and a polyamide resin. The heat transfer label may be used to decorate a metal article.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image displaying medium with a metallic image, which comprises a metallic image formed on a transfer receiving material with a color image formed thereon, wherein the metallic image is formed by using a thermal transfer sheet in which at least a resinous peelable layer and a metal thin layer are provided on one surface of a substrate film in this order, the resinous peelable layer comprising a pigment and a thermoplastic resin having a glass transition temperature of 60° C. or higher and the metal thin layer comprising a composition containing an aluminum pigment prepared by forming an aluminum film by deposition on a carrier sheet with a releasing layer provided thereon, and peeling the aluminum film from the carrier sheet to finely divide it, and a binder of a thermoplastic resin having a glass transition temperature of 50 to 150° C.

Abstract: An image transfer article includes an image-imparting member and a removable substrate disposed adjacent the image-imparting member. The image-imparting member can have a softening point temperature less than about 220° C. The image-imparting member includes at least one surface configured to receive and carry indicia to be transferred and at least one portion comprising a pigment providing an opaque background for received indicia. In some examples, the image-imparting member comprises a first polymer including the indicia and at least a second polymer including the pigment. In some examples, the image-imparting member comprises a polymer including the indicia and the pigment. The indicia and the opaque background are arranged to concurrently transfer to a woven- or fabric-based article or paper in contact with the image-imparting member, upon application of iron pressing temperatures.

Abstract: A thermal transfer sheet includes a protective layer and an adhesive layer which are laminated on a sheet base material in that order, the protective layer including a binder resin containing fine particles. The particle diameter of the fine particles is 0.9 to 2.8 times the thickness of the protective layer.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printing medium that contains a thermal transfer layer which contains a first taggant and colorant, wherein: the first taggant comprises a fluorescent compound with an excitation wavelength selected from the group consisting of wavelengths of less than 400 nanometers, wavelengths of greater than 700 nanometers. When the thermal transfer layer is printed onto a white polyester substrate with a gloss of at least about 84, a surface smoothness Rz value of 1.2, and a reflective color represented by a chromaticity (a) of 1.91 and (b) of ?6.79 and a lightness (L) of 95.63, when expressed by the CIE Lab color coordinate system, and when such printing utilizes a printing speed of 2.5 centimeters per second and a printing energy of 3.2 joules per square centimeter, a printed substrate with certain properties is produced.

Abstract: The invention is related to thermal imageable dielectric layers and thermal transfer donors and receivers comprising dielectric layers. The thermal transfer donors are useful in making electronic devices by thermal transfer of dielectric layers having excellent resistivity, good transfer properties and good adhesion to a variety of receivers.

Abstract: A heat-transfer imaging system and a method of using the same. The heat-transfer imaging system includes a heat-transfer sheet and an activating ink. The heat-transfer sheet and the activating ink are specially formulated so that only the areas of the heat-transfer sheet onto which the ink has been printed become adhesive under heat-transfer conditions. This effect may be achieved by designing the sheet to include an ink-receptive coating whose melting temperature is higher than that typically encountered during normal heat-transfer conditions and by formulating the activating ink to include a plasticizer that, when printed onto the ink-receptive coating, lowers the melting temperature of the ink-receptive coating sufficiently so that the modified melting temperature falls within the temperature range encountered during heat-transfer.

Abstract: Provided is an image transfer material, comprising an optional support material, and a non-woven or woven fiber web layer, wherein the fiber web is impregnated or coated with a image receiving formulation. The fiber web layer is optionally attached to the support with an adhesion layer. Also provided is a heat transfer process wherein after imaging, the fiber web and adhesion layer are peeled from the optional support material and placed, preferably image side up (when imaged), on top of a receptor element. Alternatively, the fiber web and adhesion layer are peeled and then optionally imaged prior to being placed on the receptor element. Then, an optional non-stick sheet is placed over the imaged fiber web (if placed imaged side up) and heat is applied to the fiber web or the non-stick sheet, if present. The adhesion layer then melts and adheres the imaged web layer to the receptor element.

Abstract: A melt thermal transfer recording paper suitable for melt thermal transfer recording comprising a stretched resin film, wherein stretched resin film contains from 30 to 75% by weight of an inorganic fine powder and/or an organic filler and from 25 to 70% by weight in total of a thermoplastic resin having a Vicat softening point of not higher than 140° C. and a polyolefin-based resin having a Vicat softening point of higher than 140° C.; the stretched resin film contains more than 75 parts by weight and at most 900 parts by weight of the thermoplastic resin relative to 100 parts by weight of the polyolefin-based resin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for of applying a sublimation transfer to a coffee cup having a handle connected at two locations to the cup. A sublimation transfer is placed around the container with a dye image an outer surface of the cup and extending beneath the handle. An elastic clamp wraps around the cup and sublimation transfer and extends beneath the handle to press the dye layer against the cup beneath the handle. The clamp has an elongated opening near one end of the clamp and the opening is placed over the handle to fasten the clamp to the cup. The wrapped cup and sublimation transfer is placed on a conveyor oven for sublimation heating, with the clamp being removed for reuse after the sublimation transfer of the dye layer onto the cup is completed.

Abstract: An in-mold transfer film is formed to satisfy the conditions of F2>F1, F3>F2, F3>F1, and F3>F1+F4+F5, where F1 is an adhesive force at an interface between a base and a mold-release layer, F2 is an adhesive force at an interface between the mold-release layer and a printed ink layer, F3 is an adhesive force at an interface between the printed ink layer and a transferred object, F4 is a cohesive force of the mold-release layer, and F5 is a cohesive force of the printed ink layer.

Abstract: A laser induced thermal imaging (LITI) donor film having a substrate, a light-to-heat conversion layer overlaying the substrate, and a transfer layer overlaying the light-to-heat conversion layer. A surface of the transfer layer includes microstructured or nanostructured features, in a continuous or discontinuous pattern, embossed or otherwise imparted in the transfer layer. The features provide break points to assist in release and transfer of portions of the transfer layer to a permanent receptor in a pattern defined by the features.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a two-sided thermal transfer ribbon comprising a substrate having a first side and a second side, opposite the first side, and respective first and second thermal transfer coatings supported on the respective first and second sides is provided. In further embodiments, the first thermal transfer coating is adapted to transfer to print media when heated to a first temperature, and the second thermal transfer coating is adapted to transfer to print media when heated to a second temperature different from the first temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image displaying medium with a metallic image, which comprises a metallic image formed on a transfer receiving material with a color image formed thereon, wherein the metallic image is formed by using a thermal transfer sheet in which at least a resinous peelable layer and a metal thin layer are provided on one surface of a substrate film in this order, the resinous peelable layer comprising a pigment and a thermoplastic resin having a glass transition temperature of 60° C. or higher and the metal thin layer comprising a composition containing an aluminum pigment prepared by forming an aluminum film by deposition on a carrier sheet with a releasing layer provided thereon, and peeling the aluminum film from the carrier sheet to finely divide it, and a binder of a thermoplastic resin having a glass transition temperature of 50 to 150° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides an adhesive composition comprising a copolymer (a) of a methylmethacrylate (MMA) and/or a butylmethacrylate (BMA) and a styrene (St), also provides an adhesive composition comprising a mixture of an acrylic polymer (b) and a ketone resin, wherein the acrylic polymer (b) is at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of a poly MMA, a poly BMA, a MMA/BMA copolymer or a MMA/BMA/St copolymer, and also provides a thermal transfer sheet having a layer comprising the adhesive composition. The adhesive composition has excellent heat sealing characteristics and resistance to blocking when it is used for the formation of an adhesive layer, is also superior in miscibility with various organic or inorganic additives and allows these additives to exhibit their functions sufficiently when these additives are added and has high transparency.

Abstract: A laser induced thermal imaging (LITI) donor film having a substrate, a light-to-heat conversion layer overlaying the substrate, and a transfer layer overlaying the light-to-heat conversion layer. A surface of the transfer layer includes microstructured or nanostructured features, in a continuous or discontinuous pattern, embossed or otherwise imparted in the transfer layer. The features provide break points to assist in release and transfer of portions of the transfer layer to a permanent receptor in a pattern defined by the features.

Abstract: The invention provides a thermal transfer donor element comprising a support layer and a transfer layer supported by the support layer and comprising a binder containing carboxylic acid groups. The transfer layer includes an organic compound containing a plurality of hydroxyl groups with a hydroxyl group concentration of less than 18 mM/g and at least one connecting group, wherein the organic compound is free of any N,N-bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)amide and any rosin ester. In another embodiment, a method of using the donor element is provided, particularly in the manufacture of a color filter.

Abstract: Disclosed are a thermally transferable image protective sheet and a method for protective layer formation that can provide a protective layer which can protect an image of a record produced by a nonsilver photographic color hard copy recording method, can impart lightfastness and other properties to the record, and can realize a record having a glossy impression comparable to silver salt photographs. The thermally transferable image protective sheet comprises a support and a thermally transferable resin layer having a single-layer or multilayer structure stacked on the support so as to be separable from the support.

Abstract: A protecting film for covering a recording face of a recording medium includes a support, a first protective layer formed of thermoplastic resin and formed on the support, and a second protective layer formed of thermoplastic resin, and laminated on the first protective layer. An image is formed on the recording face by a thermal transfer type overcoat process.

Abstract: A thermal transfer image recording composite sheet has a lamination structure: (2) image receiving sheet section (including image receiving layer (D), image recording sheet substrate (C) and adhesive layer (E)) and (1) release sheet section (including release layer (B) and release sheet substrate (A)), and exhibits, as a whole, a compressive modulus of 50 MPa or less, wherein, the substrate (C) is constituted from (a) an upper oriented porous polyester film layer bonded to the image receiving layer (D) and (b) a lower oriented porous polymer film layer, the polymer of which is different from polyester of the layer (a), laminated on the upper film layer (a) and bonded to the adhesive layer (E), or the adhesive layer (E) comprises, together with an adhesive agent, a plurality of hollow particles each formed from a hollow core portion and a shell portion and has an average particle size of 0.

Abstract: A thermal transfer medium for use in mass transfer printing comprises a substrate bearing on at least part of one surface thereof a coating of an overlay material comprising polyester having a glass transition greater than 50° C. (preferably at least 75° C.) and a molecular weight in the range 6,000 to 10,000. The overlay material combines good transfer characteristics, barrier properties and durability and is highly transparent.

Abstract: Thermal transfer ribbons which employ a reflective sensor marker of a small size for detecting the end of the ribbon and also thermal transfer ribbons which employ a reflective sensor marker and a transparent sensor marker for detecting the end of the ribbon.

Abstract: Disclosed are a thermally transferable image protective sheet and a method for protective layer formation that can provide a protective layer which can protect an image of a record produced by a nonsilver photographic color hard copy recording method, can impart lightfastness and other properties to the record, and can realize a record having a glossy impression comparable to silver salt photographs. The thermally transferable image protective sheet comprises a support and a thermally transferable resin layer having a single-layer or multilayer structure stacked on the support so as to be separable from the support.

Abstract: A dye-donor element, a method of printing using the dye-donor element, and a print assembly including the dye-donor element are described, wherein the dye-donor layer of the dye-donor element includes a polyvinylacetal copolymer as a binder.

Abstract: A process of transferring a protection layer from a dye-donor receiver after thermal dye transfer. In one embodiment, the transferable protection layer contains inorganic particles, a polymeric binder, organic particles and an organic gloss-enhancing agent that enhances the gloss of the final print. The transferred protection layer that provides a higher gloss to an image after transfer. A laminate containing such a gloss-enhancing agent has been found to enable printing at lower line times, faster printing, for thermal prints withwhile maintaining high gloss.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to the thermal transfer overcoating of images printed on porous media, and methods of overcoating images printed on porous media. Upon use of the systems and methods of the present invention, a thermally coated print is generated that can comprise a porous media substrate having printed thereon a digitally produced image. The digitally produced image and the porous media substrate is thermally coated by an adhesive protective layer, wherein the adhesive protective layer has a tangent d that is greater than 1 and melt viscosity less than 1×105 Pa.·sec. as applied above its phase transition temperature. Thus, the voids in the porous media substrate can be substantially filled, and further, substantially no tags remain on the print.

Abstract: A heat activatable printable material for the ink-jet printing process comprising a support and a heat-activatable polymer layer. The polymers of the polymer layer is a mixture of nonionic water soluble polyethylene oxide polymers with the general formula H—[—O—CH2—CH2—]nOH, and an aliphatic polyester type polyurethane resin. The polymer layer is ink-jet printed and heat activated to adhere to a substrate with the support remaining on the polymer layer after adhesion of the polymer layer to the substrate.

Abstract: A thermal sheet transfer having on a support, an image formation layer wherein the image formation layer includes as a colorant, an organic pigment having a melting point not less than 310° C.

Abstract: A heat transfer sheet comprising a substrate, a light-heat conversion layer, and an image forming layer, wherein the image forming layer contains as a binder at least one of an acrylic resin and a styrene-acrylic copolymer resin, the acrylic resin and the styrene-acrylic copolymer resin having a glass transition temperature of 50° C. or lower and a minimum film-forming temperature of 50° C. or lower.

Abstract: An aqueous coating formulation which forms a thermal transfer layer of a thermal transfer ribbon. This formulation comprises an aqueous emulsion of a thermoplastic resin and/or wax coemulsified with an epoxy curing agent. This emulsion can be combined with an aqueous dispersion of an epoxy resin. These coating formulations provide thermal transfer layers with reactive components that increase in molecular weight when heated during transfer to provide images with high scratch and smear resistance without organic solvents. The reactive components are maintained in separate phases within the same thermal transfer layer or separate thermal transfer layers until exposed to a thermal print head.

Abstract: A thermal transfer recording medium including at least a substrate; a separation layer located overlying the substrate; and an ink layer located overlying the separation layer, wherein the separation layer includes at least a wax including a polyethylene wax, and wherein the ink layer includes at least a thermoplastic saturated polyester resin having a hydroxyl value of from 20 to 60 mgKOH/g; and an oxidized polyethylene having an acid value not greater than 5 mgKOH/g.

Abstract: An image receiving sheet having a high transfer rate and high sensitivity, and a heat transfer recording method using the image receiving sheet. The image receiving sheet is formed by an image receiving layer disposed on a support. A surface energy of the image receiving layer is 23 to 35 mj/cm2. A cushion layer is preferably formed between the support and the image receiving layer. In the heat transfer recording method, a heat transferable sheet is set in close contact with the image receiving sheet to form an ink image on the image receiving sheet by heat transfer. The ink image is then transferred to a permanent support. The heat transfer recording method uses the image receiving sheet having the image receiving layer with the surface energy of 23 to 35 mj/m2.