Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermal donor comprising a dye mixture and a urea light-stabilizing compound, wherein the light-stabilizing compound is represented by structure I: wherein: R1, R2 and R3 represent a hydrogen atom, alkyl group, cycloalkyl group, alkenyl group, aralkyl group, aryl group or heterocyclic group, provided that at least one of R1, R2, and/or R3 is a hydrogen atom; R4-R8 represent a hydrogen atom, hydroxyl group, alkyl group, cycloalkyl group, alkenyl group, aralkyl group, aryl group, heterocyclic group, aryloxy group, or alkoxy group; and R3 forms a heterocyclic ring with either R4 or R8, and an imaging system comprising a donor sheet having a layer containing a dye and an image receiving sheet having a dye receiving layer, wherein either the donor sheet or the image receiving sheet comprises a dye mixture and a urea light-stabilizing compound of structure I.

Abstract: A method of forming a glossy area on a pre-press proof is provided, wherein the method includes printing a spot varnish layer, wherein the presence of the spot varnish enhances the glossiness of the overprinted color layers of the image. The method provides a pre-press proof simulating a printed spot varnish.

Abstract: The present invention describes compositions formed from polyanaline and carbon nanotubes, which exhibit enhanced conductivity and which provide uses in electronic circuit applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for thermally transferring an imaging material from an imaging donor to a receiver to form a pattern of the imaging material on the receiver in which a transparent texturing material is thermally transferred, preferably by laser exposure, from a texturing donor to the receiver prior to thermally transferring the imaging material to the receiver.

Abstract: Substrate films, thermal mass transfer donor elements, and methods of making and using the same are provided. In some embodiments, such substrate films and donor elements include at least two dyads, wherein each dyad includes an absorbing first layer and an essentially non-absorbing second layer. Also provided are methods of making a donor element that includes an essentially non-absorbing substrate, an absorbing first layer, and a non-absorbing second layer, wherein the composition of the essentially non-absorbing substrate is essentially the same as the composition of the essentially non-absorbing second layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a donor substrate and a method of fabricating an organic light emitting display (OLED) using the donor substrate. The method of fabricating the donor substrate includes preparing a base substrate that includes at least one transfer region and at least one non-transfer region, forming a light-to-heat conversion layer on the base substrate and depositing a transfer layer selectively on the light-to-heat conversion layer and in the at least one transfer region of the base substrate using a shadow mask. To then make the OLED, laser induced thermal imaging is used to transfer the patterned transfer layer from the donor substrate to display regions in an acceptor substrate.

Abstract: A thermal transfer image receiving sheet comprising a heat insulating layer and a layer adjacent to the heat insulating layer on a substrate, wherein the heat insulating layer is provided between the layer and the substrate, the heat insulating layer contains hollow particles in an amount of at least 65 percent by mass, and the heat insulating layer and the layer are formed by simultaneous multi-layer coating.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the invention to provide an efficient and productive method to form a reliable film. A method to form a film according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, in which a transferring layer formed on a substrate is transferred to a workpiece to form a predetermined film on the workpiece, includes treating a surface of the workpiece to enhance or improve the adhesion between the transferring layer and the workpiece by chemical interaction.

Abstract: A thermally conductive material, a donor element including the material, a method of printing using the donor element, and a print assembly including the donor element are described, wherein the thermally conductive material includes at least two immiscible or incompatible organic polymers, or a block or graft copolymer, wherein the constituent homopolymer repeat units that form the copolymer are prepared from chemical species that would form mutually immiscible or incompatible polymers, and thermally conductive particles having a short axis of less than or equal to 0.2 microns.

Abstract: A method for forming a resist pattern on a substrate (18) places a donor element (12) having a layer of thermoresist material proximate the substrate. A gap is maintained such that the surface of the layer of thermoresist material is spaced apart from the surface of the substrate by a number of spacing elements. Thermal energy is directed toward the donor element (12) according to the resist pattern, whereby a portion of thermoresist material is transferred from the donor element (12) across the gap by ablative transfer and is deposited onto the substrate (18) forming the resist pattern.

Abstract: A magenta dye combination having improved lightfastness and keeping properties is described, wherein the magenta dye combination can be used in thermal printing.

Abstract: Organic electroluminescent devices and methods of preparing such devices are provided. The organic electroluminescent devices include a first electrode, a light emitting structure, a second electrode, a conductive layer, and a non-conductive material. The light emitting structure is disposed between the first and second electrodes. The conductive layer is disposed on at least a portion of the second electrode and is in electrical communication with the second electrode through an opening in the non-conductive material.

Abstract: Methods of forming a dye donor layer of a dye-donor element for a thermal dye transfer system are described. The methods include coating colored particles in a compressed carrier fluid on the substrate of the dye-donor element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antistatic article comprising a substrate or support having thereon at least one antistatic layer, wherein the antistatic layer comprises a conductive material having areas of patterned coverage. The present invention also relates to a display comprising a substrate having an electrically modulated imaging layer thereon, at least one electrically conductive layer, and at least one transparent antistatic layer, wherein said antistatic layer comprises a conductive material having areas of patterned coverage.

Abstract: An image forming method using thermal transfer ink sheet containing a thermally diffusible dye and an image receiving sheet containing a metal ion containing compound capable of forming a metal chelate compound with the dye, comprising superimposing the ink sheet and the image receiving sheet and imagewise heating the ink sheet to transfer the dye to the image receiving sheet, wherein the imagewise heating is performed at a print rate of not more than 1.5 msec/line, and the image receiving layer further contains a metal ion species or at least one of a sorbitan fatty acid ester, a sorbitan fatty acid ester having a polyoxyethylene group, a phosphoric acid ester and compounds of the following formulas HO—[CH2CH2O]n—[CH2CH(CH3)O]m—H HO—(W—O)p—H.

Abstract: A metal oxide coating and a method of forming the metal oxide coating are disclosed, wherein the metal oxide coating composition includes a metal oxide precursor of the metal oxide, the metal oxide, or a combination thereof, and a solvent of secondary or tertiary C4–C8 alcohol.

Abstract: This patent relates to an imaging member comprising a vacuous polymer base having adhered thereto an image formed on a transparent polymer sheet, wherein said vacuous polymer base has a density of less than 0.7 grams/cc and a modulus to density ratio of between 1500 and 4000 and wherein said image is in contact with said vacuous polymer base.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a multicolor image forming material for recording an image by irradiation with laser light comprising an image receiving sheet having an image receiving layer and at least four heat transfer sheets having a light-heat conversion layer and an image forming layer, wherein the light-heat conversion layer contains a polyamide-imide of a specific structure and a cyanine colorant of a specific structure.

Abstract: An infrared transceiver module for enabling a multiple direction infrared communication includes a transfer element for enlarging the working angles of infrared emission and reception of a transmitter and receiver portion. The transfer element has a surface area larger than the surface area of the transmitter and receiver portion. Infrared signal beam transmitting from the transmitter and receiver portion is repeatedly refracted by said transfer element and transmitted in multiple directions from the transfer element. Exterior signal beams coming to any portion of the transfer element are also repeatedly refracted by said transfer element and received by said transmitter and receiver portion. Therefore, a multiple direction infrared transmission and reception is obtained.

Abstract: The invention provides a multi-color image-forming material for recording an image by using an image-receiving sheet having an image-receiving layer and at least 4 kinds of heat transfer sheets different from each other in color and comprising a support having provided thereon at least a light-to-heat conversion layer and an image-forming layer, superposing the image-forming layer of each of the thermal transfer sheet on the image-receiving layer of the image-receiving sheet, in which the image-forming layer is opposed to the image-receiving layer, and irradiating a laser light thereto to transfer the laser-irradiated area of the image-forming layer to the image-receiving layer of the image-receiving sheet, wherein the material contains a heat transfer sheet (X) having an image-forming layer containing one selected from among Pigment Red 48:1, Pigment Red 48:3, Pigment Green 7, Pigment Blue 15:6, Pigment Blue 60, Pigment Violet 23 and Pigment Orange 43, and a method for forming a multi-color image comprises u

Abstract: It is intended to provide a multicolor image forming material for laser heat transfer comprising an image receiving sheet having an image receiving layer and at least four heat transfer sheets having different colors each comprising a substrate and a light-heat conversion layer and an image forming layer provided thereon, characterized in that (a) Ra and Rz showing the surface roughness of the image receiving sheet satisfy the following relationships 3?Rz/Ra?20 and 0.5 ?m?Rz?3 ?m.

Abstract: A multicolor image forming material in which a laser beam irradiated region of an image forming layer of a thermal transfer sheet is transferred onto an image receiving layer of an image receiving sheet, wherein: (a) a rate of heat shrinkage in the machine direction and a rate of heat shrinkage in the traverse direction of the image receiving sheet are both not more than 1% with the rate of heat shrinkage in the traverse direction being smaller than the rate of heat shrinkage in the machine direction, (b) a coefficient of dynamic friction between the thermal transfer sheet surface and the image receiving sheet surface is not more than 0.70, (c) a stiffness in the machine direction (Msh) and a stiffness in the traverse direction (Tsh) of the thermal transfer sheet are both from 30 to 70 g, a stiffness in the machine direction (Msr) and in the traverse direction (Tsr) of the image receiving sheet are both from 40 to 90 g, Msh/Tsh and Msr/Tsr are each from 0.75 to 1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antistatic article comprising a substrate or support having thereon at least one antistatic layer, wherein the antistatic layer comprises a conductive material having areas of patterned coverage.

Abstract: An image transfer sheet is provided which comprises a support, a barrier layer, a dye sublimation ink layer and a polyester layer; wherein the image transfer sheet exhibits cold peel, warm peel and hot peel properties when transferred. A method for transferring an image to a receptor element using the image transfer sheet is also provided. More specifically, the invention relates to an image transfer sheet which can be applied to a receptor element, such as cotton or cotton/polyester blend fabrics or the like.

Abstract: Assemblages that comprise a donor element and a receptor are disclosed. The donor element comprises a binder and particles of a cyanoacrylate polymer. The assemblages can be thermally imaged to form lithographic printing plates.

Abstract: The invention relates to an image device comprising a base material having a pattern of diffuse and specular metallic reflectivity and overlaying said pattern an image.

Abstract: Disclosed is a protective transparent overcoat comprising a protective polymer and a surfactant compound having multiple non-end-group hydrogen bonding groups directly or indirectly bonded to the backbone chain of the surfactant compound. The coating enables simplified manufacturing of a thermal sublimation dye transfer donor of high quality.

Abstract: This invention relates to an image receiving layer (22) of a receiver element (20) for laser-induced thermal transfer imaging processes. The image receiving layer (22) is made from a formulation containing a caprolactone polymer and a cellulose ester. The invention is, typically, useful in proofing and color filter applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an imaging element comprising at least one imaging layer and a base. The base comprises a foam core layer, which comprises a polymer that has been expanded through the use of a blowing agent, and at least one polymeric surface smoothing layer, which comprises a solution polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an imaging element comprising an imaging layer and a support, wherein the support comprises a core layer having a surface roughness of at least 1.4 microns and a pit camouflaging flange layer between the support and the imaging layer. The present invention also relates to a method of forming an imaging support comprising extruding a polymer layer onto a core layer of surface roughness of at least 1.4 microns, and passing the extruded polymer layer on the core layer between two temperature controlled rollers, one of which comprises a pit camouflaging surface and a method of forming an imaging support comprising extruding a polymer layer, passing the extruded polymer layer between two temperature controlled rollers, one of which comprises a pit camouflaging surface, and laminating the polymer layer onto a core layer with a surface roughness of at least 1.4 microns.

Abstract: A method of improving the aperture ratio or resolution of an OLED device which includes a plurality of laterally spaced electrodes and one or more electrodes vertically spaced apart from the plurality of laterally spaced electrodes. The improvement includes providing a donor having transferable organic material in spaced relationship with the laterally spaced electrodes, and illuminating the donor with radiation in patterns corresponding to the area of the laterally spaced electrodes to transfer organic material over the laterally spaced electrodes such that substantially all of the organic material is transferred and the edge taper region of the organic material is less than 8 microns thereby permitting the reduction in spacing between the laterally spaced electrodes and improvement in the aperture ratio, the resolution, or both, of the OLED device.

Abstract: A multicolor image-forming material comprising: an image-receiving sheet comprising a support and an image-receiving layer; and at least four (yellow, magenta, cyan, black and the like) thermal transfer sheets each comprising a support, a light-to-heat converting layer and an image-forming layer, wherein image-recording is performed by the method comprising superposing each one of the at least four thermal transfer sheets on the image-receiving sheet to be in a state of the image-forming layer being in contact with the image-receiving layer; and irradiating the thermal transfer sheet with laser beams in two-dimensional array to transfer an image in an area of the image-forming layer subjected to irradiation onto the image-receiving layer, and a recording area of a multicolor image in each of the thermal transfer sheets is a size of 515 mm×728 mm or more, a resolution of the transferred image is 2,400 dpi or more, and each of the light-to-heat converting layers comprises from 1 to 20% by weight of a substance

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for transferring a protective overcoat for a thermal print wherein the protective overcoat is applied to a dye-donor element under predesigned conditions after thermal dye transfer, the dye-donor element comprising patches of dye for transfer to a thermal print to provide a protective layer thereon. In particular, the invention improves the process of providing an improved level of gloss to the transferred protective overcoat. The method involves a preselected duration between printing and peeling the transferable laminate patch, respectively, to and from the donor. The invention is particularly advantageous at lower line times, faster printing, for thermal prints with high gloss.

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 method for structuring a surface includes, by an assigned modification device, creating a latent structure of at least a first layer of the surface, which has a polymer therein, so as to form hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions for producing a printing form for offset printing, by selectively applying a gaseous, readily volatile solvent as a modifying agent to at least one locally limited region of the surface over at least one exposure time interval. A device for performing the method, a printing form exposer, a printing unit and a printing machine including the surface-structuring device according to the invention, are also provided.

Abstract: A UV-mask, a system and method for making the mask and a method of using the mask for producing an image a print medium are disclosed. The system includes a donor element having a substrate coated with a layer of IR-sensitive material and a layers of UV-absorbing material, and a receptor element. The IR-sensitive material is capable of detaching a significant portion of the itself and the UV-absorbing material from the donor element and transfer the detached materials to the receptor element when irradiated by an IR radiation. The method for making a UV-mask includes irradiating such a donor element with an IR radiation. The method of using includes overlaying a digital UV mask on a UV-sensitive medium, exposing the medium to a UV radiation through the UV mask, and developing the UV-sensitive medium.

Abstract: A laser thermal transfer multicolor image forming material comprising an image-receiving sheet containing an image-receiving layer and a thermal transfer sheet containing a light-to-heat conversion layer, an image-forming layer and a support, which comprises a white thermal transfer sheet containing in the image-forming layer a titanium oxide having a particle size of 0.2 to 0.4 ?m with a particle surface being coated by alumina and silica.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an imaging element comprising a support, an imaging layer, and at least one layer comprising a clay nanocomposite wherein said nanocomposite comprises a splayant and at least one natural clay particle having an aspect ratio of from 20:1 to 500:1.

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: A donor element adapted for use in making an OLED device including a donor support element; a light-absorbing layer disposed over the donor support element, which in response to light, produces heat; a host material layer disposed over the light-absorbing layer; and a dopant layer disposed over the host material layer such that when the donor element is placed in a transfer relationship with the OLED device and when light is absorbed by the light-absorbing layer, heat is produced that causes the vaporization transfer of host materials and dopant materials from the light-absorbing layer to cause at least partial mixing in the OLED device.

Abstract: Apparatus for permitting the laser transfer of organic material from a donor onto a substrate to form a layer of organic material on one or more OLED devices, wherein the donor includes a laser light-absorbing layer, and a layer with heat transferable organic material.

Abstract: A process for adjusting the energy of an imaging laser for imaging of a thermally imageable element including the steps of: (a) providing an imaging unit having a non-imaging laser and an imaging laser, the non-imaging laser having a light detector which is in communication with the imaging laser, (b) contacting a receiver element with the thermally imageable element in the imaging unit, wherein the receiver element comprises a light attenuating layer having a front surface and a back surface; (c) actuating the non-imaging laser to expose the thermally imageable element and the receiver element to an amount of light energy sufficient for the light detector to detect the amount of light reflected from the thermally imageable element and light attenuating layer of the receiver element; and (d) actuating the imaging laser to focus the imaging laser in order to expose the thermally imageable element to an amount of light energy sufficient for imaging the thermally imageable element.

Abstract: A composition suitable for forming a primer layer on a polymer sheet comprising: a) polyethyleneimine; b) latex; wherein the latex has a Tg lower than 25° C. and c) a hydrophilic colloid material. A method of coating the composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a material comprising a sheet wherein said sheet comprises at least one layer comprising polyether polymeric antistat and thermally processable onium salt.

Abstract: A thermal transfer donor element is provided which comprises a support, a light-to-heat conversion layer, an interlayer, and a thermal transfer layer. When the above donor element is brought into contact with a receptor and imagewise irradiated, an image is obtained which is free from contamination by the light-to-heat conversion layer. The construction and process of this invention is useful in making colored images including applications such as color proofs and color filter elements.

Abstract: This patent relates to an imaging member comprising a vacuous polymer base having adhered thereto an image formed on a transparent polymer sheet, wherein said vacuous polymer base has a density of less than 0.7 grams/cc and a modulus to density ratio of between 1500 and 4000 and wherein said image is in contact with said vacuous polymer base.

Abstract: A donor element for proofing having at least a transfer material disposed on a substrate for the preparation of a digital halftone proof having consistent dot density characteristics over time. The donor element includes a transfer material having a donor binder, a cationic infrared absorbing dye, a thermally activated crosslinking agent and a dispersible material The donor element can also include a distinct, intermediate transfer layer disposed between the substrate and the transfer material. The donor element can be used in conjunction with a receptor element to provide a thermal imaging system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for image formation using an intermediate transfer recording medium. An object of the present invention is to provide an intermediate transfer recording medium and a method for image formation which can yield a thermally transferred image possessing excellent various fastness properties even under severe service conditions, can transfer a protective layer onto an image on the object without transfer failure in an accurate and simple manner, and, in addition, can yield a highly lightfast image which is not deteriorated upon exposure to ultraviolet light. The intermediate transfer recording medium comprises: a sheet substrate provided with a resin layer; and a transparent sheet provided with a receptive layer, the sheet substrate provided with the resin layer having been put on top of the transparent sheet provided with the receptive layer so that the transfer sheet faces the resin layer.

Abstract: A process for the production of a pattern-forming body, the process including the steps of disposing a catalyst-containing layer-side substrate containing at least a photo catalyst-containing layer and a pattern-forming body substrate containing a characteristic-changeable layer which is changed in characteristics by the action of the photocatalyst in at least said photocatalyst-containing layer such that the photocatalyst-containing layer is in contact with the characteristic-changeable layer followed by performing exposure to thereby change the characteristics of the exposed portion of the characteristic-changeable layer and thereafter dismounting the photocatalyst-containing layer-side substrate, thereby obtaining a pattern-forming body having a pattern which has been changed in characteristics on the characteristic-changeable layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an article comprising ethoxylated alcohol wax intercalated in smectite clay. Embodiments of the invention comprise a sheet or an imaging member comprising an image layer and at least one layer comprising ethoxylated alcohol wax intercalated in smectite clay. The invention comprises a method of forming intercalated clay by providing smectite clay and combining the clay with ethoxylated alcohol wax and heating the mixture to above the softening point of the wax. The method further includes combining the intercalated clay with a polymer.