Patent ID: 6057028
Filing Date: 2000-05-02
Classification: B41M,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A thermal transfer medium which transfers images to a receiving substrate when exposed to an operating print head of a thermal transfer printer, said thermal transfer medium comprising:a flexible substrate,a thermosensitive first coating positioned on said substrate comprising at least 75 wt. % of a wax, based on dry components, and 3 to 15 wt. % of a binder resin based on dry components and, optionally, a sensible material in an amount less than 20 wt. % based on dry components, wherein the wax comprises a hard wax and a soft wax in a ratio in the range of 2.0:1 to 0.5:1; anda thermosensitive second coating positioned on said first coating comprising a sensible material, a wax and at least 20 wt. % of a binder resin having high hot tack properties, based on dry components;wherein a) the melt viscosity of the second coating is 5,000 to 30,000 cps at 120.degree. C. and at least 100 times greater than the melt viscosity of the first coating, b) the hot tack properties and cohesion of the second layer are greater than the hot tack properties and cohesion of the first layer and c) the first coating has a higher softening point than the softening point of the second coating.