Patent ID: 6509131
Filing Date: 2003-01-21
Classification: B41M,B44C,D06P,G03C,G03F

Abstract:
A method of applying an image to a receptor element which comprises the steps of:(a) exposing imagewise an imaging system which comprises: a support having a front and rear surface; a transfer layer having a melting point of at least 65Â° C. and comprising (i) particles of a thermoplastic polymer having dimensions of about 1 to about 50 micrometers, from about 10 to about 50 weight percent of a film-forming binder, based on the weight of the thermoplastic polymer, and optionally from about 0.2 to about 10 weight percent of a viscosity modifier, based on the weight of the thermoplastic polymer, (ii) about 15 to about 80 percent by weight of a film-forming binder selected from the group consisting of ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers, polyolefins, and waxes and from about 85 to about 20 percent by weight of a powdered thermoplastic polymer selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides, waxes, epoxy polymers, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, wherein each of said film-forming binder and said powdered thermoplastic polymer melts in the range of from about 65Â° C. to about 180 degrees Celsius, (iii) a film forming binder selected from the group consisting of ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers, polyolefins, and waxes and which melts in the range of from about 65Â° C. to about 180 degrees Celsius, (iv) a thermoplastic polymer selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyesters, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers and which melts in the range of from about 65 to about 180 degrees Celsius or, (v) a thermoplastic polymer having selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyesters, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymers, and ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers and which melts in the range of from about 65 to about 180 degrees Celsius; wherein said transfer layer is capable of transferring and adhering developed image and non-image areas from said front surface of said support upon the application of heat energy to the rear surface of the support, said transfer layer strips from said front surface of the support by liquefying and releasing from said support when heated, said liquefied transfer layer providing adherence to a receptor element by flowing onto said receptor element and solidifying thereon, said adherence does not require an external surface adhesive layer, and at least one layer of microcapsules or at least one layer of microcapsules and developer in the same layer or at least one layer of microcapsules and developer in separate layers coated on said transfer layer, (b) developing the imagewise exposed imaging system to form an image, (c) positioning the front surface of imaging system against said receptor element, and (d) applying energy to the rear surface of the imaging system to transfer said image to said receptor element.