Antistatic composition and elements and processes utilizing same

An antistatic composition useful to reduce the propensity of multilayer elements to accumulate static electrical charge comprises an aqueous dispersion of (a) a film-forming binder; (b) a hardener for the binder; (c) a substantially transparent matting agent having particles with a diameter in the range of from about 1 to about 50 microns and a specific gravity substantially the same as that of water; (d) a highly electrically conductive, noncrystallizable conductivity agent; and (e) a charge control agent. This antistatic composition is especially useful as an image-receiving layer on substantially transparent image-receiving elements. Such image-receiving elements can be formed into projection-viewable transparencies by an electrographic copy process, which transparencies are considerably less likely to stick to one another or jam in electrographic copier/duplicator equipment than currently available transparencies.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to a formulation of chemical compounds useful as an 
antistatic composition. It also relates to multilayer elements 
incorporating such antistatic composition, which elements have reduced 
propensity to accumulate static electrical charge, and to a method of 
preparing such elements. In a particular aspect, this invention relates to 
substantially transparent image-receiving elements and a method of 
preparing same. In a further specific aspect, it relates to 
projection-viewable transparencies and an electrographic copy process for 
making same from such image-receiving elements. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
In the manufacture and use of multilayer elements useful in radiographic, 
magnetic, electrographic or photographic processes and products, the 
generation of static electrical charge is a serious problem. In the case 
of photographic and magnetic products, the most serious deleterious 
effects are evident when accumulated charge discharges, producing either 
actinic radiation or "noise" which is recorded as an image on 
photosensitive products or as static on magnetic products such as magnetic 
tape. In the case of electrographic products, such discharges can diminish 
image quality and cause elements to stick to each other or to other 
surfaces. Static discharge can occur in the course of manufacturing 
processes (e.g. coating, finishing or packaging) or during customer use 
(e.g. in cameras, printers, tape recorders, copier/duplicator equipment, 
etc.). 
Accumulation of static electrical charge on elements designed for 
electrographic use increases the tendency of such elements to stick to 
each other when stacked together or when being used. Many times, what is 
known as a "multifeed" occurs when two or more elements, which have been 
drawn into the electrographic copier/duplicator equipment, stick together 
and jam in the feeder rollers. Another problem arises when such elements 
stick to each other or to other surfaces within the equipment during the 
electrographic copying process. Typically, the element sticks at the fuser 
station where a toned image on the element is fused and jams that station 
causing equipment shutdown. Therefore, it is often difficult to feed such 
elements into and through electrographic copier/duplicator equipment 
smoothly and reliably. 
It has been known for many years that the projection of an image present 
upon a transparency may serve as an effective means for conveying 
information to one or more viewers. Such projection-viewable 
transparencies can be prepared by a number of methods, a common one being 
transfer electrostatic copying. By this process, an image of fusible toner 
particles is formed on an image-receiving layer of a transparent 
image-receiving element. The particles are then fixed to the element in 
some manner, e.g. by contact with a heated fusing surface. This process 
usually occurs inside electrographic copier/duplicator equipment 
(sometimes known as a copier/duplicator), such as that described in, for 
example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,099,860 (issued July 11, 1978 to Connin). It is 
apparent that image-receiving elements used in such a process and 
equipment must contact a variety of components (e.g. rollers, plates, 
belts, etc.) in such equipment. If any element "sticks" either to any of 
these components or to another element, it can "jam" up the entire copying 
process and impede the movement of or cause damage to itself and other 
elements, thereby greatly increasing equipment maintenance problems. 
It has been observed that "multifeeds" and "jams" at the fuser station have 
been occurring with increasing frequency with currently-available 
transparent image-forming elements that are utilized in such 
copier/duplicator equipment. While certain equipment changes can remedy 
some of the causes of such malfunctions, the number of such malfunctions 
is still undesirably high. It is believed that these problems are due 
largely to the accumulation of static electrical charge on the elements. 
Some users have attempted to reduce the incidence of "multifeeds" by 
interleaving the transparent image-receiving element with sheets of paper. 
This, however, results in lower productive use of the copier/duplicator 
equipment and additional labor costs for adding and removing the paper 
sheets. 
It is known that static electrical charge build-up can be minimized in 
multilayer elements (both sensitized and nonsensitized) by including an 
antistatic layer in such elements. Examples of antistatic compositions 
used for this purpose are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 
3,437,484 (issued Apr. 18, 1969 to Nadeau). Such compositions have 
resolved the static accumulation problem to a significant degree in many 
multilayer elements, including transparent image-receiving elements known 
in the art, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,549,360 (issued 
Dec. 22, 1970 to O'Neill et al) and 4,259,422 (issued Mar. 31, 1981 to 
Davidson et al). In Davidson et al, the transparent image-receiving 
elements are described as having a transparent polymeric support having on 
one side a hydrophilic colloid-containing image-receiving layer and on the 
other side the antistatic composition described in the Nadeau patent 
mentioned previously. 
It has been found that, as advances are made in electrographic 
copier/duplicator equipment design, higher speed electrographic copying is 
possible. High speed copying is desirable to increase productivity. 
However, it has been observed that high speed copying using 
currently-available transparent image-receiving elements has resulted in 
sharply higher incidences of element "multifeed" and "jams" within the 
equipment. It has also been observed that projection-viewable 
transparencies made from such elements cling to each other when they exit 
the equipment. Hence, they can not be stacked neatly and packaged without 
tediously pulling each element from the others and restacking. Such 
problems are believed to be due to higher accumulated static electrical 
charges on the elements resulting from higher copying speeds. Attempts to 
reduce these accumulated charges with known antistatic compositions have 
met with little success. 
Hence, there is a need in the art for multilayer elements having a reduced 
propensity for accumulating static electrical charge, and particularly for 
transparent image-receiving elements that can be fed and transported 
smoothly and reliably through electrographic copier/duplicator equipment 
at high speeds without significant accumulation of static electrical 
charge. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention provides multilayer elements, and particularly 
substantially transparent image-receiving elements, which have a reduced 
propensity to accumulate static electrical charge. Such image-receiving 
elements, when used in an electrographic copying process to prepare 
projection-viewable transparencies, are significantly less susceptible to 
"multifeeds" and "jams" than conventional elements. Further, the resulting 
transparencies of this invention do not stick together upon exiting 
copier/duplicator equipment and can be stacked and packaged with minimal 
effort. 
These advantages are achieved while the problems shown by conventional 
elements are overcome with the use of the novel antistatic composition of 
this invention. Many antistatic compositions containing various conductive 
chemical compounds are known but not every antistatic composition is 
effective in reducing static accumulation in all types of elements 
requiring static protection. Many times, an antistatic composition is 
useful specifically in certain types of elements, or for certain levels of 
static charge. The novel antistatic composition of this invention, with 
its specific formulation of specific compounds, has been found to 
significantly reduce the propensity of multilayer elements to accumulate 
static electrical charge under circumstances where other compositions have 
failed. 
In accordance with this invention, there is provided an antistatic 
composition comprising an aqueous dispersion of (a) a film-forming binder; 
(b) a hardener for the binder; (c) a substantially transparent matting 
agent having particles with a diameter in the range of from about 1 to 
about 50 microns and a specific gravity substantially the same as that of 
water; (d) a highly electrically conductive, noncrystallizable 
conductivity agent; and (e) a charge control agent. 
This invention also provides a multilayer element having reduced propensity 
to accumulate static electrical charge. Such an element comprises a 
support having on at least one side thereof, a non-tacky, electrically 
conductive layer with a surface resistivity of from about 1.times.10.sup.7 
to about 1.times.10.sup.12 ohms per square when measured at 21.degree. C. 
and 50% relative humidity (R.H.). This electrically conductive layer 
comprises (a) a film-forming binder; (b) a hardener for the binder; (c) a 
substantially transparent matting agent having particles with a diameter 
in the range of from about 1 to about 50 microns; (d) a highly 
electrically conductive, noncrystallizable conductivity agent; and (e) a 
charge control agent in an amount sufficient to reduce triboelectric 
charging of the layer to less than about +15 microcoulombs per square 
meter. 
Further, this invention comprises a method for providing the just-described 
multilayer element. Such method comprises the steps of (1) forming a layer 
on at least one side of a support with the antistatic composition of this 
invention; and (2) rendering such antistatic layer dry and non-tacky. 
Additionally, this invention encompasses both an electrographic copy 
process for forming a projection-viewable transparency and the 
transparency formed thereby. This process comprises the steps of (1) 
forming a toned image of fusible toner particles on an image-receiving 
layer of a substantially transparent image-receiving element; and (2) 
fusing the toner particles to the image-receiving layer. Such 
image-receiving element comprises a substantially transparent polymeric 
support having on one side the image-receiving layer and on the opposite 
side an antistatic layer. Each of these layers has a surface resistivity 
of from about 1.times.10.sup.10 to about 1.times.10.sup.12 ohms per square 
when measured at 21.degree. C. and 50% R.H. Also, each layer comprises (a) 
a film-forming binder; (b) a hardener for the binder; (c) a substantially 
transparent matting agent having particles with a diameter in the range of 
from about 2 to about 25 microns, (d) a highly electrically conductive, 
noncrystallizable conductivity agent; and (e) a charge control agent in an 
amount sufficient to reduce triboelectric charging of each layer to less 
than about +15 microcoulombs per square meter. 
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The antistatic composition of this invention is an aqueous-based 
composition. Typically, water is the only liquid in the composition. 
However, mixtures of water and water-miscible organic solvents (e.g. 
alcohols, such as methanol and isopropanol and ketones such as acetone) 
can be used as long as water comprises at least 50 percent, by weight, of 
the mixture. The term "aqueous dispersion" is utilized herein to encompass 
total or partial solubilization of some of the components of the 
composition. Typically, some of the components will be dissolved or 
solubilized in the water, while others (e.g. the matting agent) will be 
dispersed therein. 
The film-forming binder useful in the antistatic composition of this 
invention can be any binder which can be applied to a substrate in a 
suitable manner to form a non-tacky film. Typically, the binders useful in 
this invention are those which are naturally non-tacky when so applied or 
which can be hardened to eliminate any tackiness. Such binders are known 
in the art and described, for example, in Research Disclosure, publication 
17643, paragraph IX, (published December, 1978 by Industrial 
Opportunities, Ltd., Homewell, Havant Hampshire P09 1EF, United Kingdom) 
and include both natural and synthetic, colloidal and resin materials. 
They can be used alone or in combination. Preferably, the binder is a 
synthetic polymer resin binder, such as poly(vinyl alcohol) or a 
derivative thereof, poly(vinyl acetate), carboxy methylcellulose or 
carboxymethyl hydroxyethylcellulose. More preferably, the resin binder is 
poly(vinyl alcohol). The binders useful in the practice of this invention 
are either readily available from commercial sources or readily prepared 
by techniques known in the art. The binders can be mixed with inorganic 
materials, such as silica, which also act as binders but which are not 
necessarily film-forming. 
The hardener useful in the antistatic composition of this invention can be 
any suitable hardener which will render the particular binder used 
non-tacky in film form. Such hardeners are well known in the art and are 
either commercially available or easily prepared by known methods. They 
can be used alone or in combination and in free or blocked form. Useful 
hardeners include Werner chromium complex compounds, chromium halides and 
sulfates, aldehydes, epoxy-containing compounds, haloethylsulfonyls, 
bis(vinylsulfonyl)s, zirconium nitrate, and others described, for example, 
in Research Disclosure, publication 17643, paragraph X, mentioned 
previously. Preferred hardeners for use in this invention include highly 
reactive Werner chromium compounds (e.g. methacrylatochromic chloride 
available as VOLAN.sup.TM from DuPont Co., Wilmington, Delaware). When 
poly(vinyl alcohol) is used as the binder, the preferred hardener is 
methacrylatochromic chloride. 
The antistatic compositions of this invention also include a substantially 
transparent matting agent which improves surface lubricity of the applied 
antistatic composition. As used throughout this specification and in the 
claims, the term "substantially transparent" when used in relation to the 
matting agent, or any other part of an element, means that essentially all 
(greater than about 90 percent) light incident on an object passes through 
that object. Although the size of the particles of the matting agent can 
vary widely, preferably the particles are of substantially uniform size. 
Typically, the particles have a curvilinear surface and most preferably 
are substantially spherical beads. Generally, these particles have a 
diameter in the range of from about 1 to about 50, preferably from about 2 
to about 25, and more preferably from about 8 to about 12, microns. Where 
the particles are not spherical, this diameter refers to the dimension of 
the major axis. 
The matting agent useful in this invention exhibits little or no swelling 
(i.e. less than about 20%, preferably less than about 10% swell) in the 
aqueous medium it is dispersed in. Further, the matting agent has a 
specific gravity substantially the same as that of the aqueous medium 
(i.e. about 1). When the specific gravity of the matting agent is so 
matched, the particles of the matting agent are often referred to as 
"neutral bouyancy" particles. Use of neutral bouyancy particles facilities 
the uniform dispersion of the matting agent throughout the aqueous medium 
and correspondingly, throughout the coated antistatic layer and prevents 
settling in the medium. 
The particles of the matting agent described herein can be composed of a 
wide variety of organic polymers, including both natural and synthetic 
polymers having the requisite transparency, non-swellability and specific 
gravity. The polymers can be addition polymers (e.g. polystyrenes, 
polyacrylates, etc.) or condensation polymers (e.g. polyesters, 
polycarbonates, polyamides, silicone polymers, etc.). Preferably, the 
matting agent particles are composed of addition polymers (i.e. 
homopolymers and copolymers) prepared from one or more ethylenically 
unsaturated polymerizable monomers. The matting agent can comprise either 
particles of one polymer or a mixture of particles of several polymers. 
The polymers of which the particles are composed can be prepared by any of 
a variety of conventional polymerization methods. Typical addition 
polymerization methods include: solution polymerization (followed by 
appropriate precipitation procedure, if necessary); suspension 
polymerization (sometimes called bead polymerization); emulsion 
polymerization; dispersion polymerization; and precipitation 
polymerization. Condensation polymers can be prepared by conventional 
condensation polymerization processes (e.g. bulk and hot melt 
polymerization). 
Although the present invention is not so limited, particularly useful 
polymers for preparing the matting agent described herein are addition 
polymers prepared from at least one of the following ethylenically 
unsaturated polymerizable monomers: 
a. Up to 100, preferably up to about 99, weight percent of an amino-free 
styrene, including derivatives and equivalents thereof, such as a monomer 
having the formula 
##STR1## 
wherein each of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, which can be the same or different, 
is a non-interfering substituent such as hydrogen, halo (e.g. fluoro, 
chloro or bromo) or substituted or unsubstituted, amino-free alkyl or aryl 
having from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms (e.g. methyl, ethyl, t-butyl, 
phenyl, methylphenyl, etc.); and R.sup.3 is a non-interfering substituent 
such as hydrogen, halo (e.g. fluoro, chloro or bromo), or a substituted or 
unsubstituted, amino-free aliphatic or aromatic group having from 1 to 
about 10 carbon atoms, e.g. alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, or aryloxy. Typical of 
such styrene monomers are styrene, vinyltoluene and t-butylstyrene. 
b. Up to about 25, preferably up to about 20, weight percent of an acrylic 
acid ester, including derivatives and equivalents thereof, such as an 
acrylic acid ester having the formula CHR.sup.1 .dbd.CH--COOR.sup.4 
wherein R.sup.1 is as defined above and R.sup.4 is a hydrocarbon having 
from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, such as aryl (e.g. phenyl), alkyl (e.g. 
methyl, ethyl, chloromethyl, t-butyl), alkaryl (e.g. benzyl, 
2-ethylenephenyl) and aralkyl (e.g. xylyl). 
c. Up to 100, preferably up to about 75, weight percent of a methacrylic 
acid ester including derivatives and equivalents thereof, such as a 
methacrylic acid ester having the formula 
##STR2## 
wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.4 are as defined above. d. Up to about 30, 
preferably up to about 25, weight percent of a carboxylic acid containing 
one or more ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable groups, such as 
methacrylic acid, acrylic acid, crotonic acid and itaconic acid. 
e. Up to about 75, preferably up to about 50, weight percent of a nitrile 
containing one or more ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable groups, 
such as acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, and equivalents. 
f. Up to about 20, preferably up to about 15, weight percent of 
amino-substituted styrene monomer, including styrene monomers having 
N-alkyl substituted amino substituents on the phenyl ring of the styrene 
monomers, such amino-substituted styrene monomers typically having the 
formula 
##STR3## 
wherein each of n and p, which can be the same or different, is 0 or 1, 
R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are as defined above, R.sup.5 is alkylene 
having from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms (e.g. methylene, ethylene, 
isopropylene, etc.), and Am is a primary, secondary, or tertiary amino 
group. Typical of such amine-substituted styrene monomers are 
N,N-dimethyl-N-vinylbenzylamine and styrenes containing N-alkyl 
substituted amino substituents, such as N-methylaminoethylstyrene and 
N,N-dimethylaminoethylstyrene. 
g. Up to about 20, preferably up to about 10, weight percent of a monomer 
containing a crosslinkable group, including 
(1) ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable monomers which can be 
crosslinked by conventional gelatin hardeners, for example, aldehyde 
hardeners, haloethylsulfonyl hardeners, bis(vinylsulfonyl) hardeners, and 
the like. Particularly preferred of such monomers are those containing an 
active methylene group as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,459,790; 
3,488,708; 3,554,987; 3,658,878; 3,929,482; and 3,939,130; and 
(2) ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable monomers which can be 
crosslinked by diamines, such monomers containing a conventional gelatin 
hardening group, for example, aldehyde group-containing monomers, 
haloethylsulfonyl group-containing monomers, vinylsulfonyl 
group-containing monomers, and the like. 
h. Up to about 20, preferably up to about 15, weight percent of a tertiary 
aminoalkyl acrylate or methacrylate and equivalents thereof, such as 
dimethylaminoethyl acrylate, diethylaminoethyl methacrylate, etc. 
i. Up to 100, preferably up to about 75, weight percent of a polymerizable, 
N-heterocyclic vinyl monomer and equivalents thereof, such as 
4-vinylpyridine, 2-vinylpyridine, etc. 
j. Up to about 20, preferably up to about 15, weight percent of an 
acrylamide or methacrylamide and equivalents thereof, including monomers 
having the formula 
##STR4## 
wherein R.sup.1 and Am are as defined above and R.sup.6 is hydrogen or 
methyl. Typical of such monomers are N,N-dialkylacrylamide (e.g. 
N,N-diisopropylacrylamide) or N,N-dialkylmethacrylamide (e.g. 
N,N-dimethylmethacrylamide). 
k. Up to about 20, preferably up to about 5 weight percent, of a 
crosslinkable monomer containing at least two ethylenically unsaturated 
polymerizable groups, such as divinylbenzene, 
N,N-methylenebis(acrylamide), ethylene diacrylate, ethylene dimethacrylate 
and equivalents thereof. 
A partial listing of particularly useful polymers includes: 
poly(styrene-co-methacrylic acid) [98:2]; poly(vinyl 
toluene-co-p-t-butylstyrene-co-methacrylic acid) [61:37:2]; poly(vinyl 
toluene-co-p-t-butylstyrene-co-methacrylic acid-co-divinylbenzene) 
[60:37:2:1]; poly(methyl methacrylate); and 
poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile). An especially useful polymer is poly(vinyl 
toluene-co-p-t-butylstyrene-co-methacrylic acid) [61:37:2]. The numbers in 
the brackets following each of the polymer names represent the weight 
ratio of monomers from which the polymers are prepared. 
Further examples of polymers useful in preparing the matting agent 
described herein are given in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,258,001 (issued March 24, 
1981 to Pierce et al), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by 
reference. 
The matting agent particles comprise at least about 75, and preferably at 
least about 90 weight percent, of the described addition or condensation 
polymers. The remainder of these particles can be composed of other 
addenda, e.g. pigments, fillers, etc. provided the requisite transparency 
is maintained. In preferred embodiments, the particles are composed 
entirely, i.e. 100 weight percent, of such polymers. 
Still another component of the antistatic compositions of this invention is 
a highly-conductive, noncrystallizable conductivity agent. Any suitable 
conductivity agent can be used, nonpolymeric and polymeric, as long as it 
provides sufficient conductivity when used in the antistatic composition 
and elements of this invention and is noncrystallizable. Such a 
conductivity agent can be used alone or in combination with others. As 
used in this specification and in the claims, the term "noncrystallizable" 
refers to a conductivity agent which does not form crystals on the surface 
of the coated antistatic composition, thereby keeping the coated product 
free of "haze." 
While not intending to limit the scope of this invention, typical 
noncrystallizable conductivity agents include ionic polymers or resins. 
Such polymers can also be called "polyelectrolytes." Ionic polymers can be 
anionic or cationic, have charged moieties in the backbone of the polymer 
chain or in pendant groups and be free acids or salts of acids. They can 
be addition or condensation polymers prepared by conventional techniques 
such as those techniques described previously with regard to the matting 
agent. 
Useful conductivity agents include cationic polymers, such as the 
vinylbenzyl quaternary ammonium polymers described in U.S. Pat. No. 
4,070,189 (issued Jan. 24, 1978 to Kelley et al); the various quaternary 
ammonium polymers described in U.K. Pat. No. 1,549,032 (Schoeller, 
published July 25, 1979) and U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,708,289 (issued Jan. 2, 1973 
to Timmerman et al), 3,775,126 (issued Nov. 27, 1973 to Babbitt et al) and 
4,222,901 (issued Sept. 16, 1980 to Sinkovitz); and anionic polymers, such 
as alkali metal and ammonium salts of poly(acrylic acid), poly(methacrylic 
acid), poly(styrene sulfonic acid)s, poly(vinyl phosphate)s and free acids 
thereof; salts of a carboxy ester-lactone of an interpolymer of an 
.alpha.-.beta.-dicarboxylic acid (or anhydride) and a vinyl ester of a 
carboxylic acid, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,206,312 (issued Sept. 14, 
1965 to Sterman et al); the anionic polymers described in U.S. Pat. No. 
3,033,679 (issued May 8, 1962 to Laakso et al) and in the Timmerman et al 
and Schoeller patents mentioned previously. The disclosures of all of 
these references are incorporated herein by reference. All of these 
polymers are readily available commercially or prepared by techniques 
known to one of ordinary skill in the polymer chemistry art. 
In some instances, it is possible for the conductivity agent to also be a 
binder for the described antistatic composition. In such instances, then, 
one material would perform the function of two components of the 
composition. 
The anionic conductivity agents described above are preferred for use in 
the practice of this invention. Of these, polymeric carboxylic acids and 
their metal and ammonium salts, such as poly(acrylic acid) and 
poly(methacrylic acid), their substituted equivalents and their alkali and 
ammonium salts are particularly useful. In its use here, the term 
"polymeric" also includes oligomeric compounds. Examples of polymeric 
carboxylic acids and salts thereof include sodium polyacrylate, potassium 
polyacrylate, sodium polymethacrylate, potassium 
poly(.alpha.-chloroacrylate), poly(acrylic acid) and ammonium 
polymethacrylate. TAMOL.TM. 850 (available from Rohm & Haas, Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania) is a preferred conductivity agent. 
The antistatic compositions of this invention also comprise a charge 
control agent, alone or in combination with other charge control agents. 
As used herein and as described in the art (notably U.S. Pat. Nos. 
3,501,653 issued Mar. 17, 1970 to Bailey, Jr. and 3,850,642, issued Nov. 
26, 1974 to Bailey, Jr. et al the disclosures of both of which are 
incorporated herein by reference). a "charge control agent" is a material 
of known triboelectric charging propensity as determined with the 
apparatus and method described in the Bailey, Jr. patent. This agent is 
capable of being incorporated into or coated onto a surface to adjust the 
triboelectric charging characteristics thereof. 
"Charge control agents" are to be distinguished from "conductivity agents" 
The latter are materials which, due to their hygroscopy or ionic nature, 
tend to conduct away or bleed off static charges generated by contact 
between two surfaces, thereby minimizing static charge accumulation. 
"Charge control agents" are materials which minimize, maximize or adjust 
to a prescribed level, the propensity of a given surface to generate 
static electrical charges when contacted with another usually dissimilar 
surface. 
The present invention is not limited to any particular charge control 
agent. Any charge control agent is useful as long as it provides the 
desired reduction in triboelectric charging when used in the antistatic 
composition and elements of this invention. Typical useful charge control 
agents include these described in the Bailey, Jr. et al patent described 
previously, and the fluorinated surface active agents (sometimes called 
surfactants) described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,754,924 (issued Aug. 28, 1973 
to DeGeest et al) and 3,884,699 (issued May 20, 1975 to Cavallo et al), 
the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
The fluorinated surfactants of DeGeest et al are particularly useful, 
including those having the formula R.sub.F --A--X wherein R.sub.F is a 
partly or wholly fluorinated hydrocarbon chain comprising at least three 
fluorine atoms. "A" is a chemical bond or a bivalent hydrocarbon group 
having from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, such as an aliphatic (e.g. alkylene or 
cycloalkylene), aromatic (e.g. arylene) or mixed aliphatic-aromatic group 
(e.g. aralkylene or alkarylene) including bivalent groups interrupted by 
heteroatoms (e.g. oxygen and sulfur), carbonyloxy 
##STR5## 
wherein R.sup.7 is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms). "X" is a 
hydrophilic group, such as (1) a hydrophilic nonionic polyoxyalkylene 
group like a polyoxyethylene of the formula (--CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n 
R.sup.8 wherein R.sup.8 is hydrogen or alkyl (branched or linear) of 1 to 
5 carbon atoms and n is an integer of from 5 to 20, which polyoxyalkylene 
can be interrupted by one or more isopropyleneoxy groups; (2) a 
hydrophilic betaine such as 
##STR6## 
wherein Alk is alkylene (branched or linear) of from 1 to 5 carbon atoms 
and R.sup.9 is alkyl (branched or linear) of from 1 to 5 carbon atoms; or 
(3) an anionic group such as --SO.sub.3 M, --OSO.sub.3 M, --COOM, 
--OPO.sub.3 M, --OPO.sub.3 MR.sup.10 or --PO.sub.3 MR.sup.10 wherein M is 
hydrogen, an alkali metal ion (e.g. sodium or potassium), an ammonium ion 
(having hydrogen or alkyl groups) or an organic ammonium ion, such as 
diethanolammonium, morpholinium, pyridinium, etc., and R.sup.10 is alkyl 
(branched or linear) of from 1 to 5 carbon atoms or R.sub.F. 
Of the fluorinated surfactants, the anionic compounds are more preferred, 
including those wherein R.sub.F is a partly or wholly fluorinated alkyl of 
from 1 to 12 carbon atoms (e.g. methylene, isopropylene, hexylene, 
dodecylene, etc.), A is a chemical bond and X is an anionic group, 
especially a sulfonate. One particularly useful charge control agent, 
which is commercially available under the name FLUORTENSIDE FT 248.TM. 
from Mobay Chemical Company, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has the formula 
CF.sub.3 (CF.sub.2).sub.7 SO.sub.3.sup.- N(C.sub.2 H.sub.5).sub.4.sup.+. 
All of the charge control agents useful in the practice of this invention 
are either readily available commercially or prepared by techniques known 
to a worker of ordinary skill in the chemical arts. 
The components of the described antistatic composition can be mixed 
together in any suitable fashion whereby coagulation or agglomeration is 
avoided. Generally, the individual components are added to the aqueous 
medium under ambient conditions one at a time with sufficient agitation to 
disperse or solubilize them and so maintain them. The components are added 
in small amounts so as to keep the resulting composition relatively 
dilute. Although it can vary outside this range, generally, the percent 
solids of the composition is in the range of from about 0.1 to about 20. 
Preferably, it is from about 0.5 to about 2.5 percent solids, with from 
about 1.5 to about 2 being more preferred. 
In a preferred embodiment, the antistatic composition is prepared by mixing 
the resin binder and matting agent; dispersing these components in water 
with suitable agitation; and adding, in order, the charge control agent, 
the hardener and the conductivity agent, all with good agitation. 
Although the amounts of the described components of this antistatic 
composition can vary widely to achieve desired properties, the typical and 
preferred amounts are as follows, each based on total composition solids 
(i.e. dry weight): 
(a) The resin binder is present in an amount sufficient to provide a 
continuous film when applied to a substrate, in which film the other 
components are substantially homogeneously (i.e. uniformly) distributed. 
Typically, the resin binder comprises from about 5 to about 80, and 
preferably, from about 50 to about 70, weight percent. 
(b) The hardener is present in an amount sufficient to render the resin 
binder non-tacky. Typically, it comprises from about 0.5 to about 8, and 
preferably from about 1 to about 2, weight percent. 
(c) The matting agent is present in an amount sufficient to provide the 
desired surface lubricity and transparency to the applied layer. 
Typically, the matting agent comprises from about 2 to about 30, and 
preferably from about 15 to about 25, weight percent. 
(d) The conductivity agent is present in an amount effective to render an 
applied layer of the composition sufficiently conductive so that the layer 
surface has a surface resistivity of from about 1.times.10.sup.7 to about 
1.times.10.sup.12 ohms per square, preferably from about 1.times.10.sup.10 
to about 1.times.10.sup.12 ohms per square and more preferably from about 
5.times.10.sup.10 to about 5.times.10.sup.11 ohms per square all measured 
at 21.degree. C. and 50% R.H. Typically, the conductivity agent comprises 
from about 2 to about 20, and preferably from about 8 to about 12, weight 
percent. 
(e) The charge control agent is present in an amount sufficient to reduce 
triboelectric charging of an applied layer of the antistatic composition 
to less than about .+-.15 microcoulombs per square meter, and preferably 
less than about .+-.5 microcoulombs per square meter. Typically, the 
charge control agent comprises from about 0.01 to about 0.3, and 
preferably from about 0.08 to about 0.15, weight percent. 
The amount of each component of the antistatic composition can also be 
characterized by specifying the dry weight coverage of each component in 
an applied layer of the composition. Typically, such layers have an 
average thickness in the range of from about 0.05 to about 5 micrometers, 
and preferably from about 0.1 to about 1 micrometers, depending upon the 
particular characteristics of the element. It should be understood that 
the matting agent particles typically protrude beyond the surface of the 
coated layer, although it is not necessary that they do so in some uses. 
In such typical layers then, the binder is present in a coverage of from 
about 5 to about 1600, and preferably from about 50 to about 1400, 
milligrams per square meter; the hardener is present in a coverage of from 
about 0.5 to about 160, and preferably from about 1 to about 40, 
milligrams per square meter; the matting agent is present in a coverage of 
from about 2 to about 600, and preferably from about 15 to about 500, 
milligrams per square meter; the conductivity agent is present in a 
coverage of from about 2 to about 400, and preferably from about 8 to 
about 240, milligrams per square meter; and the charge control agent is 
present in a coverage of from about 0.01 to about 6, and preferably from 
about 0.08 to about 3, milligrams per square meter. 
Besides the essential components described hereinabove, the antistatic 
composition of this invention can also contain one or more of various 
other addenda common to antistatic compositions, provided such addenda do 
not adversely affect the desired properties discussed previously in the 
Summary of the Invention. Such addenda include, but are not limited to, 
wetting aids, surface active agents, lubricants, colorants, inorganic 
matting agents, defoamers, biocides and thickeners. These addenda can be 
present in quantities typically used in the art. 
The antistatic compositions of this invention can be used in any multilayer 
element where there is need to provide conductivity and to reduce the 
propensity of such element to accumulate static electrical charge. 
Generally, such multilayer elements include photographic elements (both 
positive and negative working), including photothermographic, 
thermographic, radiographic, diffusion or image transfer film units and 
the like. Examples of such photographic elements include photographic 
papers, aerial films, micrographic films, graphic arts films and integral 
or two-sheet diffusion or image transfer products. The characteristics and 
components of such products are known in the art which is too voluminous 
to list. One reference summarizing much of the art, including the various 
image forming materials and layers, is Research Disclosure, publication 
17643, cited previously. This invention also encompasses electrographic 
elements. Such elements include electrostatographic, electrophotographic 
and xerographic elements. Again, the art describing such products is too 
voluminous to list here. One reference describing some of these elements, 
including image-forming materials and layers is Research Disclosure, 
publication 10938, pp. 61-67, May, 1973. 
The multilayer elements of this invention typically have a support layer 
and one or more other layers thereon. Sometimes such support layers are 
simply called supports. Typical supports include polymeric films, wood 
fiber or cellulosic substrates (e.g. paper), metallic sheets and foil, 
glass, and ceramic substrates. Typical of useful cellulosic supports are 
paper supports having a baryta or polymeric (e.g. polyolefinic) coating 
thereon. 
Preferably, the support is a transparent polymeric film. Typical useful 
polymeric films include cellulose nitrate; cellulose esters (e.g. 
cellulose triacetate); polystyrene; polyamides; polymers prepared from 
vinyl chloride; polyolefins (e.g. polyethylene); polycarbonates; 
polyacrylates; polysulfones; polyamides and polyesters of dibasic aromatic 
carboxylic acids with divalent alcohols. A particularly useful polymeric 
support is a poly(ethylene terephthalate) film. 
A more detailed description of useful supports and methods of making same 
is provided in Research Disclosure, publication 17643, paragraph XVII, 
cited previously herein and the references mentioned therein. 
The antistatic composition of this invention can be applied to one or both 
sides of the support, but preferably, both sides, to form electrically 
conductive layers having the desired conductivity and triboelectric 
charging characteristics. The composition can be applied or located on the 
supports by any of a number of suitable procedures, including immersion or 
dip coating, roller coating, reverse roll coating, air knife coating, 
doctor blade coating, gravure coating, spray coating, extrusion coating, 
bead coating, stretch-flow coating and curtain coating. Applied layers can 
be dried by any suitable evaporation technique. Descriptions of coating 
and drying techniques are given in Research Disclosure, publication 17643, 
paragraph XV, cited hereinabove and the references mentioned therein. 
The resistivity of the resulting electrically conductive layer can be 
measured by any suitable technique. One such technique is described is 
ASTM Standard C59.3, designation D257-75 entitled "Standard Methods of 
Test for D-C Resistance or Conductance of Insulating Materials", pp. 
66-85, published Feb. 28, 1975. U.S. Pat. No. 3,525,621 (issued Aug. 25, 
1970 to Miller) also discusses measurement of surface resistivities of 
coated layers. The triboelectric charging characteristics can also be 
measured by any suitable technique. One technique is known in the art as 
the "impact electrification" method, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 
3,501,653 and 3,850,642, cited previously herein. Generally, in this 
method, the propensity of a given surface to generate static electrical 
charge is measured relative to another standard surface, such as 
polyurethane or stainless steel. 
Optionally, the multilayer elements of this invention can comprise 
additional layers, such as subbing, antihalation, adhesive and protective 
layers, as known in the art. Preferably, the elements contain one or more 
subbing layers between the support and the electrically conductive layers. 
Any suitable subbing material can be used including those described, for 
example, in U.K. Pat. No. 1,463,727 (published Feb. 9, 1977) and U.S. Pat. 
Nos. 2,627,088 (issued Feb. 3, 1953 to Alles et al), 2,943,937 (issued 
July 5, 1960 to Nadeau et al), 3,271,345 (issued Sept. 6, 1966 to Nadeau 
et al), 3,437,484 (issued Apr. 8, 1969 to Nadeau), 3,501,301 (issued Mar. 
17, 1970 to Nadeau et al) and 3,919,156 (issued Nov. 11, 1975 to Khanna et 
al) the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
Particularly useful subbing materials are those prepared from vinylidene 
chloride copolymers, including poly(vinylidene chloride-co-methyl 
acrylate-co-itaconic acid) and poly(acrylonitrile-co-vinylidene 
chloride-co-acrylic acid). The typical thicknesses of subbing layers and 
methods of applying them to the supports are known in the art. 
The multilayer elements of this invention can be image-receiving or 
image-forming elements. Image-forming elements typically have one or more 
image-forming layers having components generally known to provide such a 
function, such as silver halide emulsions, photoconductors and the like. 
Typical image forming elements are described, for example, in Research 
Disclosures, publications 10938 (May, 1973); 15162 (November, 1976); 
17029 (June, 1978); and 17643 (December, 1978). Image-receiving elements 
typically "receive" an image and can be used as receivers in, for example, 
integral image transfer film units or two-sheet instant film products, 
including those sometimes called "peel apart" products and those described 
in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,296,195 (issued Oct. 20, 1981 to Bishop et al), and 
4,297,432 (issued Oct. 27, 1981 to Bowman et al). 
A preferred embodiment of this invention is a substantially transparent 
image-receiving element having reduced propensity to accumulate static 
electrical charge. This element is particularly useful for "receiving" 
images in electrographic copying processes. Such an element comprises a 
substantially transparent polymeric support having on each side thereof a 
non-tacky, electrically conductive layer with a surface resistivity of 
from about 1.times.10.sup.10 to about 1.times.10.sup.12 ohms per square 
when measured at 21.degree. C. and 50% R.H. Each electrically conductive 
layer comprises (a) a film-forming binder; (b) a hardener for the binder; 
(c) a substantially transparent matting agent having particles with a 
diameter in the range of from about 2 to about 25 microns; (d) a highly 
electrically conductive, noncrystallizable conductivity agent; and (e) a 
charge control agent in an amount sufficient to reduce triboelectric 
charging of each electrically conductive layer to less than about .+-.15 
microcoulombs per square meter. 
In such an image-receiving element, the preferred components and properties 
of the image-receiving layer are those described previously with regard to 
the multilayer elements of this invention as long as the image-receiving 
element has the requisite transparency. Preferably, the element has a 
subbing layer between the support and each image-receiving layer. Since 
the element has an image-receiving layer on each side of the support, 
either side can be used to receive an image. Typically the layer on one 
side is used to receive an image while the layer on the other side is used 
as an antistatic layer. 
A particular preferred substantially transparent image-receiving element 
has a substantially transparent polymeric support (e.g. a poly(ethylene 
terephthalate) film). On each side of the support, outwardly, is a subbing 
layer and a non-tacky, electrically conductive layer with a surface 
resistivity of from about 5.times.10.sup.10 to about 5.times.10.sup.11 
ohms per square when measured at 21.degree. C. and 50% R.H. Each 
electrically conductive layer comprises (a) poly(vinyl alcohol); (b) 
methacrylatochromic chloride; (c) a substantially transparent matting 
agent having particles with a diameter in the range of from about 8 to 
about 12 microns and comprising an addition polymer prepared from at least 
one ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable monomer; (d) an alkali metal 
salt of a polymeric carboxylic acid; and (e) an ammonium salt of a 
fluorinated alkyl sulfonic acid in an amount sufficient to reduce 
triboelectric charging of the layer to less than about +5 microcoulombs 
per square meter. 
The described substantially transparent image-receiving element can be 
prepared in a manner similar to that described hereinabove for the other 
multilayer elements of this invention, namely (1) forming a layer on each 
side of a substantially transparent polymeric support with the antistatic 
composition of this invention; and (2) rendering each layer dry and 
non-tacky. 
The substantially transparent image-receiving element of this invention can 
be used in an electrographic copy process to prepare a projection-viewable 
transparency. Like the image-receiving element, this transparency has 
reduced static and can be readily stacked and handled without one 
transparency sticking to another. 
Such electrographic copy processes are known in the art, as described, for 
example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,549,360 (issued Dec. 22, 1970 to O'Neill et 
al); 3,854,942 (issued Dec. 17, 1974 to Akman) and 4,259,422 (issued Mar. 
31, 1981 to Davidson et al), the disclosures of which are incorporated 
herein by reference. An electrographic copy process is also known as 
"xerographic reproduction" or "electrostatic copying." 
The electrographic copy process of this invention typically employs an 
electrophotographic element comprising a support bearing a coating of a 
normally insulating material. The electrical resistance of the insulating 
material, moreover, varies with the amount of incident actinic radiation 
it receives during imagewise exposure. The element is first given a 
uniform surface charge, generally in the dark. It is then exposed to a 
pattern of actinic radiation which reduces the potential of the surface 
charge in accordance with the relative energy contained in various parts 
of the radiation pattern. The differential surface charge (sometimes known 
as an electrostatic latent image) remaining on the element is then 
transferred to the image-receiving layer of the substantially transparent 
image-receiving element of this invention, as described previously. 
Image transfer is generally carried out by contacting the insulating 
surface of the exposed electrophotographic element with the surface of the 
image-receiving layer. An electric field is established between these 
surfaces and the electrostatic charge is transferred to the 
image-receiving layer where it is trapped. The transferred latent image is 
then made visible by contacting the surface of the image-receiving layer 
with fusible toner particles. Such toner, whether contained in an 
insulating liquid or on a dry carrier, can be deposited on the 
image-receiving element either in the areas where there is an 
electrostatic charge or in the areas where the charge is absent. 
As previously indicated, the toned image employed comprises particles of a 
fusible, typically resinous, material which is fixed to the 
image-receiving layer of the image-receiving element by the application of 
heat in a suitable manner (conductive, convective or radiation source). 
Typically, the toned layer is brought into contact with a heated fuser 
surface, such as a heated fuser roller, where heat is applied to soften 
the toner particles, thereby fusing the image to the image-receiver 
element. 
The temperature of the fuser surface can vary widely depending on such 
factors as the type of toner used and the duration of contact between the 
image-receiving element and the heated surface. In general, the 
temperature is in the range of from about 160.degree. to about 210.degree. 
C., and preferably from about 170.degree. to about 190.degree. C. 
Typical fuser surfaces are described in Product Licensing Index, Vol. 99, 
publication 9944, July, 1972, pp. 72-73; and Research Disclosure, 
publication 16730, March, 1978, pp. 76-77 (both published by Industrial 
Opportunities, Ltd., Homewell, Havant Hampshire PO9 1EF, United Kingdom). 
The heated surface can be coated with a suitable release liquid to inhibit 
transfer of toner particles onto the roll during fusing as described, for 
example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,259,422 (issued Mar. 31, 1981 to Davidson et 
al). 
Fusible toner particles that are suitable for forming a visible toned image 
can comprise a variety of known, mostly resinous, materials including 
natural and synthetic resins. Examples of useful toner materials are given 
in the Davidson et al patent mentioned previously and references cited 
therein. 
Any suitable electrophotographic element can be used to transfer a latent 
image to the image-receiving element of this invention. A description of 
typical electrophotographic elements is given in each of U.S. Pat. Nos. 
4,232,101 (issued Nov. 4, 1980 to Fukuda et al); 4,250,237 (issued Feb. 
10, 1981 to Vickers) and references cited therein. 
Any suitable electrographic copying/duplicator equipment can be used in the 
copying process of this invention. An example of such equipment is 
described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,099,860 (issued July 11, 1978 to Connin).

The following examples are included to further illustrate the invention. 
EXAMPLE 1 
This is a comparative example comparing a transparent image-receiving 
element of the present invention to two transparent image-receiving 
elements outside the scope of the present invention. 
The element of this invention was prepared by coating (at a dry weight 
coverage of about 0.25 g/m.sup.2) both sides of a poly(ethylene 
terephthalate) support (which was subbed on both sides with a copolymer of 
acrylonitrile, vinylidene chloride and acrylic acid) with an antistatic 
composition of this invention having the following components: 
______________________________________ 
parts per hundred 
______________________________________ 
poly(vinyl alcohol) binder 
1.25 
methacrylatochromic chloride 
0.031 
hardener 
poly(vinyltoluene-co-p-t- 
0.4 
butylstyrene-co-methacrylic 
acid) [61:37:2 weight ratio] 
matting agent 
TAMOL .TM. 850 conductivity 
0.2 
agent 
CF.sub.3 (CF.sub.2).sub.7 SO.sub.3 --N(C.sub.2 H.sub.5).sub.4 
0.002 
charge control agent 
water 98.117 
______________________________________ 
The coated layers were then dried by a conventional drying technique. 
The Control elements A and B each comprised a poly(ethylene terephthalate) 
support subbed on both sides with a copolymer of acrylonitrile, vinylidene 
chloride and acrylic acid. One side of the subbed support of each Control 
element had an antistatic layer comprising poly(vinyl alcohol) binder, a 
hardener for the binder, an inorganic salt and a matting agent, similar to 
the antistatic compositions described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,437,484 (issued 
Apr. 8, 1967 to Nadeau). 
On the other side of the subbed support, Control A had an image-receiving 
layer like that of Example 1 except that gelatin was used in place of 
poly(vinyl alcohol), formaldehyde was used as the hardener instead of 
methacrylatochromic chloride and sodium nitrate was used as conductivity 
agent instead of TAMOL.TM. 850. Control B had an image-receiving layer 
also like that of Example 1 except that sodium nitrate was used in place 
of sodium polymethacrylate as conductivity agent. 
The surface resistivity of several samples of each element was determined 
at different concentrations of conductivity agent. Resistivity was 
measured according to ASTM standard C59.3 described previously herein. The 
average resistivities obtained from these tests are given in Table I. 
TABLE I 
______________________________________ 
Concentration 
of Conductivity Surface Resistivity 
Agent (% of wet (21.degree. C., 50% R.H.) 
weight) [Log (ohms/sq)] 
______________________________________ 
0 Example 1 13.8 
Control B 13.8 
Control A 14.8 
0.1 Example 1 12.0 
Control B 12.6 
Control A 13.8 
0.2 Example 1 10.8 
Control B 11.6 
Control A 13.1 
0.3 Example 1 9.9 
Control B 11.1 
Control A 12.5 
0.4 Example 1 9.3 
Control B 10.8 
Control A 12.0 
0.5 Example 1 8.9 
Control B 10.5 
Control A 11.6 
0.6 Example 1 8.7 
Control B 10.4 
Control A 11.2 
0.7 Example 1 8.6 
Control B 10.4 
Control A 10.9 
______________________________________ 
From the data presented in Table I, it is evident that the antistatic 
composition of this invention provided significantly improved conductivity 
for the transparent image-receiving element over the Control compositions. 
In addition, it was noted that Control B had some haze at higher levels of 
sodium nitrate whereas Example 1 exhibited no haze at any concentration of 
conductivity agent. It should be noted also that the antistatic 
composition of Example 1 was used on both sides of the element whereas the 
antistatic layer and image-receiving layer of each Control element were 
different. 
EXAMPLE 2 
This is a comparative example illustrating the significant reduction in 
"multifeeds" and "jams" achieved in copier/duplicator equipment with the 
transparent image-receiving elements of this invention over similar 
elements known in the art. 
A transparent image-receiving element according to this invention was 
prepared in the manner described in Example 1. Another transparent 
image-receiving element was prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 
4,259,422 (issued Mar. 31, 1981 to Davidson et al) and called Control C. 
This element had an image-receiving layer containing gelatin and an 
antistatic layer on the opposite side of the support like that used in 
Controls A and B. 
The performance of these elements in conventional copier/duplicator 
equipment was evaluated in the following manner. 
Approximately 25 transparent image-receiving elements of both Example 2 and 
Control C were placed in the supply box of two separate, but identical, 
KODAK EKTAPRINT.TM. copier/duplicators. Twenty-five transparencies from 
each of Example 2 and Control C elements were made, five from each of 5 
different images (some light, some normal, some dark images). The 
resulting transparencies were evaluated for image quality and the copy 
process was evaluated for the frequency of "multifeeds" as well as "jams" 
at the fuser station. This procedure was performed four times each day for 
two consecutive days intermittently over a period of several months so 
that hundreds of transparencies were made from both Example 2 and Control 
C elements. 
In all transparencies, the image quality was acceptable although it was 
somewhat improved for the transparencies provided by this invention. The 
significant improvement evident was the reduction in frequency of 
"multifeeds" and "jams" for Example 2 transparencies over Control C 
transparencies. Frequency is defined as the decimal fraction of the total 
elements tested which resulted in malfunctions. The smaller the fraction, 
the less malfunctions occurred. 
For the Control C elements, the frequency varied over a period of several 
months from about 0.04 to about 0.1. In contrast, the frequency for 
Example 2 elements was consistently about 0.0067. In another way of 
looking at it, for Control C transparencies, a malfunction occurred for 
about 1 out of every 10 to 25 tested, whereas a malfunction occurred for 
only about 1 out of every 250 Example 2 transparencies tested. 
Additionally, upon exiting the copier/duplicator, Control C transparencies 
had considerable static and tended to stick together and could not be 
stacked neatly with ease upon exiting the copier/duplicator. Example 2 
transparencies, however, had little static and tendency to stick together 
upon exiting the copier/duplicator and could be easily stacked. 
This example illustrates the significant improvements obtained with the 
antistatic composition, elements and transparencies of this invention over 
those known in the art. 
This invention has been described with particular reference to certain 
preferred embodiments. However, it will be understood that variations and 
modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the 
invention.