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US5296444A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Sublimation transfer method and heat-melt transfer medium used in the method

Assignee: Fujicopian Co Ltd
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Filing: 1992-04-21
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Granted: 1994-03-22
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Expires: 2012-04-21
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Abstract

Abstract In a sublimation transfer method wherein a heat-meltable ink layer containing a sublimation dye is melt-transferred to give a master having an image of the ink, and the sublimation dye in the ink image is heat-transferred to form a dyed image on a substrate, there is used a heat-melt transfer medium wherein a release layer comprising a wax-like substance as a major component is provided between a foundation and the ink layer, or an adhesive layer comprising a wax-like substance as a major component is provided on the ink layer, or both the release layer and the adhesive layer are provided. The releasability of the ink layer from the foundation and the adhesiveness of the ink layers with each other are good. The method is especially useful to form a full-color dyed image.

Inventors

  • 👤 Atsuo Saiki
  • 👤 Hideki Suematsu
  • 👤 Manabu Ikemoto
  • 👤 Hitomi Kawabata

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-01 14:33
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41M; B41M5/00; B41M5/26; B41M5/40; B41M5/42; B41M5/44; B41M5/025; B41M5/035; B41M5/423; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/913; Y10S428/914; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/31801

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim 167 words
A heat-melt transfer medium suitable for use in a sublimation transfer method which comprises using a heat-melt transfer medium with a heat-meltable ink layer containing a sublimation dye as a coloring agent, selectively melt-transferring the heat-meltable ink layer onto a sheet to form an image of the ink on the sheet, superimposing the resulting master onto a substrate so that the image faces the substrate and heating the resultant master/substrate at a temperature not less than the heat-transfer temperature of the sublimation dye to transfer the dye to the substrate, said transfer medium comprising a foundation, a release layer provided on the foundation and comprising a wax substance having a melting point of 50° to 100° C. as a major component, a heat-meltable ink layer provided on the release layer and containing a sublimation dye as a coloring agent, and an adhesive layer provided on the heat-meltable ink layer and comprising a wax substance having a melting point of 50° to 100° C. as a major component.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 167 words
A heat-melt transfer medium suitable for use in a sublimation transfer method which comprises using a heat-melt transfer medium with a heat-meltable ink layer containing a sublimation dye as a coloring agent, selectively melt-transferring the heat-meltable ink layer onto a sheet to form an image of the ink on the sheet, superimposing the resulting master onto a substrate so that the image faces the substrate and heating the resultant master/substrate at a temperature not less than the heat-transfer temperature of the sublimation dye to transfer the dye to the substrate, said transfer medium comprising a foundation, a release layer provided on the foundation and comprising a wax substance having a melting point of 50° to 100° C. as a major component, a heat-meltable ink layer provided on the release layer and containing a sublimation dye as a coloring agent, and an adhesive layer provided on the heat-meltable ink layer and comprising a wax substance having a melting point of 50° to 100° C. as a major component.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 19 words
The transfer medium of claim 1, wherein said release layer and said adhesive layer have substantially the same composition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 43 words
The transfer medium of claim 1, wherein said heat-meltable ink layer comprises an ink layer containing a sublimation dye with yellow hue, an ink layer containing a sublimation dye with magenta hue or an ink layer containing a sublimation dye with cyan hue.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 140 words
A heat-melt transfer medium suitable for use in a sublimation transfer method which comprises using a heat-melt transfer medium with a heat-meltable ink layer containing a sublimation dye as a coloring agent, selectively melt-transferring the heat-meltable ink layer onto a sheet to form an image of the ink on the sheet, superimposing the resulting master onto a substrate so that the image faces the substrate and heating the resultant master/substrate at a temperature not less than the heat-transfer temperature of the sublimation dye to transfer the dye to the substrate, said transfer medium comprising a foundation, a heat-meltable ink layer provided on the foundation and containing a sublimation dye as a coloring agent, and an adhesive layer provided on the ink layer and comprising a wax substance having a melting point of 50° to 100° C. as a major component.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 140 words
A heat-melt transfer medium suitable for use in a sublimation transfer method which comprises using a heat-melt transfer medium with a heat-meltable ink layer containing a sublimation dye as a coloring agent, selectively melt-transferring the heat-meltable ink layer onto a sheet to form an image of the ink on the sheet, superimposing the resulting master onto a substrate so that the image faces the substrate and heating the resultant master/substrate at a temperature not less than the heat-transfer temperature of the sublimation dye to transfer the dye to the substrate, said transfer medium comprising a foundation, a heat-meltable ink layer provided on the foundation and containing a sublimation dye as a coloring agent, and an adhesive layer provided on the ink layer and comprising a wax substance having a melting point of 50° to 100° C. as a major component.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 43 words
The transfer medium of claim 4, wherein said heat-mealtable ink layer comprises an ink layer containing a sublimation dye with yellow hue, an ink layer containing a sublimation dye with magenta hue or an ink layer containing a sublimation dye with cyan hue.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 212 words
A heat-melt transfer medium suitable for use in a sublimation transfer method which comprises selectively melt-transferring at least two of a heat-meltable ink layer containing a yellow sublimation dye, a heat-meltable ink layer containing a magenta sublimation dye and a heat-meltable ink layer containing a cyan sublimation dye onto a sheet to form at least two different color separation images on the sheet, superimposing the resulting master onto a substrate so that the color separation images face the substrate, and heating the resultant master/substrate at a temperature not less than the heat-transfer temperatures of the sublimation dyes to transfer the dyes to the substrate, said transfer medium comprising a foundation; a heat-meltable ink layer containing a yellow sublimation dye, a heat-meltable ink layer containing a magenta sublimation dye and a heat-meltable ink layer containing a cyan sublimation dye, which ink layers are disposed in a side-by-side relationship on the foundation; a release layer interposed between the foundation and the respective ink layers, the release layer comprising a wax substance having a melting point of 50° to 100° C. as a major component; and an adhesive layer provided on the respective ink layers, the adhesive layer comprising a wax substance having a melting point of 50° to 100° C. as a major component.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 212 words
A heat-melt transfer medium suitable for use in a sublimation transfer method which comprises selectively melt-transferring at least two of a heat-meltable ink layer containing a yellow sublimation dye, a heat-meltable ink layer containing a magenta sublimation dye and a heat-meltable ink layer containing a cyan sublimation dye onto a sheet to form at least two different color separation images on the sheet, superimposing the resulting master onto a substrate so that the color separation images face the substrate, and heating the resultant master/substrate at a temperature not less than the heat-transfer temperatures of the sublimation dyes to transfer the dyes to the substrate, said transfer medium comprising a foundation; a heat-meltable ink layer containing a yellow sublimation dye, a heat-meltable ink layer containing a magenta sublimation dye and a heat-meltable ink layer containing a cyan sublimation dye, which ink layers are disposed in a side-by-side relationship on the foundation; a release layer interposed between the foundation and the respective ink layers, the release layer comprising a wax substance having a melting point of 50° to 100° C. as a major component; and an adhesive layer provided on the respective ink layers, the adhesive layer comprising a wax substance having a melting point of 50° to 100° C. as a major component.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 25 words
The transfer medium of claim 6, wherein the heat-meltable ink layers containing different color sublimation dyes are disposed in the longitudinal direction of the foundation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 214 words
A heat-melt transfer medium suitable for use in a sublimation transfer method which comprises selectively melt-transferring at least two of a heat-meltable ink layer containing a yellow sublimation dye, a heat-meltable ink layer containing a magenta sublimation dye and a heat-meltable ink layer containing a cyan sublimation dye onto a sheet to form at least two different color separation images on the sheet, superimposing the resulting master onto a substrate so that the color separation images face the substrate, and heating the resultant master/substrate at a temperature not less than the heat-transfer temperatures of the sublimation dyes to transfer the dyes to the substrate, said transfer medium comprising a foundation, a release layer provided on the foundation and comprising a wax substance having a melting pint of 50° to 100° C. as a major component, a heat-meltable ink layer provided on the release layer and containing a sublimation dye as a coloring agent, and an adhesive layer provided on the heat-meltable ink layer and comprising a wax substance having a melting point of 50° to 100° C. as a major component, the heat-meltable ink layer comprising a heat-meltable ink layer containing a yellow sublimation dye, a heat-meltable ink layer containing a magenta sublimation dye or a heat-meltable ink layer containing a cyan sublimation dye.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 214 words
A heat-melt transfer medium suitable for use in a sublimation transfer method which comprises selectively melt-transferring at least two of a heat-meltable ink layer containing a yellow sublimation dye, a heat-meltable ink layer containing a magenta sublimation dye and a heat-meltable ink layer containing a cyan sublimation dye onto a sheet to form at least two different color separation images on the sheet, superimposing the resulting master onto a substrate so that the color separation images face the substrate, and heating the resultant master/substrate at a temperature not less than the heat-transfer temperatures of the sublimation dyes to transfer the dyes to the substrate, said transfer medium comprising a foundation, a release layer provided on the foundation and comprising a wax substance having a melting pint of 50° to 100° C. as a major component, a heat-meltable ink layer provided on the release layer and containing a sublimation dye as a coloring agent, and an adhesive layer provided on the heat-meltable ink layer and comprising a wax substance having a melting point of 50° to 100° C. as a major component, the heat-meltable ink layer comprising a heat-meltable ink layer containing a yellow sublimation dye, a heat-meltable ink layer containing a magenta sublimation dye or a heat-meltable ink layer containing a cyan sublimation dye.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 180 words
A heat-melt transfer medium suitable for use in a sublimation transfer method which comprises selectively melt-transferring at least two of a heat-meltable ink layer containing a yellow sublimation dye, a heat-meltable ink layer containing a magenta sublimation dye and a heat-meltable ink layer containing a cyan sublimation dye onto a sheet to form at least two different color separation images on the sheet, superimposing the resulting master onto a substrate so that the color separation images face the substrate, and heating the resultant master/substrate at a temperature not less than the heat-transfer temperatures of the sublimation dyes to transfer the dyes to the substrate, said transfer medium comprising a foundation; a heat-meltable ink layer containing a yellow sublimation dye, a heat-meltable ink layer containing a magenta sublimation dye and a heat-meltable ink layer containing a cyan sublimation dye, which ink layers are disposed in a side-by-side relationship on the foundation; and an adhesive layer provided on the respective ink layers, the adhesive layer comprising a wax substance having a melting point of 50° to 100° C. as a major component.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 180 words
A heat-melt transfer medium suitable for use in a sublimation transfer method which comprises selectively melt-transferring at least two of a heat-meltable ink layer containing a yellow sublimation dye, a heat-meltable ink layer containing a magenta sublimation dye and a heat-meltable ink layer containing a cyan sublimation dye onto a sheet to form at least two different color separation images on the sheet, superimposing the resulting master onto a substrate so that the color separation images face the substrate, and heating the resultant master/substrate at a temperature not less than the heat-transfer temperatures of the sublimation dyes to transfer the dyes to the substrate, said transfer medium comprising a foundation; a heat-meltable ink layer containing a yellow sublimation dye, a heat-meltable ink layer containing a magenta sublimation dye and a heat-meltable ink layer containing a cyan sublimation dye, which ink layers are disposed in a side-by-side relationship on the foundation; and an adhesive layer provided on the respective ink layers, the adhesive layer comprising a wax substance having a melting point of 50° to 100° C. as a major component.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 26 words
The transfer medium of claim 9, wherein the heat-meltable ink layers containing different color sublimation dyes are disposed repeatedly in the longitudinal direction of the foundation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 188 words
A heat-melt transfer medium suitable for use in a sublimation transfer method which comprises selectively melt-transferring at least two of a heat-meltable ink layer containing a yellow sublimation dye, a heat-meltable ink layer containing a magenta sublimation dye and a heat-meltable ink layer containing a cyan sublimation dye onto a sheet to form at least two different color separation images on the sheet, superimposing the resulting master onto a substrate so that the color separation images face the substrate, and heating the resultant master/substrate at a temperature not less than the heat-transfer temperatures of the sublimation dyes to transfer the dyes to the substrate, said transfer medium comprising a foundation, a heat-meltable ink layer provided on the foundation and containing a sublimation dye as a coloring agent, and an adhesive layer provided on the heat-meltable ink layer and comprising a wax substance having a melting point of 50° to 100° C. as a major component, the heat-meltable ink layer comprising a heat-meltable ink layer containing a yellow sublimation dye, a heat-meltable ink layer containing a magenta sublimation dye or a heat-meltable ink layer containing a cyan sublimation dye.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 188 words
A heat-melt transfer medium suitable for use in a sublimation transfer method which comprises selectively melt-transferring at least two of a heat-meltable ink layer containing a yellow sublimation dye, a heat-meltable ink layer containing a magenta sublimation dye and a heat-meltable ink layer containing a cyan sublimation dye onto a sheet to form at least two different color separation images on the sheet, superimposing the resulting master onto a substrate so that the color separation images face the substrate, and heating the resultant master/substrate at a temperature not less than the heat-transfer temperatures of the sublimation dyes to transfer the dyes to the substrate, said transfer medium comprising a foundation, a heat-meltable ink layer provided on the foundation and containing a sublimation dye as a coloring agent, and an adhesive layer provided on the heat-meltable ink layer and comprising a wax substance having a melting point of 50° to 100° C. as a major component, the heat-meltable ink layer comprising a heat-meltable ink layer containing a yellow sublimation dye, a heat-meltable ink layer containing a magenta sublimation dye or a heat-meltable ink layer containing a cyan sublimation dye.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 182 words
A heat-melt transfer medium suitable for use in a sublimation transfer method which comprises selectively melt-transferring at least two of a heat-meltable ink layer containing a yellow sublimation dye, a heat-meltable ink layer containing a magenta sublimation dye and a heat-meltable ink layer containing a cyan sublimation dye onto a sheet to form at least two different color separation images on the sheet, superimposing the resulting master onto a substrate so that the color separation images face the substrate, and heating the resultant master/substrate at a temperature not less than the heat-transfer temperatures of the sublimation dyes to transfer the dyes to the substrate, said transfer medium comprising a foundation; a heat-meltable ink layer containing a yellow sublimation dye, a heat-meltable ink layer containing a magenta sublimation dye and a heat-meltable ink layer containing a cyan sublimation dye, which ink layers are disposed in a side-by-side relationship on the foundation; a release layer interposed between the foundation and the respective ink layers, the release layer comprising a wax substance having a melting point of 50° to 100° C. as a major component.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 182 words
A heat-melt transfer medium suitable for use in a sublimation transfer method which comprises selectively melt-transferring at least two of a heat-meltable ink layer containing a yellow sublimation dye, a heat-meltable ink layer containing a magenta sublimation dye and a heat-meltable ink layer containing a cyan sublimation dye onto a sheet to form at least two different color separation images on the sheet, superimposing the resulting master onto a substrate so that the color separation images face the substrate, and heating the resultant master/substrate at a temperature not less than the heat-transfer temperatures of the sublimation dyes to transfer the dyes to the substrate, said transfer medium comprising a foundation; a heat-meltable ink layer containing a yellow sublimation dye, a heat-meltable ink layer containing a magenta sublimation dye and a heat-meltable ink layer containing a cyan sublimation dye, which ink layers are disposed in a side-by-side relationship on the foundation; a release layer interposed between the foundation and the respective ink layers, the release layer comprising a wax substance having a melting point of 50° to 100° C. as a major component.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 26 words
The transfer medium of claim 12, wherein the heat-meltable ink layers containing different color sublimation dyes are disposed repeatedly in the longitudinal direction of the foundation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 187 words
A heat-melt transfer medium suitable for use in a sublimation transfer medium which comprises selectively melt-transferring at least two of a heat-meltable ink layer containing a yellow sublimation dye, a heat-meltable ink layer containing a magenta sublimation dye and a heat-meltable ink layer containing a cyan sublimation dye onto a sheet to form at least two different color separation images on the sheet, superimposing the resulting master onto a substrate so that the color separation images face the substrate, and heating the resultant master/substrate at a temperature not less than the heat-transfer temperatures of the sublimation dyes to transfer the dyes to the substrate, said transfer medium comprising a foundation, a release layer provided on the foundation and comprising a wax substance having a melting point of 50° to 100° C. as a major component, and a heat-meltable ink layer provided on the release layer and containing a sublimation dye as a coloring agent, the heat-meltable ink layer comprising a heat-meltable ink layer containing a yellow sublimation dye, a heat-meltable ink layer containing a magenta sublimation dye or a heat-meltable ink layer containing a cyan sublimation dye.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 187 words
A heat-melt transfer medium suitable for use in a sublimation transfer medium which comprises selectively melt-transferring at least two of a heat-meltable ink layer containing a yellow sublimation dye, a heat-meltable ink layer containing a magenta sublimation dye and a heat-meltable ink layer containing a cyan sublimation dye onto a sheet to form at least two different color separation images on the sheet, superimposing the resulting master onto a substrate so that the color separation images face the substrate, and heating the resultant master/substrate at a temperature not less than the heat-transfer temperatures of the sublimation dyes to transfer the dyes to the substrate, said transfer medium comprising a foundation, a release layer provided on the foundation and comprising a wax substance having a melting point of 50° to 100° C. as a major component, and a heat-meltable ink layer provided on the release layer and containing a sublimation dye as a coloring agent, the heat-meltable ink layer comprising a heat-meltable ink layer containing a yellow sublimation dye, a heat-meltable ink layer containing a magenta sublimation dye or a heat-meltable ink layer containing a cyan sublimation dye.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4021591A Cited
GB2000730A Cited
JPS57102390A Cited
US4399541A Cited
GB2143180A Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1997-03-21 1997-09-20 1998-03-22 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2001-03-21 2001-09-20 2002-03-22 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2005-03-21 2005-09-20 2006-03-22 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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