Thermal receptor sheet and process of use

Claim 2

A non light-sensitive thermal transfer sheet comprising in order: a) a flexible substrate, b) a hot melt adhesive layer comprising a thermally softenable polymeric binder having from 0.01 to 0.25 percent by weight of particles therein having a number average diameter of 3 to 30 micrometers which do not dissolve in the softenable polymeric binder, and c) a polymeric dye receptor layer comprising a different polymer than the polymeric binder of layer b), the particles of layer b) not protruding beyond the surface of layer c) without being covered by the material of layer c), wherein said different polymer of layer c) has a higher glass transition temperature than the polymeric binder of layer b), and wherein a dye reception enhancement layer (d) comprising a binder and a solid solvent for dye is present between b) and c) and a barrier layer is present between said thermal adhesive layer and said dye reception enhancement layer.

Claim 3

A non light-sensitive thermal transfer sheet comprising in order: a) a flexible substrate, b) a hot melt adhesive layer comprising a thermally softenable polymeric binder having from 0.01 to 0.25 percent by weight of particles therein having a number average diameter of 3 to 30 micrometers which do not dissolve in the softenable polymeric binder, and c) a polymeric dye receptor layer comprising a different polymer than the polymeric binder of layer b), the particles of layer b) not protruding beyond the surface of layer c) without being covered by the material of layer c), wherein said different polymer of layer c) has a higher glass transition temperature than the polymeric binder of layer b), and a dye reception enhancement layer (d) comprising a binder and a solid solvent for dye is present between b) and c) and a barrier layer is present between said thermal adhesive layer and said dye reception enhancement layer.

Claim 4

A non light-sensitive thermal transfer sheet comprising in order: a) a flexible substrate, b) a hot melt adhesive layer comprising a thermally softenable polymeric binder having from 0.01 to 0.25 percent by weight of particles therein having a number average diameter of 3 to 30 micrometers which do not dissolve in the softenable polymeric binder, and c) a polymeric dye receptor layer comprising a different polymer than the polymeric binder of layer b), the particles of layer b) not protruding beyond the surface of layer c) without being covered by the material of layer c), wherein said different polymer of layer c) has a higher glass transition temperature than the polymeric binder of layer b), and a dye reception enhancement layer (d) comprising a binder and a solid solvent for dye is present between b) and c) and a barrier layer is present between said thermal adhesive layer and said dye reception enhancement layer.

Claim 5

A non light-sensitive thermal transfer sheet comprising in order: a) a flexible substrate, b) a hot melt adhesive layer comprising a thermally softenable polymeric binder having from 0.01 to 0.25 percent by weight of particles therein having a number average diameter of 3 to 30 micrometers which do not dissolve in the softenable polymeric binder, and c) a polymeric dye receptor layer comprising a different polymer than )he polymeric binder of layer b), the particles of layer b) not protruding beyond the surface of layer c) without being covered by the material of layer c), wherein said different polymer of layer c) has a higher glass transition temperature than the polymeric binder of layer b), wherein wherein said different binder has a glass transition temperature of from 50° to 150° C., and a dye reception enhancement layer (d) comprising a binder and a solid solvent for dye is present between b) and c) and a barrier layer is present between said thermal adhesive layer and said dye reception enhancement layer.

Claim 6

A non light-sensitive thermal transfer sheet comprising in order: a) a flexible substrate, b) a hot melt adhesive layer comprising a thermally softenable polymeric binder having from 0.01 to 0.25 percent by weight of particles therein having a number average diameter of 3 to 30 micrometers which do not dissolve in the softenable polymeric binder, and c) a polymeric dye receptor layer comprising a different polymer than )he polymeric binder of layer b), the particles of layer b) not protruding beyond the surface of layer c) without being covered by the material of layer c), wherein said different polymer of layer c) has a higher glass transition temperature than the polymeric binder of layer b), wherein wherein said different binder has a glass transition temperature of from 50° to 150° C., and a dye reception enhancement layer (d) comprising a binder and a solid solvent for dye is present between b) and c) and a barrier layer is present between said thermal adhesive layer and said dye reception enhancement layer.

Claim 7

A non light-sensitive thermal transfer Sheet comprising in order: a) a flexible substrate, b) a hot melt adhesive layer comprising a thermally softenable polymeric bidder having from 0.01 to 0.25 percent by weight of particles therein having a number average diameter of 3 to 30 micrometers which do not dissolve in the softenable polymeric binder, and c) a polymeric dye receptor layer comprising a different polymer than the polymeric binder of layer b), the particles of layer b) not protruding beyond the surface of layer c) without being covered by the material of layer c), wherein said different polymer of layer c) has a higher glass transition temperature than the polymeric binder of layer b), and said different polymer comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyurethanes polyacrylates, polyamides, poly(vinyl chloride), poly(vinyl acetate), sulfonated polyesters, sulfonated polyethanes, and coplymers thereof, and a dye reception enhancement layer (d) comprising a binder and a solid solvent for dye is present between b) and c) and a barrier layer is present between said thermal adhesive layer and said dye reception enhancement layer.

Claim 8

A non light-sensitive thermal transfer Sheet comprising in order: a) a flexible substrate, b) a hot melt adhesive layer comprising a thermally softenable polymeric bidder having from 0.01 to 0.25 percent by weight of particles therein having a number average diameter of 3 to 30 micrometers which do not dissolve in the softenable polymeric binder, and c) a polymeric dye receptor layer comprising a different polymer than the polymeric binder of layer b), the particles of layer b) not protruding beyond the surface of layer c) without being covered by the material of layer c), wherein said different polymer of layer c) has a higher glass transition temperature than the polymeric binder of layer b), and said different polymer comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyurethanes polyacrylates, polyamides, poly(vinyl chloride), poly(vinyl acetate), sulfonated polyesters, sulfonated polyethanes, and coplymers thereof, and a dye reception enhancement layer (d) comprising a binder and a solid solvent for dye is present between b) and c) and a barrier layer is present between said thermal adhesive layer and said dye reception enhancement layer.

Claim 9

A non light-sensitive thermal transfer sheet comprising in order: a) a flexible substrate, b) a hot melt adhesive layer comprising a thermally softenable polymeric binder having from 0.01 to 0.25 percent by weight of particles therein having a number average diameter of 3 to 30 micrometers which do not dissolve in the softenable polymeric binder, and c) a polymeric dye receptor layer comprising a different polymer than the polymeric binder of layer the particles of layer b) not protruding beyond the surface of layer c) without being covered by the material of layer c), wherein said different polymer comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyurethanes, polyacrylates, polyamides, poly(vinyl chloride), poly(vinyl acetate), sulfonated polyesters, sulfonated polyurethanes, and coplymers thereof, and a dye reception enhancement layer (d) comprising a binder and a solid solvent for dye is present between b) and c) and a barrier layer is present between said thermal adhesive layer and said dye reception enhancement layer.

Claim 10

A non light-sensitive thermal transfer sheet comprising in order: a) a flexible substrate, b) a hot melt adhesive layer comprising a thermally softenable polymeric binder having from 0.01 to 0.25 percent by weight of particles therein having a number average diameter of 3 to 30 micrometers which do not dissolve in the softenable polymeric binder, and c) a polymeric dye receptor layer comprising a different polymer than the polymeric binder of layer the particles of layer b) not protruding beyond the surface of layer c) without being covered by the material of layer c), wherein said different polymer comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyurethanes, polyacrylates, polyamides, poly(vinyl chloride), poly(vinyl acetate), sulfonated polyesters, sulfonated polyurethanes, and coplymers thereof, and a dye reception enhancement layer (d) comprising a binder and a solid solvent for dye is present between b) and c) and a barrier layer is present between said thermal adhesive layer and said dye reception enhancement layer.

Claim 11

A non light-sensitive thermal transfer sheet comprising in order: a) a flexible substrate, b) a hot melt adhesive layer comprising a thermally softenable polymeric binder having from 0.01 to 0.25 percent by weight of particles therein having a number average diameter of 3 to 30 micrometers which do not dissolve in the softenable polymeric binder, and c) a polymeric dye receptor layer comprising a different polymer than the polymeric binder of layer b), the particles of layer b) not protruding beyond the surface of layer c) without being covered by the material of layer c), wherein a dye reception enhancement layer (d) comprising a binder and a solid solvent for dye is present between b) and c).

Claim 12

A non light-sensitive thermal transfer sheet comprising in order: a) a flexible substrate, b) a hot melt adhesive layer comprising a thermally softenable polymeric binder having from 0.01 to 0.25 percent by weight of particles therein having a number average diameter of 3 to 30 micrometers which do not dissolve in the softenable polymeric binder, and c) a polymeric dye receptor layer comprising a different polymer than the polymeric binder of layer b), the particles of layer b) not protruding beyond the surface of layer c) without being covered by the material of layer c), wherein a dye reception enhancement layer (d) comprising a binder and a solid solvent for dye is present between b) and c).

Claim 13

A non light-sensitive thermal transfer sheet comprising in order: a) a flexible substrate, b) a hot melt adhesive layer comprising a thermally softenable polymeric binder having from 0.01 to 0.25 percent weight of particles therein having a number average diameter of 3 to 30 micrometers which do not dissolve in the softenable polymeric binder, and c) a polymeric dye receptor layer comprising a different polymer than the polymeric binder of layer b), the particles of layer b) not protruding beyond the surface of layer c) without being covered by the material of layer c), wherein said different polymer of layer c) has a higher glass transition temperature than the polymeric binder of layer b) a dye reception enhancement layer (d) comprising a binder and a solid solvent for dye is present between b) and c).

Claim 14

A non light-sensitive thermal transfer sheet comprising in order: a) a flexible substrate, b) a hot melt adhesive layer comprising a thermally softenable polymeric binder having from 0.01 to 0.25 percent weight of particles therein having a number average diameter of 3 to 30 micrometers which do not dissolve in the softenable polymeric binder, and c) a polymeric dye receptor layer comprising a different polymer than the polymeric binder of layer b), the particles of layer b) not protruding beyond the surface of layer c) without being covered by the material of layer c), wherein said different polymer of layer c) has a higher glass transition temperature than the polymeric binder of layer b) a dye reception enhancement layer (d) comprising a binder and a solid solvent for dye is present between b) and c).

Claim 15

A non light-sensitive thermal transfer sheet comprising in order: a) a flexible substrate, b) a hot melt adhesive layer comprising a thermally softenable polymeric binder having from 0.01 to 0.25 percent by weight of particles therein having a number average diameter of 3 to 30 micrometers which do not dissolve in the softenable polymeric binder, and c) a polymeric dye receptor layer comprising a different polymer than the polymeric binder of layer b), the particles of layer b) not protruding beyond the surface of layer c)without being covered by the material of layer c), wherein said different polymer of layer c) has a higher glass transition temperature than the polymeric binder of layer b), said different polymeric binder has a glass transition temperature of from 50° to 150° C., and a dye reception enhancement layer (d) comprising a binder and a solid solvent for dye is present between b) and c).

Claim 16

A non light-sensitive thermal transfer sheet comprising in order: a) a flexible substrate, b) a hot melt adhesive layer comprising a thermally softenable polymeric binder having from 0.01 to 0.25 percent by weight of particles therein having a number average diameter of 3 to 30 micrometers which do not dissolve in the softenable polymeric binder, and c) a polymeric dye receptor layer comprising a different polymer than the polymeric binder of layer b), the particles of layer b) not protruding beyond the surface of layer c)without being covered by the material of layer c), wherein said different polymer of layer c) has a higher glass transition temperature than the polymeric binder of layer b), said different polymeric binder has a glass transition temperature of from 50° to 150° C., and a dye reception enhancement layer (d) comprising a binder and a solid solvent for dye is present between b) and c).

Claim 17

A non light-sensitive thermal transfer sheet comprising in order: a) a flexible substrate, b) a hot melt adhesive layer comprising a thermally softenable polymeric binder having from 0.01 to 0.25 percent by weight of particles therein having a number average diameter of 3 to 30 micrometers which do not dissolve in the softenable polymeric binder, and c) a polymeric dye receptor layer comprising a different polymer than the polymeric binder of layer b), the particles of layer b) not protruding beyond the surface of layer c) without being covered by the material of layer c), said different polymer of layer c) has a higher glass transition temperature than the polymeric binder of layer b), and comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyurethanes, polyacrylates, polyamides, poly(vinyl chloride), poly(vinyl acetate), sulfonated polyesters, sulfonated polyurethanes, and coplymers thereof, and dye reception enhancement layer (d) comprising a binder and a solid solvent for dye is present between b) and c).

Claim 18

A non light-sensitive thermal transfer sheet comprising in order: a) a flexible substrate, b) a hot melt adhesive layer comprising a thermally softenable polymeric binder having from 0.01 to 0.25 percent by weight of particles therein having a number average diameter of 3 to 30 micrometers which do not dissolve in the softenable polymeric binder, and c) a polymeric dye receptor layer comprising a different polymer than the polymeric binder of layer b), the particles of layer b) not protruding beyond the surface of layer c) without being covered by the material of layer c), said different polymer of layer c) has a higher glass transition temperature than the polymeric binder of layer b), and comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyurethanes, polyacrylates, polyamides, poly(vinyl chloride), poly(vinyl acetate), sulfonated polyesters, sulfonated polyurethanes, and coplymers thereof, and dye reception enhancement layer (d) comprising a binder and a solid solvent for dye is present between b) and c).

Claim 19

A non light-sensitive thermal transfer sheet comprising in order: a) a flexible substrate, b) a hot melt adhesive layer comprising a thermally softenable polymeric binder having from 0.01 to 0.25 percent by weight of particles therein having a number average diameter of 3 to 30 micrometers which do not dissolve in the softenable polymeric binder, and c) a polymeric dye receptor layer comprising a different polymer than the polymeric binder of layer b), the particles of layer b) not protruding beyond the surface of layer c) without being covered by the material of layer c), said different polymer comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyurethanes, polyacrylates, polyamides, poly(vinyl chloride), poly(vinyl acetate), sulfonated polyesters, sulfonated polyurethanes, and coplymers thereof, and wherein a dye reception enhancement layer (d) comprising a binder and a solid solvent for dye is present between b) and c).

Claim 20

A non light-sensitive thermal transfer sheet comprising in order: a) a flexible substrate, b) a hot melt adhesive layer comprising a thermally softenable polymeric binder having from 0.01 to 0.25 percent by weight of particles therein having a number average diameter of 3 to 30 micrometers which do not dissolve in the softenable polymeric binder, and c) a polymeric dye receptor layer comprising a different polymer than the polymeric binder of layer b), the particles of layer b) not protruding beyond the surface of layer c) without being covered by the material of layer c), said different polymer comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyurethanes, polyacrylates, polyamides, poly(vinyl chloride), poly(vinyl acetate), sulfonated polyesters, sulfonated polyurethanes, and coplymers thereof, and wherein a dye reception enhancement layer (d) comprising a binder and a solid solvent for dye is present between b) and c).