Company Filing History:
Years Active: 2005-2006
Title: The Innovations of Andrew Alec Clifton
Introduction
Andrew Alec Clifton is a notable inventor based in Ipswich, GB. He has made significant contributions to the field of thermal transfer printing, holding a total of 3 patents. His work focuses on enhancing the quality and efficiency of printing processes, particularly for three-dimensional articles.
Latest Patents
One of Clifton's latest patents is for a thermal transfer printing method. This invention involves an article designed to receive an image through thermal transfer printing. The image-receiving surface is made of a plastics material coated with a dye-receptive layer. This layer is capable of accepting images via a dye thermal transfer process. A key feature of this invention is that the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the dye-receptive material is at least 50°C lower than the softening point of the plastics material. This difference allows for high-density images to be printed in a single-step transfer process without distorting the plastics material. The invention is particularly useful for three-dimensional articles, including mobile phone casings made from polymers like polycarbonate.
Another significant patent by Clifton is related to a thermally-transferable polyester image-protecting layer. This thermal transfer medium is designed for mass transfer printing and features a substrate with a coating of overlay material made from polyester. The polyester has a glass transition temperature greater than 50°C, preferably at least 75°C, and a molecular weight ranging from 6,000 to 10,000. This overlay material combines excellent transfer characteristics, barrier properties, and durability while being highly transparent.
Career Highlights
Clifton works at Imperial Chemical Industries Limited, where he continues to innovate in the field of thermal transfer printing. His expertise and inventions have contributed to advancements in printing technology, making processes more efficient and effective.
Collaborations
Throughout his career, Clifton has collaborated with notable coworkers, including Alan James Butters and Jeffrey Michael Howell. These collaborations have likely enriched his work and led to further innovations in the industry.
Conclusion
Andrew Alec Clifton is a distinguished inventor whose work in thermal transfer printing has led to significant advancements in the field. His patents reflect a commitment to improving printing technology, making it more efficient and capable of producing high-quality images.