Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

Andrew B Becker

Jeffrey C Chang

Karl F Roenigk

Edward R Harrell

Gari P Krogseng

A thermal dye transfer system comprises a thermal dye transfer receptor element in intimate contact with a thermal dye donor sheet, said receptor element comprising a substrate having on at least one surface thereof in contact with said dye transfer donor sheet, a dye receptive receiving layer comprising a microporous polymer layer having insufficient pigment to provide an optical density of more than 0.2. The polymer layer may be transparentizable and provides thermal insulation.

Transparentizable thermal insulating film for thermal transfer imaging

A dye transfer receptor sheet suitable for thermal dye transfer imaging is described. The receptor sheet provides excellent image stability characteristics. The receptor sheet comprises a substrate with a receiving layer of a vinyl chloride containing copolymer which has a glass transition temperature between 50.degree. and 85.degree. C., preferably about 59.degree. and 65.degree. C., a weight average molecular weight between about 10,000 and 100,000, preferably between 30,000 and about 50,000 g/mol, a hydroxyl equivalent weight between about 1500 and 4000, preferably about 1890 and about 3400 g/mol, a sulfonate equivalent weight between 9000 and 23,000, preferably between about 11,000 and about 19,200 g/mol, and an epoxy equivalent weight between about 500 and 7000, preferably about 1200 and about 6000 g/mol.

Dye receptor sheet for thermal dye transfer imaging

A process for preparing an image utilizing both thermal dye and thermal mass transfer. A thermal transfer receptor element is utilized which contains a substrate and a vinyl chloride-containing copolymer which has a T.sub.g between about 50.degree. and 85.degree. C.; a weight average molecular weight between about 10,000 and 100,000 g/mol; a hydroxyl equivalent weight between 500 and 7,000 g/equiv.; a sulfonate equivalent weight between about 9,000 and about 23,000 g/equiv.; and an epoxy equivalent weight between about 500 and about 7,000 g/equiv., wherein a reactive amino-modified silicone has been chemically bonded to the vinyl chloride-containing copolymer.

Growing community of inventors

Woodbury, MN, United States of America

Andrew B Becker