Akzo Nobel Coatings International B.v.

Imperial Chemical Industries Limited

Itw Limited

Evolis Sa

Jeffrey Michael Howell

Peter Charles William Butcher

Richard A Hann

Alan James Butters

Barry Pack

Andrew Alec Clifton

Serge Olivier

Apparatus for thermal transfer printing of an image from a thermal retransfer sheet onto an article, includes heating means () adapted to supply heated gas at a variable flow rate. Also disclosed is a method of printing an image, and the resulting printed article.

Thermal transfer printing

A support for an article onto which an image is to be printed by thermal transfer printing from a retransfer intermediate sheet has a surface shaped for engagement with the article, at least a portion of the surface being formed from an elastomeric material. Also disclosed are a method of making a support, apparatus for thermal transfer printing, a method of printing and an article bearing a printed image.

Apparatus for thermal transfer printing of an image from a thermal retransfer sheet onto an article, includes heating means adapted to supply a flow of heated gas for causing dye transfer, and oscillating vane means for directing the heated gas in a direction transverse to the direction of flow, for distributing the heated gas over article(s) during dye transfer. Also disclosed is a method of printing an image, and the resulting printed article.

A thermal transfer dyesheet comprising a substrate bearing a region of a thermally transferable dye, the region including a first printable portion within the region having a first optical density, a second printable portion within the region having a second optical density, the difference in optical density between the first and second optical densities being detectable by a detection means on a dyesheet printer, and a third printable portion within the region having an optical density substantially the same as that of the first printable portion is provided, together with a method for manufacture of the dyesheet and an associated printer.

Thermal transfer dyesheet and printer

An article for receiving an image by thermal transfer printing includes an image-receiving surface of plastics material coated with a layer of dye-receptive material capable of accepting an image by means of a dye thermal transfer process, wherein the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the dye receptive material is at least 50&#xb0; C. lower than the softening point of the plastics material of the image-receiving surface. By having a difference between the softening point of the plastics material article surface and the Tg of the material coated thereon of at least 50&#xb0; C. it is possible to achieve printing in a single step transfer process of high density images without distortion of the plastics material. The invention can be used with three-dimensional articles possibly having compound curves, including casings for mobile telephones made of polymers such as polycarbonate.

The present invention relates to a coating material for producing a porous ink-absorbent coating on a substrate to be used in ink-jet printers, comprising radiation curable material and particulate material in a liquid carrier, wherein the weight ratio of particulate material to radiation curable material is greater than 1:1. Also disclosed is a process for preparing a coated substrate using such a coating material. Advantageously, the coating material of the present invention does not crack upon curing, and conveniently forms a porous coating having a glossy surface, while retaining a porous structure for ink-absorption.

Growing community of inventors

Ipswich, United Kingdom

Jeffrey Michael Howell