Rexam Graphics, Inc.

Weitong Shi

Everett Wyman Bennett

Dene H Taylor

Douglas Allan Cahill

Alan Richard Taylor

Edward William Sporbert

Richard S Himmelwright

An electrographic imaging element useful for forming colored images is described. The element contains an imaging layer structure and a support structure. The support structure contains an electrically conductive polymeric release layer formed by polymerizing a mixture containing a polymerizable, ethylenically unsaturated ammonium precursor; a polymerizable, ethylenically unsaturated, organo-silicone precursor; a polymerizable precursor containing at least two polymerizable, ethylenically unsaturated functional groups; optionally, a polymerizable, ethylenically unsaturated acidic precursor containing at least one carboxylic acid group; and, optionally, a monofunctional precursor containing one polymerizable, ethylenically unsaturated functional group. The element is particularly useful for forming large size images, such as are required for banners, billboards, and other out-of-doors advertisements.

Imaging element having a conductive polymer layer

A method for forming electrographic imaging elements comprising a uniform dielectric layer is disclosed. The method comprises coating a conductive coating composition containing polymerizable precursors onto a base, curing the composition to form a conductive layer, and coating a dielectric layer on top of the conductive layer. The elements can be used to produce images have higher image density, reduced background, reduced grain, reduced mottle, reduced overtoning, and greater small-scale uniformity than comparable images formed on electrographic imaging elements produced by other methods. The elements are particularly useful for forming large size colored images, such as are required for posters, displays, other indoor advertising.

Electrographic imaging element

A polymeric material which is both electrically conductive, possesses surface release properties and can be formed into high-gloss, visually transparent coatings; is polymerized from a liquid mixture of three free radical, addition polymerizable materials by radiation induced polymerization. The liquid mixture contains: 1 to 80 weight parts of an ethylenically unsaturated, quaternary ammonium precursor; 0.1 to 10 weight parts of an ethylenically unsaturated, organo-silicone precursor; and, 5 to 95 weight parts of a multifunctional precursor containing at least two ethylenically unsaturated groups, which is a multifunctional monomeric material, an oligomeric material or a combination thereof. Optionally, the liquid mixture may contain up to 60 weight parts of an ethylenically unsaturated acidic precursor and up to 50 weight parts of one other monofunctional precursor containing one ethylenically unsaturated group. By adjusting concentrations of the three polymerizable components, surface conductivity can be varied over a wide range from an electrical resistance of 10.sup.5 ohm/.quadrature. to 10.sup.12 ohm/.quadrature., without adversely affecting surface release characteristics. Such tailored co-polymers may be used as coatings, fibers or other solid shapes and are useful as electrically conductive release coatings in electrographic and electrostatic imaging materials; and as antistatic coatings for sheet or fiber products which further require protective surface release for easy removal of laminate components, markings, stains, dirt and the like.

Growing community of inventors

Glastonbury, CT, United States of America

Weitong Shi