A thermal transfer ribbon includes a substrate which has a thermal sensitive coating and a protective layer. The thermal sensitive coating is a solvent based wax mixture dispersed in a binder mix along with pigments. The protective layer is a water based mixture of ink, alcohol and carbon black which remains nonintegral with the thermal sensitive coating.

Thermal transfer ribbon

When a temporary adhesive layer for peelably bonding a transfer-receiving material to a thermal transfer sheet comprising a substrate film and a heat-fusible ink layer disposed on one side thereof is caused to comprise a specific adhesive, an excellent composite thermal transfer material is provided. In such a composite thermal transfer sheet, the thermal transfer sheet is firmly bonded to the transfer-receiving material so as not to cause wrinkles or deviation, both of these members may easily be peeled from each other so that the ink layer is exactly transferred to the paper in a transfer region and it is not transferred thereto at all in a non-transfer region, whereby the transfer-receiving material is not contaminated. An antistatic treatment provides a composite thermal transfer sheet causing no trouble due to charging at the time of or after printing operation. When at least one end portion of a sheet-type composite thermal transfer sheet is fixed, there is provided a composite thermal transfer sheet wherein unintended peeling is prevented.

Composite thermal transfer sheet

A thermal transfer ink formulation and a thermal medium wherein the formulation includes at least a transfer agent and a sensible material (26). The formulation (24) is coated on a substrate (22) to provide means for transferring an image to a receiving substrate (28). According to the invention, the transfer agent includes sucrose benzoate providing good adhesion and scratch resistance characteristics for the transfer medium.

Thermal transfer ink formulation and medium

A method of coating a polymer substrate with a dry composition comprising particles is provided. The particles have a Mohs hardness between 1 and 2.5 and preferably a largest dimension of less than 100 microns. The particles are buffed on the substrate with an applicator which moves in a manner parallel to the surface of the substrate.

Coatings and methods

The present invention provides a heat transfer process and a heat transfer ink sheet, where a letter or image or both is recorded by selectively heating a heat transfer ink sheet having ink layer regions each containing a sublimable or vaporizable dye by heating by a thermal head controlled by a controlling means, thereby selectively heat transferring the sublimated or vaporized dyes onto a recording sheet, and is characterized by heat transferring a precoating layer for receiving the dyes from the ink sheet onto the recording sheet before the heat transfer recording, and then pressing the ink sheet on the transferred precoating layer on the recording sheet and heating the ink sheet by the thermal head, thereby sublimating or vaporizing the dyes from the respective ink layers onto the precoating layer and forming the letter or image or both on the recording sheet.

Heat transfer ink sheet having a precoating layer which is thermally transferred prior to sublimation of an ink dye

A thermal ribbon having a minute coating of graphite powder on the outer side of the resistive layer. The improved electrical interface with print electrodes reduces ribbon and printhead damage. The graphite also reduces friction and loosens material which builds-up at the printhead.

Modified resistive layer in thermal transfer medium having lubricating contact graphite coating

Disclosed is a thermal transfer medium which comprises a mixture of a thermosetting polyimide, a thermoplastic polyimide, and graphite. It has a steel support layer and an intermediate layer of silicon dioxide. An outer layer on the steel is the thermal ink. The mixture is applied as a dispersion with a precursor of the thermosetting polyimide. The ribbon may be recoated at the typing station by applying a hot-melt of the ink.

Silicon dioxide intermediate layer in thermal transfer medium

A thermal ribbon (7) having a minute coating of graphite powder (11) on the outer side of the resistive layer. The improved electrical interface with print electrodes reduces ribbon and printhead damage. The graphite also reduces friction and loosens material which builds-up at the printhead.

Modified resistive layer in thermal transfer medium

Disclosed is a thermal transfer ribbon for non-impact, thermal printing by resistive heating in the ribbon. Between the resistive substrate of the ribbon and a steel support layer there is an intermediate layer of silicon dioxide. An outer layer on the steel support layer is the thermal ink.

Patsy Ann Bowlds

Papers

Modified resistive layer in thermal transfer medium having lubricating contact graphite coating

Silicon dioxide intermediate layer in thermal transfer medium

Modified resistive layer in thermal transfer medium

Intermediate layer of silicon dioxide in thermal taransfer ribbon