Stock material or miscellaneous articles – Structurally defined web or sheet – Discontinuous or differential coating – impregnation or bond
Reexamination Certificate
2001-04-19
2003-12-23
Kelly, Cynthia H. (Department: 1774)
Stock material or miscellaneous articles
Structurally defined web or sheet
Discontinuous or differential coating, impregnation or bond
C428S423100, C428S327000, C430S138000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06667093
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to ink-jet transfer papers that can be printed with images using ink-jet printers. The printed image can be heat-transferred to fabric materials. The ink-jet transfer papers are particularly suitable for transferring images to dark-colored fabrics such as black T-shirts.
2. Brief Description of the Related Art
Consumers' interest in T-shirts, sweatshirts, and other fabric materials with customized images (i.e., photos, messages, illustrations, and the like) continues to grow in the United States and elsewhere. Today, consumers use personal computers and desktop printers to create images on a variety of fabrics. Generally, the process involves generating a computerized image and sending it to an ink-jet printer that prints the image onto an ink-jet transfer paper. Commercially-available ink-jet transfer papers typically comprise a support (release) paper having a surface coated with a “hot-melt” layer and “ink-receptive” imaging layer that overlays the “hot-melt” layer.
Various methods can be used to transfer the image to the fabric. In one instance, a person places the imaged paper over the fabric so that the image is facing down. Then, the person irons the back surface of the paper with a hand iron. After completely transferring the image onto the fabric, the person removes the support paper after it has cooled or while it is still hot. The surface of the support paper may be coated with silicone so that a person can easily peel the paper off after it has cooled. Ink-jet transfer papers having a silicone coating are commonly referred to as “cold-peel” papers. Ink-jet transfer papers that do not possess a silicone or other non-stick coating are commonly referred to as “hot-peel” papers, since they are peeled-off the fabric while the paper is still hot.
Hare et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,087,061 discloses methods for applying an image to a fabric. The patent discloses that one embodiment relates to cold peel. The transfer sheet may comprise a support having a first and second surface, wherein silicone is provided on the first surface beneath a coating capable of receiving an image. The coating may be imaged with an ink-jet printer, thermal wax ribbon printer, or copier. The coating is then peeled from the transfer sheet. The peeled coating is positioned on a fabric, and a silicone sheet is then positioned over the peeled coating. The silicone sheet is hand-ironed to drive the coating into the fabric.
Kronzer, U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,179 discloses ink-jet printable heat-transfer papers for applying computer-generated graphics onto clothing. The patent discloses that the transfer paper has cold release properties and is coated with multiple layers comprising thermoplastic polymers and film-forming binders. The patent discloses that one layer may include thermoplastic polymer particles selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers. The layer may also include a film-forming binder The patent discloses suitable binders as including polyacrylates, polyethylene, and ethylene-vinyl acetates. Table IV of the patent describes a layer containing polyamide particles (ORGASOL) and a heat-sealable polyurethane (SANCOR 12676).
Kronzer, U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,902 discloses ink-jet printable heat-transfer materials having a first layer (e.g., film or paper), and a second layer overlaying the first layer. The second layer comprises a film-forming binder such as a polyacrylate, polyethylene, or ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and particles of a thermoplastic polymer having dimensions of less than 50 micrometers. The patent discloses that the powdered thermoplastic polymer is desirably selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyesters, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers. Further, the second layer may comprise a cationic polymer (e.g., an amide-epichlorohydrin polymer), a humectant (e.g., ethylene glycol or polyethylene glycol), ink-viscosity modifier (e.g., polyethylene glycol), a weak acid (e.g., citric acid), and/or a surfactant.
Today, most inkjet transfer papers are designed for use with light-colored fabrics, e.g., white T-shirts.
Published PCT International Application WO 98/30749 discloses an ink-jet transfer system for applying graphic presentations, patterns, images, or typing onto light-colored clothing articles. The ink-jet transfer system comprises a carrier material (e.g., a silicone-coated or non-coated paper), a hot-melt layer overlaying the carrier material, and an ink-receiving layer overlaying the hot-melt layer.
The hot-melt layer is wax-like and may comprise a dispersion of an ethylene/acrylic acid copolymer. The ink-receiving layer comprises a binder (preferably a soluble polyamide) and a highly porous pigment (preferably a polyamide pigment).
For dark-colored fabrics, e.g., black T-shirts, a white background must be created on the fabric so that the transferred image may be seen.
Published PCT International Application WO 00/73570 A1 discloses an ink-jet transfer system for dark textile substrates. The ink-jet transfer system comprises a carrier material (e.g., a silicone-coated or non-coated paper), an adhesive layer overlaying the carrier material, a white background layer overlaying the adhesive layer, and an ink-receiving layer overlaying the white background layer. The adhesive layer is preferably a hot-melt layer comprising a dispersion of an ethylene/acrylic acid copolymer or polyurethane dispersion. Polyester particles having a granular size of less than 30 &mgr;m are dispersed in the adhesive layer. The white background layer comprises permanent elastic plastics that do not melt at temperatures typically used for ironing (up to about 220° C.). Preferred elastic plastics are selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyacrylates, polyalkylenes, or natural rubber. White pigments (e.g., BaSO
4
, ZnS, TiO
2
, or SbO) are dispersed in the white background layer. The ink-receiving layer comprises a binder and a highly porous pigment (preferably a polyamide pigment). The patent discloses the following compounds as suitable binders in the ink-receiving layer: polyacrylate, styrollbutadiene copolymers, nylon, nitrile rubber, PVC, PVAC and ethylene/acrylate copolymers. The patent discloses that a polyamide binder is preferably used.
Some commercially-available ink-jet transfer papers, e.g., the papers described in the above-mentioned published PCT International Application WO 00/73570 A1, can provide images having satisfactory color quality on dark-colored fabrics. However, consumers are demanding transfer papers that will provide images having improved wash-durability and color quality. Wash-durability is a particular problem with many conventional ink-jet transfer papers. With such papers, after repeated washings and dryings of the fabric, the transferred image may develop cracks and colors may fade. In view of such problems, an ink-jet transfer paper capable of providing images having improved color quality and wash-durability on dark-colored fabrics is desirable. The present invention provides such an ink-jet transfer paper.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ink-jet printable transfer paper, comprising a support paper having a surface coated with layer (a) and ink-receptive layer (b). Layer (a) comprises a polyurethane binder and inorganic pigment, and layer (b) comprises a polyurethane binder and organic polymeric particles. In one embodiment, the support paper is first coated with a release layer comprising silicone. In another embodiment, a hot-melt second layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer is coated over the silicone layer.
Preferably, the polyurethane binder in layer (a) has a softening point in the range of 120° to 190° C., and the polyurethane binder in layer (b) has a softening point in the range of 50° to 190° C. The polyurethane binder comprising layer (b) may contain cationic groups.
Suitable inorganic pigments include silica, alumina, titanium dioxide, zinc s
Sa Sathuan K.
Xu Zhong
Yuan Shengmei
Arkwright Incorporated
Barlow Josephs & Holmes, Ltd.
Dicus Tamra L
Kelly Cynthia H.
LandOfFree
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