WO2006034597A1

WO2006034597A1 - Transfer medium suitable for printing in laser printers

Info

Publication number: WO2006034597A1
Application number: PCT/CH2004/000606
Authority: WO
Inventors: Toni Bunschi; Guido Grau
Original assignee: Celfa Ag
Priority date: 2004-09-29
Filing date: 2004-09-29
Publication date: 2006-04-06

Abstract

A transfer medium (1) for the transmission of images onto substrates, in particular, textiles such as T-shirts, in particular, for application in colour laser printers, (CLP) and comprising, in the following order, a support (8), at least one transfer layer (5, 6, 7), a colour recorder layer (3) and a strip stabilizing means (4), at least on one insertion edge (2) at the front in the direction of introduction to the fixer station over the colour recording layer (3), running along the whole edge and joined thereto.

Description

Transfer medium suitable for printing in laser printers

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a transfer medium which can be printed by means of a laser printer, in particular a color laser printer (Color Laser Prinfcer, CLP), and is designed in such a way that the image is applied to a substrate such as aluminum, wood or Leather, but especially a textile, preferably a T-shirt, can be transferred.

State of the art

Various transfer materials are already known in the prior art, in particular those which can be printed with ink-jet printers. Such materials are completely unsuitable for printing by means of CLP, since they are optimized for the absorption of aqueous colors, but not for the fixation of toner.

Also known are transfer materials for printing with color laser copiers (Color Laser Copier, CLC). Although intended for the fixation of toner, however, these materials are also unsuitable for the printing in CLP. In particular, there are problems with the lack of thermal stability, with the fixing temperatures which are often higher in the printers, as well as with the

Dispensing with the addition of a release agent, e.g. of silicone oil, directly onto the fixation roller.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The main object of the present invention was therefore to provide a transfer medium which can be printed easily in color laser printers and whose image can nevertheless be transferred well to a textile.

This object has been achieved by a transfer medium according to claim 1. Specific embodiments are given in the dependent claims. A transfer medium according to the invention comprises, in this order, a carrier, at least one transfer layer and a color receiving layer and at least one feed edge over the dye receiving layer in the feed direction of the printer in the feed direction, along the entire edge and with this strip-like stabilizer running flush means.

The ink receiving layer serves on the one hand the recording and fixing of the color resp. the toner, on the other hand fixation of the image on the textile, in particular a cotton T-shirt.

Under the transfer improving layer (transfer layer), both a release layer, such as a siliconization P ^{'apierträgers,} as well understood a release layer. Both types of transfer layers can also be present. The release layer may be designed such that it not only serves to separate the ink receptive layer from the carrier but also to seal the transferred ink receptive layer and / or to additionally fix it.

The carrier itself is not critical, as long as it is sufficiently temperature resistant and has the desired adhesion properties. However, a strongly preferred carrier is a paper carrier.

In fixing stations of CLP Walzen¬ high temperatures are usually in the range of 14O ⁰ C to 200 ⁰ C, wäh¬ rend these usually lie with CLC below 180 ⁰ C. Since the transfer of the dye-receiving layer to the textile Usually, for cherweise iron (temperature maximum of about 18O ⁰ C) or hydraulic presses (temperatures ranging from 140 to 200 ⁰ C) takes place, to move the two for the process substantially temperature treatments in a similar areas. On the one hand, however - despite the fact that no release agent is fed directly onto the fixing roller - during printing in the printer and in particular re during the toner-fixing no detachment of Farbauf¬ acceptance resp. the release layer from the carrier, since this leads to roller contamination, a jam and aufwendi¬ gene cleaning work if not even to roller replacement. On the other hand, however, the ink receptive layer should be transferred to and fixed on the textile at similar temperatures, for which at least partial melting of the ink receptive layer is required. Furthermore, it is advantageous for a good peelability of the carrier and additional fixation resp. Versie¬ gelung the transferred to the textile Farbaufnahme¬ layer when the release layer - if any - has a lower melting point than the ink receiving layer. A material which, despite these ent¬ against current requirements by CLP is well printable and its image can be well transferred to a textile, according to the invention achieved in that at least the forward in the feed direction in the fuser edge lying with a strip-shaped stabilization ¬ means is provided.

Brief description of the drawings

Further embodiments, advantages and applications of the invention will become apparent from the dependent An¬ entitlements and from the following description with reference to the figures. 1 shows a plan view of a rectangular

Transfer medium with a stabilizing agent at the intake edge,

2 shows a section through the transfer medium according to FIG. 1 along the line AA, with both a separating layer and a release layer, FIG. FIG. 3 shows a section through the transfer medium according to FIG. 1 along the line AA, with only one separating layer,

FIG. 4 shows a section through the transfer medium according to FIG. 1 along the line A-A, with only one release layer,

FIG. 5 shows an enlargement of the section according to FIG. 2

FIG. 6 shows a plan view of a rectangular transfer medium with stabilizing agent on three edges,

Figure 7 is a plan view of a rectangular transfer medium with stabilizing agent at four edges, and

FIG. 8 shows a plan view of a transfer material from the roll (the broken lines at the top and bottom indicate that the material can be continuous) with the stabilizing strip applied and marking the separation lines for separation into individual sheets with stabilizing agent at one or two edges.

Way (s) for carrying out the invention

The inventive transfer medium 1, which is printable in the color laser printer and nevertheless readily transferable to a textile and combines well with this textile, comprises at least the entry edge 2 in the feed direction of the printer in the feed station above the ink receiving layer 3 a strip-shaped stabilizing means 4, which runs preferably flush with the edge.

This stabilizing agent 4 can be a paper strip or a plastic strip, both of which can be applied by means of adhesive, in particular pressure-sensitive adhesive, for example an acrylate adhesive, or else a print. At present, a paper strip or a plastic strip, if it is made from a reaching high-melting material is that this certainly does not er¬ at the expected maximum temperatures. At present, however, a paper strip applied by means of pressure-sensitive adhesive, in particular an acrylate adhesive, is especially preferred.

Without wishing to restrict the invention in any way, it is presently assumed that the stabilizing agent 4 acts in two ways. First, the pull-in edge 2, which is subject to a great deal of mechanical stress during insertion into the fixing station, is mechanically strengthened and, secondly, the heating of the ink-receiving layer 3 and possibly the release layer 6 is reduced, since the minimally longer residence time in the area of the rollers and thus the prolonged effect of heat, which is exposed to this edge, is additionally reduced by the existing between the hot roller and the ink receiving layer 3 stabilizer 4.

In order to achieve this stabilizing effect, it is desirable if the stabilizing agent 4 has a width of at least 2 mm, in particular a width of at least 5 mm, especially preferably a width of 8 to 12 mm, in particular a width of about 8 mm. At the top, the width is open, but this is kept as small as possible in order to lessen the printable area.

Additional stabilization can be achieved in that, in addition, the transverse edges 10 extending transversely to the catchment edge are each provided with a strip-shaped stabilizing means 4 which preferably runs flush with the latter. As a result, an additional "distance" between roller and ink receiving layer 3, which is insignificant for the temperature transfer, is created by which the contact pressure is reduced despite the good temperature transfer, so that the risk of roller contamination is again reduced.

In a further embodiment of the transfer medium, the latter can additionally be attached to the egg donation edge opposite edge 11 have a stabilizing means 4, so that the feed direction is not critical in non-quadra¬ tables. If both the feed direction is to be uncritical and the roller pressure is to be reduced, then the transfer medium can have a strip-shaped stabilizing means 4 running flush with each edge on all edges.

Stabilizing agents 4 commonly used are, for example, a paper strip made of a paper having 20 to 150 g / m ² , preferably about 70 g / m ² , or a plastic strip having a thickness of 10 to 150 μm, in particular 20 to 75 μm. or a printing having a thickness of at least 0.5 μm, preferably 2 to 50 μm, in particular 4 to 8 μm, and / or an adhesive layer having a thickness of 5 to 50 μm, in particular 15 to 25 μm.

Suitable for the stabilizer

Plastics are e.g. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), etc. and suitable printing inks comprise for processing in e.g. Screen printing, offset printing and flexographic printing suitable inks, such as Printcolor 3F from Printcolor Screen Ltd., 8965 Mutschellen, Switzerland.

The dye-receiving layer 3 typically shows a melting behavior such that at least 50 wt .-%, preferably min. 75 wt .-%, especially about 100% by weight of the solids melt in the range from 140 to 200 ⁰ C, in particular approximately in a range of 140 to 170 ⁰ C. The ink receiving layer 3 is applied in a Schicht¬ thickness (in the dried state) of 1 to 20 microns, in particular 5 to 20 microns applied.

Currently preferred ink receptive layers have a composition as follows:

Binder 30% to 69% Pigment 69% to 30% Additive ca. 1% The percentages by weight relate to the total composition of the solids and usually give 100%.

Suitable binders are thermoplastics such as polyamides, e.g. Elvamide from Du Pont, or dispersions, such as polyurethane dispersions, e.g. the aqueous polyuret handsparker Aqualine HSA 1504 from Collano Switzerland.

Suitable pigments may be inorganic or organic in nature, for example SiO ₂ , in particular a synthetic th amorphous silica, such as Syloid ED 3 from Grace Davison, or a thermoplastic. Preferably, at least a portion of the pigment is porous, thereby promoting the incorporation of the toner. Currently preferred pigments are, for example, polyamide powder, such as an Orgasol®, in particular Orgasol® 3501, a mixed polyamide obtainable from, for example, Atfina Deutschland or Elf Atochem, Pouteaux, France with a particle diameter of about 10 μm and a surface area of about 10 μm. 25 m ^ / g.

Suitable additives are e.g. Wetting agents, for example Coadis 123 K from Coatex France and Zonyl, a fluo- rosin polymer in solvent, available from Du Pont.

A currently preferred compounding is:

Aqualine 30%. Orgasol 69%

Coadis 1%

For the production of the transfer medium, these substances are dispersed, in particular in a water / alcohol mixture. The solids content in the dispersion is usually in the range from 30 to 50%, in particular about 40%, and the proportion of solvent is usually from 70 to 50%, in particular about 60%. A suitable alcohol is e.g. Isopropanol, wherein the alcohol: water ratio is usually about 50:40.

A transfer medium according to the invention may have, as the at least one transfer layer 5, a release agent. coating layer 6 and / or a fixed to the carrier 8 ver¬ bound separating layer 7.

A preferred separation layer 7 is a SiIi- conization of the carrier 8, wherein the carrier 8 is a paper.

Generally, it is preferred if the Farbauf¬ acquisition layer 3 has a higher by at least 10 ⁰ C Schmelz¬ having point than the release layer 6, wherein be¬ ferred melting points of the release layer 6 in the range of 70 Ibis 130 ⁰ C, in particular in the range of 80 to 130 ⁰ C lie. The melting temperature of the ink absorption layer should be at least about 10 ^° C. below the temperature of the iron or the press, so that the layer melts sufficiently during the transfer of the image to the textile and can bond with the textile in molten form. If the melting point of the release layer 6 -as provided above-is below the melting temperature of the ink-receptive layer 3, then it likewise combines with the textile fibers and thus leads to better sealing and adhesion of the transferred image.

Examples of suitable release materials for the release layers are hotmelts, such as a dispersion based on a sealable ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer, for example an Enorex type, such as Enorex VN 379, obtained from Collano Switzerland / with a solids content from. about 40% and a melting point of about 100 ⁰ C.

Since both the ink receiving layer 3 and the release layer 6 usually do not have a

Melting point but have a melting range, it is often sufficient ge if at least 50% of the layer, preferably at least 75% of the layer and especially preferably 100% of the respective layer fulfill the melt criteria described above.

The coating of the carrier material 8 with the individual layers is carried out by conventional methods, as described, for example, in EP 1 138 523 A1. According to the invention, at least one tape or a grid-shaped stabilizing agent 4 is applied to a transfer medium in roll form produced in this way, whereupon the roll material is cut within the band-shaped or within the lattice-shaped stabilizing agent.

By this method, the preferred edge flushing of the stabilizing agent 4 is ensured. In addition to the cut within the stabilizing means 4 by which at least the pull-in edge 2 is produced, further cuts are possible. In particular, when only one, two or three edges provided with stabilizing agents are desired, such cuts run outside the stabilizing means 4.

If stabilizing agents 4 run on more than one edge, it is within the scope of this invention if they have different widths and / or different heights and / or lower composition. A transfer medium 1 with Stabilisierungsmit¬ tel 4 at the intake edge 2 is shown in Figure 1. Figures 2 to 4 show various ways in which such a transfer medium 1 could be constructed in section along the line AA, wherein the thickness is greatly exaggerated and also cias ratio of the layers to each other is not true to scale. FIG. 2 shows a construction in which two transfer layers 5 are present, namely a release layer 6 and a release layer 7, FIG. 3 an embodiment with only one transfer layer 5, namely a release layer 7, and FIG. 4 also an embodiment with only a transfer layer 5, namely a release layer 6. The stabilizer 4 is not further specified in FIGS. 2 to 4. FIG. 5 shows an enlargement of the catchment area of an embodiment according to FIG. 2, where here a stabilizing means 4 is shown a paper or plastic strip 12 and an adhesive layer 13 comprises.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show embodiments with additional stabilizing mats 3 on the transverse edges 10 and, according to FIG. 7, and also on the opposite edge 11.

Not specifically shown is also possible embodiment in which only the pull-in edge 2 and the opposite edge 11 have a stabilizer 4. However, such is shown in "Vorlaufer¬ form", in addition to the embodiment with stabilizer 4 only at the pull-in edge 2, in Figure 8.

FIG. 8 schematically shows roll material with applied stabilizing agent 4 and indicated cuts 14 for separation into sheets / sheets with a stabilized pull-in edge 2 (marked with A) and with both a stabilized pull-in edge 2 and another edge provided with stabilizing agent 11, which is opposite the entry edge 2 (marked with B). While it would also be possible to carry out the cut (or other separation, such as a punching, etc.) 14 directly next to the stabilizer 4, it is preferred to apply a wider stabilizer and cut within it, usually in the center thereof , Cuts outside the stabilizer for producing an edge provided with stabilizing agent 4 are also possible, for example if the production systems permit precise positioning of the stabilizing means and the cuts / punches 14, or if the stabilizing means 4 are not flush with .der edge can be tolerated. For example, flushing is less important for the transverse edges 10 than for the possible pull-in edges 2, 11, in which the risk of roller contamination would be increased. The Transfermecäien the present invention, a gluing of the ink receiving layer 3 and / or the release Schictit 6 with the rollers in the fusing station and thus a traffic jam with the high repair costs associated therewith. Furthermore, a further advantage is achieved by the stabilizing means 4. This acts namely after the application of the image on the textile as a peel, resp. Gripping aid for the removal of the carrier material 8, which in particular facilitates the removability of the carrier 8 in the hot state.

Although the transfer media according to the invention were developed especially for the color laser printer, they can also be used very well in the CLC and with other analog and digital copying and printing machines, such as Indigo and Xeikon systems.

The preparation of the coated support and its use will now be explained in more detail by means of an example:

example

Substances used: 1. Preparation of a Bindeldeldispersion for the ink receiving layer:

12% of Aqualine were dissolved in 60% of a mixture of water and isopropanol (ratio of water to isopropanol = 40: 50). In addition 27 became. 5% orgasol and 0. 5% Coadis is dispersed as follows.

Using a stirrer, the binder solution was stirred under dispersing alternately portions of the polyamide powder and the wetting agent until a coating process, for. B. Reversed roll, coatable, creamy dispersion of more suitable viscosity.

2. Hot-melt layer (release layer): The release layer used was a dispersion based on a sealable ethylene-acrylic acid

Copolymer, for example, an Enorex Tyjp, z. B. Enorex VN 379, available from Collano Switzerland with a solid state content of about 40% and a melting point of about 100 ⁰ C used.

Production of a Transfer Material: In a first step, a

Coating method, eg Reverseroll, the dispersion for the Hotmeltschient (release layer) on cLLe Si¬ likonseite a unilaterised siliconized Abhäsivpapiers (120 g / m2) applied and then dried at a Ternpe- rature of about 80 ⁰ C. The dry application was about 15 g / m 2. (Re¬ was used shipping roll) in a second step by means of coating method has now been applied, the dispersion for the dye-receiving layer and dried at a temperature of about 100 to 120 ⁰ C. The dry application was about 10 g / rrv ^ amount.

The desired number of paper strips provided with adhesive on one side was applied to the ink-receiving layer dried in this way, still in roll form, and the roll material was then cut into sheets.

Such a transfer medium was easy to print and label by means of CLP, but it can also be used with other printing or copying methods such as CLC.

The transfer took place by the Transfrermedium with the printed resp. inscribed side on a substrate, here a cotton T-shirt, placed and positioned at the desired location, whereupon it either by means of a hydraulic press (by Color Press Tender-Transfersystems GmbH, 8307 Effretikon, Switzerland) while 30 Seconds at 160 ⁰ C and a medium pressure or with the iron for 2 minutes at about 180 ⁰ C (Wär¬ mestufe for cotton) was treated. When transferring with the iron, the back of the paper was thoroughly covered under strong pressure so that the color could merge with the layer and this with the fabric Association. The hot paper back was then taken at the stabilizer and the abhesive paper peeled off.

While preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the present application, it should be clearly understood that the invention is not limited thereto and may be embodied otherwise within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

claims

1. Transfer medium (1) comprises, in this order, a support (8), at least one transfer layer (5) and a dye receiving layer (3), in particular a transfer medium for use in color laser printers (color laser printers). Printer, CLP), characterized gekennzeich¬ net that at least at one in the feed direction in the fuser of the printer front feed edge (2) on the ink receptive layer (3) along the entire edge and with this flush extending strip-shaped stabilizing means (4 ) having.

2. Transfer medium (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the stabilizing agent (4) is a paper strip (12) or a plastic strip (12) or a print, in particular a paper strip or a plastic strip, especially preferably a paper strip ,

3. Transfer medium (1) according to claim 2, character- ized in that the stabilizing agent (4) is a paper strip applied by means of adhesive or a plastic strip applied by means of adhesive, in particular a paper strip applied by means of adhesive.

4. Transfer medium (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the adhesive is a contact adhesive, in particular an acrylate adhesive.

5. Transfer medium (1) according to one of the vorange¬ preceding claims, characterized in that the stabilization means (4) has a width of at least 2 mm, in particular a width of at least 5 mm, more preferably a width of 8 to 12 mm ,

6. Transfer medium (1) according to one of voran¬ preceding claims, characterized in that this in addition to the stabilizing means (4) at the feed edge (2) in addition to the two angren¬ to this indenting Zenden transverse edges (10) one flush with these verlau- fendes strip-shaped stabilizing agent (4) auf¬ has.

7. transfer medium (1) according to one of voran¬ preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at all edges (2, 10, 11) with one edge flush strip-shaped stabilizing means (4).

8. transfer medium (1) according to one of the vorange¬ preceding claims, characterized in that the stabilization means (4) is a paper strip of a Pa¬ pier with 20 to 150 g / m ² , preferably about 70 g / m ² or a plastic strip having a thickness of 10 to 150 μm, in particular 20 to 75 μm, or a printing having a thickness of at least 0.5 μm, preferably 2 to 50 μm, in particular 4 to 8 μm, and / or the adhesive has a thickness of 5 to 50 microns, in particular 15 to 25 microns.

9. Transfer medium (1) according to one of the vorange¬ preceding claims, characterized in that the color baufnahmeauficht layer (3) has a melting point of about 140 to 200 ⁰ C, in particular about 140 to 17O ⁰ C.

10. transfer medium (1) according to one of vor¬ prospective claims, characterized in that the ink receiving layer (3) has a thickness of 1 to 40 microns, in particular 5 to 20 microns.

11. transfer medium (1) according to one of the vor¬ prospective claims, characterized in that the ink receiving layer (3) has a composition as follows: binder 30 to 69% by weight

Pigment 69 to 30% by weight

Additive about 1 wt .-%.

12. Transfer medium (1) according to one of the vor¬ prospective claims, characterized in that the binders are selected from thermoplastics, in particular polyamides, and dispersions, in particular Polyuret¬ han dispersions, that the pigments are selected from inorganic and / or organic pigments, in particular SiO ₂ and / or a thermoplastic, in particular polyamide powder, and that the additives are wetting agents.

13. Transfer medium (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one transfer layer (5) is a release layer (6) and / or a release layer (7) fixedly connected to the support.

14. Transfer medium (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the

Separating layer (7) is a siliconization of the carrier (8) and the carrier (8) is a paper.

15. transfer medium (1) according to one of vor¬ prospective claims, characterized in that the ink receiving layer (3) has a by at least 10O ⁰ C higher melting point than the release layer (6).

16. transfer medium (1) according to one of vor¬ prospective claims, characterized in that the release layer (6) has a melting point of 70 to 130 ⁰ C, in particular a melting point of 80 to 130 ⁰ C.

17. A process for producing a transfer medium (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the carriers (8) in roll form provided with the at least one transfer layer (5) and the ink receiving layer (3) a strip or a lattice-shaped stabilizing means (4) is applied and that the roll material is subsequently cut at least within the band-shaped band or within the lattice-shaped stabilizing means (4).