Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ABLATION TRANSFER ONTO INTERMEDIATE RECEPTORS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention:
The present invention relates to unique variant of
laser ablation transfer ("LAT") imaging onto special
intermediate receptor elements that are well suited for
secondary or downstream blanketwise lamination of both the
image and, advantageously, a protective overcoating
therefor, to a wide variety of ultimate substrates.
Representative applications of such "LAT
decalcomania" techniques according to this invention include
the production of matte or glossy full-color prints or
proofs, and desirable monochrome photomasking films.
Description of the Prior Art/Current State-of-the-Art:
U.S. Patent No. 5,156,938 to Diane M. Foley et al,
assigned to the assignee hereof, recounts the laser ablation
transfer imaging science ("LATIS") prior art and describes a
unique method/system for simultaneously creating and
transferring a contrasting pattern of intelligence on and
from an ablation-transfer imaging medium to a receptor
element in contiguous registration therewith that is not
dependent upon contrast imaging materials that must absorb
the imaging radiation, typically laser radiation, and is
well adopted for such applications as, e.g., color proofing
and printing, computer-to-plate, the security coding of
various documents and the production of machine-readable or
medical items, as well as for the production of masks for
the graphic arts and printed circuit industries; the
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ablation-transfer imaging medium, per se, comprises a
support substrate and an imaging radiation-, preferably a
laser radiation-ablative topcoat essentially coextensive
therewith, such ablative topcoat having a non-imaging
ablation sensitizer and an imaging amount of a non-ablation
sensitizing contrast imaging material ("CIM") contained
therein.
U.S. Patent No. 5,171,650 to Ellis et al, also
assigned to the assignee hereof, describes improved
ablation-transfer imaging media having greater sensitivity,
requiring less sensitizer and threshold energy (thus
permitting a greater range of mass to be transferred), and
which additionally are kinetically more rapid and facilitate
the ablative transfer to a receptor element of an imaging
radiation-ablative topcoat containing virtually any type of
contrast imaging material (whether sensitizing or non-
sensitizing).
Such method/system of the '650 Ellis et al patent
for simultaneously creating and transferring a contrasting
pattern of intelligence on and from a composite ablation-
transfer imaging medium to a receptor element in contiguous
registration therewith is improvedly radiation sensitive and
versatile, is kinetically rapid and not dependent on a
sensitized ablative topcoat, and is also very well adopted
for such applications as, e.g., color proofing and printing,
computer-to-plate, the security coding of various
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documents and the production of machine-readable or
medical items, as well as for the production of masks
far the graphic arts and printed circuit industries; the
Ellis et a1 composite ablation-transfer imaging medium,
per se, comprises a support substrate (i), at least one
intermediate "dynamic release layer' (ii) essentially
coextensive therewith and an imaging radiation-ablative
carrier topcoat (iii) also essentially coextensive
therewith, said imaging radiation-ablative carrier
topcoat (iii) including an imaging amount of a contrast
imaging material contained therein, whether or not
itself including a laser absorber/sensitizer, and said
at least one dynamic release layer (ii) absorbing such
imaging radiation, typically laser radiation, at a rate
sufficient to effect the imagewise ablation mass
transfer of at least said carrier topcoat (iii).
By "dynamic release layer" is intended an
intermediate layer that must interact with the imaging
radiation to effect imagewise ablative transfer of at
least the carrier topcoat onto a receptor element at an
energy/fluence_less than would be required in the
absence thereof. The dynamic release layer ("DRL") is
believed to release the carrier topcoat by effectively
eliminating the adhesive forces that bond or consolidate
the carrier topcoat with the support substrate.
Preferably, under the same conditions additional
propulsion is simultaneously provided by the interaction
of the imaging radiation therewith, e.g., by ablation of
the dynamic release layer itself, thus further
facilitating.the imagewise ablative transfer of the
entire carrier topcoat to a receptor element.
Representative DRLs per Ellis et al include metal, metal
alloy, metal oxide and metal sulfide thin films, etc.,
and the organics.
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Thus, the LAT imaging films employed in, for
example, the Foley et al and Ellis et al LATIS' described
above have essentially been limited to those "permanent"
films available from inventory, namely, pre-manufactured or
pre-coated, and, hence, which inventory is typically
inadequate to supply the complete spectrum of LAT imaging
films that may be required for a particular application,
e.g., not all colors, not all color densities, not all film
thicknesses, etc., are usually available from inventory.
Consequently, unique means have now been developed
for the on-demand or on-line production or generation, of
LATIS imaging films that offers the end user a degree of
flexibility and versatility hitherto alien to this art.
Such on-demand production/generation of LAT
imaging films presents any one or more of an essentially
infinite number of contrast imaging material options, as
well any one or more of an essentially infinite number of
thicknesses and CIM densities.
Too, such unique means for the on-demand
production/generation of LATIS imaging films entails
conventional toning techniques utilizing conventional liquid
or dry toners, or liquid or dry toners especially modified
or customized as to be tailored to a specific desire or
LATIS application. Indeed; conventional or customized
toners are employed that offer the option, whether from an
economic and/or environmental standpoint, of recycling the
unused toner from the non-imaged areas on imaged donor
films.
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Such composite LAT imaging films comprise a
discontinuous or "toned" ablative topcoat and, hence, axe
improvedly laser radiation sensitive (by reason of the
reduced adhesion of the discontinuous ablative topcoat to
5 whatever substrate, whether or not including a DRL, in
contradistinction to LAT imaging films which comprise a
permanent, durably adhered continuous ablative topcoat).
In sum, previously developed means feature the on-
demand supply of appropriate substrate that will ultimately
comprise the desired LAT film, and then on-site toning such
substrate as to provide a unique composite film having a
desired color or imaging functionality at a desired
thickness or density, typically just prior to or immediately
upstream of the actual imaging sequence.
To date, though, the state of the LATIS art has
proven somewhat inflexible in that the known LAT techniques
have essentially been limited to image transfer to one
particular receptor element, itself strictly governing final
image density, product morphology, amount of energy required
for transfer, dimensionality of viewing of the final
product, and the like.
SU1~IARY OF TfTE INVENTION
Accordingly, a major object of the present
invention is the provision of improved technique for laser
ablation transfer imaging onto intermediate receptor
elements presenting options of versatility and flexibility
hitherto unknown to the LAT imaging art.
Briefly, the present invention features laser
ablation transfer imaging onto special intermediate receptor
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elements which are useful for secondary, blanketwise
lamination, notably via blanketwise thermal adhesion, of
both the image and, desirably, a protective overcoating
therefor, to a very wide variety of ultimate receptor
substrates.
According to one aspect the invention provides a
method for consolidating a contrasting pattern of
intelligence borne by a backing therefor with a final
receptor base element, comprising (a) imagewise laser-
irradiating a LAT imaging film according to such pattern of
intelligence with an intensity sufficient to effect the
ablation mass transfer of the volume of the imagewise-
exposed area of the laser radiation-ablative mass of said
imaging film onto an intermediate receptor element therefor,
said intermediate receptor element comprising an adhesively
coated LAT image protective overcoat and a base substrate
superposed thereon, and said ablation mass transfer being
onto the adhesive face surface of such intermediate receptor
element, (b) thence imageside laminating the intermediate
receptor thus imaged onto any desired final receptor base
element, and (c) removing said base substrate from said
intermediate receptor element after laminating same onto
said final receptor base element.
According to another aspect the invention provides
a method for consolidating a contrasting pattern of
intelligence borne by a backing therefor with a final
receptor base element, comprising (a) imagewise laser-
irradiating a LAT imaging film according to such pattern of
intelligence with an intensity sufficient to effect the
ablation mass transfer of the volume of the imagewise-
exposed area of the laser radiation-ablative mass of said
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imaging film onto an intermediate receptor element therefor,
said intermediate receptor element comprising an adhesively
coated LAT image protective overcoat and a base substrate
superposed on a release layer between said protective
overcoat and said base substrate, and said ablation mass
transfer being onto the adhesive face surface of such
intermediate receptor element, and (b) thence imageside
laminating the intermediate receptor thus imaged onto any
desired final receptor base element.
According to another aspect the invention provides
a method for consolidating a contrasting pattern of
intelligence borne by a backing therefor with a final
receptor base element, comprising (a) imagewise laser-
irradiating a LAT imaging film according to such pattern of
intelligence with an intensity sufficient to effect the
ablation mass transfer of the volume of the imagewise-
exposed area of the laser radiation-ablative mass of said
imaging film onto an intermediate receptor element therefor,
and (b) thence imageside laminating the intermediate
receptor thus imaged onto any desired final receptor base
element, said final receptor base element comprising a
reflective substrate.
According to another aspect the invention provides
a method for consolidating a contrasting pattern of
intelligence borne by a backing therefor with a final
receptor base element, comprising (a) imagewise laser-
irradiating a LAT imaging film according to such pattern of
intelligence with an intensity sufficient to effect the
ablation mass transfer of the volume of the imagewise-
exposed area of the laser radiation-ablative mass of said
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imaging film onto an intermediate receptor element therefor,
said intermediate receptor element comprising an adhesively
coated LAT image protective overcoat and a base substrate
superposed thereon, said protective overcoat comprising a
matte or gloss, abrasion- and water-resistant exterior face
surface, and said ablation mass transfer being onto the
adhesive face surface of such intermediate receptor element,
and (b) thence imageside laminating the intermediate
receptor thus imaged onto any desired final receptor base
element.
According to another aspect the invention provides
a method for consolidating a contrasting pattern of
intelligence borne by a backing therefor with a final
receptor base element, comprising (a) imagewise laser-
irradiating a LAT imaging film according to such pattern of
intelligence with an intensity sufficient to effect the
ablation mass transfer of the volume of the imagewise-
exposed area of the laser radiation-ablative mass of said
imaging film onto an intermediate receptor element therefor,
and (b) thence imageside laminating the intermediate
receptor thus imaged onto any desired final receptor base
element, said final receptor base element having an
irregular or contoured face surface.
According to another aspect the invention provides
a composite article of manufacture comprising: an LAT image
protective overcoat comprising a reflective substrate and
having a first surface and a second surface; an adhesive
coating superposed on the first surface and bearing a
contrasting LAT image pattern of intelligence; a base
substrate superposed on the second surface; and a final base
element laminated to the adhesive coating.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGURE 1 is a block diagram/schematic of one
embodiment of LAT imaging onto an intermediate receptor
element and downstream lamination of the imaged substrate to
a final receptor base, or "LAT decalcomania" according to
the present invention, wherein the intermediate receptor
remains intact, or integral, following lamination;
FIGURE 2 is a block diagram/schematic of another
embodiment of LAT imaging onto an intermediate composite
receptor element and downstream lamination of the imaged
substrate to a final receptor base according to this
invention, but wherein at least one component or constituent
layer of the composite intermediate receptor is stripped or
peeled from the laminated image assembly; and
FIGURE 3 is a series of final imaged intermediate
receptor/final receptor combinations according to the
invention, wherein the ultimate laminated image is destined
or intended for viewing either from the frontside, or from
the backside, or both.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE
INVENTION
More particularly according to the present
invention, provided are intermediate receptor elements
useful for imaging laser ablation transfer films and the
subsequent lamination, advantageously via thermal bonding,
of the intermediate image to a very wide variety of support
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substrates therefor, while simultaneously, also
advantageously, providing either a matte or glossy,
abrasion-resistant overcoat to protect the image layers) on
its/their final receptor substrate.
This invention also provides novel means for
producing durable full color prints or proofs having a wide
variety of surface characteristics.
Also provided are novel means for producing
durable monochrome and multichrome transparencies, including
photomasks and back-lit display and projection images.
In one preferred embodiment of LAT decalcomania
according to the present invention, appropriate donor films,
e.g., those described in the aforenoted Foley et al/Ellis et
al '938 and '650 patents, are imaged under laser ablation
transfer conditions, also described in said '938 and '650
patents, onto a characteristically heat-activated receptive
layer of a special intermediate receptor element. The
imaged intermediate receptor element is then heat-laminated
to a final receptor substrate. In said preferred
embodiment, peeling off a base substrate of the intermediate
receptor exposes a polymer-protected mirror image on a final
receptor substrate. Such final substrate may be reflective,
translucent or transparent. The image's protective
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overcoat/overcoating is desirably matte or gloss,
abrasion- and water-resistant.
Referring specifically to the Figures of
Drawing, in FIGURE 1 an LAT ablation-transfer composite
imaging medium, or donor, comprising a support substrate
or base 1, at least one intermediate dynamic release
layer 2 essentially coextensive therewith, and a laser
radiation-ablative carrier topcoat 3 also essentially
coextensive therewith (as described, for example, in the
X650 Ellis et al patent), is imagewise laser-irradiated
according to any particular pattern of intelligence with
an intensity sufficient to effect the imagewise ablation
mass transfer of the volume of the imagewise-exposed
area of at least the laser radiation-ablative topcoat 3
of said imaging medium, securedly onto said intermediate
receptor element and whereby said transferred contrast
imaging material delineates said pattern.of intelligence
thereon.
In Fig. 1, the intermediate receptor element
comprises a thermal adhesive 4 and a protective
overcoat/base substrate 5 therefor.
After imaging, the imaged intermediate
receptor element is then heat-laminated to a final
receptor base 8, thus providing a protected image
assembly. Suitable apparatus for such purpose includes
the Model IT-6000 laminator available from Image
Technologies Corp. and the Blazer DFiC laminator
available from Bryce Corp.
In FIGURE 2, a like LAT ablation-transfer
3o composite imaging medium is also imagewise laser-
irradiated according to any particular pattern of
intelligence with an intensity sufficient to effect the
imagewise ablation mass transfer of the volume of the
imagewise-exposed area of at least the laser radiation-
ablative topcoat 3 of said imaging medium, securedly
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onto said intermediate receptor element and whereby said
transferred contrast imaging material again delineates
said pattern of intelligence thereon.
However, in the preferred embodiment of Fig.
2, the intermediate receptor element comprises the
thermal adhesive layer 4, a protective overcoat 5
intended to protect the final image, an optional release
layer 6 and a base substrate 7.
After imaging, the imaged intermediate
receptor element is then, as in Fig. l, heat-laminated
to a final receptor base~8.
Peeling off the base substrate 7 and the
optional release layer 6 of the intermediate receptor
provides a protected, typically a polymer-protected,
mirror image of the "intermediate" image on the final
receptor substrate or base 8.
As indicated above, the final substrate or
base 8 may be reflective, translucent, transparent or
opaque. The protective overcoating 5 therefor is
advantageously matte or gloss, abrasion- and water-
resistant.
Thus, it will be appreciated that LAT
decalcomania per this invention presents the option of
laser ablation transfer onto but a single material
(intermediate receptor element), thereby permitting
optimization of all LAT parameters to such single
intermediate receptor (rather than having to adjust the
LAT process parameters, depending upon each particular
instance, to meet or fit a wide variety of substrates).
With particular regard to the intermediate
receptor elements, per se, these can be many and varied.
For example, the protective base substrate 5 in the
embodiment of Fig. 1 and the corresponding protective
overcoat 5 in the embodiment of Fig. 2 can be virtually
any protective material, e.g., glass, polymer, etc., but
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is preferably durable, rub-, abrasion- and water-resistant.
The thermal adhesive layer 4 is advantageously of
non-tacky (save, perhaps, during the LAT sequence), hot-melt
type, and can even be statically charged. Too, pressure
5 sensitive and photo-activated adhesives are also envisaged.
Of course, the adhesive should not be so strong as to also
remove non-imaged areas of the LAT imaging film.
Suitable materials for the optional release layer
6 include those well known to the art for such purpose,
10 notably the typical silicone-based release agents,
fluorocarbons, "slip" coatings, and the like. Of course,
though, if the protective overcoat 5 and the base substrate
7 (embodiment shown in Fig. 2) are judiciously selected,
separation, e.g., by peeling, can be carried out naturally
and no release layer is required. Also in said Fig. 2
embodiment, the base substrate 7 can be virtually any
material and is primarily intended only to lend structural
integrity to the composite.
Particularly exemplary composites suitable as
intermediate receptor elements per the embodiment of Fig. 2
according to the present invention are the transfer elements
described in U.S. Patent No. 5,397,634 to Cahill et al,
"Transferable Protective Cover Layers". These comprise (A)
a temporary carrier layer, namely, a polymeric sheet
material, e.g., PET or a polyolefin, a foraminous sheet
material, or composite thereof, (B) a protective layer
removably adhered to the temporary carrier layer and
comprising a crosslinked cellulose ester, e.g., a
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cellulose acetate propionate and/or cellulose acetate
butyrate, and (C) an adhesive layer permanently bonded
to the protective layer, e.g., a visually transparent
thermoplastic polyurethane, polycaprolactone, acrylic
copolymer, or combination thereof.
Representative intermediate receptor elements
according to the embodiment of Fig. 1 include a wide
variety of commercially available mounting and
laminating materials, for example the "Sallencap" and
l0 "Sallencap Flexigloss" gloss thermal laminating films
and the pressure sensitive products marketed by
Sallmetall, the "Sealeze" products marketed by Seal
Products, Inc., and even "Scotch" tape for that matter.
It will also be appreciated that the final
receptor can be essentially any base, whether paper,
glass, metal, china, plastic, fabric, wood, board, film,
etc. Moreover, it need not be flat and can be quite
irregular or contoured. Accordingly, LAT imaging per
this invention encompasses a true decal process, as the
imaged intermediate receptor can even be '°transferred'°
to automobiles, motorcycles, etc., i.e., virtually any
substrate or preexisting article of manufacture, whether
flat or irregular, unitary or composite. It is thus
well suited, for example, for short run print
applications, labels and bar codes, proofs, and the
like.
Too, the thicknesses of the respective layers
constituting the intermediate receptor element, whether
as shown in Fig. 1 or in Fig. 2, are not at all
critical. For example, the protective layer 5 is
ideally as thin as possible, advantageously ranging from
about 0.3 to 2 ~m in thickness, while still serving to
"protect" the image from the rigors of handling and use,
exposure to environmental and other contaminants, and
the like. The adhesive image-receiving layer may either
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be thick or thin, and, desirably, only enough adhesive
if present as is required to laminate the imaged
intermediate receptor to the final substrate.
It will thus be seen that LAT decalcomania
according to this invention presents the option of
fabricating an imaged final product, whereby the
"transferred" image is viewed from the backside vis-a-
vis viewing of the image provided on the intermediate
receptor element. Advantages of viewing from the
backside include assuring an optimized predetermined
face surface - it is typically very flat and smooth
(contrary to a paper face surface) - and, hence, the
quality of the final image is enhanced in consequence of
the improved covering power and density control thus
provided. Also, when viewed from the backside,
potential mottle is markedly limited versus the mottle
visible on.frontside viewing by reason of.imaging of a
diffracting adhesive surface.
It will also be seen that the usual additives
and adjuvants can be incorporated into the composite
articles of manufacture according to this invention, for
example incorporating UV-protective agents or
W-stabilizers for the LAT image into either or both of
the adhesive coatings and protective overcoats, etc.
In addition, as,' for example, hot laminating
of the imaged intermediate receptor to the final
receptor base ofttimes physically compresses a fraction
of the transferred image or pixel therein,
characteristically without any lateral expansion .
thereof, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the net effect .
thereof is a higher solid area density with better
covering power from the same amount of material
transferred. Also, as less material is required to be
transferred to produce an image having a given density,
less energy is needed for the LAT process.
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Plus, as the image laminated to the final
receptor base advantageously bears a protective coating,
whether by hot laminating or even by overcoating the
final image, a very smooth high solid density surface is
thus provided, contributing to a mottle-free appearance.
Hence, the substance of the LAT decalcomania
of the invention is the provision of options of
versatility and flexibility, i.e., more variables such
as degree of adhesion onto the intermediate receptor
l0 element, permitting better and more precise control over
the total process, even~when the same final receptor
base is intended.
Exemplary final receptor/imaged intenaediate
receptor combinations are shown in Figure 3. In Fig.
3(A), intended for backside viewing, the imaged
intermediate receptor is transparent and the final base
reflective. In such embodiment, the optical clarity of
the final laminate interface is optimized by using an
adhesive that is not light diffusing and does not impart
any opacity to.the final product. Suitable reflective
layers include various papers, whether coated or
uncoated, for example containing titanium dioxide or
zinc oxide, and even metal layers, and the like.
In Fig. 3(B), both the imaged intermediate
receptor and the final base are visually transparent,
permitting both frontside and backside viewing.
In Fig. 3(C), the reverse of the Fig. 3(A)
construction, the imaged intermediate receptor is
reflective and the final base transparent, intended for
frantside viewing.
Figures 3(D) to 3(F) reflect variants of the
embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 2.
In Fig. 3(D), both the protective overcoat and
the base substrate of the imaged intermediate receptor
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are transparent and the final base reflective, also
intended for frontside viewing whether or not the base
substrate is stripped therefrom.
Fig. 3(E) reflects a construction in which the
final base is transparent, as is the protective
overcoat, but the base substrate of the imaged
intermediate receptor is either transparent or
reflective. In the former instance, .the ultimate
laminate is suited for either frontside or backside
viewing, whether or not the base substrate of the imaged
intermediate receptor is stripped therefrom. In the
latter, backside viewing is comprehended only after
stripping the reflective base substrate therefrom.
And in Fig. 3(F), the final base is
transparent, the protective overcoat reflective, and the
base substrate of the imaged intermediate receptor is
either transparent or reflective. In such instance,
whether or not the base substrate of the imaged
intermediate receptor is peeled therefrom, only
frontside viewing is intended.
In order to further illustrate the present
invention and the advantages thereof, the following
specific examples are given, it being understood that
same are intended only as illustrative and in nowise
limitative.
FXAMPhE l:
(a) Manufacture of Intermediate Recegtor Element: ,
A two-layer intermediate receptor element was
constructed by Meyer rod coating a thin (0.3-3.0 Vim)
protective layer, essentially consisting of cellulose
acetate propionate ("CAP°'), onto a transparent 1 mil
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thick polyester base film.
This construction was ,~10 Meyer rod
overcoated, and thereafter air dried, on the CAP side,
with a thin (0.3-2.0 Vim) nontacky thermal or hot melt
5 adhesive layer comprising a mixture of Elvax 40W
(ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer marketed by Du Pont),
1 gram, and a tackifier, Floral 105 (modified rosin
ester marketed by Hercules), 1 gram, as well as a
solvent blend (toluene/isopropanol, 90:10), 8 grams.
10 (b) Laser Ablation Transfer Imaging:
The intermediate receptor element produced in
stage (a) was LAT imaged using a Crosfield Datrax 765
Facsimile System. The write engine of such system
included a 16 watt Nd/YAG laser (emitting at 1064 nm) to
15 provide the imaging radiation (ca. 6-8 watts at the film
plane for a 25 micron diameter spot, scanned at 200
meters/second).
Donor sheets, described, for example in the
aforesaid Ellis et al '650 patent, were sequentially
placed, in face-to-face registered direct contact,
coated side against the stage (a) intermediate receptor
sheet mounted on the Datrax image transport truck.
Laser writing was carried out at 8 watts (at film plane)
and 1,200 lines per inch with the donor and the receptor
sheets maintained together in a vacuum (ca. 26 in. Hg).
Color separated halftone films were read by
the Crosfield Datrax reader to produce color separated
digital image data files, which, when matched with the
various color donors, were sequentially employed to
modulate the laser writing to ultimately produce a full
color image on the intermediate receptor sheet.
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(c) Thermal TransferjLamination of a "Protected" Imaqe:
The intermediate receptor imaged in stage (b)
was imaged-side mated with a sheet of high quality
uncoated office paper and passed through a heated
(125°C) roll laminator under pressure (500 lb/in2). A
protected glossy image on plain paper was obtained upon
peeling off the intermediate receptor polyester backing.
The aforesaid process was~repeated, with
comparable results, using a coated paper ("Reflections"
line of enamel paper marketed by Consolidated) final
receptor.
This example corresponds to the embodiment
shown in Figure 2.
EXAMPLE 2:
A monochrome transparent image was produced by
repeating the procedure of Example 1, via the laser
ablation transfer of a single black donor onto the
intermediate receptor element, laminating it to a
transparent 4 mil thick polyester film and peeling off
the intermediate receptor polyester base.
ERAMPLE 3:
The procedure of Example 2 is repeated using
the same donor film and the same transparent polyester
film final receptor, except that the intermediate ,
receptor element is a commercially available heat
laminating material marketed by Sallmetall as 5 mil
thick Sallencap gloss thermal laminating film. In this
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example, corresponding to the embodiment shown in Figure
1, no polyester base is peeled from the intermediate
receptor element.
While the invention has been described in
terms of various preferred embodiments, the skilled
artisan will appreciate that various modifications,
substitutions, omissions, and changes may be made
without departing from the spirit thereof. Accordingly,
it is intended that the scope of the present invention
be limited solely by the scope of the following claims,
including equivalents thereof.
