Protective polycarbonate-polyurethane overcoat for image recording elements

• US 6,312,858 B1
• Filed: 12/22/2000
• Issued: 11/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Yau, Hwei-Ling, Krzemien, Wendy S., Yacobucci, Paul D., Falkner, Catherine A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schilling, Richard L.
• Application Number:
  US09/747,730
• Time in Patent Office: 319 Days
• Field of Search: 430/531, 430/961, 430/18, 430/17, 430/97, 430/432, 347/105
• US Class Current: 430/17
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 7/0027 using protective coatings or layers by lamination or by fusion of the coatings or layers
• CPC Class Codes: G03C 1/76 Photosensitive materials characterised by the base or auxiliary layers
• CPC Class Codes: G03C 11/08 Varnishing, e.g. application of protective layers on finished photographic prints
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 7/0046 obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 430/162 Protective or antiabrasion layer

Abstract

The present invention relates to imaging elements, including photographic elements and ink-jet recording media, having a protective overcoat that resists fingerprints, common stains, and spills. More particularly, the protective overcoat comprises a polycarbonate-containing polyurethane polymer having a T_g of 0 to 70° C. and a molecular weight of 15,000 to 200,000, wherein the amount of polycarbonate, based on the total weight of the polymer, is at least 20 percent.

Claims

1. An imaged photographic element comprising:

a support;

at least one imaged layer comprising either silver and/or the reaction product of a developing agent and a dye-forming coupler, which imaged layer is superposed on a side of said support;

a protective overcoat, overlying said imaged layer, comprising a polycarbonate-containing polyurethane polymer having a T_g of 0 to 70°

C. and a molecular weight of 15,000 to 200,000, wherein the amount of polycarbonate, based on the total weight of the polymer, is at least 20 percent.

2. The imaged photographic element of claim 1 wherein the polycarbonate-containing polyurethane polymer is represented by the following structure:

wherein R₁ is the central portion of a monomeric unit formed by the reaction of a diisocyanate monomer;

A represents the central portion of a monomeric unit formed by the reaction of one or more polyols at least 50% by weight of which polyols is a hydroxy-terminated polycarbonate having a molecular weight of 500 to 2500; and

R₂ is the central portion of a monomeric unit formed by the reaction of at least one chain extender having a molecular weight less than 500, and wherein R₃ is the central portion of an optional monomeric unit containing a phosphonate, carboxylate or sulfonate group.

3. The imaged photographic element of claim 2 wherein R₁ is a non-aromatic substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic or alicyclic group.

4. The imaged photographic element of claim 2 wherein R₂ is a diamine selected from the group consisting of ethylene diamine, diethylene triamine, propylene diamine, butylene diamine, hexamethylene diamine, cyclohexylene diamine, phenylene diamine, tolylene diamine, xylylene diamine, 3,3′

-dinitrobenzidene, ethylene methylenebis(2-chloroaniline), 3,3′

-dichloro-4,4′

-biphenyl diamine 2,6-diaminopyridine, 4,4′

-diamino diphenylmethane, and adducts of diethylene triamine with acrylate or its hydrolyzed products.

5. The imaged photographic element of claim 1 wherein the overcoat further comprises a second polymer and/or inorganic material having a Tg above 70°

C.

6. The imaged photographic element of claim 5 wherein the inorganic material is selected from the group consisting of colloidal silica, alumina, titania, and combinations thereof, and having a particle size of 5 to 100 nm.

7. The imaged photographic element of claim 5 wherein the second polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyesters, polyamides, polyureas, polyethers, polycarbonates and polyacid anhydrides.

8. The imaged photographic element of claim 5 wherein the second polymer is formed from the polymerization of a reaction mixture comprising one or more vinyl-type monomers selected from the group consisting of allyl compounds, vinyl ethers, vinyl esters, vinyl heterocyclic compounds, styrenes, olefins, halogenated olefins, unsaturated acids, and esters derived from unsaturated acids, unsaturated nitriles, vinyl alcohols, acrylamides, methacrylamides, and vinyl ketones.

9. The imaged photographic element of claim 5 wherein the second polymer is a microgel.

10. The imaged photographic element of claim 1 wherein the overcoat further comprises one or more addenda selected from the group consisting of UV absorbers, surfactants, emulsifiers, coating aids, lubricants, matte particles, rheology modifiers, speed-control dyes, crosslinking agents for gelatin, antifoggants, inorganic fillers, pigments, magnetic particles and biocides.

11. The imaged photographic element of claim 1 further comprising an antistatic layer superposed on the support.

12. The imaged photographic element of claim 1 further comprising a transparent magnetic layer superposed on the support.

13. The imaged photographic element of claim 1 further comprising wax particles selected from the group consisting of high density polyethylene, carnauba wax, and microcrystalline polyolefins.

14. A method of making a photographic element having a developed image comprising:

providing a photographic imaging element comprising a support and at least one silver halide emulsion layer superposed on a side of said support,

imagewise exposing the photographic element to light;

developing the photographic imaging element in a photoprocessing solution;

applying a protective overcoat composition, overlying said silver halide emulsion layer, comprising a polycarbonate-containing polyurethane polymer having a T_g of 0 to 70°

C. and a molecular weight of 15,000 to 200,000, wherein the amount of polycarbonate, based on the total weight of the polymer, is at least 20 percent, wherein the overcoat composition is applied and dried at an average temperature of 50°

C. to 70°

C. during photoprocessing operation.

15. A method of making a recording element having a formed image comprising:

providing a recording element comprising a support, at least one ink or toner receiving layer and,

forming an image on the receiving layer using an ink-jet or electrophotographic process to form an imaged element,

applying a protective overcoat composition, overlying said silver halide emulsion layer, comprising a polycarbonate-containing polyurethane polymer having a T_g of 0 to 70°

C. and a molecular weight of 15,000 to 200,000, wherein the amount of polycarbonate, based on the total weight of the polymer, is at least 20 percent, wherein the overcoat composition is applied and dried at an average temperature of 40°

C. to 75°

C. and an residence time of from 30 seconds to 2.5 minutes.

16. A recording medium comprising:

(a) a support,

(b) at least one receiving layer for absorbing a color forming ink or for receiving toner particles; and

(c) an overcoat, overlying the receiving layer, comprising a polycarbonate-containing polyurethane polymer having a T_g of 0 to 70°

C. and a molecular weight of 15,000 to 200,000, wherein the amount of polycarbonate, based on the total weight of the polymer, is at least 20 percent.

17. The recording medium of claim 16 wherein component (b) comprises a hydrophilic polymer.

18. The recording medium of claim 16 wherein component (b) comprises a microporous material.

19. The recording medium of claim 16 for use in ink-jet printing further comprising at least one separate layer for retaining most of the carrier liquid for the ink.