Heat sealable coating for manual and electronic marking and process for heat sealing the image

• US 6,531,216 B1
• Filed: 04/12/2000
• Issued: 03/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jodi Schwendimann, Quality Image,Corp.
• Original Assignee: Foto-Wear, Inc.
• Inventors: Williams, Scott, Reid, Heather
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris, Terrel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vo, Hai
• Application Number:
  US09/547,760
• Time in Patent Office: 1,063 Days
• Field of Search: 428/317.1, 428/317.7, 428/319.3, 428/319.7, 428/347, 428/348, 428/349, 427/146, 427/148
• US Class Current: 428/347
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/31 Heat sealable
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2323/04 Polyethylene
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2329/00 Polyvinylalcohols, polyvinylethers, polyvinylaldehydes, polyvinylketones or polyvinylketals
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/08 of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 38/145 Printing
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 1/06 Lithographic printing
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 1/12 Stencil printing; Silk-screen printing
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/506 Intermediate layers
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/508 Supports
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/52 Macromolecular coatings
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/5218 characterised by inorganic additives, e.g. pigments, clays
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/5227 characterised by organic non-macromolecular additives, e.g. UV-absorbers, plasticisers, surfactants
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/5254 characterised by the use of polymers obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds, e.g. vinyl polymers
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/5281 Polyurethanes or polyureas
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 7/0027 using protective coatings or layers by lamination or by fusion of the coatings or layers
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 7/009 using thermal means, e.g. infrared radiation, heat
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 7/002 Organic components thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 7/0026 being macromolecular
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 7/0093 Image-receiving members, based on materials other than paper or plastic sheets, e.g. textiles, metals
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249982 With component specified as adhesive or bonding agent
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249985 : Composition of adhesive or bonding component specified
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249991 : Synthetic resin or natural rubbers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249992 : Linear or thermoplastic
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2817 : Heat sealable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2822 : Wax containing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2826 : Synthetic resin or polymer

Abstract

The present invention relates to a heat sealable element, which comprises a support, a heat sealing layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer which melts in the range of 50-250° C., a wax which melts in the range of 50-250° C., or combinations thereof, and an image layer which comprises at least one polymer which is capable of selectively receiving and retaining water base colorants. The present invention further relates to a process for heat sealing an image, which comprises imaging the above-mentioned heat sealable element and heating the imaged element in order to melt the imaging layer and heat sealing layer to form substantially a single layer and encapsulating the water base colorant in the single layer.

Claims

1. A non-transferable heat sealable element, which comprises:

(i) a porous or absorbent support, and

(ii) a heat sealing layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer which melts in the range of 50-250°

C., a wax which melts in the range of 50-250°

C., or combinations thereof,

wherein said porous or absorbent support does not have a tack-free surface and which absorbs at least 1% of said heat sealing layer, and wherein said non-transferable heat sealable element is non-transferable.

2. The heat sealable element of claim 1, further comprising (iii) an Image Receiving Layer which comprises at least one polymer which is capable of receiving and retaining water base colorants, said Image Receiving Layer either does not melt when heat is applied or melts at a temperature above the melting temperature of the heat sealing layer.

3. The heat sealable element of claim 2, wherein said Image Receiving Layer does not melt below 260°

C.

4. The heat sealable element of claim 2, wherein said Image Receiving Layer further comprises an oxidized polyethylene homopolymer.

5. The heat sealable element of claim 2, wherein said Image Receiving Layer further comprises an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer powder.

6. The heat sealable element of claim 2, wherein the Image Receiving Layer comprises an ethylene acrylic acid co-polymer dispersion.

7. The heat sealable element of claim 2, wherein said Image Receiving Layer is present in a dry coat amount of from 1.0 to 10 g/m².

8. The heat sealable element of claim 1, wherein an adhesive is placed between the support and the heat sealing layer.

9. The heat sealable element of claim 8, wherein the adhesive is present in an amount of 0.1-15 g/m².

10. The heat sealable element of claim 1, wherein the support is at least one selected from the group consisting of fabric, paper, metal and plastic.

11. The heat sealable element of claim 1, wherein the heat sealing layer comprises a thermoplastic polymer which melts in a range of from about 65°

C. to about 180°

C. and has a solubility parameter of at least about 14 (Mpa)^½

.

12. The heat sealable element of claim 1, wherein the heat sealing layer comprises a polymeric composition comprising:

an acrylic dispersion, an elastomeric emulsion, a water repellant and a plasticizer.

13. The heat sealable element of claim 12, wherein said acrylic dispersion is an ethylene acrylic acid dispersion, said water repellant is a polyurethane dispersion and said plasticizer is a polyethylene glycol.

14. The heat sealable element of claim 13, wherein said polyurethane dispersion has a Tg in the range of from −

50°

C. to 25°

C.

15. The heat sealable element of claim 13, wherein said ethylene acrylic acid dispersion is present in an amount of from 46 to 90 parts by weight;

said elastomeric emulsion is present in an amount of from 1 to 45 parts by weight;

said polyurethane dispersion is present in an amount of from 1 to 7 parts by weight; and

said polyethylene glycol is present in an amount of from 1 to 8 parts by weight.

16. The heat sealable element of claim 13, wherein said ethylene acrylic acid dispersion is present in an amount of 86 parts by weight;

said elastomeric emulsion is present in an amount of 5 parts by weight;

said polyurethane dispersion is present in an amount of 4 parts by weight; and

said polyethylene glycol is present in an amount of 4 parts by weight.

17. The heat sealable element of claim 13, wherein said ethylene acrylic acid dispersion melts in the range of from about 65°

C. to about 180°

C.

18. The heat sealable element of claim 12, wherein the elastomeric emulsion is selected from the group consisting of polybutadiene, polybutadiene derivatives, polyurethane, polyurethane derivatives, styrene-butadiene, styrene-butadiene-styrene, acrylonitrile-butadiene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, acrylonitrile-ethylene-styrene, polyacrylates, polychloroprene, ethylene-vinyl acetate and poly (vinyl chloride).

19. The heat sealable element of claim 12, wherein said acrylic dispersion is an ethylene acrylic acid dispersion.

20. The heat sealable element of claim 1, wherein the heat sealing layer comprises a polymeric composition comprising a film forming binder, an elastomeric emulsion, a water repellant and a plasticizer.

21. The heat sealable element of claim 20, wherein said elastomeric emulsion has a Tg in the range of from −

50°

C. to 25°

C.

22. The heat sealable element of claim 20, which further comprises a polyethylene glycol mono ((tetramethyl butyl)phenol) ester compound.

23. The heat sealable element of claim 20, wherein the film-forming binder is an acrylic dispersion.

24. The heat sealable element of claim 20, wherein said film-forming binder is an acrylic dispersion, said water repellant is polyurethane dispersion and said plasticizer is a polyethylene glycol.

25. The heat sealable element of claim 20, wherein the film-forming binder which melts in the range of from about 65°

C. to about 180°

C.;

said elastomeric emulsion which has a Tg in the range of from −

50°

C. to 25°

C.; and

said water repellant is a polyurethane dispersion which has a Tg in the range of from −

50°

C. to 25°

C.

26. The heat sealable element of claim 20, wherein the film-forming binder is present in an amount of from about 46 to about 90 percent by weight;

said elastomeric emulsion is present in an amount of from 1 to about 45 percent by weight;

said water repellant is a polyurethane dispersion that is present in an about of from 1 to about 8 percent; and

said HSL further comprises a polyethylene glycol present in an amount of from 1 to about 8 percent by weight.

27. The heat sealable element of claim 20, wherein said film-forming binder is present in an amount of 86 percent by weight;

said elastomeric emulsion is present in an amount of 5 percent by weight;

said water repellant is a polyurethane dispersion that is present in an amount of 4 percent; and

said plasticizer is a polyethylene glycol that is present in an amount of 4 percent by weight.

28. The heat sealable element of claim 20, which further comprises a polyethylene glycol.

29. The heat sealable element of claim 28, wherein said polyethylene glycol comprises a polyethylene glycol mono((tetramethyl butyl) phenol) ester compound.

30. The heat sealable element of claim 20, wherein said elastomeric emulsion is at least one selected from the group consisting of polybutadiene, polybutadiene derivatives, polyurethane, polyurethane derivatives, styrene-butadiene, styrene-butadiene-styrene, acrylonitrile-butadiene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, acrylonitrile-ethylene-styrene, polyacrylates, polychloroprene, ethylene-vinyl acetate and poly (vinyl chloride).

31. The heat sealable element of claim 30, wherein the film-forming binder is at least one selected from the group consisting of ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers, polyolefins, and waxes.

32. The heat sealable element of claim 30, further comprising a retention aid which is at least one selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohols, polymer latexes and silicates.

33. The heat sealable element of claim 1, wherein said heat sealing layer is present in a dry coat amount of from 5 to 30 g/m².

34. The heat sealable element of claim 1, wherein the heat sealing layer comprises a film-forming binder which melts in the range of from about 65°

C. to about 180°

C.;

a wax dispersion; and

a retention aid.

35. The heat sealable element of claim 1, wherein the heat sealing layer has a melting point of at least 65°

C. and comprises;

(i) particles of a thermoplastic polymer having dimensions of about 1 to about 50 micrometers, from about 10 to about 50 weight percent of a film-forming binder, based on the weight of the thermoplastic polymer, and optionally from about 0.2 to about 10 weight percent of a fluid viscosity modifier, based on the weight of the thermoplastic polymer,

(ii) about 15 to about 80 percent by weight of at least one of a film-forming binder selected from the group consisting of ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers, polyolefins, and waxes and from about 85 to about 20 percent by weight of at least one of a powdered thermoplastic polymer selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides, waxes, epoxy polymers, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, wherein each of said film-forming binder and said powdered thermoplastic polymer melts in the range of from about 65°

C. to about 180°

C. and the powdered thermoplastic polymer consists of particles of about 1 to about 50 micrometers,

(iii) at least one of a film forming binder selected from the group consisting of ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers having particles of about 1 to about 50 micrometers, polyolefins, and waxes and which melts in the range of from about 65°

C. to about 180°

C., or

(iv) a thermoplastic polymer having particles of about 1 to about 50 micrometers selected from at least one of the group consisting of polyolefins, polyesters, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymers, and ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers and which melts in the range of from about 65 to about 180°

C.

36. The heat sealable element of claim 1, wherein the heat sealing layer comprises particles of a thermoplastic polymer having dimensions of 1 to 20 micrometers.

37. The heat sealable element of claim 1, wherein the heat sealing layer comprises particles of a thermoplastic polymer having dimensions of about 1 to about 20 micrometers, from about 10 to about 50 weight percent of a film-forming binder, based on the weight of the thermoplastic polymer, and optionally from about 0.2 to about 10 weight percent of a fluid viscosity modifier, based on the weight of the thermoplastic polymer.

38. The heat sealable element of claim 1, wherein the wherein the heat sealing layer melts from about 65 to about 180°

C. and comprises particles of a thermoplastic polymer having dimensions of about 1 to about 20 micrometers, from about 10 to about 50 weight percent of a film-forming binder, based on the weight of the thermoplastic polymer, and from about 2 to about 20 weight percent of a cationic polymer, based on the weight of the thermoplastic polymer.

39. The heat sealable element of claim 1, wherein the heat sealing layer comprises from about 15 to about 80 percent by weight of a film-forming binder selected from at least one of the group consisting of ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers, polyolefins, and waxes and from about 85 to about 20 percent by weight of a powdered thermoplastic polymer selected from at least one of the group consisting of polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides, waxes, epoxy polymers, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, wherein each of said film-forming binder and said powdered thermoplastic polymer melts in the range of from about 65 to about 180°

C. and said powdered thermoplastic consists of particles which are from about 1 to about 50 micrometers in diameter.

40. The heat sealable element of claim 1, wherein the heat sealing layer comprises a film forming binder selected from at least one of the group consisting of ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers having particles of about 1 to 20 micrometers, polyolefins, and waxes and which melts in the range of from about 65 to about 180°

C.

41. The heat sealable element of claim 1, wherein the heat sealing layer comprises a thermoplastic polymer having particles of about 1 to 20 micrometers selected from at least one of the group consisting of polyolefins, polyesters, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers and which melts in the range of from about 65 to about 180°

C.

42. The heat sealable element of claim 1, wherein the heat sealing layer comprises a thermoplastic polymer having particles of about 1 to 50 micrometers selected from at least one of the group consisting of polyolefins, polyesters, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymers, and ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers and which melts in the range of from about 65 to about 180°

C.

43. The heat sealable element of claim 1, wherein the adhesive is selected from at least one of the group consisting of polybutadiene, polybutadiene derivatives, polyurethane, polyurethane derivatives, styrene-butadiene, styrene-butadiene-styrene, acrylonitrile-butadiene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, acrylonitrile-ethylene-styrene, polyacrylates, polychloroprene, ethylene-vinyl acetate and poly (vinyl chloride).

44. A non-transferable heat sealable element, which comprises:

(i) a non-porous or smooth support,

(ii) a heat sealing layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer which melts in the range of 50-250°

C., a wax which melts in the range of 50-250°

C., or combinations thereof, and

(iii) an Image Receiving Layer which comprises at least one polymer which is capable of receiving and retaining water base colorants, said Image Receiving Layer either does not melt when heat is applied or melts at a temperature above the melting temperature of the heat sealing layer,

wherein said non-porous or smooth support has a surface on which said heat sealing layer is to be coated and which has a surface energy of at least 10 mN/m more than the heat sealing layer, and wherein said non-transferable heat sealable element is non-transferable.

45. The heat sealable element of claim 44, wherein the heat sealing layer comprises a polymeric composition comprising:

an acrylic dispersion, an elastomeric emulsion, a water repellant and a plasticizer.

46. The heat sealable element of claim 45, wheren said acrylic dispersion is an ethylene acrylic acid dispersion, said water repellant is a polyurethane dispersion and said plasticizer is a polyethylene glycol.

47. The heat sealable element of claim 46, wherein said ethylene acrylic acid dispersion melts in the range of from about 65°

C. to about 1809°

C.

48. The heat sealable element of claim 46, wherein said polyurethane dispersion has a Tg in the range of from −

50°

C. to 250°

C.

49. The heat sealable element of claim 46, wherein said ethylene acrylic acid dispersion is present in an amount of from 46 to 90 parts by weight;

said elastomeric emulsion is present in an amount of from 1 to 45 parts by weight;

said polyurethane dispersion is present in an amount of from 1 to 7 parts by weight; and

said polyethylene glycol is present in an amount of from 1 to 8 parts by weight.

50. The heat sealable element of claim 46, wherein said ethylene acrylic acid dispersion is present in an amount of 86 parts by weight;

said elastomeric emulsion is present in an amount of 5 parts by weight;

said polyurethane dispersion is present in an amount of 4 parts by weight; and

said polyethylene glycol is present in an amount of 4 parts by weight.

51. The heat sealable element of claim 45, wherein the elastomeric emulsion is selected from the group consisting of polybutadiene, polybutadiene derivatives, polyurethane, polyurethane derivatives, styrene-butadiene, styrene-butadiene-styrene, acrylonitrile-butadiene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, acrylonitrile-ethylene-styrene, polyacrylates, polychloroprene, ethylene-vinyl acetate and poly (vinyl chloride).

52. The heat sealable element of claim 45, wherein said acrylic dispersion is an ethylene acrylic acid dispersion.

53. The heat sealable element of claim 44, wherein the heat sealing layer comprises a polymeric composition comprising a film forming binder, an elastomeric emulsion, a water repellant and a plasticizer.

54. The heat sealable element of claim 53, wherein said elastomeric emulsion has a Tg in the range of from −

50°

C. to 25°

C.

55. The heat sealable element of claim 53, which further comprises a polyethylene glycol mono ((tetramethyl butyl) phenol)ester compound.

56. The heat sealable element of claim 53, wherein the film-forming binder is an acrylic dispersion.

57. The heat sealable element of claim 53, wherein said film-forming binder is an acrylic dispersion, said water repellant is polyurethane dispersion and said plasticizer is a polyethylene glycol.

58. The heat sealable element of claim 53, wherein the film-forming binder which melts in the range of from about 65°

C. to about 180°

C.;

said elastomeric emulsion which has a Tg in the range of from −

50°

C. to 25°

C.; and

said water repellant is a polyurethane dispersion which has a Tg in the range of from −

50°

C. to 25°

C.

59. The heat sealable element of claim 53, which further comprises a polyethylene glycol.

60. The heat sealable element of claim 59, wherein said polyethylene glycol comprises a polyethylene glycol mono ((tetramethyl butyl)phenol) ester compound.

61. The heat sealable element of claim 53, wherein the film-forming binder is present in an amount of from about 46 to about 90 percent by weight;

said elastomeric emulsion is present in an amount of from 1 to about 45 percent by weight;

said water repellant is a polyurethane dispersion that is present in an about of from 1 to about 8 percent; and

said heat sealing layer further comprises a polyethylene glycol present in an amount of from 1 to about 8 percent by weight.

62. The heat sealable element of claim 53, wherein said film-forming binder is present in an amount of 86 percent by weight;

said elastomeric emulsion is present in an amount of 5 percent by weight;

said water repellant is a polyurethane dispersion that is present in an amount of 4 percent; and

said plasticizer is a polyethylene glycol that is present in an amount of 4 percent by weight.

63. The heat sealable element of claim 44, wherein said Image Receiving Layer does not melt below 260°

C.

64. The heat sealable element of claim 44, wherein an adhesive is placed between the support and the heat sealing layer.

65. The heat sealable element of claim 44, wherein the non-porous or smooth support is at least one selected from the group consisting of fabric, paper, metal and plastic.

66. The heat sealable element of claim 44, wherein the heat sealing layer comprises a thermoplastic polymer which melts in a range of from about 65°

C. to about 180°

C. and has a solubility parameter of at least about 14 (Mpa)^½

.

67. The heat sealable element of claim 44, wherein said Image Receiving Layer further comprises an oxidized polyethylene homopolymer.

68. The heat sealable element of claim 44, wherein said Image receiving Layer further comprises an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer powder.

69. The heat sealable element of claim 53, wherein the Image Receiving Layer comprises an ethylene acrylic acid co-polymer dispersion.

70. The heat sealable element of claim 53, wherein said elastomeric emulsion is at least one selected from the group consisting of polybutadiene, polybutadiene derivatives, polyurethane, polyurethane derivatives, styrene-butadiene, styrene-butadiene-styrene, acrylonitrile-butadiene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, acrylonitrile-ethylene-styrene, polyacrylates, polychloroprene, ethylene-vinyl acetate and poly (vinyl chloride).

71. The heat sealable element of claim 70, wherein the film-forming binder is at least one selected from the group consisting of ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers, polyolefins, and waxes.

72. The heat sealable element of claim 70, further comprising a retention aid which is at least one selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohols, polymer latexes and silicates.

73. The heat sealable element of claim 44, wherein said Image Receiving Layer is present in a dry coat amount of from 1.0 to 10 g/m².

74. The heat sealable element of claim 44, wherein the heat sealing layer comprises a film-forming binder which melts in the range of from about 65°

C. to about 180°

C.;

a wax dispersion; and

a retention aid.

75. The heat sealable element of claim 44, wherein said heat sealing layer is present in a dry coat amount of from 5 to 30 g/m².

76. The heat sealable element of claim 75, wherein the wax dispersion is at least one selected from the group consisting of natural and synthetic waxes.

77. The heat sealable element of claim 75, wherein the wax is at least one selected from the group consisting of natural and synthetic waxes.

78. The heat sealable element of claim 44, wherein the heat sealing layer has a melting point of at least 650°

C. and comprises;

(i) particles of a thermoplastic polymer having dimensions of about 1 to about 50 micrometers, from about 10 to about 50 weight percent of a film-forming binder, based on the weight of the thermoplastic polymer, and optionally from about 0.2 to about 10 weight percent of a fluid viscosity modifier, based on the weight of the thermoplastic polymer,

(ii) about 15 to about 80 percent by weight of at least one of a film-forming binder selected from the group consisting of ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers, polyolefins, and waxes and from about 85 to about 20 percent by weight of at least one of a powdered thermoplastic polymer selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides, waxes, epoxy polymers, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, wherein each of said film-forming binder and said powdered thermoplastic polymer melts in the range of from about 65°

C. to about 180°

C. and the powdered thermoplastic polymer consists of particles of about 1 to about 50 micrometers,

(iii) at least one of a film forming binder selected from the group consisting of ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers having particles of about 1 to about 50 micrometers, polyolefins, and waxes and which melts in the range of from about 65°

C. to about 180°

C., or

(iv) a thermoplastic polymer having particles of about 1 to about 50 micrometers selected from at least one of the group consisting of polyolefins, polyesters, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymers, and ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers and which melts in the range of from about 65 to about 180°

C.

79. The heat sealable element of claim 44, wherein the heat sealing layer comprises particles of a thermoplastic polymer having dimensions of 1 to 20 micrometers.

80. The heat sealable element of claim 44, wherein the heat sealing layer comprises particles of a thermoplastic polymer having dimensions of about 1 to about 20 micrometers, from about 10 to about 50 weight percent of a film-forming binder, based on the weight of the thermoplastic polymer, and optionally from about 0.2 to about 10 weight percent of a fluid viscosity modifier, based on the weight of the thermoplastic polymer.

81. The heat sealable element of claim 44, wherein the wherein the heat sealing layer melts from about 65 to about 180°

C. and comprises particles of a thermoplastic polymer having dimensions of about 1 to about 20 micrometers, from about 10 to about 50 weight percent of a film-forming binder, based on the weight of the thermoplastic polymer, and from about 2 to about 20 weight percent of a cationic polymer, based on the weight of the thermoplastic polymer.

82. The heat sealable element of claim 44, wherein the heat sealing layer comprises from about 15 to about 80 percent by weight of a film-forming binder selected from at least one of the group consisting of ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers, polyolefins, and waxes and from about 85 to about 20 percent by weight of a powdered thermoplastic polymer selected from at least one of the group consisting of polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides, waxes, epoxy polymers, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, wherein each of said film-forming binder and said powdered thermoplastic polymer melts in the range of from about 65 to about 180°

C. and said powdered thermoplastic consists of particles which are from about 1 to about 50 micrometers in diameter.

83. The heat sealable element of claim 44, wherein the heat sealing layer comprises a film forming binder selected from at least one of the group consisting of ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers having particles of about 1 to 20 micrometers, polyolefins, and waxes and which melts in the range of from about 65 to about 180°

C.

84. The heat sealable element of claim 44, wherein the heat sealing layer comprises a thermoplastic polymer having particles of about 1 to 20 micrometers selected from at least one of the group consisting of polyolefins, polyesters, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers and which melts in the range of from about 65 to about 180°

C.

85. The heat sealable element of claim 44, wherein the heat sealing layer comprises a thermoplastic polymer having particles of about 1 to 50 micrometers selected from at least one of the group consisting of polyolefins, polyesters, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymers, and ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers and which melts in the range of from about 65 to about 180°

C.

86. The heat sealable element of claim 44, wherein the adhesive is selected from at least one of the group consisting of polybutadiene, polybutadiene derivatives, polyurethane, polyurethane derivatives, styrene-butadiene, styrene-butadiene-styrene, acrylonitrile-butadiene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, acrylonitrile-ethylene-styrene, polyacrylates, polychloroprene, ethylene-vinyl acetate and poly (vinyl chloride).

87. The heat sealable element of claim 64, wherein the adhesive is present in an amount of 0.1-15 g/m².

88. A non-transferable heat sealable element, which comprises:

(i) either (a) a porous or absorbent support or (b) a non-porous or smooth support, and

(ii) a heat sealing layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer which melts in the range of 50-250°

C., a wax which melts in the range of 50-250°

C., or combinations thereof, and

when said support is a non-porous or smooth support, said non-transferable heat sealable element further comprises (iii) an Image Receiving Layer which comprises at least one polymer which is capable of receiving and retaining water base colorants, said Image Receiving Layer either does not melt when heat is applied or melts at a temperature above the melting temperature of the heat sealing layer,

wherein said porous or absorbent support does not have a tack-free surface and which absorbs at least 1% of said heat sealing layer, or said non-porous or smooth support has a surface on which said heat sealing layer is to be coated and which has a surface energy of at least 10 mN/m more than the heat sealing layer, and wherein said non-transferable heat sealable element is non-transferable.

89. A process for heat sealing an image, which comprises:

(i) imaging a non-transferable heat sealable element of claim 88 with a water base colorant, and (ii) heating said imaging element in order to melt the heat sealing layer, but not the optional Image Receiving Layer, in order to form a single layer which encapsulates the water base colorant in said single layer.

90. The method of claim 89, wherein said imaging is provided by an electrostatic printer or copier.

91. The method of claim 89, wherein said imaging is provided by offset or screen printing.

92. The method of claim 89, wherein said imaging is provided by craft-type marking.

93. The method of claim 89, wherein said craft-type marking is selected from the group consisting of markers, crayons, paints and pens.

94. The method of claim 89, wherein said imaging is provided by ink jet printing.

95. The method of claim 89, wherein when the heating is applied directly to the surface of the Image Receiving Layer or the Heat Sealing Layer, the process further comprises step (iii) after the imaging step (i) but prior to the heating step (ii), wherein step (iii) comprises positioning a tack free sheet on either the Image Receiving Layer or the Heat Sealing Layer prior to the heating step (ii).

96. The method of claim 89, wherein heating is with an iron, heat press or with laminating rollers.