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Thermal transfer ribbon with frosting ink layer

  • US 6,796,733 B2
  • Filed: 01/05/2004
  • Issued: 09/28/2004
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2000
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A thermal transfer ribbon comprised of a flexible substrate and, disposed above said substrate, a frosting ink layer, wherein said frosting ink layer is present at a coating weight of from about 0.25 to about 15 grams per square meter and is comprised of from about 15 to about 94.5 weight percent of a solid, volatilizable carbonaceous binder, from about 5 to about 75 weight percent of a film-forming glass flux, and at least about 0.1 weight percent of opacifying agent, and wherein:

  • (a) said solid, volatilizable carbonaceous binder, after it has been heated at a temperature greater than 500 degrees Centigrade for at least 10 minutes in an atmosphere containing at least about 15 volume percent of oxygen, is substantially volatilized such that less than about 25 weight percent of said solid volatilizable carbonaceous binder remains as a solid phase;

    (b) said film-forming glass flux has a melting temperature of greater than about 550 degrees Centigrade;

    (c) said opacifying agent has a particle size distribution such that substantially all of its particles are smaller than 20 microns;

    (d) said opacifying agent has a first refractive index, and such film-forming glass flux has a second refractive index, such that the difference between said first refractive index and said second refractive index is at least about 0.1;

    (e) said opacifying agent has a first melting point, and said film-forming glass flux has a second melting point, such that said first melting point exceeds said second melting point by at least about 50 degrees Centigrade;

    (f) said opacifying agent has a first concentration in said frosting ink layer, said film-forming glass flux has a second concentration in said frosting ink layer, such that the ratio of said first concentration to said second concentration is no greater than about 1.25.

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