INK-JET PRINTABLE TRANSFER PAPERS HAVING A CATIONIC LAYER UNDERNEATH THE IMAGE LAYER

Abstract

The invention relates to an ink-jet printable transfer paper for transferring an image from a ink-jet printable paper to a fabric surface, such as a cotton T-shirt. The invention improves the image after washing of the T-shirt having the transferred image with the transfer paper comprising a support paper having a surface coated with a first layer comprising a cationic polymer and a second ink-receptive layer comprising at lease an organic polymeric particles and a film-forming binder.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

In the drawings, which illustrate the best mode currently contemplated for carrying out the invention:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an application method in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a second application method in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; and

FIGS. 3-5 are graphical illustrations of the measured optical density of a red image on different examples and comparative examples after 5 washes.

Claims

1. An ink-jet printable transfer paper, comprising a support paper having a surface coated with layer (a) comprising at least a cationic polymer, and layer (b) comprising at least organic polymeric particles and a film-forming binder.

2. An ink-jet printable transfer paper according to claim 1 wherein layer (a) contains a white pigment.

3. An ink-jet printable transfer paper for transferring an image to a fabric material, comprising a support paper having a surface coated with: a hot-melt layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer having a melting point in the range of 60 degree to 180 degree C., a substantially opaque layer (a) comprising at least one cationic polymer and inorganic white pigment, and ink-receptive layer (b) comprising a film forming binder and organic polymeric particles.

4. The ink-jet printable transfer paper of claim 1, wherein the film forming binder comprising layer (b) has a softening point in the range of 50 degree C. to 190 degree C.

5. The ink-jet printable transfer paper of claim 1, wherein the inorganic pigment comprising layer (a) is selected from the group consisting of silica, alumina, titanium dioxide, zinc sulfide, zinc oxide, antimony oxide, barium sulfate, and calcium carbonate.

6. The ink-jet printable transfer paper of claim 3, wherein the pigment is titanium dioxide.

7. The ink-jet printable transfer paper of claim 1, wherein the film forming binder comprising layer (b) has a softening point in the range of 50 degree to 190 degree C.

8. The ink-jet printable transfer paper of claim 5, wherein the film forming binder comprising layer (b) contains cationic groups.

9. The ink-jet printable transfer paper of claim 1 wherein the organic polymeric particles comprising layer (b) are selected from the group consisting of polyamides, polyolefins, and polyesters.

10. The ink-jet printable transfer paper of claim 7, wherein the thermoplastic polymeric particles are polyamide particles having a particle size in the range of 5 μm to 50 μm and a surface area in the range of 1 m2/g to 40 m2/g.

11. The ink-jet printable transfer paper of claim 1, wherein the total weight of layers (a) and (b) is in the range of 25 to 100 grams per square meter.

12. The ink-jet printable transfer paper of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the support paper is in the range of about 1 mils to about 10 mils.

13. An ink-jet printable transfer paper for transferring an image to a fabric material, comprising a support paper having a surface coated with: a) a first layer comprising silicone, b) a hot-melt second layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer having a melting point in the range of 60 degree to 180 degree C., said second layer overlaying the first layer, c) a substantially opaque third layer comprising a cationic polyurethane polymer and inorganic white pigment, said third layer overlaying said second layer, and d) an ink-receptive fourth layer comprising a polyurethane binder and organic polymeric particles, said fourth layer overlaying said third layer.

14. The ink-jet printable transfer paper of claim 13, wherein the fourth layer comprises a thermoplastic polymer selected from the group consisting of polyamides, polyolefins, polyesters, poly(vinyl chloride), poly(vinyl acetate), polyacrylates, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, and copolymers and mixtures thereof.

15. The ink-jet printable transfer paper of claim 12, wherein the layer (b) comprises ethylene/acrylic acid copolymer.

16. The ink-jet printable transfer paper of claim 1 wherein layer (a) and layer (b) each contain a water-insoluble cationic polymer.

17. The Ink-jet transfer paper of claim 14 wherein the cationic water-insoluble cationic polymer is a cationic polyurethane.

18. The inik-jet transfer paper of claim 14 where in the cationic polymer is selected from the group consisting of polymers having quaternary ammonium groups.

19. The ink-jet transfer paper of claim 1 wherein the cationic polymer is selected from the group comprising cationic polyurethanes, cationic polyacrylates quaternary ammonium salt of polyethylene imine, polydiallyamine or an alkylamine polymer, polydimethylaminoethyl-methacrylate quaternary salts, polystyrene quaternary ammonium salts, polydiallydimethyl ammonium salts and polypyridine.

20. The ink-jet transfer paper of claim 3 wherein the cationic polymer is selected from the group comprising cationic polyurethanes, cationic polyacrylates, quaternary ammonium salt of polyethylene imine, polydiallyamine or an alkylamine polymer, polydimethylaminoethyl-methacrylate quaternary salts, polystyrene quaternary ammonium salts, polydiallydimethyl ammonium salts and polypyridine.

21. The ink-jet transfer paper of claim 14 where in amount of cationic polymer in layer (a) is greater than layer (b).

22. A method for applying an image to a fabric material, comprising the steps of: a) providing an ink-jet printable transfer paper, comprising a support paper having a surface coated with: a hot-melt layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer having a melting point in the range of 60 degree to 180 degree. C.; layer (a) comprising a cationic polymer; and ink-receptive layer (b) comprising a film forming polymer binder and organic polymeric particles, b) printing an image on the coated layers with an ink-jet printer, c) placing the imaged coated layers on a fabric material and d) ironing the support paper, whereby the image is transferred to the fabric.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the support paper is a transparent silicone-coated paper.

24. A method for applying an image to a fabric material, comprising the steps of: a) providing an ink-jet printable transfer paper, comprisinga support paper, layer (a) comprising a cationic polymer coated on the support paper; and ink-receptive layer (b) comprising a film forming polymer binder and organic polymeric particles coated on layer (a); printing an image on the coated layer (b) with an ink-jet printer, c) placing the imaged coated layers on a fabric material and d) ironing the support paper, whereby the image is transferred to the fabric.

25. The method according to claim 24 wherein layer (a) and layer (b) each contain a water-insoluble cationic polymer.

26. The method according to claim 25 wherein the water-insoluble cationic polymer is water insoluble cationic polyurethane.