Intermediate Transfer Medium Protective Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
The durability of intermediate transfer media, particularly in fields requiring high durability such as identification papers and credit cards, is not adequately met by existing protective layers, which also suffer from a trade-off between durability and foil tearing performance.
Innovation Solution
An intermediate transfer medium with a protective layer comprising a binder resin with a specific molecular weight range (12,000 to 30,000) and glass transition temperature (36°C to 60°C), along with a storage elastic modulus within certain ranges, is used to enhance both foil tearing and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protective layer is formed on the intermediate transfer medium to improve durability, then durability is improved, but foil tearing performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the molecular weight (12,000 to 30,000) and glass transition temperature (36°C to 60°C) of the binder resin in the protective layer. These specific parameter ranges enable the protective layer to achieve both high durability and excellent foil tearing performance, resolving the traditional trade-off between these two properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by formulating the protective layer with a specific composition: the binder resin (with controlled molecular weight and Tg), optional fillers (1-40 parts by weight relative to 100 parts binder resin), and optional solvents. This composite structure allows the protective layer to simultaneously provide durability and facilitate foil tearing.
2Reliability
If the molecular weight of the binder resin is increased to improve durability, then durability is improved, but foil tearing performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by establishing a specific molecular weight range (12,000 to 30,000) for the binder resin. This controlled parameter range ensures that the protective layer has sufficient molecular weight for durability while remaining low enough to allow effective foil tearing, thus resolving the contradiction between these two properties.
3Reliability
If the glass transition temperature of the binder resin is increased to improve durability, then durability is improved, but foil tearing performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the glass transition temperature of the binder resin within the range of 36°C to 60°C. This specific Tg range ensures that the protective layer maintains its structural integrity for durability while remaining sufficiently flexible at operating temperatures to enable effective foil tearing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides an intermediate transfer medium that excels in foil tearing and offers high durability, effectively addressing the limitations of existing protective layers by maintaining both properties simultaneously.
Implementation Method 1
the storage elastic modulus G' of the binder resin at 70°C to 90°C is in a range of not less than 1.0 x 10^5 Pa and not more than 1.0 x 10^6 Pa, and the storage elastic modulus G' of the binder resin at 35°C is more than 1.0 x 10^9 Pa
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Provided is an intermediate transfer medium which excels in foil tearing on transferring a receiving layer to an transcription receiving article, wherein the receiving layer has received a colorant of the thermal transfer sheet, and which provides a printed article of high durability with ease. The intermediate transfer medium comprises a substrate, a protective layer and a receiving layer which are layered on a surface of the substrate; wherein the protective layer comprises a binder resin comprising one of polyester and polyester urethane and having a number average molecular weight (Mn) of not less than 8,000 and not more than 30,000, and a glass transition temperature (Tg) of not less than 36 C and not more than 60 C.