US5693446A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Polarizing mass transfer donor element and method of transferring a polarizing mass transfer layer
Assignee: 3M Co
•
Filing: 1996-04-17
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Granted: 1997-12-02
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Expires: 2016-04-17
Abstract
Abstract A method of transferring a high resolution polarizing image from a mass transfer donor element to a receptor element. The transfer can be induced by thermal energy or electromagnetic (optical) energy. In either case, the transferred image will be a high resolution image that exhibits optically anisotropic properties. The polarizing mass transfer donor element comprises a substrate having a polarizing mass transfer layer coated thereon. Optionally, the polarizing mass transfer donor element further comprises a light absorbing material, preferably in the form of a light to heat conversion layer. The polarizing mass transfer donor element can further comprise an adhesive to facilitate transfer of the polarizing mass transfer layer.
Inventors
- 👤 John S. Staral
- 👤 William A. Tolbert
- 👤 Hsin Hsin Chou
- 👤 Wu Shyong Li
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:30
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41M; B41M5/00; B41M5/26; B41M5/382; B41M5/38207; B41M5/385; B41M5/3852; G; G02; G02B; G02B5/00; G02B5/30; G02B5/3083; B41M5/3854; B41M5/388; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S430/00; Y10S430/165
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of transferring a polarizing mass transfer layer from a polarizing mass transfer donor element to a receptor element, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a polarizing mass transfer donor element comprising: a substrate, and a polarizing mass transfer layer; b) providing a receptor element in contact with the polarizing mass transfer layer of the donor element; and c) heating one or more of a portion of the polarizing mass transfer donor element, or a portion of the receptor element, to transfer a high-resolution image of polarizing mass transfer layer from the polarizing mass transfer donor element to the receptor element, to provide an optically anisotropic transferred image.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of transferring a polarizing mass transfer layer from a polarizing mass transfer donor element to a receptor element, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a polarizing mass transfer donor element comprising: a substrate, and a polarizing mass transfer layer; b) providing a receptor element in contact with the polarizing mass transfer layer of the donor element; and c) heating one or more of a portion of the polarizing mass transfer donor element, or a portion of the receptor element, to transfer a high-resolution image of polarizing mass transfer layer from the polarizing mass transfer donor element to the receptor element, to provide an optically anisotropic transferred image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the method transfers an image that has a resolution of at least 50 dots per inch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the method transfers an image that has a resolution of at least 200 dots per inch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the polarizing mass transfer layer comprises a polarizer molecule having the formula {Chromagen}(SO 3 M) n , wherein M is a monovalent cation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 4, wherein the polarizer molecule has the formula: ##STR9## wherein: each R is independently chosen from the group consisting of: H, Alk, ArNH, or ArCONH; R 1 ═H, Cl; Alk is an alkyl group; Ar is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl radical; and M is a monovalent cation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the polarizing mass transfer layer further comprises a binder.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the portion of the polarizing mass transfer donor element or the portion of the receptor element is heated using a thermal print head.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the portion of polarizing mass transfer donor element or the portion of the receptor element is heated optically.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the portion of the polarizing mass transfer donor element or the portion of the receptor element is heated using a laser.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the laser emits electromagnetic radiation at a wavelength in the visible, ultraviolet, or infrared spectral region.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 10, wherein the laser emits electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength in the range from about 0.5 to 1.2 microns.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the polarizing mass transfer donor element comprises a light absorbing material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 12, wherein the light absorbing material is present in the substrate of the polarizing mass transfer donor element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 12, wherein the light absorbing material is present in the polarizing mass transfer layer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 12, wherein the light absorbing material comprises polarizer molecules.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the polarizing mass transfer donor element further comprises a light to heat conversion layer provided between the substrate and the polarizing mass transfer layer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 16, wherein the light to heat conversion layer is comprised of materials chosen from the group consisting of: carbon black, metal oxides and sulfides of Al, Bi, Sn, In, Zn, Ti, Cr, Mo, W, Co, Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, Au, Zr, and Te, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the light to heat conversion layer contains carbon black.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the polarizing mass transfer donor element further comprises an adhesive layer disposed on top of the polarizing mass transfer layer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the receptor element comprises a substrate and a light absorbing material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 20, wherein the light absorbing material is present in the substrate of the receptor element.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 20, wherein the light absorbing material is present as a separate layer of the receptor element.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the receptor element comprises a substrate and an adhesive layer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
A polarizing mass transfer donor element comprising: a substrate; a polarizing mass transfer layer comprising a polarizer molecule dispersed in a binder; and a light to heat conversion layer.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
A polarizing mass transfer donor element comprising: a substrate; a polarizing mass transfer layer comprising a polarizer molecule dispersed in a binder; and a light to heat conversion layer.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
The polarizing mass transfer donor element of claim 24, wherein the polarizer molecule has the formula {Chromagen}(SO 3 M) n , wherein M is a monovalent cation.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
56 words
The polarizing mass transfer donor element of claim 25, wherein the polarizer molecule has the formulas: ##STR10## wherein: each R is independently chosen from the group consisting of: H, Alk, ArNH, or ArCONH; R 1 ═H, Cl; Alk is an alkyl group; Ar is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl radical; and M is a monovalent cation.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
56 words
The polarizing mass transfer donor element of claim 24, wherein the light to heat conversion layer is comprised of materials chosen from the group consisting of: carbon black, metal oxides and sulfides of Al, Bi, Sn, In, Zn, Ti, Cr, Mo, W, Co, Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, Au, Zr, and Te, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
The polarizing mass transfer donor element of claim 27, wherein the light to heat conversion layer comprises carbon black.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
30 words
The polarizing mass transfer donor element of claim 24, wherein the polarizing mass transfer donor element further comprises an adhesive layer disposed on top of the polarizing mass transfer layer.
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-12-01 | 2001-06-02 | 2001-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-12-01 | 2005-06-02 | 2005-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-12-01 | 2009-06-02 | 2009-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |