Polymeric composition and printer/copier transfer sheet containing the composition

1. A coated transfer sheet comprising:

a substrate having a first and second surface;

at least one release layer overlaying said first surface, said release layer comprising a film forming binder, and a wax emulsion; and

at least one image receiving layer overlaying said at least one release layer.

2. The coated transfer sheet according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one image receiving layer comprises an ethylene acrylic acid co-polymer dispersion.

3. The coated transfer sheet according to claim 1 , which further comprises a barrier in-between said first surface of the substrate and said release layer, wherein said barrier layer comprises a vinyl acetate-dibutyl maleate polymer dispersion.

4. The coated transfer sheet according to claim 1 , which further comprises an antistatic layer coated on said second surface of the substrate, wherein said antistatic layer comprises a quaternary ammonium salt solution.

5. A coated transfer sheet comprising:

a substrate having a first and second surface; and

at least one release layer overlaying said first surface, said release layer comprising a film forming binder, a wax emulsion, and a retention aid.

6. The coated transfer sheet according to claim 5 , which further comprises at least one image receiving layer overlaying said at least one release layer, said image receiving layer comprising an ethylene acrylic acid co-polymer dispersion.

7. The coated transfer sheet according to claim 5 , which further comprises a barrier in-between said first surface of the substrate and said release layer, wherein said barrier layer comprises a vinyl acetate-dibutyl maleate polymer dispersion.

8. The coated transfer sheet according to claim 5 , which further comprises an antistatic layer coated on said second surface of the substrate, wherein said antistatic layer comprises a quaternary ammonium salt solution.

9. The coated transfer sheet according to claim 5 , wherein said retention aid is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohols, polymer latexes and silicates.

10. The coated transfer sheet according to claim 1 , wherein the film forming binder is selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyolefin and polyamide or blends thereof.

11. The coated transfer sheet according to claim 1 , wherein the film forming binder is selected from the group consisting of polyacrylates, polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylates, polyvinyl acetates, co-polymer blends of vinyl acetate and ethylene/acrylic acid co-polymers, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers, polyolefins, and natural and synthetic waxes.

12. The coated transfer sheet according to claim 1 , wherein said film forming binder is an acrylic binder.

13. The coated transfer sheet according to claim 1 , wherein said film forming binder is an ethylene acrylic acid copolymer dispersion.

14. The coated transfer sheet according to claim 1 , wherein said film forming binder melts in the range of from about 65° C. to about 180° C.

15. The coated transfer sheet according to claim 1 , wherein said film forming binder is a thermoplastic polymer which melts in the range of from about 65° C. to about 180° C. and has a solubility parameter less than about 19 (MPa) 1/2 .

16. The coated transfer sheet according to claim 5 , wherein said acrylic binder is present in an amount of 74 parts by weight, said wax emulsion is present in an amount of 25 parts by weight, and said retention aid is present in an amount of 1 part by weight.

17. A method of applying an image to a receptor element which comprises the steps of:

(i) imaging a coated transfer sheet according to claim 10 ;

(ii) positioning the front surface of the transfer sheet against said receptor element,

(iii) applying energy to the rear surface of the imaging system to transfer said image to said receptor element,

(iv) optionally allowing the substrate to cool, and

(v) removing the transfer sheet from the substrate.

18. The method according to claim 17 , wherein said imaging is provided by an electrostatic printer or copier.

19. A method of applying an image to a receptor element which comprises the steps of:

(i) imaging a coated transfer sheet according to claim 5 ;

(ii) positioning the front surface of the transfer sheet against said receptor element,

(iii) applying energy to the rear surface of the imaging system to transfer said image to said receptor element,

(iv) optionally allowing the substrate to cool, and

(v) removing the transfer sheet from the substrate.

20. A coated transfer sheet comprising:

a substrate having a first and second surface;

at least one release layer overlaying said first surface, said release layer comprising a film forming binder, and a wax emulsion; and

a barrier layer in-between said first surface of the substrate and said at least one release layer.

21. The coated transfer sheet according to claim 20 , wherein said barrier layer comprises a vinyl acetate-dibutyl maleate polymer dispersion.

22. A coated transfer sheet comprising:

a substrate having a first and second surface;

at least one release layer overlaying said first surface, said release layer comprising a film forming binder, and a wax emulsion; and

an antistatic layer coated on said second surface of the substrate.

23. The coated transfer sheet according to claim 22 , wherein said antistatic layer comprises a quaternary ammonium salt solution.