Liquid electrophotographic printing apparatus and intermediate transfer members

1. An intermediate transfer member for liquid electrophotographic printing, the intermediate transfer member comprising at least one layer comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane, wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane is a polyester polyurethane made by reacting at least one polyester polyol intermediate with at least one diisocyanate and at least one chain extender.

2. The intermediate transfer member according to claim 1 , comprising a layer comprising electrically conductive particles.

3. The intermediate transfer member according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the at least one layer comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane is present as an outer layer on the intermediate transfer member and has particles comprising a silicone dispersed within the thermoplastic polyurethane.

4. The intermediate transfer member according to claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane has a Shore A hardness value less than or equal to about 80.

5. The intermediate transfer member according to claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane has a Shore A hardness value greater than or equal to about 20.

6. The intermediate transfer member according to claim 1 , wherein the intermediate transfer member comprises a compressible layer, and an outer release layer, and wherein at least one of the compressible layer, and the outer release layer comprises or is the at least one layer comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane.

7. An intermediate transfer member for liquid electrophotographic printing, the intermediate transfer member comprising at least one layer comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane, wherein the intermediate transfer member comprises, in the following order:

a. a fabric layer;

b. a compressible layer, which may have voids therein;

c. a layer comprising electrically conductive particles;

d. an optional compliant layer; and

e. an outer release layer;

wherein at least one of the compressible layer, the layer comprising electrically conductive particles, the optional compliant layer, and the outer release layer comprises the at least one layer comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane.

8. A liquid electrophotographic printer comprising:

a photoimaging plate; and

an intermediate transfer member comprising at least one layer comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane, the intermediate transfer member being, in use, to transfer electrophotographic ink from the photoimaging plate to a print substrate;

wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane is a polyester polyurethane made by reacting at least one polyester polyol intermediate with at least one diisocyanate and at least one chain extender.

9. A method of forming an intermediate transfer member for liquid electrophotographic printing, the method comprising associating a plurality of layers to form the intermediate transfer member, at least one of the layers comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane;

wherein the at least one of the layers comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane is associated with at least one of the plurality of layers by heat lamination, direct extrusion coating, or calendering.

10. A method of forming an intermediate transfer member for liquid electrophotographic printing, the method comprising associating a plurality of layers to form the intermediate transfer member, at least one of the layers comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane;

wherein the association of the layer comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane is performed at a temperature above about 115° C.

11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the association of the layer comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane is performed at a temperature below about 190° C.