Patent attributes
An ink-receptive coating composition. In a preferred embodiment, the composition includes (a) a polyamide, the polyamide comprising an aliphatic polyamide in particulate form, the aliphatic polyamide having a softening point in the temperature range of about 50-250° C. and an average particle size of about 1 to 80 microns; (b) a plasticizer, the plasticizer being a solid plasticizer selected from the group consisting of alkyl sulfonamides and aromatic sulfonamides, the solid plasticizer having a melting point in the range of about 50-200° C.; (c) a binder, the binder being a thermoplastic polymer delivered as a water-based emulsion or solution, the binder having a Tg in the range of about −20-120° C.; (d) a dye-retention agent, the dye-retention agent comprising at least one cationic polymer; (e) an ink viscosity-modifying agent; and (f) a dispersant, the dispersant being selected from the group of cationic and non-ionic dispersants. The composition may be used to form, for example, an ink-receptive coating as part of an ink-jet recording sheet or a heat-transfer sheet.
