Patent Application
20190014929
The global print market is in the process of transforming from analog printing to digital printing. Inkjet printing and electrophotographic printing are examples of digital printing techniques. These printing techniques have become increasingly popular for printing photographs and/or decorative art items. As examples, an image may be inkjet printed on canvas and then mounted on a wood frame, or an image may be liquid electro-photographically printed on a high gloss medium and then mounted on a metal plate.
Features and advantages of examples of the present disclosure will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description and drawings, in which like reference numerals correspond to similar, though perhaps not identical, components. For the sake of brevity, reference numerals or features having a previously described function may or may not be described in connection with other drawings in which they appear.
The present disclosure relates generally to display boards, and more particularly to art pieces formed using the display boards. Examples of the display board disclosed herein include a core structure that is rigid, non-bendable, and non-foldable. The rigidity of the core structure contributes to a strong frame for supporting and mounting the ultimately formed art piece. A mounting system is also disclosed herein that is compatible with the display board(s). The mounting system may be used for table top mounting of the display board or art piece, or wall mounting of the display board or art piece.
Referring now to
The three-dimensional core 14 may be made of any suitable material having a three-dimensional geometry. In an example, the three-dimensional geometry includes a fixed shape in the X and Y directions, and also has a size in the Z direction. Examples of suitable materials for the three-dimensional core 14 include wood or natural fiber substances/composites, polymeric materials or other synthetic materials, metals, metal alloy, inorganic compositions, or ceramics.
The three-dimensional core 14 contributes to the solid three-dimensional appearance of the display board 10, while not significantly adding weight to the display board 10. As such, the display board 10 may be relatively light weight. As an example, a 4″×6″ display board 10 may have a weight of about 115 g. As another example, a 7.5″×10″ display board 10 may have a weight of about 263 g. As still another example, an 11″×14″ display board 10 may have a weight of about 504 g. As yet a further example, an 11.5″×17.5″ display board 10 may have a weight of about 680 g. The density of the boards 10 disclosed herein may range from about 0.45 g/cm2 to about 0.6 g/cm2.
The three-dimensional core 14 may have open or closed voids, pores, and/or channels. Open voids, pores, and/or channels are cells that are open to the atmosphere (e.g., the walls of the cells which define the voids, pores, and/or channels are porous), whereas closed voids, pores, and/or channels are cells that have limited opening, if any, to the atmosphere (e.g., the walls of the cells which define the voids, pores, and/or channels are closed/sealed and filled with air). In some instances, the closed void, pore, and/or channel structure may be more desirable, at least in part because the closed structure may contribute to higher stiffness and smooth continuous exterior surfaces, including face and back surfaces F and B. The closed structure may also contribute to a high bulk density.
In an example, the three-dimensional core 14 is a polymeric matrix having open or closed voids, pores, and/or channels. To form the voids, pores, and/or channels, air bubbles or air tunnels may be embedded in the polymeric matrix as described further herein.
The polymeric matrix may be formed of a thermoplastic polymer or a thermoset polymer. Some examples of materials suitable for the polymeric matrix include polyurethane, polyisocyanate, polystyrene, polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride expoxy, silicone, phenolic polymers and fluoropolymers. The polymeric matrix may also be a starch-based biodegradable polymer.
One specific example of the three-dimensional core 14 has the closed void, pore and/or channel structure and is formed of a high density polymeric void base. As used herein, the phrase “high density polymeric void base” refers to a polymeric core having the closed void, pore and/or channel structure with a density ranging from about 15 kg/m3 to 60 kg/m3. In an example, the density of the high density polymeric void base ranges from about 25 kg/m3 to about 45 kg/m3. It is believed that if the density of the core 14 is too low, the core 14 will be resilient and spongy, and will not support the mounting system disclosed herein. It is also believed that if the density of the core 14 is too high, the core 14 will inevitably increase the weight of display board 10, which may be undesirable, for example, by an end user.
One example of the high density polymeric void base is formed of polystyrene. This polystyrene-based high density polymeric void base may be made using a voiding process. In this process, polystyrene pellets/crystals and additives are fed into a heated high shearing mixer equipped with a single, double or multiple rotating screws which provide strong shearing forces. Controlled process conditions, such as high temperature and pressure, cause the polystyrene pellets/crystals and additives to mix and melt into a viscous plastic fluid. The processing temperature may be above the melting point of the polystyrene pellets/crystals, ranging from about 176° C. to about 260° C. The processing pressure may range from about 4,500 PSI to about 6,500 PSI. In an example, the selected additive(s) is/are pre-compounded with the polystyrene pellets/crystals and are then fed into the high shearing mixer by the rotating screw(s) and exposed to the process conditions which result in the formation of the viscous plastic fluid.
The additive(s) used in making the high density polymeric void base include fire retardant agents, anti-degradation agents, lubricants, release agents, and other processing aids. The fire retardant agents can be selected from metal containing oxides, hydroxides or borates, such as antimony oxide, alumina trihydroxide (ATH), magnesium hydroxide, and zinc borate; or organohalogens, such as chlorinated paraffins, decabromodiphenyl ether, decabromodiphenyl ethane (DPDPE), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD); or organo-nonhalogens, such as phosphate esters, phosphonates, and phosphinates; or nitrogen-containing organics, such as melamine and melamine cyanurate. The efficiency of fire retardant agents may be enhanced by adding a synergist, such as antimony trioxide, antimonite, and pentoxide. Other suitable fire retardant agents include tris(2,3-dibromopropyl) phosphate or tri-o-cresyl phosphate. The amount of the fire retardant agent that may be used ranges from about 5 wt % to about 30 wt % of the total wt % of the core 14. Anti-degradation agents can be selected from inorgano-metal and organo-metal compounds, such as silica, zinc oxide, magnesium oxide, and dibutyl tin maleate. The amount of the anti-degradation agent that may be used ranges from about 0.02 wt % to about 2% of the total wt % of the core 14. Examples of suitable lubricants include stearate compounds, such as calcium stearate, magnesium stearate and barium stearate, or non-volatile oils, such as white mineral oil. Lubricant(s) may be added in an amount ranging from about 0.002 wt % to about 0.5% of the total wt % of the core 14.
Once the viscous plastic fluid is formed, a voiding agent, which assists in creating the voids, pores, and/or channels, may be compressed into the viscous plastic fluid. In an example, the voiding agent is injected into the viscous plastic fluid inside the shearing mixer by a high pressure metering system under an elevated pressure and temperature of greater than 3,000 PSI and 176° C., respectively.
It is to be understood that the voiding agent is embedded inside the viscous plastic fluid and is subsequently released after the viscous plastic fluid passes through a die. The embedding and subsequent release of the voiding agent generates a controlled void, pore and/or channel structure. As such, the voiding agent may be selected from materials which can be compressed into the viscous plastic fluid at the elevated temperature and pressure, and then released when the viscous plastic fluid is pushed out of a die and the pressure is equal to the atmosphere. Examples of the voiding agent include alkanes and alkenes, such as ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, butane, butylene, isobutane, pentane, neopentane, isopentane, hexane, heptane, or any mixture of these components. Gases, such as nitrogen gas, carbon dioxide, and/or water vapor, may be used as the voiding agent. The amount of the voiding agent to be added depends, at least in part, on the final density of the core 14 to be formed. In an example, the amount of voiding agent ranges from about 0.01 parts to about 8 parts per 100 parts of the viscous plastic fluid.
The hot, thick viscous plastic fluid containing the compressed voiding agent is then forced in a continuous process by the rotating screws through a die. As the material emerges from the die, the voiding agent is released, which expands the material and forms a polymeric foam with the closed void, pore and/or channel structure. The high density polymeric void base may then be shaped, cooled, and trimmed to dimension.
The size and shape of the cells, and the voids or pores defined by the cells, in the core 14 may vary. The shapes may range, for example, from spheres, to polygons, to dodecahedrons. In addition, the cells may be elongated in a certain direction as the polymer is foamed. Elongation occurs before the foam completely solidifies. In an example, the cells may be deformed by the pressure of the screw, which changes the shape to an oval or ellipse. The elongation of the cells results in the channel structure.
As mentioned above, first and second rigid boards 16, 18 are respectively attached to the front and back faces F, B of the three-dimensional core 14. Examples of suitable rigid boards 16, 18 include metal sheets, paper boards, plastic sheets, composite sheets, or any other sheet that provides a desirable rigidness to the board 16, 18. In an example, the rigid boards 16, 18 are cut from a composite sheet, which is an engineered wood product formed by breaking down hardwood or softwood residuals into wood fibers in, for example, a defibrator, combining the wood fibers with wax and resin binder to form a mixture, and forming panels with the mixture under high temperature and pressure conditions. In an example, the composite sheet rigid boards 16, 18 provide strength, rigidness, and a protective layer to the core 14.
In order to avoid deformation as a result of moisture absorption, a water-proof rigid skin 17, 19 may be applied to the exterior surfaces of the rigid boards 16, 18. The rigid skin 17, 19 may also render the edges of any aperture(s) 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D and/or slot(s) 22 formed in the display board 10 smooth. An example of the water-proof rigid skin 17, 19 is made of thermal setting polymeric resin, such as melamine resin and phenol formaldehyde resin, which can be applied to the exterior surfaces of the respective rigid boards 16, 18 under a hot press.
Both the rigid boards 16, 18 and the three-dimensional core 14 provide the three-dimensional appearance and rigidness to the display board 10, which is non-bendable, non-foldable, and light weight. Rigidness of the respective components may be defined by the Brinell hardness of each component 14, 16, 18. The Brinell scale characterizes the indentation hardness of materials through the scale of penetration of an indenter, loaded on a material test-piece. In an example, indention hardness may be tested using a 10 mm (0.39 in) diameter steel ball as an indenter with 3,000 kgf (29 kN or 6,600 lbf) force. It is to be understood that smaller forces may be used, for example, for testing softer materials. Additionally, a tungsten carbide ball may be used, for example, for testing harder materials. Brinell hardness may be tested according to ASTM (f.k.a. the American Society for Testing and Materials) test method E10-08. During hardness testing, the indentation is measured, and hardness (BHN) may be calculated according to the following equation:
Where P is the applied force (kgf), D is the diameter of the indenter (mm), and d is the diameter of the indentation (mm).
In an example, the BHN of the core 14 ranges from about 0.05 to about 0.3, and the BHN of each rigid board 16, 18 ranges from about 4 to about 6.5. The ratio of the BHN of the rigid board 16 or 18 to the BHN of the core 14 ranges from about 130 to about 10. In another example, the ratio of the BHN of the rigid board 16 or 18 to the BHN of the core 14 ranges from about 80 to about 20.
The first and second rigid boards 16, 18 may be respectively attached to the front and back faces F, B of the core 14 using an adhesive (not shown). The adhesive may be a solvent-based adhesive, or a water-based adhesive, or a non-solvent based adhesive (such as a hot melt adhesive). Solvents suitable for the solvent-based adhesive include any organic solvent that is volatile or reactive, such as heptanes, toluene, ethyl acetate, pentane-2,4-dione, and alcohols. In some instances, it may be desirable to utilize an aqueous-based water soluble and/or water dispersible adhesive. In an example, the adhesive is formed of a synthetic polymer with a weight average molecular weight ranging from about 200,000 to about 800,000 when the structure is linear, or ranging from about 300,000 to about 1,500,000 when the structure is branched or cross-linked. The adhesive may also have a pressure sensitive nature. For example, the adhesive may have a glass transition temperature (Tg) ranging from about −70° C. to about −40° C., and a peeling strength equal to or greater than 20 Newton/cm2 (e.g., as measured according to ASTM 3330M using an INSTRON® tester).
Suitable examples of the adhesive are polyacrylates, polyvinyl ethers, silicone resins, polyacrylic resins, acrylic latex, elastic hydrocarbon polymers (e.g., nitrile rubbers, butyl rubbers, polyisobutylenes, polyisoprenes, etc.), ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, or styrene block copolymers (e.g., styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS), styrene-ethylene-styrene, styrene-butylene-styrene, styrene-ethylene, or styrene-propylene). Other suitable examples of the adhesive may be polymers of acrylate addition monomers, such as C1 to C12 alkyl acrylates and methacrylates (e.g., methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, n-propyl acrylate, isopropyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, isobutyl acrylate, sec-butyl acrylate, tert-butyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, octyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, n-propyl methacrylate, isopropyl methacrylate, n-butyl methacrylate, isobutyl methacrylate, sec-butyl methacrylate, and tert-butyl methacrylate); aromatic monomers (e.g., styrene, phenyl methacrylate, o-tolyl methacrylate, m-tolyl methacrylate, p-tolyl methacrylate, and benzyl methacrylate); hydroxyl containing monomers (e.g., hydroxyethylacrylate and hydroxyethyl methacrylate); carboxylic acid containing monomers (e.g., acrylic acid and methacrylic acid); vinyl ester monomers (e.g., vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, vinylbenzoate, vinyl pivalate, vinyl-2-ethylhexanoate, and vinyl-versatate); vinyl benzene monomers; and C1-C12 alkyl acrylamide and methacrylamide (e.g., t-butyl acrylamide, sec-butyl acrylamide, N, N-dimethylacrylamide).
The adhesive may be a copolymer of at least two of the monomers listed herein. In an example, the molecular structure of the formed copolymer has soft segments (Tg ranging from about −70° C. to about −20° C.) and small hard segments (Tg ranging from about −10° C. to about 100° C.). The copolymer may also include functional monomers, i.e., the chemical groups on the molecular chain can react to form a cross-linked structure. Examples of functional monomers include methacrylic acid, acrylic acid, glycidyl methacrylate, and hydroxyethyl acrylate.
In still another example, the adhesive includes a compound having a structure of unsaturated rings. Examples of such compounds include glycerol ester of abietic acid, pentaerythritol ester of abietic acid, and terpene resins derived from alfa-pinene and beta-pinene.
The adhesive may be applied to have a coat weight ranging from 25 gsm to about 60 gsm. If the adhesive layer coat weight is less than 25 gsm, the bond strength will decrease, and adhesion failure may result. The adhesive may be applied to the front surface F and the back surface B, and/or to the respective surfaces of the rigid boards 16, 18, and then the rigid boards 16, 18 may be aligned with the respective surfaces F, B and secured thereto.
The core structure 12 may have any desirable shape and/or dimensions, depending, at least in part, on the desired art piece to be formed. As illustrated, the core structure 12 may be three-dimensional, having a thickness T, a length L (or multiple side lengths), a width W (or multiple side widths), a diameter (not shown), or combinations thereof. From a front or back view, the core structure 12 may resemble a circle, a triangle, a square, a rectangle, a pentagon, a hexagon, or any other polygon. As examples, the thickness T may range from about 19 mm (0.75 inches) to about 38 mm (1.5 inches). As other examples, the side dimensions (e.g., W×L shown in
The display board 10 also includes an aperture 20 that is formed in the back side of the board 10. More particularly, the aperture 20 extends through the rigid skin 19, through the second rigid board 18 and into the core 14 a predetermined depth that is less than the thickness of the core 14. In an example, the total depth of the aperture 20 (i.e., from the outer surface of the second rigid board 18 to bottom of the aperture 20) ranges from about 12 mm to about 13 mm. The total depth may be increased or decreased depending, at least in part, on the thickness T of the core structure T.
Any number of apertures 20 may be formed in the core structure 12. As shown in
It is to be understood that differently shaped core structures 12 may have different numbers of apertures 20 formed therein. For example, a circular shaped core structure 12 may have one aperture formed therein, a triangular shaped core structure 12 may have three apertures formed therein, a large rectangular shaped core structure 12 may have eight or more apertures formed therein (e.g., two or more along each side 24A, 24B, 24C, 24D), a pentagon shaped core structure may have five apertures formed therein, etc.
The following are a few examples of suitable locations for the four apertures 24A, 24B, 24C, 24D shown in
The apertures 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D may be formed in the core structure 12 using any suitable method, including drilling or punching. The apertures 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D may have any shape that is complementarily shaped with an insert 26 (shown in
Referring now to
It is to be understood that even though the diameter d may be larger than the diameter D, the insert 26 is formed of a flexible material that can be pushed (with a force applied by a hand or a mechanical tool) into the aperture 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D. In an example, the insert 26 is formed of a rubber material having a hardness ranging from about 70 to about 95, or from about 75 to about 90, as determined using the test method ASTM Test Method D2240Type A. This characteristic of the insert 26 enables the insert 26 to be placed into the aperture 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D while also providing the insert 26 with the desirable strength to support a mount (shown and described in reference to
The insert 26 may have a smooth surface or a textured surface. Examples of suitable textured surfaces include sand paper-like textures, grainy or granular textures, dot-like textures, etc. In some instances, the textured surface may be desirable in order to increase the friction between the surface of the insert 26 and the surface of the aperture 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D.
The length l of the insert 26 may depend, at least in part, on the total depth of the aperture 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D. In an example, the length l ranges from about 12 mm to about 14 mm. If an edge 28 of the insert is rounded, this portion may not be included in the length l. In an example, the radius of the edge 28 may be about 2 mm. The edge 28 may also be sharp, having a corner radius of 0.
Referring now to
As illustrated in
The mount receiving portion 30 is configured to removably receive the mount 34, 34′, or a nail. In an example, the mount receiving portion 30 has female (or internal) threads 32 formed therein that accept the male (or external) threads 36 (i.e., screw) formed on one end 40, 40′ of the mount 34, 34′. In an example, the female threads 32 are 10-32 thru threads, and the male threads 36 are 10-32×8 mm long threads. The female threads 32 may be formed using a tap.
Referring now to
The mounts 34, 34′ may be formed of any suitable material, including aluminum, titanium, steel or stainless steel, brass, or plastics (e.g., polytetrafluoroethylene, PTFE). The dimensions of the mount 34, 34′ may depend, at least in part, on the size of the display board 10 and the dimensions of the mount receiving portion 30. In an example, the length of the mount 34, 34′ ranges from about 80 mm to about 90 mm, and the diameter of the mount 34, 34′ ranges from 1 mm to about 10 mm. In another example, the diameter of the mount 34, 34′ ranges from about 4 mm to about 5 mm. In an example, the length is about 87.6 mm and the diameter is about 4.8 mm.
Each of the mounts 34 and 34′ has two opposed ends 38, 40 and 38′, 40′. As mentioned above, the ends 40, 40′ are formed with male threads 36 that are compatible with female threads 32 of the mount receiving portion 30 of the insert 26. As such, the ends 40, 40′ are screws. The other of the opposed ends 38, 38′ may be rounded or sharp.
The mount 34, 34′ may be made by any suitable method. In an example, an automated machine may be used to manufacture the mount 34, 34′.
Referring back to
In
In this example, a user determines a desirable orientation for the display board 10. This may depend, at least in part, upon an image that is to be mounted to the front of the display board 10. In the example shown in
In one example of mounting the display 10 as a stand, the insert 26 may be inserted (e.g., pushed) into the selected aperture 20A. After the insert 26 is securely positioned within the selected aperture 20A, the mount 34 may be screwed into the mount receiving portion 30 of the insert 26. Once the mount 34 is tightened within the insert 26, the display board 10 may be positioned to stand on the table top 42. As shown in
In another example of mounting the display 10 as a stand, the mount 34 may first be screwed into the insert 26. The insert 26, having the mount 34 securely positioned therein, may then be pushed into the selected aperture 20A. Once the insert 26 is positioned within the aperture 20A, the display board 10 may be positioned to stand on the table top 42, with the rounded end 38 resting on the table top 42 as shown in
In
In one example of mounting the display 10 on the wall 44, the insert 26 may be inserted (e.g., pushed) into the selected aperture 20B. After the insert 26 is securely positioned within the selected aperture 20B, the mount 34′ may be screwed into the mount receiving portion 30 of the insert 26. Once the mount 34′ is tightened within the insert 26, the pointed end 38′ may be pushed into the wall 44. When the mount 34′ is fully inserted, the display board 10 hangs on the wall 44. This mounting method may be desirable when a soft wall is the mounting surface.
In another example of mounting the display 10 on the wall 44, the mount 34′ may first be screwed into the insert 26. The insert 26, having the mount 34′ securely positioned therein, may then be pushed into the selected aperture 20B. Once the insert 26 is positioned within the aperture 20B, the pointed end 38′ of the mount 34′ may be pushed into the wall 44. When the mount 34′ is fully inserted, the display board 10 hangs on the wall 44. This mounting method may also be desirable when a soft wall is the mounting surface.
In still another example of mounting the display 10 on the wall 44, a wall mount 46, such as a nail, may be used instead of the mount 34′. This mounting method may be desirable when a hard wall is the mounting surface. The wall mount 46 may be hammered or otherwise pounded into the wall 44 at a desirable position. The insert 26, which is positioned into the selected aperture 20B, may be pushed so that the portion of the wall mount 46 sticking out of the wall 44 is inserted into the mount receiving portion 30 of the insert 26. Since the insert 26 is already positioned in the selected aperture 20B of the display board 10, pushing the wall mount 46 into the insert 26 mounts the display board 10 on the wall 44.
Referring now to
It is to be understood that the apertures 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, the insert 26, and the mount 34, 34′, 46 are not shown in this view. It is to be further understood that these components may be formed and utilized in the same manner as previously described herein.
The image receiving medium 48 may be a foldable material which has a specific surface that is able to receive a digital image 50 with high print quality. By foldable, it is meant that the image receiving medium 48 may be bent back to any desirable degree along the display board 10 edges. In some instances, it may be desirable to fold the medium 48 so that it covers at least the perimeter of the display board 10 (see, e.g.,
The specific surface may be made by coating or depositing a digital ink/toner receiving layer onto the outermost surface of a base substrate. In this example, coating or depositing refers to the application of a specifically formulated chemical composition onto the outermost surface of the base substrate of the image receiving medium 48 by a suitable process which includes any type of coating process. The specific surface may also be made by surface treating the base substrate via a physical and/or chemical process (e.g., corona treatment, plasma grafting polymerization and/or acid etching). In this example, surface treating refers to a method for altering the surface structure or morphology chemically and/or physically without applying any foreign composition to cover the surface of the base substrate. The surface treating method modifies the nature of the base substrate surface by changing the surface morphology or changing the surface chemical functional groups.
In an example, the image receiving medium 48 includes a cellulose paper base, and the outermost surface of the cellulose paper base is surface functionalized with a digital ink/toner receiving layer. The composition of the digital ink/toner receiving layer may include binder(s) (e.g., water-based binders such as polyvinyl alcohol, styrene-butadiene emulsion, acrylonitrile-butadiene latex, or combinations thereof) and inorganic pigment particle(s) (e.g., clay, kaolin, calcium carbonate, or combinations thereof).
The digital ink/toner receiving layer may be subjected to an embossing treatment or calendering process to create a desirable surface texture which is represented by a lay pattern. “Lay” is a measure of the direction of the predominant machining pattern. A lay pattern is a repetitive impression created on the surface of a part. The lay patterns created on the image receiving medium 48 include, for example, vertical patterns, horizontal patterns, radial patterns, circular patterns, isotropic patterns and cross hatched patterns. In an example of a calendering process, the medium 48 is passed through a nip under pressure, where a roll contacts the outermost surface of the medium 48. The roll is etched with a surface pattern or is matted, and a mirror image of the pattern/matte is transferred to the medium 48.
In another example, the image receiving medium 48 is made of a foldable material based on a polymeric film. Examples of suitable polymeric films include polyolefin films (e.g., polyethylene and polypropylene films), polycarbonate films, polyamide films, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) films. These polymeric films can be used alone, or they can be co-extruded with another material, such as cellulose paper, to form a foldable image receiving medium. In some examples, the polymeric film surface is pre-coated with an example of the digital ink/toner receiving layer disclosed herein and/or is surface treated to improve the ink reception and toner adhesion.
In yet another example, the image receiving medium 48 is made of a foldable ductile metal foil. The metal foil may be a pure metal and/or a metal alloy. In some examples, the metal foil surface is pre-coated with an example of the digital ink/toner receiving layer disclosed herein and/or is surface treated to improve the ink reception or toner adhesion.
Any of the digital ink/toner receiving layers of the ink receiving medium 48 disclosed herein may include components that absorb light in the ultraviolet (UV) and violet region (200 nm to 380 nm) of the electromagnetic spectrum, and re-emit light in the blue region (400 nm to 490 nm). The chemical compounds which are able to absorb and then re-emit include those that have the structure of any of the following: triazine-stilbenes (di-, tetra- or hexa-sulfonated); coumarins; imidazolines; diazoles; triazoles, benzoxazolines; or biphenyl-stilbenes. Any of the digital ink/toner receiving layers disclosed herein may also include luminous materials. As an example, when illuminated by the particular wavelength(s) of light for a particular amount of time, the luminous materials will exhibit a specific light effect (e.g., photoluminescence) after the light is removed. Some examples of the luminous materials include Tritium, LumiNova, and Super LumiNova.
As mentioned above, the image 50 may be created using any suitable digital printing technique, such as digital inkjet printing, laserjet printing, electrophotographic printing, etc. Digital printing provides superior capability to create images 50 with excellent image quality.
It is believed that the durability of the printed image 50 may be the result of the combination of the medium 48 and the ink or toner that is used. For example, a medium i) including a digital dry and/or liquid toner receiving layer or ii) having been surface treated may be desirable when digital electrophotographic printing is used with toners that contain a durable colorant and UV, light and ozone fastness resin binders. In another example, a durable printed image is formed when a pigment inkjet ink is printed, using inkjet technology, onto a micro-porous image receiving medium. In this example, a pigment or any number of pigment blends may be provided in the inkjet ink formulation to impart color to the ink. As such, the pigment may be any number of desired pigments dispersed throughout the resulting inkjet ink. More particularly, the pigment included in the inkjet ink may include self-dispersed (surface modified) pigments, or pigments accompanied by a dispersant.
In the example shown in
The release liner 54 may include a substrate and a release coating deposited on the substrate. The substrate may be a cellulose paper and/or a polymeric film (which may be transparent), such as polyethylene, polypropylene or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The release coating is made of material(s) that is/are readily able to delaminate from the adhesive 52, and does not migrate or transfer to the released material (i.e., adhesive 52) to any significant degree. Examples of the release coating of the release liner 54 include polyacrylates, carbamates, polyolefins, fluorocarbons, chromium stearate complexes and silicones. In one example, the silicone release coating may be desirable, at least in part because it can easily be applied on various substrates and can be cured into a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) network, which limits migration into an adhesive matrix. Silicones may also allow substantially lower release forces than other materials.
When it is desirable to adhere the image receiving medium 48, the release liner 54 may be removed, and the image receiving medium 48 may be aligned with and pressed on the adhesive 52. After the image receiving medium 48 is adhered to the adhesive 52, rubber rollers may be used to apply force to the adhered materials to remove any air bubbles entrapped between the adhered materials. In the example shown in
The trim pieces 56, 56′ may be flexible plastic materials (polyvinyl chloride), wood materials, veneers, metal materials, or the like. The trim pieces 56, 56′ may be any desirable color (e.g., color dyed). The trim pieces 56, 56′ may also or otherwise be textured (e.g., embossed) and/or coated via metal sputtering.
Referring now to
In some of the examples disclosed herein, no additional layers are added to the art pieces 100, 100′. For example, the art pieces 100, 100′ may be formed without lamination sheets, without transparent sheets covering the image receiving medium, without mats, etc.
It is to be understood that the ranges provided herein include the stated range and any value or sub-range within the stated range. For example, a range from about 25 kg/m3 to about 45 kg/m3 should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited limits of about 25 kg/m3 to about 45 kg/m3, but also to include individual values, such as 30 kg/m3, 34.5 kg/m3, 40 kg/m3, etc., and sub-ranges, such as from about 30 kg/m3 to about 40 kg/m3, from about 29 kg/m3 to about 44 kg/m3, etc. Furthermore, when “about” is utilized to describe a value, this is meant to encompass minor variations (up to +/−10%) from the stated value.
In describing and claiming the examples disclosed herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
While several examples have been described in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosed examples may be modified. Therefore, the foregoing description is to be considered non-limiting.
This application is a divisional application of pending U.S. Ser. No. 14/402,551, filed Nov. 20, 2014, which itself is a national stage entry under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of PCT/US2012/046217, filed Jul. 11, 2012, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14402551 | Nov 2014 | US |
| Child | 16123597 | US |
