In my patent application Ser. No. 10/783,971 filed on Feb. 20, 2004 and Ser. No. 11/465,446 filed on Aug. 17, 2006, demonstrated how to use decals, derived from composite sheets, consisting of a releasable support sheet, adhering to a plastic film, which other side adheres to a rubber based hot melt contact adhesive. The demonstration has mainly related to use of the decals for iron-on and paste on applications of said decals.
For such applications, the support sheet, releasably adhering to the plastic film, is not removed until the decal has been applied on the desired surface. This is due to the fact that it was believed that the decal would become too delicate to handle without a support sheet. This is true in respect of decals with very thin plastic films derived from acrylic emulsions. However, decals with 1 mil polyurethane plastic films can easily be handled without said support sheet.
When this fact was realized, the transfer process was changed, and the support sheet removed, once the composite sheet had been applied over the image. When the decal has a dry releasable support sheet, such as a silicone coated paper or silicone coated PET sheet, the support sheet may be removed immediately following application of the composite sheet on the image. When the support sheet is a wet release sheet, such as a one-side-coated paper, the support sheet can be peeled off after 5-10 minutes submersion of the laminate.
When the image paper backing has been washed off, the remainder of the laminate becomes a thin decal, consisting of a plastic film, adhering to the adhesive, which other side adheres to the image layer. If the image was located on a coated paper, the decal image layer will be covered by a thin paper coating layer, making it non-tacky. However, if the image was located on a thin magazine paper, the decal reverse image will become sticky, due to adhesive penetrating the layer. If the decal is to be applied later on, the image has to be covered by, for instance, a layer of talcum powder, or placed on a silicone coated release paper
Composite sheets for image transfer, having layers of rubber-based hot melt adhesive are positioned with the adhesive in contact with images. The support sheets are removed and the image paper backing washed away. The resultant decals may be ironed-on, pasted-on, and have the ability to adhere removeably to walls and windows, and adhere permanently to painted surfaces.
Other features and advantages of the instant invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings.
In the following detailed description of the invention, reference is made to the drawings in which reference numerals refer to like elements, and which are intended to show by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
Testing
Ex. 1: A window was decorated at Christmas with decals, derived from color laser copies on a coated paper of images of Santa Clause, angles, slay and reindeers. A composite sheet in accordance with this invention was positioned with the adhesive in contact with the copied images. The support sheets were removed, after which the image paper backings were washed away, and the resultant decals trimmed to the desired shape. The rear side of the decals were then coated with an acrylic emulsion, making the decals completely clear and visible from either side. Finally, the decals were wetted and positioned on the window.
Ex. 2: A decal making artist painted typical folk art pictures on coated papers. He then applied composite sheets in accordance with this invention, submerged these and washed away the pictures paper backings. The resultant decals were sold to visitors, who took the decal with them, and ironed them on to suitable substrates, after return to their home countries.
Ex. 3: A craft person made decals in accordance with this invention, which were trimmed and coated with acrylic emulsion over the decal rear sides. Simultaneously, wooden plaques were also coated with acrylic emulsion. When the coatings had dried, the decals were moistened and positioned on the coated plaques. They were slid into exact position, after which they were left to dry and adhere. A couple of hours later, the decals had all become integrated into the coating layer of the plaques.
Although the instant invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art.
This application claims priority and herein incorporates by reference U.S. provisional patent application 60/948,347, filed Jul. 6, 2007.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60948347 | Jul 2007 | US |