Patent Application
20100112244
The present invention relates to the field of emblems and emblem production.
In one aspect, the invention provides a method of manufacturing an emblem. The method includes the steps of providing a fabric layer having first and second surfaces, disposing a thermoplastic adhesive layer on the first surface of the fabric layer, and disposing an ink layer on the second surface of the fabric layer. In some embodiments, the ink layer may include a nylon ink. In some embodiments, the fabric layer may be a polyester fabric, such as a 2 oz. polyester fabric. In some embodiments, the thermoplastic adhesive layer may be a polyurethane, such as a 3 mil clear polyurethane. In various embodiments, the thermoplastic adhesive may be disposed on the first surface of the fabric layer by heat sealing. In various embodiments, the ink may be disposed on the second surface of the fabric layer by screen printing.
In some embodiments, the method may include the step of printing a design on the ink layer. The design may be printed on the ink layer using, for example, a screen printer, an inkjet printer, a digital printer, a laser printer, a ribbon printer, and combinations thereof. The design may be printed using, for example, ultraviolet ink, inkjet ink, laser ink, ribbon ink, and combinations thereof.
In another aspect, the invention provides a method of printing an emblem. The method includes the steps of providing a fabric layer having first and second surfaces, disposing a thermoplastic adhesive layer on the first surface of the fabric layer, disposing an ink layer on the second surface of the fabric layer, and printing a first design on the ink layer. In some embodiments, the ink layer may include a nylon ink. The design may be printed on the ink layer using, for example, a screen printer, an inkjet printer, a digital printer, a laser printer, a ribbon printer, and combinations thereof. The design may be printed using, for example, ultraviolet ink, inkjet ink, laser ink, ribbon ink, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the method may include the step of embroidering a second design over the first design.
In another aspect, the invention provides a multilayer emblem that includes a fabric layer having a first surface and a second surface, a thermoplastic adhesive layer, and an ink layer. The thermoplastic adhesive layer is disposed on the first surface of the fabric layer, and the ink layer is disposed on the second surface of the fabric layer. In some embodiments, the fabric layer may be a polyester fabric, such as a 2 oz. polyester fabric. In some embodiments, the thermoplastic adhesive layer may be a polyurethane, such as a 3 mil clear polyurethane. In some embodiments, the ink layer may include a nylon ink. In some embodiments, the ink may be white.
The foregoing and other objects, aspects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent and may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Referring to
With continued reference to
The fabric layer 20 and the thermoplastic adhesive layer 30 may be bonded together by heat sealing, preferably at a temperature of about 350 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (° F.), and more preferably at about 400° F. In an embodiment, the heating is performed under conditions of about 20 to about 70 pounds per square inch (“psi”) of pressure, preferably about 60 psi, for about from 4 to 18 seconds.
With continued reference to
One or more designs can be printed on the ink layer 40. Any suitable printing method can be used to print a design on the ink layer 40. For example, a design can be printed on the ink layer 40 using screen printing, digital printing, inkjet printing, and combinations thereof. In addition, any suitable ink can be used to print the design on the ink layer 40, such as for example, ultraviolet ink, inkjet ink, laser ink, ribbon ink, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, a second design is embroidered over a first printed design.
The emblem 10 as described herein may be used in a variety of different manners. In some embodiments, the emblem 10 may be used in connection with embroidered emblems. In some embodiments, the emblem 1O may be used in connection with screen printing of emblems. In still other embodiments, the emblem 10 may be used in connection with sublimation processes used to construct emblems.
The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.
