Patent Application
20210252893
The invention relates to a system and method for printing finished and semi-finished leather goods.
Various printing methods and systems are known in the art. In addition, some printing processes have been used to print on leather hides, which may then be further cut and processed into goods.
The present invention includes a method for printing upon a preconstructed leather good. In an exemplary embodiment, the process includes printing an art template across the junction of one or more adjacent or adjoining leather panels of the preconstructed leather good.
Further features and advantages of the invention are evident from the following description of preferred embodiment examples of the invention, on the basis of the figures and drawings illustrating details essential to the invention, and from the claims. The individual features can be implemented individually or in any desired combination in a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Preferred embodiment examples of the invention are explained in more detail below on the basis of the enclosed drawings.
The following description of the embodiments of the present invention is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. The following description is provided herein solely by way of example for purposes of providing an enabling disclosure of the invention but does not limit the scope or substance of the invention.
As used herein, term “preconstructed leather good” means a finished leather good and/or a semi-finished leather good. As used herein, “finished leather good” means a leather product that has been constructed or assembled into its final construction such that it is ready for wear or use and does not require further processing after printing. As used herein, “semi-finished leather good” means a leather product that requires some additional assembly steps to become a finished good, such as the attachment of component parts or pieces after printing, but does not require any additional cutting, forming, or treating of the leather itself. By way of example, the leather strap of a belt and any backing materials may be a semi-finished leather good if the leather strap requires the attachment of a belt buckle after printing. In some embodiments, a finished leather good and a semi-finished leather good may include two components, such as two distinct leather components, that are joined together, such as by a seam, to form a semi-finished leather good or a finished leather good. Notably, preconstructed leather goods may include additional materials than leather as further illustrated by the examples herein. In addition, in some embodiments, a finished leather good and a semi-finished leather good may be configurable in a generally flat position. As used herein, neither a finished leather good nor a semi-finished leather good requires or permits any additional cutting of the leather after the inventive printing process disclosed herein. For example, a leather hide that is printed and then cut and/or formed into one or more leather products after printing is not a finished good or a semi-finished good in the context of this disclosure.
As used herein, “preconstructed white leather good” means either a finished article or a semi-finished article wherein the leather surface(s) to be printed using an embodiment of the present invention consist of white leather. Any processes or embodiments disclosed herein concerning a preconstructed leather good may include a preconstructed white leather good.
In an exemplary embodiment, a method of the present invention specifically includes printing on a preconstructed leather good. In some embodiments, methods of the present invention include printing on a preconstructed white leather good that is or may be configured in a generally flat configuration at the printing stage. In some specific embodiments, methods of the present invention include printing on a preconstructed leather good, such as a preconstructed white leather good, such as a pre-constructed credit card case or belt. In other embodiments, preconstructed leather goods that are made with non-white leather may be printed directly with any designs or may be first printed in a first pass with a white color on the preconstructed leather good, which then may be printed with other colors in a second pass. In all embodiments, the leather of the preconstructed leather good, or at least any leather surface thereof to be printed, may optionally have been treated to remove any layers of polish, oils, or other substances remaining from the tanning and/or dying process.
In some embodiments, the preconstructed leather good, or a leather surface thereof to be printed, may be approximately uniform in thickness. As used herein, such approximately uniform thickness does not preclude some minor deviations in thickness due to the natural contour of leather, but it does preclude the more significant deviations that may be found in an entire hide of leather as compared with a finished good or semi-finished good. By way of illustration, some hides of leather may generally have thickness variations on the order of 0.2 millimeters. By contrast, in some embodiments of the present invention, the leather portion of a preconstructed leather good will have a thickness variability of less than 0.2 millimeters or, ins some embodiments, approximately no appreciable thickness variability for printing, which may in some embodiments result from a skiving process being performed on the leather prior to construction of the preconstructed leather good in order to obtain a uniform thickness.
According to an embodiment of the invention, an art template for printing on the leather good may be prepared and stored. The art template may be prepared manually and loaded into a computer system, such as by scanning, or created by using any suitable graphic design program, such as Adobe Illustrator available from Adobe Inc. The art template may include any desirable indicia for printing, including text, designs, shapes, art, graphics, symbols, logos, patterns, combinations thereof, and any other printable matter. An art template may also utilize colors, unprinted portions, and any other printing techniques. By way of example,
In some embodiments, an art template may be designed for a specific type of preconstructed leather good by taking into account the shape and dimensions of that preconstructed leather good or a portion thereof to be printed. For example, dimensions X and Y of art template 10 may correspond to the size of a preconstructed leather good, such as a credit card holder. In some embodiments, an art template may include a design for printing on a preconstructed leather good or a portion, such as shown with art template 10 in
In some embodiments of the present invention, a preconstructed leather good may have some pre-existing features prior to printing, such as a sewn or branded leather portions, an opening or hole, attached components, or other features. Such features may be considered in the art template, such as whether they are to be printed or to remain unprinted during the printing process. In some embodiments, an art template may be configured such that no printing occurs on any features of the preconstructed leather good that have a substantially raised portion from the surface of the remainder of that surface to be printed of the preconstructed leather good, such as an embroidered portion. In addition, some preconstructed leather goods may have multiple panels (including layered panels), portions, layers, segments, stitchings, and/or seams, and art templates may be utilized such that the printing processes of the present invention may include, target, or exclude printing on such portions in using the printing processes described herein. As used herein, the term “panel” shall mean a distinct cut portion of leather that may be joined with or positioned adjacent to one or more other panels (i.e., distinct cut portions of leather) in a preconstructed leather good, such as by stiches, seams, or adhesive.
As indicated above, in some embodiments an art template may have printing dimensions that are the same or about the same size as the upper surface of the preconstructed leather good to be printed. In other embodiments, an art template may be configured such that it is larger in one or more dimensions than a portion of the preconstructed leather good upon which it will be printed. For example,
In addition, in some embodiments, an art template may be adjusted for different sized preconstructed leather goods. For example, an art template that is used for printing on a leather belt may be adjusted for belts of a different size. In some embodiments, an art template may be scaled to print upon both a 32″ belt and a 42″ belt, either by proportionally spacing the design over the larger surface area or by adding additional design elements. For example, as shown in
The present invention includes processes for printing art templates onto a leather good. In some embodiments, a jig may be used such as to position or secure a preconstructed leather good during the printing processes. By way of example,
As shown in
It may be desirable in some embodiments to print multiples sizes of a preconstructed leather good, such as different-sized belts, or to print different preconstructed leather goods, such as both belts and credit card holders, during a single printing process. In such embodiments, such as shown in
A jig used in printing processes of the present invention may be constructed of any suitable material, such as boards made of moderately expanded closed-cell polyvinyl chloride as available, for example, from 3A Composites USA under the trade name Sintra. In addition, a jig may be any suitable size for a contemplated printing process. By way of example, in some embodiments, a jig may be six feet wide and have a thickness of one-eighth of an inch. Alternate sizes may be utilized depending on the size and quantity of items to be printed in a particular printing process.
A jig may be secured to a table or any suitable surface upon which the printing will take place by any suitable means, such as adhesive, or tape. In some embodiments, a jig may be secured upon a suction table, such as suction table 50 shown in
A preconstructed leather good may be placed within an opening of a jig for printing. For example, as shown in
As also shown in
Prior to commencing printing, an art template may be loaded into the memory of a computer that is in communication with a printer to be utilized in the printing process. In some embodiments, an art template may be previously transferred and stored into the printer or computer memory in order to utilize it in creating a jig as described above. A computer may also be configured to store in memory and utilize any printing software compatible with the printer being utilized, and an art template for printing may be imported into such software. By way of example, in some embodiments, a Roland LEJ-640 ultraviolet printer may be utilized and connected to a computer configured with Roland VersaWorks software, wherein both the printer and software are available from Roland DGA Corporation. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that alternative ultraviolet printers and printing software may be readily employed within the scope of the present invention. In addition, any suitable ultraviolet printing inks may be employed in the printing process of the current invention and loaded into the ultraviolet printer. By using an ultraviolet printing processes, the ink may beneficially result in printing within any textured or embossed portions of the preconstructed leather good as the caking and freezing feature provided by the ultraviolet printing process allows for the instantaneous drying of the ink on dynamic surfaces.
The ultraviolet printer may print the art template design onto an exposed surface of the preconstructed leather good or a portion thereof. In some embodiments, which may include some embodiments using a preconstructed white leather good, the printing process will involve a single printing pass. As used herein, the term “single printing pass” means that an art template design is printed on a side of a preconstructed leather good in a single printing operation, whereby all design indicia of the art template are printed in a single pass of the printer, such that a second coat or additional printing is not required. Such single pass printing may improve accuracy in placement and color, replicability, and efficiency in the printing process of a preconstructed leather good.
In some embodiments involving a preconstructed leather good that is not a preconstructed white leather good, printing may be done in a single pass as described above. For example, a brown leather preconstructed leather good may be printed in a single pass as described herein. In other embodiments involving a preconstructed leather good that is not a preconstructed white leather good, a first printing pass may be utilized to print a color, such as white, onto all or a portion of the preconstructed leather good so as to form a background color, and then a second printing pass may be utilized to print other design elements as discussed above using one or more other colors.
In some embodiments, the present invention provides for preconstructed leather good to be printed with pantone colors with improved accuracy and repeatability as compared to some traditional printing processes. For example, by providing single-pass printing on a preconstructed leather good, the color(s) printed on an article are subject to less deviation and variations that may be found in multi-pass printing applications, which accuracy may be further improved when printing on white leather. Such pantone matching is best achieved on white preconstructed leather goods.
In some embodiments, the printing may be applied to one or more portions of a preconstructed leather good. For example, as explained above, an art template may be continuously printed over stitchings in a preconstructed leather good. In addition, an art template may be continuously printed over seams, including raised seams, as well as distinct leather portions or segments of a preconstructed leather good, including distinct layered leather panels such as illustrated in the examples discussed below and without distortion. Likewise, an art template may be continuously printed over a beveled portion of a preconstructed leather good. These various embodiments are further described in the illustrative embodiments discussed below.
Because the present invention contemplates printing upon preconstructed leather goods, a printed preconstructed leather good will not require any further cutting or shaping of the product or leather as would be required if a leather hide were printed and then subsequently manufactured or assembled into products. However, as noted above and described further in the examples below, semi-finished leather goods may require additional finishing steps to form a finished leather good.
By way of further illustration, embodiments of the present invention will be described below in the context of exemplary finished goods and semi-finished goods:
By way of further illustration and with reference to
Art template 80 also may be configured to correspond with a size of a particular belt, such as a 32″ belt. However, art template 80 may be scaled as described above when printing on different length belts. Any predetermined belt size, such as a 32-inch belt, a 34-inch belt, a 36-inch belt, a 38-inch belt, a 40-inch belt, a 42-inch belt, and any other predetermined belt sizes may be readily employed. In addition, art template 80 may be configured in some embodiments with a size and design to print solely on all or portions of the belt blank surface between stitchings 91, and in other embodiments art template may be art template 80 may be configured with a size to print all or portions of the belt blank surface between edges 101, optionally including printing on stitchings 91.
In this exemplary embodiment, belt blank 90 is shown in
In some embodiments, other components may also be present and optionally printed. For example, as shown in
Belt blank 90 and keeper 83 may be secured in respective openings 88 of jig 102, wherein an opening 88 is sized for belt blank 90 and an opening 88 is sized for keeper 83. Jig 102 is positioned beneath or within ultraviolet printer 70, which is in communication with a computer 72 having art template 80 and art template 81 stored in memory. Art template 80 may then be printed onto belt blank 90, and art template 81 may then be printed onto keeper 83. Any unprinted portions will retain the color of top grain 96. For example, in embodiments employing white leather, any unprinted portions will retain the white leather appearance. The entire printing operation may be completed in a single pass as described above. In other embodiments, belt blanks and keepers may be secured in separate jigs and printed separately. Following printing, buckle 108 may be inserted into the buckle slot 97 and that belt end folded back and secured with closure snaps 98′ in closure openings 98. Keeper 83 may be installed into belt blank 90 to form finished belt 100 as shown in
As noted, art templates may be designed to print on desired portions of a preconstructed leather good. In some embodiments, art templates may be utilized to include printing in the area between stitchings 91 and edge 101 of belt blank 90. In such embodiments, as shown in
By way of further illustration and with reference to
Art templates 110 and/or art template 111 also may take into account certain features of the leather article to be printed. For example, art template 111 positions the text “JANE DOE” within a distinct portion that will be printed in a section between two leather segments on the credit card holder (as shown in
In this exemplary embodiment, credit card holder 120 is a finished good so that no additional processing or finishing is required after printing. A credit card holder may have various compositions and configurations. For example,
As shown in
As shown in
Jig 132 may be positioned beneath or within an ultraviolet printer, as described above, which is in communication with a computer 72 having art template 110 and art template 111 stored in memory. Art template 110 and art template 111 may then be printed onto wallet 120 with a single pass on each side of credit card holder 120. For example, art template 110 may be printed on the first side of credit card holder 120 in a single pass, and then credit card holder 120 may be flipped over in jig 132 and art template 111 may then be printed on the second side of credit card holder 120. In some embodiments employing white leather, any unprinted portions will retain the white leather appearance. As noted above, multi-pass printing may alternatively be employed to print part or all of a side of credit card holder 120 in a first pass, such as by printing a white background color on all or a portion of such side in a first pass, and then in a second pass printing the art template design.
The present invention is not limited to credit card holders. Instead, any type of card holder or wallet may be printed using the printing processes described herein. In some embodiments, a wallet may be a finished leather good that is printed, such as a cardholder wallet, a bi-fold wallet, a tri-fold wallet, and a money clip. In other embodiments, a wallet may be a semi-finished leather good, such as a wallet having a keychain (which may be attached after printing) or a wallet with a card holder insert (which may optionally be printed and may be inserted after printing). In addition, some wallets may be a semi-finished leather good that includes snaps, closures, plastic card holders or covers, or other structures that may be installed after printing. Furthermore, a wallet as either a finished leather good or a semi-finished leather good may have components other than leather prior to printing, such as vinyl portions, fabric portions, hook and loop fastener portions, and other materials.
By way of further illustration,
In an alternative embodiment for printing portfolio 140, and with reference to
In another exemplary embodiment shown in
In yet another exemplary embodiment, art templates 161 and 162, as shown in
In still another exemplary embodiment, printing processes of the present invention may be employed on a leather bag 180 as a preconstructed leather good as shown in
The printing processes of the present invention may be utilized upon any preconstructed leather good. By way of example, and without limitation, such preconstructed white leather good may include belts, wallets, phone cases, key chains, book covers, portfolios, luggage tags, luggage, briefcases, bracelets, jewelry, clothing, and ornamental decorations.
It will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those herein described, as well as many variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing description thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein in detail in relation to its certain embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended or to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise to exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements.
