PROCESS FOR MANUFACTURE OF POLYMER FILM GRAPHICS

Abstract

The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of polymer film graphics comprising providing a continuous substrate having a release layer thereon; applying an image layer in the shape of a graphic letter or design to the release layer; depositing an adhesive layer to the image layer and which has the same shape as the image layer graphic letter or design; curing the adhesive and image layers; and winding the polymer film graphics onto rolls. The invention further relates to a polymer film graphic comprising a substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface; a release layer overlying the upper surface of the substrate; an image layer in the shape of a graphic letter or design overlying the release layer; an adhesive layer overlying the image layer, the adhesive layer having the same shape as the image layer graphic letter or design.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the side view of a film embodying the present invention in a particular form.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the side view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the side view of a further embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the side view of delivery of the material used to form the image layer for making the polymer film graphics of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is diagram of an apparatus for the dispensing process for making the polymer film graphics of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of an alternative embodiment wherein the polymer film graphic is prepared on an adhesive coated substrate.

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of an alternative embodiment wherein a release liner is laminated to the polymer film graphic.

Claims

1. A process for the manufacture of polymer film graphics comprising: providing a continuous substrate having a first and second surface, and having a first release layer on the first surface;applying an image layer in the shape of a graphic letter or design to the first release layer;depositing an adhesive layer onto the image layer, the adhesive layer having the same shape as the image layer graphic letter or design; andcuring the adhesive and image layers.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a paper, a polymer film, or a combination thereof.

3. The process of claim 1, wherein the continuous substrate has a second release layer on the second surface.

4. The process of claim 3, wherein the second release layer is applied to the substrate prior to depositing of the adhesive layer.

5. The process of claim 1, wherein the adhesive comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive.

6. The process of claim 5, wherein the adhesive comprises an acrylic adhesive.

7. The process of claim 5, wherein the adhesive comprises a hot melt adhesive.

8. The process of claim 1, wherein the first release layer comprises a silicone release composition.

9. The process of claim 1, wherein the image layer comprises one or more of a plastisol, an organosol, a polyethylene, a polypropylene, an acrylic, and an epoxy.

10. The process of claim 1, wherein the image layer comprises a plastisol.

11. The process of claim 10, wherein the image layer comprises a polyvinyl chloride resin and a plasticizer.

12. The process of claim 1, wherein the adhesive layer and image layer are cured at a temperature within the range of about 230° to about 420° F. for a period of less than 1 minute.

13. The process of claim 1 further comprising winding the polymer film graphic into a roll.

14. A polymer film graphic manufactured by the process of claim 1.

15. A polymer film graphic comprising: a substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface;a release layer overlying the upper surface of the substrate;an image layer in the shape of a graphic letter or design overlying the release layer; andan adhesive layer overlying the image layer, wherein the adhesive layer has the same shape as the image layer graphic letter or design.

16. The polymer film graphic of claim 15 further comprising a second release layer overlying the lower surface of the substrate.

17. A process for the manufacture of polymer film graphics comprising: providing a continuous substrate having a first surface and a second surface and having a first layer of adhesive on the first surface;printing an image layer in the shape of a graphic letter or design onto the first layer of adhesive;depositing a second adhesive layer onto the image layer, the second adhesive layer having the same shape as the image layer graphic letter or design; andcuring the second adhesive layer and image layer.

18. The process of claim 17, wherein the substrate comprises a paper, a polymer film, or a combination thereof.

19. The process of claim 17 further comprising laminating a release liner to the second adhesive layer.

20. The process of claim 17, wherein the second adhesive layer comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive.

21. The process of claim 20, wherein the second adhesive layer comprises an acrylic adhesive.

22. The process of claim 20, wherein the adhesive layer comprises a hot melt adhesive.

23. The process of claim 17, wherein the image layer comprises a solvent based ink.

24. The process of claim 17, wherein the substrate comprises a transparent polymer film.

25. A polymer film graphic manufactured by the process of claim 17.