The field of the invention relates to supported articles that can be used for decorating substrates. In some embodiments, the supported articles include: (a) a support layer comprising a plastic material; (b) a mask layer printed on a top surface of the support layer; (c) a first transparent layer printed on a top surface of the mask layer; (d) a graphic image layer positioned on a top surface of the first transparent layer; and (e) a second transparent layer printed on a top surface of the graphic image layer. The support material typically comprises a plastic material, preferably a low grade plastic material such as high density polyethylene (HDPE) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The graphic image layer may be applied by methods that include, but are not limited to, printing, applying gold leafing, and applying hot stamp foil.
The mask layer of the printed article can be peeled away from the support layer, for example by hand, together with the additional layers that are printed on the top surface of the mask layer. The printed article does not require soaking in an aqueous bath in order to remove the support layer (e.g., as in a waterslide construction).
The printed article includes a graphic image layer. In the graphic image layer a graphic image is applied as a mirror image, where an observer, viewing the image from the top perspective of the article, views the mirror image of the graphic image (relative to how the image is displayed after having been applied to a substrate).
The printed article also includes printed first and second transparent layers. The first and second transparent layers comprise ink material having desirable properties after the printed article has been applied to a substrate and heat-cured. For example, after the printed article has been applied to a substrate and cured (e.g., by heat-cured or by curing at room temperature), the ink material of the first transparent layer is releasable from the mask layer. In addition, the printed article has been applied to a substrate and heat-cured the ink material of the second transparent layer adheres to the substrate. The first and second transparent layers may comprise the same or different ink material (preferably the same ink material).
Also disclosed are methods for preparing printed articles. In some embodiments, the methods include: (a) printing a mask layer on a top surface of a support layer; (b) printing a first transparent layer on a top surface of the mask layer; (c) applying a graphic image layer on a top surface of the first transparent layer, wherein the graphic image layer comprises a graphic image that is applied as a mirror image; and (d) printing a second transparent layer on top surface of the graphic image layer. In some embodiments, the mask layer, transparent layers, and graphic image layer may comprise a suitable ink (e.g., a UV-curable ink or a heat-curable ink such as those sold by Polymeric Imaging Incorporated, North Kansas City, Mo. under the trademark “GTR” and may include vinyl-based inks). In other embodiments, the graphic image layer may comprise gold leafing or hot-stamp foil. The afore-described printed articles may be prepared by this disclosed method or any other suitable method.
Also disclosed are methods for attaching a graphic image to a substrate. The methods may include: (a) obtaining a printed article, for example, a printed article as disclosed herein and comprising: (i) a support layer comprising a plastic material; (ii) a mask layer printed on a top surface of the support layer; (iii) a first transparent layer printed on a top surface of the mask layer; (iv) a graphic image layer printed on a top surface of the first transparent layer; and (v) a second transparent layer printed on a top surface of the graphic image layer; (b) removing the support layer from the printed article (e.g., by peeling away by hand the mask layer and the additional layers printed on the top surface of the mask layer); (c) contacting the second transparent layer of the printed article with the substrate; and (d) curing the printed article (e.g., by applying heat to the printed article and/or substrate or by allowing the printed article and substrate to cure at room temperature for approximately twenty-four (24) hours), thereby attaching the graphic image to the substrate. The methods may include removing the mask layer from the printed article (e.g., after heat-curing). Heat-curing may be performed by applying heat at a temperature of about 170-200° F. to the printed article for a suitable period of time (e.g., 8-10 minutes).
Suitable substrates to which the article may be applied include a variety of porous and non-porous substrates. Suitable substrates may include solid substrates having flat or curved top surfaces. Suitable substrates may include metal objects which optionally may be primed or painted before applying the printed article. Other suitable substrates may include plastic objects, wood objects, and textiles.
Disclosed are printed articles that can be used for decorating substrates.
In contrast to the printed articles disclosed herein, the support layer 4 of the printed article of
Because the prior art methods for applying printed articles to a solid substrate required the use of a water tank in a waterslide process, a printed article was devised in which the support layer can be peeled away by hand from the other layers (namely the first transparent layer, the graphic image layer, the second transparent layer, and the mask layer) without the need for a water tank. In particular, a printed article having a plastic support layer was devised.
In the course of preparing and utilizing the printed article of
Another embodiment of a printed article 42 was devised having the configuration illustrated in
The disclosed articles are advantageous over printed articles of the prior art for numerous reasons. The disclosed articles provide a user with a low profile graphic article having a small thickness, which may mimic the look of custom painting. In some embodiments, the first transparent layer, the graphic image layer, and the second transparent layer of the printed article, together have a thickness of no more than about 100 microns (preferably no more than about 50 microns, or even more preferably no more than about 25 microns).
The disclosed articles also are useful in methods for decorating solid substrates because the articles do not require soaking in a water bath in order to remove the support layer, as is commonly performed in waterslide methods. As such, applying the printed article to a substrate is easier and does not generate liquid waste materials (i.e., the contaminated water bath utilized for soaking printed articles of the prior art).
The disclosed articles utilize a support layer comprising plastic material, in contrast to printed articles of the prior art which utilize a support layer comprising a paper or cellulose material. For example, the disclosed articles may utilize low grade plastics such as high density polyethylene (HDPE) or polyethylene perephthalate (PET), which can be recycled and are more stable and reproducible with respect to dimension. In addition, printing on plastic as opposed to paper or cellulose is advantageous because it permits the use of inks that can be cured with heat rather than air drying at ambient temperatures. Because heat-curing takes less time than air drying, the disclosed articles can be prepared more quickly than the printed articles of the prior art. Support layers as disclosed herein (otherwise referred to as “waterslide support layers”) typically are plastic and are advantageous over waterslide support layers of the prior art. Waterslide support layers of the prior art usually consist of coated paper. Printing and cutting of paper support layers contributes to fiber contaminates with the printing and graphic layer application process.
In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. The different configurations, systems and method steps described herein may be used alone or in combination with other configurations, systems and method steps. It is to be expected that various equivalents, alternatives and modifications are possible. The afore-cited patents and published applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/097,329, filed on Sep. 16, 2008, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
61097329 | Sep 2008 | US |