Back to results
US 11,662,708 B2Granted
Method of forming a two-dimensional image over a model
OwnerScott Hinkelinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of thermoforming a printed two-dimensional (“2D”) image over a three dimensional (“3D”) model that is not distorted when applied to the model and that need not be distorted in order to have the proper appearance on the model.
Claims8
A method of applying a two-dimensional image to a three-dimensional model, the method comprising the steps of:
- printing the two-dimensional image onto a vinyl material with ink in a manner that saturates the vinyl material with the ink, the vinyl material having a vinyl top side and a vinyl bottom side;
- providing a vacuum formable sheet that has a vacuum sheet top side and a vacuum sheet bottom side, and applying the vinyl material to the vacuum formable sheet, the vinyl bottom side applied to the vacuum sheet top side;
- providing a heating element and using the heating element to send heat in the direction of the vacuum sheet bottom side, the heating element spaced apart from the vacuum sheet bottom side, and the heat increasing the temperature of the vacuum formable sheet and vinyl material to create a heated combination of layers;
- after heating the heated combination layers applying the heated combination of layers to the model using a thermoform process.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.