3D articles and methods of making such articles
AssigneeBushnell Holdings, Inc.
InventorsHerbert J. Harris, Garrett T. Grey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to 3-dimensional (3D) articles with a printed fabric skin that provides an aesthetic appearance to the 3D articles. The printed fabric skin may be a photograph that is printed on a fabric material, which is then applied to a base material to form the 3D article. Registration markers are used to align features of the printed fabric material with corresponding textured features of the 3D body of the article. This provides a light-weight article (such as a decoy) with a 3D shape and texture and image quality printed fabric skin.
Claims22
A method of making a 3D article
- wherein the 3D article includes a body portion having a first portion and a second portion wherein the first portion and the second portion each comprise a laminated material, the method comprising:
- coupling a printed fabric to a flat thermoformable base material to form the laminated material;
- applying first registration markers to the printed fabric;
- aligning the first registration markers with corresponding second registration markers of a mold;
- forming the laminated material into the 3D article using the mold;
- and
- physically coupling the first portion and the second portion together at a seam, wherein the seam includes an openable and closeable mechanism comprising a zipper, buttons, snaps, or hook and loop fastener.
A method of making a 3D article
- wherein the 3D article includes a body portion having a first portion and a second portion wherein the first portion and the second portion each comprise a laminated material, the method comprising:
- applying first registration markers to a printed fabric;
- aligning the first registration markers with corresponding second registration markers of a mold;
- applying an adhesive to one or more of the printed fabric and a flat thermoformable base material to form the laminated material;
- heating the laminated material;
- pressing or pulling the laminated material into or onto the mold;
- and
- physically coupling the first portion and the second portion together at a seam to form the 3D article, wherein the seam includes an openable and closeable portion comprising a zipper, buttons, snaps, or hook and loop fastener.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.