Method of fabricating a thermal transfer image
OwnerShahar Turgemaninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of fabricating a thermal transfer image by utilizing a Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) colored in white as the white pigment of the thermal transfer image. Various colored inks are applied to a substrate in accordance with their respective layers of colors of the desired artwork image design. The process leaves voids where white is desired for the artwork image. The process applies a clear ink over the image, including locations of the artwork image where white is the desired visible color. Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) is applied in a powder form to an area covering the applied clear ink while the applied clear ink remains wet. Excess TPU is removed from the substrate in areas of the image void of any wet ink. The TPU residing on the wet ink is annealed using any heat applying process.
Claims20
A method of fabricating a thermal transfer image, the method comprising steps of:
- applying a clear ink onto a substrate wherein the clear ink is applied following an outline of an artwork image carried by the substrate, wherein portions of the artwork image having a color of a Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) remain unprinted;
- applying the Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) in a powder form to an area covering the applied clear ink while the applied clear ink remains wet;
- removing any excess Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) from the substrate in areas of the image void of the wet ink;
- and
- annealing the Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) residing on the wet ink.
A method of fabricating a thermal transfer image, the method comprising steps of:
- applying a clear ink onto a substrate wherein the clear ink is applied following an outline of an artwork image carried by the substrate, wherein white portions of the artwork image remain unprinted;
- applying a Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) in a powder form to an area covering the applied clear ink while the applied clear ink remains wet, wherein the Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) is white in color;
- removing any excess Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) from the substrate in areas of the image void of the wet ink;
- and
- annealing the Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) residing on the wet ink.
A method of fabricating a thermal transfer image, the method comprising steps of:
- applying at least one colored ink to a substrate creating an artwork image upon the substrate, wherein white portions of the artwork image remain unprinted;
- applying a clear ink onto the substrate wherein the clear ink is applied following an outline of the artwork image applied to the substrate;
- applying a Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) in a powder form to an area covering the applied clear ink while the applied clear ink remains wet, the Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) being white in color;
- removing any excess Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) from the substrate in areas of the image void of the wet ink;
- and
- annealing the Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) residing on the wet ink.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.