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US 2020/0096969 A1Published application
Method of forming a two-dimensional image over a model
OwnerScott Hinkelinventor
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims9
1:
- A method of applying a two-dimensional image to 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;
- applying the vinyl material to a vacuum formable sheet;
- applying the vacuum formable sheet to the model using a thermoform process.
1 more element
2:
- The method of claim 1, wherein the ink is a solvent ink or a latex ink.
3:
- The method of claim 2, wherein the two-dimensional image is printed onto the vinyl using a roll-to-roll printer.
4:
- The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:
- after printing the two-dimensional image onto a vinyl material, running the vinyl material through a laminator to apply an engineered mastic to the vinyl material.
5:
- The method of claim 4, wherein the engineered mastic is a heat-sensitive engineered mastic.
6:
- The method of claim 5, wherein the engineered mastic is activated under a heat of approximately 185 degrees to approximately 535 degrees.
7:
- The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of:
- after applying an engineered mastic to the vinyl material, applying a ultraviolet laminate as a top coating.
8:
- The method of claim 7, wherein the ultraviolet laminate is applied using a thermal laminator.
9:
- The method of claim 8, wherein the thermoform process heats the vacuum formable sheet from beneath the vacuum formable sheet.