Vacuum Forming Methods for Making Printed Images with Three-Dimensional Features
AssigneeAntobotics, LLC
InventorHank B. Ridless
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A vacuuming forming method for creating an embellished reproduction of an image. The image is printed on to a thermoformable substrate to create a printed substrate. A chemical compound is applied to a surface of a perforated sheet to form artistic embellishments on the surface and create an embellished sheet. The printed substrate is positioned over the embellished sheet placed on a vacuum table. Heat is applied to the printed substrate and sufficient vacuum is provided to the vacuum table to press the printed substrate on to the embellished sheet to form an embellished reproduction of the image from the printed substrate. The perforated sheet can have a three-dimensional surface, which can be included in the embellished reproduction.
Claims24
A vacuuming forming method for creating an embellished reproduction of an image, comprising printing the image on to a thermoformable substrate to create a printed substrate, providing a perforated sheet having a surface, applying a chemical compound to the surface of the perforated sheet to form artistic embellishments on the surface and create an embellished sheet, positioning the embellished sheet on a vacuum table, positioning the printed substrate over the embellished sheet, heating the printed substrate and providing sufficient vacuum to the vacuum table to press the printed substrate on to the embellished sheet to form an embellished reproduction of the image from the printed substrate and removing the embellished reproduction from the embellished sheet.
A vacuuming forming method for producing an image with a texture, comprising printing the image on to a thermoformable substrate to create a printed substrate, providing a flexible air permeable material having the texture as a mold, positioning the flexible air permeable material on a vacuum table, positioning the printed substrate over the flexible air permeable material, heating the printed substrate and providing sufficient vacuum to the vacuum table to press the printed substrate on to the flexible air permeable material to form from the texture in the printed substrate and removing the printed substrate from the flexible air permeable material.
A vacuuming forming method for creating a reproduction with a three-dimensional surface of artwork having an image, comprising printing the image on to a thermoformable substrate to create a printed substrate, providing a mold formed from a flowable compound of a binder and granular particles that when cured is an air permeable material and has a three-dimensional mold surface, positioning the mold on a vacuum table, positioning the printed substrate over the mold, heating the printed substrate and providing sufficient vacuum to the vacuum table to press the printed substrate on to the three-dimensional mold surface of the mold to form a reproduction of the artwork with the three-dimensional surface from the printed substrate and removing the reproduction from the mold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.