Simultaneous transfer printing and embossing or surface texturing method
OwnerThomas Rejtoinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This invention relates broadly to the simultaneous heat transfer printing or transfer dyeing and embossing or surface texturing of fabrics or other relatively flat materials containing thermoplastic fibers or other thermoplastic components or finishes. More particularly, the invention provides a process for such simultaneous printing and embossing or surface texturing in which the heat transfer pattern printed or otherwise deposited in sublimable or vaporizable dye on a printing-embossing sheet can be transferred to one or several materials without being substantially affected by the embossing. The invention also provides an embossing means for use in that process; and an apparatus to implement it.
Claims28
A method of printing in colour onto a thermoplastic fabric a replica of a first pattern and of simultaneously embossing in relief into that fabric a second pattern without substantially affecting the first pattern as so printed, said method comprising the steps of
- (a) superposing
- i. a heat transfer printing means bearing a vapourizable or sublimable dye according to said first pattern, the dye having a high affinity for said thermoplastic fabric;
- ii. an embossing sheet or web, the material of which is permeable to said dye but has practically no affinity or retention properties for said dye, said embossing means having in both faces or at least in the face thereof remote from the transfer printing means, a design in relief according to said second pattern, said relief being created by alternation of raised and hollow portions and/or by apertures in the embossing surface, and
- iii. a thermoplastic fabric;
- (b) applying heat and pressure to the superposed members to cause the transfer by migration of the dye through the material of the embossing means and into the thermoplastic fabric and also to cause reproduction in the latter, in relief, of said second pattern, and
- (c) separating said members one from another.
A method of printing in color onto a thermoplastic fabric a replica of a first pattern and of simultaneously embossing in relief into the fabric a second pattern without substantially affecting the first pattern as so printed, said method comprising the steps of
- (a) superposing
- i. a single element printing-embossing sheet or web bearing a vaporizable or sublimable dye according to said first pattern, the dye having a good affinity for said thermoplastic fabric and for the printing-embossing means itself, said printing-embossing means having in at least one face 2 design in relief according to said second pattern, said relief being created by alternation of raised and hollow portions and/or by apertures in the embossing surface, and
- ii. a thermoplastic fabric;
- (b) applying heat and pressure to the superposed members to cause the transfer by migration of dye in excess from the printing-embossing means onto the thermoplastic fabric and also to cause reproduction in the latter, in relief of said second pattern, the remaining portion of the dye being fixed in the single element printing-embossing sheet or web
- (c) separating said members one from another.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.