Method for the manufacture of objects having superficial relief patterns
AssigneeFerchim Engineering S.A.
InventorsGuy Dupont, Pierre Tissot, Joelle Manceaux
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The disclosed method relates to the formation of a relief pattern on the surface of a shaped object through the expansion of an expandable ink. The ink is applied on a support web and then dried. A varnish which polymerizes under UV radiation may be applied on the printed, dried support web. The printed, dried, and possibly varnished, support web is then rolled in to a coil. Afterwards, the coiled web is transformed into the desired shaped objects, such as filled and closed packages or security documents. The relief pattern may then be formed upon the surface of the object by irradiating the expandable ink. In particular, a laser beam may scan the surface of the object to form the relief pattern.
Claims16
A method of manufacturing decorative, shaped objects having at least one surface provided with a decorative relief pattern, which comprises:
- (a) continuously printing a web of two-dimensional material with an expandable ink which expands when heated;
- (b) drying the printed web at a temperature lower than the temperature at which the ink expands;
- (c) coiling the printed and dried web;
- (d) transforming the coiled web into shaped objects;
- and then,
- (e) expanding the expandable ink to form the relief pattern on the surface of the shaped objects.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.