Web for graphics transfer to garment
AssigneeStahls' Inc.
InventorTed A. Stahl
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A web suitable for the elevated temperature transfer of graphics to fabric comprises a thermoplastic film release sheet having upper and lower surfaces, the lower surface defining the bottom surface of the web. A layer of non-carboxylated, pigmented PVC is coated on and substantially covers the upper surface of the release sheet. The pigmented PVC includes a heat activated blowing agent. A thermoplastic adhesive layer defines the top surface of the web. The web may be used to provide both conventional as well as hot split graphics to fabric.
Claims15
A method for transferring a graphic design to a fabric substrate, said graphic design having a selectable smooth or velvety appearance, said method comprising:
- a) contacting a heat-activatable adhesive layer of an appearance selectable web with a fabric substrate, said appearance selectable web comprising in order, a release layer, a transfer layer, and an adhesive layer,
- wherein said release layer maintains its integrity at an elevated temperature sufficient to bond said transfer layer to said fabric substrate;
- wherein said transfer layer comprises pigmented PVC disposed superficial to said release layer, said transfer layer further comprising one or more heat-activated weakening agents, said heat-activated weakening agents effective to split said transfer layer into a release layer-adherent transfer layer portion and a fabric substrate-adherent transfer layer portion when said release layer is pulled away from said transfer layer while hot but which does not split into said release layer-adherent layer portion and said fabric substrate-adherent layer portion when said release layer is pulled away from said transfer layer after cooling;
- and
- wherein said adhesive layer comprises one or more heat activatable adhesives;
- b) heating said web and said fabric substrate to an elevated temperature and at a pressure sufficient to cause said transfer layer of said web to bond to said fabric substrate;
- c) removing said release layer of said web from said transfer layer at a temperature selected from
- i) a first, hot temperature such that said weakening agent causes said transfer layer to split into a release layer-adherent layer portion and a fabric substrate-adherent layer portion thereby forming a graphic having a velvety appearance on said fabric substrate;
- and
- ii) a second temperature, cooler than said first temperature, such that said transfer layer does not split, thereby forming a graphic of glossy appearance on said fabric substrate;
- and
- d) recovering a fabric substrate having a graphic design transferred thereto.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.