Process for decoration by sublimation using heat shrink film

Abstract

A process for applying a decoration into the surface of an object by sublimation ink printing uses, as the ink support or transfer sheet, a heat shrink film imprinted with sublimation ink decoration. Another process for applying a decoration into the surface of an object by sublimation ink printing uses a conventional ink support or transfer sheet, and a heat shrink film overwrap. The film sheet may be seamed to form an enclosure with the sublimation ink decoration, if any, on the enclosure inner surface. The object to be decorated is positioned inside the film enclosure. If a conventional transfer sheet is used, the conventional transfer sheet is positioned to the object before the heat shrink film is overwrapped. Before the sublimation ink imprinting, the object may be pre-treated with a coating into which the decoration will be imprinted. The film enclosure is heated to shrink the film into conformity with the object surface. Shrinkage of the film about the object applies the necessary pressure, when combined with heat, to transfer the decoration from the film into the surface or coating of the object to be decorated. After the sublimation transfer is complete, the film may be retained as an overwrap or may be removed, along with the optional conventional transfer sheet, revealing the newly decorated object.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.