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US 7,402,223 B2Granted
Printed articles and methods and systems of producing same
AssigneeInnovative Adhesives Company
InventorsPierce Marks, III, Michael W. Downing, Randy Ladwig
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Printed articles are disclosed, where the article includes a transparent film, the film comprising a first side coated with a pressure-sensitive acrylate adhesive; and a second side printed with an image. The printed image can be produced with a digital or flexographic printed. Also disclosed are systems and methods for producing printed articles.
Claims43
A method comprising:
- providing a substantially transparent film having a first side and a second side;
- applying a coating material to the first side of the film, the coating material having a first glass transition temperature;
- curing the coating material by a process using one of radiant heat and ultraviolet light;
- heating the coating material above the first glass transition temperature;
- printing on the first side of the film using an ink having a second glass transition temperature that is higher than the first glass transition temperature, wherein printing the image comprises printing an image using a digital offset printer;
- and
- coating the second side of the film with a pressure-sensitive acrylate adhesive.
4 more elements
A method comprising:
- providing a substantially transparent film having a first side and a second side;
- coating the first side of the film with a primer that facilitates an application of a printed image on the first side of the film, wherein printing the image comprises printing an image using a digital offset printer;
- physically modifying the surface of the first side of the film;
- heating the primer above a glass transition temperature of the primer;
- applying a printed image on the first side of the film while the temperature of the primer is above the glass transition temperature of the primer;
- coating the second side of the film with a pressure-sensitive acrylate adhesive that facilitates a temporary application of the film to a material selected from the group consisting of skin, glass, paper, wood, plastic, metal, fabric, and neoprene;
- cutting the film in a longitudinal direction to remove excess material;
- and
- feeding the film onto a spool.
6 more elements
A method of producing printed articles, comprising the steps of:
- printing a first side of a transparent film, wherein the film further includes a second side coated with a pressure-sensitive acrylate adhesive;
- applying a release liner to the adhesive;
- coating the first side with a coating before printing the first side, wherein the coating has a glass transition temperature lower than that of ink applied on the first side of the transparent film during a digital printing process;
- curing the coating by a method chosen from:
- radiant heat, ambient air, forced air flow, and ultraviolet light;
- heating the coating above its glass transition temperature during printing, whereby the coating bonds to ink dispersed in the printing process;
- die-cutting the printed articles;
- peeling away excess film from the printed articles;
- cutting the release liner and the adhesive of the printed articles in the longitudinal direction of feed of the printed articles;
- and
- rolling the printed articles onto a spool.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.