Flocked stretchable design or transfer
AssigneeHigh Voltage Graphics, Inc.
InventorLouis Brown Abrams
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention describes a flocked stretchable design and a process for producing a flocked stretchable design or transfer. The design, when configured as a transfer, includes a carrier layer, a release adhesive applied to the carrier layer, a plurality of flock fibers releasably attached to the release adhesive, an elastic film, and a first adhesive layer bonded to the flock fibers and the elastic film, and a second, discontinuously distributed, adhesive layer bonded to the other side of the elastic film. The design, when direct flocked, does not include the carrier and the release adhesive. The present invention also includes methods of producing both the designs.
Claims37
A flocked article, comprising:
- a plurality of flock fibers;
- an elastic film having first and second sides, the elastic film comprising rubber and/or an elastomer;
- a first thermoset adhesive layer bonded to the first side of the elastic film and to the plurality of flock fibers, the first thermoset adhesive layer being substantially continuously distributed over the first side of the elastic film and fully activated;
- and
- a second thermoplastic adhesive layer bonded to the second side of the elastic film, the second adhesive layer comprising a plurality of void spaces.
An article, comprising:
- a plurality of flock fibers;
- an elastic film having first and second sides, wherein the elastic film comprises rubber and/or an elastomeric material and wherein at least one of the following is true:
- (i) the elastic film has a modulus of elasticity of less than about 11.25 lb/ft and more than about 0.5 lb/ft, (ii) the elastic film has an elongation of at least about 200%, and (iii) the elastic film has a recovery of at least about 75% after being stretched to 100% of the film's length and allowed to retract freely;
- and
- a first thermosetting adhesive layer bonded to the first side of the elastic film and to the plurality of flock fibers, the first thermo setting adhesive layer being fully activated.
An article manufactured by steps, comprising:
- (a) contacting flock with a pre-formed and self-supporting first permanent adhesive layer, the first permanent adhesive layer being a thermosetting adhesive;
- (b) contacting the first permanent adhesive layer with an elastic film, the flock and first permanent adhesive layer being located on a common side of the elastic film, wherein at least one of the following is true:
- (i) the elastic film has a modulus of elasticity of less than about 11.25 lb/ft and more than about 0.5 lb/ft,
- (ii) the elastic film has an elongation of at least about 200%, and
- (iii) the elastic film has a recovery of at least about 75% after being stretched to 100% of the film's length and allowed to retract freely;
- and
- (c) when the first permanent adhesive layer is in contact with the flock and elastic film, fully activating the first permanent adhesive layer, whereby the first permanent adhesive layer is fully thermoset;
- and
- (d) contacting the elastic film with a second adhesive layer, wherein the second adhesive layer is thermoplastic and wherein the first and second adhesive layers are located on opposing sides of the elastic film.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.