Process for dimensionalizing flocked articles or wear, wash and abrasion resistant flocked articles
AssigneeHigh Voltage Graphics, Inc.
InventorLouis Brown Abrams
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In one embodiment, a method for producing a decorative article, comprising: (a) providing a flocked surface, the flocked surface comprising a plurality of flock fibers and an activatable adhesive, wherein the activatable adhesive is less than 50% activated; (b) dimensionalizing the plurality of flock fibers, such that a first set of fibers is embedded to a greater distance in the activatable adhesive than a second set of fibers; and (c) after dimensionalizing, at least substantially fully activating the activatable adhesive to form the decorative article.
Claims28
An article manufactured by steps comprising:
- (a) providing a flocked surface, the flocked surface comprising a plurality of flock fibers and a pre-formed, self-supporting, solid, and thermosetting adhesive film, the thermosetting adhesive film being in a reversible state:
- (b) dimensionalizing the plurality of flock fibers to form compressed and uncompressed fibers, wherein the compressed fibers are embedded to a greater distance in the thermosetting adhesive film than the uncompressed fibers;
- and wherein the compressed and uncompressed fibers form a three-dimensional and pre-determined design;
- and
- (c) after dimensionalizing, activating the thermosetting to an irreversible state, the activated thermosetting adhesive film permanently locking the compressed and uncompressed fibers in position and form the decorative article.
The article of 6, wherein the support layer has the following properties:
- (i) a specific gravity of at least about 0.75;
- and
- (ii) a thickness of at least about 5 mil.
An intermediate decorative product, comprising:
- (a) a plurality of compressed and uncompressed flock fibers;
- and
- (b) a thermosetting adhesive film, wherein the thermosetting adhesive is in a reversible state, wherein the compressed fibers are embedded to a greater distance in the thermosetting adhesive film than the uncompressed fibers;
- and wherein the compressed and uncompressed fibers form a three-dimensional and selected design.
A decorative product, comprising:
- (a) a plurality of compressed and uncompressed flock fibers;
- and
- (b) a thermosetting adhesive film, wherein the thermosetting adhesive film is in the irreversible state, wherein the compressed fibers are embedded to a greater distance in the thermosetting adhesive film than the uncompressed fibers;
- and wherein the compressed and uncompressed fibers form a three-dimensional and controlled design.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.