# US 8,464,363 B2 · Article of apparel with a coated graphic > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,464,363 B2 - Document ID: US8464363B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/365,064 - Filed: 2009-02-03 - Published: 2010-08-05 - Granted: 2013-06-18 - Earliest claimed: 2009-02-03 - Assignees: NIKE, Inc. - Applicants: Eric Wayne Halverson; Steven McClard - Inventors: Eric Wayne Halverson; Steven McClard - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8464363B2 ## CPC - B41J 2/325: by selective transfer of ink from ink carrier, e.g. from ink ribbon or sheet - B44C 1/1712: {Decalcomanias applied under heat and pressure, e.g. provided with a heat activable adhesive} - A41D 19/0051: {Decorations} - A41D 19/01558: {using a layer of grip improving material (A41D19/01552 takes precedence)} - A63B 71/148: {Gloves for bowling and other ball games} - B32B 38/145: {Printing} - Y10T 156/10: Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor - Y10T 156/108: Flash, trim or excess removal - Y10T 428/24612: Composite web or sheet - Y10T 428/24868: Translucent outer layer - B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS - B44C: PRODUCING DECORATIVE EFFECTS (processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces, in general B05D; shaping of plastics or substances in a plastic state B29C; printing processes to produce transfer pictures B41M3/12; thermographic duplication or marking methods B41M5/00); MOSAICS; TARSIA WORK (imitation of mosaic or tarsia work patterns B44F11/04); PAPERHANGING {(labels G09F; multi-step processes for making paper labels or tags B31D1/02)} - A41D: OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) - B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A method of applying a graphic to an article is disclosed. The method includes applying a graphic to a backer material and covering the backer material with a clear protective layer, which may be silicone, to help prevent degradation of the graphic with time and use. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A glove comprising: a backer material forming an entire palmar side of the glove; a dye sublimated graphic printed directly on the backer material and covering all of the backer material; and a protective layer applied over the backer material, wherein the graphic is disposed between the protective layer and the backer material, and the backer material is combined with one or more additional portions of the glove to form the glove, and wherein the protective layer is a transparent silicone and the graphic is visible through the protective layer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The article of apparel according to claim 1, wherein the graphic comprises one or more dyes arranged on the backer material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The article of apparel according to claim 2, wherein the article of apparel is a glove and a material of the protective layer has a higher coefficient of friction than the backer material. ### Claim 4 A glove comprising: a backer material having a metacarpal region and a plurality of phalangeal regions and forming an entire palmar portion of the glove, the backer material having a first surface and an opposite second surface facing away from a hand of a wearer, and the backer material incorporating at least one of a textile material, a polymer material, a polymer foam material, a leather material, and a synthetic leather material; a dye sublimated graphic printed directly on the backer material in the metacarpal region and the phalangeal regions; and a protective layer applied over all of the backer material in a manner that disposes the graphic between the backer material and the protective layer, wherein (a) the backer material has a first portion disposed on a first side and a second portion disposed on a second side opposite the first side, (b) the graphic extends from the first surface through the first portion, (c) the backer material has a first thickness, the protective layer has a second thickness, and the second thickness is greater than the first thickness, (d) the backer material is combined with one or more additional portions of the glove to form the glove, (e) the protective layer is a transparent layer, and (f) the graphic is visible through the protective layer. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The glove according to claim 4, wherein the protective layer includes silicone. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The glove according to claim 4, wherein the graphic includes a plurality of graphic regions disposed over a substantial majority of the metacarpal region and the phalangeal regions. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The glove according to claim 6, wherein the graphic regions are raised portions of the glove. ### Claim 8 A glove comprising: a first material element forming an entire palmar side of the glove, the first material element having a metacarpal region and a plurality of phalangeal regions, the first material element having a first surface facing away from a hand of a wearer and an opposite second surface, and the first material element incorporating at least one of a textile material, a polymer material, a polymer foam material, a leather material, and a synthetic leather material; a dye sublimated graphic printed directly on the first surface and covering all of the first surface, the graphic extending from the first surface through a first portion of the first material element, and the graphic not extending through a second portion of the first material element; a protective layer applied over all of the first surface in a manner that disposes the graphic between the first material element and the protective layer, the protective layer being a transparent silicone, and the printed graphic being visible through the protective layer; and one or more additional material elements, the first material element being combined with the one or more additional material elements to form a structure that extends around and contacts the hand of the wearer.