Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
36
DECALS AND PROCESSES FOR
TRANSFER_OF IMAGES TO S~BSTRATES
B~CKGROUND
Traditionally, the transEers of images, or, as they
are known within the industry, decals, are oE two types:
those which have a dry release and those which have a wet
release. This invention is related to decals wlth wet
release. Those which are available in the market, have an
image printed on a paper which has previously betn covered
with a layer soluble in water. When the decal is soalced
with water and pressed on a substrate, on the surface of
which the image is to appear, this layer dissolves and
becomes so~t, so that the paper may be removed, usually by
sliding or lifting, leaving the image on the deslred
surface.
The paper on which the image is printed i8 known as
a wet release decal paper, normally made up of a paper of
good quality which is coa~ed with a water soluble
emulsion, e.g " starch and gum. The paper may have been
specially treated in order to neutralize contraction and
expan~ion due to metereological condi~tions. The coated
paper is known as a "simplex" paper. If it is made to
adhere to another paper, it becomes a stronger klnd o
decai paper, known as a ~duplex" paper.
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The image may be printed on the decal paper with
known methods, such as printing, copying or drawin~
directly or in reverse, depending on the final surface.
Normallv, the printer begins by application of a coat of
lacqueJ or varnish on the decal paper surace.
Thereafter, he prints the image on the lacquer. Insteacl
of printing directly on the decal paper, the ima(3e cou~d
also be transferred from another paper, on which it had
been applied with known methods. Normally, the decal is
applied on the desired substrate with the use of an
adhesive, varnish, emulsion or solution of special kind,
etc. Before applying the decal, it is submerged in water
for a short while, whereaEter the decal is applied in it~.
exact position and the paper is .slid of~. The sliding-oEE
results from the dissolution in water of the decal's water
soluble layer.
As a variation, a decal paper is also made with a
lacquer or varnish coat already ovee the water soluble
layer. On this type o decal paper, lt is possible to
print directly on the coat of lacquer or varnish.
A transfer resulting from a decal on which the
image has been applied directly on the decal paper surface
is called a "direct ~rans~er." On the other hand, i-~ the
decal has an image which has been tran~Eerred from another
paper, on which it was originally applied, the tranqfer to
the substrate is called an indirect transfer.
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Dry release ~ecal papers, rather than coating the
paper with a water soluble layer, re]y on a coatin~ o a
dry release material such as silicone, polyethylene, or
other material that has little affinity for the layer of
lacque on which the image i~s to be printed or
tran.sferred. ~fter application o the ima~e to the fin~l
substrate, the paper backing o~ the decal is strip~-d o~E
with the dry release layer adhering to it.
The foregoing description i.s largely directe~l to
decals carrying images and made in Eactories to be ~rold to
users who effect the final transEer to a substrat~ ch
users may be producers of consumer products, e.g.,
T-shirts, or producers of metal or pla~stic items onto
which instructions, labels or decorations are to he
applied by decal, or hobbiests or artists who transfer to
canvas, cloth, ceramics, wood or metal. Th~ ulti~ate
user, however, may be involved in part of the manufacture
oE the decal itself, particularly in indirectly
transferring a picture or other image first to the coated
wet releaae decal paper or tlle dry release decal paper to
form ~he decal ltself, and then in transferring s~me to
the substrate.
In addition to the usual wet release paper caerying
a water-so1ub1e~coating of, e.g., dextrine, starch and/or
~um, which acts as a release layer when wetted, it has
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been suggested to use conventional coated papers, in which
the paper is first sized, as with starch, then a coating
comprising adhesive binders, pigments such as clay, casein
or other ~illers, is coated on one or both sides oE the
paper. ,uch papees are designed for printing on the
coated side resulting in high-gloss printing suitable ~or
magazine covers and art reproduc~ionx. When use(~ a w~
release decal paper, the coating serves to minimi~
penetration of the image into the paper, and on we~ting
acts to release the paper from the Eilm carrylng the
image. See Edwards U.S. Patent 3,334,003: Morgan ~?t al.
U.S. Patent 3,350,2~4.
A transfer utilizing a clay (and/or other pigment)
coated paper sometimes works well i~ the coating is easily
removed with water, as long as the transfer is indirect
and to an opaque surface. However, if transparency is
requiredl or the transfer is direct, the film carrying the
transferred image must be thoroughly cleaned. This ls due
to the fact that not only does the image transfer, but
also part of the clay and binder coating on which the
image was originally printed. Sometimes even a portion of
the paper fibers and pigmentation may transfer. ~11 oE
this results in a transferred image which is obscured by a
semi-opaque white layer. Normally, it is not pos.slble to
clean away this layer with water only, and a more potent
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only, and a more potent solution is requieed. Sodiurn
hydroxide may be utilized for this task, as is ment~oned
in some of the patent descriptions reEerring to ~such
transfers.
TH E I NVENT I ON
The present invention utill~.es a dry paper ~heet
base in which the pores of the paper have been ~illed with
solid material such that a surface thereof is not
substantially porous, i.e., the pores thereof have be~n
substantially sealed, but said surface is essentially free
from non-water-soluble opaque fitler material. ~ pla~stic
film is applied to said non-porou~s sur~ace, but does not
penetrate the same, even if the film is applied as an
aqueous emulsion of a film-foeming polymer or in other
liquid form and then solidified, because of the ~act that
the pores of the paper have been Eilled. An image to be
transferred is applied either on said non-porou~s paper
sur~ace before applying the plasttc film, or on the
plastic ~ilm after it has been applied, or both. Tlle
paper when wetted is easily releasable from the ~i]m and
image(s). ; ~
A convenient way oE providing the paper sheet base
is to subject a bond paper, or preferably a somewhat ~ .
harder paper, to coating only on one side with an~
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adhesive, or with an adhesive plus pigments as is
customary in preparing coated papers.
Before such application of coating, the pa~er is
ordinarily si~ed to improve water resistance. Si7Jing may
be int~rnal, i.e., the sizing, such as rosin and alum, is
mixed with the paper fibers before formation o the web.
Other materials may also be mixed with the fibers, .such as
starch and pi~ments. or the siæing may be externally
applied, as by treating one or both sides o~ the web with
starch or other gums, e.g., polyvinyl alcohol, gu.~r gurns,
that are water-soluble or readlly water-dispersible.
Opaque materials that are not water-soluble or di~peesib]e
should not be used on the side to which the plastic ~ilm
is to be applied. The sizing material, internally or
externally applied, will to some extent fill or .qeal pore~,
in the paper surace, but after sizing the paper wlll
still be somewhat porous.
The coating applied on only one side may be ju~st an
adhesive binder material, such as water-soluble binders,
e g., starches, or protein~ from milk tcasein) or
soybeans, or s~ch as latex binders, e.~.,
styrene~butadiene, polyvinyl acetate, or acrylic latices.
Preferably mineral pigments are admixed wlth binder to
provide the coating. Clay~is the least expensive pigment
and is almost aIways used. The other most commonly used
pigments are calcium carbonate and titanium dioxide.
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Sizing and coating operations and materials clre
well-known in the paper-making art. ~ee: "Paper and
Paperboard-Manufacturing and Converting Fundamentals, n
James E. Kline, Miller Freeman Pul)]ications, Inc., san
Francisco, pp. 127-150-.
As the coating is applied to the one side oE the
paper, the coating ingeedients penetrate the pores of the
paper to a sufficient extent that the pores of the
opposite, non-coated side are substantially sealed giving
a non-porous surface. The coated side will be glo..sy
while the uncoated side will be dull. Unless amount:s
and/or pressure not customary in paper making woul-l be
used in preparing the coated side, the pores of the paper
are filled but the surface o~ the uncoated side is
essentially free Erom the filler material. It ;s
postulated that the paper àcts as a filter that limits the
passaye of materials to the other .side, and that the
non-coated surface somehow act.s as a barrier to limit
passage through the surace to the outside. When a
plastic film is applied to the uncoated side it adlleres to
the paper but does not penetrate, and the paper when
wetted is easily separated from the f~ilm.~
When I say that tile poees of the paper are filled,
.~
or that the pores on the non-coate~side are sealed, or
that the non-coated side is non-porous, this is not meant
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in the absolute sense, but in the fllnctional sense that
this is sufficiently so to prevent the applied acrylic
emulsion or other l quid Eorm of polymer (that on drying
will form a plastic film) from penetrating to such an
extent ls;to prevent a rapid release of wetted paper from
film. A solution of film-orming p~lymer has a
considerable viscosity, so that filling or sealln~ o~
pores such that substantial penetration of the uncoated
surface will be inhibited will still allow watee, with a
much lower viscosity, to penetrate quickly when thl~ pape~
is wetted
It is perhaps theoretically possible to apply ju.~t
enough filler material (si7e, pigment, adhesive) to fill
the pores and leave none on either side of the paper. or
one could use an excess then scrape the surface to remove
the eXcess, though this would be expensive and likely to
leave residual filler material on the surface or damage
the paper. However, the pore-fil.liny proceduee is
forgiving, and it i9 preferred and gives reproducible
results to leave the coating. The coating of the one
s~de, oppos~te to the side onto whlch the plastic fi].m is
to be applied, serve~s another, important purpose. By ;~
being solidly bonded to the surface of the paper hy the
sizing and the adhesive holding the coating pigments tif
any) together, it reinforces the paper`~and makes it
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possible to remove it in one or a few large pieces, rather
than in small pieces, when the plastic film and the paper
are being separated from each other. This is very
important to the practicality of a decal.
A feature of my invention is that the surface o~
the uncoated side of the paper is essentially ~ree ~rom
~iller material. Mineral pigments are opaque and
- water-insoluble. If present on the sueface to which the
plastic ~ilm is applied, sufEicient pigment will adhere to
the film, when the paper has been wetted and liEted, to
cover the ~ilm or to create areas or blotches on the film
which will disfigure the image when positionéd on the
substrate. Material on the surEace that is trans~larent
when dry, or that is water-soluble and thus largely or
completely dissolved when the paper is wetted anA
separated and thus carried away with the paper or wiped
off when the separated ~ilm is dried, is not a problem; an
example would be starch sizing that might adhere to the
surface.
The plastic film is applied to the non-coated side
o~ tl~Q p~per ~ a~ ~n ~qu~oug ~mul8i~n oE a ~ilm-~ormlny
- polymer, e.g., an acrylic emulsion, or a polyvinyl
chloride emulsion including emulsions of vinyl
chloride/vinyl acetate copolymer. Or a lacquer with an
organic solvent base may be used. The liquid in any case
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is allowed to dry in air, or with the aid of heat, to rorrn
a solid film, usually accompanied by curin~, i.e.,
polymerizing or cross-linking.
A water emulsion of acrylic polymer has proved to
work well in forming the plastic film. The emulsion may
have a solids content of say 40 to 50%, dispersed in w.~ter
with the aid of a suitable nonionic emulsifier. ~ very
small amount of suitable de~oaming agent that prevents
formation of bubbles or the so called "orange peel" eEfect
as the coating dries should be added to the polyml~r. One
commercial product is Rhoplex AC-33 (Rohm and Haas
Company, Philadelphia, PA), an aqueous emulsion of an
acrylic polymer having a ~solid~; content of 46 to 47
percent, a p~ of 9 4 to 9.9, a weight per gallon o 8.9
pounds, and a minimum Eilm-formation temperature oE 9 C.
Rhoplex B-60A is also suitable.
~ lternatively, a thln pre-ormed plastic ~ilm --
say 1 to 5 mils in thickness - such as a vinyl or
polyurethane film, may be laminated to the non-coated side
of the paper with the aid of an adhesive and/or heat
and/or pr es su re.
When one is laminating with heat and pressu~e a
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pre-formed plastic film to the non-porous side o~ the
coated paper, a protective sheèt is placed between the
heat source~(such as a domestic iron) and the paper. I
have found that if a release paper, such as a silicone
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release paper, is used as the protective sheet,
uncontrollable bubbles appear in the laminate. U.se of ~
very open (porous) paper, such as tissue paper or a pap~r
napkin, as the protective sheet, avoids this by permitting
ventilation of the gases created by the heat. The
temperature and ironing time are kept within limits
(readily determined in any given case by simple
experiment), so as to prevent the plastic Eilm from
becoming liquid, as it then under the heat and pre~sl~re
penetrates even the otherwise substantially non-poro~s
surface of the paper sheet base to such an extent it is
not possible to separate the two.
One skilled in the art, having been given the
benefit of the present disclosure, can readily cletermine
by simple experiment suitable combinations of paperl
filler material and plastic ~ilm that will provide ready
release on wetting.
The image may be applied directly to the non~coated
side beore application of the plastic film, as by
painting, letterpress printing, xerographic printing
including the new so-called laser color printers, or in
any other manner. Alternatively, the image may be
similarly applied to the plastic Eilm. OE course more
than one image may be applied, and this normally occurs ln
color printlng. Images maY also be applied both ~o ~he
paper and to the plastic film. IE a pre-formed film is to
be lamlnated to the non~coated side of the paper, it could
carry image(s) on either or both sides.
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The ima~e(s) can be transferred to the desired
substrate in a number of difEerent ways. In any event,
the paper will be wetted, conveniently by soaking in water
for a short time (from less than one minute to abo~t ~ive
minutes). The film plus wetted paper can be readily
manipulated, yet they separate very easily. The wette(l
paper can be peeled (lifted) ofE more or less intact. I
have found that this separation occurs not only more
cleanly but also more rapidly than in the case where the
film is applied on the coated side of the paper.
In one procedure, the decal sandwich is w~ted, ~he
paper removed, and the film-plus-image applied to the
substrate. In another procedure, the wetted decal is
applied to the substrate (p]astic film against the
substrate) and the paper then removed. In another
procedure, the dry decal is applied to the substrate, then
the paper base wetted and removed.
In all Oe the applications, it is permissible and
o~ten desirable to utili~e adhesives b~tween layers, e.g.,
between paper and image, paper and pla.stic film, plastic
film/image and substrate.
i DRAWI~GS
The drawings are ampli~ied diagramatic cross-
sections of various decals and parts thereof, illu~strating
~ various aspects of the invention.
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Figure I shows a dry paper whose pores have been
filled as a consequence of applying a coating on one
surface, the other surface be;ng non-porous and Eree ~rom
filler.
Figure II shows the same, with a plastic film on
the non-coa~ed side of the paper.
Figure III shows the paper of Figure I, with fir!;t
an image and then a plastic film applled over the ima~e
and not penetrating the non-porous surEace o~ the paper.
Fi~ure IV is in a sense the reverse oE ~l~u~e ~rl,
with the plastic ilm applied first and then the ima~e.
Figure V shows the decal of Figure III, wlth the
wetted paper base being pulled away ~rom the film/image
layer.
~ igure VI shows the decal oE Figure IV beinq
applied to a substrate, with the wetted paper base being
lifted from the film/image layer.
FIgure VII shows the decal oE Figure III, wllh the
film/image layer transferred to an intermediate transfer
sheet, the wetted paper base of the Figure III dec~l being
11fted from the ilm/image layer.
Figure VIII shows the film/image layer on an
intermediate transfer sheet as sbown in Figure VII, bu~
with the wetted paper base removed and the film~image
layer' coveeed with a heat-activated adhesive polyester
~film and an ironing tissue over the~polyester film.
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Figure IX shows Figure VIII but with the
intermediate transfer sheet and the ironin~ tisslle removed
Figure X shows the decal oL Figure IX app]ied on a
substrate.
It will be appreciated that the Figures are merely
diagramatic. In actuality the paper sheets may ran(3e in
thickness from simple writing paper to considerably
thicker paper boards. The coating, plastic film and image
layers are quite thin, ranging from less than a mil (one
thousandth of an inch) to several mils, e.g., 5 mil, in
thickness.
DETAIL~D DESCRIPTION
Figure I illustrates the preferred paper sheet base
used in the invention. Application of a coating (2) of
filler mate~ial to one side of a sized paper (1) has
caused the pore~s of the paper to be filled without much
eÇfect on the uncoated side 3 of the paper, which is now
substantially non-porous but essentially ~ree from coating
substance. This operation is practiced commercially.
Suitable si~e is, among others, starch, gums and polyvinyl
alcohol. ~or the coating, clay, calcium carbonate and
`~titanlum dioxide, together witb an adhesive, such as
starch, latex, polyvinyl acetate and acrylics, may be
~ ~ used. It is within the skill of the art to choose
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formulations and application procedures suitable to
prepare papers for use in this invention.
Figure II illustrates the paper o~ Fiyure I, upon
the uncoated side (3) of which a plastic ~ilm (4) ha~s been
applied Most conveniently this may be done by coating
with an emulsion of a Eilm-orming polymer, e.g. r an
acrylic emulsion of, say, 40 to 50 weight per cent sol;ds,
the remainder being largely water. Such emulsions are
available commercially in a great variety o~ formulations
in which the particular polymer or mixture of polymers,
emulsifiers, plasticizers, air-activated polymeri7.~lti~n
catalysts, cross-linking agents, etc. and their
concentrations are chosen to give optimum balance oE
properties for various uses. T~e liquid formulatiQn
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quickly dries, in air or with the aid of a heating oven,
to a solid plastic film that does not penetrate the
non-porous surface of the paper. The paper, when wet with
water, is easily releasable from the ~ilm. ~s indicated
earlier, other plastics in liquid form may be used, or
pre-formed plastlc films may be laminated to the paper
surface, normally with the aid of heat and/or adheslve.
Figure III shows the paper of Figure I, upon th~
non-coated side (3) of~wh~ich have been applied, in
succession, an image (5) and a plastic ilm ~4).
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plastic film onto which an image has first been applied
could also be applied to surface (3) to give a ~ecal
represented by Figure III.
In Figure IV, the sandwich o~ Figure II h~s had an
image (5~ applied to the plastic film ~4).
In Figures III and IV the ~ilm ~4) and imag~ ~5)
are shown as discrete layers. Depending on their natures
and thicknesses, in practice they may tend to blend into a
film layer in which the components may not appear, even
with magnification, to be separate. Figure III ~how.s that
if lmage is applied first, the film will tend to E~ll ally
interstices and be in direct contact with the paper
sueface. In any event, because the pores oE the paper
were filled, neither the plastic ~ilm nor the image has
penetrated the paper ~urface which, therefore, when w~tted
is easiliy releasable Erom both image and plastic fi]m.
If one uses polymer inks for the image and a compatible
plastic coating or laminated film, the ink layer may
co-polymerize or cross-link with the film or be absoebed
therebyt resulting in a plastic film with the image
- ~ forming an integral part thereof.
In Figure V, ~the decal sandwlch of Figuee III has
been ~oàked briefly in room-temperature water and the
paper base (1) is being pulled away from the image and
film. The non-porous surface (3) of paper ~1) very easily
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releases. Coating (2) is shown intact, and in pr~cticewill stay so during the short period required to obtain
release. In act, if the coated surface (2) is roll~h~ne(l
slightly, the paper gets qulckly saturated with water, and
takes on a darker tone. However, it does not
disintegrate, and may be removed or lifted off froln the
film/image in one piece or a Eew~large pieces. This is
due to the fact that the size and pigmented adhesive
coating is water resistant to some degree, and keepc: the
paper (l) and coated s~rface (2) toyether as one unit,
which stays together during the period required ~o obt~in
full release between the paper surace (3) and the
film~image (4/5). An advantage of my invention i.s t.hat a
very short soaking time is required to obtain release
sometimes;just a few seconds, and seldom more than a ~ew
minutes, e.g., 5 minutes. A prior patent in which image
and film are applied on the coated side of a coatecl paper
uses 30 minutes of soaking.
The film/image released as shown in Figure V can be
dried and applied to a substrate, usually employin~ c~n
adhesive. In the case of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or
polyurethane~film, it can be adhered to windows or other
glass for decoration,~or to a chalkboard in the school
room for instruction, solely by clinging to the sur~ace,
presumably by electrostatic charges.
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Figure VI shows the application of the decal o~
~igure IV, wetted, to a substrate (6), which coulcl be
glass, ceramic, wood, paper, or any other solid ma~:eria1.
The paper base (l) is shown being peeied away, i.~.,
lifted, from the filmJimage (4/5) on the substrate (6).
Figure VII show~ a special appllcation o~ ~-hi-
invention, used in conjunction with the invention
disclosed in my copending Canadian Patent application
Serial No. 539,516 filed June 12, 1987.
It is sometimes desirable to u~e an inteem~ .e
transfer sheet to carry the ilm/image from a decal o~ th~
present invention to an ultimate use. ~n interme~ te
carrier is needed ~henever one wishes to transfer a
picture that has been printed ~right.~ By direct
application on the substrate, 5uch as in Figure VI, the
transferred image will appear in rever.se, i.e., a.~ a
mirror image. However, iE it is first tran.sferre~l to a
transfer support (~ntermediate carrier), it will appear
there in reverse and after re-transfer to the subs~rate,
it will be seen right, i.e., as it was printed.
The aforementioned patent application teache~, that
a paper sheet base with porous surface may have applied to
it a plastic film that will adhere well to the porou.r.
surace and adopt the texture of the same but not
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20~3~586
penetrate it, and that when the paper sheet base har been
saturated with water the adhesion to the plastic ~;lm will
be substantially released but they will withstan(l
substantial forces in the plane o~ the sheet without
causing separation. This allows ready handling oE ~he
decal sandwich, yet when it has been applied to the
desired substrate the wet paper ~sheet base i~s ea ily
lifted from the plastic ilm.
In ~igure VII, the decal o~ ~igure III hls heen
soaked in water and pressed with its plastic sheet Cace
(4) against the porous sueface (8) ~E a paper Bristo]
board (7), that may be dry or that has been soaked in
water. The paper sheet base tl) of the decal oE ~iqure
III is being pulled away ~rom its film/image layer, which
remains on the surface (8) o paper (7) which thus r.erves
as an intermediate transfer sheet. Image (5) now ~ppears
on the transfer sheet (7) in reverse. Paper (7) c.lrryin~
film (4) and image (5) can then be used wet, as t~lght in
thè aforesaid paten~ application, to apply the fi~m/image
to a Qubstrate and the image (5) will appear ~rl~l-t" on
the substrate.
It may be mentioned here that instead of usln~ a
paper with porous surEace as an intermediate transEer
sheet, which when wet will release the transferred film as
just described, one may use a one-side coated paper of
Figure 1 as an intermediate transfer sheet with the
uncoated surace receiving the film to be transferred.
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Figure VIII shows the decal of Figure VII, a~ter
the paper ~1) has been removed and the image/f ilm ~ 5/~ )
covered with a heat activated adhesive polye.ster fi].m (9),
over which an ironing tissue (10) has been placed.
Figure IX shows Figure VIII after the heat
activated adhesive fi].m (9) has been ironed on to tlle
image/film (5/4), and the intermed;.ate carrier paper (7),
as well as the ironing tissue (10) h~ve been remove~l by
.soak.ing in water. Like the decal shown in Figure V, I:h.is
one may be used for overhead projectionr an~l wl.l.l clinq to
a number of suraces if wetted slightly.
~; Figure X shows the decal of Figure IX appl.ie-l on a
substrate (6), such as a T-shirt, the Eilm/image (4/5)
firmly adhering to the fabric by mean.s of the heat
activated adhesive ilm (9).
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EXAMPLES
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In each of the ~ollowing examples, one of the
following two papers was used as the one-side
coated paper sheet ba.se: they are similar and give
substantially equlvalent results: :
- Kimbeely~Clark 100 gram paper. Sized ~rom both
sides with starch. Coated on one side with pigment
plus adhesive binder. The white coating pi.gment
:
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is largely clay, with ~mal] amounts oE calcillmcarbonate and titanium dioxide.
- Similar paper from San Rafael S.A. de C.V.
Both oE these papers are made in Mexico and can he
purchased on the open market.
Transfers of Pictures Located on Other Papers
Example 1: A magazine picture was transferr~ o a
wood plaque in the following manner:
a) The picture was cut out with a margin oE 1/~
inch. ~ piece of one-side coated paper in
accordance with ~igure 1, intended to serv~? a~
the support sheet Eor the transfer, with a
; margin of 1/2 inch in relatlon to the m~gazine
paper was also cut out.
b) The picture and the non-coated side oE the
support sheet were each given one coat oE a ~6
solid content acrylic polymer emulsion.
c) Without waiting Eoc the acrylic coatin~ to dry,
the coated picture, face down, was applied over
the acrylic coating o~ the support she~t.
Pressure was applied, and the laminate ~et
aside to dry.
d) After a suEicient period of drying, the
laminate was placed on a papee towel, p~per
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backing oE picture up. Water was applied over
the paper backing, utiliæing a spon~e. Care
was taken that no water reached the r~v~rC;e
side of the support sheet.
e) A~ter a few mlnutes, the magazine paper got
saturated with water, and ~;eparated ~ro~ the
picture, which remained on the support sheet,
firmly adhering to the acrylic pla.st;c ~ilm
coating. (Water may spill over the e-l-3(s oE
the picture, without any harm done, a.~ Ihe
whole o~ the support c.heet i5 covered wi~
acrylic coating. ~lowever, it mu~t not be
permiteed to enter beyond the edges o~ the
support sheet).
f) The support sheet with the picture, appearing
in reverse, w~s trimmed to the desired shape
and size.
g) The laminate was submerged in water ~or a ~ew
minutes.
h1 The laminate was p]aced on a paper napkin,~
reverse image up, and coated with the s~lme
acrylic emulsion.
i) The lamlnate was p].aced in position on A piece;
of wood, coated reverse side of picture down.
:'
Pressure was applied.
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j) After a few minutes, water was applied over the
support sheet, which became saturated in a few
minutes, whereater the paper was removed, with
care, as the emulsion was still wet, leavlng
the picture adhering to the wood plaque, the
bond still in the stage of drying. (The two
previous coatings, the one of the picture ~nd
the one of the support ~sheet, which were
completely dry, give the ima~e suÇEi(-ien~:
support during this application).
Example 2^ An art reproduction was tran--.rerred to
canvas in the following manner:
a) The picture was cut out with a margin oE l/~
inch. A support paper of Figure I, with a
margin o~ 1/2 inch in relation to the art
reproduction paper was also cut out
b) The picture and the non-coated side of the
:
support sheet were each given one coat oE a 46
solid content acrylic polymer emulsion.
c) After a sufflcient period ~or the coatlngs to
dry to the touch, about lO minutes, the coated
~ picture~was placed, ace down, over the acrylic
y emulsion coated surface o~f the support paper.
The sandwich~was covered with a tissue paper,
and heat and~pressure we~re applied,~causing the
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two acrylic layers to form a strong bond, and
the printing ink layer to become part oL the
joint layer.
d) Thereafter, the laminate was placed on a papee
towel, paper backing o picture up. Water was
applied over the paper backing, utili~ing a
sponge. Care was taken that no water re~ched
the reverse side oE the support sheet.
e) ~fter a few minutes, the art reproduction 1-aper
backing, which was a coated letterpress paper,
; got saturated with water, and separated ~rom
the picture, which remained on the support
sheet, firmly adhering to the acrylic coatlng.
(Water may spill over the edges o~ the pic~ure,
,
without any harm done, as the whole o~ the
support sheet is covered with acrylic coating.
However, it must not be permitted to enter
beyond the edges o~ the support sheet).
~ .
f) The support sheet with the picture appe~ring in
reverse, i.e., as a mirror image, was tr~immed
to the desired shape and size.
~; ; g) The laminate was submerged in water for a ew
minutes.
h) The laminate was placed on a paper napkin,
reverse image up, and coated with the .same
acrylic emulsion.
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2~858~
i) The laminate was placed in position on ~ piece
of canvas, which had previously been ~iven a
coat of white acrylic palnt, coated eev~rse
side of picture down. Heat and pressure were
applied, utilizing a do~estic iron.
j) Thexeafter, water was applied over the support
sheet, which becarne ~saturated in a Eew ~inutes,
whereafter it was removed, leaving the picture
adhering to the canvas, protected by th~ l~yer
of acrylic lacquer.
Transfer of Pictures Located on the Support Paper,
Including Utilizatio~n o~F a Tis~sue or Bond P~per ~e
Ironinq and Lamination
Example 3: An image was printed "righ~on the
non-coated side of a paper in accordance with Fi~ure I,
utilizing vinyl base printing ink.s. The printed sheet
was, thereafter placed with the printed side in contact
with a 2 mil thick film o~ polyvinyl chloride, supported
by a paper napkin. Tissue paper was placed over the
support paper, whereaftee the sandwich was ironed Eor 20
seconds at a setting of the iron between wool and cotton,
about 150 C. The laminate~ was thereafter submerged in
water for a few minu~es, whereafter the tissue and picture
paper backing were removed, and the surface cleaned. The
sheet of PVC fllm was then trimmed to desired shape and
size, and utilized as an electro-statlc decal, cllnging to
glass, through which it was viewed.
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2~85i86
Example 4: A photocopy oE a woodworking patteen
was first copied on a sheet of transparent plastic,
whereafter the resultant transparency was copied on to a
paper in accordance with Figure I non-coated side, on
which ~surface it appeared in reverse, i.e., as a mirror
image. The pattern thereafter, was given two coats ~E
acrylic polymer emulsion, and the coating cured by placin~
a release paper over it, when dry to the touch, and
ironing with a dome~tic 1at-iron at polyester settin~ for
2 minutes. The piece o~ wood was als.o given a o~l~ o~ the
acrylic polymer emul.sion ln the area where the pattern wc~s
to be applied. Next, the coated ~)hotocopy was suhmerged
in water for 5 minutes, whereaEter lt was removecl an(l
pressed down ln the desired position on the piece oE woodr
face down. Using a sponge and some water, the support
sheet was removed, leaving the pattern clinging to the
coated wood surface. The transfer was wlped clean and dry
and air bubbles sponged out, whereafter it wa.s given a
coat of the same acrylic polymer emul.sion. A~ter a while,
the transfer surface became dry to the touch, while the
underside bec.ame tacky, through~molecular mlgration, the~
bond obtainlng full strength in a matter of 24 hours.
Example 5- A~color laser copy was obtained;on the
non-coated side of a paper in accordance with Figure I,
the copy appe~ring in reverse, i.e., as a mirror image,
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which had been achieved by placlng the negative, ~rom
which the copy was made, in reverse in the copying
machine. The picture was given two coats of acrylic
emulsion, which layer was then cured in the manne~ st~ted
in Rxamp]e 4. The sheet was theeeafter submerged in water
for 5 mLIlutes, whereafter it wa.s placed on a pape~ tow-],
face up, cleaned and given a cocit o acrylic polymer
emulsion. While the emul.sion wa~s still wet, the sheet was
placed in desired position on a sheet of art canvas, Eace
down. ~eat and pressure wa.s applied, utilizing a heat
transfer machine. Water was, therea~ter, applied to the
support paper, which ~as removec3 in a matter oE second~,
leaving the picture fi~mly ac]herin~ to-the c.lnvar., havin~
adopted its texture.
; Example 6: A picture, printed riqllt on the support
sheet non-coated side, was covered with one coat oL a PVA
(polyvinyl acetate) based clear emulsion, which wa.s
thereafter cured in an oven. The coated picture was then
laminated to a sheet of transparent PVC (polyvinyl
chloride) ~ilm, utilizing a dome.stic iron. In order not
to destroy the P~C film surface, it was covered with
tissue paper, and the time and temperature of the
lamination so adjus~ted that the tissue paper~.stuck to the
~` surface of the PVC film, hut could still be removed with
water. Next, the laminate was submerged in water for a
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few minutes, whereafter the tissue and the .support .she~t
were removed, leaving the picture adhering to the PVC
surface, in reverse if viewed Erom the picture ~side, an
right if seen through the film. The film with the
trans~er was thereafter placecl with the picture ag(~in~
the uncoated surface of a s.heet of white adhesive coa~ed
vinyl, having a release liner protecting the adhesive
side. The laminate was covered with a tissue paper and
ironed with a domestic flat iron for 20 second~ at an iron
setting hetween wool and cotton. ~rh~ tissue pap~e wa5
thereafter removed with a sponge and some water, leaving
the transferred picture adhering to the sheet of w~lite ~VC
film, protected by the transparent fllm to which ~:he
picture was originally transferred, the end product
laminate belng a so-called bumpersticker. When used, the
release liner of the white PVC Eilm is first removed,
whereafter the adhesive film carrying the picture i.s
applied on the bumper or other desir~ed sur~ace.
Example 7: A pattern, intended to be painted after
transfer, was first copied in reverse on the non-coated
side of a ~uppor~t sheet o~ this invention and, therea~ter,
coated with a layer of PVA based emul~Sion. After curing~
in an oven, the coated pattern was laminated to a ~ilm o~
white polyurethane plastic,~with the coated pattern in
contact with the polyuretha`ne fil~m, using a domestic
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iron. During the lamination, the filrn was covered with a
tissue paper, to protect its sur~ace. The laminate was,
therea~ter, trimmed to desired sllape and si~e, wherea~ter
it was submerged in water. After a few minutes, the
tissue and support paper were removed, leaving the pattern
adhering to the surface o~ the film. The pattern wa.s,
thereafter, covered with a heat curable polyvinyl acet.lte
based paste to protect it and to rnake the transEer s.oEt,
the paste remaining creamy un~ il heated~ T~le dec;ll was
then placed in desired position on a sweatshirt, witl~ the
white polyurethane film in contact with the abr;.c. The
laminate was covered with a silicone coated relea.se pal~er
and ironed-on to the sweatshirt, utillzing a domestic iron
at ~cotton" setting dueing 60 seconds. After a period of
cooling,''the release paper was removed, leaving the
transferred'pattern integrated with the fabric, ready for
painting.
Rxample 8: A picture, intended for tran.~.fer to a
white T-shirt, Was printed on the .support ~sheet non-coated
side, whereafter it was laminated to a 1 mll tran.sparent
polyurethane filmj using a polyvinyl acetate (PV~) basecl
adhesive. The ;laminate was submerged in water for a ~ow
minutes, whereafter the .support sheet was removed, thc ~ ;
print adhering to the polyurethane fllm, in reverse. The
film was, thereafter, placed on a paper towel, rever.se
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picture up. This was cleanedt whereafter it was covered
with another sheet of 1 mil transparent polyurethane film,
which was then laminated over the reverse picture, by
covering with a paper napkin and using a domestic iron, at
~wool~ setting, ~or 20 seconds. The laminate was then
trimmed to the desirec3 shape, whereafter it was placed
reverse side down in position on the T-shirt, covered with
a release paper, and ironed-on to the abric for 60
seconds at ~cotton.~ AEter a period of cooling, the
release paper was rem~ved, leaving the decal integrated in
the fabric oE the T-.shirt.
Example 9: ~ picture, intended for trans~er to a
pair of blue jeans, was printed on the support sheet
non-coated side, wherea~ter it was laminated to a 1 mil
transparent polyurethane Eilm, using a polyvinyl acetate
(PV~) based adhesive. The laminate was submerged in water
Eor a few minutes, wherea~ter the support sheet was
removed, the print adherlng to the polyurethane film, in
reverse. The fi].m was, thereafter, placed on a paper
towel, reverse picture up. This was cleaned, whereafter
it was covered with a sheet of 1 mil white polyueethane
f ilm, which was then laminated over the reverse picture,
covered with a tissue paper, u5ing a domestic iron,~at
~wool~ setting, for 20 seconds. The tissue paper was
removed and the laminate was then trimmed to the desired
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shape, whereaEter it was placed, picture up, in ro.~i.tion
on the jeans, covered with a rele<~se paper, and i~on~d-on
to the fabric Eor ~0 seconds at ~cotton. n ~fter a ~eriod
of cooling, the release paper was removed, leavin~ the
decal integrated in the denim Eabric of the jeans.
Example 10: ~ one-side coated paper in accorrlance
with Figure I was coated on the.non-c~atecl .s.ir3e w;.~h
pressure-sensitive adhesive, whlch layer wa.s then covered
for protection with a .silicone-coated relea!.e l.in(~l. Ihis
adhesive-coated sheet was then set a.side for use as
described later in this ~xample.
A color laser copy was obtained on the non-coated
side of a paper in accordance with F~gure I. The copy was
given two coats of an acrylic emulsion. After a period o~
2 hours, the coated copy was submerged i.n water, together
with a sheet of white ~paper board havlng a porous
surface. ~fter 5 minutes of soaking, the coated pict~re
and the board were~removed from the water an~ re.spect.ive
surfaces wiped clean of superfluous water. The coated
picture was thereafter placed with its coated surEace in
contact with the boa~rd surface, and pressed down with the
finger tips in order to obtain good contact. The picture ~ :
paper backiny was thereafter penetrated at the
:
center,whereafter it~ was removed entirely, which wa.s done ~:
: in~a few large p.iecés oE paper. ~The~ picture, now .in
reverse and complete~ly free from any~paper re~ts, was :
wiped dry.
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~ ressure sensitive adhesive was then applied to the
picture by use of the adhesive coated sheet described at
the beginnin-3 o~ ttliS Example. The release liner was
removed from that .sheet and the sheet submerged in water
Eor 5 minutes. lt was then ~ressed with its adhesive side
against the treverse) picture s~pported on the wet paper
board. The coated paper sheet ba~e backing o~ the
adhesive, having béen wetted, was readily removed, leaving
the pressure sensitive adhesive on the surface of the
picture.
The adhesive side o~ the resulting l~minate was
then pre~ssed into contact with the surEace of a T-shirt.
The paper board, whicll was still wet, was then removed,
leaving the picture right sic`e up on the T-shirt, but wit?o
little or no adhesion becau3e th~ ~?ressure-sensitive
adhesive was still wet. The picture was covered with a
sllicone-treated release paper and ironed for one minute
at a setting between highest wool and cotton (about 175
C). AEter a ew minute~s oE cooling the ironin~ sheet was
removed, leaving the picture ~irmly adhering to the fabric
of the T-shirt.
Example 11: The fe~sibility of manufacturing
decals for commercial use was tested in the ~ollowing
manner:
An image was printed in offset (in reverse) on the
non-coated side of a paper in accordance with
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Figure I, using the same printing inks inl:ent3ed ~or
the production. The imaqe was therea~ter ~iven one
coat of an acrylic emulsion of the same kind to l~e
used in the coat.ing machine where the production
coating would be made. F`inally, the coated ima~
was given one coat of a pressure-sens:itive
adhesive, and covered with a release liner, a.ll oE
which was to be made in the coating mach.i.ne dur.il1y
the production stage. The resultant decal.~ w~re
then tested as follows:
a) The relea~se llner was removed.
' b) The decal was .submer~ed in water or 3
minutes.
'
c) The decal was removed from the water and
superfluous water was wiped away,
whereafter the decal was placed in the
desired position, w.ith the
pressure-sensitive adhesive i~n cont~1ct with
the substrate.
d) The decal w~s pressed down with the inyer
tips, in order to obtain good contact.
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e) The image paper backlng was removed.
Example 12: ~ decal was prepared an~ appl.ir~d on a
T-shirt in the same manner as described in Example ll. In
order to make the decal mach.ine washable, a sixth step was
added, as follows:
f) The trans~erred picture wa.s covered with a
silicone coated re].ea.~e paper, an(l ;roned
for one minute with a flat aome.stic ;.ron at
a "wool" temperature setting. AEter a
short period o cooling, the relea.~e pap~r
was removed, leavlrlg the tranq~errea image
permanently adheFing to the ~abric.
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