Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Readily Replaceable Image Graphic Web
Field of Invention
This invention relates to readily replaceable image graphics.
Background of Invention
Image graphics are omnipresent in modern life. Images and data that
warn, educate, entertain, advertise, etc. are applied on a variety of interior
and
exterior, vertical and horizontal surfaces. Nonlimiting examples of image
graphics
range from posters that advertise the arrival of a new movie to warning signs
near
the edges of stairways.
Readily replaceable image graphics are needed for those occasions
when the length of time the graphic needs to remain at the intended location
is
limited to a short duration, often with a replacement image graphic
substituting for
the image graphic to be removed. An example of an expected replacement image
graphic is the movie poster identified above.
Readily replaceable image graphics require both the "staying power"
when placed on the horizontal or vertical surface and the "leaving ease" when
the
image graphic is to be removed. Among different kinds of readily replaceable
image graphics are films that have an image on one major surface and a field
of
adhesive on the opposing major surface. Again, movie posters and other bills
are
often adhered to a surface. If the adhesive is pressure sensitive and capable
of being
readily removed without leaving adhesive residue, then the poster can be
posted
with staying power and removed with leaving ease.
However, not all surfaces are not amenable to pressure sensitive
adhesives. In these circumstances, the adhesive contact interface with the
surface
can fail prematurely. Inadequate staying power is worse than inadequate
leaving
ease. Therefore, pressure sensitive adhesives on films can be formulated to
overcompensate for the possibility of inadequate staying power on uneven or
low
energy surfaces where pressure sensitive adhesives can have the most
difficulty
remaining adhered for the intended duration.
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Mechanical fasteners are also another method of erecting graphic
images. Methods such as staples or tacks have limited utility, as many
surfaces are
not amenable to such fastening techniques, or the underlying surface will
become
damaged by the fasteners. Other methods such as frames with friction clips (on
many transport buses), windowed cases, or poster boards made of natural (i.e.,
cork) or synthetic materials (i.e., polystyrene foam) can also be used for
replacement graphics. However, these approaches have the limitation of
requiring a
substantial initial investment to place the first graphic. Further, the
graphic is
limited in size by the mounting method. In the case of a frame, the size of
the
graphic must be controlled to within a few millimeters, or the frame will not
hold
the graphic. All of the above methods suffer from the fact that the fastener
detracts
from the graphic image, and in many cases the fastener detracts from the
impact of
the graphic.
1 S Summary of Invention
The present invention solves problems in the art of providing readily
replaceable image graphics by avoiding the use of pressure sensitive adhesives
on
the major surface opposite the image surface yet providing a mating or meshing
action with a substrate, i.e., "substrate mating surface".
The present invention solves problems in the art by providing an
image graphic mating web comprising a major surface comprising an imageable
area
and an opposing major surface comprising a nonadhesive substrate mating
surface.
The present invention also solves the problem of traditional
mechanical fasteners by hiding the fastening method behind the graphic image
Nonlimiting examples of substrate mating surfaces include surfaces
that employ at least one element of mechanical fasteners in mating systems as
are
marketed under the brands Velcro (Velcro USA, Inc., Manchester, New
Hampshire);
Scotchmate (3M, St. Paul, Minnesota); and Dual Lock {3M) and as are also
disclosed in U.S. Patent Numbers 4,761,318; 4,973,326; 5,066,289; 5,077,870;
5,196,266; 5,312,387; 5,316,849; 5,537,722; 5,554,146; European Patent
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Publication 0 426 359; and PCT Patent Publications WO 9603954 and WO
9621413.
Desirably, the invention uses a mechanical fastener element where
the head of the element is larger than the stem in at least one direction
traverse to
the stem. Nonlimiting examples of mechanical fastener elements meeting this
description are included in the disclosures and products identified in the
paragraph
immediately above, and particularly include stem/head mechanical fastener
elements
such as hooks in the shape of an "inverted J", a "T", and other
configurations.
Preferably, the invention is comprised of, but not limited to, a
flexible polyolefin material that is shaped on the substrate contact surface
into
capped posts that resemble mushrooms (referred to herein as "mushroom-type
hooks"). The imageable surface opposing side is smooth and is capable of being
processed to accept an image graphic.
Nonlimiting examples of processing capable of making the major
surface imageable include surface modification techniques such as Corona
Treatment; liquid coatings dissolved or suspended in either organic solvents
or
water; or a 100% solids polymeric material that can be extruded or coextruded
onto
the surface.
The image can be formed by any conventional method. Nonlimiting
examples include solvent based inks, 100% solids ultraviolet curable inks,
inkjet
printing, thermal transfer imaging and electrostatic transfer imaging.
An image graphic mating web of the present invention can then be
mated to a substrate that has at least a portion of its surface comprising a
companion mating element, whether a companion element to a mechanical fastener
or a loop structure that interacts with hooks of the substrate mating surface
of the
image graphic mating web.
Preferably, the nature of mating described as "hook and loop"
systems forms the bond. Nonlimiting examples of such systems are disclosed in
U.S. Patent Numbers 4,973,326; 5,066,289; 5,077,870; 5,196,266; 5,312,387;
5,316,849; 5,537,722; 5,554,146; European Patent Publication 0 426 359; and
PCT Patent Publications WO 9603954 and WO 9621413; and copending,
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coassigned U.S. patent application serial no. 08/611,351 (Johnson et al.); the
disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein.
One advantage of hook and loop systems is that the loop portion of
the system can be a conventional material used in a conventional setting, such
as
carpeting, fabric wall coverings, woven and non-woven materials designed to
accept the hook portion of the system. Alternatively, the loop portion can be
removably attached to a desired surface.
A further advantage of the loop system is that the higher internal
strength of many loop systems compared to most films and paper substrates
allows
the use of a pressure sensitive with higher "staying power", while still
affording
relatively clean and easy removal. In addition, the mating loop can be
supplied with
any number of pressure sensitive adhesives with various levels of "staying
power",
to match the characteristics of the underlying surface. Further, the loop can
be
fastened by alternative methods such as nails, staples, tacks or even wet
adhesives in
water and/or organic solvents that can be applied by methods such as brushing,
troweling, spraying or self contained aerosol cans.
The advantage of the "hook and loop" system is that no matter how
the loop is attached to the underlying surface, the mating action of the loop
with the
hook remains unaffected. In practical terms, this means the printer or graphic
image
producer needs only to stock one type of imageable hook substrate that can be
used for a large variety of applications.
An image graphic mating web of the present invention can be mated
with a loop portion and later removed, in order to mount a new graphic. This
process can be repeated for the life of the webs, which can vary from a few to
thousands of applications.
A feature of this invention over the prior art is that the image
graphic mating web is designed to be the printable substrate for the graphic.
Among the advantages of the invention that flow from this feature are the
following:
1. Compared to conventional pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA)
graphic webs, the image graphic mating web does not require a coating of PSA,
or
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a silicone coated liner. The elimination of the silicone coated liner serves
two
purposes: (a) the liner is an costly component of the graphic film that is
discarded
after application of the graphic; and (b) a bulky used liner creates disposal
or
recycling problems for the user of the graphic. In other words, the web of
present
invention produces less waste during production, and less waste during
installation.
2. The image graphic mating web is faster to install than a PSA
coated graphic, and this method allows for a more predictable removal. While
the
image graphic mating web does require a loop structure to be applied first,
even
the need for this step would not involve a significant time penalty to the
graphic
installer, because the loop is much easier to install than a PSA film graphic.
Further, because the loop is hidden by the graphic image, small defects can be
tolerated, and larger defects such as wrinkles can be cut out and replaced. In
fact,
exact placement and squareness are not as critical because the loop can be
mounted in a larger size than ultimately needed, and subsequently can be
trimmed
square to the proper size. After the initial installation of the loop,
mounting of the
image graphic mating web is extremely fast, even for a novice installer.
3. An image graphic mating web is more easily repositionable and
removable. Current PSA graphic films require an expert installer to achieve a
defect-free application, and even in the hands of a person skilled in the art,
the
repositionable feature can be limited. Further, the PSA graphic films can not
be
removed and reused under normal circumstances, due to the fact that the film
is
distorted during removal and the fact that the PSA must be protected during
storage. In contrast, an image graphic mating web can be mounted and
repositioned a number of times until the desired result is achieved.
4. The mechanical fastening aspect of the image graphic mating web
allows for maximum bond strength to be achieved immediately, while allowing
for
easy removal without distorting the graphic long after the graphic has been
mounted. Theoretically, this time interval is only limited by the working life
of the
webs.
Image graphic mating webs also have a number of advantages over
the current art of using hook and loop materials for graphic applications. The
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current art ofusing mechanical fastening is typified in U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,930,237;
5,024,015; 5,172,504; and 5,482,755. Each of these patents is similar in that
small
pieces of hook and loop material are added to the finished graphic. The size
of the
hook and loop fastening varies, or is not specified, but is shown in the
drawings
typically to be 5% or less of the area occupied by the graphic. In contrast to
these
approaches, image graphic mating webs have a number of advantages:
1. Since the bonding is continuous over the entire graphic,
application is very easy, and no stretching or tensioning is required to
eliminate
wrinkles or sagging.
2. The continuous coverage aiiows for flaws in the bonding of the
loop to the target surface without causing a catastrophic failure. The current
art of
using small pieces of hook and loop web means that the stress of the graphic
is
concentrated on small areas of adhesive, generally a PSA. Any adhesive failure
results in a catastrophic failure of the graphic.
3. The image graphic mating web is very thin and lightweight, which
on large graphics is an important ergonomic consideration.
4. The image graphic mating web is flexible, which makes it easy to
transport and install. In comparison, much of the current art requires a rigid
graphic web, or a rigid frame, both of which are more difficult to transport.
5. The image graphic mating web is manufactured by a simple
polymer extrusion process, where the image receptor layer can be coextruded
onto
the surface, or can be coated onto the polymer surface at a later time. This
process
is low waste and economical compared to building up a suitable product by
adhesively bonding two or more separate components. Further, since the web is
made from thermoplastic materials, recyclablility is enhanced.
6. An installer of the image graphic mating web receives the web
ready-to-image. There is no need to attach the hook material to the graphic
afrer
imaging. The web can be processed by the customer in a similar manner to the
PSA
graphics.
Other features and advantages will be considered with the following
embodiments described using the following drawings.
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Brief Description of Drawines
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image graphic mating web of the present
invention having an image thereon.
S
Embodiments of Invention
Fig. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the invention that shows an
image graphic mating web 10 having a substantially continuous backing 12 of
thermoplastic resin. Integral with the backing is an array of mushroom-shaped
projections or hooks 14, each having a molecularly oriented stem 16, a
mushroom
head 18, and a fillet 20 at the base of the stem. A piece of the web 10 can be
the
hook portion of a hook-and-loop mechanical fastener, or it can be releasably
fastened to a fabric which is penetratable by the mushroom-shaped hooks 14, or
it
can be configured such that two pieces of the web 10 can be interengaged to
form a
1 S hermaphroditic mechanical fastener. The web is substantially shown and
described
in U.S. Pat. No. 5,077,870, the disclosure of which is incorporated by
reference
herein.
The web 10 has the hooks 14 serving as its substrate mating surface
22. On the opposing major surface, the substantially continuous backing has an
imageable surface 24 . An image 26 on at least a portion of surface 24 is
shown,
while it is to be understood that an image can cover from 0.01-100% of the
total
area of surface 24 depending on the type of image to be displayed.
Mating Surface
Mushroom-type hooks 14 are disposed in a selected arrangement (it is
preferred that this arrangement be a predetermined pattern) on backing 12, and
are
formed to have a generally uniform height projection from the backing 12. The
selected
arrangement for surface stem dispersal is preferably a uniform array, although
any
arrangement of surface stems is possible (including even a randomly designed
dispersal
of surface stems within a given area). In a preferred embodiment, the mushroom-
type
hooks 14 are arrayed in staggered rows across the backing 12,. Preferably,
each hook
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of surface stems within a given area). In a preferred embodiment, the mushroom-
type
hooks 14 are arrayed in staggered rows across the backing 12,. Preferably,
each hook
14 projects at a right angle relative to surface 22, but alternatively angled
stem
orientations are also contemplated.
Preferably, the mushroom-type hooks 14 and backing 12 are formed
integrally, and the web 10 requires no additional support layer or backing
material. As
shown, the hooks 14 of the preferred embodiment are equally spaced apart. The
hooks
14 collectively serve to define an operative region or contact surface for
mating with the
substrate. The hooks 14 provide a very uniform fi-ictional engaging surface
for
presentation to the substrate to be contacted.
The use of uniformly disposed and formed hooks 14 on mating surface
22 results in a highly controllable and predictable engagement relationship
between the
web and the substrate (e.g., floor, wall, ceiling in an interior or exterior
environment).
In addition, the precisely formed nature of the mating surface introduces a
significant
1 S mechanical engagement component into the fi-ictional engagement
relationship. The
upstanding hooks 14 penetrate interstices on the web surface of the substrate
(e.g.,
between the crossed fibers of its weave for a woven web such as carpet or a
woven wall
covering or a tape axed to either having a woven outer surface) to engage the
web
mechanically.
The web 10 can be molded from a number of commercially available
materials. Nonlimiting examples of moldable material usefizl for web 10 having
hooks
14 thereon include SRD7-560 and SRD70587 impact copolymer resins (available
from
Shell Polypropylene Company, Houston, Texas); Prevail 3050 resin (available
from
Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Michigan); Himont KS084P resin (Montell-Himont,
Atlanta, Georgia); and Hytrel 5526 or Surlyn 1702 resin (both available from
E. I. du
Pont de Nemours & Co., Inc., Wilmington, Delaware).
Other configurations are usefixl. For example, stem-shaped projections
generally described in copending, coassigned United States Patent Application
Serial No. 08/611,351 (Johnson et al.) (incorporated by reference herein) can
also
be used in this invention. The stems can vary according to a number of
parameters.
Further aspects of mating surface 22 are described according to a combination
of stem
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height, stem diameter, stem spacing and number of stems per cm z. Four
examples of
S
these parameters for the web 10 are listed in Table I below:
TABLE I
Stem DensitySubstrateStem HeightStem Stem
Item (stems,/cm2)Thickness(cm) Diameter Spacing
(cm) (~) (~)
50
A1
0.013 0.094 0.041 0.140
50 0.013 0.064 0.038 0.140
149 0.010 0.015 0.108 0.081
A4
357 0.008 0.015 0.013- 0.053
0.018
The parameters listed in Table I are not meant to be limiting, and
numerous variations in those parameters are possible for a particular web. For
instance,
the stem density is preferably greater than 12 stems/cm2, and more preferably
greater
than 15 stems/cm2. Table I presents specific stem density examples of 50, 149
and 357
stemslcm2, but stem web stem densities greater than 357 stems/cm2 are also
possible.
Further, the surface stems may have a height gradient (e.g., shorter in center
than near
its ends) in order to facilitate handling, the stems may not be round in cross-
section, and
the stem density and/or stem spacing may vary. In some applications, it may
even be
desirable that adjacent stems have different heights, or to have stems which
change in
profile (i.e., cross-section) along their height (e.g., a cylindrical stem
having an enlarged,
tapered stem base).
Web 10 of the present invention is typically formed by molding a
flowable material to form hooks 14 seen in Fig. 1 according to the techniques
described
in U.S. Pat. No. 5,077,870 (Melbye et al.) or stems as described in
Application Serial
No. 08/611,351 (Johnson et al.). The flowable material can be any suitable
material,
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such as a polymer, a metal or a ceramic precursor. It is also within the scope
of this
invention to use two or more different flowable materials to make the surface
stems, one
which can form hooks 14 and the other which can form imageable surface 14.
The flowable material is a foamed or solid polymeric material (such as
that described above), such as a thermoplastic material or a thermosetting
material.
Other suitable materials include thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyvinyl
chlorides,
polyamides, polyimides, polyolefins (e.g., polyethylene and polypropylene),
polyesters
(e.g., polyethylene terephthalate), polystyrenes, nylons, acetals, block
polymers (e.g.,
polystyrene materials with elastorneric segments, available from Shell
Chemical
Company of Houston, Texas, under the designation Kraton), polycarbonates,
thermoplastic elastomers, and copolymers and blends thereof. The fiowable
material
may also contain additives including but not limited to fillers, fibers,
antistatic agents,
lubricants, wetting agents, foaming agents, surfactants, pigments, dyes,
coupling agents,
plasticizers, suspending agents and the like.
Ima~eable Surface
Surface 14 requires characteristics that permit imaging using at least one
of the known imaging techniques. Nonlimiting examples of imaging techniques
include
solvent based inks, 100% solids ultraviolet curable inks, water based inkjet
printing,
thermal transfer, and electrostatic transfer imaging.
Nonlimiting examples of processing capable of making the surface
14 receptive to imaging include surface modification techniques such as Corona
Treatment; liquid coatings dissolved or suspended in either organic solvents
or
water; or a 100% solids polymeric material that can be extruded or coextruded
onto
the surface either during or after formation of web 10 as described above.
Nonlimiting examples of liquid coatings include ethylene vinyl
acetate dispersions, alkyd resins in organic solvent, acrylate and urethane
acrylate
coatings in water or organic solvents, polyvinyl chloride in organic solvent,
and all
of the above combined with inorganic materials such as talc, clays, silica and
pigments..
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Nonlimiting examples of extrudable or coextrudable polymeric
materials include ethylene vinyl acetate polymers, acrylate modified ethylene
vinyl
acetate polymers, vinyl chloride polymers, neutralized ethylene acrylic acid
polymers, and all of the above combined with inorganic materials such as
clays,
talcs and pigments.
Including the projection of hooks 14 from surface 12, the thickness
of web 10 can range from about 0.008 cm to about 0.200 cm, and preferably from
about 0.013 cm to about 0.120 cm.
Usefulness of the Invention
Webs 10 of the present invention combine the best of both utilities of
imaging and releasable attachment on their opposing major surfaces. Mechanical
fastening can comprise any portion of mating surface 12 and imaging can
comprise
any portion of imageable surface 14.
Using such imaging techniques as Scotchprint~'~"'' Electronic Graphics
System available from 3M, (which includes either in electrostatic transfer or
inkjet
means of image formation), exceedingly precise and beautiful images can be
formed
on surface 14 for display via mating of web to a substrate using mating
surface 12.
Further embodiments are disclosed in the Examples.
EXAMPLE 1. Polypropylene material (SRD 70587 from Shetl Co., Houston,
Texas) was extruded as described with reference to Fig. 3 with approximately
SO
pins/cm2, and capped into mushroom-type hooks by the methods outlined in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,077,870. This material was slit down to 30.5 cm wide rolls, were
air
Corona Treated on the smooth side at approximately 15 watts/cm (Corona Treater
Model DP-9007, Lepel Corp., Maspeth, N.Y.). Onto this web, DuPont Bynel 3101
acrylate modified ethylene-vinyl acetate resin was extruded onto the smooth
side
using an extruder with a die temp of 238°C. The Bynel 3101 was extruded
at a
thickness of 0.003 cm at a melt temperature of 227°C at 6.1 meters/min.
The
extrusion took place at a heated rup where the Chrome roll was heated to 121
°C
and the rubber backup roll was kept at 10°C. This was done to maximize
the bond
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between the smooth Corona Treated polypropylene surface and the Bynel 3101,
without distorting the hook structure on the reverse side.
EXAMPLE 2. The web as prepared in Example 1 was cut into 30.5 cm by 30.5 cm
sheets and screen printed with 3M 9715 Red UV Screen Printing Ink. The ink was
screen printed using a 390T screen, and cured with a medium pressure mercury
vapor focused UV lamp system at 168 mJ/cmz. (American Ultraviolet Co., Murray
Hill, NJ). Print quality was excellent, and no major defects were observed.
The
graphic could then be mounted onto fabric cover was such as found in office
cubicles and trade shows, onto level loop carpeting, or onto a target loop
substrate
made of Milliken 858028 knitted loop material that was bonded to a rigid
substrate
using either an aerosol adhesive (3M Spray 77, 3M, St. Paul, MN), or a
tackified
Shell Kraton PSA, many examples of which are known in the art. In each case,
the
web was applied using a PA-1 applicator (3M) using moderate pressure. The best
application technique was to start in the middle of the graphic and work
towards the
edges using a moderate pressure on the applicator so as to slightly stretch
the
graphic as it is applied. This provided a very positive bonding situation.
Removal
was accomplished by using a fingernail to start a corner of the graphic, and
peel
using moderate hand force. The graphic could then be reapplied or stored until
needed. The same graphic was applied and removed several times with no
decrease
in the function of the hooks.
Ink adhesion was evaluated using the Tape Snap test, which is a
modified version of ASTM D-3359. The Tape Snap Test consists of scoring the
ink layer with the corner of a single edge razor blade without damaging the
underlying print surface, making lines approximately 1 cm apart in a cross-
hatched
pattern. A piece of Scotch 610 tape (3M) approximately 10 cm long is applied
to
the cross-hatched area using a PAl applicator (3M ), bonding approximately 8
cm
of the tape to the ink, leaving one end free to be grabbed by the tester. The
tape is
held by one hand of the tester while the other hand keeps the graphic
stationary.
The tape is peeled back at approximately 180° as rapidly as possible by
the tester.
An excellent result is when no ink is removed by the tape; a good result is
when
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small (5% or less) is removed; a poor result is when significant portions of
the ink
are removed (5%-25%); a failure is when nearly atl the ink is removed. The
Tape
Snap Test on this ink gave an excellent result, no ink being removed.
EXAMPLE 3. A web was tested as in Example 2, except the ink was 3M 3905
Black Solvent-based Screen Printing Ink. The screen in this case was a 160
mesh
and the ink was cured in an oven at 65.5°C for 10 minutes. Application
and
removal were the same as in Example 2, and no degradation in the ink image was
observed. Anchorage of the ink to the film through the Tape Snap Test was
excellent.
EXAMPLE 4. A hook material was prepared by the same process as in Example 1,
except that the number of hooks per square cm was increased to 387. Bynel 3101
was extruded onto the smooth side as in Example 1. The resulting material was
cut
into 30.5 cm by 30.5 cm squares. A sample of printed Scotchprint Transfer
media
8601 was placed print side down onto the smooth, imageable surface of the web.
This construction was fed through a 3M Model C hot laminator set at 0.44 kPa,
96°C and a feed rate of 0.45 m/min. Upon completion of the lamination,
the 8601
silicone paper was removed, and a complete transfer of the image had been
transferred to the imageable surface of the web. Visual examination indicated
that
100% transfer was achieved, with no apparent degradation of print quality.
EXAMPLE 5. A sample of material as prepared in Example 1 was printed by the
same method as in Example 4, except that the pressure was reduced to 0.68 kPa,
the feed rate was reduced to 15.2 cmlmin, and a pad consisting of two layers
of
paper towels (Premier Brand, Scott Paper Co., Philadelphia, Pa 19113), were
placed under the hook side of the sample. Visual examination indicated that
approximately 95% of the image was transferred to the smooth side of the hook
material. The areas of non-transfer were small, pinhole-like voids, that were
only
visible upon close examination.
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EXAMPLE 6. Example 4 was repeated except that Scotchprint transfer media
8603 was used. Visual examination indicated 100% transfer was achieved.
EXAMPLE 7. Example 5 was repeated, except that Scotchprint Transfer Media
8603 was used. The conditions on the laminator were changed to 0.138 kPa and
45.6 cm/min . Visual examination indicated that a 100% transfer was achieved.
EXAMPLE 8. A sample of material as described in Example 1 was coated with a
two layer inkjet receptor coating as described in PCT Publication WO 96/08377.
The first layer was coated using a handspread knife coater set at a 0.011 cm
gap,
and dried at 93°C for 10 minutes. The second layer was coated at 0.011
cm gap
and dried in the same fashion. The completed sample film was then printed on a
Novajet III inkjet printer using American Inkjet Inks. An excellent image was
obtained, and no feeding problems were observed with the hook graphic
material.
EXAMPLE 9. A sample of material as described in Example 1 was fed through a
Gerber Edge Printing System (Gerber Scientific Products, Manchester, Ct
06040),
where thermal transfer is used as the print system. Good transfer was obtained
on
the web except for where the pin for each hook joined the flat film. At each
juncture, a very fine pinhole of no ink coverage was observed as seen in
Example
S.. Otherwise, no defects or distortions were noted in the printing.
EXAMPLE 10. A sample of material as described in Example 4 was used through
the Gerber Edge as described in Example 9. Excellent print quality was
observed
using this version of the Hook graphic Film. No defects were observed.
EXAMPLE 11. Example 1 was repeated, with the exception that no Bynel
material was extruded onto the smooth surface. The smooth surface in this
example
is polypropylene that has been Corona Treated only as in Example 1. 3M brand
Scotchlite brand 580-81, 680-14 and 690-85 reflective sheeting, were laminated
to
the smooth surface of the web to create three samples. The samples in turn
were
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mated to a panel covered with Milliken 858028 loop material as described in
Example 2. In a darkened room, a flashlight was shined on each of hook
reflective
graphic materials and the corresponding control sample bonded only with PSA.
For
each sample, the reflectivity remained visually constant. The angle of
reflectivity
also appeared the same. No distortion in the reflectivity was noted for any of
the
three samples due to the more uneven surface of the loop material, compared to
the
PSA sample on a flat aluminum panel.
EXAMPLE 12. Example 1 was repeated, except the web was coated with SSRP-
4002) red flexographic ink (Werneke Ink, Plymouth Mn 55447), using a Pamarco
Hand Proofer (Pamarco Inc, Roselle NJ 07203). The ink was allowed to dry at
ambient conditions for ten minutes. The test sample showed good print quality
and
was rated "excellent" using the Tape Snap Test.
EXAMPLE 13. Example 11 was repeated and was tested in the same manner as in
Example 12. Ink adhesion was "excellent" through the Tape Snap Test, and no
print quality problems were observed.
EXAMPLE 14. A coextruded sample of the web was made by extruding Shell
SRD7-560 polypropylene onto a silicone belt as described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,077,870, while simultaneously from a second extruder feeding in Bynel 3101
resin
(DuPont Inc, Wilmington, De) as a top layer. The resulting construction had
the
polypropylene pins made of SRD7-560 protruding from a web of the same
material,
while a thin layer of Bynel 3101 was bonded to the smooth side of the
polypropylene. Microscope photographs showed the Bynel 3101 to be
approximately 0.002 to 0.005 cm thick. The photographs also indicated that the
two layers of polymer were independent of each other with a clear dividing
line.
Thus, the Bynel material did not become part of the hook structure, and the
polypropylene did not mix with the Bynel skin layer. Various qualitative tests
such
as tearing and stretching the film indicated that the Bynel was strongly
bonded to
the polypropylene, and the two materials could not be separated. Use of the
tape
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CA 02282763 1999-09-O1
WO 98/39759 PCT/US97/03490
snap test did not distort or remove the Bynel in any way even though the PSA
was
firmly bonded to the Bynel layer.
EXAMPLE 15. Example 1 was repeated, except that the web was coated with
SSKP-4009 Black Flexographic Ink (Werneke Inks) via the method described in
Example 12. A good coating quality was obtained. During the Tape Snap Test,
the
ink remained firmly bonded to the substrate, however the Bynel layer showed
some
signs of delamination from the polypropylene layer.
EXAMPLE 16. Example 14 was repeated except that the coextruded web was
Corona Treated under the same conditions as in Example l, and Printed in the
same
manner as in Example 15. Good print quality was obtained. Good ink adhesion
was obtained during the Tape Snap Test and no delamination of the Bynel from
the
polypropylene was observed.
The invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The claims
follow.
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