Patent ID: 7250092
Filing Date: 2007-07-31
Classification: B44C,G09F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of applying graphics to an application surface, the method comprising: (a)providing a thermoplastic graphics sheet with a back surface having an adhesive layer covered by a backing sheet; (b)cutting a continuous outline in the graphics sheet to define a graphics sheet character, the continuous outline completely severing the graphics sheet character from the graphics sheet, resulting in a marginal portion of the graphics sheet on an opposite side of the continuous outline from the graphics sheet character; (c)along the continuous outline in the graphics sheet, cutting a discontinuous outline in the backing sheet to define a mating backing sheet character adhered to the graphics sheet character by the adhesive layer, resulting in a marginal portion of the backing sheet on an opposite side of the discontinuous outline from the backing sheet character, the discontinuous outline in the backing sheet having a plurality of tab portions that retain the backing sheet character with the marginal portion of the backing sheet; (d)positioning at least part of the marginal portion of the backing sheet temporarily in contact with the application surface, then severing part of the tab portions of the discontinuous outline of the backing sheet character, removing part of the backing sheet character from the graphics sheet character and adhering a portion of the back surface of the graphics sheet character to the application surface with the adhesive layer while the marginal portion of the backing sheet remains temporarily in contact with the application surface; then (e)severing the remaining tab portions of the discontinuous outline of the backing sheet character, then removing the remaining portion of the backing sheet character from the graphics sheet character, and adhering the remaining portion of the back surface of the graphics sheet character to the application surface with the adhesive layer; then (f) removing from the application surface the marginal portions of the backing sheet and the graphics sheet, which remain adhered to each other.