Patent ID: 6668715
Filing Date: 2003-12-30
Classification: B29C,B41F,B41M,B44B,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for applying a decorative relief pattern to a surface of thermoplastic slat material, wherein said method comprises steps of:(a) applying ink to a peripheral surface of an embossing roller, wherein said peripheral surface of said embossing roller includes an inverse relief pattern, which is an inverse of said decorative relief pattern, wherein said inverse relief pattern includes areas at various levels of depression from an outer surface level of said inverse relief pattern, wherein said ink layer is applied to said peripheral surface of said embossing roller from a uniform transfer surface having an ink coating with a predetermined uniform thickness, wherein said ink forms an ink layer extending along a portion of said peripheral surface of said embossing roller and varying in thickness in accordance to features of said inverse relief pattern, and wherein said ink layer applied to said peripheral surface of said embossing roller decreases in thickness with increases in levels of depression from said outer surface level; (b) bringing said peripheral surface of said embossing roller into rolling contact with said surface of said thermoplastic slat material, wherein said inverse relief pattern forms said decorative relief pattern on said surface of said thermoplastic slat material, and wherein a portion of said ink layer is transferred from said peripheral surface of said embossing roller to said surface of said thermoplastic slat material.