Patent ID: 6335749
Filing Date: 2002-01-01
Classification: B41M

Abstract:
A process for painting and decorating an article comprising the following steps:submitting said article to at least one preliminary treatment operation selected from the group consisting of cleaning, degreasing, chemical conversion, electrolytic conversion and anodization; submitting said article to at least one preliminary painting cycle comprising applying a coat of primer using a fluid or powder paint of a given color and optionally applying a layer of transparent paint on said primer coat; wrapping or covering said article with a transfer support on which images obtained using sublimable inks are provided; further wrapping said article with a sheet or strip of heat thermoretractable material, said thermoretractable material being selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene naphthalate (PEN); heating said article at a temperature up to about 280Â° C. for time from about 30 seconds to about 30 minutes in order to cause retraction of said heat thermoretractable material and transfer of said images from said transfer support to surfaces of said article.